"I avoid dead time at all costs because a congregation can become disengaged very quickly," says a well-known worship innovator. Nonetheless, this may not be an innovation Christ's bride should make. Something older may be needed.
When I began my career in public relations, I joined some coworkers at ToastMasters meetings. Every time the club president--who was clearly the most talented public speaker in the lot--approached the lectern, he literally ran there from the back of the room. This model presenter demonstrated the importance of keeping the audience engaged by quickly moving through each component of the meeting. I wonder if our corporate gatherings have gotten too corporate, that is to say, too professional.
I've heard them both: Silence is awkward, and silence is golden. In most contemporary church environments, the former controls, where the latter may be needed. I'm so thankful Mark Dever has put into words what was so profound for Kelli and me in our time at Capitol Hill Baptist Church. Namely, the moments of solemn silence sprinkled deliberately throughout our worship services. Those quiet times did all that Mark suggests. They gave us time to transition between elements like prayers of confession and songs of assurance. They gave us time to take in what our minds had just been considering. They gave us time to discern an appropriate response and to resolve to be faithful, by God's grace.
Please read Mark's "Making Silence Together". Heartily, I commend his advice. Even if implementing these silences is innovative, or even awkward, to your gathering, I'm quite confident they'll soon become valued.
7.21.2009
5.25.2009
My Happy Flowers
My sweet husband recently brought me flowers "just because". I hadn't seen anything like these flowers before--they were so fun! I call them my happy flowers and get to look at them every morning when I wake up.
Aren't they beautiful!? I am once again reminded at how truly blessed I am to have Ryan as my husband.
Aren't they beautiful!? I am once again reminded at how truly blessed I am to have Ryan as my husband.
CHBC Friends
Ryan and I have been tremendously blessed by the strong relationships we've built with the people of CHBC in the last five months.
We recently attended a surprise birthday party for one of the other pastoral interns, Josh Manley. We barbecued at the park, and the boys played frisbee, Bocce ball and some form of frisbee football. Ryan has particularly enjoyed bonding with the other interns. They're a fun bunch, and we'll be sad to leave them.
Yesterday was our last Sunday at CHBC, which was sad. During the evening service, the interns were able to tell the congregation how much they've benefitted from the internship and how much they appreciate the support of the members.
We recently attended a surprise birthday party for one of the other pastoral interns, Josh Manley. We barbecued at the park, and the boys played frisbee, Bocce ball and some form of frisbee football. Ryan has particularly enjoyed bonding with the other interns. They're a fun bunch, and we'll be sad to leave them.
Yesterday was our last Sunday at CHBC, which was sad. During the evening service, the interns were able to tell the congregation how much they've benefitted from the internship and how much they appreciate the support of the members.
CHBC Nationals Game
Last Tuesday night, Ryan and I went to a Nationals game with some of the Capitol Hill Baptist Church staff. It was such a beautiful day for a baseball game, and it was a lot of fun hanging out with everyone in a different environment.
5.18.2009
23.5 Weeks
Well, this little guy has been growing quickly the last few weeks. He seems to be getting much bigger but is also getting much stronger. It's been fun to feel him kicking around and for Ryan to be able to feel him as well. One night we laid in bed and just watched as my stomach was moving from those strong kicks. It's so incredible that there is a little person growing inside of me! God is just simply amazing! Praise Him for giving us this sweet little baby.
We also started registering, which is both a fun and overwhelming process. I mean, does one little baby need that much stuff!? The stores sure make you feel like they do. We welcome any registry words of wisdom or any suggestions on particularly helpful items.
Ryan's Mom Visits!
She came about 1.5 weeks ago. We had a good time with his mom as well. Ryan was busy much of the time she was here, but we were still able to see the sights. We went on a tour of the Supreme Court, the Capitol, the Library of Congress and the White House. All were beautiful and very informative. We also went to Arlington Cemetery and had lunch in Georgetown. On Saturday night, we went to a DC United soccer game. It was a high-scoring game, which was exciting.
