TO LIVE WITH GRACE

Winter thoughts

2011-01-31T08:26:00.000-08:00

I can understand why some folks during the days of the pioneers, went totally berserk during the winter months. Day after day on these flat, flat plains. Blowing snow, gargantuan snow drifts, decreased daylight, temperatures in the basement! Continual threats of spring flooding. Except for the latter, I loved it all when I was a kid.

So what has changed? I admit that the stark, white landscape has its own kind of beauty. I admit that those sundogs are breathtaking. And I freely admit that the clear, crisp air on a winter's night can be invigorating and seems to emphasize the brilliance of the stars. But ooh, the staggering cold, the cold. The having to be inside day after day. It begins to wear on a soul.

So what to do.

I made three afghans this winter, so far, but the best . . .

I decided to read through the entire Bible this winter (even the older testament books like Leviticus!). And I'm not reading it chronologically. I'm reading it as directed by thoughts I have, questions we have, subjects mentioned in S.S. class, pointed ouches from the pastor's sermons, etc. Guess what? I'm loving it.

The Psalms are beautiful, but then so is Lamentations (though a bit of a downer). Ruth filled me with gratitude for my earthly kinsman redeemer and my Heavenly One. Even the never-ending laws found in some of the books the older testament were worth the reread.

But you know what I love best? Every single word that our dear Lord Jesus said. Every one. I have been sneered at in the past for being a 'red-letter' Christian. It was an unkind and unfair remark because I have read and reread the older testament many times. But to read our Lord's words do more for me than anything found in the older testament. And, after all, all the fullness of the godhead dwelt in Him bodly. So if I know Him, I know His Father. If I ever practice well His command to love God with all my heart, soul, and mind, and love my neighbor as myself, then maybe I will move on to those hair-splitting, ivory-tower theological arguments.

Until then . . . I'm sticking with the basics . . . the Lord Jesus and His every word.

So when I look out my living room window at the miles and miles of white; when I hear the never-ending roar of the wind; or when I long for the first breath of spring, I pick up my Bible and begin to read.

Comfort, sweet comfort. In the midst of every storm.

You might want to try it.

A Century of Living

2010-10-20T09:39:00.000-07:00

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.

Snatched from R.C. Jr.

2010-10-20T08:42:00.000-07:00

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.

Okay, okay, so leave a comment.

2010-09-29T10:37:00.000-07:00

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.

Scripture Means What It Says!

2010-09-23T07:31:00.000-07:00

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.

Sometimes you just can't go back

2010-09-14T08:04:00.000-07:00

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...

Everyone is entitled to their own 'stupid' opinion

2010-09-13T12:03:00.000-07:00

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!

'Favorite' or 'Life' Verses

2010-09-06T06:54:00.001-07:00

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!

Prayer for....

2010-09-03T14:20:00.000-07:00

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.

Singing the old hymns...

2010-08-31T08:31:00.001-07:00

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

Billy has ARRIVED!

2010-07-28T10:19:00.000-07:00

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!

Run to Jesus in the storms of life!

2010-07-26T12:36:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-07-21T09:32:00.000-07:00

Sunset on a beautiful Minnesota lake.

Thank you Bruce and Peggy for allowing us those splendid days at your lake home! They even got Grandma to go tubing. More fun than a person ought to have!

2010-07-21T09:25:00.000-07:00

Sunrise at the Blessed Life Ranch

July 2010

Run to JESUS

2010-06-16T08:11:00.000-07:00

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;

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!

Crocus Hill

2010-05-03T11:27:00.000-07:00

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 huffed 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.

The Cross Triumphant

2010-04-28T14:29:00.000-07:00

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.

Pastor Monty Strikes Again!

2010-04-21T12:28:00.000-07:00

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.

Thai Chicken in Coconut Milk

2010-04-16T12:45:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-16T08:19:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-04-15T13:41:00.000-07:00

Table set for Resurrection Sunday Dinner.

Sanctifying Power of Suffering

2010-04-15T12:21:00.001-07:00

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.

Someone is sitting in my pew

2010-03-08T16:31:00.000-08:00

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.

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

I don't think we want these traits to be a part of our character anymore. I'm trudging along but I'm not there yet. Sadly, too often I am still looking to see if anyone is sitting in my pew.

_____________________________
"Looking to the cross drives away conceit." Pastor Monty Loudenslager

Pleasure in God

2010-02-22T09:53:00.000-08:00

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.)

2010-02-19T12:41:00.000-08:00

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!"

2010-02-17T13:04:00.000-08:00

Just a little reminder to each of us that summer will come again, the sky will dazzle us with blue, the zephyr will kiss our cheeks, the birds will sing for pure joy, and we will smell the rich earth beneath our feet.

2010-02-17T09:34:00.000-08:00

Morning has broken, like the first morning.

Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird.

Praise for the singing, praise for the morning,
Praise for it springing fresh from the Word.

Turquoise waters...emerald islands

2010-02-17T09:29:00.000-08:00

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.

Cobalt blue skies...and no complaints

2010-01-27T09:29:00.000-08:00

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.

A Time to Every Purpose

2009-07-23T16:37:00.000-07:00

A word of encouragement to home school moms or anyone in need of support.....

I recently watched a movie that caused me to reflect on the goals of our lives, the unheralded duties and responsibilities, the unending tasks and the sometimes misunderstood reactions to life’s happenings.

I’m not much of a movie watcher, but this feature filled my thoughts for some time. And the bottom line, I think, is that , as prudent Solomon stated in Ecclesiastes, “To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.”

One of the closing lines of the movie was the recitation of a dream. The character stated he had dreamed of flying--flying so far into the heavens that he reached where the blue met the black. From there he could see that everything that happens in life is for a good reason. Perspective.

So I thought about the stick-to-it-tiveness required by home schooling parents. During those early years of instruction there is generally a great deal of enthusiasm and zest for learning, by both parent and child. As the years progress and the learning becomes more difficult, the hormones more prevalent, and the world’s siren call more strident, it can become a sheer act of courage and discipline to continue. But I believe, continue we must. Perspective.

For the home schooling mom there can be many things that lure her away from her primary tasks. Most are good activities, useful projects, and beneficial causes. But if God has called you to home school you must consider that maybe this is not the season of your life for the extraneous.

Women have been sold a lie, straight from the Pit, that they must be allowed to ‘do their own thing’, ‘look out for number one’, ‘take care of themselves first’, and a host of other selfish eulogizes. That’s not to say that there isn’t a time to draw away and rest. Even our dear Lord Jesus took time away from the crowds. But if you are called to home school your perspective must change considerably.

It is essential that the activities of a home school mom must equal the season of a home school mom’s life. It may mean that hobbies (I’m still waiting to begin quilting; so far not enough time.), fun times with friends, even church responsibilities, may need to be put on hold.

Let’s face it, if you are home schooling plus responsibly managing your home and providing for the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of your husband and children plus maintaining your own personal devotional and Scripture memory time, there really isn’t much time left over. To pursue self interests, something would have to be sacrificed. Again, it would be a matter of ones’ perspective.

I have struggled with this for decades. Jesus said that in order to be His disciple, a follower must every day deny self, take of his cross and follow Him. It is very hard to deny the flesh and the world’s enticements. It is a daily struggle and sometimes these enticements are really good things. But they are not for you; not at this season of your life.

If you are home schooling then you are in a season of your life that doesn’t allow for much else. It is okay. Elisabeth Elliot in Keep a Quiet Heart states:
What I long to help [women] see is that if homemaking and mothering are the tasks God has assigned to them at present, it will be in the glad offering up to Him of those tasks that they will be truly “creative” and find real fulfillment.

Sage advice was offered by Elizabeth Prentiss many years ago:
If you could once make up your mind in the fear of God never to undertake more work of any sort than you can carry on calmly, quietly, without hurry or flurry, and the instant you feel yourself growing nervous and like one out of breath, would stop and take breath, you would find this simple common-sense rule doing for you what no prayers or tears could every accomplish.

I have seen so many wonderful home schooling moms over the past two decades who have simply run themselves ragged trying to do everything. Their perspectives are out of whack.

Paul in his letter to the church at Thessalonica counseled the following:
...aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own business, and to work with your hands...so that you may live properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

Dear sisters, you cannot do it all and God has not called you to do it all. If you are a wife, mother, homemaker and parent educator, your plate is full. Stop feeling guilty about the things you cannot do and do the things you must with reverence and gratitude. Maybe now is not the time for your favorite hobbies or fun activities. Soon enough these years will pass and you will move into another season that will allow you more flexibility in your life.

Our dear Lord Jesus through His blessed Holy Spirit will give you all that you need to persevere...and to do so with joy. The more we learn to depend upon God, the greater the peace in our lives. The more we understand that “to everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven”, the greater will be our satisfaction in doing the unknown, sometimes unappreciated, often tedious, responsibilities. There is great joy to be had in being faithful in all things...even the little things.

Thomas a Kempis prayed, “O Lord, how entirely needful is thy grace for me, to begin any good work, to go on with it, and to accomplish it.”

Rejoice in the here and now. Remember that everything that happens is for God’s glory and our good. Enjoy this season of your life.

But the Greatest of These is LOVE

2009-04-17T09:27:00.000-07:00

By Gail Biby

If I speak with the tongues of Rosetta Stone Greek, Power-Glide French and A Beka Spanish or a whole host of ivory-tower, ten-dollar theological terms but have not love I am just a noisy school bell or a clanging first-year percussion instrument.

And if I have prophetic powers to envision all my children and grandchildren as doctors, lawyers, devout/diligent mothers, clergy and engineers with six figure incomes…

...and if I understand all mysteries of ‘L’ brain, ‘R’ brain physiology, the doctrine of the Trinity, the miracles of Jesus, attention deficit disorder, or how God Himself could die in my place….

...and if I understand all knowledge regarding complex diagramming of sentences, various end-time eschatologies, algebra’s order of operations (Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally), the steps in the scientific method, the differences between the French and American revolutions, all aspects of exegetical, historical, systematic and practical theology, and have memorized all twenty seven amendments to the U.S. Constitution...

...and if I have all faith so that I could move mountains in order to make a place for a larger garden in order to produce all the food my family will need for a year, including growing enough cotton and flax to make my own cloth, but have not love, I am nothing.

If I give away all I have--15-passenger van, expectations for prosperity, store-bought soap, health insurance, television/cell phone/computer, my vacations, every spare minute of every day, my hobbies, health insurance, boat/snowmobile/lake cottage, and my library…

...and if I deliver up my body to be burned or to all sorts of horrors (beatings, shipwrecks, starvation, near drowning, stoning and imprisonment), but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient and kind (even when the children and spouse are not!); love does not envy (even if I can’t afford that guaranteed-to-work-with-ease curriculum; even if my children must wear second-hand clothing); (love) does not boast (even when the children do really well on the standardized achievement tests); it is not arrogant (so what if your little one is already fluent in French and Greek at age 4 and has built his own computer by age 7!) or rude (sometimes what we call honesty is simply discourtesy; you really do not need to weigh in on everything!).

Love does not insist on its own way (there actually are many equally successful ways to home school and some parents have even raised Godly children without homeschooling them at all; God’s people are found in many different denominations; the support group does not need to function as you think it ought); (love) is not irritable (really do you think anyone is interested in your latest snit against your husband?; accidental milk spills at the table are just that; there is a big difference between childish irresponsibility and outright defiance!); love is not resentful (yes, it’s true-no matter how well you may do something or how well your child may do something, there is always someone who can do it better, someone who knows more than you do, someone who succeeds when you don’t); (love) does not rejoice at wrongdoing (this means truly entering into the joy of another’s success!), but rejoices with the truth (after all Jesus IS the way, THE TRUTH, and the life).

