Saturday, December 22, 2007
emmanuel
Our family opened our few small gifts a little early this year (like usual). It's nice to get all that fluff out of the way and be able to think and dwell together on the incarnation.
We sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. It's what we do for each other and those we love, so we decided to do that for Him. Then we talked about the mystery of Emmanuel (God with us)--of God coming to earth and dwelling with us. As Yoda would say, "Hard to understand, it is." :)
I hope you all have a peaceful time this Christmas in thankfulness to God. Being thankful for Him entering into our mess here and redeeming.
I've learned some things recently that have helped me re-focus my life on Jesus where it should be. I'm looking forward to this coming year as we, as a family, more earnestly share that hope, joy, and peace with others here in Gresham.
-John
Thursday, December 20, 2007
winter hail
God speaking to Job:
38:14 The earth takes shape like clay under a seal;
its features stand out like those of a garment.
15 The wicked are denied their light,
and their upraised arm is broken.
16 "Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea
or walked in the recesses of the deep?
17 Have the gates of death been shown to you?
Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death [a] ?
18 Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?
Tell me, if you know all this.
19 "What is the way to the abode of light?
And where does darkness reside?
20 Can you take them to their places?
Do you know the paths to their dwellings?
21 Surely you know, for you were already born!
You have lived so many years!
22 "Have you entered the storehouses of the snow
or seen the storehouses of the hail,
23 which I reserve for times of trouble,
for days of war and battle?
24 What is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed,
or the place where the east winds are scattered over the earth?
25 Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain,
and a path for the thunderstorm,
26 to water a land where no man lives,
a desert with no one in it,
27 to satisfy a desolate wasteland
and make it sprout with grass?
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
dirt
Most guys ask for tools or big toys. I ask for dirt. :)
Winter gard-nin is in full swing here at the Schwartz household. This is three-way I'm adding to newly created beds. We're turning much of the back yard into garden. I'm looking forward to seeing a nice crop o' corn next summer!
Winter gard-nin is in full swing here at the Schwartz household. This is three-way I'm adding to newly created beds. We're turning much of the back yard into garden. I'm looking forward to seeing a nice crop o' corn next summer!
hunting?
Scanned a few photos from a beautiful trip to Mt. Adams with Dad, Shon & Timmy, Joe & Luke, and my boys Zach and Drew. You'll notice no animals. :)
Friday, December 14, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
great story
...although not sure why they say he's a "green enthusiast"... just a guy usin his noggin to get some juice into his house. :)
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Friday, December 7, 2007
the cure
The cure for the human condition (not good) is not to be found in human books, human wisdom, human psychology, human philosophy, or any other human source for that matter.
As well, the cure for the impotent American church is also not found in humanity and it's perceived "christian" wisdom. It is not found in christian music, christian books, christian paradigm shifts, christian pop psychology, christian seminars, christian leaders/icons, christian t.v., christian internet, emerging christian churches, christian philosophy, ad nauseum...
So, what IS the cure?
The Cure is Christ. That's it.
Jesus is the salve for all wounds, all sin, all injustice, all darkness. He is the only foundation for a healthy man, healthy family, and healthy church. To add anything else is to add our own solution to the precious blood of Christ by which we were redeemed.
As well, the cure for the impotent American church is also not found in humanity and it's perceived "christian" wisdom. It is not found in christian music, christian books, christian paradigm shifts, christian pop psychology, christian seminars, christian leaders/icons, christian t.v., christian internet, emerging christian churches, christian philosophy, ad nauseum...
So, what IS the cure?
The Cure is Christ. That's it.
Jesus is the salve for all wounds, all sin, all injustice, all darkness. He is the only foundation for a healthy man, healthy family, and healthy church. To add anything else is to add our own solution to the precious blood of Christ by which we were redeemed.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
don't waste your life - update
After finishing Piper's book, I'd have to say it's in my top 10. It's really nailed me in a couple areas. I finished it on the plane to Iowa and the small church we visited last Sunday was just finishing it up in their Sunday School class! I really believe that was arranged by a caring Father...
-John
back from iowa
Becka looking out the plane window and shouting, "whooaaaaa!" She delighted quite a few passengers with her comments as we took off and landed.
-John
-John
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
spiritual supplements
First thing this morning after a shower I grabbed three or four vitamins and chugged 'em down with some water. It's really something you and I do without thinking. We naturally want to take care of our bodies and do what's best for them--which includes supplementing them with vital nutrients they don't naturally create. This prevents sickness and even premature aging and death.
Peter tells us we also need to "supplement our faith". Now that's an interesting truth! Our faith, like our bodies, needs attention. It needs spiritual supplements to prevent it from withering--nutrients like Vitamin V (Virtue) and Vitamin BA (Brotherly affection). And what does Peter say these supplements will prevent? Things like "unfruitfullness", "ineffectiveness", and "spiritual blindness".
In fact those who don't practice and add these spiritual vitamins to their faith Peter says:
...is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
-John
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Thursday, November 22, 2007
don't waste your life
amen
Still wondering why folks drink decaf... (took a pic of this lovely postcard at my sister Vicki's house over Thanksgiving.)
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
about to lose
my dad about lose at probe... and lose he/they did! i swept them all three games to none at dad & mom's house. :)
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
big drewps
Drew is now 10, is taking guitar lessons from Daddy (and doing great!), shot a grouse this year hunting with a shotgun, loves to read and doing great with home-schooling.
-John
-John
purple mud
Friday, November 16, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
got webbed feet?
Ha! Dixon just took in for seven big ones on 4th and 5 from the 40. Not looking good for the home team, baby.
First drive for Arizona - interception!
Well... got my 15 minutes of espn coverage of the game. We'll see what happens manyana. Off to better things (reading to kids, talking with wife, etc). :)
2 hours later... amazing.
One moment you're a Heisman candidate, sitting at #2 in the nation... the next you're out for the season with a leg injury and your team probably loses the rest of their games.
I'm glad I only spent 15 minutes watching!
-John
lucky dog
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
yummy squash
i just had to
This photo made me laugh.
Life is full of paradox isn't it? My family uses all kinds of nicknames based off cats (kitty, mew, kittens, etc, etc) and yet I have little love for cats. They think they're king, don't fetch you anything, don't smile and dig up my garden areas.
As the saying goes, "A good cat is a..." :)
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
removing the header
hey folks... i noticed you can get to trash quite quickly with the "next blog" link in the header. if you need help removing that header (as i have done), just let me know. i found out a slick way here. remember to save a link to your dashboard (http://www.blogger.com/home) so you can login/edit your blog as some of that functionality is in the missing header. :)
song on my mind
A little song from Waterdeep has been on my mind.... taught it to kids last week:
-John
You have redeemed my soul
From the pit of emptiness
You have redeemed my soul
From death
I was a hungry child
A dried up river
I was a burned out forest
And no one could do anything for me
But you put food in my body
Water in my dry bed
And to my blackened branches you brought the
Springtime rain of new life
And nothing is impossible for you
-John
Monday, November 12, 2007
the boys
One last post for today to get this blog up and rolling. The boys and I
at the Timbers game (soccer) and one of my lovely bride Christy, from
whence all things "cat" or "kitty" come from.
at the Timbers game (soccer) and one of my lovely bride Christy, from
whence all things "cat" or "kitty" come from.
the girls and i
My first post to the blog. Ya, I know, I'm a web guy and don't have a
blog yet. Well, issue resolved. :)
blog yet. Well, issue resolved. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)