It was a fun visit, and we're very thankful to have family and friends who are willing to travel so far to see us.
My Mom and Steve Visit!
They came to visit us in DC about 3.5 weeks ago. It was a busy weekend, but we had a lot of fun together. We were able to see Old Town Alexandria, where we had lunch on the river. In addition, we saw the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and Arlington Cemetery. At Arlington Cemetery, we were able to see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and the ceremonial changing of the guard and JFK's grave. My mom and Steve saw more sights while Ryan and I were busy.It was also a weekend of diverse ethnic food. We had Lebanese, Greek and my mom, Ryan and I even tried Indian food for our first time. It was all really good.
I wish we had more time together, but I'm thankful they were able to take time out of their busy schedules to visit.
5.12.2009
Wordles: When the Elders Gather & Such
One of the greatest benefits I have received at Capitol Hill Baptist Church is the example I have seen in faithful pastors shepherding the flock. I have seen this most concentrated in elder meetings. Today, I wrote a paper on Mark Dever's chapter about these meetings in The Deliberate Church, which--along with its predecessor Nine Marks of a Healthy Church--is a must-read for ever pastor. I praise God for the equipping I have received here for what I hope will soon be fruitful pastoral ministry.
Below is my Wordle from this paper and other recent papers.
When Elders Gather
Worship: Theological Foundation for and Application of the Regulative Principle
Ecclesiology: Interaction with Herman Bavinck
Below is my Wordle from this paper and other recent papers.
When Elders Gather
Worship: Theological Foundation for and Application of the Regulative Principle
Ecclesiology: Interaction with Herman Bavinck
5.01.2009
WE'RE HAVING A...
BOY!!
Ryan and I are going to have a baby boy!! I can't tell you how thrilled we are about this, and we're so looking forward to meeting him.
It's been amazing to me how knowing the gender has made the pregnancy so much more real. I don't know if it's because I haven't had any problems at all with morning sickness or anything like that or what, but it's been neat. I feel like I can think about our child in a more personal way. Our prayers are also much more specific.
Anyway, here are some of the ultrasound pictures:
In the top one, he's looking at us with his head tilted to his left. You're able to see the right side of his face fairly well.
In the middle one, you can see his tough little leg at work. To the bottom right, you'll see his body. Inside of it there is a small, black circle. That's apparently his stomach, which was good to see because it means he's already swallowing properly.
The bottom one is his profile. I think maybe that is one of his arms sticking up on the left, but we forgot to ask. Look at that sweet little nose!
Here are a couple more pictures:
The top one is his little foot.
The bottom one is another picture of his profile. It's very similar to the one above, but his features, especially his lips are more distinct in this one.
So there's our precious little boy! We can't wait to meet him!!
(By the way, the tally of blog votes when I wrote this was 9-5 boy. Way to go, y'all!)
Ryan and I are going to have a baby boy!! I can't tell you how thrilled we are about this, and we're so looking forward to meeting him.
It's been amazing to me how knowing the gender has made the pregnancy so much more real. I don't know if it's because I haven't had any problems at all with morning sickness or anything like that or what, but it's been neat. I feel like I can think about our child in a more personal way. Our prayers are also much more specific.
Anyway, here are some of the ultrasound pictures:
In the top one, he's looking at us with his head tilted to his left. You're able to see the right side of his face fairly well.
In the middle one, you can see his tough little leg at work. To the bottom right, you'll see his body. Inside of it there is a small, black circle. That's apparently his stomach, which was good to see because it means he's already swallowing properly.
The bottom one is his profile. I think maybe that is one of his arms sticking up on the left, but we forgot to ask. Look at that sweet little nose!
Here are a couple more pictures:
The top one is his little foot.
The bottom one is another picture of his profile. It's very similar to the one above, but his features, especially his lips are more distinct in this one.
So there's our precious little boy! We can't wait to meet him!!
(By the way, the tally of blog votes when I wrote this was 9-5 boy. Way to go, y'all!)
