The Gospel

The Gospel is the “Good News” that what we could never do, Jesus did perfectly. God has made a way for us. 

God’s perfection, justice, reign demanded complete obedience to His Law. Because our representative, Adam, failed to obey God, he and all mankind fell completely and from then on we are all born with sin in our hearts of stone. (Rom. 1:18 & 19, Rom. 5:12, Rom. 3:10-12, Ezekiel 36:26)

God came down and rescued his people. By sending his son, Jesus the Christ, to become fully human, to live a life void of any sin, and then to to be completely submitted to doing the will of his Father, Jesus was crushed for our transgressions and all of Gods wrath was poured out on him and every sin of the elect was atoned for. We who believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths are seen by God as righteous because we are covered in Christ’s blood. Propitiation is the exchange of our unrighteousness and sin with Christ’s righteousness with the result being that we are justified and God’s wrath fully satisfied. (Rom. 3:23-26, Matt. 11:27, John 6:44)

The Gospel is not about living our best life, bettering ourself or even WWJD. The Gospel is all Christ and how He left His kingdom and heavenly throne, came down as a helpless baby, lived a perfect life despite temptation, took the complete punishment of our sin on the cross, died and was resurrected before returning to Heaven. 

Just like Adam and Eve tried to cover up their sin with fig leaves, we too try to hide our sin and deal with it ourselves. Fig leaves just don't cut it. God had to come and cover his children with skins from an animal. What a picture of what He was about to do in giving his own beloved son.

We arrived! Whew, it had a rocky start but we finally made it.

We were at the airport at 6:15am Friday and our flight was delayed until 10, with a 7 hour layover in San Fran, arriving in Honolulu at 10pm and then not flying to Kona until the next morning. Yup, we were going to have to stay the night in the airport with three small kids. You can imagine how excited we were. :)
And then, we missed that flight while we were going through security. Wha??? Yes, while we were waiting, the flight ended up taking off at 9 instead of 10. That's when I broke down crying. Our plane was right outside the window but we couldn't board because they had already closed the main gate. After I recovered, we found out that we could get on the next flight out at 1pm and not miss our flight to Honolulu (thank you, Mr. 7-hour Layover). So, really, it's didn't make any difference that we missed that flight. When we got to San Fran, we went right over to the gate for a departing direct flight to Kona which was supposed to be overbooked. We were one of the first people there and just told our story and one of the United guys got us on. Two seats together and the other two spread across the plane. When we got on, I asked a nice lesbian couple if they would be willing to take our seats so we could stay with our kids. They did. Thank you Lord! So, we got to Kona at 9pm Hawaii time. Pops and Sandy Sveiven met us there with alohas and leis. We are so thankful we didn't have to go through Honolulu. Here are the girls while we wait for Daddy with the rental van.

Yesterday we got some breakfast at Dennys and went to Costco and Walmart. Got lots of samples and a chicken for dinner. Here the girls are testing out the lava rock.

This morning we went to Shorebreak Church. It was good to be at a church even though I know it will be stretching for me to be in a different environment. Afterwards we went to Queen's bath which is an awesome pool-like swimming area with a nice beach. So far, I am the only one who has gotten hurt. Just a little cut on my finger from some sharp rocks. Home for naps and now we are going to test drive a truck

Aloha!

5 Generations

A couple weeks ago, a friend took photos of the five generations of first born girls in our family. 

Here are some of them:

Grammy Meador, Grammy Anne, Mom, Me, and Miriam

Twirling

Miriam (who later changed her name to Muriel) and Miriam, 99 combined years

Miriam and her Oooo

Hazel sharing something with Grammy

We have been so blessed to have five generations here in Medford. Love these ladies!

Hey There! 
I am going to be revamping this blog in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for changes. 
I started this blog in the beginning of 2005, that's 8 years ago folks! Originally, it was designed as my own personal prison cell in which to live out my passion for Calvinism (or Reformed Theology) without ruining all "real-life" friendships. Ha! Well, 8 years later and I can say I am still friends with the same people (thanks for being gracious Teresa!).  
A husband, three kids and four houses later, my focus for this blog is going to be the story of our journey (with theology of course!) and perhaps a recipe or two. So, I guess, all the loves of my life: God, Jason, Miriam, Hazel, Titus, and food. 

That is my summary.

Oh, here is a semi-current (August 2012) family photo before Titus' open-heart surgery (another story):

Talk to you soon!
Julianne

Fall 2009

Christmas Eve 2008

Miriam Anne

June 5, 2008

8lbs 1oz 20"

Maui 2008

Surprise!

Yes, I'm still alive. Some people were wondering if I fell off the face of the planet when I got married, but no, I'm still here. Jason and I are expecting our first little one around June 1st. We decided to wait to find out if it's a boy or girl, and so far, I'm so glad we have! Lord willing, we're going to have a home birth with a midwife and my mom. I'm super excited, ok.... and a little nervous. Will keep you updated...

How have you all been?

To my faithful readers, to explain why I have been so infrequent in my blogging: please click here.

Curua, Brazil

Grace, me, Debbie, and Hannah working in the cement...ahh...good times

Is There Anybody Out There?

Sometimes while I'm driving
Trying to find my song
Looking for the answers
And where I do belong
Finally the children are
Bringin' me back home

Ooooooooh Ooooooooh Ooooooooh
Is there anybody out there
Does anybody care
Are the people really there
Ooooooooh Ooooooooh Ooooooooh
Is there anybody seeking
Does anybody see
Or are they deaf and dumb like me

Sometimes when I'm drivin'
Lookin' for my song
Lookin' for the answers
And where I do belong
Finally the children are
Bringin' me back home

Ooooooooh Ooooooooh Ooooooooh
Is there anybody out there
Does anybody care
Are the people really there
Ooooooooh Ooooooooh Ooooooooh
Is there anybody seeking
Does anybody see
Or are they deaf and dumb like me

Sometimes when I'm drivin'
Still lookin' for my song
Lookin' for the answers
And where I do belong
Finally sweet Jesus is
Bringin' me back home

Ooooooooh Ooooooooh Ooooooooh
Is there anybody out there
Does anybody care
Are the people really there
Ooooooooh Ooooooooh Ooooooooh
Is there anybody seeking
Does anybody see
Or are they deaf and dumb like me

Ooooooooh Ooooooooh Ooooooooh
Is there anybody out there
Does anybody care
Are the people really there
Ooooooooh Ooooooooh Ooooooooh
Is there anybody seeking
Does anybody see
That he died upon a tree

~Burlap To Cashmere

Israelology

I'm reading a book by Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum titled, Israelology: The Missing Link in Systematic Theology.

It is very interesting. The definition of Israelology is:

A subdivision of Systematic Theology incorporating all theological doctrines concerning the people of Israel.

Basically it takes on both dispensationalism and covenant theology to look at the significance of Israelology.

Fruchtenbaum is very much into how Israelology relates to end times.

There are some subtle theological differences between his doctrinal worldview and mine which makes it a bit more interesting in studying this new "missing link" in systematic theology.

If any of you have some spare time (like I do...NOT!), pick this up, give it a gander, and see what I'm talking about.

Amazon River, Para, Brazil

Mmmm...














Beautiful, eh?