Love bears all things (sorrow over a wayward child, death of a spouse, unfaithful friends, separation, financial ruin, disloyalty, even failure);

(love) believes all things (by grace we are saved-it is a completely free gift, Christ will never leave us, God loves us with an everlasting love, we have eternal life);

(love) hopes all things (to one day dwell in the city not made with hands, to worship in the throne room without end, to never, ever sin again),

(love) endures all things (the homeschooling years will be over before you know it and your little ones will be little no more; your home will be silent, the dishes will finally be all clean and in the cupboard at the same time, laundry will be done and put away, grocery bills will be lessened, you can at long last take up quilting).

Love never ends (not ever, not here, not there, not now, not tomorrow, not forever).

As for prophecies, they will pass away, as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away (only God’s Word and God Himself will never change).

For we know in part (and we know very little of what there is to know) and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.

When I was a child, I spoke like a child (full of foolishness, often silly, seldom wise), I thought like a child (mostly about myself and what I wanted!), I reasoned like a child (coming to wrong and imprudent conclusions).

When I became a man, I gave up childish ways (I began to act in ways pleasing to God, thought of others more than myself, understood the ramifications of unwise behavior, began to understand the blessedness of obedience).

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face (the thin skin of the world keeps us from seeing the continual activity in the out-of-time dimension, prevents us from knowing God as He really is, keeps us from breathtaking awe). Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known (fully known by God, but loved with an everlasting love anyway!).

So now faith (confidence, reliance, assurance), hope (expectation, anticipation) and love (passion, devotion, adoration) abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Alignment of the stars or Providence?

2009-03-03T05:47:00.000-08:00

When a lot of good stuff happens to New Agers they give credit to a propitious alignment of the stars or the moon and stars or some such nonsense. (I'm thinking of this because recently Venus was closely aligned with the crescent moon.)

The past month I have been instructed and encouraged by sermons from our Pastor that directly align with what God has been teaching me through other means. It has all the earmarks of Providence and being a Calvinist, of course, I am confident that God DOES work all things together for good.

Pastor has been teaching from the book of Romans and has expertly woven the threads of suffering and joy into one luscious tapestry. I have heard preaching that is ponderous and joyless regarding suffering or angry and depressing and have failed to be either inspired or instructed. But lately through the conjoining of suffering with joy, I have been renewed in spirit. And filled with joy; not at all times (still the flesh to deal with) but a lot of the time.

Proper teaching and acceptance of this (joy in suffering) allows us to realize it is for our good and for God's glory. We are not to refuse the suffering because (it is temporary) our joy is based on Christ's presence not in a life free of pain, loss and suffering.

If I grumble about my lot in life it means I have taken my eyes off HOPE, off the Lord Jesus Christ. I must pray for the grace to respond properly in all situations. Our suffering leads to an inheritance (we are after all heirs with our dear Lord Jesus) and glory. It is absolutely necessary. What do we think the cross-toting life is all about?

This past Sunday the sermon title was "Why Being Weak is a Good Thing" and pricked my conscience. We are to be content in weakness (2 Cor. 12:10); God's power is perfected in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9); weakness makes us totally dependent on our dear Lord Jesus who dwells in us and we in Him. God's indwelling Spirit helps my weakness and prays on my behalf according to the will of God.

How sad for those who think the alignment of planets in some way can bring them either peace or prosperity. I prefer to believe and am confident in the belief that God is truly working all suffering and sorrow for His glory. I am assured from His word that He is with me and will never ever leave me. Believers are now the temple of the Holy Spirit (not physical structures); He meets with me moment by moment and allows me to worship Him wherever I am. Sweet fellowship. Profound joy!

The dear Lord Jesus is the Good Shepherd and He knows how to take care of His sheep, no matter what the alignment of the planets may be!

I don't like it....

2009-02-25T11:41:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the things God is trying to teach this stubborn, hard ol' heart and I'm kicking and screaming, begging and pleading, offering and bartering....all the way.

Everything that God allows, or brings, into our lives is to bring glory to Himself and to make us realize that we are totally dependent on Him. TOTALLY! Everything and everyone in this life He can take away or alienate. Bad stuff happens. Death, divorce, abandonment, lies, distrust, heartache known only to God, despair, financial woes, loss of status, and more.

Everything that we consider evil, 'bad luck', harmful, dangerous or untimely will drive us to our knees, sometimes even if we are not willing. God will have His way with us. He is never thwarted by our disobedience. HE IS THE SOVEREIGN.

Even our next breath, our next heartbeat is a gift from God.

Suffering is a privilege. The Scriptures say that we are to enter into Christ's suffering. To refuse to do so is to refuse to acknowledge the joy that is set before us.

In Shadowlands the dying wife, Joy Gresham Lewis, states to C.S. Lewis, "The pain now is part of the joy then." How true.

Though we may kick against the goads, we must not refuse the suffering. Ultimately it leads to great joy.

God knows what He's doing. He can be totally trusted and He will never leave His children...EVER.

Fun, Run, but not Done

2009-02-12T11:28:00.000-08:00

Here's a struggle I've had for many years. Maybe you have, too. It's a lot more fun to run around town, state, country (you decide) than it is to work at being done with your duties.

As an adult duty has come to mean a great deal to me. And the thing about duty, true duty, right duty, is that usually these are acts done in secret or at least out of the public eye. Things like clean floors, regularly changed sheets on all the beds, orderly closets, daily journaling, pre-planned meals, mowing the yard, ironing, mending, dusting, window cleaning. All of these are easy to put off if one wants to do something fun!

But if we are admonished by Paul to live quiet lives, to mind our own business and to work with our hands, I guess it ought to be a priority. One cannot do any of these while running to and fro.

Now I understand that some running is necessary. But if we are honest most is just for the fun of it. And we CAN do those fun things, but not until the necessary work to maintain our homes is done.

I probably needed this reminder more than you. I've got quite a list and I'm starting on it today.

Dress for Elderly Ladies

2009-01-06T06:31:00.000-08:00

I read the following article this morning and was struck by its truth. Even one generation ago women would never have dressed the way many do now. I mostly wear dresses although pants are a must, in my opinion, in the garden. And I'm not advocating, like the author, that all older women should cast off their sweat pants etc. for a dress. Though one may not agree with everything, it still has some food for thought. And really, aren't you captivated by a well-groomed elderly women not trying to appear 20 years younger or hip?!

(Picture features my mom as a little girl c.1923 with her aunt.)

From http://www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/
Reader FavoritesFeminine Appearance for Older Women

By Mrs. Stanley Sherman

What has happened to the concept of "growing old gracefully?" You've probably read a lot of "what-is-this-world-coming-to" articles about the unfeminine and immodest appearance of young women, but have you taken a good look at the older women lately? From a distance, most of them cannot be distinguished from old men. The typical "older woman" uniform seems to consist either of combat pants and boots, tee shirts, shaved hair styles, and expensive manicures or jogging suits and/or spandex. Trousers are the least-flattering garment for an older or elderly woman's figure. To make matters worse, most elderly women no longer wear supportive foundations, and their clothing bags and sags, making them look like a jumble of jello. We realize everyone wants to be comfortable, but must it be at the expense of femininity and beauty? And must it be such an eyesore to the public? If women want to be held in high regard in society, the older women must set the example by dressing with dignity. The appearance of our elderly women in modern America is simply awful!Older women have a place in society as wise counselors and examples to the young. They should be showing, by their example and appearance, that life is beautiful and good. Without saying a word, they influence the young, either in a positive or a negative way. One of the reasons women of our century do not look forward to getting older is the bad example of the elderly women they see before them.Older women need to have the kind of appearance and attitude that inspires the younger women to say, "When I get old, I want to be just like her!" If their clothing, hair, and skin are repulsive in appearance, the young women will not be drawn to them. It is true that we are supposed to appreciate the inner beauty of others, but it is also a fact that we live in a physical world with a physical body that must be groomed and taken care of. It is our "equipment for life." If older women have a message to the young, they must first remove the barriers of a slovenly and unflattering appearance.Take, for example, the antiques that we admire. Are they valued and appreciated as much if they are just allowed to sit, uncared for, deteriorating from day to day, without being cleaned or shined? "Shabby Chic" aside, antiques bring us more enjoyment when they are repaired, cared for, restored, painted, and polished. Even a small table with chipped paint looks better when it is graced by a vase of fresh flowers.

As we grow older, our faces may develop wrinkles. One thing older women should know is that shaved, spiked, short, frizzy hair only emphasizes these wrinkles more. Compare such hair styles to the graceful, soft waves of a truly feminine hairstyle. Bangs, or "fringes," make older women look younger, and they hide a multitude of worry lines. Hair dyes that are too dark, such as jet black, are very unnatural looking and make the skin appear more worn out and unhealthy.Hairdressers and so-called fashion consultants are known to tell older women that short hair will give them a kind of face-lift. However, there are some older women who have dared to let their hair grow a little longer, gathering it into a French roll or knot, demonstrating that long hair, when it is upswept, can create an even better face lift. Some of these women say that when they let their hair grow longer, they felt much younger and more optimistic. To achieve a soft, youthful appearance, older women need to stay away from the radical styles of the youth. Knobbly knees and wrinkled thighs are not attractive and only "tell" your age. The best disguise for older women is a beautiful dress! Dresses come in all kinds of shapes and styles and can be used to create visual slenderness and hide figure flaws such as saddlebags, thick waists, and protruding tummies. Appropriate shoes are essential to complete this kind of dressing, and you won't have to worry about comfort. There are very comfortable shoes available that can be worn with dresses without looking like you are off to a sporting event. Older women, do you ever feel depressed about the era we are living in? Do you wonder when it is going to be fashionable and acceptable to wear pretty clothes and hats? In my opinion, older women have to lead the way in restoring true womanhood. We can't expect the young women to develop a sense of dignity and grace if the older women are walking around in sweat pants and windbreakers, looking gender neutral. I feel sorry for young women these days. They haven't got much to look up to in the way of example in dressing, so they mimic the film stars or buy what they see on the rack. There are millions of women over the age of 50 in our society. They don't know the power they could have to change the sorry state of the appearance of modern women. We don't have to have a peer group to give us courage. If only one woman decides to change, it may influence several other women to change. Not long ago, I complimented an older woman I saw in a grocery store. She was wearing a sage green dress with pin-tucks at the bodice. Her pure white hair was secured by a silver clip. I told her how nice she looked and thanked her for helping to make America beautiful. She replied that she used to wear jeans all the time, then one day she decided she wasn't going to do it anymore. Life is too short not to spend your later years dressed beautifully. There just isn't time to wait for it to become popular. Do it now, and leave some lovely photographs for your descendents. Your life isn't over yet; there is a future and a hope for you, too!Young women need to avoid getting into the habit of dressing badly in their youth. The way you dress now will become the way you end up looking as an elderly person. It may seem kind of "cool" to dress in dirty jeans now, but think what it will look like on you when you are old, gray, and wrinkled. It is not a pretty sight! Think carefully what you do as a young person, for that will be how you will end up as an older woman. Get acquainted with clothing and all its aspects now. Learn all you can about dressing appropriately, so that it will be automatic when you are older.

© Copyright 2002-2008 by LAF/BeautifulWomanhood.org

Soul Winters

2008-12-09T12:00:00.000-08:00

I think that there might be seasons of the soul. Spring in the soul is when everything is new and fresh and filled with the promise of growth.

Summer is the warm, growing, luscious time of the soul. It is filled with joy and expectation. Rapid growth can be observed, like in a garden.

Autumn is that time of the soul for reflection, to enjoy the still warm and colorful days of this time of year and life.

Winter can be a time of cold and alienation. It has days that are dark and dreary, interspersed with bright, white days of beauty. It can be a prolonged period of reflection and growth, though unseen. Or it can be a time of bleakness in which the unseen is unknown and forgotten.

