Welcome Home

I haven't posted in a few days because of our recent acquisition of the time hog better know as a newborn. We chose to call him Hunter. Although it is not new news to most who read this it is necessary that I post it to the blog.

We could not be more proud of our new addition, and second boy to carry on the Tuten name. Hunter Lee Tuten was born at 1:27pm on Tuesday January 20, 2009 weighing in at 8lbs 13oz. Most people say he's big but after his brother being well over 9 lbs he seems kind of light to us.

He and mommy are doing well. We had Papa and Grama here for a few days and now Nana (Raina's mom) is here for a few days to help as well. We sure enjoy having them around. Makes life a lot easier.

Sleep has been sparse lately and even more scarce for Raina as she feeds Hunter every couple of hours. While we are trying to adjust, Connor so far is doing quite well with the new intruder into his space. He calls him "my baby" most of the time and often loves on Hunter with a hug or a kiss.

I must admit, even with the lack of sleep and myriad of changes going on in the house, it still seems a little bit unreal. However, holding him and wondering what he will become and the awesome responsibility we have as parents to our two boys is by far the most sobering thought I have ever had.

Praise the Lord for another healthy baby boy!

Looking For a Hero

It seems everyone since time began has looked for a hero in someone else. Now days it is a music, hollywood or sports star. Of course the problem with looking to these people is that they are not only human and destined to fail, they are in a position to obtain things and participate in acts that are at best suspect and often times down right illegal and shameful. They have little to no character.

O.J Simpson cones to mind. It's hard to think of another celebrity that has fallen so far with actually dying. Barry Bonds in a legal battle still, trying to defend his use of a substance that gave him an edge in competition and brings into question his record of home run king. I can name more and fill page after page of examples. Everyday it seems there is some new sports star or celebrity that is arrested for a myriad of illegal activities from shootings to drunk driving to drug possession.

So why do we look up to these people? Although there are plenty of good answers I am sure, one stands out to me. Idol worship. In fact it is so obvious that one of the highest rated TV shows on right now is American IDOL. The irony is that we are the ones that make them stars. We spend the money to see them act or perform and create our gods to desire and worship.

Idol? Come on I can't be serious right? After all an idol is a statue that one worships and prays to. An image that is revered, that is...Stop! A what? Image! We have this ancient idea of an idol. Like a Budda or Greek statue that we bow down to. Well let's clarify what qualifies as an idol. According to the dictionary an idol is a person or thing that is greatly admired, loved or revered. Hmmmm. That is pretty broad.

I understand that it perfectly fine to enjoy a music performance or a good movie, etc. The problem arises when we began to desire what they have, or wish and maybe strive to look or be like that person.

According to scripture the first commandment is "To have no other gods before Me". Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. So an idol can be a superstar athlete or your dog. What is your heart set on? What can you not live without? Who would you rather be in this world?

Pain Is In Our Best Interest

This is the fourth of the sub-heads in my flurry of thoughts post. It has taken me some time to get to it but here are a few of my thoughts on this.

A friend from church just lost his father 3 months ago. He died way too soon. As I spoke with my friend last week he has an incredible hunger for the things of God. He has recently served time in Iraq in the war. Both the loss of his father and being in a war had spurned his desire to know God more.

Having lost loved ones, jobs, and struggled through a failed business and many other hardships in life, I can say that without them I would not have grown closer to God in the way that I have. I did not desire them and have at times not had the best attitude during those times of pain but I have grown through them.

C.S. Lewis, (my favorite author) in his book The Problem of Pain covers this in a much better, eloquent and comprehensive way than I can. He uses analogy of a an older dog who has undergone the pains of training from his master. The dog enjoys shelter, food, water and affection from the master. He knows what the puppy does not know. The pain of being made to conform to something that he is naturally against has it benefits. Left to himself he would be in the rain, the cold and most likely hungry trying to provide for himself.

While Lewis even admits it is not the perfect analogy, it truly is a great example of our life in relation to suffering. God allow and sometimes sends suffering to cause us to run to him. To call out to Him for direction and comfort. He is making us into a usable vessel. No we do not like it and it is sometimes more painful than we think we can handle but it IS in our best interest.

I sure wish there was an easier way. Having experienced and watched friends and family struggle through pain this past year I say as John does in Revelation 22:20, "Come Lord Jesus".

Are You Certain

As we prepare for our new arrival I have mixed emotions. Looking forward to the joy of another boy but not sure about all the sheetrock repair I am going to inevitably have to do having two boys around the house. Is it wrong to turn them loose in a fenced in area and leave food and water out for them? I'll let them in if it's cold! I'm not mean!

Actually I am looking forward to having brothers in the house and watching that dynamic. I'm looking forward to going camping with them, riding bikes and throwing the football. I am also looking forward to all the great quotes we will have to share through the years. Connor has a few of those already. Like last night when I asked him a question to which he said no, we asked in return, "Are you Certain?" he replied without hesitation,"No I Connor".