Yesterday, I was excited to hop aboard my uncle's blog to discover this picture of my sister and brother-in-law taken last Sunday morning before church. As many of you already know, my sister is pregnant with twins.
But after looking at this picture closely, I can't tell if Melissa is carrying both of the babies or if Ryan is trying to help her out by carrying one of the twins for her?
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Alright, let's do something fun today! What names should Melissa and Ryan consider for their twins? Email me (jim.gardner@hotmail.com) your suggestions.
In a rather obscure, out-of-the-way passage in Genesis 46.21, the Bible says that Benjamin had a couple of sons with the wonderful names of "Huppim" and "Muppim." Some have surmised, based on the rythmic naming, that these boys were twins.
In the Austin American-Statesman last week, the most popular children's names were noted. Today, the most popular names for twin girls are "Faith" and "Hope."
What names do you think Mel and Ryan should consider? Let me know your suggestions and I'll be sure to pass them along to my sister and brother-in-law.
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I am a workaholic and I confess that. I come by it honestly, having had a determined work ethic instilled in me by the example of my grandfathers and my father. Working hard everyday is a part of the fabric of my being.
But recently, I've been thinking about a simple passage in Jesus's life. It is found in Matthew 13.1 and simply says, "That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake."
Ministry can be taxing. The demands and the eternal consequences of ministry have such gravity that over-working and burnout is common. And yet, as I consider the ministry of Jesus, how many times does Scripture paint Jesus in retreat mode?
For example, many passages speak of Jesus withdrawing to a mountainside to pray, often for extended periods of time. Jesus sought the Father consistently through "TAG" time (Time Alone with God). But Scripture also notes that Jesus took time to relax in the face of the most demanding ministry this world has ever known.
Today I am going to follow his example -- not by the side of the lake but in the bleachers of Nelson Wolff Stadium in San Antonio as the San Antonio Missions (AA farm team of the Seattle Mariners) play a matinee game against some future Rangers, the Frisco Rough Riders (AA farm team of the Texas Rangers). It promises to be a beautiful day, the kind of day that can recharge a guy's batteries.
