http://vimeo.com/13107019
Yosef and Ethan have drama class on Fridays. Their teacher is amazing, no that's an understatement - she is more than amazing. The things she is doing for her King are fabulous.
Mrs. M basically runs the Attic Film Festival here. Christian films, some of them you may be able to find in your city, some you can view online. You can check out the line up at:
Attic Film Festival
The vimeo video at the top of this post is worth the few minutes it will take you to watch it.
In Austin there is a high school, it was failing, the state was going to close the school. Our church came up with an idea to save this school, it is the high school that is in our church's neighborhood. Our church is not really a church building. It is a building our members built to house non-profit organizations, like the food bank, a foster agency, and a few others all working together For Our City. This building we use on Sundays and Tuesday nights is located in an area that was called Blood Alley. We moved to the people that need Christ and His Good News.
Our church asked for volunteers to make the difference in this school. People committed to help, showed up, loved on the kids, supported the teachers. Hundreds of people helped. The school remains open, testing scores are up. God gets the Glory in a place He is not even welcomed - love that!
A team of church folks picked a team of high school students, they raised money, they flew to Kenya and spent time at Kibera, perhaps the largest slum in the world.
Two boys connected. One from the US, he lives alone, his mom is in prison, he has never known his dad. The other lives in Kibera, an orphan. These two boys wrote and produced a rap video, it won awards. The rap is titled JC, for Jesus Christ.
These boys could change the lives of many. Think of the party in Heaven when they get there!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
The gift of kids
There is no doubt that kids are a gift. Any woman who has struggled with fertility, any mother who has lost her child can attest that kids are precious; a precious gift above all treasure.
But do I live my life as a parent as if my kids are treasures? In reading One Million Arrows a statement made by Julie really struck me:
I have lived as if the world is God's gift to my children, instead of living like my children are God's gift to the world.
I love that. It speaks to where God has our family right now. He has literally stirred in me a discomfort for the comforts of life in middle class America, given me a husband with a heart for the world, and kids who are wired for adventure. Why?
Believing that my treasure is in Heaven is very exciting. It frees me to give away what I have here. I am free to follow Christ, to count it all as His, and know that my reward is in Him.
In Radical Pursuit of The King
The Kropp family's new motto. We want our kids to grasp these truths now, not in their 40's.
Looking at the future in terms of generational chunks of time; the next 100, or 300 years. What impact do you hope to have made for our King? Man and I have 5 arrows to sharpen and send out. We believe 100 percent that God will use our kids and their kids to do great things, and their reward in Heaven will be wonderful. We are saved by faith for good works. Most people ignore the works part of the equation.
But we can't just go along with the flow of mainstream America. Even most churches are not following Christ. It truly is obvious that where your money is, there is your heart. You can see it in mega church buildings, the cars in the lot, the programs offered to church members - most of money given/tithed to churches is spent on the church, not on THE MISSION.
Those Radical Kropps! What will they do next?
But do I live my life as a parent as if my kids are treasures? In reading One Million Arrows a statement made by Julie really struck me:
I have lived as if the world is God's gift to my children, instead of living like my children are God's gift to the world.
I love that. It speaks to where God has our family right now. He has literally stirred in me a discomfort for the comforts of life in middle class America, given me a husband with a heart for the world, and kids who are wired for adventure. Why?
Believing that my treasure is in Heaven is very exciting. It frees me to give away what I have here. I am free to follow Christ, to count it all as His, and know that my reward is in Him.
In Radical Pursuit of The King
The Kropp family's new motto. We want our kids to grasp these truths now, not in their 40's.
Looking at the future in terms of generational chunks of time; the next 100, or 300 years. What impact do you hope to have made for our King? Man and I have 5 arrows to sharpen and send out. We believe 100 percent that God will use our kids and their kids to do great things, and their reward in Heaven will be wonderful. We are saved by faith for good works. Most people ignore the works part of the equation.
But we can't just go along with the flow of mainstream America. Even most churches are not following Christ. It truly is obvious that where your money is, there is your heart. You can see it in mega church buildings, the cars in the lot, the programs offered to church members - most of money given/tithed to churches is spent on the church, not on THE MISSION.
Those Radical Kropps! What will they do next?