Living in a place with four distinct seasons is a blessing. I don't like winter so maybe that is why I portray it as bleak. I love the bright, hot, windy days of summer. The time when all is growing and you can see it! Oh, I know the analogy breaks down horribly, but I DO sometimes feel like I am in a soul winter.

Praise God that the seasons come and go and so will a winter of the soul.

Study in lines: sky, horizon, cottonwood

2008-12-03T04:15:00.000-08:00

On a lovely summer's day I took this photo from where our house used to be before Devils Lake grew by thousands of acres.

Growing up near the shores of the lake provided me with many lovely memories.

The smell of water, the sound of waves on the shore, the rustling of cottonwood leaves and the stunning brightness of the sun reflecting off the water...these memories will never leave me.

Love and Fear

2008-12-02T13:10:00.000-08:00

If perfect love casts out fear...and it does
And if God loves us with a perfect love...and He does
THEN we need have no fear of our Heavenly Father. Reverence, awe, respect...yes, but fear, no.

He has chosen us to be His own with a love that is perfect. We can depend on Him to remain faithful in His love toward His children.

With that perfect love we can walk confidently through any valley and climb any mountain, float through any sea of doldrums, march with victory through every battle, shuffle through any tedious task, overcome any challenge, live through our darkest days and still come out into the light, and enter boldly the throne room of grace.

We needn't be afraid anymore!

Snatched from EE...sobering, chilling!

2008-11-21T06:21:00.000-08:00

Elisabeth Elliot's Daily Devotional

Title: Give Them Parking Space, But Let Them Starve to Death
Author: Elisabeth Elliot

Another moral threshold was crossed when a tiny baby boy, at the specific request of his parents and with the sanction of the Supreme Court of Indiana, was starved to death in a hospital. "Infant Doe" (he was not allowed the usual recognition of being human by being named), born with Down's syndrome and a malfunctioning esophagus (the latter could have been corrected with surgery), died, as the Washington Post (April 18) stated, "not because he couldn't sustain life without a million dollars worth of medical machinery, but because no one fed him." For six days the nurses in that Bloomington hospital went about their usual routines of bathing and changing and feeding all the newborns except one. They bathed and changed Baby Doe but they never gave him a bottle. Over his crib was a notice, DO NOT FEED. Several couples came forward, begging to be allowed to adopt him. They were turned down.

What went on in that little box during those six terrible days and nights? We turn our imagination away. It's unthinkable. But if I were to think about it, and put down on paper what my mind saw, I would be accused of playing on people's feelings, and of making infanticide (yes, infanticide--call it what it is) an "emotional issue." Let me suppose at least that the baby cried--quite loudly (at first). One report says that he was placed in a room alone, lest his crying disturb others (others, perhaps, who were capable of helping him).

Joseph Sobran, in his column in the Los Angeles Times Syndicate, suggested that "opposition to infanticide will soon be deplored as the dogma of a few religious sects who want to impose their views on everyone else." The language sounds sickeningly familiar.

There has been a conspicuous silence from those who usually raise shrill protest when other human rights are violated--the rights of smokers, homosexuals, and criminals are often as loudly insisted upon as those of children, women, and the handicapped.

The handicapped? What on earth is happening when a society is so careful to provide premium parking spaces to make things easier for them, but sees no smallest inconsistency when one of them who happens to be too young to scream, "For God's sake, feed me!" is quietly murdered? It is in the name of humanity, humaneness, compassion, and freedom that these things occur, but never is it acknowledged that the real reasons are comfort and convenience, that is, simple selfishness. "Abortion not only prefers comfort, convenience, or advantage of the pregnant woman to the very life of her unborn child, a fundamentally good thing, but seeks to deny that the life ever existed. In this sense it is a radical denial not only of the worth of a specific life but of the essential goodness of life itself and the Providential ordering of its procreation" (R.V. Young, "Taking Choice Seriously," The Human Life Review, Vol. VIII, no. 3.)

But weren't we talking about infanticide and haven't we now switched to abortion? The premises on which abortion is justified are fundamentally the same on which infanticide is seen as civilized and acceptable. What Hitler used to call eugenics is now called "quality of life," never mind whether the life in question happens to be the mother's or the child's. Death, according to three doctors who put the issue out into the open in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1973, is now considered an option in the "treatment" of infants; in other words, a mortuary may now replace the nursery. One cannot help thinking of the antiseptic "shower rooms" of the Third Reich, where the unwanted were "treated" to death. Nor can one forget the words of Jesus, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:40, KJV).

Can any Christian argue that the smallest and most defenseless are, by virtue merely of being too small and too defenseless, not His brethren?

Is this the stuff of nightmares?

2008-11-19T11:15:00.000-08:00

What is this? We found it in one of our cultures made from slough water and egg yolk. That rear appendage or whatever it is can completely retract into the body. The portion of the body pointed at seems to have cilia or somethings like that. The longer we had it under the microscope the slower it got until it died.

Let me know.

I hear the tsk, tsk, tsking over that day care article!

2008-11-18T10:45:00.000-08:00

I've read so many studies and research results from daycare inquiries that I thought I would just post this prologue.

In 2007 a study funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development tracked 1,364 children and found that those who had attended some kind of preschool program scored higher on factors of aggression and disobedience; it was true even for kiddies in high quality center-based care. And the longer the time spent in such facilities the more likely the child would be labeled as disobedient and argumentative with a propensity to fight.

A 2002 study by the same group with 1300 kids from 10 different states found that children who spend more hours per week in non-parental childcare have more behavior problems, including aggressive, defiant and disobedient behavior.

David Elkind, author of Miseducation: Preschoolers at Risk, states, "There is no evidence that early instruction has lasting benefits, and considerable evidence that it can do lasting harm."

E. Ziglar, co-founder of Head Start states, "There is a large body of evidence indicating that there is little if anything to be gained by exposing middleclass children to early education. ...evidence...indicates early schooling is inappropriate for many four-year-olds and that it may even be harmful to their development."

And this does not even address the many health risks involved. Maybe I'll discuss that later.

Daycare for wee folks

2008-10-29T09:14:00.000-07:00

I was chatting recently with someone about the daycare dilemma in the U.S. Not too long ago several closed in the Fargo-Moorhead area and a general screech and lamenting sigh was heard from those who think kids are better off in daycare.

It's is very hard for me to imagine that anyone could even think that their little ones would be better off cared for by a generally poorly paid stranger and a stranger whom often has many other little ones in her care at the same time. How could we have gotten to the place in America where the past two, maybe even three, generations of women have been duped into thinking that this is okay.

Research has been done on this subject. The real findings, if one can wade through all the 'thinkspeak' are that daycare produces insecure, often sickly, and sometimes really mean children. Well, think about it: if your little one from the time of infancy is placed with folks, no matter how well meaning, who must oversee 10 others or maybe 20 others, how much care will your little one get? And that's not the worst of it, even if you discount the diseases found in such places and the aggressive natures developed (let's face it-there is a pecking order!) what about the fact that a whole culture could think a paid provider is better than mom?

That's really screwy thinking. Strangers better than mom? Institutionalization better than a loving home? Factory-prepared meals fed and eaten in shifts, and in a hurry? Even a PB & J with mom is superior in every way to a government licensed food program.

The other interesting thing found in research is that though some may think this prepares them to be learners, it doesn't appear to be so. In fact, it prepares them to be institutionalized from K-12 and it teaches them to keep their place in the pecking order.

One other thing that really bugs me: since corporeal punishment of any kind is no longer allowed, how do they keep the little ones in line? Shame and humiliation. It works, but it is an awful thing to do to a child. How much better that a loving parent (and I mean LOVING...someone willing to lay down their very life for this wee one!) holds, teaches, feeds, encourages, comforts and cares for the child.

Yah, we've come a long way, baby, but it hasn't been a good way.

Apples galore!

2008-10-28T07:25:00.000-07:00

We have been blessed this fall with an abundance of apples given to us by a family with two luscious apple trees. So grandma has been busy making applesauce and we now have almost 100 jars sitting on the basement pantry shelves.

How in the world did gals do this before there were apple peeler/corers?

Bill and I finished the last of the saucing on Saturday.

We are blessed, we are blessed, we are blessed!

Benedictions

2008-09-17T11:28:00.001-07:00

Have you ever noticed how often we exhort one another to do this or do that? We are forever giving advice, weighing in on a subject, commanding or chastising, correcting or cautioning.

So I got to thinking about this al0t because I have discovered over the past 6 decades that most of the time people don't care what you think. They really aren't interested in corrections rather they want someone to agree with them, confirm a behaviour or pat them on the back.

Considering what a thorn in the flesh I have been to many people in my life I am trying hard to "aspire to live quietly, work diligently with my hands and to mind my own business!" It's not that easy, of course. So since I believe that Scriptures have the absolute answer for every dilemma I thought I would take a look at how the apostle Paul addressed folks. If anyone had a right to speak, to chastise etc. etc., I guess it was the apostle Paul. But I was particularly touched and humbled and encouraged as I looked through his various letters. They are full of imperatives for successful Christian living, but that is just part of it. They are seasoned with wonderful benedictions and the fact that he repeated them in most of his letters seems to imply that they are important.

Following is brief list:

Romans 1:7b - Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I Cor. 1:3 - Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I Cor. 16:23-24 - The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus.
II Cor. 1:2 - Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
II Cor. 13:14 - The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Galatians 1:3 - Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Eph. 1:2 - Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Phil. 1:2 - Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Col. 1:2b - Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
I Thess. 1:1c - Grace to you and peace.
II Thess. 3:16 - Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.
I Timothy 1:2b - Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
II Timothy 1:2 - Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

When you read them all together it leaves an impression that maybe Paul thought that grace, mercy and peace were really important.

Clearly they are and by God's grace, I want to exude grace, mercy and peace. It is what I want to pour out on others. Let someone else do the admonishing; I'm not that good at it anyway.

So grace, mercy and peace to you from our dear Lord Jesus.

Who is this?

2008-09-08T14:16:00.000-07:00

Who can this be?

A young, slim, blonde (?) woman with a gorgeous red-headed child.

It was the 70s and I was young. Aimee was about the cutest, sweetest, most precious blessing I would ever see in this world. And so it is.

How I Ought to Act

2008-09-08T13:38:00.000-07:00

Frankly, what I know to do I often don't do and what I know I ought not do I do. Not very original thought and certainly no revelation to anyone who has read Paul's letters. Makes the rejoice mandate a bit difficult at times. But God's sweet and holy Word gives us plenty of 'to dos' so that we will learn to do and to be what He has planned for us to do and be since before the foundations of the world.

