What do I know of Holy?

As a family we have been reading through the Old Testament's account of the Israelite's journey from Egypt to the Promise Land. In this amazing story, the word "holy" is mentioned many times. Of course Lily and Aidan have tons of questions, most for which I could easily explain, but no question compared to the one concerning this mysterious word "holy". For a word that is so common in the christian vocabulary, a word I have said and heard said thousands of times, I found myself stumbling and searching for words to explain and describe what it really meant. From the time when Moses encountered God through the burning bush to the amazing account of God ascending on Mt. Sinai found in Exodus 19.

This was one of the kids favorite parts of this story. The set up lends itself to the vast imaginations children possess: A massive gathering of people, kids and adults alike all camped at the foot of a sky reaching mountain. God has told Moses that He, God Himself, was going to come down from heaven and rest on the top of the mountain. In verse 12 God tells Moses to "Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, 'Be careful that you do not go up the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death'." Whoa, that sure caught Lily and Aidan's attention! Why would they die if they touched the mountain they asked? Why? Because God is Holy I quickly replied... they were not satisfied... There I was again straining to explain what this "Holy" thing is... I was at a loss for words and I found myself brushing the questions off and moving on.

But the truth of the matter remained, and as a powerful song by the band Addison Road penned it, I found this question lingering in my mind: "What do I know of Holy?" The kids asked why Moses could go up to the top of the mountain to see God and the other people couldn't? What does God see as Holy?... well as a part of our bible time 2 nights ago we read in Psalms 24:3-4 this answer: "Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false."

Well there it is. Plain and simple, or is it? More to come...

Where I've been

Wow, it has been a while. After taking a long break form blogging, I am back and ready to go. One of the more exciting things have just occurred... yes you guessed it! The SAINTS are going to the super bowl and I am pumped! I might actually be the only saints fan on this side of the country but my cheering (and yelling at the TV) has made up for it for sure!

We are finishing up our time here in NW New Mexico this week. Saturday we will be "moving" down to SW New Mexico for 2-3 months. Hopefully we'll get some warmer weather. Lily and Aidan are not used to staying inside all the time and they need to get out and run off some of their endless supply of energy!!! We are so very grateful for the opportunity to live and work here in Farmington. We have met some great people and attended an awesome church (http://www.pinonhillschurch.com/)!!! I also know God has used my hands to show his heart to the sick and hurting.

We are still praying for God's guidance on what we will do when this next position is completed. We are feeling led to "come back home" for a period of time to "prepare" for what God has for us next. The pastor at the church we attended here in Farmington has started a GREAT series on preparing for the next decade of life that I hope to share some of it with you all in the coming blogs.
later

Why we don't eat buggers

Not sure just how buggers came up in a recent car ride conversation, but it did. We were discussing picking your nose, etc and Hannah asked the kids why we don't eat buggers. There was a brief pause, Lily said something like she was not sure, so Hannah began to tell them that they were dirty and yucky etc, when Aidan piped up with confidence and said, "I know why we don't eat buggers, because they get stuck in your teeth!" Oh yes he did! Ahh! Hannah and I cracked up! He definitely had a past experience with a chewy nose nugget...

Thankful, but not worthy

When I think about all I have been given and blessed with, my heart burst with thanksgiving! Gratitude first and foremost to Jesus for saving me from death. Where would my life be without His grace. To my family, including but not limited to Hannah, the love of my life, Lily and Aidan, you have changed my life forever and I love you both for it. My parents, for leading me by example, not only in my childhood, but even today. The training and education you offered me provides for my family daily. My sisters (and their families), I am so excited that we all are better friends now than when we all lived together as kids! To my Yates family: I could never imagine having better in-laws or bro-sister in-laws than you guys! And of course to all my friends both here and abroad. You all have influenced my life, making me to the person I am today.

WOW, how blessed I am! But I am not worthy. I do not deserve my family or friends. I do not deserve God's grace... But I suppose if I did deserve them, all of the above would not be gifts, but rather things I worked for and earned. You see, that is the wonder of God. Unmatched gifts to unworthy people. So as I enjoy this thanksgiving and as we enter this Christmas season, let us not forget why we are thankful, why we love, why we give... Happy Thanksgiving all!

I don't know why. I do know God.

As most of you know, we came home from Belize with a new tiny life inside Hannah. Friday we discovered that this blessing was no longer alive. In my life I have experienced pain and sorrow, but none quite like this. This pain has brought up many questions, the one topping the list being WHY? I just don't understand. Why would this happen? Why be given life, just to have it disappear? Then my mind wanders to all of the other terrible things that have happened to friends and family I know and love.... Why pain? Why death? Why abuse? Why war? Why cancer? Why illness?

The plain fact is, I don't know why and I never will. As all this flowed through my head and heart, I heard God say very quietly: "you don't know why, but you do know me". I don't know why our sweet baby died, but I do know the overwhelming love of my Father God for me. I don't know why we are experiencing this pain, but I do know how much my Jesus cares for me, and how he hurts with me for the life lost. Although I still hurt, what comfort these words provide. There are so many things in life I don't know the "why's" for, but I do know God. So for those of you who have experienced pain and loss with many unanswered why's, my encouragement to you is get to know God and His promises, for it is those things your heart needs most.