Where have we been?

So if you still check this blog (and I'm surprised if you do) you will have noticed that we haven't posted for four months. Several reasons for this...
we moved
we had computer problems
we had a baby
we had a flood
we're both blogging elsewhere
we haven't been "suburban" for a year and a half so it doesn't suit us anymore :O)

We are well. Our kids are fantastic. God is great.

If you want to check out where we're blogging more regularly you can read Jonathan's stuff at www.thewarcollege.com
I post on Mondays at www.614network.com

Grace

Carla

God is Faithful

In short, we must trust: Faith, not feelings and Character, not circumstances.

When we do this, we are no longer relying on circumstantial evidence but are learning to circumstantiate—which means to prove that something is true. God’s love is true. His promises are true. The gospel is true. We can stand on these truths with unswerving conviction and not let the incidentals of life lead us astray. “Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord; may your love and your truth always protect me,” Psalm 40:11 NIV).

This is from my rations today. God is so good. He knows just what I need to hear!

He also gave me this song to sing while I walked with my kids this morning:

Father of lights, You delight in Your children
Father of lights, You delight in Your children

Every good and perfect gift comes from You
Every good and perfect gift comes from You
Every good and perfect gift comes from You
Father of lights

Father of lights, You never change, You have no turning
Father of lights, You never change, You have no turning

Our life has felt hectic and sometimes stressful lately but we can trust in God whose character doesn't change and who is completely faithful.

More pictures

Hey all... okay so I haven't updated like I said I would. Give me a break though... I'm adjusting to life with two children and have had family visiting!!

Jael was dedicated to the Lord on July 13th and now is 2 months old already.

She arrived!

Here's a quick post to announce the arrival of our beautiful baby girl, Jael Honour Evans. She was born on June 27th at 1:53pm. She weighed in at 7lbs. 4oz. and was 51cm long.
Praise God for new life!

Recent pictures

Here are a few pictures that Kirsten recently took of Jedidiah (thanks Kir!).
That's all for now. We're busy in the process of moving...
I will post again soon about fasting.

CNE

Our Little "A-oh"

I was once told via our comment section that we should post more pics of our son because he looks like an angel... so here are a few - and by the way, he says "a-oh" for the word "angel."
Pray for him - he's going to be a big brother soon! And pray that he would understand and experience who Jesus is at an early age.
Thanks :o)

CNE

Life-Changing Benefits of Fasting:

In 2 Corinthians Paul writes:

"Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persectutions and calamaties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
(Chapter 10, Verses 9-10)

I don't think many would argue the truth that fasting positions you in a 'weak' frame. Physical weakness ensues as does a noticable change in soul and spirit as time progresses during a fast. Interestingly, it seems to work that first our body responds, then our soul, then our spirit.

We can't avoid the physical sensations that fasting can create - growling stomach, low blood glucose, perhaps a headache etc. Can we avoid the impact fasting has on our soul (mind, will, emotions)? I bet some would argue an emphatic no! They would argue that getting grumpy, irritable or lacking in self-control is inevitable. This is where the battle begins to rage and we should be aiming to grow better at submitting our soul and body to our spirit (that is, if our spirit is indeed in step with the Spirit) instead of making excuses for the way we act throughout the course of a fast.

Paul's point in 2 Corinthians is to highlight the fact that in the times when we feel the weakest, it is then that we can be strong because we are relying on the power of Christ to help us. In order to see the life-changing benefits of a fast we need to be dependent on Him to get us through it. From this scripture, it is notable that a benefit of becoming weak (voluntarily fasting) gives us the opportunity to agree with God about who we are.

Agreeing with God about who you are is definitely life-changing! Whether you come from the camp where everyone is 'puffed up' (prideful) or the camp where everyone is down on themselves (accustomed to believing lies about their worth), submitting to the truth of who you are in Christ will revolutionize your life, your world.

Can I get a witness?!

CNE