Friday, October 21, 2005

Psalm 63:1-4

God-you're my God!
I can't get enough of you!
I've worked up such a hunger and thirst for God,
traveling across dry and weary deserts.

So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open;
drinking in your strength and glory.
In your generous love I am really living at last!
My lips brim praises like fountains.
I bless you every time I take a breath;
My arms wave like banners to praise you.

The Message

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Heavenly Perspective

“Why do Jesus and his angels rejoice over one repenting sinner? Can they see something we can’t? Do they know something we don’t know? Absolutely. They know what heaven holds. They’ve see the table, and they’ve heard the music, and they can’t wait to see your face when you arrive. Better still, they can’t wait to see you.
When you arrive and enter the party, something wonderful will happen. A final transformation will occur. You will be like Jesus. Drink deeply from 1 John 3:2: ‘We have not yet been shown what we will be in the future. But we know that when Christ comes again, we will be like him”.
Of all of the blessing of heaven one of the greatest will be you! You will be God’s magnum opus, his work of art. The angels will gasp. God’s work will be completed. At last, you will have a heart like his.
You will love with a perfect love.
You will worship with a radiant face.
You will hear each word God speaks.
Your heart will be pure, your words will be like jewels, your thoughts will be like treasures.
You will be like Jesus. You will, at long last, have a heart like his. Envision the heart of Jesus and you will be envisioning your own. Guiltless Fearless. Thrilled and joyous. Tirelessly worshipping. Flawlessly discerning. As the mountain stream is pristine and endless, so will be your heart. You will be like him.
And if that were not enough, everyone else will be like him as well. ‘Heaven is the perfect place for people made perfect.’ Heaven is populated by those who let God change them. Arguments will cease, for jealousy won’t exist. Suspicion won’t surface, for there will be no secrets. Every sin is gone. Every insecurity is forgotten. Every fear is past. Pure wheat. No weeds. Pure gold. No alloy. Pure love. No lust. Pure hope. No fear. No wonder the angels rejoice when one sinner repents; they know another work of art will soon grace the gallery of God. They know what heaven holds. (From just like Jesus by Max Lucado)



How would I live my life differently if I lived with Heavenly perspective today? Hmmm...VERY! My priorities would be very different. The motives behind my actions would be different. I wouldn't be able to take my eyes off my God and being in his presence would fill my spirit. Thank you Lord for giving me the desire to live this way. And thank you for your grace when I fail.

~s

Monday, October 17, 2005


Caleb looking sweet and being QUIET! as he watches his movie on our way to Delaware. Posted by Picasa

Luke the Bear...so cute! Posted by Picasa

some 3 year old soccer action Posted by Picasa

another stylin' outfit Posted by Picasa

And even though we're not swimming he loves to wear his swim goggles and shoes around town. Posted by Picasa

He wore this outfit to the library Posted by Picasa

This is a hint to what he will be for Halloween... Posted by Picasa

Caleb started AWANAS and loves it.  Posted by Picasa

Caleb is more than willing to chase Luke all around to get his vitals. Posted by Picasa

Caleb even knows to tell you to take a deep breath. Posted by Picasa

Dr. Maddry...calling Dr. Maddry Posted by Picasa

Sunday, October 16, 2005

The Mads have gone HIGH TECH!

Fall is here and it is my (Sabrina) favorite thing on the east coast!  The colors here are incredible and the leaves are just starting to change color.  Next weekend we are going to the pumpkin patch, so hopefully I will get some good fall pictures to post.

Well, we decided to go high tech and start a blog.  So many cute things happen here and God inspires us often, so we would like to write it down as often as we can.  We decided to name our blog ‘Raising Oaks of Righteousness’ because we are trying to raise boys that are “oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”  It is one of my favorite things to pray for my boys.  That they grow up to stand tall for God’s truth & are deeply rooted in their faith.  In my mind I see boys that grow to stand out among others not because of how cute they are (and boy are they cute!) or because of their great personalities (and they definitely have personality,) but because they love their Savior, have a deep understanding of grace and have a desire to live out the love that God has for them.  And in all that do they will bring glory and give glory to God.  Tall order huh?  I think so too.  So, if you think about it you can pray for us that as their parents God will give us wisdom, understanding & MUCH grace in parenting.

So, enjoy our blog and don’t forget to save us in your favorites folder so that you can check back often.