This past weekend my husband officiated at the funeral of a devout, loving man. God gave him 100 years of life on earth and in that time he lived "a slow, steady obediance in the same direction."
George D. was an amazing man, not in and of himself, but because of the manner in which he got out of the way and let God have His way.
When we were notified that he had gone on to be with Jesus, we couldn't help but feel envious. To be with Jesus, to behold His glory, to never, ever sin again! That is something worth envying.
George and Ann were like parents to us when we first moved to that tiny little parsonage northeast of nowhere. They loved us genuinely and generously. I can look around my home and see their love in the wooden handcrafted gifts they gave (made with skill and devotion): Bill's desk and matching file cabinet, our jewelry boxes, lovely wooden bowls, my sewing cabinet, and cutting board.
But the greatest gift, far outdistancing the lovely woodcrafts, was the long-term, devoted love they shared with one another, their family and us.
We will be grateful way on into eternity.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Snatched from R.C. Jr.
I found the following extremely convicting (and we homeschool!), yet it brought up images in my own life that are idolatrous. It was written some time ago and I ran across it by accident (I'm a Calvinist, nothing is by accident!) while I was cleaning out my library, desk, files, etc. in preparation for the upcoming legislative session. Funny the things you save...and find later. It is not reading for the faint of heart. And if you find yourself making excuses throughout the reading, well, then.....
Idols for Destruction
By R. C. Sproul, Jr.
I'm confident that many Christians have not slept well these last few nights. I suspect that tonight they won't do much better. Over the last several days, as I write, the stock market has not performed well. It has reached a five year low, having lost over forty percent of its value since its peak. It is not difficult to muster sympathy in these difficult economic times. Forty percent is rather much to lose, though only slightly more than half of seventy percent.
I lose sleep at night not because Christians have lost forty percent of their investments. I lose sleep at night because Christians are losing seventy percent of their children. They spend their days in institutions where Jesus doesn't matter. Seven hours a day, 180 days a year, Jesus doesn't matter. I am not surprised that when they graduate Jesus doesn't matter to them. The children of professing Christians who are schooled by the government are more likely than not to reject the faith. And we're worried about our stock portfolios.
Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount that where our treasure is, there will our hearts be as well (Matt. 6:21). Our treasure is in our treasure, rather than in our children. We lose our children by the millions, but only cry when we lose our millions. The Christian church is a willful band of idolaters. We send our wives off to work because we worship mammon. We send our children off to 'free' schools rather than private schools where Jesus is honored because we worship mammon. And we mourn at the death of our mammon, rather than the death of our children's souls.
Every time tragedy hits, Christians fall back on this same chestnut of wisdom--we pray that so and so will learn something important from all the suffering. My prayer is the same. My hope is that as God destroys the idols in His church, as He shows that He is almighty, rather than the almighty dollar, that His people will repent and turn to Him. My prayer is then that He might turn our hearts back to our children, that we might in turn raise them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. God could do this. Or, He could lead us into physical starvation, even as we have starved our own children of His Word.
The more likely scenario is this. Professing Christians will continue to cry out to Washington to be their savior. Washington will continue to fail. And some, a very few, but some will in their financial pain turn and repent. Narrow is the path of life, and wide is the way of destruction. Before you get on your knees, asking God to deliver us from financial calamity, confess your sins. Confess that all of us, even those who homeschool, value too much that which bears Caesar's image, and too little that which bears His image. Then, do not ask Him to fix your portfolio. Ask Him to help you invest in the only investment that bears dividends into eternity, your children.
Idols for Destruction
By R. C. Sproul, Jr.
I'm confident that many Christians have not slept well these last few nights. I suspect that tonight they won't do much better. Over the last several days, as I write, the stock market has not performed well. It has reached a five year low, having lost over forty percent of its value since its peak. It is not difficult to muster sympathy in these difficult economic times. Forty percent is rather much to lose, though only slightly more than half of seventy percent.
I lose sleep at night not because Christians have lost forty percent of their investments. I lose sleep at night because Christians are losing seventy percent of their children. They spend their days in institutions where Jesus doesn't matter. Seven hours a day, 180 days a year, Jesus doesn't matter. I am not surprised that when they graduate Jesus doesn't matter to them. The children of professing Christians who are schooled by the government are more likely than not to reject the faith. And we're worried about our stock portfolios.
Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount that where our treasure is, there will our hearts be as well (Matt. 6:21). Our treasure is in our treasure, rather than in our children. We lose our children by the millions, but only cry when we lose our millions. The Christian church is a willful band of idolaters. We send our wives off to work because we worship mammon. We send our children off to 'free' schools rather than private schools where Jesus is honored because we worship mammon. And we mourn at the death of our mammon, rather than the death of our children's souls.
Every time tragedy hits, Christians fall back on this same chestnut of wisdom--we pray that so and so will learn something important from all the suffering. My prayer is the same. My hope is that as God destroys the idols in His church, as He shows that He is almighty, rather than the almighty dollar, that His people will repent and turn to Him. My prayer is then that He might turn our hearts back to our children, that we might in turn raise them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. God could do this. Or, He could lead us into physical starvation, even as we have starved our own children of His Word.
The more likely scenario is this. Professing Christians will continue to cry out to Washington to be their savior. Washington will continue to fail. And some, a very few, but some will in their financial pain turn and repent. Narrow is the path of life, and wide is the way of destruction. Before you get on your knees, asking God to deliver us from financial calamity, confess your sins. Confess that all of us, even those who homeschool, value too much that which bears Caesar's image, and too little that which bears His image. Then, do not ask Him to fix your portfolio. Ask Him to help you invest in the only investment that bears dividends into eternity, your children.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Okay, okay, so leave a comment.
I have heard from some readers via other means of communication, but almost no comments on the blog. I admit it makes me think I may be wasting my time...and yet...well, let me know.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Scripture Means What It Says!
I grew up under the tutelage of an American Sunday School Union missionary. He believed every single word in the Scriptures and taught us unruly, uninterested and sometimes disruptive hoodlums that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness...." Even during the years this little lambkin chose to go her own way, stumbling into dark, dark valleys and enduring incredible pain and regret, still the Good Shepherd reminded me often that His ways were best and that every word in the Scriptures was true.
Maybe that is why I have bumbled, stumbled and tripped over Romans 13. I knew this was written by Paul during the time of Nero's reign so I looked up on the Internet some horrifying truths about Nero's oversight of the fast-fading Roman Empire. It was information that I wish I didn't have in my head!
My point being: If Paul wrote Romans during the time of one of history's greatest reprobates then, well, then I guess it applies today, too. Nobody in their right mind could ever equate current leadership with Nero.
Romans 13:1-7
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed."
The passage says every person (every means ALL!), no authority (no means NONE!), instituted by God (by God, not the will of man!), God's servant (they are working for the Master whether they know it or not!), etc. It does not say that it applies only to good leaders. I have read the arguments from folks who believe that ungodly rulers lose the right to rule and therefore, we do not need to submit to them. Well, I wonder why Paul didn't include that, considering who was on the throne at the time.
As my pastor pointed out in a recent sermon, the reason we submit is twofold: because they are established by God and because the state will judge you, too. Also, we obey, submit for conscience' sake.
Perhaps the biggest impact of this sermon series has been the point made that the person who says, "The government can't tell me what to do!" is really a person filled with pride. It is pride that says nobody can tell me what to do, how to live, whether to obtain a marriage license, what speed to drive, whether to get a building permit, etc.
The bottom line of the sermon was that we obey to avoid trouble, and most importantly to honor God.
The raised, clenched fist, the subtle disobedience of driving over the speed limit, the constant fighting over my rights is not the sign of a humble, obedient heart. It is pride.
And pride is the root of all evils. Just ask the Evil One. How did his pride work out for him? A fallen troublemaker...still under the sovereignty of God, someday to be consigned to the abyss. Not much a future in store for him and his lackeys.
I'm actually much better at pride than at humility. But I would like to be humble (sometimes), but so far this is an ongoing, daily struggle.
I'd likely end up being proud of my humility.
Maybe that is why I have bumbled, stumbled and tripped over Romans 13. I knew this was written by Paul during the time of Nero's reign so I looked up on the Internet some horrifying truths about Nero's oversight of the fast-fading Roman Empire. It was information that I wish I didn't have in my head!
My point being: If Paul wrote Romans during the time of one of history's greatest reprobates then, well, then I guess it applies today, too. Nobody in their right mind could ever equate current leadership with Nero.
Romans 13:1-7
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed."
