New Testament in 30 Days

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." - 2 Timothy 1:7

I read this verse a few weeks ago, and sensed God calling me to walk with confidence into the power and self-discipline that we have in following Christ. Then I read a blog by my buddy Josh Young about motivation to start doing the things in life that are most important.

So, starting tomorrow, February 1st, I'm starting a Bible reading program that goes through the new testament in 30 days. It's a pretty intense program, about 30 to 40 minutes of reading a day, but I kind of view it like getting in shape. You work out really hard and intense for a few weeks to get into shape, and then once you are in shape, you can back off and do simpler workouts to simply maintain your fitness level. A few other guys are doing it with me, and anyone else is welcome to join in. Here's the link to the Reading Plan we are using.

APK

Yeah, its sad...but its pretty funny

Judah has become our little hawk - perched on an arm eyeing every bite of food or drink hand to mouth. But he doesn't do it silently; with a yearning moan he "begs" for a taste. And bless his heart, he reaches with his little hands attempting to just help himself if you are none too willing to share.

I was lounging in our bedroom trying to do my homework for Bible Study when Aron walked with Judah & a glass of Verner's Ginger Ale. I turned the Mac to catch Judah in action.

This is sad! Amber, you can put this as an illustration in your "How Not to Parent your Children" book.

Seriously. This is why our 3 year old has a L-O-V-E for diet coke (that & she lived with 3 people who had McDonald's diet cokes on a daily basis). Thankfully, we can curb her cravings with chocolate milk.

enjoy,

ejk

mid-week Message: 32 Hours - the Church in Haiti.

This is the first installment of a new feature here on Kirkhaven. Erica and I listen to sermons throughout the week by various well-known pastors and preachers across the country. Thanks to the internet, you can listen to some of the best communicators of the Word of God at the click of a mouse. So, every Wednesday we'll be posting the best messages we've heard in the past couple of years. Each one is sure to give you a greater perspective and understanding of God, and inspire you to love him more deeply and obey him more sincerely.

This week's mid-week message is by Mark Driscoll, the preaching pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA. Mark had the amazing opportunity to go to Haiti just days after the devastating earthquake, and he took a film crew with him. This message walks through his experiences in Haiti and God's Providence in it all. This wrenched my heart and challenged my assumptions of affluence. Enjoy.

you know i love you so - part 2

dear pancake saturday - you know i love you so (even when you get derailed by baking soda)
dear babies fresh from bed with tossled hair and sleep in your eyes - you know i love you so

dear isabelle rose - your scent so sweet & voice so darling - you know i love you so
dear judah paul - how can i resist your sweet smile - you know i love you so
dear biter biscuit - you know i love you so
even if I can't - quite - force - you - into- my - mouth
and you're smeared all over my face
dear warm splashy bath, you know i love you so
ejk

you know i love you so

I love to watch Aron interact with our little ones. Even more, I love to watch the way they adore him. I've got some great footage of Belle when she was a baby looking at her daddy, but I'll have to figure out how to upload it (its a mini dvd). However, I did catch Judah last night simply LOVING attention from his daddy. If Judah sees Aron walk by, he will begin cooing and grunting until he captures his attention. Once he has it, he can hardly contain his delight.

aron & judah from Aron Kirk on Vimeo.

ps...finally updated my new ilife suite - aron had to show me how to use the imovie. its so fun!

ejk

treasure hunting

I love my husband; he is so good to me!

We just returned from our most recent adventure to pick up a vintage cast iron farmhouse sink I found on Craigslist.

Its just lovely - apron front & drainboards. And we bought it for a steal.  This is the closest picture I could find to represent it:

here's another one that is similar to ours - only ours has one large, but shallow sink with drainboards:

Thank you, Father, for loving us in the details. You are so wonderful.

Thank you, Aron, for taking the time out of your day off to do this with me. It means more than you know.

ejk

your hands

for all of you who have known disappointment, felt your spirit crush under the weight of heartbreak and reeling, wonder where is our God...

if you appreciate an acoustic folk original as much as we do, I know you'll enjoy this.

when my world is shaking

heaven stands

when my heart is breaking

i never leave your hands

one day you will set all things right

what we do late at night when we're really bored...

dear grandma & grandpa,

I am growing into quite a big boy as of late.I think of you often.
I am learning so much every day. This week I have found the most amazing toys...toesand fingers...oh so tasty!

My hands are moving where I tell them to go - it is fabulous!

I love to chew, gnaw, and gum anything I can get into my mouth.

My gums are so sore; sometimes it makes me sad.

Then I find my fingers, and life is good again.

I love to feel my soft blankets and rub them on my face.
But you know what I love even more? When I can reach up & grab someone else's face. I grab mom & dad by both cheeks and feel their skin.
I can't wait to see you again.
You will be surprised how I have grown.
I love you!
judah paul

dear husband,

image from dottie angel

and because I paid close attention during our "Love & Respect" training,

i do

respect you

and all of what you do

my strong

hero

ejk