On the Road Again...

We always enjoy spending time with our families during the holiday season. Late Tuesday night we made the trip to Hickory to be with my parents. Wednesday was a fun day for us. We spent time with Mom and Dad. Ava really enjoyed the big wheel they have for her. We also went to my friend, Kellie's house for dinner. Leigh Ann and Davis came to join us. Ava, as always, enjoyed playing with Eli and Davis and I of course, enjoyed every minute I had to spend with my friends. The time we have together is short, but always special.

Ava rode her big wheel up and down the driveway!

Pops and Ava

Granna and Emet

Eli, Ava and Davis

Sweet Kisses

Eli, Ava, Emet and Davis

Kellie, Eli, Leigh, Ava, Emet, Leigh Ann, (Baby Fitzmorris) and Davis

The Meaning of His Name - Emet David

Exodus 33:17-19 17 And the LORD said to Moses, "This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name." 18 Moses said, "Please show me your glory." 19 And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name 'The LORD.' And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.

Exodus 34:6-8 6 The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation." 8 And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped.

Emet is the Hebrew word used in Exodus 34:6 to speak of God’s covenant faithfulness. God’s covenant faithfulness means that we can be certain that he will do what he has promised. His works and his words are faithful; we can totally depend on Him. “Emet” comes from the same root that “amen” comes from which we use in our prayers to express certainty and assurance in the Lord to whom we pray. David is Jon’s middle name but it also has a huge significance in God’s plan of redemption. Long ago, God promised that an offspring would come from a woman and crush the head of Satan (Gen. 3:15). Later God promised that this offspring would be a son of David and not only would he crush the head of Satan, he would be king and establish his kingdom forever (2 Sam. 7; 1 Chron. 17). Jesus, who is from the lineage of David (Matt. 1:1), is this king and he has established his kingdom. Jesus is the ultimate expression of God’s faithfulness, because in Jesus, God has provided salvation for those who repent of their sin, believe that Jesus died and the paid the penalty for their sin, and trust him wholly for their salvation. God’s covenant faithfulness means that we can trust his word and that he will bring his promises to completion. Our hope as believers rests in the very character of God. In light of this, we desire our son to grow up to be a man who first of all trusts in God’s covenant faithfulness but who also displays in his life what God’s faithfulness looks like by being faithful in what he says and in what he does. To God be the glory. AMEN!

Here are some verses that use “emet” or a Hebrew word similar to it:

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,

1 Samuel 12:24 Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.

Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.

Psalm 115:1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

Psalm 117:2 For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!

Lamentations 3:21-23 21 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Other Verses: Genesis 15:6; 2 Samuel 7:16, 28; 1 Chronicles 17:23-24; Psalm 40:11; 86:15; 132:11

Emet David Chasteen - Part 3

Leigh, Ava, and Mary Lee with Emet.
Tom. Mary Lee, and Leigh with Emet.
Don, Scarlet, Jon and Leigh with Emet.
Emet is a Tiger (and a Mountaineer)
Emet is a Tiger (and a Mountaineer)

Emet David Chasteen - Part 2

Jon and Leigh with Emet.
Jon, Leigh, and Ava with Emet.
Ava and Nana eagerly watching Emet.
Ava holding Emet with mommy.
Ava being a good big sister and loving on her little brother.

Emet David Chasteen - Part 1

This is Ava checking out mommy's belly before Emet was born.
Jon chowing down before Emet was born.
Jon checking out Emet right after he was born.
Emet getting a bath.
Emet still getting a bath.

Do Hard Things - Part 1

I recently started reading a book called Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations by Alex and Bret Harris. They are only 19 years old and the have their own website and have contributed many articles to the webzine Boundless. They are seeking a "rebelution," a term which they made up, which simply means "a teenage rebellion against low expectations" (11), and this is the starting point for their book. They ask, "Is it possible that our teen years give us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for huge accomplishments--as individuals and as a generation?" (6). There book opens with these thoughts:

"Most people don't expect you to understand what we're going to tell you in this book. And even if you understand, they don't expect you to care. And even if you care, they don't expect you to do anything about it. And even if you do something about it, they don't expect it to last. Well, we do."

If you dare, I challenge you to read this book. But beware, it may radically transform your life. More thoughts to come later.

Fighting Against Lust

A N T H E M :: Desiring God Christian Resource Library