The passage says every person (every means ALL!), no authority (no means NONE!), instituted by God (by God, not the will of man!), God's servant (they are working for the Master whether they know it or not!), etc. It does not say that it applies only to good leaders. I have read the arguments from folks who believe that ungodly rulers lose the right to rule and therefore, we do not need to submit to them. Well, I wonder why Paul didn't include that, considering who was on the throne at the time.
As my pastor pointed out in a recent sermon, the reason we submit is twofold: because they are established by God and because the state will judge you, too. Also, we obey, submit for conscience' sake.
Perhaps the biggest impact of this sermon series has been the point made that the person who says, "The government can't tell me what to do!" is really a person filled with pride. It is pride that says nobody can tell me what to do, how to live, whether to obtain a marriage license, what speed to drive, whether to get a building permit, etc.
The bottom line of the sermon was that we obey to avoid trouble, and most importantly to honor God.
The raised, clenched fist, the subtle disobedience of driving over the speed limit, the constant fighting over my rights is not the sign of a humble, obedient heart. It is pride.
And pride is the root of all evils. Just ask the Evil One. How did his pride work out for him? A fallen troublemaker...still under the sovereignty of God, someday to be consigned to the abyss. Not much a future in store for him and his lackeys.
I'm actually much better at pride than at humility. But I would like to be humble (sometimes), but so far this is an ongoing, daily struggle.
I'd likely end up being proud of my humility.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Sometimes you just can't go back
This is a picture of the location of the house I grew up in. Those skeletal evergreens were planted by my mom back in the 60s. Our house sat on a hill, set back from the highway and overlooking Devils Lake (the lake, not the town).
Sometimes we long to go back in time to a place or a moment when we were less burdened by the cares of the world. But sometimes, maybe even most of the time, you just can't go back. That is why control of the tongue is so essential to godly living. You cannot take back something once said. You can apologize, make amends or grieve over careless words, but you cannot take them back.
Careful, careful we must be in our speech. Even things said in silliness or jest can be hurtful. I have often prayed that the Lord would set a guard at my mouth, a watch on my tongue.
Because sometimes you just can't go back...
Monday, September 13, 2010
Everyone is entitled to their own 'stupid' opinion
My dear Prince has often said when a bit disgusted by someone's blathering that everyone is entitled to their own 'stupid' opinion. Now he is just jesting...mostly.
This past Sunday I was deeply convicted and, indeed, even had an "Ah, ha!" moment. It is so true that much of what we argue about, or shall I say discuss with verve, is simply a matter of differing opinion.
I mean really, when was the last time I got into a heated debate about the sovereignty of God, or the absolute necessity of the cross, or the glorious mystery of the Trinity?
With shame I admit that it wasn't that long ago I spoke heatedly about the ignorant idea that we can actually spend ourselves out of debt. There's a bird-brained idea to argue about.
So when the Pastor began to discuss the need to accept one another in love (despite differing opinions) I was a bit rattled. But the best part was that it finally dawned on me that we really are entitled to our own opinions but that's all they are...opinions. Arguing about nonessentials as though they are essentials shows a lack of, even contempt for, love. Pastor Monty said, "If I do not accept folks as they are then I am not loving." Long ago in a Bible I simply wore the cover off of I had written on the flyleaf these words: "If I am not very loving then I am not very holy." Exactly.
Pastor's sermon also reminded me of an old 70s chorus (that's 1970s!) which went: If you want to be great in God's Kingdom then you must be the servant of all.
And finally I loved the sweet, meaningful phrase included in the sermon. We are to work toward unity and we are to treat those with differing opinions with benevolent kindness. Benevolent kindness. Because that is how God has treated us.
I would really like to be able to always accept another's opinion without judgment and to treat all with benevolent kindness.
Whew...I have a long way to go!
This past Sunday I was deeply convicted and, indeed, even had an "Ah, ha!" moment. It is so true that much of what we argue about, or shall I say discuss with verve, is simply a matter of differing opinion.
I mean really, when was the last time I got into a heated debate about the sovereignty of God, or the absolute necessity of the cross, or the glorious mystery of the Trinity?
With shame I admit that it wasn't that long ago I spoke heatedly about the ignorant idea that we can actually spend ourselves out of debt. There's a bird-brained idea to argue about.
