While reading some Charles Spurgeon today, I found myself so thrilled and delighted to know that I am owned by Jesus.

While commenting on Matthew 24:39 “and they were unaware until the flood came, and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of man.” (the early chapters of Genesis and the theological themes that go along with it are some of my most favorite Biblical subjects), Spurgeon says,

“All, blessed be God, were safe in the ark; no ruin entered there. From the huge elephant down to the tiny mouse all were safe. The timid hare was equally secure with the courageous lion, the helpless lamb as safe as the laborious ox. All are safe in Jesus. My soul, are you in Him”

Extreme Makeover Home Edition has been in Fairdale (our town) all this past week. It has been so exciting for our town. We are thankful for the family who is getting the new home. I took this picture on my phone right before the bus went to film the unveiling.

Here is a picture of me with my three sons. My wife has posted lots of great pictures on our family blog. Check it out joshjr.blogspot.com

When JJ was born (January 2, 2008), I wrote him a lullaby.  I have memorized it, and I sing it now to all of our sons. I had thought that I would be able to write each of them a lullaby, but I have just adapted this one to fit them. It is pretty much the same lullaby. Either way, it expresses my heart in life and fatherhood.

**NOAH’S LULLABY**

Hush little Noah don’t you cry

Daddy’s gonna sing you a lullaby

I hate to see you crying red-faced with tears

Let me tell you ‘bout us in the coming years

The joy of rearing you can make this grown man weap

Right here in my arms you can fall asleep

& I’ll stare at your face & kiss your chubby cheeks

Watch you start to grow in the coming weeks

God gave you a great mother who takes care of you

In love together we will teach you what’s true

two big brothers J & E you can look up to

You become like them, yes I hope you do

It’s a simple lullaby about what matters in life

Like trusting in God & faithfully loving your wife

Like serving other people & devotion to the sword

The Word of Jesus Christ our Savior & Lord

Son, I wanna teach you to throw and catch a ball

& I can hardly wait until you learn to crawl

We can walk to the park & I can push you on the swings

Raise you up right so you’ll appreciate things

I wanna teach you about pets like cats and dogs

And how to catch lizards, turtles, & frogs

I’ll show ya how to catch fish & how to bait a hook

And how to treat a girl and how to read a book

And how to play with kids and not be weak

Playing outdoor games like hide and seek

I wanna teach you about bruises, scars, and scabs

And how to play wrestle and throw left-hand jabs

I’ll teach how to ride a bike & how to climb trees

I‘ll teach you about caterpillars, birds, & bees

I wanna pick you up when you fall & scrape your knees

Teach you how to pray, and say “yes ma’am” & “Please”

& we can walk to the creek, I’ll show you how to skip a rock

I’ll show you how to play sports & how to wear a jock

I wanna teach you how to not get upset by jokes

& how to be grateful & respect your folks

Noah, I wanna teach you how to love your mom

& how to read the Bible, a daily Proverb & Psalm

It’s a simple lullaby about what matters in life

Like trusting in God & faithfully loving your wife

Like serving other people & devotion to the sword

The Word of Jesus Christ our Savior & Lord

Son, I wanna teach you how to be a man

How to look ‘em in the eye & firmly shake their hand

How to keep your word & always work real hard

How to pay your bills on time & how to mow the yard

I’ll teach you how to keep a job & not be lazy

How to speak the truth in love and not be hazy

I wanna show you how to love & how to be a friend

And when to compromise and when to take a stand

And how to apologize and also how to forgive

Son, these are simple lessons on how to live

And life is not easy, it can be quite hard

Keep your eyes on Christ & don’t be caught off guard

It’s a simple lullaby about what matters in life

Like trusting in God & faithfully loving your wife

Like serving other people & devotion to the sword

The Word of Jesus Christ our Savior & Lord

Lecrae came out with a new CD recently. Its called Rehab. It is one of my favorite CDs of all time. It is so good. I am learning and growing so much in my life with Christ from this new solid Biblical hip-hop music. (I plan to write a post soon on why I think you should consider listening to this music too.)

