Elijah Aiden 6:44 PM 7 lbs 3oz. 19 and 3/4 inches
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
ELIJAH AIDEN
I suppose it would be a bit of an understatement to say that I am looking forward to meeting him. I do have a little more awareness this go around, thanks to Ella's arrival, in regards to what to expect at the hospital and in the days to come. I know that having Ella has been a blessing that I never seem to be able to appreciate enough, and I know Elijah will only exponentially increase this because not only do we get to have another beautiful baby, but they now get to interact with and are blessed with each other. Seeing this unfold will be a priceless treasure. Myndall has already bonded with him in deeper ways than I could hope to because of her physical connection with him. He's a mover and a shaker. Big time. :) Please pray that Myndall and I would grow into the most godly parents that Ella and Elijah could have. Pray that Ella and Elijah will be extremely close friends and will be encouragements to one another as they grow to pursue Christ with their whole heart. Happy Father's Day to me!! ;)
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Our righteousness and our rest
This is just a little free flow thought that I've been churning in my mind. It is very unpolished so be forewarned. Basically, it is in regards to Christ's righteousness, and three basic aspects of how it is integrated into our lives.
Three points
1. Doing-- Christ is our example. He is the one we look to as the ultimate person to pattern our lives after. The letters to the churches in the first generation of believers are full of exhortation to "put on" Christ and make every effort. This is the first aspect of how we integrate His righteousness into our lives. We consciously and consistently DO!
2. Becoming-- Christ is alive in us. We are to die to ourselves, and as we surrender ourselves more fully and become truly consumed with Christ, He does not just become what our lives are primarily about. He becomes life. As this truly begins to transpire, we are transformed internally and are BECOMING different not only during times that we consciously try to live in a Christ like way, but when we are not consciously thinking about it, the people who know us best should begin to see us change.
3. Being--Christ is our redeemer. In the midst of all this effort and the expectation, there is a blessed reprieve. The amazing truth is that Christ is not only our example and our transformer. Most of all, He is our redeemer. We become alive in Him because of His work on the cross. The sabbath was a type and shadow of Him and the work he did on the cross. He is our rest. This provides a great relief from the merciless crushing affect of effort and expectation. If we do not ultimately trust in His work and power to save, we are taking the first two aspects and turning them into a teaching that will "shipwreck" our faith. Our righteousness rests in His BEING. Our faith must rest in Him, and we must rest in Him.
Or ya know.... something like that.
Three points
1. Doing-- Christ is our example. He is the one we look to as the ultimate person to pattern our lives after. The letters to the churches in the first generation of believers are full of exhortation to "put on" Christ and make every effort. This is the first aspect of how we integrate His righteousness into our lives. We consciously and consistently DO!
2. Becoming-- Christ is alive in us. We are to die to ourselves, and as we surrender ourselves more fully and become truly consumed with Christ, He does not just become what our lives are primarily about. He becomes life. As this truly begins to transpire, we are transformed internally and are BECOMING different not only during times that we consciously try to live in a Christ like way, but when we are not consciously thinking about it, the people who know us best should begin to see us change.
3. Being--Christ is our redeemer. In the midst of all this effort and the expectation, there is a blessed reprieve. The amazing truth is that Christ is not only our example and our transformer. Most of all, He is our redeemer. We become alive in Him because of His work on the cross. The sabbath was a type and shadow of Him and the work he did on the cross. He is our rest. This provides a great relief from the merciless crushing affect of effort and expectation. If we do not ultimately trust in His work and power to save, we are taking the first two aspects and turning them into a teaching that will "shipwreck" our faith. Our righteousness rests in His BEING. Our faith must rest in Him, and we must rest in Him.
Or ya know.... something like that.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Honoring the sacrifice
The following was copied from Michaelyon-online.com. Michael Yon is a blogger/journalist who has been referred to as the journalist who has spent the most time in Iraq and Afghanistan since Operation Enduring Freedom began. I highly recommend his web site for solid and insightful information on day to day events in Iraq and Afghanistan and events here in the U.S. that effect things over there.
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Office of the Chief of Legislative Liaison
1600 Army Pentagon Washington, DC 20310-1600
CASUALTY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND GOVERNORS
May 27, 2008
The United States Army announces the loss of Specialist David L. Leimbach,38, of South Carolina, who died in May 2008, in Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. According to initial reports, Specialist Leimbach died of injuries sustained during combat operations.
Specialist Leimbach was assigned to B Company, 1st Battalion, 118th Infantry Regiment, Army National Guard, Summerville, South Carolina. The Army extends heartfelt sympathy and condolences to his family and friends who have suffered this loss and is committed to providing full support for their needs.
