Nerf bullets and the Kingdom of God

Since the weather made a turn for the better we have been spending a lot of time outside, especially after school.  Our yard has been full of kids all the way from little Parker up to a few high school and junior high school students playing basketball.  I would be lying if I said I didn't love it.  It's nice for the boys to have company and for me to know where they are and it's awesome to know your neighbors.  It has me thinking a lot about what we've been talking about in church lately....taking the church beyond the building and growing the kingdom of God.

"You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven."  Matthew 5:14-16

St. Francis of Assisi said to preach the gospel at all times and, if necessary, use words.  I believe in God's worth, the Truth of Jesus, but if I speak with the tongues of angels but have not love I am nothing!!  Building God's kingdom is about the community we build in our own homes, not just with what happens behind the stained glass on Sunday morning. 

So if you're in the neighborhood and you'd like to stop by, please be clear about what to expect at my home. 

You will probably be hit with a Nerf bullet, football, basketball and/or pinecone.

If you say you're hungry you'll probably be given fruit snacks and/or Girl Scout cookies. 

Parker doesn't share well, but we're working on it.  In the meantime he screams a lot. 

If you get something out you'll have to pick it up.  No, not your mom who feels guilty for leaving me with a mess.  YOU.  You made the mess.

There will be no profanity and no disrespect.  Not for me, any other adult or any other child here.

Don't fuss at your mom in front of me.  I'll make you apologize.   
 
There will be no inappropriate television, movies or video games. 

Also, I hate sidewalk chalk. 

There will be grace, given as freely as we can manage it.

Mercy.

Love.

Christ's light shines around here.  We do not apologize for it.

As for me and my house, we serve the Lord.  And you are always welcome here.

XOXO....Kelly

Max.

We put our sweet lab, Maxine ("Max"), down to rest in peace on Friday.  I know lots of people say this about their animals, but she really was the best dog ever.  Exceptional.  Loyal, sweet, protective, completely trustworthy.  I can count on my hands the number of times she tore something up or disobeyed a command.  I believe God's spirit dwells in all of His creation.  She had an extra dose and we were blessed to have her.

"What may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made"  Romans 1:19-20

I remember asking the question in Bible study once, how do we know God exists?  We have His word, we have His spirit and we have His creation.  The majesty of a sunset.  The power of the rushing ocean.  Pine tree branches that point upward in the shape of a cross in the spring.  Even the shape of DNA is the shape of the cross.  We debate endlessly to reconcile the differences between science and religion, but to live and breathe among these daily miracles....how could they not be the work of a Master Creator?  Does He not hold even science in His hands?

Thank you, God, for the daily assurances you give us of your power, your sovereignty and your love.  Thank you for Max.  When I think of her I know I can not ever doubt your goodness.  Lord, I praise you for the blessing of all that is in your creation and ask that you would open our eyes, that we would see you always in all that is around us.  Amen.

XOXO....Kelly

Just in time for Valentine's Day...a blog about toilets

There's a hole in our ceiling this evening.  It's not a portal to another magical dimension like you might want to believe.  It's just what happened when Kevin put his finger up there to investigate a dark spot.  Apparently there's something wrong with one of the upstairs toilets.  So tomorrow we will call a plumber.  This will be the first on what I'm calling "The UnFun List of Must Do's...Blah, Blah, Blah".  Good name, huh?  Also on the list is get cell phone fixed (I'm sure this will require no less than two trips to the store and require some new more expensive plan); get a replacement van key, which will also likely cost some ridiculous amount of money because it's an electric key; and have the washing machine serviced. 

I'm trying to remember back to the first big repair we had to do in our first house. You know what?  I have no recollection.  Isn't it funny how that works?  I am sure it was a huge deal at the time.  I'm sure I had major anxiety over what it would cost to have it fixed.  But, here, today....no memory.  Just another bump in the road we dealt with and moved past. 

"Love never fails.  But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away."  1 Corinthians 13:8

And where there are toilets there will be plumbing issues. 

This verse also reminds me of Pluto.  You know, like how it once used to be a planet and now it's not?  Or the world being flat.  There is little about this earth we can be certain about, but Love, indeed, never fails.  Not the chocolate-covered-teddy-bear-red-rose love we're about to be inundated with next week.  Christ's love. 

Even the most devout struggle with the things of this world that pull us down.  Homes that give us shelter and security are always needing something.  Is my house a blessing?  Sure, but I wouldn't bet on it.  I can't place my assurance in something so willing to let me down, which isn't to say I don't appreciate my home and that it's not worth taking care of.  It's just that when I ground myself in Christ's love instead, the leaking toilets and broken washing machines and malfunctioning cell phones just become bumps in the road, as easily forgotten as they were to fail in the first place.  It's almost not even worth complaining about. 

Almost. 

I mean, I am going to have to deal with ATT to get the cell phone fixed.  That'll be good for at least once gripe session. 

And probably also a glass of wine. 

Check in with me next week.  I'll let you know how it's going.  :)

XOXO...Kelly