New Attitude Conference & Mohler's blog

New Attitude
Registration Opens: Theme -- HUMBLE ORTHODOXY
The New Attitude conference for singles and young married couples returns to Louisville, Kentucky, May 26–29, 2007. Registration is now open, so join us as we gather to rediscover God's truth and recommit to living it humbly. They want to examine our lives in light of God's Word, because humble orthodoxy takes discernment. Joshua Harris, Eric Simmons, C.J. Mahaney, Mark Dever, Albert Mohler, and John Piper will teach main sessions.If your church or organization would like to help them spread the word about New Attitude, send them an email. (For those of you in Louisville -- this would be REALLY GREAT!)

Also -- many of our friend bloggers check out Mohler's blog often, but let me TELL you...his blog yesturday was inspiring! I absolutely LOVE to read, and it was encouraging to see how important reading is to our Christian community, and how we NEED to encourage it in our children, student, friends, ect. Check it out! (PS -- it was Jan 24th post) And praise the Lord for God's healing hand on Al Mohler as well!!!

Do Not Love the World (Part 2)

I couldn't pass this up. I listened to part 2 of the sermon today...and MAN was it good! Here's some more:

Two Possibilities If You Don't Feel Much Love for God
Perhaps even as I say this, some of you are saying, "I don't feel very much love for God right now." There are two possible reasons for that.

1) You are not born of God...

2) The other possibility is that you have indeed been born again, but that your love for God has simply grown cool and weak. You've tasted what it means to have a heart for God. You can recall how once you felt that to know him was better than anything the world could offer. But this morning the wick is smoldering and the reed is bruised.
The prescription for your ailment is not much different than the prescription for seeking new birth in the first place. The same Spirit that begets life, also nourishes life. The same Word that ignites the fire of love, also rekindles love. The same Christ who once brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light, can take away the long dark night of your soul. So yield yourself to the Holy Spirit. Immerse yourself in the Word of God. Cry out to Christ for a new vision of the glory of his grace. Don't be content with lukewarmness. Pursue a new passion for Christ.
......

St. Augustine captured the heart of our text when he prayed to the Father and said,

"He loves thee too little

who loves anything together with thee

which he loves not for thy sake."

Do Not Love the World

Ryan and I had a great weekend! We worked up at camp as weekend directors. It was the last weekend of spike and doe season (as some of you may or may not know)...and Ryan was in his deer stand despite the misting and hazy conditions. It proved to be successful!! Ryan shot a spike on Sunday morning! I good ending to the deer season, when the last weekend is always a little sorrowful for Ryan..as the end of a joyous past-time goes by another year.

This morning I have been enjoying a little bit more of some BIRTHDAY POSTCARDS! (No shudders please...). This has become one of my favorite duties of my job, b/c it gives me the time and attention to listen to some good sermons. Today's was from Mr. John Piper...Do Not Love the World. It was definantly to the point, and bold, and convicting, and encouraging all together. I encourage all of you if you have time to listen to this, and be reminded as I was, that our desire should be upmost to LOVE God, and this will be our motivator to turn away from teh things of the world. Here's a great quote:

In other words it is our love for God that overcomes the obstacles of disobedience and makes the commandments of God a joy rather than a burden. "Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her" (Genesis 29:20). Love for God makes his service a joy and overcomes the forces of disobedience. -- Piper

The Lightlings

I forgot to talk about the
best part of our trip! While spending time with the Moore family we had some Great conversations about the gospel. Ryan and I both had some one on one time with Aundera and Jonah to talk about Christ, baptism, and some essentials of the Christian faith. We talked about my dad, and blessing of knowing that he was a believer. I told them about the funeral, and how it was a time to really celebrate by dad, and his character, and how much we loved him. But even more than that, it was a time to talk about how much my dad loved Christ, and the truth of the gospel!! It was so neat to see how the Lord has already begun to soften their hearts. Aundera was baptized this past year, so we have been really continuing to talk about the gospel. While in the car with Jonah, we listened to this children's book, narrated by R.C. Sproul, called the Lightlings. It is a GREAT children's book about our state as humans, and the story of Christ! Love it! Jonah asked all kinds of good questions afterwards, and then said, can we listen to it again!!! So definantly check it out! We downloaded it on our ipod for free...so share with your young friends and family!!!

Baby FEVER

Little updating from the Bebees.