In Memory of SPC David Lee Leimbach
CSM Jeff Mellinger is out there still "Walking the Line." He did the longest continuous tour in Iraq that I have ever seen: 33 plus months without a break except for normal leave. And he was seriously out in the red zone. I drove about 4,000 miles with him within Iraq checking on our service men and women, Walking the Line, and that was a tiny fraction of the work he did. And so he came back to the United States and is stationed in Washington D.C., but CSM Mellinger's duties have taken him back to Iraq and Afghanistan. I got an email from CSM Mellinger this morning from Afghanistan. He was remembering SPC David Lee Leimbach, the latest Great American to give his life in Afghanistan fighting dark forces that wish to do us great harm. CSM Mellinger had written a private tribute to SPC Leimbach, and I immediately asked if I may publish it so others may see. Just a few minutes ago, I spoke with CSM Mellinger on the phone. He's in Afghanistan Walking the Line right now, and says we are taking the fight to the enemy.
And so here is the private tribute written by CSM Jeff Mellinger in honor of our latest fallen warrior, SPC David Lee Leimbach, who gave his life in our defence:
Afghanistan
This morning at 0600, we paid final respects to SPC David Lee Leimbach, a Taylor, South Carolina, National Guard soldier killed yesterday in the mountains of Afghanistan.
Just before 0500, an announcement came across the Bagram Airfield PA system for everyone to dress in their combat uniforms and assemble along the road which cuts through the middle of Bagram Air Base.
Little by little, troops from all services and many coalition countries began lining the main street of the base. They stood literally shoulder to shoulder on both sides of the road for nearly a mile.
At about 0530, a USAF C-17 landed (ironically from Charleston, SC), taxied, pulled into a space in front of the formed troops, turning its tail towards them. The ramp dropped, the engines shut down, the crew disembarked and lined up in front of the plane. All down the flight line, warriors stood at parade rest; talking and whispering stopped.
At 0600 on this bright, sunny day, the vehicle bearing the casket, having completed its drive from the mortuary to the airfield, turned onto the airfield. A single soldier walked in front of the vehicle to lead the way.
Along the road leading to the airfield, the troops that lined the road were standing at attention and saluting. On the airfield you could only hear the birds flitting around. In the distance were the sounds of aircraft flying their missions.
Now, the troops on the airfield came to attention and saluted as a bagpipe played Amazing Grace. The color guard moved into position, and those of us assembled near the plane came to attention and saluted.
Two cameramen ran ahead of the vehicle, recording the entire procession, and now the unloading and movement of the casket.
The casket, carried by soldiers of the unit, moved forward to the plane. The band played My Country, Tis of Thee. The casket was loaded on the plane, the senior personnel present (to include five general officers) walked onto the plane behind the casket, and final prayers and remarks were made, then those leaders and casket bearers disembarked.
As the assembled began to move from the site, the crew embarked, the ramp closed, the C-17 taxied and took off, and the fight continued.
I hope the family of this warrior knows that we loved him, too.
From every mountain side, let freedom ring!
Happy Memorial Day.
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Office of the Chief of Legislative Liaison
1600 Army Pentagon Washington, DC 20310-1600
CASUALTY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND GOVERNORS
May 27, 2008
The United States Army announces the loss of Specialist David L. Leimbach,38, of South Carolina, who died in May 2008, in Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. According to initial reports, Specialist Leimbach died of injuries sustained during combat operations.
Specialist Leimbach was assigned to B Company, 1st Battalion, 118th Infantry Regiment, Army National Guard, Summerville, South Carolina. The Army extends heartfelt sympathy and condolences to his family and friends who have suffered this loss and is committed to providing full support for their needs.
In Memory of SPC David Lee Leimbach
CSM Jeff Mellinger is out there still "Walking the Line." He did the longest continuous tour in Iraq that I have ever seen: 33 plus months without a break except for normal leave. And he was seriously out in the red zone. I drove about 4,000 miles with him within Iraq checking on our service men and women, Walking the Line, and that was a tiny fraction of the work he did. And so he came back to the United States and is stationed in Washington D.C., but CSM Mellinger's duties have taken him back to Iraq and Afghanistan. I got an email from CSM Mellinger this morning from Afghanistan. He was remembering SPC David Lee Leimbach, the latest Great American to give his life in Afghanistan fighting dark forces that wish to do us great harm. CSM Mellinger had written a private tribute to SPC Leimbach, and I immediately asked if I may publish it so others may see. Just a few minutes ago, I spoke with CSM Mellinger on the phone. He's in Afghanistan Walking the Line right now, and says we are taking the fight to the enemy.
And so here is the private tribute written by CSM Jeff Mellinger in honor of our latest fallen warrior, SPC David Lee Leimbach, who gave his life in our defence:
Afghanistan
This morning at 0600, we paid final respects to SPC David Lee Leimbach, a Taylor, South Carolina, National Guard soldier killed yesterday in the mountains of Afghanistan.
Just before 0500, an announcement came across the Bagram Airfield PA system for everyone to dress in their combat uniforms and assemble along the road which cuts through the middle of Bagram Air Base.
Little by little, troops from all services and many coalition countries began lining the main street of the base. They stood literally shoulder to shoulder on both sides of the road for nearly a mile.