What I ought to do:

pursue love (ICor. 14:1a)~ the word 'pursue' implies that I am going to have to work at this and it is going to be a footrace requiring huffing, puffing and determination; I don't really like the thought of that as it really leaves no room for sloth! Precious Lord Jesus, give me strength and endurance to pursue the better thing.
not be childish in my thinking (that's a lot different than being child-like!) and I am to be an infant in evil, but mature in my thinking (I Cor. 14:20) ~ it's not that easy to be an infant in evil in our current culture, actually in any culture; for those who think we are more evil than any preceeding generation, century, millenium etc. then you have not read enough history! I want to be an infant in evil, but that must be a work of God as I have dabbled way too much in evil thoughts, actions, study, companions etc. to return to an infant way of thinking about evil. Please, Lord Jesus, have your way.
be steadfast, immovable, ALWAYS abounding in the work of the Lord (I Cor. 15:58) ~ I can be so stubborn (the sin side of steadfast!) when I want to be; I mean really, really stubborn. So why is steadfastness such a struggle about things that really matter. Most of what I have been opinionated about, and I might add, hurt others' feelings over, isn't worth the price of ink in a cheap ballpoint pen. I beg you, dear Lord Jesus, make me steadfast about worthy things.
take every thought captive to OBEY Christ (2 Cor. 10:5) ~ Every thought? I can only imagine how much work this will be. My mind is constantly working, thinking, mulling, answering, cogitating and pondering. This must, too, be a work of God in a believer's life. My sweet gentle Shepherd, set a guard at my lips and watch over my mouth.
Rejoice, aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace (2 Cor.13:11a) Well, now there's a life-long pursuit. I am learning to rejoice often and to see even in pain that it is possible to rejoice. I have found it easier and easier to comfort others as I have experienced more and more pain, loss, betrayal, and sorrow. I think that's probably God's good plan for me. I don't always like it and I have been known to kick and scream, plead and beg, bargain and threaten to quit. Yet God's mercies are new every morning. I want more than almost anything to live in peace. I grew up without much peace, some of my own doing, and the older I get the more pleasant and inviting is the quest for peace. I have even begun to firmly avoid the contentious (I used to love a good verbal sparring!) and to seek rather a meek and gentle spirit (never been a natural part of my makeup). I want to aim for restoration and to be able to agree, living in peace with all, as much as lies within me. Dear faithful Bread of Life, hear me as I plead for these good gifts from your generous Hand.
rejoice in the lord (Phil 3:1) and rejoice in the Lord always, again I say, rejoice (Phil. 4:4) If this ol' whining, complaining, belly-aching mortal can learn to rejoice (and I do it often these days) then it must be the work of our wonderful Lord Jesus through His benevolent Holy Spirit; it is definitely not a part of my nature!

So.....there's an assignment for life. And it's only the beginning. The list could, of course, go on and on. Since we are no longer under the law and since Christ perfectly fulfilled the law so that we now operate under grace, we can be confident that He who began a good work in us will surely complete it. And if that isn't exciting enough, we can now openly, boldly and with confidence enter the throne room and speak directly with our dear Lord Jesus. Think of it...directly...no intermdiary necessary...Jesus is the intermediary and He welcomes us without shame or humiliation.

Now that's something to rejoice about.

Our friends from India

2008-08-07T11:06:00.000-07:00

In 1997 we had the privilege of spending some time in India with a group from our church. It was life-changing for me and I have never been the same since.

It was so important that hardly a day goes by without praying for those we met in that far-away land. I still correspond with our host and hostess and often I am transported in thought to Shanta's lovely kitchen, comfortable living room and sumptuous dining area. I loved it so; I love them so! I can still hear the early morning call to prayer from the local mosque and envision the alabaster Hindu temple on the hillside. I can see in my mind's eye the colorful sari-clad women and sober-faced men seated on the floor of the Andhra Bible Chapel as we worshipped God together.

In spite of my physical challenges, if given the opportunity, I would return to India and the gracious home of our friends, Bose and Shanta, in a second. And it would be wonderful!

Malts and Depression Glass

2008-08-07T10:20:00.000-07:00

And here are the sweet angels of my life enjoying malts made by Grandpa out of Great-grandma Blanche's green depression glass tumblers.

On Prayer

2008-07-30T10:30:00.000-07:00

I'm even hesitant to discuss prayer as I have been a slothful, lax, negligent pray-er for most of my 60 years. I've had times of devout praying; I've had years with virtually none.

I've been reading about prayer. Figures...it's always easier to read about something than to actually do it. Nevertheless, I offer the following truths about prayer found in my recent readings.

From E.M. Bounds' important book, Power through Prayer, (how come I haven't read this before now?):
NOTE: This book was written specifically to pastors, so everywhere the words pastor, minister etc. appear I simply substitute Christian, child of God, or believer.

"The preacher's relationship to God is the insignia and credentials of his ministry. If he does not excel in grace, he does not excel at all. If he does not preach by life, character, and conduct, he does not preach at all."
Martin Luther's motto was "He that has prayed well has studied well."
"The preacher must primarily be a man of prayer. In the school of prayer, only the heart can learn to preach. No learning can make up for the failure to pray. No earnestness, no diligence, no study, no gifts will supply its lack."
"Our laziness after God is our crying sin."
"No man who is not a man of prayer can do a great and enduring work for God, and no man can be a man of prayer without giving much time to prayer."
"Public prayers, as a rule, ought to be short and condensed. Our short prayers are effective and efficient because long ones have preceded them. The short, prevailing prayer cannot be prayed by one who has not prevailed with God in a mightier struggle of long continuance."
"A prayerful ministry is the only ministry that brings the preacher into sympathy with the people. Colleges, knowledge, books, theology, and preaching do not make a preacher, but praying does."

From Elizabeth Elliot's Notes on Prayer: "One way of laying down our lives is by praying for somebody. In prayer I am saying, in effect, 'my life for yours.' My time, my energy, my thought, my concern, my concentration, my faith--here they are, for you. So it is that I participate in the work of Christ. So it is that no work of faith, no labor of love, no smallest prayer is ever lost, but, like the smoke of the incense on the golden altar, rises from the hand of the angel before God."

I do not know who authored the following but I found it in an old tract that belonged to my sister:

He prayeth best who loveth best

All things both great and small;

For the great God who loveth us,

He made and loveth all.

And finally this from The Meaning of Prayer by Harry Emerson Fosdick: "The Eternal God calls us every one by name. He is not the God of mankind in the mass; He is the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob! All great pray-ers have lived in the power of this individual relationship with God. They have said with the Psalmist, 'I will give thanks in the great assembly: I will praise thee among much people.' (Ps.35:18)"

Head knowledge not enough

2008-07-28T11:06:00.001-07:00

I have spent most of my life pretending I am intellectual. But the older I get the more I realize that smart isn't enough, in fact, it may be detrimental. I read alot, think alot, pray alot, but still seem to have a never-ending struggle with doing alot. Why is that?

Some would say that head knowledge (you know, scholars, deep thinkers, classically trained debaters, the intelligensia, and ivory-tower braniacs!) are the real deep Christians, the ones who know oodles of doctrine and church history (not that that is bad, it isn't). But when the disciples tried to shoo away the children Jesus reprimanded them and told them that 'of such is the kingdom of heaven' and that if they 'did not become as a little child' then their prospects for kingdom living were dim. Now why did Jesus say that? What about children are we to emulate? Is it their complete and, dare I say, naive faith? Is it that they trust without needing all the details or even fully understanding the claims or demands of the Christian life?

I think that for most of my life I have been hiding behind 'head knowledge' because 'heart knowledge' is what actually causes us to live a life of cross-bearing and self denial. I don't really like the whole idea of lugging painful burdens, like a cross, or of saying 'No!' to self over and over and over. Yet I know that if I want to be a disciple of my dear Lord Jesus then I must everyday deny myself, take up my cross and follow him. I have had some dark times in my life (often of my own making though that never makes the pain any less!) and during those times it has felt like just Jesus and me...and it was enough. He is enough. But we can be praising God everyday for the fact that He has placed us in families and families (even kind of dysfunctional ones) can make our journey so much sweeter and not nearly as frightening.

Since perfect love casts out fear and since God loves me perfectly I have no need to fear Him. He is the Gentle Shepherd that carries those with young in His bosom and tenderly guards His sheep. I have a loving family, but if I didn't, my Shepherd would be enough.

I think heart knowledge is what leads to adoration of our Lord. I think heart knowledge helps us to really live as those who esteem others better than themselves, as those who love their neighbors as themselves, as followers of Christ who deem it a privilege to see in every occurrence 'a chance to die' to self and live to Christ.

Truth is, if I DID even 1/10 of 1% of what I already KNOW to do, I would be very devout and pleasing to the Lord. For those who say there is nothing that we can do to garner God's blessing, I ask, then why is the newer testament full of imperatives for us? There are hundreds and hundreds of things we are to DO, simply because we are told to and because it brings peace to our souls and comfort to those both in and outside the fold.

I'm going to give the gaining of 'heart knowledge' a whirl. I really don't need anymore head knowledge, not at this point anyway. I admit to a certain fear about 'heart knowledge' as I have heard that it can be quite painful and often causes one to spend hours in prayer, days fasting, nights weeping and years toiling with others for the sake of His glorious Name.

Nevertheless, I'm going for it!

Peas in Abundance

2008-07-20T18:05:00.000-07:00

I think this might be the very best pea crop I've grown in the past 30 years. This is mostly due to the fact that I have all the room I could possibly want for my garden and, therefore, I planted lots of peas. The thing about this crop is that it takes a lot of pea plants to produce enough to do more than eat them fresh.

So far this year we have picked 16 ice cream pails full of luscious peas. They are indescribable when fresh. The children like to hang out in the garden eating peas as fast as they can pick and shuck them.

Again, as I have said often: It is a blessing to live in America!

Berry Pickin'

2008-07-20T15:49:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's a drainer full of luscious strawberries! We went picking at a berry farm south of Northwood. Ooh, la, la! The strawberries were sweet and juicy. I made jam with what was left after fresh eating.

And the 'berry lady' grows June berries. They are worth their weight in gold! We picked and picked and picked. Then we ate some with cream (real cream!) and sugar, just like when I was a kid! Oh, my, surely this shrub grew in the Garden of Eden.

Froze the rest for June berry pies for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Summer...at last!

2008-06-19T13:35:00.000-07:00

Well, it sure has been a long time coming, yet we do not complain as the Sovereign Lord oversees all, including the seasons.

Our garden was mostly in before the plenteous rains came...and I MEAN plenteous. It does appear as though some of the tomatoes, peppers and green beans have succumbed to the standing water. I suppose this bodes well for the mosquitoes, also.

The peas are a bit yellowish but otherwise look pretty good. I think absolutely EVERY sunflower seed we put in the garden germinated. Looks like a good year for fall bouquets. I have planted four different kinds of sunflowers, ranging in height from 20 inches to almost 12 feets. The feature colors from deep red, almost rust, to butter yellow. When they have completely matured and the heads are full I have the guys at the Blessed Life Ranch cut the stalks just above the ground, gather them into large 'bouquets' and tie them to metal fence posts right outside our large, double windows in the great room. It provides food, shelter and perches for the many birds of late summer and fall, especially for those spending the winter. I have also dried them upside down in the garage and then stuck them in snowbanks. Again, food, perches and protection.

The first crop of corn is up and looks pretty good, but REALLY it ought to be as high as an elephant's eye by the Fourth. That will never happen this year. The carrots have bravely pushed through the fertile Red River Valley soil, but, again, they ought to be much, much further along.

With about 11,000 sq. ft. of garden to care for, I am kept busy during the summer months. I love just about everything about the project and I can sure see why God started things out in a garden.

As God prospers this little spot of Eden I will be canning, pickling, and freezing.

I appreciated the sermon on Sunday about the scattering of seed and how it falls on various types of soil or non-soil. Almost everything in life can be equated to a garden for all things take weeding, thinning, watering and trimming. That's how it is relationships anyway.

Well, I'm off now to examine further damage in the garden and make plans to fix or ignore what can't be fixed, to plant again or give up on some things for this year.

And still....I am filled with joy and deep gratitude for the pleasure of living, loving, feasting, singing, dancing and laughing in this great country. We are blessed, we are blessed, we are blessed.

Thai Chicken Recipe

2008-06-10T17:53:00.000-07:00

I got this recipe from someone very dear to me after having enjoyed her gracious hospitality and this splendid dish. Serve with a green salad and fresh fruit and you have yourself an amazing meal. I have served it repeatedly since our initial delight and it has become a favorite.

2-3 lbs. skinless chicken breasts
olive oil for sauteeing
4 c. unsweetened coconut milk
1-2 T. green curry paste (I use 3 because we love curry!)
1 t. lime zest or 2 Kaffir lime leaves (I use the lime zest.)
1/2 c. chicken broth
2 T. fish sauce
2 T. finely chopped fresh basil (or dried to taste)
2 T. chopped cilantro (or dried to taste)
1 poblan chile (optional)
1 stalk fresh lemon grass (or add another t. zest)
Discard tough outer leaves of lemon grass, mince tender white bulb. Season chicken with salt & pepper and saute; set aside. Deglaze skillet with coconut milk; reduce to about 3 c. (simmer about 15 min.). Add curry paste, simmer 5 min. Add chicken, lime zest, fish sauce and chicken broth; simmer briefly.Add basil, cilantro, chili and simmer 10 mn. Serve over jasmine rice (I use regular white rice.) and garnish with cilantro and chopped green onion.

