Pious jerk

Today, Ethan and I went over to the park to play before it was time to take a nap. Ethan loves the swing, so of course we spent a fair amount of time swinging. We sat there swinging for a long time. We watched a dozen boys and girls of various ages running around playing tag. The social network of kids is awesome. I could have watched them engage with each other all day. It's truly fascinating.
As we were swinging, a dad and his two year girl came over to the swing next to us. For those of you who know me well, you know I like to get into my little zone and not be bothered. This guy didn't want to uphold the man code of "the nod and acknowledge then go about your own business" rule. He started asking me a lot of questions. Where you from, how old's your boy, yada, yada, yada. It wasn't until he told me what he does for a living that I showed some reasonable interest in him. He came from Nebraska to Colorado Springs to set up a missionary network specializing in children's ministry. Religion, the only reason I warmed up to him is because he's religious.
I'm not exactly thrilled with how I acted with this guy, in fact I think I acted like a complete pious jerk. I could have spent some time with him and really gotten to know his outreach and his heart. But I wasn't interested because he interrupted me. And when we finally did start having a conversation about religion, everything I said sounded judgmental and pious. I never even introduced myself or caught his name.
Just a daily reminder that I'm not perfect. I'm selfish, I'm a pious jerk, I'm judgmental, I'm arrogant, I'm boastful, I'm greedy, I'm inconsiderate, I'm a sinner. This is the true condition of my heart. When the light exposes the darkness, this is what becomes visible.
Jesus' death paid for sin, and Jesus rose again conquering death. I no longer have to be conquered by ugliness and death (death, physical and emotional). I can repent and turn my heart to Jesus, and know that all things can be done in Christ. That is comfort, that is joy, that is peace, that is daily sanctification. I am righteous because of the grace of God, not because of my actions, my thoughts, or my desires.

"Peasant Princess"

For those of you who haven't heard Mallory and I go on and on about this sermon series we just finished listening to together, it's titled Peasant Princess, and it was the best thing we have done as a couple sense our premarital counseling. It is a ten week sermon series put together by Mark Driscoll. Pastor Mark Driscoll started a church in Seattle called Mars Hill, and is by far one of my favorite pastors to learn and study from. This particular series focuses on marital relations. Many pastors avoid the topic of sex or label it as "dirty". Sex is not something to be ashamed of, within marriage. What our culture has done with sex is what is to be ashamed of: adultery, homosexuality, fornication, pornography, lust, you name it. The reality of sex within marriage should not be avoided, but should be taught. Culture is twisted and producing ungodly relationships that end in nothing but heartbreak and death (death of relationships, self-worth, self-value, and ultimately the death of marriages). Marriages need to be taken seriously and respectfully. How do you do that? Stop being selfish. We are a selfish culture. Start by putting some work into a relationship, instead of expecting work out of it. Listen to this series, it's worth it. Even if you're not married, it will show you the godly way of cultivating relationships and handling yourself in a respectable manner.

http://peasantprincess.com/

Coming home

So lately I have been lucky enough to come home to welcome home drawings on the driveway when I get home from a long day at work. Mama and Ethan get out there with their chalk and doodle a huge welcome home message for Dada. Normally its in huge writing and says something along the lines of "welcome home Dada", along with various artistic doodles of footballs, stars, and moons, and all the little things Ethan loves. This has happened several times now.

It totally lights up my heart to see a big embarrassing message scrolled across the driveway in honor of Dada coming home. It makes me feel so wanted, its awesome. I struggle with having to spend so many hours away from them, so its nice to know you're at least missed.

Still vomit free, continued

So to continue my previous blog, I'm still vomit free. Last night, Sunday, both mom and Grandma got puked on at the same time. It was nassssttttyyyy...

