simply anxieties

i was dropping off one of my kids and they were nervous walking into a new environment and not knowing anyone. we were rushing out of the car so as not to be late but something stopped me. it was the Lord prompting me to pray. Hmmm, simple yet profound in that moment. talk to God. simple yet profound. i gently ushered my kids into the presence of the Lord with a prayer expecting to be heard and for him to answer as he knows best. it also taught my girls something. when in doubt, we can pray. i usually rush out and kindly ignore one of my kid's comments about their anxiety of stepping into the moment i am rushing into. since its my agenda i simply want quick feet to get where we need to go. this time God met me and stopped me to acknowledge him. so our prayer today was about the situation we were walking into but the prayer also taught me to stop and listen to my kids and for all of us to be reminded we can tap into our Father that hears and cares about us.

a great lesson

as america was at their edge of their seats, watching democracy unfold, lots of children were aware something big was happening.

 every presidential race is a great civics lesson and training in a biblical worldview.

 here are some small ways to help disciple your children through this important time, or for the next.

1. read and tell the children the different presidential candidates and their stances on key issues. try to break it down in simpler terms. ask questions like, "do you think God has something to say about this?"

2. talk about God and his Word. speak of His wisdom and what he says in his Word. read specific scripture that deals with government. we read Daniel 3 and sang burn us up by shane&shane, i felt it was very fitting.

2. watch videos that explain the voting process. our family watched bainpop videos. The kids love moby.

3. watch or watch highlights of the debates. talk about what is going on. talk about God and if the nominee is disagreeing with God's Word. talk about their character and what God has declared to be men and women of integrity.

4. refer back to history and the beginning of democracy. speak of empires that have risen and fallen. read scripture like Daniel 2:21
He changes times and seasons;
he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those who have understanding.

5. set up a mock voting booth at home where the kids can cast their vote and explain the process.

6. once the president has been declared, pray with your children for the country and for wisdom for the new president and his cabinet. pray that Christians will put their hope in Christ and not in this government or any other. remind them that God says to pray for those in government leadership
whether we agree or disagree with them we must pray for their salvation and leadership that we are under.

1 Timothy 2:1-3
First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, ² for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. ³ This is good, and it pleases God our Savior.

Let's continue to pray for the church to go and declare Christ crucified.

 

 

City Danika Tibayan

Introducing City Danika Tibayan

City Danika Tibayan

Born: April 1, 2013 at 12:54pm

7lbs 13.6oz and 20 inches long

The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given Tibayan 4 a new daughter! All glory and praise to him!

The story behind her name. "Danika" is her middle name because our beloved niece was named Danika and we love and miss her so much! City never had the opportunity to meet and be blessed by her older cousin the way her 3 siblings have, but she will be connected to her in a way that she will never forget her. Her cousin also reminds us that life is a mist that appears for a moment and then vanishes. Where does "City" come from? The city is the place marked by density, diversity, and interdependence (resources on thinking about the concept of the city from a Christian perspective). They are places in our world much more intensely filled with a mixture of good and evil. While many Christians are fleeing the city and avoiding it, God has called Tibayan 4 (our family) to the city of Los Angeles for this time to make disciples together with CrossView Church LA. We look forward to the city whose architect and builder is God, the New Jerusalem.

Ways you can pray for her. Please pray to the Father of our Lord, Savior, and Treasure, Jesus the Messiah who died for our sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Ask the Father to bless City, protect her, make his face shine on her, be gracious to her, look on her with favor and give her peace. This means praying that she repents from her sin and trusts in Jesus Christ to save her. Pray for her parents to gospelize her well and love her sacrificially. Ask God to protect her from Satan, the evil one, and to not bring her into temptation. Please ask the Father's name to be honored as holy in her, that his kingdom would come in part through her, and that his will would be done by her. Pray for her to know, believe, love, and live in light of the gospel. Pray for her physical health and development, and that we would see God's glory through her and reflect God's glory to her as a family. Pray that the City of Los Angeles would be blessed through City Danika Tibayan to the glory of the Triune God.

Griffith Park

...Just a lovely family day.

As a parent you can really allow precious moments with your children just pass you by with no real reflection or appreciation. Going back and posting these moments made me realize I need to appreciate more moments with these little gifts from God. 

In Prayer For Japan...

Just looking at some of the images of Japan make me sad.  There's been a lot of talk about God's wrath and different ideas of what this all means.  Perhaps people have watched a series of catastrophic events and are asking questions, which is natural.

One thing I'd like to say is God is clear that these things happen to all.  It is not a clear judgement upon  a particular people. At the same time these events should wake us up to the reality of death and purpose in our lives.  Even Jesus says in Matthew 5:45 that  "rain[s] on the just and on the unjust."


Meaning, whether you are a follower of Jesus or not, these events happen because you and I live in a fallen world.  Everything is this world is meant to break because it's meant to be something different.  Sin, has left an awful stain.  Bad things happen (like in Japan) to all people.  We ourselves, do bad.  Sin, has left an awful stain.  Creation yearns for something.  God answered with something.  Something SO tremendous and perfect.  Jesus Christ, the God man came, lived a perfect life, died, and rose on the 3rd day!  Whoever would believe in him would have eternal life!  Count the cost and follow this Christ, he is the only way to the Father, the perfect holy Father.  God the Father, perfect in all his ways, demands perfection but because of our sin, it has left an awful stain, we need Jesus' righteousness for this reconciliation.  Christ bore it all for those who would believe in order that we might be called Children of God.  Sin, has left an awful stain, BUT Jesus Christ, has erased that awful stain...And made us clean.  

A Sweet Day

It seems like Valentine's Day is hated by many men.  Why?  Perhaps because of the hype that surrounds it?  Or the high expectations women put on it.  Or maybe because fat cats get fatter by the sound of the cash register.  Either way women still want to feel special.  Sure, and I completely agree and understand it shouldn't just have to be on Valentine's.  Everyday would be nice, but honestly that can't be done every, singe day, without fail... SO what to do???  

PJ and I usually celebrate but at home or a nice family outing.  This year I had not planned and it just came and went.  PJ is great at trying to make sure he takes me out on dates weekly but we fail at that sometimes.  I kindly remind him if we miss :)  This Valentine's Day I didn't feel the pressure of making things happen but I felt it as the day was passing by.  I felt like I needed to make it special.  Thankfully God reminded me that our marriage is bigger than just a day.  I felt free at the end of the day and enjoyed eating sweets with PJ while the kids slept in the car (this wasn't suppose to happen).