You may not have 17 minutes to watch this, but the point is clear: racial harmony IS biblical. May we be diligent to live our lives out of our convictions and not convenience. Grace to you all…

Bloodlines Documentary with John Piper from Crossway on Vimeo.

I shared this video with Ben the other day because he’d never heard of Petra. It’d definitely a great 1980′s pump up song… if only he knew that I’d play this as loud as my mom would let me on my CD player.

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This is unreal…

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I could have used this video in Jr. High

Abby took this video the other day and it made me smile the rest of the afternoon.

enjoy

Here is Adele splashing in the bathtub. She absolutely LOVES baths. Enjoy this brief moment of our lives!

Adele is increasingly becoming a little girl… hope you enjoy this simple video of her in her crib!

Well, we’ve made it through our first week with Adele! I think we’ll keep her.

We’re beginning to find the new normal with her… mainly how I will have to adjust at work, how much I work from home, my reading habits, etc. So far, we’ve made the transition pretty well. Adele loves to sleep, so there are a lot more quiet moments in our home than I thought – but that will change I’m sure.

I think one of the neatest things with this season of life is the adventure of this new territory. The house now has bottles and burp rags and onesies, etc… things that really weren’t around before she came along. And I’m glad these things are here. The Lord has a wonderful way of giving you grace and favor to prepare your heart for these moments. Adele could cry and it really doesn’t phase me… I still love her. She could poop all over herself – yep, still got love for her.

So, we’re embracing this time… it’s only been a week but we’re loving it. Below is a video of Adele in the Hospital nursery… only I was able to go into this room. It was a sweet time for me. It’s also a short video because while I could watch it 1,000 times, you probably don’t care as much.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umLIKC1G_-U]

Here is a REALLY quick video of Adele taken by Abigail. It’s short… you’re welcome.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb_hS8AKXbI]

I know some of you really could care-or-less about ANOTHER video of Adele, but we’re doing our best to put as many possible for extended family to see. So here is another little vid or Adele simply looking around and making some faces. Nothing really extravagant, just a close up of our little girl!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqWTztGoxsc]

Thanks to everyone who has come to see Adele welcomed into the world. We’ve had quite the time getting her adjusted to her new surroundings, but she seems to be enjoying all the attention. Ebenezer (our dog) met her yesterday and has responded really well. No problems there!

A BIG THANKS to everyone who took time to wish us “congratulations” – it sure has meant a lot to us to have our phones and emails become FULL to over-capacity because of your generous love. Thanks also to the MANY of you who have visited – we are definitely loved by our family, friends, community, and church.

With that said, we would love to have today (Friday) as a day to continue adjusting… so, while we would love for you to visit Adele, we’re using Friday as a ‘Family Day’ (which has already begun with Friday Morning Breakfast). Thanks again for all the love and support!

Now here is a quick video of Adele crying!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OIY3tRRGwg]

Here is Adele looking around the room and sneezing (once) this is from her first day. Hope you enjoy!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrxI8ouQcXs]

Here is Adele giving us her first hiccups! I know, I know, she’s going to be giving us a lot of hiccups, but these were her first out side of the womb. We thought you’d enjoy another short clip, so here she is!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKI_3zAfaFw]

Here you can watch Abigail singing to Adele – you may want to turn your volume up as loud as you can!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot0dAu68BOU]

Below are the 5 top reads for this past month. You enjoyed them once, so enjoy them again!

2. Three reasons why I justified sleeping in this morning – don’t hate, but I slept in (until 8am) on a Saturday… but I have my reasons! Even my mom commented on this post!
4. The BEST book I’ve read this year so far – I read a book; I linked in a video; you all seemed to like it.
6. Reflections from our baby-moon plus where we went – the title explains it all, but there are a ton of clickable items in this post.
8. Where do you think we’re going for our baby-moon? – a lot of you clicked on this post but failed to vote… quite curious.
10. Friday Morning Tradition: Criner Breakfast – come see Abigail’s square omelet!

After seeing this video, Abigail and I thought how we might spend our lives giving rather than taking.

Saddest line of the video? “people 65 and plus… golfing their way into the presence of King Jesus… and you will join them unless you make some radical decisions now.”

Every year I set some whisper goal* in regards to how many book and what types of books I will read. These books will span different genre’s from leadership, comics, theology, fiction/non-fiction, etc. but sometimes, a book grabs you, shakes you to your core, and sets you up for what lies ahead. This has been that book for me. It is one that I’ve recommended the most & will most likely give the most this year – why? because life is not one blessing to another, rather a winding road in which God will see us through – that’s what this book biblically teaches.

Watch the trailer which will give you a good idea of it’s purpose.

You can purchase the book HERE.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rObFF1dsi2U]
*a whisper goal is something I say to myself, and it’s nobody’s business as to what it is.

Below is a short video of Dr. John Piper sharing his vision of small groups. I found it a great short word.