Friday, September 23, 2011
Disneychurch
I listen to a Christian station, broadcast from the east coast, or west coast, either way it's not local. Usually I like what they have to say, I like the music, all in all it's a good station.
Today the broadcaster gal made a sad statement; not that she meant it to be sad, she was serious, but I found it heartbreaking.
She said that she wished her church would make church as fun as Disneyland so her kids would want to go. Or even half as fun, she added. Such a sad reflection on church in America. And on Christian parents.
I've been re-reading One Million Arrows, by Julie Ferwerda. If you have kids this is an essential read for you. Julie likens our kids, especially boys, to firemen. I want to raise boys who save lives. Kids who are trained, ready to save lives even at the expense of their own. Purposeful, deliberate boys, aware that lives are at stake. Warrior boys who know that the more lives they save the better.
Our boys seem to be pre-programmed for adventure, challenge, discovery; a hunger to find and fill their purpose. Our kids want risk, they crave significance. Has there been some mistake in their creation? No, God does not make mistakes.
Kids are dying of boredom, literally in some cases. Suicide, drug use, risky sexual behavior, fast driving....you get the idea. Our kids are bored, Christian kids are bored. They are designed for action - God made them that way. As parents we need to recognize their passion and see it as preparing them for warfare on the battlefield between good and evil.
The Bible tells of many teenagers used to change history. Joseph, Esther, Mary, David. What can your pre-teen or teen do for Jesus?
According to The Barna Group today's Christian parents rely on the church for all of their children's religious training, they have no plan for the spiritual development of their kids and they do not consider it a priority; they don't have any spiritual goals for their families.
Children are intended to be arrows, our job is to sharpen them and send them out with training, purpose, courage - lion hearted courage!
Today the broadcaster gal made a sad statement; not that she meant it to be sad, she was serious, but I found it heartbreaking.
She said that she wished her church would make church as fun as Disneyland so her kids would want to go. Or even half as fun, she added. Such a sad reflection on church in America. And on Christian parents.
I've been re-reading One Million Arrows, by Julie Ferwerda. If you have kids this is an essential read for you. Julie likens our kids, especially boys, to firemen. I want to raise boys who save lives. Kids who are trained, ready to save lives even at the expense of their own. Purposeful, deliberate boys, aware that lives are at stake. Warrior boys who know that the more lives they save the better.
Our boys seem to be pre-programmed for adventure, challenge, discovery; a hunger to find and fill their purpose. Our kids want risk, they crave significance. Has there been some mistake in their creation? No, God does not make mistakes.
Kids are dying of boredom, literally in some cases. Suicide, drug use, risky sexual behavior, fast driving....you get the idea. Our kids are bored, Christian kids are bored. They are designed for action - God made them that way. As parents we need to recognize their passion and see it as preparing them for warfare on the battlefield between good and evil.
The Bible tells of many teenagers used to change history. Joseph, Esther, Mary, David. What can your pre-teen or teen do for Jesus?
According to The Barna Group today's Christian parents rely on the church for all of their children's religious training, they have no plan for the spiritual development of their kids and they do not consider it a priority; they don't have any spiritual goals for their families.
Children are intended to be arrows, our job is to sharpen them and send them out with training, purpose, courage - lion hearted courage!
Friday, September 16, 2011
a hike around a puddle
Thursdays are hiking days in our homeschool. We found some water, and other stuff.
Here are some great pictures that #1 took.
Yep - it's a kinda big snake! I think he was eating something, like a poodle. Kidding, just kidding.
This is similar to what our backyard looks like these days. On the news a puppy had to be rescued from the depths of a backyard crack, I AM NOT kidding.
Someone has dumped their domestic ducks at the "lake"; their stock ponds must have dried up. Sad.
Lizard center left.
We were excited to find Roseate Spoonbills at the park. We have not seen these birds this far inland.
Gotta go, Man has dinner up and off the grill.
Here are some great pictures that #1 took.
This is similar to what our backyard looks like these days. On the news a puppy had to be rescued from the depths of a backyard crack, I AM NOT kidding.
Someone has dumped their domestic ducks at the "lake"; their stock ponds must have dried up. Sad.
We were excited to find Roseate Spoonbills at the park. We have not seen these birds this far inland.
