You are currently browsing Jennifer's articles.
Months ago, actually it was over a year ago, when I switched to the ESV I began the countdown to the ESV Study Bible. I purposely bought a smaller, less expensive ESV because I knew when the Study Bible came out I’d want one. Never-mind that I have since received the Literary Study Bible… twice (don’t ask) and bought another one that was supposed to be my “forever Bible”.
So back to the countdown. I have been waiting. It’s been on backorder since the date was announced.
Waiting….
and waiting
During that time of waiting, through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives we have become acutly aware that we need to make some changes in our spending habits. One of which is no longer buying things that are on the long list of “wants” and not at all on the short list of “needs”. A new study Bible – not on the need list – not at all. But oh so very much on the want list. Heavy Sigh. So I dutifully and, yes, joyfully canceled my backorder. I knew that, like in everything else, God would provide if it was for my good and His glory. I know it’s a little silly. While some people are praying for the healing of a loved one, or world peace, I was thanking God that I knew he would provide for me to have a shiny new Bible if He wanted me to have one. I know – I sound ridiculous.
Well, to make a long story short. My mother bought me an ESVSB. It came today. I know she knew I wanted one. She also knew I canceled my backorder. She loves me and wanted to bless me and I am very grateful. But I know this Bible is not manna from heaven in the traditional sense. If I had never told her about my big “sacrifice” and she had bought me one anyway, now that would be something. Oh, and if I had won either of the two “win a free ESVSB” contests I entered… I’m pathetic, I know.
Don’t misunderstand me – I LOVE this Bible. This Bible will be a great tool for me and I’m sure will help me in my pursuit of knowing God and His word more. But to tell the truth I’m a little bit afraid of it.
For starters, the thing is HUGE. I love what one brother said when my husband told him about the gift and that I would get the Bible while he got the free online ESVSB that came with it…
“Jenn may get the Bible- but you’ll have to carry it- it’s heavy! You will be a “bearer of The Word” hauling that big ol’ Bible around”
In addition to it’s size, it is really packed full of great information. I love it. I can’t wait to sink my theological teeth into it. But in addition to what God has to teach me from the Word itself, and the scholarship of the great men who worked on the notes and articles, I know He wants me to learn a little bit more. Bible gluttony maybe? Why do I have so many extra Bibles on my shelf when there are people elsewhere who cannot get ONE because they are illegal. There are lessons of faith to be had. Did I REALLY trust Him or did I manipulate the situation by letting my loving mother know that I was going without? Is this any different than pouting because I wanted a particular doll when I was six? And then – the horrifying idea that I was eagerly awaiting the mailman not because I wanted to see him come to know Jesus through my testimony… but because he may have something I wanted in a brown cardboard box.
I love my new Bible but I think its lessons are going to be painful.
Ps. My husband wanted me to add that it has a great “New Bible Smell”. He’s got issues.
Happy Birthday My Beloved Husband! Thank you for all you do for us.
Bar Harbor
I love this post on Family Vacations by CJ Mahaney so I thought I’d share it with you all.
We are on the tail end of our first “vacation” of the year. We’re not world travelers so for us vacation normally consists of day trips and doing all the things as a family that we can’t normally do because Daddy is at work.
This week we had close friends visiting from Tenessee and we did alot of that same thing. When I read CJ’s thought on a Father’s role in making a memorable vacation I was happy to say that our experiences are much like the great model he describes. I have many vacation pictures like this one:
That’s because my guys (all three of them) are like peas in a pod wherever we go. Daddy is right there with a big smile making sure we all have wonderful time. The smiles in the pictures are the same smiles I see when the camera isn’t there. If I am honest I’ll admit that I am much more likely to be a grumpy-face. Thankfully he sets the tone and I don’t succeed in ruining everyone’s experience very often.
With the vacation season upon us I want to encourage all the dads I know to take CJ’s words to heart. Your family will be grateful. I know I am.
update: The link to CJ Mahaney’s article is for Part 3 – you can find parts 1 & 2 from there.
What does this little fish have to do with my birthday? Come visit our school/life/other blog to find out…
http://fountainacademy.blogspot.com/2008/04/special-day-for-mommy.html
How do you think a football team prepares in the week or so before Super bowl Sunday? I’m sure there is lots of practice, they watch video of their opponent in action, work on improving in their weak areas, eat right and sleep well. Those sound like reasonable activities when preparing for such a significant event. Read the rest of this entry »
This was a nice way to end our time at the Museum of Science yesterday. As we were headed out we passed by the chicks one last time and there was on just hatching. The boys got to see the whole thing. The whole day was great because Daddy took a suprise day off to take us in to Boston. They have a new live reptile exhibit and we had some good friends join us.
Nice day. Cute chick.
This is my most successful shot of the lunar eclipse last week. It was very cool, but not as impressive as I thought it would be. It was certianly not worth waking the boys up since they both had the flu and were sleeping soundly.
This post and the article it references is very interesting if you follow this sort of thing.