Sunday Dinner at Grandma's

2008-06-10T17:41:00.000-07:00

I love the idea of having dinner at Grandma's every Sunday and I try to make it a reality, but sometimes it just doesn't work out.

I don't have very many memories of meals at my Grandparent's home. I wish I did.

I want my grandchildren to know two things about me:

That Grandma loved God more than her own life and that she loved them more than her own life.

That would probably add up to a life well-lived!

Tips for Practical Christian Living

2008-06-02T10:14:00.000-07:00

I had it in mind to go through the entire Newer Testament and write down all the imperatives regarding the Christian walk. I still plan to do that, but I found so many in Matthew alone that the following list is offered. Some have said that there really isn't any list of pratical tips one could use to have a successful Christian life, but I think if one (primarily, ME!) would exercise even one tenth of what we know to be pleasing to our dear Lord Jesus we would exhibit lives worthy of emulation. The Scriptures are full of imperatives and they are not suggestions.

Here's the list with reference and my paraphrase:
Matt. 4:10-Serve and worship God ONLY!
Matt. 4:17-Repent.
Matt. 5:16-Let your light shine...others will witness your good works and give glory to God.
Matt. 5:42-Give generously and do not refuse a borrower.
Matt. 5:44-Love your enemies; pray for your persecutors.
Matt. 5:48-Be perfect.
Matt. 6:3-Give secretly.
Matt. 6:6-Pray secretly.
Matt. 6:7-Long-winded prayers are not heard by God.
Matt. 6:17-Look as though you are NOT fasting when you fast.
Matt. 6:19-Earthly treasures are a waste.
Matt. 6:20-Heavenly treasures are worth obtaining.
Matt. 6:25-Don't worry about your physical life.
Matt. 6:33-Seek God's kingdom and righteousness.
Matt. 6:34-Don't worry about tomorrow.
Matt. 7:1-Do not judge.
Matt. 7:7-Ask, seek and knock...it works!
Matt. 7:12-Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Matt. 8:22-Follow Jesus.
Matt. 9:38-Pray earnestly for soul winners and missionaries.
Matt. 10:28-Do not fear those who can harm to your body; fear what can destroy soul & body.
Matt. 11:28-Come to Jesus and He will give you rest.
Matt. 11:29-Take the yoke Jesus gives you; it will give you rest.
Matt. 15:10-Hear, understand: stuff coming out of your mouth defiles, NOT what goes in.
Matt. 16:24-Deny self, take up your cross and follow Jesus.
Matt. 18:3-Become like children.
Matt. 19:14-Keep the commandments.
Matt. 22:21-Give to the government what is due; give to God what is His.
Matt. 22:37-Love God with absolutely EVERYTHING that is in you...then love your neighbor!
Matt. 25:13-Keep a watch.
Matt. 28:19-As you go about your business make disciples, baptize and teach.

Frost STILL?

2008-05-27T13:32:00.000-07:00

I am always taken by surprise by the splendor of Spring. I love the green of the grass and the smell of freshly mown yards is something to dream about. The birds have returned to the Blessed Life Ranch and we have added two to our list of almost 70 species--the Yellow Warbler and the Common Snipe.

Believe it or not it was only 24 degrees this morning. Last night BB covered the few flowers I have planted so far and the radishes had to do the best they could on their own. It is almost the first of June and I am covering up flowers because of frost---this just doesn't seem right.

We had a busy week traveling to Bismarck on Thursday, Devils Lake on Saturday and celebrating Memorial Day on Monday. The visit to Bismarck was to see some dear friends from India and very special friends from 'back home'. It brought back many simply luscious memories from our trip to India in 1997. The visit on Saturday was to see my mom, now 88 and still living on her own. We had a wonderful time together and even found out some interesting details about how she met my dad, the Ellis Island experiences of my grandparents and other snippets from her life.

We've got some of the garden in; we plant about 11,000 square feet. The weeds are doing really well even with it being a bit dry. The radishes are up but the corn, lettuces, spinach, peas and onions are still in hiding; one can't blame them considering this morning's frigid start.

What a blessing though to live in America where, even if the crop fails, we will not go hungry.

Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised.

Global Warming?

2008-05-15T10:42:00.000-07:00

With it being almost the end of May and still I am unable to put in my garden, I have become even more skeptical of all the brouhaha about global warming. It was 22 degrees here in the Red River Valley just two mornings ago. YIKES!

I've been helping my grandson write a speech to persuade and he chose global warming. The furnace kicked in several times while we have been working on this project.

We have discovered some very interesting things. Did you know that almost all, probably ALL by some accounts, of prognostications about global warming are computer-model generated and that none of it is really based on science? (Remember what the scientific method is!) Plus we found some interesting quotes from global warming alarmists, one of which, made by Steven Schneider of NOAA stated clearly that they fudge (a nice word for lie!) the figures, do not admit that they have their own doubts about it all, and purposely offer up scarey scenarios.

Add to that the fact that very little actual data of world temperatures is available; no more than 200 years of recorded temps. Even if you throw in the ice core studies in which they guess about climate conditions millenia ago, you still end up with not much data. Soooooo...how could one scientifically determine that temperatures are on the upswing?

Just the fact that there is a lot of guesswork, not much science, and scarey scenarios being offered up (probably because there are mega bucks tied to it!) one should at least be a bit skeptical.

Me, personally, after this very long winter, exceedingly cold spring and tardy summer I'm not convinced about global warming at all.

Besides, isn't God Sovereign? Rhetorical question.

Thinking about spring

2008-05-08T16:02:00.000-07:00

About two weeks ago we had another snow storm. I just finished listening to the evening news and weather and the weather gal said there is a chance of snow in the forecast.

Here's what I say.....BRING ON THE GLOBAL WARMING!

Which brings me to that subject. I'm giving my grandson a little help with his speech to persuade and he has chosen to do it on global warming. I've read quite a bit about the subject now and have a niggeling suspicion that it is nothing but flim-flam, boondoggle, phoney-baloney and the-sky-is-falling.

Check out junkscience.com or read through the books Facts not Fear or The Politically Incorrect Guide to Global Warming.

Any way, what was I saying? O, yah, I'm looking for Spring in spite of the cold weather and I'm still singing and laughing and dancing, albeit with a hooded sweatshirt and gloves!

An Encouraging Word

2008-04-21T11:44:00.000-07:00

2 Timothy 4:18 ~ The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

I John 5:4 ~ For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

I Cor. 15:57 ~ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Phil. 4:13 ~ I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

These Scriptures give Christians great comfort, especially to those who have long and hard grappled with their sinful nature, have felt as Paul did that the very things they knew they should do, they didn’t and the things they knew to avoid, they found themselves doing. We all have periods of our lives where we wonder why the struggle is so difficult. But we also have times when God makes our feet like hinds’ feet, and He causes us to walk upon the high places.

The victories we have on Earth are a result of Christ and His Spirit dwelling in us. If we believed that Christ was incapable of bringing us victory in this life, if we thought that all our earthly struggles will end in defeat then we would be the most pitiable of people.

John Piper in Why Jesus Came to Die rightly states, “God gives us this power for change through the person of His Holy Spirit. That is why the beauty of ‘love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control’ are called ‘the fruit of the Spirit’ (Gal. 5:22-23). This is why the Bible can make the amazing promise: ‘Sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace’ (Ro. 6:14).”

These are victory verses! We are not condemned to continual defeat. Someone much smarter than I has said that the Christian walk is a long, slow, steady obedience in the same direction. We will surely have defeats, but Christ gives us the power for amazing victories, even in this life. And as we proceed in the direction of holiness we will experience triumph. We are being sanctified by the grace that God pours down on His children daily.

Paul in his second letter to the church at Corinth wrote, “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession.” This does not sound like stoop-shouldered, bowed-down, never-ending defeat. It sounds like continual victory...Christ ALWAYS leads us in a victory parade.

Further in I Cor. 10:13, a verse which by God’s grace has given me many victories, states “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

The Galatians are instructed with these words, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” This is so, therefore, if Christ lives in me how could I live in perpetual defeat? If my body is the very temple of the Holy Spirit of the Living God, would He reside in the state of my continuing defeat?

Paul further tells the church at Galatia, “But I say, walk by the spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” And, “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” Additionally, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

And to the Philippians he says, “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Christ Jesus will bring us victory because He is the author and finisher of our faith.

And finally, to the Colossians Paul writes, “We have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” These are verses of victory, not defeat; of confidence, not trepidation; of comfort in knowing that through our dear Lord Jesus we can have victory every day of our earthly sojourn and then forever in the glorious Kingdom.

Rejoice!

He Giveth More Grace

2008-04-15T08:13:00.000-07:00

I love this great gospel song by Annie Johnson Flint. Inspirational!

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater;
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase.
To added affliction He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
His love has no limit; His grace has no measure;
His power has no boundary known unto men.
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving is only begun.

Majesty and Worship

2008-04-14T11:48:00.000-07:00

The following is one of my favorite contemporary worship songs. I have often worshipped on the gravel road as I walked in the early morning, out in the peace and comfort of my garden or in the quiet, gentle comfort of my 'little house on the prairie' using this beautiful melody and inspired words.

You are beautiful beyond description,
Too marvelous for words,
Too wonderful for comprehension,
Like nothing ever seen or heard.

Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom?
Who can fathom the depths of Your love?
You are beautiful beyond description,
Majesty enthroned above!

And I stand, I stand in awe of You.
I stand, I stand in awe of You.
Holy God to whom all praise is due,
I stand in awe of You!

I’m singing and laughing and dancing...

2008-04-07T12:39:00.000-07:00

Of all peoples or places or nations or times, we live in the best. Think of the incredible benefits of living in America, at this time, in this place:
· We never sleep outside under the stars, unless we want to.
· Our children do not dodge gun fire on their way to school (at least not in North Dakota).
· Husbands are not conscripted into the militia, never to be seen or heard from again.
· The shelves at our favorite grocery stores are loaded...they are never bare.
· On the 17 acres my son-in-law and daughter own, there are no land mines.
· God will never, ever leave us or forsake us. Think on that!
· I can send a letter to the editor haranguing a political candidate and I will not disappear some night into a gulag archipelago.
· We have indoor plumbing.
· If I need my appendix removed, they will use anesthesia. I will not need to drink enough whiskey to pass out!
· Even if I can’t afford legal counsel if arrested, the court will provide me with one. This is very unusual in the entire history of the world.
· You don’t have to unequivocally believe anyone’s particular theology, because you can check it out for yourself in one of the many versions of the Bible you probably have available in your home.
· In all likelihood your home will not be quarantined any time soon because of the bubonic plague. And even it were, we have antibiotics that can treat the disease.
· I have an entire room in my home with bookshelves from floor to ceiling, filled to overflowing, with books of my choosing. No government entity will come some night and burn the whole lot.
· Broken arms and legs can be set by people who know how, with the least amount of pain, and with the best possible outcome. Again, no whiskey needed!
· I can publish my ideas in print, on my blog or over the air waves without fear of economic retaliation.
· I can shower everyday if I wish.
· Our government was designed as a representative constitutional republic. Practically unheard of in the world.
· God has reconciled His children to Himself through the sacrifice of His only Son. I will never have to pay for my sins. God has already made complete payment through Jesus Christ.
· Our children never starve...in fact we are so blessed with bounty that many of our little ones are ‘fussy eaters’. There aren’t any fussy eaters in Darfur, Nigeria, Kenya, North Korea or countless other locations in the world.
· It is very likely that the vast majority of our children will grow into adulthood and will not die from famine, war, or disease.
· I have a dishwasher.
· Most of us have more clothes right now than we could wear out in a life time. Particularly true of the polyester years of the 1970s.
· We have gentle bar soaps that we did not need to make with caustic lye.
· The choices in homeschool curriculum, educational supplies and other materials is almost endless. We get to pick.
· If we want to travel throughout the U.S. we have the freedom to do so...and we do not have show our ‘identification papers’ when we cross state borders.
· Corrective eye lenses can be purchased to meet my needs rather than making do with a pair from Wal-Mart. I can even wear monovision contacts.
· Our nation is crisscrossed with really good roads and we have really good cars and trucks to drive on them...and we can do so without stopping at checkpoints.
· Most of us actually have time for hobbies because we needn’t go to the creek for water, or chop wood for heating and cooking, or hunt game in order to eat.
· We will not need to sell any of our children to beggars or temples because we simply can’t afford to feed them or are in need of the money. Still being done in India.
· I can garden and can my produce for the sheer joy of it. If I wasn’t able to, we would not go hungry.
· We have almost instantaneous communication capabilities. If we move from our family on the East coast to Kansas, we will see them again, write to them, talk with them on the phone, or send daily emails. Not like in many times and places where if you left the home place….you left the home place!
· God has given us His Holy Spirit to teach us, guide us, correct us, and comfort us. WOW!