So when the Pastor began to discuss the need to accept one another in love (despite differing opinions) I was a bit rattled. But the best part was that it finally dawned on me that we really are entitled to our own opinions but that's all they are...opinions. Arguing about nonessentials as though they are essentials shows a lack of, even contempt for, love. Pastor Monty said, "If I do not accept folks as they are then I am not loving." Long ago in a Bible I simply wore the cover off of I had written on the flyleaf these words: "If I am not very loving then I am not very holy." Exactly.
Pastor's sermon also reminded me of an old 70s chorus (that's 1970s!) which went: If you want to be great in God's Kingdom then you must be the servant of all.
And finally I loved the sweet, meaningful phrase included in the sermon. We are to work toward unity and we are to treat those with differing opinions with benevolent kindness. Benevolent kindness. Because that is how God has treated us.
I would really like to be able to always accept another's opinion without judgment and to treat all with benevolent kindness.
Whew...I have a long way to go!
Monday, September 6, 2010
'Favorite' or 'Life' Verses
This past Sunday our Pastor related some 'life verses' from some well-known folks then asked if anyone would like to share their 'life verse'. I take seriously what Paul said in I Corinthians 14:34 that "in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church." Therefore, I did not share some of my 'favorite' verses. I am not always successful at keeping my mouth shut, but at least at this point in my life I feel badly and know that I have resisted the teaching of the Word when I speak when I ought not.
So I will share some of my 'favorite' or 'life' verses here:
...aspire to live quietly and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may live properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. I Thess.4:11-12
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." I Thess.5:16-18
...pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding." Romans 14:19
The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 2Tim. 4:18
Indeed, to Him be the glory!
So I will share some of my 'favorite' or 'life' verses here:
...aspire to live quietly and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may live properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. I Thess.4:11-12
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." I Thess.5:16-18
...pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding." Romans 14:19
The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 2Tim. 4:18
Indeed, to Him be the glory!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Prayer for....
I wrote the following prayer awhile ago and I meant it. But now, much later, I realize that one doesn't always know what they are praying for or even about. It means much more to me now than when I first whispered it to my dear Lord Jesus.
In all things, Lord Jesus, you are Sovereign and Your preeminence in our lives continually gives us courage. And with your gift of courage You pour into us joy. And your immeasurable joy gives us comfort in everything You call us to do.
By Your generous grace we follow You wherever You lead and we do so with the confidence of a child. We welcome the opportunity to enter into Your suffering knowing full well that this is the road to maturity.
We love you, Lord Jesus. Help us to love You more.
In all things, Lord Jesus, you are Sovereign and Your preeminence in our lives continually gives us courage. And with your gift of courage You pour into us joy. And your immeasurable joy gives us comfort in everything You call us to do.
By Your generous grace we follow You wherever You lead and we do so with the confidence of a child. We welcome the opportunity to enter into Your suffering knowing full well that this is the road to maturity.
We love you, Lord Jesus. Help us to love You more.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Singing the old hymns...
We attend a church that has a 'blended' worship service. The preaching is inspiring, convicting, straight from God's Word and preached by someone I honor and respect. The order of service is pretty traditional and our monthly communion service includes excellent instruction and is very dear to me (I only wish it were more often!). Our Sunday School class is a source of learning, sharing, thinking and even struggling over some of the areas of Christianity where the rubber actually meets the road. I am learning much from it.
The music during the worship service is mostly contemporary with one traditional hymn. Now I have to say that most of the contemporary (7-11 choruses*) choruses that we sing are Scripturally correct. Occassionally we have one that doesn't exactly jive with Scripture. I even appreciate many of these contemporary songs, but I regret never having any music to read from (pretty hard to sing parts without it!) and I am a bit flustered by the fact that we are frequently singing choruses that are unfamiliar. There isn't one that we have sung in the past year that I could actually sing, or even hum, while I go about my domestic duties. And sometimes they are just plain hard to sing congregationally.
That brings me to the traditional hymns. I admit some of them didn't get right what I understand to be correct theology either. But there are many, many that do.
One that recently has been a source of comfort to me (and I can sing it without the music in front of me because I have been singing it for decades!) is What a Friend We Have in Jesus.
Meditate on these words:
What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry, Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!
It was the third line in this first verse that I've been thinking on. I am actually forfeiting my peace when I fail to go to my dear Lord Jesus for comfort, strength, peace and courage. I'm still thinking on this and hope to be more faithful in leaning on the everlasting arms when I'm in the garden or elsewhere.