Gotta go, Man has dinner up and off the grill.
like a child
Driving to the park on Wednesday I was reminded that God likes my children better than I do.
Now, I like my boys. They are good kids. There are times when I blow my top and act like I need a spanking, but I really do love and like and enjoy my kids.
But God, He loves and likes and enjoys them even more than I do. I asked myself "What is it that God likes about my kids? and are those things that He likes, those very same things that I want to 'mature' right out of them?"
I suspect that the things we expect our kids to grow out of are some of the same things He loves. Jesus talks about being like a child in Matthew 18 and Mark 10.
Could it be that the silliness, simpleness, delight, rapid fire questioning, endless energy, fresh perspective and annoying simplicity that define my kids are part of their goodness? Am I preserving the good stuff or replacing it with junk?
As an adult I struggle to see JOY in all things. I take myself too seriously. I want to stay in bed all day. I withhold questions so as not to appear ignorant. I don't want to be a bother or a burden, so I don't ask for help.
Children trust and love and forgive, and they see the world as wonderful. I don't want to ruin my kids.
My boys are clay in the hands of The Potter. Am I teaching them to question His shaping their lives? Do they see my life as one of constant sacrifice to follow the laid out, clear purposes of our Lord - to bring Glory to Him in all that I do?
Or can they see my rebellion? Does the clay say to the Potter "Hey Man, I had this great idea of you making me into an awesome sculpture to sit at the top of a bank building and look impressive - nothing dangerous, someplace with a good view, shady, not too many pigeons... I don't want to be a simple cup, made only to carry water - I'm better than that! I have great potential! Don't stick me in Botswana, I demand Manhattan!"
Silly, but I think many of us lumpy clay people want to be in charge of the Creator. My obedience to Him shows my boys how to be obedient to us, their Mom and Dad; and how to follow Him. No matter what He asks of us.
Isn't it easier to be obedient and follow our purpose if we consider it all joy, wake refreshed and excited each day, ask each other for help, share our toys, laugh, giggle, forgive quickly, ask for permission, and accept the answer without question?
I'm getting better at asking the big questions and finding the biblical answers. Now I just need the courage to do what I know He's asking of me.
But God, He loves and likes and enjoys them even more than I do. I asked myself "What is it that God likes about my kids? and are those things that He likes, those very same things that I want to 'mature' right out of them?"
I suspect that the things we expect our kids to grow out of are some of the same things He loves. Jesus talks about being like a child in Matthew 18 and Mark 10.
Could it be that the silliness, simpleness, delight, rapid fire questioning, endless energy, fresh perspective and annoying simplicity that define my kids are part of their goodness? Am I preserving the good stuff or replacing it with junk?
As an adult I struggle to see JOY in all things. I take myself too seriously. I want to stay in bed all day. I withhold questions so as not to appear ignorant. I don't want to be a bother or a burden, so I don't ask for help.
Children trust and love and forgive, and they see the world as wonderful. I don't want to ruin my kids.
My boys are clay in the hands of The Potter. Am I teaching them to question His shaping their lives? Do they see my life as one of constant sacrifice to follow the laid out, clear purposes of our Lord - to bring Glory to Him in all that I do?
Or can they see my rebellion? Does the clay say to the Potter "Hey Man, I had this great idea of you making me into an awesome sculpture to sit at the top of a bank building and look impressive - nothing dangerous, someplace with a good view, shady, not too many pigeons... I don't want to be a simple cup, made only to carry water - I'm better than that! I have great potential! Don't stick me in Botswana, I demand Manhattan!"
Silly, but I think many of us lumpy clay people want to be in charge of the Creator. My obedience to Him shows my boys how to be obedient to us, their Mom and Dad; and how to follow Him. No matter what He asks of us.
Isn't it easier to be obedient and follow our purpose if we consider it all joy, wake refreshed and excited each day, ask each other for help, share our toys, laugh, giggle, forgive quickly, ask for permission, and accept the answer without question?
I'm getting better at asking the big questions and finding the biblical answers. Now I just need the courage to do what I know He's asking of me.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Heart sick
I am reading a heartbreaking book, for the third time. I read it, break, cry, commit to staying broken....than I forget. I find myself wrapped right back up in selfishness, consumerism, apathy. Apathy is frightening. It is the why behind indifference. Indifference is worse than hate. It is feeling nothing about a person or thing.
