At the Park Again

Time grows short before we move so we have to visit all our favorite places again. Benaiah was learning the Hebrew for "grass" and "bridge" down by the river today.

Skunk!

Rainy Day Projects

After a long morning at church with dad, mom made me this great homemade play-dough.

Soccer Dreams

Go to the YouTube page for the video "goal"

Desert Soul

Desert Soul

This song has helped carry me through some dry days, may it encourage you.

Crucified with Christ

We're Moving!

Today we applied for a two bedroom apartment in St. Anthony just north of Minneapolis. Now that Marcus is only in 2.5 classes and rent is rising, we found a place we could save some money and enjoy our last year in the cities. Benaiah will love the playground and pool right outside the apt and Rachel is going to love the shopping center next door including Walmart, Cub, and Caribou. (there is also a Chipotle - dangerous) We plan to move in late May after school is out.

Burritos All Around

Now we just bring an extra bowl for the big guy. A little family date from out West. Looking forward to warmer weather so we can run around outside instead of at the mall.

Why Think About the End Times?

A sunrise is arresting in its splendor as its brilliant rays pierce the morning clouds and drive away the lingering darkness. Such it will be with the Son of Man and his impending, glorious return.

Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 
(Matthew 24:29-31)

After the “darkness” of these trying days there will be a great day of darkness like has never been before. At this point in Jesus discourse with the disciples he transitions from talking about the horrible tribulations that will be happening on the earth (vv.4-28) to the hope that will be appearing in the heavens. Five times in this passage Jesus returns to that theme of “heavens” like a resounding hammer blow. It will be the prophetic climax of the ages when the King returns in his glory and claims his people (cf. Isa.13:10, 27:13, 34:4; Zech 12:10; Dan. 7:13-14; Deut. 30:4).

But why are we given such a vivid description of these events? Why are they not merely painted in black-and-white? Why is it not sufficient to know that he will return, why such detail? Here are three effects that it has had on my soul:

1) Refuge: This description of the final day of darkness has the Old Testament prophetic connotations of judgment. But this description is also meant to cause us to run for refuge to the first day of darkness when the Son of Man hung on a bloody cross under the brooding gloom of heaven as he bore the sins of men (Matt. 27:45-53).

2) Courage: The certain finality of this victorious King coming again in glory is meant to have an en-couraging effect upon his disciples who are thrust out on mission (Matt. 24:14, 28:18-20). Press on in the labors until the final trumpet blows and the banner of the King rises in heaven, He is coming!

3) Hope: “The one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matt. 24:13), and it is a battle of endurance. Then, in one moment, the longings, groaning, and tears of this age will melt away as our hope appears in the heavens.

When shall I be delivered from this vain world of sin,
And shall hear the trumpet sound in that morning? 

And with my blessed Jesus drink endless pleasures in,

And shall hear the trumpet sound in that morning?
Oh shout glory! for I shall mount above the skies 

When I hear the trumpet sound in that morning
-John Leland (1754-1841) Sacred Harp

February Snow

A Cake Decorating Career?

Rachel made this for a baby-shower, in her spare time :-)

Crashing Cars

Lots of Love

Fire engine cards, chocolate treats, valentines day is oh, so neat! Just got back from Grandmas house in MI and heading out west in April. Lots of people to fly and see before we turn the big Two.

A Package from Grandma!!

Can't wait to open it.

Virtual Apologetics

In response to a video claiming that Jesus was nothing more than a great human prophet of Islam:

I'm a good helper!

In Michigan for Christmas, Benaiah always gets the job of helping make the stuffing. Christmas eve service tonight, celebrate tomorrow with the whole Kay clan and then next week back to the Chicago area and the Leman party.

Oil Change

Waiting for the car to get done, checking our the carcar.

Friday Friends

Me with two of my buddies on a sleepy Friday morning. Mom and dad are doing my dishes while I go on an adventure.

Small Group Cookies

Just in case you wonder if we have a life outside Benaiah, this is our small group from church.

Mom's B-Day at Famous Dave's

I took mom to Famous Dave's for her birthday and she shared her beef brisket with me :-)