And if that isn’t enough here are some of the really important reasons from the Scriptures:
· Psalm 127:3&5 ~ Behold children are a heritage from the Lord...happy is the man who fills his quiver with them.
· Psalm 128:2 ~ You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.
· Psalm 144:15 ~ Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!
· Proverbs 3:13-18 ~ Happy is the one who finds wisdom and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than the gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed (happy).
· Proverbs 14:21b ~ ...blessed (happy) is he who is generous to the poor.
· Proverbs 15:13 ~ A glad heart makes a cheerful face…
· Proverbs 15:15b ~ ...the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
· Proverbs 17:22a ~ A joyful heart is good medicine…
· Proverbs 28:14 ~ Blessed (happy) is the one who fears the Lord always…
· Isaiah 52:7 ~ How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’
Joy and its twin sister, happiness, ought to be the earmarks of God’s children. Of all people, God’s own ought to be filled with inexpressible joy because we are redeemed. No somber, dreary music for me. No long, depressing and joyless diatribes either. The joy of the Lord is my strength.
Yes, there are difficulties and occasionally deep sorrows, but the truth is that we are blessed, we are blessed, we are blessed. I have known abandonment, discouragement, despair. I have felt the barbs of angry words and experienced the loss of a loved one. I know what earthly grief can be like, because I have walked that valley. But I have set my face like a flint and refuse to allow sorrow to overwhelm me. Instead I will dwell on the numberless blessings God has bestowed on me, because I am, indeed, blessed. If you do not consider yourself blessed, you need to fall on your knees before the Sovereign Lord and beg Him to show you how magnanimously He has dealt with you!
I Peter 1:8 states, “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.”
Elisabeth Elliot in Secure in the Everlasting Arms writes, “Joy is the keynote of the Christian life. It is not something that happens. It is a gift, given to us in the coming of Christ.”
C.S. Lewis wrote, “Joy is the serious business of heaven.”
Fanny Crosby, that great gospel song writer, blind since 6 weeks old due to a doctor’s mistake, could write:
O what a happy soul am I, although I cannot see!
I am resolved that in this world contented I will be.
How many blessings I enjoy that other people don’t!
To weep and sigh because I’m blind, I cannot and I won’t.

We have ever so many reasons to rejoice, both in this world and because of the world to come. So get busy dancing, and singing and laughing because life is good in America and doubly so as Christians.

Fishing

2008-04-02T12:42:00.000-07:00

I took this swell photo yesterday as my dear little granddaughter, Laura, was 'fishing' in the ditch just south of the front yard at the Blessed Life Ranch.

Isn't it absolutely priceless!

I'm not the only one who is rushing forward to spring.

The dear Lord Jesus

2008-04-01T16:15:00.000-07:00

I've noticed something of late--and even over the years--about some intellectual Christians I have known in my life: you seldom if ever hear them talk about our dear Lord Jesus. They can expound for an hour or more on the Sovereign God--and make no mistake, He is the Sovereign--but they seldom exhibit a tender, demonstrable love for our dear Lord Jesus. I find this odd. My greatest comfort in life is our dear Lord Jesus. He has been faithful when I was faithless; He has been a nurturing Shepherd when I needed tenderness; He has abided with me in times of great sorrow and great joy; He has poured down His mercy on me when others failed to be merciful; He has been loyal to me when others have abandoned me; He is my beloved and I am His.

As John Newton wrote:
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer's ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, and drives away his fear.
Dear name! the Rock on which I build, my Shield and Hiding place,
My never failing treas'ry, filled with boundless stores of grace.
Jesus, my Shepherd, Brother, Friend, my Prophet, Priest and King,
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End, Accept the praise I bring.

The dear Lord Jesus.

The birds are returning....

2008-04-01T08:18:00.001-07:00

Monday morning I saw a welcome sight: a lone robin perched on a bare branch in the Heritage Park behind our house. Not only that but the dark-eyed juncos and mourning doves have also arrived, braving the still-cold Red River Valley of the North. The geese are flying north and I even had a fly in the house recently.

This morning, just after sunrise, five of our 12 cats were out playing on the Slough of Despond just west of the "little house". They actually appeared to be purposely sliding on the ice and were comical in their actions.

The raptors are also returning. I have seen red-tailed hawks and a northern harrier. I hope they are successfully hunting mice.

Spring is coming!

Keeping a diary, journal, log, calendar...whatever you call it!

2008-03-26T14:11:00.000-07:00

In 2007 I read 82 books and numerous magazines (e.g. World, Birds and Blooms, The Court Report, Biblical Worldview, Keepers at Home, The Old Schoolhouse, Chalcedon, Homeschooling Today, and Practical Homeschooling). When I completed each book I entered the title, author and my comments in a three-ring binder. Seems a little compulsive, doesn’t it?

Here’s why I keep the records. First of all, I am compulsive (I like to refer to it as ‘a striving after excellence!’). I love lists and I enjoy seeing where I have been, what was done, and what I thought at the time. So I guess if compulsiveness isn’t one of your vices or virtues, you could skip this one.

Second, I have a moderate-sized library of about 4000 books (could be more, there’s bookshelves all over the house). All of these will some day be passed on to our daughter and her children. Think for a minute: Wouldn’t it be fun to have a list of books your grandma read and what she thought of each one?

My grandma kept a diary, as they were called in those days, which includes notes on weather, trips to town to sell eggs, Livestock Sales Ring days, evening Homemakers’ meetings and birthdays. Even with those rather superficial recordings, it is still a picture of what her life was like; it is interesting to me.

There will come a time when I will be gone and maybe my progeny will be interested in what my life was like. If not, they can sell all those books on amazon.com!

I have also kept journals of trips we have made which gives a rendering of the highlights of the trip, the thoughts I had regarding historical sights, bad motels, good food, where I bought a certain piece for my Colonial cream ware set and geophysical sights that awed me or should be avoided in the future (cave visits!).

I kept a very detailed journal of our trip to India in 1997. For about three months following our return I worked on putting it all into book form. Once completed, I ran a copy for each of the India Team members. It became an historical record of our trip that I often reread. It prevents the capriciousness of memory from stealing the wonder of that trip from me.

Keeping a log book of one’s reading also keeps the memory of the book alive and reminds me to reread or not, never lend out, use as a resource, or take quotes from for future writing projects.

You don’t have to be as compulsive as I am, but you might want to leave a written trail for your loved ones. It might matter to them.

Moral Busybodies

2008-03-19T07:52:00.000-07:00

There are many writings of C.S. Lewis that I love. Writings that have made me think outside the narrow little box of my own musings. Here's one that is especially true and relevant in the culture we now find ourselves:

Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.

2008-03-19T06:11:00.000-07:00

Sunday dinner at the Blessed Life Ranch is a blessing!

Ten around the table is a delight! Grandpa prays and we all dig in. I feel sorry for folks who never take the time to enjoy the sweet blessing of noisy chatting, yummy-yummies, even spilled drinks and dropped food (the dog loves that!) and the contentment of a Sunday afternoon of rest.

Life is good in America!

He has risen!

2008-03-19T05:58:00.000-07:00

It's a beautiful morning at the Blessed Life Ranch! Resurrection Sunday is just around the corner.

What was it like when the women first came to the tomb of Jesus and found it empty? What did they think? Someone stole the body or "He has risen as He said He would!" ?

He has risen! He has risen, indeed!

The Road Home

2008-03-18T05:58:00.000-07:00

Saturday, early evening, we returned from the North Dakota Home School Association's annual convention. There were so many wonderful things about the convention that I will not write about them at this time.

It's been almost three years since we left Bismarck and moved to the Red River Valley to be near our dear ones. Here's what struck me the MOST as we headed for our 'little house on the prairie'. As we turned to go east at the Woods' Corner, that long, straight and level gravel road finally looked like the road home. Not just the road to Ray and Aimee's home, but the road to our home. It was a welcome sight. We felt like we were finally home!

To Live for Almost Sixty Years and Not....

2008-03-12T11:40:00.000-07:00

It is a deep sorrow of my life to know that I have lived for almost sixty years and it is only within the past 5-6 years that I have begun to understand the extreme value of a life filled with grace. When I think of all that has issued from my heart and mouth, and how often it has been so totally lacking in grace, I am ashamed and saddened beyond telling. Sixty years...and just now learning.

God has brought people into my life over the years to exhibit both grace-filled lives and those that are ungracious and condemnatory. When I think of generosity of grace I always think first of Stan and Simone. Theirs were lives filled with an overwhelming fragrance of grace and mercy. They knew God. They knew their own failings. They knew the mercy that God bestows on His own. They poured out grace on everyone they came in contact with and some of those were quite unsavory characters. They loved. They loved. They loved. Stan never minced words about God's punishment for sinners, but rather than coming to Christ to avoid hell one wanted to come to Christ because of His great love for His sheep. And Stan and Simone were gentle shepherds that loved their sheep. They were not unaware of the stubborness, willfulness and stupidity of the sheep, but the sheep were so loved and cared for by S & S that they wanted to do better and be better to please both the shepherds and the Great Shepherd.

I want to be like that. I want to pour out grace on all I meet so that they will see the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Stan has gone home to be with Jesus and Simone lives far away from me, but the impact they had on my life never lessens. In fact, as I grow older I am more cognizant of the great spiritual heritage they bequethed to me by their undying love, mercy and grace.

Only eternity will fully reveal the importance of their lives to mine and, more importantly, to the Kingdom of God .

Reading and the well-read mind

2008-03-08T17:05:00.000-08:00

A well-read mind is a mind that is expansive enough, secure enough and humble enough to entertain another's opinion while still holding firmly to it's own convictions, all the while maintaining an attitude of grace and respect.

If all one reads is what one already agrees with then how can iron sharpen iron? Congregating at all times with only like-minded folks tends to create a huge pile of salt. Salt in such an overdose almost always kills the grass.

I recently had the chance to visit with dear friends of ours well into the wee hours of the night. We did not always agree and sometimes the discussion got pretty heated. But what a lovely thing to be able to do so and still love each other without question. They are well-read. We want to be well-read.

Our conversation has given me many new things to think about, mull over, digest and dwell on. I have learned a great deal already from this dear family-a family I find incredibly easy to love-and hope to be challenged again and again by them. I feel like a student at the feet of great teachers. I am thankful even that we are not always like-minded.

If you're reading this D and M...you know who you are and may God be praised for bringing you into our lives.

