I was feeding Elizabeth Anne yesterday. After she finished, it was burping time.
She let out a HUGE burp and spat up along with it. Pretty disgusting actually. But for some reason I giggled.
She noticed that and gave me a big smile, spit up and all.
I started laughing, and the more I laughed, the bigger she smiled.
We cracked ourselves up seriously.
Tummy time is good for babies. Spending time on their tummy forces them to push up on their arms, lift their heads off the ground, learn to roll over, and basically work and strengthen muscles that will benefit them in the long run.
Elizabeth Anne DESPISES tummy time.
She gets angry. She fusses. She cries. She gets so worked up over it that her face gets red. She HATES tummy time.
But she needs it. Even though she doesn't like it at the time, she needs it. Tummy time makes her stronger, which will help her later down the road.
We put her in tummy time and sit right next to her while she struggles. We watch over her and allow her to go through it. Then we pick her up when she has had just the right amount and can't take it anymore.
Tummy time reminds me of God working on me.
I HATE it when God gives me "tummy time." I fuss, I get worked up, I don't like the struggles he is putting me through. But God knows I need it because down the road it will help me. And he is right there watching me go through it and at just the right time, he picks me up when I can't take anymore.
Yesterday, Lauran wanted me to take Elizabeth Anne to the studio where she teaches. She wanted to show off Elizabeth Anne to everyone.
My job was to show up with the baby, that's it. However, I figured since we were showing her off, I would dress her up.
I put her in a light pink shirt that said "Daddy does my hair", and bright pink pants with a bunny rabbit on her tush. Pretty impressive huh? Well, I thought so...
All the mothers gave Lauran a look and said...."Daddy did her outfit too didn't he?"
Lauran just shook her head.
Elizabeth Anne has grown fat rolls on her legs!
I was telling her about them the other day, she smiled at me.
Soon she will understand what in the world I am saying and the words "fat rolls" will no long be in my vocabulary.
But for now...we smile at her fat rolls.
I went to the A-Day game yesterday. It was pretty fun. There were 90,000 plus people in the stadium, and they had to turn away some! No kidding, it was standing room only. The most people ever to watch a college spring game in the history of college football!
Click here to view the story and video on ESPN.
One thing you can say without question is that there is serious excitement surrounding the Bama football program that is long overdue. We may just be a mediocre team, but the fan support is there.
Initial impressions:
1) Saban is an intense, hands-on coach.
2) The players love him.
3) The offense is improved and will be pretty good.
4) The defense needs some help.
5) We will be stronger and play harder.
I think this year will be decent, and we will suprise some people.
If you have the time, this is a great talk from Seth Godin about what makes ideas spread. It's called being remarkable. Worth watching. CLICK HERE.
I was sitting in my office chair the other day with Elizabeth Anne when this thought popped into my mind:
"Hey, I wonder if she would like it if I spun around in the chair?"
So, holding her upright facing me, we spun around one full circle. Her eyes got big and she made a funny face.
"So I thought, she likes this!"
We made another full circle, this time a little faster. Result: Another funny face.
This time, TWO full circles faster.
Elizabeth Anne looks up at me and smiles...then proceeds to spit up all over me and her.
I am such a dufus!
Today my church did something they really didn't have to do. They took some time with us to explain why it is they do the things they do. I thought it was pretty cool.
I attend the contemporary worship service at Frazer UMC. Click here for a link. As you know, contemporary worship is sometimes bashed in churches because of the music, drama, pop-culture references, casual atmosphere, etc.. that is present. Sometimes people just don't get it and assume the worst. They think any reference to pop-culture is from Satan, anyone wearing jeans to church is going to hell, and any rock and roll music is an abomination. Contemporary church leaders everywhere probably get at least one strong comment a week on what they are doing incorrectly.
Well, if you could have heard the passion and heart of John Schmidt and Rob Webster, the leaders of contemporary worship at Frazer, today...you would have to think otherwise. Here is a brief outline. I was proud of them! They opened up and explained why they create the atmosphere they do, from music choice to words on the screen. They covered it all. Ultimately, it is 100% about reaching people and doing everything they can to encourage all people, both believers and non-believers, to live out the principles of Scripture. The guys are absolutely passionate about it.
It's a privelige to worship at a place like that. Where they don't let the traditions of men get in the way of reaching people where they are. It reminds me of this passage in Romans 14:17-18, "For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too."
Way to go John and Rob, truly doing work for the Kingdom of God and a couple of my real life heroes!
I woke up this morning at my now usual 4:30 AM time. Fed Elizabeth Anne, put her back in the crib, made some coffee, read my Bible, and ate breakfast.
Then at 6:00 AM, it's wake up time for everyone, including Chase.
I am not kidding when I say from 4:30 to 6:00, Elizabeth Anne grew! I am telling you her head was bigger!!
Or maybe it was the coffee...
Today we discussed Mark 4:1-20
What do we do with God's message? The message that Jesus died for us so that we can know Him? Well, we either drift away or grow toward.
Jesus explains in a story about seed and soil how people sometimes respond when hearing God's message. They either drift or grow.
We talked about what causes someone to drift:
1) Unwillingness to give up things that you know are wrong. (footpath)
2) Hardships and/or being made fun of for your faith. (shallow soil)
3) Desire for things that won't last. (thorns)
All three things distract you and can result in you drifting from God. So how can we combat them? What helps us grow?
1) Confession and Obedience combats unwillingness to give up sin.
2) Nourishment combats the hardships. Reading the Bible and praying deepen your "roots" or relationship with God.
3) Generosity and Service combats unhealthy desires for things that won't last.
The question is....Are you drifting or growing? Are there things listed above you need to think about and/or do to stop drifting and start growing?
The ultimate result is a life of "fruit". A change in your character, and a change in the way you influence those around you.
