Wrestling and Temptation

My children and I really enjoy wrestling, especially my son. (“Daddy, you wunna westle?) I have been trying to teach them what it means to be pinned and to pin someone for three seconds. Corban really gets it. He fights against me putting him on his back. When I get to “two” in my count he really thrashes to get up. Anna, my 2-year-old absolutely does not get it. When I put any pressure on her, she willingly falls onto the floor, purposely on her back and just giggles as I count to three and declare my victory.

I can’t help thinking of our struggle with temptation and sin. The constant battle that wages in our secret places applies increased pressure some times more than others. Do you get it? Do understand that this is a struggle and fight back, or are you like me some times and just give up before the struggle really begins, allowing Satan to count to three and declare a victory?

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph 6:12)

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 15:57)

Don’t get pinned. Don’t give up. Get up and declare God’s victory!

This video serves two purposes.

First, I think it illustrates a little boy's drive for adventure. Before his ability allows my son to ride a bike without training wheels, he desires to take the riding experience to the next level; a ramp. In the heart of a boy adventure, even risk, trumps ability. In his book Bringing up Boys, Dobson spends an entire chapter discussing the virtues and vices of young testostrone. I think this video belongs in that chapter.

The second purpose of this video is to test the video uploading capability of this blog. If this works well, i want to upload other videos of lessons from time to time. Lord willing, they will be forthcoming. If you get a chance to watch this video let me know how it works.

God Bless,

Daniel

Summer 2008 Thus far

I don't post pictures very often, so here are some pictures of our family this summer.

Daddy is 30

Corban's Beach Body

Rachael and Anna at the Mother Daughter Banquet.

Corban and Anna really are best friends.

One of the many blessings of living in Panama City is beach family photo ops.

This is our beach family.

2 going on 21.

Feeding the ducks/geese.

We just returned from a week at my parents. All three of my sisters, Kathryn's boyfriend, Josh, Karen's husband Houston and their girls Matalee, Emery, and Haven, and my grandmother Hazel and her husband Gerald were there. We spent a day at Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO. Thanks Dad for taking us all there! Also with us is our good friend Alicia (Bright) Moore (front left). What a wonderful week this was.

Anna is never afraid to do her own thing. We stopped at a gas station on our way to Branson. Here, anna is enjoying a peice of candy.

This is my girl.They had some fun toys at Silver Dollar City. On the left is my neice Emery.

The cousins had so much fun playing together. For being so clumbsy, Anna loves a good climbing challenge.

Corban loves roller coasters. So I'm excited to share the big ones with him next summer.

He was pretty understanding this year.

The best is yet to come.

At Silver Dollar City, the Tea Cups were a favorite.

I think Tea Cup #9 is the fastest!

We went to a Baseball game on July 4. (Northwest Arkansas Naturals)

Corban's first love. July 4.

I hope you are all having a wonderful summer. God truly blessed our week off with our family.

God Bless,

Daniel