The Peace Maker

I mentioned in a previous post that I took a Seminary Wives Institute course this month called Conflict Management. The course content included leadership styles, high-maintenance personalities, common church conflicts, biblical confrontation, forgiveness, marriage and family conflict, grief and loss. The class textbook was The Peace Maker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict, by Ken Sande. The book is practical and inspiring, and yet more information than I could assimilate in one read; it will be one of those really good reference books that I look back at from time to time.

The Things They Say

Ken said to Calvin today, "Hey, son, I have a question for you." Calvin responded by holding out his finger and saying, "I have a booger."

I have no idea what Ken was going to ask Calvin. The question was completely forgotten as we hugged each other and laughed.

Teddy is learning to feed himself with a fork. I put some food on his fork and held it out for him. He pulled the food off, put the food on his tray, took the fork and stabbed the food himself, then ate it and grinned. My apologies, Teddy, for thinking you needed a little help.

The Fruit of Discipline

Yesterday was filled with battles between me and Calvin. Lots of disobedience and defiance!

Today, however, God allowed me a taste of fruit from my labor of disciplining Calvin...

Calvin threw a toy at Teddy after I had just told him not to. I told him to go sit on the naughty chair for two minutes. He went to the chair without any struggle. After two minutes, I called him into the kitchen to talk. I told him once more what he had done to deserve correction. He responded by clasping his hands together and saying, "Let's pray! Dear God, I sinned. Please forgive me. Thank you. Amen." I said (after I stopped gaping in shock), "Now go make things right with your brother." "Okay," he said, and then he ran to the living room to apologize to Teddy.

God knew how much I needed that encouragement today, to see Calvin receive correction without a fight, and to see his heart tender before the Lord.

Fights And Carols

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your

desires that battle within you?"

James 4:1

A few weeks ago, Calvin asked if he could bring one of his Lightning McQueen cars to Sunday School. "No," I said, "because it causes fights and quarrels among your friends." I learned today that he was actually listening to my response...

Today at lunch, Calvin started a tug-of-war with Teddy over a sippy cup of milk. Calvin won the battle and tossed the cup aside and out of Teddy's reach. He then exclaimed, "Mommy! We're playing fights and carols!"

I tried for a moment to hold back a smile, then gave in and erupted in giggles.

Moms and Dads Are Different

Here's an example of how different moms are from dads:

At the end of lunch yesterday, Teddy took a chunk of cornbread and threw it across the room.

Kim: Teddy Dean! No throwing food!

Ken: Did Teddy do that? What an arm!!



Yes, that's why children need both a mother and a father.

Return to Worship

I just finished reading the book Return to Worship by Ron Owens. Owens' purpose in writing this book is to encourage the church to worship the God of the Bible as God deems acceptable. He addresses two audiences: the layperson and church leaders. He calls each chapter a "letter" and addresses it to a particular person or position in the church.

I love his letters to the layperson, where he addresses the "who" and "what" of worship. It is my experience that "worship" is most often discussed in terms of preference rather than substance. By preference, I mean the style of music, choice of songs, or delivery style of the preacher. By substance I am referring to the content of the message, the meaning, the purpose of all elements of a worship service. This is an important distinction for all Christians to consider, clergy and layperson alike, for we often need to set aside our preferences in order to allow the entire body of Christ to worship in Spirit and in truth.

Owens also addresses church leaders. My favorite letter in this section has to do with continuity in the corporate worship service. This value of continuity was modeled for me by the worship pastor I served alongside in Minnesota. He consistently planned worship services that flowed from the meaning of that service's sermon text.

Owens main thought on worship is that it is a lifestyle. We worship God corporately but also individually as we submit and serve in the name of Christ.

Louisville from A to Z

We've had this great little children's book checked out from the library for a few weeks now. It's called Louisville From A to Z. It has taught us some interesting facts about Louisville, Kentucky:

• B-- The Belle of Louisville. I had seen pictures of it before, a restored paddlewheel steamboat that cruises the Ohio River. What I didn't know was that it is one of only five remaining paddlewheel steamboats in the United States.
• O-- "for Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed Louisville's original parks system. He moved to Louisville after designing Central Park in New York City."
• S--The Seelbach Hotel is talked up all over town as the swankiest place in the city. Do you recognize the name? It is a hotel featured in the book, The Great Gatsby.
• T--"Thunder Over Louisville, the nation's largest annual fireworks display, and the official kickoff for the Kentucky Derby Festival each year."

The book has also given us a new list of places to be sure and see in Louisville: Churchill Downs, Henry's Ark, Iroquios Ampitheater, St. James Court Art Show, historic Old Louisville, the University of Louisville, and Water Tower park.

That's a big list. We'll see how far we get while living here.