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Christi began to dilate and have contractions early Sunday morning. The doctors realized there was nothing they could do to stop labor this time, so they decided to go ahead and take the twins early by c-section. At about 11:00 AM this morning, my family officially grew by two (Caden and Casen). What a crazy day!
They are doing okay. One weighed in at 3 lb. 5 oz. and the other at 2 lb. 15 oz. As of now, they’re on a ventilator and being constantly monitored. So… while they aren’t totally out of the woods yet, it is better than could have been expected.
Thanks for praying and asking. I’ll update you again soon.
Here’s a good summary of the on-going Senate investigation led by Sen. Grassley of Iowa into the financial records of prosperity/health and wealth gospel ministries. Included in the list are Joyce Meyer, Binny Hinn, Paula White, Creflo Dollar, and others. Even Brian McLaren gets in on the TBN-bashing fun. Here’s a little snippet…
“…the prosperity gospel continues to draw crowds, particularly lower- and middle-income people who, critics say, have the greatest motivation and the most to lose. The prosperity message is spreading to black churches, attracting elderly people with disposable incomes, and reaching huge churches in Africa and other developing parts of the world.”
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I know I posted this video a while back, but I thought that this was as good a time as any to resurrect it. Gotta love John Piper.
It’s been a busy week for most of us. (See the previous post for a quick synopsis of mine.) Let’s all take a few minutes to unwind as we enjoy this little YouTube beauty.
You are welcome.
After a week-long Christmas break in Lufkin, I had a little time to reflect during the 3-hour drive home.
Overall, it was a good time. I got to see the family, watched a few movies, and caught up on a lot of rest. On the down side, I spent Christmas day (and the last few days after that – including this one) with a stomach bug. Needless to say, the toilet and I have become really good friends lately. It is an incredible invention and a thing of beauty once you spend some time observing its intricacies.
I also noticed that whenever I go home for any extended period of time I inevitably leave town with a country station blaring on the radio. It’s like a disease that lies dormant for a while, only to rear its ugly head as soon as I get back into the Pineywoods. I think country music will always have a special place in my heart – no matter how many times I try to deny it. (Sorry, Khang.) It should be gone again by Monday when normal musical tastes will resume.
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Baby Update 12/29/07 – Sometime last night Christi (my stepmom) developed a fairly high fever. After a few hours, the doctors began to seriously consider taking the twin boys by c-section. Well, this would not have been good at all because they are still about 9 1/2 weeks early. As I left Camp Pineywoods this afternoon (after singing at a wedding for two good friends) the latest word was that her fever had dropped to around 99 degrees, so they were going to wait until tomorrow to make any significant decisions. Thanks to all of you who have asked about her over the past few days. Please continue to remember Christi, my dad, and the twins in your prayers.
As I’ve already confessed, sometimes I tend to be a giant nerd. This is especially true when it comes to politics and world events. So yesterday, when the news broke that former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto had been assassinated, I was glued to the television.
I watched while they talked about her life, her accomplishments, and her family. Over and over again they spoke of how she sacrificed so much (even her own life) to bring democracy and moderation to the Islamic world. They also talked about how she was faithful to her Islamic religion but always careful to keep it separated from politics. And as I watched, I began to think, “Wow, this woman was incredible. I really admire her.” I began to feel sad for her three children and husband who lost such a great force in their lives.
Then late last night right before I fell asleep, I was watching Anderson Cooper on CNN (sorry, Clay) when one of the reporters said that witnesses claimed that her last word, just before death, was “Allah.” And it hit me like a ton of bricks. It seems so simple really, but it absolutely blew my mind in that moment.
This great woman, who will go down in history as a phenomenal leader and inspiring figure, is now in hell if she never knew Jesus Christ as Savior. If she never placed her faith in the death and resurrection, then no amount of good deeds of history-making actions have any effect on the destination of her soul.
Sounds simple enough to those of us who have grown up in church, right? But think about it. Really think about it. Think of someone you know who is a great figure in human history – or maybe even someone you just shared Christmas dinner with. If they do not know Christ, Scripture tells us that they are forever in the loneliest, most evil, most desolate, and terrible place imaginable – hell. This should break our hearts.
This morning I am thankful that I know Christ as Savior and that the eventual resting place for my soul is with Christ and not away from him. I am also left with the pressing question of how many more Benazir Bhutto’s will come into my life only to leave again without hearing of the love, grace, and forgiveness of Jesus Christ?
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. “
- (John 14:1-6)
Check out how I’ve been passing the time while at home for the Christmas break. Click on the pretty picture below and be prepared to be amazed!
I really need to read a book.
My mom got me the first season of “The West Wing” on DVD for Christmas. I love it! It’s one of those shows that I could sit and watch for hours. So, I’m trying to get it all out of my system with mini-marathons before school starts again in a few weeks. Check out this clip.
On a more serious note – Christi, my stepmom, is pregnant with twin boys. They are due in late February/early March. However, last night at about 9:30 pm her water broke. This is 10 weeks shy of full-term and 7 weeks earlier than the target date they were trying to hit. She was taken by ambulance to St. Luke’s Hospital in Houston. Doctors are doing their best to delay birth for as long as possible. Details are still sketchy, but for those of you who know me and frequent this place, please pray for her, my dad, and the two baby boys. I’ll keep you posted on updates every few days.
“‘God with us.’ It is hell’s terror. Satan trembles at the sound of it; the black-winged dragon of the pit quails before it. Let him come to you suddenly, and do you but whisper that word, ‘God with us,’ back he falls, confounded and confused. ‘God with us’ is the laborer’s strength; how could he preach the gospel, how could he bend his knees in prayer, how could the missionary go into foreign lands, how could the martyr stand at the stake, how could the confessor own his Master, how could men labor, if that one word were taken away? ‘God with us’ is the sufferer’s comfort, the balm of his woe, the alleviation of his misery, the sleep which God gives to his beloved, their rest after exertion and toil. ‘God with us’ is eternity’s sonnet, heaven’s hallelujah, the shout of the glorified, the song of the redeemed, the chorus of angels, the everlasting oratorio of the great orchestra of the sky.”
- Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Careful, you’re about to get a taste of just how nerdy I can be.
My heart skipped a few beats the other day when I read the news that Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema have officially agreed to proceed with production of Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.” After a few years of arguing over budgets and profits, filming for the next installment (which will be split into two movies) begins early next year. The films should be released 2010 and 2011, respectively.
This is your offical invitation to join in the nerd-party and stay current on all the production news by adding The Hobbit Blog to your favorite RSS reader.
Post Teaser: In trying to explain what Christmas in East Texas is like to Khang and Leah during a recent iChat, I decided to search for a visual that would help you understand what my life is like this time of year. Well… I’ve gotten as close as I can. Be ready for a post tomorrow that will give you a little peak into where I’m from.
