...and I'm a sinner.

If you haven't already noticed, the Mormon Church changed their ads. Their old ads were aimed towards family values and would end like this, "family...isn't about time? This is a message from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints." The message wasn't anything controversial.  Anyone with a heart could "awww" over the cutesy ad. 

Now, they are choosing attractive, cool, normal, surfers, workers to share how awesome they are and end with, "...and I'm a Mormon." Why are they advertising? It's quite funny really, because it confirms that you don't have to know much in order to join. It's treated almost like a club. You like families, outings, skateboarding, art, etc? So join the church already! Duh!  So, in closing I like to end with this:

Hi, I'm Ingrid and I'm a wife, Mother, piano player, disciplinary, chef, house cleaner, and Community Manager...and I'm a sinner.

We Have Seen His Glory!

I was thankful to receive "In Christ Alone" by Sinclair B. Ferguson as a gift from my sister-in-law, Teresa. Just the title, “In Christ Alone” should grasp the attention of any fellow Christian wanting to understand our Lord better or for someone, like myself, who desires to live the Gospel-centered life. I have always been a fan of reading Ferguson's books. After all, my first Reformed Pastor provided me with "By Grace Alone" through the mail before visiting his congregation for the very first time. Ferguson amazes me with how simple and basic of a read he is, yet turns a clear understanding of who Jesus is into something delightful and confounding.

I usually wait until AFTER I read a book to provide my thoughts, but silly thing is, I am only through the first section! I am very excited about it, that I find it only necessary to share my first thoughts about the opening of his book. I wish I could write this entire blog post in my own words, but I have quoted Ferguson instead a majority of the time.  His remarks alone are fascinating.

Part 1 of the book starts off with the Prologue to Christ. “The Word Became Flesh” was the best way to put it. Ferguson reminds the Christian reader how fascinating that each of the Gospels has a different starting point. For instance, Matthew begins with Abraham, Mark with John the Baptist, and Luke with Zechariah and Elizabeth. Later, he adds a staggering point about John’s Gospel. This Gospel begins in eternity! John’s motifs are the identity of Jesus, revelation in Jesus, fulfillment in Jesus, and the work of Jesus.

I don’t know about you, but I always linger when reading the opening versus of John’s Gospel; just to sink in the knowledge that He is the Word made flesh (1:14)-- hits me every time! Ferguson points out the thrill and suspense while reading this, and asks the reader to read the Prologue slowly and read out loud to feel it. He is Jesus! Ferguson says, “Jesus comes to us from the deep recesses of eternity.” Ferguson also explains:

Our Savior is the God-man, and we should think of Him as both! Just in the first verse, He is described as the companion of God (He “was with God”), who simultaneously, is Himself God (“the Word was God”).

The basic key to John’s Gospel is quite simple…our Lord has two natures united in one person. God the Son made flesh. As John’s Gospel records Jesus’ self-revelation, it breaks into two sections—His own identity and His fellowship with the Father and the Spirit.

The law was given through Moss, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (1:17). Through Moses in the Old Testament, God is revealed in pictures and ceremonies.  Jesus is the reality. Ferguson goes onto explain the fulfillment in Jesus:

Like John the Baptist (1:15), the Law and the Prophets were only witnesses to the Light; Jesus is the Light itself.  That is why, for John, the events, imagery, and language of the Old Testament are like a shadow cast backward into history by Christ, the Light of the World.  The dwelling of God in the wilderness tabernacle foreshadowed the presence of the Word incarnate as the final temple.  It is in Him, alone that finally see God's glory (1:14).

The ending to this first section of the book takes me on a spin as Ferguson goes onto explain the work of Jesus. I have to admit, at times I must re-read a section 2-3 times in order for it to sink in. While reading the closing section I again paused at hearing that John’s Christology is a Christology from above and from below. Christ comes from the Father, BUT He is also born of the Virgin Mary. I am a huge fan of John Calvin, and he writes:

How great is the difference between the spiritual glory of the Word of God and the stinking filth of our flesh! Yet the Son of God stooped so low as to take to himself that flesh addicted to so many wretchedness’s.

The Word became flesh. The Word made His dwelling among us. The Word revealed His glory. Ferguson reminded me that re-reading John's Gospel is bigger on the inside than it appears to be from the outside. The Gospel of John is the first true gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The World Is Watching You

I have been a member of facebook for about 4 years now. I joined in order to get rid of my myspace account due to the immature posts, lame designs, bad search engine, and the annoying music on friends pages. Facebook had a better search engine, professional, and better secured...so we thought. It is not new to hear the dangers of having a facebook account. Some are pretty simple...don't reveal your address, phone number, social security number, password, etc.


I am happy that a recent article revealed the risks of sharing your job complaints and personal lifestyle. Insurers and employers are now turning to social networking sites to track down their employees and clients. It’s quite genius really. In fact, I turned to social networking sites when hiring employers. I would easily place a huge red X on your resume if I found posts that revealed heavy partying or any unprofessionalism. Believe it or not, the easiest way to disqualify an employer are their status posts. If you can’t spell, than most likely you will not qualify for a receptionist position. I couldn’t imagine receiving emails from someone at work who types,

Gonna go 2 lunch. Do ya need anything? I be @ da restaurant across da street.

I know…I lack in trying to emulate someone’s “ghetto” internet skills. I suck at trying to make this believable, however, I hope you get the point.


One of my facebook discoveries is being revealed to one of your associates and finding out that they aren’t who you thought they were. Whether this is good or bad, I discovered that some have poor work ethic. They get a job, and later complain about co-workers or annoying clients. Life isn’t easy. Get over it.


The worst job complaints are from teachers. After reading posts from young new teachers (none of my friends to make it clear) my jaw dropped as I was revealed about their bratty students and co-workers. As a Mother of a young child who will soon have to face the school system, it definitely worries me. Not to mention, I am a daughter of two teachers (both public and private entities). I never heard my parents share stories about how stupid their students are or laughing at their papers as they are grading them.  I am proud of my parents trying to make a difference in a student’s life. You want them to succeed, not the opposite. When I shared this information to my parents, they simply said teaching isn’t for them. You don’t get involved into certain careers for the money.


Next time you wish to vent on facebook or share how hot or awesome you are, please pause and think about who is reading it.

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