SBS

I've been meaning to write a post for sometime explaining where we are and why. I think it has become fairly apparent that we haven't been in the US for sometime...

We are indeed in Australia and will be for the next 8 months. Chelsa, Aubrey, and I have come all this way so that I can attend a 9 mo School of Biblical Studies, SBS. It is a non-stop course on inductive bible study of all 66 books of the bible. The intent of the course is not that you would know it all but that you would have a strong foundation, rooted in the history/context of the bible writers to interpret scripture using scipture. With a foundation firmly laid we are more prepared to teach and to continue studying and expounding on the scriptures for the rest of our lives. All that said, the intent, as described by the staff of the course, is that through study and prayer we would come to know Jesus in a more full way.

After just a month of study we have covered several new testament books and I'm amazed at how I studied the bible before, or in fact hardly ever studied the bible. I'm coming to the conclusion that Christians don't study their bible, despite owning 4 or 5 of them..., for several reasons. One reason is good enough for now; Christians don't understand the significance of the scriptures during the time in which they were written. For example, at first glance the book of Mark appears to be a book similar to the other gospels, Matthew, Luke, and John, because it is a collection of stories and parables dealing with/during the life of Jesus. While you can read these stories and develop a sense of right and wrong, that Jesus was a good teacher, that the disciples appear to be slow in understanding who Jesus was...you don't get a sense for why the book was written and why those teachings mattered to the original reader.

Now take a look at history. While Mark's date of publication is not set in stone, most agree that it was written between 64-68 and that it was written as a circular letter to churches of Rome. (circular meaning it is past from church to church) Nero is emperor of Rome. His palace has been burned to the ground along with a sizable portion of Rome. Rome figures Nero is directly/indirectly the cause of the fire, however, he blames it on the Christians. What takes place is an empire wide persecution of the Christians. Nero has them tortured, crucified, beheaded, sent into the coliseum as entertainment/ food for the lions and tigers, along with many other gruesome things that I won't write about but you can find in writing elsewhere.

Why then is Mark written? As an encouragement to the church for the persecution taking place.

How does this affect how you would interpret Mark 3:31-35? If you don't have a bible handy this is the paraphrased version. Jesus' mother and brothers are looking for him. The crowd says, your mother and brothers are looking for you. Jesus says, my mother and brother are whoever does the will of God.

What is the original reader (OR) think about this statement? Fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters are turning one another over to the Roman authorities on account of belief in Christ. The OR is losing their identity within their family, and very likely their life, if they convert to Christianity.

Mark is encouraging believers in that they aren't losing their families as they become Christians but they're now adopted into the family of God.

How does this apply to us today? If our "traditional" family isn't believers, or condemn you for your faith, you have Mark's reassuring words that you are adopted into the family of God.
If you don't have a family for one reason or another, Mark's word's are encouraging because you do have a family and you are loved.

What actions would we take knowing this? As Christians we would accept other believers into our family. We would take care of them and look after them as family. You help to mature them if they're young, you discipline them when they're out of line, you love them through the hard times and the easy. (we could go on forever in 100s of different situations)

Does knowing a bit about the history and context of the book help to interpret it as it was originally written as well as help as apply it to our own lives? Absolutely.

There is so much more than what is on the surface it is mind boggling. Look at something other then a commentary for a change and get into the word of God. You cannot help but be changed.

Speaking of change look at this beautiful little girl!

How My Garden Grows

If you are around our home these days you will certainly see Aubrey wearing her "rings and bracelets". She walks all over our flat with them just chatting or singing to herself. What you won't see is a clip in her hair. I have to be ULTRA swift and sneaky to get one in.

This dress she is wearing is my favourite! We always get compliments on it.... And it was picked out by a three-year old! Aubrey's cousin, Arden, picked it out for Aubrey's birthday present. Arden really loves to help out with Aubrey and give her hugs as I mentioned before....last I heard she named her baby doll "Aubrey"...awwwwwww!!!!!

Here are a few more pictures of Aubrey and her bracelets....



That's more like it, hair almost in the eyes.

Moms! DIY!

Right now we are experiencing beautiful Spring weather here on the Sunny Coast of Australia. However although the days are perfect for the beach, the wee hours of the morning tend to get a little chilly. Aubrey gets too cold and wakes up if she is wearing short sleeve pajamas, but she gets too hot if we put her in a full sleeper. SO, one night as we were getting Aubrey ready for bed I decided to put my plan into action. Here is what you need :

1. One husband and a semi-dull knife (sissors might be easier if you have them)
2. Have him cut off the feet of the sleeper, under the last snap of the pjs so the legs stay in one piece.
3. Ta-da!!! "In betweenies" :) For all your seasonal in-betweens .

Walking Down Under

Here she is!!!

Aubrey took her first steps right around when she turned one and just a couple weeks later look at her go!! Even just a few days after this video was taken, she has improved by leaps and bounds....we'll try and get an update sooner than later.

I am ONE!!!

Aubrey is officially ONE YEAR OLD! After driving daddy to class, Aubrey and I met up with a couple of our new friends at Under Water World on the Wharf! We bought an annual pass so that we can go back often and look at all the fun sea creatures.





Then we picked daddy up and went home for some lunch...



Then headed to the beach of course!



Look at how well she is standing on her own! She has great balance but hasn't got the confidence to take any steps on her own...yet.







She LOVES playing in the waves and feeling the sand!







Mommy and ME







New words.... "bu-ya-bu-ya-bu-ya" "bu-da-bu-da-bu-da"....she says "thaAat" a lot, with a high inflection in the middle...usually when she wants whatever "thaAat" is.

Not sure how much she weighs....probably around 20-21 lbs...

She loves life and is sweet to other children. She has started to recognize how fun toys are and want them....she likes to put lids on things. She likes to play with other children...she is not the rambunctious one...she is usually the mellow observant one who doesn't mind if her toy gets snatched from her :)

This is our beautiful, sweet, loving little one year old!!