Who Did I Marry?

Tonight, Kacie and I were watching Entertainment Tonight, and a segment on the new Indiana Jones movie came on. I said, "I would like to go see that." And what do you think my wife said? "I've never seen any Indiana Jones movies." Gasp! My own wife has never seen ANY Indiana Jones movies. None. Not one. She did say that she saw a clip from one at church, but come on. How could you not see any of them??? Her only defense is "But I'm a girl." That won't fly. Needless to say, we now have to go rent all of them and catch her up. Is this more common than I think???

Other movies Kacie had never seen before we were married: "The Goonies," "Star Wars" (the entire trilogy).
Movies Kacie refuses to watch: "Loaded Weapon 1," "The Goonies"

I was reading the Bible the other day in the Old Testament in the prophets, and I noticed something a little new to me. Jer 31:31ff talks about a "new covenant" that God will make with His people and that it "will not be like the old covenant..." and that God will "put the law in their minds and write it on their hearts..." Now all this doesn't sound so new (and you may already know what I am getting at), but what intrigued me was the idea of the new and old covenants. What does "new covenant" mean. And likewise "old covenant." It may be obvious, but the new covenant is the time of the church, i.e. post resurrection. Naturally, then, the old covenant would be pre-resurrection. In the old covenant, we had to sacrifice certain animals at certain times of the year, and after certain events (see Leviticus, esp. Ch. 16). Now, we all know that Christ is the eternal sacrifice, and He fulfilled all the requirements of the law (the old covenant). We can now eat pork without fear of spiritual uncleanness. We are free to eat it. (This is just one example). We are now liberated from the law through Christ's fullfilling sacrifice. Now, here is where it gets a bit messy. We have all heard for the entirety of our church-going experience that it is necessary to tithe or give 10% of our income to the church...because God's law is good and it still works. (This goes for pork too, but bacon tastes sooo good). But where does the Bible--the Bible--speak of tithing. That's right--the old testament (most quoted in the pulpit from Malachi). To clarify, the term testament and covenant can be used interchangeably. (In Exodus, it is called the ark of the covenant, and also the ark of the testament). Is tithing mentioned in the New Testament (Covenant)? Only in the gospels: pre-resurrection, and thus, still old covenant. In the New Testament, Paul talks about giving without compulsion. In Acts, followers of the Way gave to needs according to what they had decided in their heart to give. Am I saying that we should not give? NO! We should definitely give (most likely even more than 10%). What I am saying is that the principle of the tithe is an old covenant principle, and if we are truly "free" from the law, then we are not required to give any specific amount before we can receive God's blessing (as is commonly preached today).Have you ever missed tithe or only given 9% and felt a surge of guilt? "It is for 'guilt' that Christ has set us free." NOOO! "It is for 'freedom' that Christ has set us free." We are free from the law. We are free from the law and under the new covenant ushered in by the death and resurrection of Christ. Is the tithe necessary for God's blessing, or is it a Phariseeical burden that "you yourselves are not able to bear."?What do you think?

Bye Bye, Beard

Well, this is it. I have decided to shave my beard. Since Paisley arrived, I haven't been able to give her a kiss without irritating her. Sure, my face might get cold; and sure, I don't look as cool, but I would have shaved it anyway in a couple of months. (Its kind of uncomfortable sometimes, too). But, since I am shaving it, I thought I would let everyone else experience it with me. Tell me what you think.

Hey Everyone,
Well, I'm a new father agian. Paisley Jewel Carnley was born on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at 6:30 pm. She is 8 lbs, 15 oz, and she is 20 1/2 inches long. She's beautiful. I thought ya'lll might like to see her, so here are some pics.

Paisley Jewel

Not Too Happy

Paisley's Ear

Paisley's Hand

Mommy and Paisley

What is the real danger?

I thought this warning was a bit mis-prioritized. (It's a skil saw blade inside the package). What do you think?

Super Mario

Wow!!! This is Crazemazing

And the award goes to...

Just thought I'd let everyone know what a good wife I have. Yesterday, I had to deliver mail in rainy, 44 degree weather. Needless to say, even wearing raingear, I got wet and cold. When I get home, Kacie had cooked one of my favorite meals: fried deer steak with gravy, purple hulled peas, homemade cornbread, and Texas potatoes (with real bacon!!!). All because I had to spend most of the day in the rain. What a woman! Then this evening when I got home from church, she had done it again--she cooked more deer steak to go with last night's left overs. Smiles and full bellies all around! Love that woman!