Henri Nouwen Re-visit...Acting in the Name

Acting in the Name of Jesus

Ministry is acting in the Name of Jesus. When all our actions are in the Name, they will bear fruit for eternal life. To act in the Name of Jesus, however, doesn't mean to act as a representative of Jesus or his spokesperson. It means to act in an intimate communion with him. The Name is like a house, a tent, a dwelling. To act in the Name of Jesus, therefore, means to act from the place where we are united with Jesus in love. To the question "Where are you?" we should be able to answer, "I am in the Name." Then, whatever we do cannot be other than ministry because it will always be Jesus himself who acts in and through us. The final question for all who minister is "Are you in the Name of Jesus?"" When we can say yes to that, all of our lives will be ministry.

Found this comforting today in the all-too-prevalent tendency to make things way too complicated...but nonetheless very challenging, but it challenges the right thing to be challenged in all of our lives:)

"Lovin' on" Baby "oosie"

Can you imagine what she's thinking?
"Oh boy, here comes another one!" or
"wonder how long 'til I can kiss him back?" or
"Mom, don't let him drop me!!" or maybe just
"I love you too brother!"

Trick or Treating with the Farr's

Jared was away all day on Halloween, so the Farr's helped us out by getting JJ ready and helping us get around for a little "trick or treating" that evening. I had no ideas for JJ, so Anita supplied his Eagles outfit--ISN'T IT GREAT THAT THEY LOVE THE EAGLES TOO??
As you can see, she had a little cheerleader, fireman and teddy bear...we were the most adorable bunch on the block--at least that's what we were told:)
As an aside, in the top left, we are all eating chocolate cupcakes with lots of icing, because we weren't sure if the trick-or-treat bags would gather enough sugar;)

You can see that JJ and Susie dressed alike as a little Eagles' player and his cheerleader:)
It's fun to think about her as his biggest fan down the road when he plays football
(Just so you know: I'm not sure he'll play and I don't think I want her to be an actual cheerleader-no offense cheerleaders;)