Another video clip of Megan

Here is another clip...meg is sitting on Tiff's lap babbling for the camera. =) Notice that after she gets off Tiff's lap, she starts blowing me kissing and saying "bye-bye" before walking off. hahaha...we get such a kick out of her and all the new sounds and words and actions she's learning. Most of them anyway...

Video Clip of Megan

Here's a short and very poor quality video clip of megan saying "night-night" before we put her to bed. She goes to bed really easily and many nights even reaches for her crib when we go in there. We've set up a nice routine for putting her to sleep that she has really taken to. We sing to her, pray with her, say good night, give her kisses and then turn on some Baby Einstien music. She goes right to sleep almost every time. She is such a cutie at bedtime...Tiff and I "fight" sometimes for the priviledge of putting Meg to bed. lol. =D
Hope you can hear and see Meg a little bit in this clip. Sorry for the poor quality...I took it with my phone. Lord willing we will have some real video in a couple of months. We've been saving to buy a MiniDV camera for a while now. We can't wait till we can get it and start recording all the cute moments in Megs life.
Anyway, enjoy:

Our Life is a Poem

I was listening to some Christian music the other day and heard a song that spurred my thinking. I'm always looking for object lessons to illustrate life. The illustration I heard in song the other days was comparing our lives to poems. Our lives are like poems being written every day. We are a living, breathing, work of art that each and every day appears in front of the world as a masterpiece or a train wreck. Here's the Bible's take:
"For we are God's workmanship (aka "masterpiece"). He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10)

That verse tells us not only that we are God's work of art, but also that we can be beautiful art instead of trashy art only by being made new by Him and walking in His plan for us. Poetry says things in a way that is more powerful than simply using normal, everyday language. So the life we live is more powerful than the words we say. The increadible thing is that God if we allow him to, God will shape our life into a "poem" of great power and for His great glory. He is in control and is working in every second of our life. We must allow him to have free reign if we want to live our life to its fullest.

I hope each one of us has a personal, dynamic relationship with Christ and through that seeks to write our "poem" according to his will...resulting in a life that is overflowing with love for Him and others.

Meaningful Quote

I came across a quote that is encouraging and challenging to me. I hope it can be to you. It is especially appropriate for those of us in the midst of the last straight-a-way before the end of the semester at school. I'm done with most of the homework for the semester here at CBTS and have only my Greek final to prep for now. The end is in sight, just need to stay focused till the end.
Here's the quote:

"We are not here to play, to dream, to drift,
We have hard work to do and loads to lift;
Shun not the struggle, face it - tis God's gift,
Go forth in your full armor and in the power of His might."
Maltbie D. Babcock (a preacher from NY in the 1800s)

By the way, please continue to be in prayer for the church Tiff and I are working in. The official search for a senior pastor has begun finally (after losing our pastor to a sudden heart attack back in Oct). I have the great opportunity to be on the pulpit committee and be learning many things about this process early in my ministry. Pray that we will find the right man for the job...the right man being the man God wants us to have. Pray that there will be unity and wisdom among the members. Our church is very small, in the midst of a large mission field here in the Twin Cities. We need to get busier doing ministry and reaching those around us with the love and grace of The Gospel.

On an encouraging note, a couple from Northland who are coming here to seminary this fall have committed to coming to work at the church with us! What a boost of adrenaline that will be for us to have another young couple assisting us in the ministry here! Some of you Northland Alum may know the couple: R.J Kristowiak and his wife Erica (formerly a Harder). They have a little 10 month old baby girl who will be a nice playmate for Megan and will be living right next door to us! Tiff is excited because Erica can play the piano very well and will be able to help with playing for services and specials...especially when our baby arrives this fall. We're excited to have them coming on all counts.

Well, back to work for me...have a great week!
Rob

p.s. here's a cute picture of Meg, I couldn't resist putting up:

You know, those of you that keep up with your blogs weekly are amazing! We have had a busy month. . . Rob and I had a little date night in Chicago while my parents and sister took care of Megan, and then my sister Tracy came out to visit for a week! We've had a lot of fun!! So, enjoy the pictures!