A Lesson from Poly-Vi-Sol...

The pediatrician advised that Heather and I start giving Isaiah a milliliter of Poly-vi-sol daily.

Poly-Vi-Sol is a liquid infant vitamin, made by Enfamil, that is recommended by pediatricians for infants and toddlers. It provides all kinds of wonderful things such as iron and B vitamins.

The directions state that the vitamin can be administered either mixed into formula or milk or straight up. Well due to the breastfeeding thing...we haven't given Isaiah a bottle yet. So, the milliliter of vitamins go right down Isaiah's hatch with full potency.

So last night, I have Isaiah cradled in my arms as Heather is looking for the perfect opportunity with Isaiah's mouth open to get the vitamins down his throat. Isaiah mouth opened...Heather gets the perfect squeeze right into Isaiah's waiting tongue.

It took about 5 seconds before a horrendously loud shriek comes forth from his mouth. Then the wailing followed afterwards. It was in the midst of this that I had a very striking glimpse at the heart of God the Father.

Isaiah trusted that Heather and I are going to take care of him and protect him and provide him with the absolute best. Similiarly, we as believers trust that God has our eternal best interest in mind. We take great comfort in verses like Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

However, Isaiah absolutely hated the vitamins which are some of the best things he could be putting in his body. He can not see or understand the bigger picture that the vitamins are in his best interest. He just doesn't want us to give any more.

In similar fashion, we can't see or understand the bigger picture while were in the midst of it. We don't like the taste of the vitamins that God gives us to make our relationships with Him and with others stronger and more vital. We just don't want anymore situations or circumstances in our life that don't suit our tastebuds.

I want to trust that in the midst of painful or confusing circumstances that God is giving me vitamins.

Maybe you are getting a dose of vitamins from God right now...Let God know that you are aware that He is in control and you trust that He has your eternal best interest in mind. Let your circumstances turn into an opportunity for God to prove Himself to you.

Many blessings...

Evan

The Problem of Pain...

I know...I know the title isn't very original. C.S. Lewis is obviously a considerably greater author than I ever inspire to be but I am going to steal his title anyway.

The fact is that pain is a problem. As much as I try to make my life as comfortable as possible, I am forced to understand that pain and suffering are things that are bound to happen to me.

As Heather and I are dealing with the final stages of this pregnancy it has been impossible for us not to dwell some on what happened during the last pregnancy. The feelings of anxiety and anticipation have been multiplied by the fact that the doctors are telling us that there is too much amniotic fluid in the sack currently. This can point to a variety of health issues for the baby including stillbirth.

As much as I never want to blame God for any suffering that I endure, it is difficult not to start screaming out in anger at Him. I am tired of dealing with the anguish of losing Benjamin.

While pain being allowed by an omnipotent God simply doesn't make sense to me, I need to recognize that I am the created not the Creator. My mind can not see what is ahead nor can I get free from what I have left behind. However, I know that Jesus is greater and that knowing Him is worth more than anything the world can throw at me.

What is Your Lombardi Trophy?

It is amazing to consider the number of ways that we can related everyday life with scripture! Who would have thought that there could be a connection made between the Super Bowl and Paul's writing found in the New Testament?!?!

Take a few minutes to listen to a portion of Evan's connection between Paul's teachings and the Lombardi trophy.

Reputations

"Jesus believes in you so much that He trusts you with His reputation"

Sometimes we find ourselves in situations that are extremely easy to react in inappropriate ways. As I sit back and watch people, I notice more and more how humans are innately evil and long to fulfill their selfish desires. They are willing to cheat, lie and steal in order to make their wants come to fruition. They have the gift of complaining, whining and brining others down with them.

Fortunately, we have Christ to fill our emotional, physical, social and mental needs. I'm not sure how I could handle the negativity around me at this stage of my life if my life wasn't surrendered to Him. When I find myself in the midst of wanting to burst, I can remind myself of the statement above. For truly, when we surrender ourselves to Him, He calls us to present Himself to the world - This only happens by living a life filled with seeking truth.

What is your life reflecting? Are you honoring Him by showing his real reputation?

Oops! We have a blog?!?!

Ah, I can't believe that I have forgotten about this blog! It's a good thing Crystal left a message on one of the posts!

Today I realized even more that we need to live moment by moment. Sometimes I thought the "day by day" philosophy worked, but each moment I learn something new, which in turn, effects the way I view life.

It truly is a moment by moment experiences and sometimes our moments don't really seem that different until several moments later, we are different. This works in all ways - positively and negatively. How much of your time is spent with positive people - I'm not talking about people who wear smiles, but truly positive people? Now ask yourself the same question about negative people. The ones you spend the most time with, will change you! You will end up being a close resemblance to what they are around you. If this doesn't encourage us to find positive people to be around, nothing will!

Isn't it amazing to think that it all comes back to you and your decisions!

Time Passes On

It is amazing to think that three plus weeks have passed since we made our last post. As we think about this, we realize how quickly time is passing by us. Time is one of the most precious commodities that we have, yet it continues to slide away. Really, it is the only thing that doesn't grow: money can draw interest, plants can grow more flowers, trees grow more leaves, wisdom increases with experience, love brings deeper love, the list just continues. But, time is one thing we'll never get back after it is used/spent.

How have you spent your time today?
What did you do during your waking moments?

So often we wish for God to extend the number of hours in a day. Instead, we need to ask Him to help us control the minutes that he gives us in the day. Really, how much time have you wasted today? Add all of the minutes that you spent reading or writing email, texting, talking on the phone, napping, daydreaming, watching t.v., checking out facebook or myspace, doodling on paper, driving around, etc. What eternal value did you gain from these experiences?

Now think about the number of minutes you spent praying, worshipping to song, writing a letter of encouragement to someone, reading scripture, sharing the gospel to someone, spreading Christ's love?

What percentage of your time today was wasted? What percentage of your time was invested? May we strive to invest our time into those around us in an eternal manner rather than filling others with empty words!

Moving Against the Spirit

As I was walking home from work today, I realized just how powerful the wind the can be. With each step, I was fighting a forceful breeze that tried to prevent me from advancing forward. The amount of strength that it took was more than imaginable. About half way home, I realized a very important life lesson - the wind is very much like the Spirit.

The Spirit is moving, but so many times we try to walk our own direction, rather than walk with the Spirit. Do you know how much strength and extra energy this takes? We become frustrated with life because we feel like we are not advancing, we are moving nowhere.

Today's mini-lesson reminded me that it is during these times that we need to stop and ask God to show us where He is moving so we can be swept up in His movement. The journey is much smoother when we are willing to follow Him!