The book is "The Hole in our Gospel" by Richard Stearns, President of World Vision U.S.. If you dare to read this book it will likely be one of the most potentially life changing books you will ever read. Even if you are not a Christ follower. If, as I am, you are committed to following our King, then you will break. The challenge is to stay broken.
Pray daily for your heart to break for the things that break His heart.
The Gospel has the power to change the world, but not if all we do is read it, and fail to live it. The power of the Gospel truth is in the heart change that results from choosing the Christian life. Many who say they have chosen it will find themselves in hell. Choosing Christ results in a changed heart, hands, and soul. If there is no fruit, the faith is a lie. It does not happen in an instant. It is up and down, light and dark, joy and pain.
At times I feel so like Jesus is my best friend, at others I feel a wall between that I just can't seem to remove. I pray and plead with Him to come close. I trust that this season has a reason in His greater Glory, and that He will bring me through, like Job. But I hate feeling apart from Him.
What does our Creator expect of us here on earth? We are to act, we are His hands and feet on earth, today!
The book is "The Hole in our Gospel" by Richard Stearns, President of World Vision U.S.. If you dare to read this book it will likely be one of the most potentially life changing books you will ever read. Even if you are not a Christ follower. If, as I am, you are committed to following our King, then you will break. The challenge is to stay broken.
Pray daily for your heart to break for the things that break His heart.
The Gospel has the power to change the world, but not if all we do is read it, and fail to live it. The power of the Gospel truth is in the heart change that results from choosing the Christian life. Many who say they have chosen it will find themselves in hell. Choosing Christ results in a changed heart, hands, and soul. If there is no fruit, the faith is a lie. It does not happen in an instant. It is up and down, light and dark, joy and pain.
At times I feel so like Jesus is my best friend, at others I feel a wall between that I just can't seem to remove. I pray and plead with Him to come close. I trust that this season has a reason in His greater Glory, and that He will bring me through, like Job. But I hate feeling apart from Him.
What does our Creator expect of us here on earth? We are to act, we are His hands and feet on earth, today!
Christ has no body on earth but yours,
no hands but yours,
no feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which
Christ's compassion for the world is to look out;
yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good;
and yours are the hands with which He is to bless us now.
-Saint Teresa of Avila
What are you doing for Christ?
Are we loving our neighbors as ourselves? Who is your neighbor? In this current age, everyone in the world is your neighbor. Help them.
People should be able to hear, see and feel God's love through us.
There are almost 2000 verses in our Bible that deal with poverty and justice. It is a big issue. It is of utmost importance to God. Why do we ignore it? Being nice is not enough. Not all of us have to give it all away, but if He asks us to it should be a pleasure. Would it be a pleasure to you if God asked you to give all of your possessions away? Who do you serve?
Our family is examining just what God wants of us. We know we aren't doing enough.
Mr. Stearns asked himself a tough question when deciding if he would take a job with World Vision, "What if my cowardice costs even one child somewhere in the world his or her life?"
Which one would it be okay to see starve to death, or die of malaria, or be sold into prostitution?
I'm asking that of my family, and asking God the Father to break our hearts for what breaks His.
Now I know that at least one person who reads this will say, "that's a bit much!". So you think God is a God of mediocrity? You think He is okay with the fact that the divide between rich and poor is growing, not shrinking? Read your Bible.
Should be an interesting year!
Spring!
Not the season, but the issue of water from the earth.
We went camping last weekend. Man stayed home with a back injury, EQ and #1 stayed with him; so it was just me and the chocolate crew.
I had a great time alone with my three kiddos from Ethiopia; yesterday marked the 2 year anniversary of their arrival in our home. When there are 5 boys trying to talk, no one gets to say everything they want to say -- with just three, all with a similar past, they were able to talk and talk and talk. We stayed up late and they shared lots of things with me that I did not know.
They each dream of food, often. It is clearly a central issue in their minds, and a worry. In Ethiopia they dreamt of food they had seen pictures of. Anxiety dreams, chasing the food, it just out of reach, waking hungry. Or catching the food only to find it tasted of nothing, because of course they did not know what it would taste like.