4.25.2009
Last Minute Decision
Thank you so much to those of you who have been praying for our sweet baby. We had our 20 week checkup and ultrasound yesterday, and our baby is doing great! Praise the LORD!!
Ryan and I have had some dear friends over the years who have chosen to wait to find out the gender of their baby until the day the child is born. The more we talked to them about it, the more excited we became about doing the same. Therefore, Ryan and I have both been pretty adamant for a couple years now that if the Lord were to bless us with a child, that we would wait to find out what we were having.
When we found out in January that we were pregnant, that was still our plan. In fact, that was our plan until about 12:45pm yesterday. At that time, we began to waiver. Our ultrasound was at 1pm, so that didn't leave us much time at all to make a decision. It was crazy that we were contemplating this--afterall, we had both been certain we wanted to wait. However, when faced with the reality and temptation that we could know what the gender was, we caved. So, we now know what we are having!
I will soon post pictures of the ultrasound and let you know what we are having, but first, I wanted to see what everyone else thinks. Is Baby Bishop a boy or a girl? Please comment with your vote.
Ryan and I have had some dear friends over the years who have chosen to wait to find out the gender of their baby until the day the child is born. The more we talked to them about it, the more excited we became about doing the same. Therefore, Ryan and I have both been pretty adamant for a couple years now that if the Lord were to bless us with a child, that we would wait to find out what we were having.
When we found out in January that we were pregnant, that was still our plan. In fact, that was our plan until about 12:45pm yesterday. At that time, we began to waiver. Our ultrasound was at 1pm, so that didn't leave us much time at all to make a decision. It was crazy that we were contemplating this--afterall, we had both been certain we wanted to wait. However, when faced with the reality and temptation that we could know what the gender was, we caved. So, we now know what we are having!
I will soon post pictures of the ultrasound and let you know what we are having, but first, I wanted to see what everyone else thinks. Is Baby Bishop a boy or a girl? Please comment with your vote.
4.22.2009
My Grandparents Visit
Ryan and I were blessed to have my grandparents visit us from Colorado last weekend. We hadn't seen them since my optometry school graduation 3 years ago, so it was definitely time to see them again.
While they were here, we went to the National Cathedral, as well as drove by several monuments and memorials. Most of the time, though, was just spent hanging out. Once again, I didn't take that many pictures, but it was a precious time nonetheless.
We love you, Grandpa and Grandma! Thanks for coming to visit us.
While they were here, we went to the National Cathedral, as well as drove by several monuments and memorials. Most of the time, though, was just spent hanging out. Once again, I didn't take that many pictures, but it was a precious time nonetheless.
We love you, Grandpa and Grandma! Thanks for coming to visit us.
Our DC Apartment
I know we've been here almost 4 months, now, but I'm finally posting pictures of our home here in DC.
Our Apartment
(An old photo--we haven't had any snow in quite awhile)
Living Room
Kitchen
Dining Room/Laundry Room
Spare Bedroom
Our Bedroom
Our Apartment
(An old photo--we haven't had any snow in quite awhile)
Living Room
Kitchen
Dining Room/Laundry Room
Spare Bedroom
Our Bedroom
4.16.2009
Baby Stuff
I know I've been bad about posting stuff, so for those of you who keep asking, here are a couple of pregnancy pics:
11.5 weeks
18.5 weeks
Also, here's a picture of our sweet baby from our first ultrasound at 9.5 weeks. The doctor took several pictures that were much better, but for some reason, the one we were given wasn't very good. Anyway, a precious baby nonetheless--looks a bit like a peanut or a jelly bean. :)
We go for our next ultrasound a week from tomorrow, so hopefully we'll have more pictures and maybe even another video to post then. We do not want to know the gender yet and are looking forward to that surprise when Baby Bishop arrives in September.
