Nitpick

“Repeat these basic elements over and over to God’s people. Warn them before God against pious nitpicking, which chips away at the faith.” -2 Tim. 2 (The Message)

How quickly and swiftly we can move away from the core message of the Gospel, of the Bible and focus on other “nitpicking” items which make us more self-righteous and “godly”.

The core message of the Bible is God’s restoration of his creation. There was perfection in the garden, sin entered and messed everything up. The story of the Bible has been God’s restoring action. This is why Jesus is important, to restore a broken relationship between man and God. This is the role of the church, is to be agents on a mission of restoration.

So back to the basics, Gospel and restoration. Nitpicking as the Message says chips away at the faith. I cannot tell you how many times nitpicking from Christians have distracted from the core mission of God and I might add have hurt so many people in the process.

So, do we nitpick? Or are we focused on the basics?

Absence

Well, it’s been awhile since I’ve blogged.

Sorry and thanks for everyone who keeps checking in each day.

I been in the midst of family, preparing for our Christmas series at church, and wrapping up a class at Fuller.

In the next few weeks I hope to be able to post a mixture of things that have been going on. Some really exciting things!

A Proud First Time Grandma

I loved this picture that Lauren took of Grandma T.

A Collection of Visitors

Aubrey has met many people in her first few days. Here is just a small sampling. I failed to get pictures of everyone who visited, in fact now that I look I missed many people but please know that you are still loved just as much.

Life at Home with Aubrey

On Monday afternoon the three of us left the hospital and headed home for the first time.  It was exciting leaving the hospital and venturing out into a new reality.  Before we left the hospital we stopped and visited a few different people that Joanna works with and saw the staff at Dr. Walker’s office.

Aubrey in her car seat for her ride home.

The last few days have been better than expected.  Aubrey is a sweet, mellow, cuter than you can imagine baby.  She has been sleeping well, eating well, and love to just hangout when she is awake.

We thank Oprah for this.  Really we do.  A few month ago Joanna watched a show where this lady was on talking about how babies 3 months and under have certain cries for what they want.  We have been listening and learning to hear her.  She communicates well and for the most part we have understood her.  Thanks Oprah.

Joanna has been an awesome mom.  She is really loving it and it really is quite natural for her.  It has been fun to watch her grow in her calling as a mom.  I think you all would be quite impressed!

It has also been a great blessing since we have come home of the meals that have been delivered to us by friends.  They have been amazing!

Please continue to pray for our family as we continue to figure this out day by day.

A Few Pictures of Aubrey

I have posted a few picture here that my sister-in-law took the day of the birth. Thanks Lauren. You can see more pictures that she took by clicking here. We will be posting some more in the days to come as we take them and get more from family and friends.

Joanna introducing our family to Aubrey about an hour after her birth.  We couldn’t believe that she had her eyes open taking in all that was happening.

Here we are shortly after her birth.

Peacefully sleeping…our sweet girl.

This is one of my favorite pictures from the first day. I think she was tired of having her picture taken.

She’s Here

Aubrey Elizabeth Tarkiewicz came into the world at 5:19pm Saturday evening.

She was 9lbs. 5oz. and 22 inches long…we have a toddler. 

Joanna did an amazing job!

Thanks for your prayers!

Pictures will follow in the days to come.

Due Date Plus One

Here we are, one day past the due date. It looks as if we still have a little bit of time. We’re just waiting.

Yesterday I mentioned that we finished up the upstairs of our house. Below I’ve included a few pictures that I took last night along with a few from before.

It is hard to tell in these picture what has been done so you might just have to come see us sometime. This is the guest room before, during, and after construction.

Then the nursery…

A Christmas CD Must

If you were to look at my I-Pod you would find most styles of music…the collection is a bit odd.

The one type I did not have until last week was Christmas music.

To be honest, Christmas music drive me crazy!

I am a big Sufjan Stevens fan (also a Hope grad)…his music is…um…interesting.  If you have heard it you know what I mean.

So my recommendation this Christmas is Sufjan Stevens’ Songs for Christmas.  You even get stickers with it!    You might want to give it a listen before you buy it…don’t say I didn’t warn you.

The Kingdom of God

I have recently been studying this topic. Jesus very often in his gospels talked about “The Kingdom of God” and “The Kingdom of Heaven”.

Jesus when he was talking about it would say it is near, within you, at hand, like yeast, like a merchant, belongs to children, seek it first, etc.

If I were to ask you to tell me about “The Kingdom of God” and “The Kingdom of Heaven” what would you say? Would you describe a place far away that you are going to one day or is it something now and tangible?

Maybe it is a little bit of both?