Three Men

2008-03-04T11:04:00.000-08:00

Here are the three men in my life:

Alex

BB (Bill)

Charlie

A Frosty Morning

2008-03-04T11:01:00.000-08:00

A frosty morning through my kitchen window!

The government bus...

2008-03-04T10:54:00.000-08:00

The other day Emmy was standing at the large window which faces the gravel road which passes to the south of the Blessed Life Ranch. She was waiting for her brother, Alex, to take her over to the 'big house' following her afternoon nap at the 'little house'. It was 4:15 p.m. As the school bus sped past Emmy said, with a sad inflection of her voice, "There goes the government bus!"

Think about it. The school is approved by the government, the teachers are licensed by the government, the funding is through state and federal government, the regulations are all promolgated by the government...I guess Emmy is right...it was a government bus, indeed!

Smart enough to be dumb?

2008-03-04T09:10:00.000-08:00

I continually seem to run into folks who think they are absolutely right, without question, no doubts allowed, completely sure, and fully convinced about....well, just about everything.

I think God brings these people into my life to grow me up. I used to be (sometimes still am!) one of those people. I had all the answers; I was always right; I sneered at the ignorant; and never thought too deeply about my own hidden prejudices.

As I near 60 I'm finding I know less and less for sure, but what I know for sure, I know for sure. And I am much more likely to deal in grace with another of a varying opinion. I now know what it is like to be treated as an imbecile; it is not pleasant. And the one who so acts is lacking in the most important of abiding characteristics...love. Tinkling brass, sounding cymbal.

There are alot of mysteries in this life, perhaps most of which won't be revealed until we actually arrive in glory, that other dimension of the called out.

I think God intended for us to not know all the answers. I often hear folks say, "God told me." or "I speak for Christ when I say...." Now you can do that as long as what you say comes right from the Scriptures, but it is arrogant and maybe even dangerous to ascribe to Christ what hasn't been made utterly clear in His Word.

I think I might be getting smarter as I get older because I am learning how dumb I am!

Living What You Believe

2008-03-03T15:27:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I am reluctant to continue studying the Scriptures due to my own discouragement over what I already know to do, but don't. If I practiced even 10% of what I know to be important in holy living, I would be thrilled and humbled and surprised!

I think of Paul the Apostle when he said that the things he wanted to do, he didn't and the things he knew he ought not do, he did. Story of my life.

I often equate this to dieting because....well, I have struggled with my weight most of my adult life. My dear BB and I were discussing this very thing this weekend. I told him that I am not a glutton exactly; what I am is lacking in self-control. The hard truth about one's weight is that it is almost always due to eating more than one's body needs to operate.

The one thing that keeps me from completely giving up on the whole thing is that I often weep over what others may think of my dear Lord....apparently He isn't enough. And, of course, that is not true. The fault lies with me, not with Him.

I have begged and pleaded, wept and threatened and bargained, promised and resolved to do better, to exercise more self-control. I have been desperate at times, yet still I carry more weight than I ought.

I truly believe that only the Lord Jesus is capable of coming alongside us by His comforting Spirit and giving us the resolve not to give up, to press on, to glory in His sufficiency.

We don't ever have to beg Him to be with us. He is and He has promised never to leave us or forsake us and He remains faithful even when we are faithless.

What a glorious, comforting thought. He is with us. He will not leave us.

Thank you, Lord.

Fibromyalgia!

2008-02-28T06:06:00.000-08:00

Okay, okay! Enough whining about the weather. I'll whine about something else.

I recently received a diagnosis for a chronic host of symptoms I have endured for close to 20 years, maybe more now that I think of it. Fibromyalgia evidently really is a disease and not one made up to attach to whiners, malingerers and complainers.

I may certainly be a whiner and complainer but I have never been a malingerer. I love to be busy about my home. In fact, idleness irritates me, seems wasteful. Hence, though I love solitude, I'm not actually sitting on the sofa watching soaps and eating bon-bons. Others may have time to split hairs over theological this and that. They may have much more ivory-tower-time than I do to contemplate deep issues that, frankly, I'm probably just not interested in. I prefer action. In fact, that's something I've kind of noticed about some of the intellectuals in my life (not that I have a lot of them :>): they seem to think too much and act too little. You can spend hours delving into the theology of God's love, but if you don't actually exhibit it....well, you get my drift! You can urge the importance of hospitality on others, but if you don't practice it yourself, it's just a chasing after the wind.

It's not that I don't spend time in thought. I do. Actually quite a bit of time. But I have a list every morning that I try to work through every day. Sometimes I am not too successful. It irritates me to have physical restrictions placed on what I am able to do so maybe I am still at the stage of dealing with fibromyalgia where I am a bit perturbed by the whole thing and still thinking maybe it's my own fault. Maybe I just need to 'buck up'!

I really don't have time to think about it right now. I've got work to do.

Me-n-BB

2008-02-28T06:01:00.000-08:00

Me-n-BB

Notice: We are smiling...you can see green leaves in background...healthily tanned skin...no heavy outer garments...it is summer and life is good!

Clouds....

2008-02-21T13:00:00.000-08:00

Yah! How about this picture. Taken from my Ozark patio this past summer. I'm sure if I were a really astute homeschooler I would even be able to label this cloud type...oh well.

Anyway I'm thinking: blue sky, lawn chair, sound of splashing from the pool, cry of the Killdeer, slap, slap, slap at those nasty mosquitoes, and the never-ending breezes on my face.

DO NOT AWAKEN ME....

Okay, that's it!

2008-02-20T12:13:00.000-08:00

Okay, that's it! This morning I woke up to temperatures that were 37.4 degrees BELOW zero. Henceforth, I am going to live in a haze of summer memories and I do NOT want anyone to disturb me!

Here's a field of my summer flowers that I am laying on my back in, looking at the blue sky and feeling the warmth of the sun on my face.

Please do not awaken me.....

Brrrrrrrrr!

2008-02-19T09:26:00.000-08:00

It was 24 degrees below zero this morning! Ouch! Even so I'm about the happiest gal around. I have received my garden seeds and have begun plotting my garden. We moved from the Missouri Slope country about three years ago to the flat and fertile Red River Valley of the North. Well, to say the least, growing conditions are a lot different here and I am trying to get used to it. The soil 'back home' had to be enriched periodically and the garden always seemed to be needing water, but by the time we left our home of 25 years that little garden spot on north 11th street was rich and soft and easy to work! Coming to the valley was an eye-opener. The soil here is hard, hard, hard. There's generally no need to water and slope of the ground anywhere around here is only about 1 % so drainage is slow, slow, slow. The growing season is much shorter here. Back home I usually had my garden in by the 1st of May, the 10th at the latest. Around here....probably the end of May.

But the big plus here is this soil is incredibly rich! You can grow anything (at least anything I've tried!) and it will produce large crops. We have row upon row of canned goods to prove it.

The Why of It All

2008-02-12T14:20:00.000-08:00

There are plenty of reasons for grandparents to downsize. Some want to see their loved ones possess and use many of the things that graced their homes for decades. Many would prefer to do away with the lawn mowing, garden tending and tree maintenance. Others want the freedom to travel and some just want to go south and avoid these nasty winters in the north.

Our downsizing was for completely different reasons. Leaving our home of more than twenty years, leaving our church family, our neighbors, jobs we loved, even our grocery store, dentist, doctor, optometrist and favorite eating places turned out to be more daunting than we anticipated. What could possibly cause us to take such a step at our age?

The answer was simple: We wanted to help our daughter and son-in-law in the discipling of their six children.

Being the parents of one child allowed us to make a decision to uproot and move. Our daughter and son-in-law breached the subject with us first. In fact, it hadn’t occurred to us to relocate to the eastern part of North Dakota. We thought we would have to make do with the seemingly infrequent trips to their home in the Red River Valley. However, God had different plans for us.
In August 2005 we left most of what was familiar and moved to a country location just 2 1/2 miles from the frequently flooding Red River of the North and about 25 minutes north of Fargo, N.D. We put a manufactured home on an existing farmstead. The children moved into a 1920s arts and crafts farm house. Our adventure had begun.

Living next door to grandparents used to be much more common. We have discovered in our new locale that there are quite a few rural acreages that have more than one generation in residence. For the elderly such a closeness to loved ones is very comforting and lends a sense of security. To the 'younger generation' the closeness can allow much more flexibility for the family as child care is readily available, it divides the work load and adds a deep sense of connectedness to both the young and old.

I did not have a close relationship with my grandparents. Neither did my husband. Both of us felt the lack as a true loss in the shaping of our own lives. We wanted to be able to help in the transmitting of our Christian values to our grandchildren. That cannot be done effectively from afar. The old adage that quality of time is more important than the quantity of time is a lie. Relationships take time, lots of time. Inculcating our dear ones with a Biblical worldview takes daily prayer, thought and action.

We had experience with developing a close relationship already with our two oldest grandchildren, Charlie and Alex, who spent a great deal of time with us during the first seven years of their lives. We did what we knew to do, trusting God to bring up the slack for our incompetence. We told them repeatedly that we loved them more than our own lives. They are now 17 and 15 and they are wonderful young men. We praise God for His continued work in their lives and for the deep, abiding, sacrificial love He has given us for them.

It is, after all, fully committed love and the consistent practice of virtues that will win the day in both home schooling and godly family life.

Four little sisters, Laura (6), Lily (3), and Emma and Anna (2) have been added to the mix. Each is a gift from God and we view them as our inheritance. We aspire to pass on to them a godly inheritance: a love for God that is all-encompassing, a desire to obey Him no matter the cost, and a longing to serve Him in all areas of life with undivided hearts. We walk a fine line at times because our methods and desired ends may differ somewhat from their parents. We have years of living, some godly, some ungodly, which gives us a generous repertoire of experiences to draw from in our relationships. We are learning how important it is to daily deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus.

Elisabeth Elliot in Love Has a Price Tag writes, “It is a spiritual principle as far removed from what the world tells us as heaven is removed from hell: If you are willing to lose your life, you’ll find it. It is the principle expressed by John Keble in 1822:

If on our daily course our mind
Be set to hallow all we find,
New treasures still, of countless price,
God will provide for sacrifice.

Sacrifice. This is the trademark of intergenerational relationships. Sometimes the gulf between parent and child and grandparent and grandchild is wide, due simply to the expanse of generations. But the gulf can be bridged by sacrifice, committed love and the consistent practice of virtue. It is our goal as grandparents to be a help to our daughter and son-in-law, to add maturity to the relationships and to blend all our interactions with a committed love that sees beyond the years and into eternity.

It’s all in the why, you know. The why is for the sake of God’s glorious Name. The how may differ from family to family and from homeschool to homeschool, but the why is the nitty-gritty of the matter. We chose to downsize for an eternal reason and we can cheerfully take up the cross of what can sometimes seem as weary duty and march to the glorious tune of the angels as they sing the praises of our Sovereign Lord.

There was a man grown weary of putting rocks from pile A onto pile B and then moving them from pile B back to pile A. When he felt he could take no more of the senseless work he lay down on the ground and waited for the executioner’s hand to fall. Another prisoner sidled up to him, stooped and carefully etched in the dirt a cross. And Alexander Solzhenitsyn rose to his feet placing a rock from pile A onto pile B. A cross in the dirt.

The cross is always the crux of the matter. And committed love and the unending practice of godly virtues. Ah, sweet is a life that is well-lived and holy. We have a long way to go in the realm of holy living, but we believe that God has called us to this place, for this time, for these dear ones. And we rejoice.

Quieting our souls before God

2008-02-12T08:51:00.000-08:00

It's no secret that I consider Elisabeth Elliot one of the foremost Christian women in America. In my library are all the books she has written; some I have read repeatedly. She is wise and godly and mature in her faith; a role model for all women.

