No Explanation Needed...

Memorial Day

On Memorial Day, TJ and I spent part of the day at the Capitol Building in Raleigh. Every year their is a celebration and recognition of those who have paid the "ultimate sacrifice" on behalf of our nation. I am always humbled by the veterans we see each year. They are true heroes!

Mothers Day 2008

Today is Mothers Day. My children just happen to have the greatest Mother in the world. I am so proud of her and humbled by the example she sets for me and our children. Our children are her life and she has invested her life in them. This is a picture of three of our five kids. Missing are Jennie and Katie who live out of town.

What is the Gospel...John, Hillary and Barack?

This evening I listened to a program online sponsored by CNN called, "Faith and Politics." One theme that is constant from all of the Presidential candidates is the continual confusion over what the gospel is. Not that they have ever been asked what the gospel is, but the prevailing definition of the gospel among the candidates is that of a "social" gospel which is no gospel at all. The gospel is not taking care of the poor and eliminating social injustice although that is how it is defined among the candidates. While feeding the poor and calling for social justice is admirable and should be desired it is not the gospel, but a result of a life changed and transformed by real gospel. Good works are a result of saving faith, not a prerequisite for saving faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). So, what is that gospel? 1 Corinthians 15 makes it abundantly clear what the gospel is:

15:1 Now I would remind you, brothers, [1] of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

This clip from John Piper also helps us to understand what the real gospel is.

Ken Jones Discusses Jeremiah Wright and Others

I have been waiting for some time for a response by Ken Jones to recent comments by Barack Obama's pastor, Jeremiah Wright. Ken Jones is a pastor and participant on one of my favorite radio programs, "The White Horse Inn." I appreciate his perspective on the controversial comments by Wright and how Jones relates them to scripture and the focus of the cross in preaching. Listen in at the link below...

http://kimriddlebarger.squarespace.com/

The Prosperity Gospel

John Piper accurately details the problems with the deception of the prosperity gospel.

Our Church Family At Christmas

Today, our church family celebrated the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ together. Along with the children, we shared the Christmas story together from Luke 2 and sang Christmas carols. What wonderful friends these people are to my family and we appreciate them so very much! We always love sharing Christmas with them.

Christmas Cookies

Today, Julie and the kids baked sugar cookies, peanut butter balls and other goodies for Christmas. It is a Christmas tradition for us and the kids enjoy it every year.

Decorating the ChristmasTree

Today we spent the afternoon decorating for Christmas. We put up the tree and also decorated most of the house as we usually do each Christmas. TJ and Ellie had a ball playing with the ornaments before they placed them on the tree. We had a ball just watching their excitement. They make us all feel like kids again.

Annual Ginger Bread House Contest

On Saturday, we held our annual Ginger Bread house competition. This has become great fun for the kids every year in preparation for Christmas. I must say that it has become more and more competitive each year too.
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Swim Lessons

TJ and Ellie recently completed swim lessons at Campbell University. As I write this entry I am reminded of a very close call TJ had a couple of years ago when he slipped and fell into a pool. He could not swim and unless I had been outside to see it happen and snatch him out of the water, it would have been tragic. I still tremble at the thoughts of that day. I will never forget it. At least now, maybe they are a little more confident in water and have some grasp of what to do in situations like that.

Way To Go Katie!!

Congratulations to Katie for making the Dean's List at UNCG. We are so very proud of you!! Great job!!!!!!!

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Kids and Summer!

Mothers Day 2007

We celebrated Mother's Day today as all our children were home together. Pictured is a proud mother and her precious children.

TJ's Piano Recital

TJ participated in his first piano recital today. He has been taking lessons from David Carson, a long time friend of our family, since January of 2007. TJ looks forward to his lessons each week and enjoys the time in practice as well. He did a great job today and we are very proud of him. Congratulations TJ!!

Away With The Training Wheels

TJ just recently began riding his bike without the help of training wheels. It just seems to have happened overnight too. One day he is needing the assistance of wheels and the next day he is riding without them.

Easter Fun

We had a ball at the Easter Egg hunt at Granddaddy Billy and Aunt Judy's house today. As you can see in the picture the kids used toy metal detectors to hunt their Easter Eggs. The kids placed blind folds over their eyes and hunted for the eggs that were filled with change. As they got close to the eggs the metal detectors began to buzz telling them they had found their prize. The parents and kids had a blast!!

Christmas Fun!!

We had a blast creating Ginger Bread houses again this Christmas. Last year was our first ever event with our kids. This year it was even more fun as you can tell in the pictures. Julie bought every imaginable candy to decorate with. I guess in all it took about two hours to complete them because everyone was so creative in decorating. These are memories that last for ever.