Sunday, May 31, 2009

Pentecost Sunday

God of our Fathers,

On this Pentecost Sunday we thank You most heartily for giving us Your Holy Spirit! Some 2,000 years ago You Yourself walked this earth in human flesh, ate of our food, lived in our homes, willingly died a tortuous death on our behalf, and rose again in triumph over the grave. Then, as if that were not magnanimity enough, You promised that You would be with us even to the end of the world; and a few short weeks later You demonstrated the intensity of Your continued commitment to the race of men by sending Your Spirit down to rest upon the disciples.

How can we even begin to thank You for such an exorbitant gift!? For without the movement of the Spirit there would be no scriptures to teach us Your law! Without the indwelling of the Spirit there would be no conviction of sin, no response of faith, and no salvation! Without the Spirit working in us to will and to do Your good pleasure, we would have no hope of growing into Your likeness! And without the Spirit’s constant intercession on our behalf we would often be at a loss even for words with which to pray to You! So help us more and more to see the work of the Spirit for what it is; to discern His cues from our own self-righteousness and bull-headedness. By that same Spirit, cause us to follow Your example of humility and sacrifice, and to respond to Your blessings with generosity and service all over again.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

My Son, The Charmer

Earlier this evening, at near-perfect random, Patrick enumerated to me his understanding of the various classifications amongst our family...

Patrick: "Daddy... you're a guy."

Me: "Yes, my son."

Patrick: "...and Trinity's a girl... and I'm a boy."

Me: (absently) "That's right."

Patrick: "And Mommy's a Princess!"

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Teach Them Diligently... to Hammer!

Lots of sundry opportunity to show off my handyman skilz in our new abode... latest being the installation of a wall cabinet for the master bathroom. Patrick was designated "Assistant Hammer Wielder in Chief".



He took to it remarkably quickly: no bent nails, no smashed fingers, and one job well done!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Vermin, Beware!

I am hereby, formally declaring plenary (and unapologetic) genocide against all local tribes of mice, roaches, and wasps.

You have been warned.