Still vomit free

I thought that title might get your attention. So an interesting fact is becoming more and more prevalent in the Lockhart household. I have yet to be puked on. Now, mama on the other hand has been projected on now several times. Today was no exception:

Ethan and I spent the afternoon drawing and coloring pictures. We thought it would be cool to give mama an art gallery event today when she got home from work. We showed her our Mickey Mouse drawing. We showed her our lady bug drawing. We showed her our heart drawing. We showed her our moon and stars drawing. After we had shown her all of our hard work, Ethan decided he wasn't quite done yet. He still had one more splash of creativity in him. He gave mama a great big hug and blurp- vomit all over mama's shoulder, shirt, shorts, and legs. Oh it was a good one too. Not to brag or anything, but I have still yet to be puked on. It was awesome.

Old toys

One of the many benefits to having a little boy is getting to break out the old toys. I got excited to see what all I had kept, so I pulled down four boxes worth of my old stuff from the attic. to say the least, it has been an awesome last couple of days. I got to look through some of my remote control cars, old Lego sets, WWF wrestling figurines, match box cars, basketball collecting cards, and GI Joe sets. Ethan has been so excited about it all. One day we were WWF wrestling champions, orchestrating a royal rumble on the living room floor. The next day we were US marines, conducting a mission to destroy all non-GI Joe combat teams. This morning we were race car drivers, hosting strip racing for all matchbox cars that were interested in the challenge.

The most heart warming part for me was watching the curiosity in my sons face. I literally got to see him figure out how to use a remote control car. To see him put two-and-two together made me feel like crying. It was awesome. I know I'll have to put away a lot of these toys till later, but it made for a memorable weekend...

No licky licky...

Today when I was headed into work I went to give Ethan a kiss good-bye and got tongue. It was hilarious. He has been mimicking a picture of me sticking my tongue out lately and he just so happen to do this at the same time I went in for a kiss. Nothing but tongue, weird!

Playing in puddles

Last night, I got the privilege of letting my son take me for a walk. Or should I say, I got to accompany him pushing his tractor on a walk around the block. It has been raining a lot here this summer. Therefore there are puddles all over the place. Well last night we found a good one at the bottom of an alley. It was awesome, I got to show my son how to get real dirty.

The coolest part though was teaching him to through rocks into the water. He was fascinated, I couldn't find rocks fast enough for him. He would get so excited. You have to understand that he is only a year and half, so his throw is more of a drop. But it was awesome non-the-less. I just adore that little boy. I would find a rock and he would take it from my hand, walk over to the puddle and drop the stone in. We would both listen to the sound and try to mimic it- ker plunk. Then off to find the next stone.

It was awesome, the rest of the world stopped and it was just him and I in that moment.

PS- I think his mom is a super duper hottie hot hotterson and the light of my life. Don't tell her I said that.

Catastrophies

Wow, what a summer it has been. Death and destruction seem to be popping there little heads up around every corner. Millions of people a year leave everything to continue the circle of life and kick the bucket. If you lose a loved one, the world moves on. It shakes your world, but culture doesn't even seem to blink an eye. However, there are those few that have touched the lives of the world and at their passing the world gasps. Reality sets in. Yes, your really going to die. There is no avoiding it. Everyone of us has to face to music. Even if your made of almost all plastic, your going to face God in the end. We have seen some big names, culture icons, worldly idols depart from this world just recently:

Ed McMahon
Farrah Fawcett
Michael Jackson
Steve Mcnair

And just the other day I read a story about a local man that watched his wife pass away giving birth to their fifth child. What a heart break. Can you imagine? Just starting out, a large family, dependent on each other, and just like that its over. Now the dad has to mustier up the courage and ability to raise five kids on his own, with the painful reminder of his soul mates death in each of their eyes.

In the midst of our busy lives, our careers, our chores, our errands, our holidays and vacations, death reminds us that our lives are just vapor to the wind. Don't hold on too tightly to the things of this world. Without Jesus Christ all is in vain; you are alone, and have chosen to dwell in it.

If you're living like there is no God, you'd better be right... (and you're not, I promise you that)