So bottom line: I love the old hymns on which I was raised; I can appreciate the contemporary songs, but consider their form of delivery deficient (no music, no parts etc.) and sometimes their Scriptural accuracy is lacking.
Perhaps it really is a matter of preference, but even if it is, whether we sing traditional hymns or contemporary songs they MUST BE SCRIPTURALLY CORRECT. Maybe that's really the bottom line.
Humming about my friend Jesus as I go about the day. Now you're probably humming it, too.
* 7-11 choruses; seven words sung eleven times
The music during the worship service is mostly contemporary with one traditional hymn. Now I have to say that most of the contemporary (7-11 choruses*) choruses that we sing are Scripturally correct. Occassionally we have one that doesn't exactly jive with Scripture. I even appreciate many of these contemporary songs, but I regret never having any music to read from (pretty hard to sing parts without it!) and I am a bit flustered by the fact that we are frequently singing choruses that are unfamiliar. There isn't one that we have sung in the past year that I could actually sing, or even hum, while I go about my domestic duties. And sometimes they are just plain hard to sing congregationally.
That brings me to the traditional hymns. I admit some of them didn't get right what I understand to be correct theology either. But there are many, many that do.
One that recently has been a source of comfort to me (and I can sing it without the music in front of me because I have been singing it for decades!) is What a Friend We Have in Jesus.
Meditate on these words:
What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry, Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!
It was the third line in this first verse that I've been thinking on. I am actually forfeiting my peace when I fail to go to my dear Lord Jesus for comfort, strength, peace and courage. I'm still thinking on this and hope to be more faithful in leaning on the everlasting arms when I'm in the garden or elsewhere.
So bottom line: I love the old hymns on which I was raised; I can appreciate the contemporary songs, but consider their form of delivery deficient (no music, no parts etc.) and sometimes their Scriptural accuracy is lacking.
Perhaps it really is a matter of preference, but even if it is, whether we sing traditional hymns or contemporary songs they MUST BE SCRIPTURALLY CORRECT. Maybe that's really the bottom line.
Humming about my friend Jesus as I go about the day. Now you're probably humming it, too.
* 7-11 choruses; seven words sung eleven times
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Billy has ARRIVED!
Today was a very big day for two little girls (and one not so little, Aimee!). Billy has arrived at the Blessed Life Ranch. He was a little anxious so the previous owners brought Dixie to keep him company for awhile until he gets use to us and the BLR. He is a Welsh pony and beautiful in every way. Gentle-natured, well-broke, and the color of Aimee's hair.
Well, he is just about perfect!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Run to Jesus in the storms of life!
Make no mistake: the storms of life come to us all. Some experience devastating loss for which there seems to be no explanation. Others may live with chronic pain or disability. Some endure the hardships of financial meltdown while others suffer through the agonies of a faithless spouse. Parents pray with groaning for a wayward child and many know the sting of a faithless friend.I told someone recently (someone who is in the valley of affliction) that there seems to me to be only one answer when these storms of life assail us: Run to Jesus. Run. He will help you carry the load, indeed, He will carry you and the load. The Everlasting Arms will be your comfort and you can safely hide under the shadow of His wings. There just doesn't seem to be any other option for me as a Christian. I must run to Jesus in the storms of life and only there will I find the strength for each day...no matter what it brings.
So if you're looking for me, I am either running to Jesus or ...... running to Jesus!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Run to JESUS
I have posted about my home little signs that read "Run to JESUS!" The reason being: absolutely everything that comes my way can be appropriately addressed by my dear Lord Jesus. He is my comfort, joy, companion, teacher, instructor and, above all, my dearest, truest friend.
And how does one find out about our precious Lord?
The Scriptures.
I ran across an old hymn in an old hymnal entitled, "Thy Word Is Like a Garden, Lord", and since I am a gardener I was most appreciative of the analogy.
Thy Word is like a garden, Lord,
With flowers bright and fair;
With flowers bright and fair;
And every one who seeks may pluck
A lovely cluster there.
Thy Word is like a deep, deep mine;
And jewels rich and rare
Are hidden in its mightly depths
For every searcher there.
O may I love Thy precious Word,
May I explore the mine,
May I its fragrant flowers glean,
May light upon me shine.