At about 0530, a USAF C-17 landed (ironically from Charleston, SC), taxied, pulled into a space in front of the formed troops, turning its tail towards them. The ramp dropped, the engines shut down, the crew disembarked and lined up in front of the plane. All down the flight line, warriors stood at parade rest; talking and whispering stopped.
At 0600 on this bright, sunny day, the vehicle bearing the casket, having completed its drive from the mortuary to the airfield, turned onto the airfield. A single soldier walked in front of the vehicle to lead the way.
Along the road leading to the airfield, the troops that lined the road were standing at attention and saluting. On the airfield you could only hear the birds flitting around. In the distance were the sounds of aircraft flying their missions.
Now, the troops on the airfield came to attention and saluted as a bagpipe played Amazing Grace. The color guard moved into position, and those of us assembled near the plane came to attention and saluted.
Two cameramen ran ahead of the vehicle, recording the entire procession, and now the unloading and movement of the casket.
The casket, carried by soldiers of the unit, moved forward to the plane. The band played My Country, Tis of Thee. The casket was loaded on the plane, the senior personnel present (to include five general officers) walked onto the plane behind the casket, and final prayers and remarks were made, then those leaders and casket bearers disembarked.
As the assembled began to move from the site, the crew embarked, the ramp closed, the C-17 taxied and took off, and the fight continued.
I hope the family of this warrior knows that we loved him, too.
From every mountain side, let freedom ring!
Happy Memorial Day.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Revisiting Keith Green....
I'm starting my new writing with an emphasis on powerful stuff I've heard others express. Frankly, I have more confidence in my ability to recognize spiritually vital and edifying material and my ability to pass this on than in my ability to construct such material myself.....so....I'll probably be making a larger percentage of my future blogs an attempt to do this. I want to be a force that builds up the body of Christ. Hope you get as much out of the people I choose to "revisit" as I have and do.....and now Keith.....
These are the lyrics to He'll take care of the Rest by Keith Green....
"You know it ain't no use banging your head up against that cold stone wall. Nobody's perfect. Except for the Lord and even the best bound to fall. Remember, He is Divine and you are de branch. He'd love to get you through it if you'd give Him a chance. Just keep doin yo best and pray that it's blessed, and Jesus takes care of the rest. Yes, the Lord said He'll take care of the rest. He's gonna do it. He'll see ya through it, Yea! He'll take care of the rest. Well He'll take care of the rest. The devil blew it.............Just think about Moses in front of the burning bush...barefoot on the holy ground. You know he must have been thinkin what's an old dude like me gonna tell em when I go down..'Go down Moses!' and the Lord said, 'Hey mo don't ya worry bout goin down south. I'll be sayin every word that comes out of your mouth.' You just keep doin your best and pray that it's blessed, and 'hey mo, I'll take care of the rest!' Yes the Lord said He'll take care of the rest. He's gonna do it! He'll take care of the rest. He'll see you through it, Yea! He'll take care of the rest. Old Pharoah blew it. He'll take care of the rest.......Just believe and you'll receive that comfort you need. You just think about all those lonely people you know. They got everything they want but they got empty souls!......You just think about Noah toting his umbrella when there wasn't a cloud in the sky. You know all his neighbors would laugh at his pet giraffe and snicker as he passed by. Hey Noah just keep building that boat...it's just a matter of time before they see who's gonna float. You just keep doin your best and pray that it's blessed. I'll take care of the rest. I'm da weather man."
These are the lyrics to He'll take care of the Rest by Keith Green....
"You know it ain't no use banging your head up against that cold stone wall. Nobody's perfect. Except for the Lord and even the best bound to fall. Remember, He is Divine and you are de branch. He'd love to get you through it if you'd give Him a chance. Just keep doin yo best and pray that it's blessed, and Jesus takes care of the rest. Yes, the Lord said He'll take care of the rest. He's gonna do it. He'll see ya through it, Yea! He'll take care of the rest. Well He'll take care of the rest. The devil blew it.............Just think about Moses in front of the burning bush...barefoot on the holy ground. You know he must have been thinkin what's an old dude like me gonna tell em when I go down..'Go down Moses!' and the Lord said, 'Hey mo don't ya worry bout goin down south. I'll be sayin every word that comes out of your mouth.' You just keep doin your best and pray that it's blessed, and 'hey mo, I'll take care of the rest!' Yes the Lord said He'll take care of the rest. He's gonna do it! He'll take care of the rest. He'll see you through it, Yea! He'll take care of the rest. Old Pharoah blew it. He'll take care of the rest.......Just believe and you'll receive that comfort you need. You just think about all those lonely people you know. They got everything they want but they got empty souls!......You just think about Noah toting his umbrella when there wasn't a cloud in the sky. You know all his neighbors would laugh at his pet giraffe and snicker as he passed by. Hey Noah just keep building that boat...it's just a matter of time before they see who's gonna float. You just keep doin your best and pray that it's blessed. I'll take care of the rest. I'm da weather man."
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Back Online......
We're finally back amongst the web population again. Hope you enjoy the above pics of some of our fun times over the past six months or so..... will probably kick into the writing gear relatively soon.
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