I was reminded recently of a very important lesson. The gift of a child is so very precious, and I know I've really struggled with remembering that "our" baby belongs to the Lord, not to us. I am so blessed to be the vessel that God is using to carry this child, but I must daily remind myself that this sweet baby is His. I pray that God would use our baby in whatever way He deems best to bring glory and honor to His name.
11.5 weeks
18.5 weeks
Also, here's a picture of our sweet baby from our first ultrasound at 9.5 weeks. The doctor took several pictures that were much better, but for some reason, the one we were given wasn't very good. Anyway, a precious baby nonetheless--looks a bit like a peanut or a jelly bean. :)
We go for our next ultrasound a week from tomorrow, so hopefully we'll have more pictures and maybe even another video to post then. We do not want to know the gender yet and are looking forward to that surprise when Baby Bishop arrives in September.
I was reminded recently of a very important lesson. The gift of a child is so very precious, and I know I've really struggled with remembering that "our" baby belongs to the Lord, not to us. I am so blessed to be the vessel that God is using to carry this child, but I must daily remind myself that this sweet baby is His. I pray that God would use our baby in whatever way He deems best to bring glory and honor to His name.
4.13.2009
Spring in D.C.
...is absolutely beautiful! I am so amazed at God's glory as I look around at all the gorgeous flowers and trees.
I was excited when we first found out we would be coming to D.C. in the spring because it meant we would be able to see the famous cherry blossoms. And they definitely did not disappoint!
How great is our God to use seasons to make us appreciate Him more! I'll admit that winter definitely starts to wear on me, but then when the bright blossoms start popping up everywhere, my goodness, it's such a gift! I know if I was able to see these beautiful flowers all the time that I would lose my appreciation of them.
I was excited when we first found out we would be coming to D.C. in the spring because it meant we would be able to see the famous cherry blossoms. And they definitely did not disappoint!
How great is our God to use seasons to make us appreciate Him more! I'll admit that winter definitely starts to wear on me, but then when the bright blossoms start popping up everywhere, my goodness, it's such a gift! I know if I was able to see these beautiful flowers all the time that I would lose my appreciation of them.
4.09.2009
Friends Come to Visit!
Though our time in DC has been wonderful, it's been difficult to be away from our friends in Louisville. Thankfully, both the Sosebees and the Pattersons have made trips out here to visit us.
The Sosebees came the first weekend in March, and the Pattersons came the last weekend in March. Both weekends were so refreshing and were a great opportunity for fun and fellowship. It was really sad to see them go, but we know we'll be back with them again really soon!
Thank you, sweet friends, for taking the time to come visit us. We miss you so much!
(Sorry there aren't many pictures. For some reason, I've gotten really lazy about bringing my camera with me, but I'm trying to get better.)
4.08.2009
What a Year!
Happy anniversary, my Love! I can't express to you what a joy it is to be your wife! It amazes me how quickly the last 7 years have gone. It seems like just yesterday that we were united as one, but at the same time, I can't remember life without you.You are such a wonderful example of a godly husband, constantly striving to love me as Christ loved the church. I know I don't always make your job easy, but thank you for your leadership and for your sacrificial love.
We began year 7 of marriage in Niger. Remember how excited the Songhai believers were when you told them it was our sixth anniversary!? Such a blessing it was to watch you teach those new Christians truth. That trip certainly changed our lives! We are ending year 7 of marriage in DC. Who would have ever dreamed we would end up here!? What a whirlwind this last year has been!
Some milestones in the last year:
•Niger
•Michigan
•Infertility
•CHBC Weekender (road trip to DC!)
•Accepted into the CHBC internship
•Accepted into the SBTS PhD program
•Graduation
•Bought a car
•Sold a car
•Moved to Washington, DC
•Nuevo Vallarta
•Pregnancy
•First ultrasound
•Huge spiritual growth at CHBC
•Trip to Texas to be with Ryan's dad in his last days
•Ryan's dad passed away
This last year hasn't always been easy, but it has been full of rich blessings from God. I love you now more than ever, Ryan, and I eagerly anticipate what the Lord has in store for us in the year to come.
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