O may I find my armor there,
Thy Word my trusty sword;
I'll learn to fight with every foe
The battle of the Lord.
(I wish we sang more of these old hymns...sigh!)
So I have purposed in my heart to always run to Jesus and to find Him I need only look into His precious Word.
Sweet joy and a garden of delight!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Crocus Hill
We were up to Devils Lake on April 17 to celebrate my Mom's 90th birthday. Of course, we went to the Cove for lunch. It was great! Then we drove around the lake...well, some of the lake. It has become very large and we would have to get up very early in the morning to drive around ALL of the lake. We did drive out to the side of the lake where my grandparents had their farm and where my mom grew up. Of course, the farm is long gone and the shore line is now just a few feet from the farm house's previous location. It was once about 2 miles away! We drove around what was left of the farm land and pastures and had the thrill of climbing Crocus Hill, a place my mom eight decades ago picked the lovely harbinger of Spring. It was with a haunting joy that I hu
ffed and puffed to the top.We found an old dump hay rake and each took a turn sitting on it. I imagined my grandpa making hay on a hot July day and I could almost smell the sweet fragrance of fresh-cut grass.
Making hay and Crocus Hill...what a sweet treat. What a joy to spend the day with Mom.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
The Cross Triumphant
I just completed reading aloud to my student, Alex, The Cross Triumphant, another fabulous publication from Lamplighter Publishing.
Written in the 19th Century this little gem describes clearly the law/grace debate and sets the story in the last 3 1/2 years of the great tribulation period just before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. I really grew to care about the young rabbi turned believer and felt deeply the horror of those last days just prior to the end of the Jewish age.
It was really worth reading.
Written in the 19th Century this little gem describes clearly the law/grace debate and sets the story in the last 3 1/2 years of the great tribulation period just before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. I really grew to care about the young rabbi turned believer and felt deeply the horror of those last days just prior to the end of the Jewish age.
It was really worth reading.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Pastor Monty Strikes Again!
I am re-reading some of my notes from Resurrection Sunday and came across a few quotes I attribute to my shepherd.
- In dying we live.
- On the cross the Innocent is condemned.
- Our Benefactor is put to death.
- The Righteous One dying for the unrighteous.
- The Lord of Glory hanging on a cross!
Under my 'Remember this:' I have written:
The cross shows us the horrors of sin and God's inflexible justice. It was absolutely necessary so that we might be saved. There was no other way. In fact, the cross displays God's absolute holiness, His absolute justice, and His overwhelming mercy.
It is good to be reminded about these things...and more frequently than just on Resurrection Sunday.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Thai Chicken in Coconut Milk
Next weekend I am preparing a gourmet luncheon for the students attending our daughter's photography class. The menu is: Thai chicken in coconut milk; rice; tomato chutney; spring garden salad with tangy bacon dressing. Sounds good, doesn't it? I think I could really get into catering fancy meals. We will be serving the class at my home on depression glassware (chop-house plates, salad plates, fruit bowls and dainty cups and saucers for tea or coffee.). Mmm, mmm, mmm!
Hallway of Memories
This past fall we visited Colorado Springs for an annual nationwide meeting of home school leaders. My mom worked at St. Frances Hospital in Colorado Springs during WWII so we decided to see if it was still in existence. It is, but most of it sits unused. This is a picture down one of the hallways my mom must have walked many times during those years. It was an eerie feeling to visit the empty building that was likely full of memories for my mother. I could almost hear the soft tapping of her nurse's shoes on the marble floors. 
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Sanctifying Power of Suffering
In Sunday School we are talking about the sanctifying power of suffering. Oh, yeah! When we are tempted to pray with all diligence for the easy life--adequate money, excellent health, hosts of friends, to be smarter than a fifth grader, etc.- then we would do well to remember that the suffering allowed/sent into our lives by the Most High God, the Chief Shepherd, the Lord of Hosts, the Bread of Life, the Lover of our Souls is allowed/sent for the purpose of conforming us to the image of the Son. Yet I/we pray with perseverance to be released from the suffering not caring that it is working in us a kind of glory. Shame, shame on me.
I have never considered myself a sufferer, but I have had some pretty hard knocks in life. Most of my own doing and one can hardly blame God for those. But what niggles my brain is the fact that God may send (has sent?) to me suffering, not of my own doing. Well, to be honest, I'm not too keen on that idea. And yet, I have to say, I want to be like Jesus (I want to want to anyway!), but I fall far short...far, far short.
