Chad and Tripp both pointed back to The River Merchant’s (Aaron Stoller) idea of a life canon.
You can click here for the rules.
Here is mine (as of 4-29-08):
How can a nation be considered a Christian nation when it seems they continually ignore Matthew 5:9?
How can we as individuals be considered Christians when we ignore it as well and seek “redemptive violence?”
Thoughts? Questions? Ideas?
Well today I’m working from home. WooT! Technology (specifically VPN) is awesome.
I plan to get started on work at 8 a.m. just like a normal day, so before then I get a little extra time to work on the discussion for tonight’s community group as well as play some catch up on a few blogs, including mine. I should probably put some coffee on too.
So I guess it’s official now, Laurie and I are no longer “newlyweds” or “rookies.” We’ve enjoyed one whole year together. 365 days. Awesome. We were wondering when the newlywed title gets dropped and we were assured Saturday night that once you pass your one-year marker you’re officially no longer considered newlyweds. Good stuff to know.
Continue reading recapping (Or how we celebrated our one-year anniversary)
Found this somewhere else and sent a copy of the questions to Laurie for her to answer and post on her blog. Thought I’d see how our answers compare. Here are my answers:
1. How long have you been married? 1 year exactly
2. How many people came to your wedding reception? Probably most of the people that came to the wedding. 250-300
3. What kind of cake did you serve? A red velvet cake with white frosting.
4. Where was your wedding? Lake Ridge Bible Church, where Laurie grew up and both of our parents go to church.
5. What did you serve for your meal? We had sort of a finger-food buffet with fruit, veggies and Chick-Fil-A chicken nuggets
6. How many people were in your bridal party? 6 grooms-men, 6 brides-maids, 1 ring bearer, 2 flower girls, 2 pastors and 3 or 4 in the house party
7. Are you still friends with them all? Yes.
8. Did your spouse cry during the ceremony? I didn’t see her if she did.
9. Most special moment of your wedding day? The unity sand as well as the kiss and walking out to “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” the e-harmony theme song
10. Any funny moments? Our nephew sneezed and shot a load of snot into his hand. Standing in front everyone he had a hand full of snot and no where to put it. He started to wipe it on the brand new carpet in the sanctuary until his dad grabbed his hand and stuck it all in his pocket.
11. Any big disasters? See above :-). No not big disasters that I can recall.
12. Where did you go on your honeymoon? Hot Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs, Colorado
13. How long were you gone? Six days. Sunday through Friday.
14. If you were to do your wedding over, what would you change? Take more time to enjoy our reception.
15. What side of the bed do you sleep on? The left.
16. What size is your bed? King
17. Greatest strength as a couple? We both love having fun and hate conflict.
18. Greatest challenge as a couple? We both hate conflict.
19. Who literally pays the bills? Both
20. What is your song? I would say, “I Have and I Always Will” by David Barnes
21. What did you dance your first dance to? Don’t recall – it was a swing song at a friends wedding I believe
22. Describe your wedding dress: I wore a tuxedo
23. What kind of flowers did you have at your wedding? Her bouquet was made of yellow tulips
24. Are your wedding bands engraved? Yes, they each have 4-28-07 and SMILY on the inside.
“Love is not an affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person’s ultimate good as far as it can be obtained” – C.S. Lewis
One year ago today I made a pledge and vow before (at that time) Laurie Janine Turner, before God and “all these witness” that I would love, cherish and adore Laurie as my partner and my friend.
I’ve learned a lot in the past 365 days. Most of what I learned was from the shared life experiences over the past year.
I think first and foremost I’ve learned that marriage is not a 50/50 partnership. It’s as Brian puts it, a 100/100 relationship. And even when you might feel like its more 100/50 or 100/0 Scripture still tells us to give that full 100% – and more – I only wish I could give more.
I think we typically want to approach marriage (and any other relationship) as “what can I get out of this?” but Scripture calls us to “lay down your life for one another.” Not only when you’re getting your way. Not only when things are happy-go-lucky. But day in and day out when the muck really hits the fan.
And I must add, that while we shouldn’t go seeking our own benefits in a marriage, I’m lucky enough to say that I enjoy every day I’m married to Laurie. And makes it so much easier to love her with her grace, mercy and gentle spirit. Her love outshines mine each and every day.
She understands me in many ways that no one else can. She accepts my flaws and mistakes with true love and grace. She brings me joy and laughter. Smiles and gladness. She makes me earnestly want to be a better man and husband. She encourages me and lifts me up and always has my best in mind.
And even with all this new knowledge and understanding I’ve learned over the last year (and what I’m certain is much much more to learn and understand) I can say this again today with even more boldness and clarity and understanding than I did on April 28, 2007 ::
“Laurie Janine Blundell, you are my wife. I love you as Christ loved the church. I respect, comfort and love you. And in the presence of God and before our family and friends, I have choosen you Laurie to be my wife and I promise you these things: I will laugh with you in times of joy, and comfort you in times of sorrow. I will share in your dreams, and support you as you strive to achieve your goals. I will listen to you with compassion and understanding, and speak to you with encouragement. I will help you when you need it, and step aside when you don’t. I will remain faithful to you for better or worse, in times of sickness and health. You are my best friend, and I will love and respect you always.”
I read an interesting view on “mother nature” yesterday and why Christians often have a hard time with living green or caring for nature (aka natural conservation – which sounds like the very essence of a conservative).
First off, because most Christians believe the earth is going to be destroyed in the end – so why should we worry with protecting the environment?
Secondly because most Christians traditionally consider themselves “conservative” there is a tendency to be against anything and everything those “liberals” are for.
And third, the idea of a “mother earth” seems mystical or too spiritual or giving too much authority to the rest of creation. It also seems to reflect a Darwinist viewpoint that we all evolved from a single cell somewhere that was birthed my “mother earth.” And I think in addition, there’s a fear that “treehuggers” have taken it their love of God’s creation to the extreme. Some how the dolphins and Pygmy Three-toed Sloths have become more important than humans and well – we can’t have that.
So how about this? What if rather than using the term, “Mother Earth” which tends to give a higher authority to the rest of God’s creation – we used a new term, “Sister Earth?” After all, we do have the same Father/Creator.
Thoughts? Ideas? Have you faced some of the same struggles? Do you care?