Our friends ML and R camped next to us. I always enjoy them and their kids.
The spring fed Guadalupe River near San Marcos.
Green amidst all this drought.
Armadillo Fellow - see they aren't really born dead on the side of the road!
Taking a break from eating dead 'dillo off the pavement.
We still have not had rain. The fires in Bastrop have touched so many people in this area. I can still look South and see the smoke coming up.
We went camping last weekend. Man stayed home with a back injury, EQ and #1 stayed with him; so it was just me and the chocolate crew.
I had a great time alone with my three kiddos from Ethiopia; yesterday marked the 2 year anniversary of their arrival in our home. When there are 5 boys trying to talk, no one gets to say everything they want to say -- with just three, all with a similar past, they were able to talk and talk and talk. We stayed up late and they shared lots of things with me that I did not know.
They each dream of food, often. It is clearly a central issue in their minds, and a worry. In Ethiopia they dreamt of food they had seen pictures of. Anxiety dreams, chasing the food, it just out of reach, waking hungry. Or catching the food only to find it tasted of nothing, because of course they did not know what it would taste like.
Our friends ML and R camped next to us. I always enjoy them and their kids.
The spring fed Guadalupe River near San Marcos.
Green amidst all this drought.
Armadillo Fellow - see they aren't really born dead on the side of the road!
Taking a break from eating dead 'dillo off the pavement.
We still have not had rain. The fires in Bastrop have touched so many people in this area. I can still look South and see the smoke coming up.
Monday, September 5, 2011
a break in the 100 degree string of days
It's in the 80's today - thank God! The windows are open the doors are wide, a breeze flows through.
This morning we headed out for a hike. With over 80 days of temps in the 100's, we have not done much hiking. It was good to be out.
Here are some pics of our hike around Granger Lake.
At the trail head; all smiles and hiking eagerness. We recently watched a documentary on the Appalachian trail, we were all inspired. Most of us were only inspired for the first 2 miles, then it got whiny.
Man and the H Bomb
Love this bit of bird nest, and late summer color.
Granger lake, always makes me wish for a tall glass of chocolate milk for some reason.
Low on water...
Me in my hiking attire - totally REI. Wish I had a blue Volkswagen Bus!
Note the blurry bright green snake. Man almost stepped on it before it headed vertical up a tree.
The Haunted Bridge
Check out EQ's socks. I suspect that my mother intended these to be for me, but as soon as EQ saw them tucked into his birthday box he declared them "his new Lucky Sox". They have cows on them, and yep they are pink.
Monkey boy.
Harley did great, but he really wanted Man to carry him that last 1/2 mile.
I heart cactus.
No, really!
Orange in a flower looks so yummy.
On the way home we could look South and see smoke. Central Texas is on fire again. One of our favorite towns is burning. 300 homes lost so far and they fear it will get worse before it gets better; school in canceled.
We need rain - get ye on yer knees you prayers!
Thanks
This morning we headed out for a hike. With over 80 days of temps in the 100's, we have not done much hiking. It was good to be out.
Here are some pics of our hike around Granger Lake.
At the trail head; all smiles and hiking eagerness. We recently watched a documentary on the Appalachian trail, we were all inspired. Most of us were only inspired for the first 2 miles, then it got whiny.
Man and the H Bomb
Love this bit of bird nest, and late summer color.
Granger lake, always makes me wish for a tall glass of chocolate milk for some reason.
Low on water...
Me in my hiking attire - totally REI. Wish I had a blue Volkswagen Bus!
Note the blurry bright green snake. Man almost stepped on it before it headed vertical up a tree.
The Haunted Bridge
Check out EQ's socks. I suspect that my mother intended these to be for me, but as soon as EQ saw them tucked into his birthday box he declared them "his new Lucky Sox". They have cows on them, and yep they are pink.
Monkey boy.
Harley did great, but he really wanted Man to carry him that last 1/2 mile.
I heart cactus.
No, really!
Orange in a flower looks so yummy.
On the way home we could look South and see smoke. Central Texas is on fire again. One of our favorite towns is burning. 300 homes lost so far and they fear it will get worse before it gets better; school in canceled.
We need rain - get ye on yer knees you prayers!
Thanks
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