Even so I have this comfort knowing that the Christ who began a good work in me will complete it and someday-and this a good part--I will be free of suffering after it has done its good work in me. And the best part is that someday I will never sin again.
With trepidation and resistance mixed with a bit of whining I say, "Dear Lord, bring on the suffering if this is what it takes."
And I will trust You. I will trust You. I will trust You.
I have never considered myself a sufferer, but I have had some pretty hard knocks in life. Most of my own doing and one can hardly blame God for those. But what niggles my brain is the fact that God may send (has sent?) to me suffering, not of my own doing. Well, to be honest, I'm not too keen on that idea. And yet, I have to say, I want to be like Jesus (I want to want to anyway!), but I fall far short...far, far short.
Even so I have this comfort knowing that the Christ who began a good work in me will complete it and someday-and this a good part--I will be free of suffering after it has done its good work in me. And the best part is that someday I will never sin again.
With trepidation and resistance mixed with a bit of whining I say, "Dear Lord, bring on the suffering if this is what it takes."
And I will trust You. I will trust You. I will trust You.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Someone is sitting in my pew
Wouldn't you know that in both Sunday School and worship service the pastors have been speaking about humility and how we ought to think of ourselves. How the cross walk is really a life of never-ending denial of self.
Pastor Monty preached about how apart from God and His Spirit we are not really in our right minds. He referenced the Gadarene demoniac that Jesus healed. AfterJesus had driven out the demons from this man, he was once again in his right mind.
When we think too highly of ourselves we are not really in our right minds.
Thinking too highly of ourselves leads to pride. Romans 13:4 states, "I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned." Wrong thinking about self invariably leads to pride. Pride.
How are you doing with that? Try a little test: the next time you walk into a full or filling room, whose seat are you looking for? The little old lady with the cane? The hard-of-hearing gentleman? The family with the little kiddoes? Not me. I'm looking for my seat. My pew. Pride.
It seems just a little suspicious that these issues, the cross life, the daily denial of self, ought to be the subject of discussion in Sunday School and in church. And God is definitely in on it because this Sunday, just to prove a point, when we walked into the sanctuary someone was sitting in our pew. Our pew. Pride.
How should we think of ourselves? Pastor Monty directed us to Romans 1 to find out what the unsaved mind is like.
_____________________________
"Looking to the cross drives away conceit." Pastor Monty Loudenslager
Pastor Monty preached about how apart from God and His Spirit we are not really in our right minds. He referenced the Gadarene demoniac that Jesus healed. AfterJesus had driven out the demons from this man, he was once again in his right mind.
When we think too highly of ourselves we are not really in our right minds.
Thinking too highly of ourselves leads to pride. Romans 13:4 states, "I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned." Wrong thinking about self invariably leads to pride. Pride.
How are you doing with that? Try a little test: the next time you walk into a full or filling room, whose seat are you looking for? The little old lady with the cane? The hard-of-hearing gentleman? The family with the little kiddoes? Not me. I'm looking for my seat. My pew. Pride.
It seems just a little suspicious that these issues, the cross life, the daily denial of self, ought to be the subject of discussion in Sunday School and in church. And God is definitely in on it because this Sunday, just to prove a point, when we walked into the sanctuary someone was sitting in our pew. Our pew. Pride.
How should we think of ourselves? Pastor Monty directed us to Romans 1 to find out what the unsaved mind is like.
- We are depraved
- We are filled with evil
- We are haters of God
- Our minds are darkened
- We are worthy of death
- We are enemies of God
_____________________________
"Looking to the cross drives away conceit." Pastor Monty Loudenslager
Monday, February 22, 2010
Pleasure in God
Our recent Sunday School classes have been enlightening and deeply thought provoking. We've been studying the pursuit of God and the ultimate pleasure found in this pursuit. A couple Sundays ago we discussed the general contemporary church's response to sin which seems to fall under three catagories:
1. Portray sin as so ugly and unappealing that we will choose not to pursue it
2. Come up with a lengthy list of dos and don'ts, taboos and such
3. Consider the yearning to sin as the problem
From personal experience and from reading of the lives of others, clearly none of these are fully effective against sin. The answer: to make the pursuit of God so pleasureable that earthly pleasures will pale in comparision.
