We had a lovely quiet Christmas. We hope that all of you did too. I am excited because I finally received a book that I had ordered a long time ago. It is called A Gospel Primer for Christians. It is excellent. The bit of dying to self that I couldn't find is in this. So...to finish up that post on dying to myself. Here it is....
All Things Crucified
The gospel is not simply the story of "Christ, and Him crucified"; it is also the story of my own crucifixion. For the Bible tells me that I, too, was crucified on Christ's cross. My old self was slain there, and my love affair with the world was crucified there too. The cross is also the place where I crucify my flesh and all my sinful desires. Truly, Christ's death and my death are so intertwined as to be inseparable.
God is committed to my dying every day, and He calls me to that same commitment. He insists that every hour be my dying hour, and He wants my death on the cross to be a central part of my own life story as is Christ's death to the gospel story. "Let this same attitude be in you," He says,"which was also in Christ Jesus...who became obedient unto death, even unto death on a cross."
Crucifixion hurts. In fact, its heart-wrenching brutality can numb the senses. It is a gasping and bloody affair, and there is nothing nice or pretty, or easy about it. It is not merely death, but excruciating death.
Nevertheless, I must set my face like a flint toward the cross and embrace this crucifixion in everything I do. I should expect every day to encounter circumstantial evidence of God's commitment to my dying; and I must seize upon every God-given opportunity to be conformed more fully to Christ's death, no matter tha pain involved.
All Things Crucified
The gospel is not simply the story of "Christ, and Him crucified"; it is also the story of my own crucifixion. For the Bible tells me that I, too, was crucified on Christ's cross. My old self was slain there, and my love affair with the world was crucified there too. The cross is also the place where I crucify my flesh and all my sinful desires. Truly, Christ's death and my death are so intertwined as to be inseparable.
God is committed to my dying every day, and He calls me to that same commitment. He insists that every hour be my dying hour, and He wants my death on the cross to be a central part of my own life story as is Christ's death to the gospel story. "Let this same attitude be in you," He says,"which was also in Christ Jesus...who became obedient unto death, even unto death on a cross."
Crucifixion hurts. In fact, its heart-wrenching brutality can numb the senses. It is a gasping and bloody affair, and there is nothing nice or pretty, or easy about it. It is not merely death, but excruciating death.
Nevertheless, I must set my face like a flint toward the cross and embrace this crucifixion in everything I do. I should expect every day to encounter circumstantial evidence of God's commitment to my dying; and I must seize upon every God-given opportunity to be conformed more fully to Christ's death, no matter tha pain involved.
When my flesh yearns for some prohibited thing, I must die.
When called to do something I don't want to do, I must die.
When I wish to be selfish and serve no one, I must die.
When shattered by hardship that I despise, I must die.
When wanting to cling to wrongs done against me, I must die.
When enticed by allurements fo the world, I must die.
When wishing to keep besetting sins secret, I must die.
When wants that are borderline needs are left unmet, I must die.
When dreams that are good seem shoved aside, I must die.
"Not My will, but Yours be done," Christ trustingly prayed on the eve of His crucifixion; and preaching His story to myself each day puts me in a frame of mind to trust God and embrace the cross of my own dying also.
This convicts me on so many levels. It isn't about us at all, other than us dying to ourselves and doing what God wants, which is very often the opposite of what we want. I highly recommend this book it is a total of 97 pages that are well worth reading again and again in addition to your devotions.
"Not My will, but Yours be done," Christ trustingly prayed on the eve of His crucifixion; and preaching His story to myself each day puts me in a frame of mind to trust God and embrace the cross of my own dying also.
This convicts me on so many levels. It isn't about us at all, other than us dying to ourselves and doing what God wants, which is very often the opposite of what we want. I highly recommend this book it is a total of 97 pages that are well worth reading again and again in addition to your devotions.
She is doing very well on potty-training, better than my baby. :)
Gram got them Christmas outfits and I thought they looked adorable!!
They don't always get along, but they do love each other quite a bit!
She loves posing....obviously. :)
We are out of the little person phase with this one. He wants to be cool. This momma tries to impress upon them that cool is not what they want to be. Cool is defined by the world. I want them to be Godly people which is not always "cool" by the worlds standards. He sure is getting big!
Julie was telling me how she wanted her hair....like Tinkerbell's...you know the one in the movies. She wanted a "big curl without a hole". I finally realized she meant a bun. So here is our version of a bun in Julie's hair.
Brothers
The four people in the recital.
A proud momma with her two instrument players. I love music and it thrills my heart to see my children share this love.
They did wonderfully and I will post a short video of the one song that they played. :) I feel so blessed that we live so comfortably that we can afford to let our children participate in this. Thank you, Lord, for all the extras you bless us with. 
She would run over to it and sit down, grunt and stand up.
After her bath, this baby asked us....nana baby please me.....I think she likes to be naked. :)
Blowing out the candies.
He had soo much fun.
Our sweet Noah James!
I just can't get over how cute she looks.
She has decided which way she is going now.
Do you think she sees many of her loving family carrying purses and instruments? :) I love passing on the sweet heritage of music. 15 months and 18.5 pounds packing her purse and instrument. :D 
She liked it.
Gabe
As I was taking this picture, Noah poured sprinkles on and then said,"Uh, that is to much."
The whole gang working hard.
She just wanted to test that ornament.
Daddy and Belle's ornament. I am wondering why the pictures of me don't ever look as good as Toby. Must be the picture takers fault. :)
Julie's...she is snacking on an extra one we broke into pieces.
Gabe in all of his corniness showing off his.
I LOVE this boys smile! His ornament is great too.
See what I mean, it must be Toby's fault. :D
When those were done we got to work on the house. Everyone helped and had fun.
The Smith's gingerbread house.
He is finishing the candy that didn't make it onto the house.
After the fun. Getting ready for bed.
This is the..please pick me to turn off the Christmas tree lights....look. He got picked.
I feel truly blessed that we have so much that we can do things like this. Thank you, Lord! 
