Testament Focused (round 227)

"Dead"
James 2:20 "But wilt thou know, o vain man, that faith without works is dead?"

"Watch"
Matthew 24:42 "Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come."

"License"

Jude 4 "For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord." (This means something to me...this old truck is sitting in a field, now useless, just like if we cheapen grace we become useless.)

"Ice"

Job 37:10 "The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen."

"Trap"

1 Timothy 6:9 "People who want to get rich fall into temptaion and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction."

"Carried"

Isaiah 40:11 "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young."

"Free"

John 8:36 "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

"Praised"

Psalm 113:3 "From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised."

Happy 39!

Happy Anniversary, you two!
I love ya.

Please Vote!

I am tossing around this Testament Focused coffee table book idea...could you please vote on the poll? Thanks!!

Testament Focused

"Water"
Numbers 20:7-8 "The LORD said to Moses, "Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink."
"Blessings"
Genesis 49:25 "Because of your father's God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the heavens above, blessings of the deep that lies below, (and) blessings of the breast and womb."
(Thank you "anonymous". I love this! Your prize will arrive next week!)

"Ladder"
Genesis 28:12 "Jacob had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it."

"Fishers of Men"

Matthew 4:19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

"Pottery"

Romans 9:21 "Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?"

"Crafty"

Genesis 3:1 "Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"

I probably won't use this....just trying to wig you all out a little! I mean, doesn't it look like it could be talking in this picture? ICK! Makes me think that the serpent didn't exactly look like this back in the garden of Eden...I am pretty sure I wouldn't be sticking around to be tempted if I saw this thing!

"Seek"

Deuteronomy 4:29 "But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul."

(Thanks Kirby!)

Dreams of a 3 Year Old Coming True

For about the past 6-9 months, Sam has a routine. He crawls in bed and asks if we can:
#1 Go to the Zoo (this one has been ongoing for about a year and a half!)
#2 Go swimming (this added during the summer months)
#3 Go up in a spaceship

As a parent, numbers 1 and 2 are relatively easy to take care of. When he would over and over again ask if he could go up in a spaceship, I usually told him no. The past few nights, though, I have felt sorry for him. Who knows, maybe God is giving him the desire to be an astronaut! So, I told him, yes, someday, we will try to get you up in a spaceship. I wasn't sure how this was to be accomplished, but I was tired of being the squasher of a 3 year old's dreams.

Today we were at Jump Zone...it was their treat for reading the allotted amount of books. They played hard for a couple of hours. Then, I noticed Sam wandering into a corner close to the arcades. "No, not going there!" As I looked closer, I realized it was a spaceship that had captured his attention. You know, just an arcade game where you deposit $.50 into a slot and move around. But, I am telling you, when he asked if he could "go up in the spaceship," I couldn't believe it! Here was his dream coming true! I have never been happier to deposit two coins into a slot in my life! God knows his heart and desires at the young age of 3! And, he fulfilled them.

Matthew 7:7-12
"Ask and it will be given to you: seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."

For Grandparents Extended Viewing Pleasure :)

There are also some on the photo blog...that makes 3 sets to choose from (4 if you include the bloopers edition.) Go here for the photo blog.

Testament Focused Contest

I really want to use this photo in Testament Focused! This is where you come in!! Choose a verse from the Bible that you think applies to this picture. If I select your idea, you will receive a gift card to Starbucks!

The Memphis Zoo Rocks!

The Polar Bears are my fave! I will give them their own post later! They just look so fluid and natural when swimming...makes me want to jump in there with them! Or not.

They have an awesome sea lion/seal show that the boys loved!

Hmm, male gorilla relaxing while female on the lookout. Hmmm.

Keeping up with my zebra rear fetish.

Awesome panda exhibit!

Mouse for lunch.

Dorie, is that you? Nemo was looking for ya.

Piranhas

This was my first time to see meerkats. They are smaller than I expected. Look pretty intelligent, too.

Ahhh! Say it with me: Gorgeous!

After our animal adventure day, all I can say is that God doesn't lack for creativity. His mind knows no bounds!

If you missed the python post, it is below.