Other thoughts:
1. Holiness ought to be pursued because it leads to joy.
2. Pursuit of God leads to superior pleasure.
3. Low-grade daily addictions rob us of true pleasure in God alone. (daily addictions include but not limited to...eating, t.v., computer use, exercise, shopping etc.)
(Many of these thoughts are the product of the speaker's reading Jonathan Edwards' works: Personal Narrative and Youth and the Pleasures of Piety.)
1. Portray sin as so ugly and unappealing that we will choose not to pursue it
2. Come up with a lengthy list of dos and don'ts, taboos and such
3. Consider the yearning to sin as the problem
From personal experience and from reading of the lives of others, clearly none of these are fully effective against sin. The answer: to make the pursuit of God so pleasureable that earthly pleasures will pale in comparision.
Other thoughts:
1. Holiness ought to be pursued because it leads to joy.
2. Pursuit of God leads to superior pleasure.
3. Low-grade daily addictions rob us of true pleasure in God alone. (daily addictions include but not limited to...eating, t.v., computer use, exercise, shopping etc.)
(Many of these thoughts are the product of the speaker's reading Jonathan Edwards' works: Personal Narrative and Youth and the Pleasures of Piety.)
Friday, February 19, 2010
I ran across this quote for a project I was working on and I'm posting it here because I've always thought that just because someone is viewed as an 'expert' or just because someone has a lot of letters after their name this does not mean they have a corner on the truth. Oooh, I've met too many in lots of fields that believe this. So here's the quote:
Our research has yielded (and we have systematically catalogued and footnoted for the first time) thousands of examples of expert misinformation, disinformation, misunderstanding, miscalculation, egregious prognostication, booboos, and occasional just plain lies. And based on our preliminary findings we can say with some confidence that the experts are wrong without regard to race, creed, color, sex discipline, speciality, country, culture, or century. They are wrong about facts, and they are wrong about theories, they are wrong about dates, they are wrong about geography, they are wrong about the future, they are wrong about the past, and at best they are misleading about the present, not to mention next week.
Christopher Cerf and Victor Navasky, "Introduction to the Original (1984) Version," The Experts Speak: The Definitive Compendium of Authoritative Misinformation, rev. ed. (New York: Villard, [1984] 1998, xxvii.
I can almost see you nodding your head and hear you saying "You got that right!"
Our research has yielded (and we have systematically catalogued and footnoted for the first time) thousands of examples of expert misinformation, disinformation, misunderstanding, miscalculation, egregious prognostication, booboos, and occasional just plain lies. And based on our preliminary findings we can say with some confidence that the experts are wrong without regard to race, creed, color, sex discipline, speciality, country, culture, or century. They are wrong about facts, and they are wrong about theories, they are wrong about dates, they are wrong about geography, they are wrong about the future, they are wrong about the past, and at best they are misleading about the present, not to mention next week.
Christopher Cerf and Victor Navasky, "Introduction to the Original (1984) Version," The Experts Speak: The Definitive Compendium of Authoritative Misinformation, rev. ed. (New York: Villard, [1984] 1998, xxvii.
I can almost see you nodding your head and hear you saying "You got that right!"
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Turquoise waters...emerald islands
Okay, so I've never physically been to the Caribbean. Nevertheless I have mentally traveled there on several occasions via James A. Michener's book, Caribbean. I recently reread this stirring tale, due primarily to the recent earthquakes in Haiti. If you want to know the history of this island and other tales of this once-Spanish, once-English Lake, pick up Michener's book.
Following completion you will have a much greater understanding of the why's and wherefore's of the great saddness that hovers over Haiti...without end.
And its profound need for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Following completion you will have a much greater understanding of the why's and wherefore's of the great saddness that hovers over Haiti...without end.
And its profound need for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Cobalt blue skies...and no complaints
Okay, so I'm back blogging. I tried the whole facebook thingee, but I didn't really like the inaneness of it. Chit chat about this and that for all the world to read didn't really appeal to me. Call me old fashioned. And no offense meant to any facebook friends.
We are in the midst of another North Dakota winter. And I am making every effort like E.B. Pusey (1800-1882) to "Allow thyself to complain of nothing, not even the weather."
Most days I'm doing okay, but I have to admit that I am imagining an early, warm spring with months of warm summer days which do not end until well into November. It's a dreamy thought.
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