In Secure in the Everlasting Arms she lists principles to help us quiet our souls before God. They are:

Go to God first. Kneel in silence. Lift up your heart and hands. Listen.
Receive the Givens and the Not-Givens. "Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure" (Psalm 16:5).
In acceptance lies peace. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27)
It is always possible to do the will of God.
Do it now. "I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands" (Psalm 119:60).
Love means sacrifice.
Choose your attitude. "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who...made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant...He humbled himself" (Phil. 2:5, 7-8).
Analyze your struggle. Is it merely delayed obedience?
Give it all to Jesus.
Do the next thing.
Give thanks every day and for everything.

Heidi

2008-02-11T10:53:00.000-08:00

I recently finished reading aloud to my youngest grandson, Alex, the sweet and gentle story of Heidi by Johanna Spyri. What a delightful book. Can you believe that I have almost reached the age of 60 without ever reading this classic!

To her friend Klara, Heidi says, "We ought to pray to the dear Lord every day. Then He will know that we do not forget that we receive everything from Him. If we do not receive what we would like, we must not think the dear Lord has not listened, and stop praying, but we must pray like this: 'Now I know, dear Lord, that You have something better in store, and I will be glad that You will be so good to me.'"

Out of the mouths of babes!

Election year......oh, brother!

2008-02-09T12:23:00.000-08:00

This election campaign stuff is just the pits! Don't get me wrong; I love living in America and being part of a representative government. But sometimes I could just scream at the length of the campaigns, the lies and posturing, the undending fluff and stuff. If I wasn't absolutely positive that God is sovereign, I would be worried. But He is, therefore I am not.

My husband (BB) and I are reading aloud Bill Bennett's (another BB!) two-volume America The Last Best Hope. We didn't own volume one but only had volume 2 so we started there. What a fabulous history lesson. We have since purchased the first in the set and are now reading about the founding of America. If a young person read only these two volumes he/she would have a very good understanding about the history of America. It reads like a novel almost and brings history to life. We love it! (Got ours at Amazon.com for less!)

2008-02-09T12:21:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of our pet dog, Maimee, and our pet alien. Cute!

2008-02-09T12:18:00.000-08:00

I decided since we were in the midst of another blizzard, ground this time, that I would bring out the fake palm trees and pretend like it was summer. Life is good in America...

2008-02-09T12:14:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's petunias in February. I brought this plant in last fall to save it from the frost and decided to just let it go dormant for a few months. A couple weeks ago I set it in the large south windows in our living room and lo, and behold! pretty soon there was tantalizing greenery and the next thing I knew it was covered with luscious white flowers. Sweet!

What do I like?

2008-02-07T12:16:00.000-08:00

I like:

the smell of petunias on a warm, humid June evening.
the feel of Emmy's little arms around my neck
the sound of Laura (Lola) as she tries to smoothly play "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" on the keyboard
the taste of salsa from Los Amigos in Bismarck
the overwhelming fragrance of apple blossums from my Bismarck backyard
the hum of flies and mosquitoes on a dry, windy August afternoon
the satisfaction of a job well-done, even if nobody knows
the sound of my daughter's voice
the gentle purrrrr of my husband as he sleeps (he had a snorectomy a couple years ago, so he doesn't really snore anymore....YEAH!)
the sound of the boys playing football in the front yard
the sweet relief of laying down at night on my pillow-top bed
the smell of fresh-baked banana bread
the sense of accomplishment when I finish reading a really tedious book
the sense of sadness when I finish reading a really GOOD book
the sweet peace of knowing that underneath are the everlasting arms
the assurance that God is in heaven, even if all is NOT well with the world
the sound of my pressure cooker, hissing, on a day filled with corn, corn, corn
the sight of Laura riding her bike down the driveway, head bent down to the handlebars, hair flying in the wind
the gentle sound of Lily singing to herself or talking to her babies
the picture of all 11 cats, nicely in a row, following Alex to the barn for their morning feeding
the glory of knowing this life is not all there is...and that the best is yet to come!

Loving Self?

2008-02-06T05:50:00.000-08:00

Loving Self?

Living in a culture where self-respect, self-esteem and self-love are paramount to good 'mental health' has led to some pretty silly teaching and theology.

Such wrong teaching proclaims that self-love is something you must work at because it doesn't come naturally. The fat woman is obese because she doesn't love herself. The sexually promiscuous acts in foolish and evil ways because he doesn't love, respect and esteem himself. Addicts (pick one: drug, alcohol, gambling, pornography) behave in self-destructive ways because they haven't learned to love themselves. Even depression, sloth, greed, envy and hate have been made into lack of self-love issues by the American culture.

The Scriptures, however, teach just the opposite. Frequently Jesus is misquoted when He said, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the Prophets. (Matt.22:37-40 ESV)

I have heard pastors preach on this passage and imply, sometimes outright state, that there are actually three commandments: love God, love your neighbor, love yourself. It is a lie. When Jesus said that all the law and the Prophets rested on two commands, He meant TWO. It was and is a given that man will love himself. And waaaay tooooo much!

Love of self is the very reason why cross bearing is so difficult. It is why we strain and complain against it. We love ourselves too much to be encumbered by burden dragging and bearing. And we beg to be released.

Generally the fat woman is carting around excess adipose because she loves herself too much to consistently say 'no' to self gratification and 'yes' to denial. The sexually promiscuous pursues physical pleasure because it IS pleasure, at least for a brief moment. Addicts of all kinds chase after their drug of choice because it gives them brief but dependable pleasure. They are not thinking 'This is bad for me. Good!'

If the obese hated themselves they would be glad they were fat! If the slothful hated themselves they would rejoice over the pig stye they live in. If the gambler hated himself he would be glad that his habit has cost him family, job and home. Why aren't they? Because they love themselves more than anything or anyone. They want to do what they want to do and they care not the cost. Such single mindedness is not self-hate, it is unhealthy love of self.

Jesus said that if we want to be His disciples we must every day deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. This leaves no room for pursuit of self-esteem.

The problem in our pleasure-drivien culture isn't that we are filled with self-loathing, it is that we love ourselves too much to practice self-denial. And this hurtful, anti-biblical philosophy is as prevalent in the church as it is in our secular culture.

It is a terrible failing of instruction by our Shepherds and it has led to a wide variety of false teaching. Our cross-walks may not mean health and wealth. It may mean poverty, ill health, rejection, loss of loved ones, chronic pain, or unrelenting sorrow.

As we instruct our children it is essential that we teach them about true love as Jesus taught. It is the kind of love that is willing to lay down our lives for another, willing to work unheralded, able to quietly suffer a wrong done to it, tolerate being misunderstood and willing to never, never fail.

Now abideth these three: faith, hope and love. But the very greatest of these is love.

2008-02-05T09:18:00.000-08:00

This is what I think of on another cold winter's day:

the soft western zephyr on a late August afternoon
the sound of thousands of frogs early in the spring...doing whatever frogs do
the cry of killdeers shooing danger from their nests
the distant hum of combines harvesting sunflowers
the cacaphony of little bird voices on an early June morning
the earthy smell of freshly turned soil in the garden
the visible, shiny, slimy trails of way too many slugs
the smell of fresh cucumbers being sliced for lunch
the cinnamon fragrance of masses of nodding petunias

Okay....I'm wishing for summer.....no apologies!

2008-02-04T16:43:00.000-08:00

This is our idea of sledding on the flat, flat land in the Red River Valley of the North. Someone gets on the 4-wheeler (in this case grandpa), Charlie sits on the back of the vehicle, Lily sits on Grandpa's lap and Alex, Laura and the dog ride on the sled behind.

Grandma has enough sense to just take pictures!

2008-02-04T16:39:00.000-08:00

With a recent diagnosis, appropriate medication and a fun type of incentive, I think I am finally beginning to handle life 'on the farm.'

2008-02-01T09:15:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I lay awake at night, actually lots of times I lay awake at night, and for months now I have begun praying around the U.S. I have a specific group in mind--a group I have been acquainted with through a national home school conference. So I usually start in California with Paul and Mary S., the couple I know there, and proceed up the 'left' coast. I then work my way across Idaho, Montana, North Dakota...well, you get the picture. I usually end up down in Georgia praying for Ken and MariJo P. It has helped me to use the awake hours more productively (it's a lot better than tossing and turning) and I have had the privilege of praying for long-distance friends. Sometimes I think that is exactly why God gives me so many sleepless nights. It also brings a peace and sweet contentment. I have awakened so many mornings now at around 3:30 a.m. that I think it is probably a divine appointment from here on out!

2008-01-30T09:15:00.001-08:00

It was -30.2 degrees (actual air temperature!) this morning. With the recent wind chills of -50 to -60 degrees it is just too cold to do much of anything. Isn't it wonderful to live in America at this time in history when we have central heating, indoor plumbing and a host of other life-easing helps?

I love America! If you think you might like to try living, say, in Afghanistan, be sure to read A Thousand Splendid Suns. Written by an Afghani-American, it is one of the most bittersweet novels I have ever read and its effect hasn't left my spirit yet! Are all cultures equal? I think not.

2008-01-30T09:09:00.000-08:00

It was -30.2 degrees this morning. With the recent wind chills of -50 to -60 degrees it is just too cold to do much of anything. Isn't it wonderful to live in America at this time in history when we have central heating, indoor plumbing and a host of other life-easing helps?

I love America! If you think you might like to try living, say, in Afghanistan, be sure to read A Thousand Splendid Suns. Written by an Afghani-American, it is one of the most bittersweet novels I have ever read and its effect hasn't lift my spirit yet! Are all cultures equal? I think not.

2008-01-27T12:14:00.000-08:00

Well, it's a balmy day (near 25 degrees) today. After church we went over to the Big House (we live in the Little House) and had a delicious lentil-split pea soup with cornbread, jello and pie for dessert. Mmmmm, it was good.

There are advantages to living in the country and many, many to living next door to kith and kin. We live near our daughter and son-in-love and their six children. Of course, living in the country also requires having cats...we have 11 of them...and absolutely no mice! Three dogs make up the remainder of the inhabitants of the Blessed Life Ranch.

One of my favorite sites is to see Alex (my 15-year-old grandson) head out to do the chores in the morning with 11 cats following him to the barn for breakfast. It's like the pied piper of Hamlin.

I got my first shipment of garden seeds this past week. We plan to put in about 12,000 sq. ft. of garden. The last two years we have had very bountiful harvests despite some early spring flooding. I love gardening. I don't think anyone else here on the ranch has the same fervency about it, but it doesn't matter, because I'm going to plant and plant BIG as long as I am able. Last two years we have canned hundreds of jars of pickles, carrots, corn, green beans, peaches, cherries, and made enough jelly from the plum trees in the shelter belts to last the whole year. I love it! This year we hope to have enough peas to freeze. Last fall I found a shrewd way to use our bountiful crop of buttercup squash. Instead of hoping the squash won't spoil before we get it all eaten, I nuked them slightly to make them easy to clean then scooped out the luscious orange yum yums and froze it. What a great idea...we can have squash anytime we want without having to cut and cook etc. And it tastes like it just came out of the garden.

I plan to post during the entire gardening extravaganza so if you have an interest be sure to check back. I will be starting my green peppers by the middle of March and the tomatoes by the first of April.

2008-01-26T14:38:00.000-08:00

Life is so much better and less anxious when we learn that God is sovereign. It is greatly releasing when one discovers that though God loves you, He doesn't need you to complete His plans. He is never surprised when we fail to live up to His holy standard and wonder of wonder...His mercies are new every morning. Think about that!

I've never been much of a morning person although as the decades have passed I have become one. I have grown to love the quiet, peace and solitude of the early morning on a summer day. In the Valley you can see the sun come up and set every single clear day. And I have now seen thousands of sunsets in my life yet I can still be heard to say "Isn't that beautiful?!" I hope I never lose that child-like awe about God's glorious creation.