Yesterday I fielded questions from a group of about 15 sixth and seventh grade girls, middle schoolers attending our church. We had just finished a teaching on Matthew 5:27-32. We discussed lust and adultery, marriage and divorce. (In an age-appropriate way for 11-14 year olds.) We talked much through the awful complexities (against God’s design) of divorce, and the wake of collateral damage that comes with it. A number of the kids are experiencing the fallout of a broken home: divorced, estranged or separated parents. John, one of our leaders shared how 40 years ago his parents divorced,...

Welcome to this world, our beautiful daughter. May Christ captivate you with His infinite beauty and we pray you will be caught up in His plan and glory. We don’t deserve you or Dutch; utterly amazed at God’s kindness in being able to raise you to know, love and enjoy Him above all else. (See pics here ) SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Heidi", url: "http://www.deTheos.com/2009/02/16/heidi/" });

Many want to do great and big things for God. This morning I had a conversation with a man who has a "God-sized vision" for mentoring. He’s right, for God has to show up to do this great work. I urged him in a few key things, and one of them was for do little things for God . It is only in our willingness to do anything, small or menial, that God gets the glory and can share it with us. While many want to be God’s instrument to accomplish great things, as D.L. Moody said over and over, God is looking for those people who are willing to do the little, unnoticed things for His...

Kari piggy-backed on my reminder about seminary professors being human and thus in need of encouragement and our intentional efforts to bless them. Read her post at goingtoseminary.com: "Give Graders a Break ." She ended with a short how-to list for blessing TAs/graders: Don’t tweak your margins or your font size (follow directions!) No plastic binder/covers Use the appropriate citation form Consider your voice as you write — for humility goes a long way in presenting an argument. Use quotations sparingly. Quotations are meant to support your claims .  When possible, incorporate...

This weekend Kari and I are privileged to be able to preach God’s Word. She is heading down south to teach the womens retreat for Calvary Chapel of Corvallis . She has (as usual!) poured over God’s Word and prayed and studied diligently. The four session titles — centered around the theme of "Expectancy without Expectations" came out as: The God of Disappointment, Identifying Expectations (Friday night) Processing Pain, Identifying Fear (Saturday morning) True Hope, Unearthing Expectancy (Saturday mid-day) Enjoying Fulfillment, Worshiping God (Saturday night) Her...

Kari reflects on the power of words, in words of encouragement. My wonderful wife concludes: "Please hear this:  What you say to others can change the course of history.  Speak life!  Speak encouragement. And if we are in a position of authority, don’t be threatened by those underneath!  It is our responsibility as leaders, parents, teachers, mentors, to raise up the younger generation.  Our goal is that they would be better, smarter, and more influential than we are.  If our goal is simply to protect our status, to guard our carefully constructed identity, we will miss out on raising...

My sweet bride has an insightful article on the subtle (but significant) difference between trust God for something and trusting Him with some circumstance. The former is more prevalent, the second aligns with the New Testament vision of trusting Christ. Period. SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Trusting God FOR or WITH something?", url: "http://www.deTheos.com/2008/07/30/trusting-god-for-or-with-something/" });

Celebrating 5 glorious years of marriage Five years ago today Kari Zyp and I exchanged vows, and then I got to kiss the love of my life for the very first time. What an amazing time it has been, my Sauce. We’ve had our adventures: moving 7 times, living in two states, both following the call to seminary as students, raising Dutch, continuing to serve our Lord Jesus Christ, and being able to know, love and enjoy Him oh so much more because of one another. Sauce, I love you! I told you back then that I want to plunge the depths of who you are, and that passion has not and will not fade. You...

My Love, You are the best mother ever and the joy of our home. Dutch can take a nap in peace right now because of your untiring labor of love. God’s grace is evident in every facet of your character and personality. Thank you for pouring out your life for us. Happy Mother’s Day! "But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us." [1 Thess. 2:7-8] SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title:...

I’m headed out to pick up Kari from a women’s retreat she taught/preached at this weekend (read her notes ). Dutch and I stayed home to play and pray, and are so excited to get our wife and mommy back. It was a joy to sit and read her notes while she preached and be praying for her through the various points. Kari posted her notes/manuscript from her two talks at the retreat — from Philippians 2:1-4: 1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having...