Baby FEVER!! Ok, for all of you dieing and hopeing that this will read...
WE ARE PREGNANT...it will be rather disappointing. However, Ryan and I have had some serious baby fever (def: the distinct desire to immediately have your own child or steal someone elses -- I mean adoption of some sort -- but you need a baby NOW). We spent the past weekend in New Mexico skiing with my sister and her family!!! Great snow, great weather, and man can my niece and nephew tear up the mountain. Aundera is parrallel sking blues like an ace, and she's even brave enough to go down some blacks!! Jonah is loving sking for the first time in his life -- (small run down of Jonah's life in skiing)

Year 1 -- Jonah is 1 year or so...spends all day at a daycare
Year 2 -- Jonah is roughly 2-3. spends the day at the daycare/ski school/spend a day in skis but just throw snowballs
Year 3 -- Jonah is extremely sick, and is unable to participate in the Stephens' family most beloved past-time sport
Year 4 -- Jonah now 4 tries skiing again...while his aunt Sarah is holding him and skiing down, close to the lift line -- projectile vomit begins from his mouth...yes, all over the ski run.
Year 5 -- well the past year, I think he did better, but he still was definantly not thrilled with skiing...
Year 6 -- THE BEST. Jonah learns to ski BY HIMSELF down the mountain. Greens are NOTHING for this kid. And his beloved response: "Sking is fun when you can do it. I can even ski around someone Aunt Sarah".

So back to baby fever. Ryan, with the seperated shoulder, offered to keep our 6 month old nephew Micheal while we hit the slopes. Yes, you heard right, Ryan babysat for two days, our little beautiful nephew. Diapers and all. It was like Daddy Daycare (although don't stress, I'm not ABOUT To ask Ryan to quite HIS job so we can have kids -- although we did discuss it...). And Ryan did an AWESOME job. Micheal LOVED him, and it was a huge blessing of a trip to spend time with the Moore family. I'll include pictures soon!

Other than that, you people in Kentucky probably can't believe that they closed Austin/Marble Falls/Llano schools for two days for icy conditions down here...and there were even reports of snow. Ryan and I spent two WHOLE days sealed into our little apartment..and loved every minute of it! -- although we began to run out of food!

Update on my Aunt Deborah. Many of you know that my dear Aunt Deborah has had hepatitis C for many years, and it has slowly completely demolished her liver. A few weeks ago she had reached the point where she was put on a recipient list in Baylor. This weekend, she was called in to recieve her new liver. It is a very hard and at times, risky procedure for the patient. But the Lord has been so gracious to work out all the many details, schedules, family flights/departures, weather, and in his goodness, my Aunt Deborah is in a recovery wing walking and talking, and her new liver is already working in her body! I am amazed at the ingeniousness that the Lord has given man to bring such blessings into our lives!!

So keep Ryan and I in your prayers as we continue to make plans for the upcoming year. Ryan has his shoulder surgery on February 5th in Fredricksburg, and we will keep you updated on that as well!

Reunion 2007

So for those of you that are not in the all consuming, and rather enjoyable Buckner circle...WE JUST HAD CAMP BUCKNER REUNION. (No, not a cult meeting!)

Ryan and I were able to spend time with his family for Christmas, then head north to spend a week with my family. It was exhausting, and yet one of our best Christmas ever! Christmas day was actually spent with my sister's husbands entire family...hehe! We are a weird group. Ryan and I even did the gift exchange and everything. It was great! I am sure many of you had as many Christmas days as we did, but I counted about six (including the one where we weren't family).

Ryan and I made it back into Kingsland in time to celebrate our SECOND anniversary! PF Changs treated us right!! Congrats to all of those that with us celebrated during this time -- Riedls (Happy TWO!), Polittes (Happy SIX -- I think), Franklins (Ashley and Ryan!!! TWO TWO!), Jones (Teesh and Stepho -- THREE!), and my sweet friends the Gossetts (Three!)!! HAPPY ANNIVERSARIES to them all!

Reunion went GREAT! We had roughly over 80 people come through our gates for the infamous get together...even as oldschool as the Dawson, Bethany Howe, the Cates!! Ryan's Bible studies were great. We were all challenged and definantly encouraged. Let us know if you want the notes, and we would be glad to share. I look forward to lots of great conversations with you Kentuckians about these subjects.

Some memorable moments from 2007 reunion:

1) Yes Brent, the sick-out game of twister. Cliff, Ryan, Brent and K-Chap spinning the wheel.

2) As Mindy stated on Jamies blog...tons, and tons, and TONS of games.

3) We set up the back kitchen area for those looking for their significant other. We had thirty minute conversation slot times open (although I think you guys talked WAY more in 06), and then you could exchange e-mail and phone numbers if you desired...in honor of none other than my best friends the Butts.

4) And just plain fellowship. I was SO amazingly encouraged by all of the counselors and friends I was able to catch up with, share life events, and search out wisdom in life's decisions! Can't wait for camp!!

--I hear there are some great pictures on facebook...although I can't see them yet. HOpefully soon!

For those of you that couldn't make it...sad day...but know you were missed, AND you missed out!