His music teaches me so much. Real quickly, all of us know the power of the preached Word in our lives. Preaching the Word is so mighty in our lives. Well the amount of lyrics in a rap song is so many that it is like a sermon. So when I listen to even 10 minutes of Lecrae or Trip Lee or Flame, I am loaded with Truth. It has honestly been life changing to me over the last few years.

One of the songs on the new CD is called “God is enough”.

Here are some of the lyrics that impacted me today:

“Used to want a lot of things, all the stuff thats on TV
Education, cars, and clothes, Fashion lights and jewelry,
(Focused on the wrong stuff) now I got my eyes on You and now I know that
God is enough/ (3x) You are enough/ Never too much/ more than enough/
God is enough/ You are enough for me”

That is only the chorus. The lyrics to these songs are so loaded with Bible, Jesus, Cross, redemption, and life.

The last day and a half have been a little difficult for us here in our home.  Because of that our bedtime routines with the boys have been altered somewhat. With JJ that means it has been challenging, but with Eli it has been sweet.

The last 2 nights I have simply taken him to his bed, held him in my arms, laid his head on my shoulder, prayed with him and then sang to him.

After those five minutes or so, I lay him down and he goes to sleep. It is rewarding to be a dad.

But here is where truth comforts, both nights I sang to him this song (The Solid Rock).

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

While singing this old classic hymn to my son and hoping it will settle him down and put him to sleep, God reminded me of this great truth. And I was comforted by it.

All my hope in life lies completely in the finished work of Jesus on the cross.

Every AWAY game this season for the Fairdale High School football team, our church fed them a pre-game meal at our church. It is awesome! On those Fridays, once they are out of school, all the players and coaches walk down to the church. Our church folks serve them, love them, and then I speak to them. We love supporting the school and the team. We are hoping they do well in the playoffs.

Here is a picture of the whole team, the coaches, and our church people who help serve them.

We showed this to everyone at church on Homecoming Sunday. We are praying for God to give more and more people a burdened & passionate heart to see the people of our town come to know Jesus in a real way! May God use us to make it happen.

I thank God for my wife.

Proverbs 31:28 says:

“Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her”

In the last 2 and a half years, Valeria has had three children. Three big boys at that! (JJ was 7 pounds 9 ounces, Eli was 8 pounds 12 ounces, and Noah was 8 pounds 15 ounces.) That means that in the last 42 months (since April of 2007) Valeria has been pregnant for 27 of those months. Wow! That is not easy. And all the while she has never complained to me about it. Honestly, she seems to enjoy it. As difficult as it may be being pregnant and having babies.

With that said, I am so thankful for her. I love her. I thank God for her. Just as Proverbs 31 shows, I want to praise her. And I hope our children will rise up and and call her blessed.

She is truly a blessing to me and the boys.

Ok, so I am somewhat back in the saddle now. It feels good.

Valeria came home today and I thank God for that. She is feeling good and ready to be fully recovered.

It has been so busy these past few days. It is never really possible to totally leave the ministry and so even though I was living in the hospital for 5 days there was still so much on my mind. Nevertheless, God gave me grace and tonight I will be sleeping in my bed and resting better.

We went to the hospital on Sunday morning at 8am. At 10:51 Noah was born. (I have posted 2 pictures of him in some previous posts.) This explains why I have not posted any blog posts in a while.

Noah is doing well and Valeria and I are so undeserving of 3 little sons. Three boys under the age of three makes for some tiring days now, but will hopefully make for some extra special moments growing up. (I am praying that maybe one day they will all be able to play on the same high school team together. I don’t care what sport. I probably prefer baseball or basketball. And this would mean that the youngest, Noah, would have to be really good to be able to play varsity as a 9th or 10th grader.)

This Sunday will be our Homecoming at church celebrating 94 years. We are excited for that.

There is a lot on my mind. I am glad to be back in Fairdale. Tomorrow is Friday.

With such a very busy and heavy last 5 days, Here is where my heart is now:

Psalm 73:23-26

“Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”