TulipGirl

And can it be that I should gain
an interest in the Savior’s blood!
Died he for me? who caused his pain!
For me? who him to death pursued?

Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

‘Tis mystery all: th’ Immortal dies!
Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
to sound the depths of love divine.

‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.
‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.

He left his Father’s throne above
(so free, so infinite his grace!),
emptied himself of all but love,
and bled for Adam’s helpless race.

‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;

my chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine;
alive in him, my living Head,
and clothed in righteousness divine,

bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788
Music: Thomas Campbell
Listen: Hymnsite.com

In times when there is grievous sin, never forget that there is more grace in Christ than there is sin in your heart and your child’s heart combined. In Christ there is a way back from the far country of a life style even for children who have given full expression to heart depravity.” –Sinclair Ferguson

Update: Carol has more on this.

From a recent Christian History Corner article:

In their teaching on the fifth commandment (“Honor thy father and thy mother

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Hubby and I have been nearly in tears laughing at the Diana Goodman’s sarcastic commentary on Bad Baby Names. We’ve had a few raised eyebrows at our kids names, so I’m not pointing any fingers. . . But really, what were these people thinking?

One of the trends that amuses me is the name-girls-after-a-president one. Like Madison, Kennedy, Reagan, Carter. Before long it’ll be McKinley, Clinton, Roosevelt, QuincyAdams, and Taft.

(via Poppins Classical Academy)

“One word, Ma’am,” he said, coming back from the fire; limping because of the pain. “One word. All you’ve been saying is quite right, I shouldn’t wonder. I’m a chap who always liked to know the worst and then put the best face I can on it. So I won’t deny any of what you said. But there’s one thing more to be said, even so. Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things — trees and grass and sun and moon and stars and Aslan himself. Suppose we have. Then all I can say is that, in that case, the made-up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones. Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. And that’s a funny thing, when you come to think of it. We’re just babies making up a game, if you’re right. But four babies playing a game can make a play-world which licks your real world hollow. That’s why I’m going to stand by the play world. I’m on Aslan’s side even if there isn’t any Aslan to lead it. I’m going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn’t any Narnia. So, thanking you kindly for our supper, if these two gentlemen and the young lady are ready, we’re leaving your court at once and setting out in the dark to spend our lives looking for Overland. Not that our lives will be very long, I should think; but that’s small loss if the world’s as dull a place as you say.”

–Puddleglum,
To the Lady of the Green Kirtle, the Queen of Underland;
in The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis

Immediately after reading this passage to the boys, I called Hubby in and read it to him. I was so moved by Puddleglum’s staunch pronouncement of fealty to The Lion.

And while I believe Biblical Christianity to be objectively true and in line with the reality we can observe in this world, in my heart I would embrace the God of the Bible for His love, grace, holiness, and sovereignty–even if it were simply make-believe, because it is so full of richness compared to the hollowness of this world.

Jeff, of the Dawn Treader, seems to be reading the Chronicles of Narnia at about the same pace we are. He recently posted about this same chapter, but from the angle of faith and obedience.

This guy decided to grade the flag of each country, based on his very subjective, personal criteria.

Ukraine got a B-. His comment? “Bad colors.”

I don’t understand that–the clear blue of the sky over a golden yellow field of sunflowers. I mean, it’s not like it’s purple and orange.

A couple of his grades seemed like they could have been politically motivated. But Carol and Andrea will be pleased with how their country’s flag fared.

(Via Andrew)

Does anyone who is reading have the initials B.W. ?

TIA!

I’m from Gryffindor!
Hogwart’s Sorting Hat Quiz
made by The Genki Gang

We watched HP3 with the boys earlier this week–in Russian. Hubby recently finished reading it to the boys, so they new the story and we were a bit too impatient to wait for an English copy. I enjoyed it, but was a little annoyed at how many disconnects there were between the grounds at Hogwarts in this film compared to the previous ones. (I like how the new HW grounds look–but miss the spreading, green lawn and the Herbology greenhouse.) Also, Professor Lupin just didn’t look right to me–though he acted the part very well.

Does anyone know when the next Harry Potter book comes out?

(Quiz via Andrea)

It’s long been known that premies benefit from “kangaroo care,” skin-to-skin responsive contact. The April issue of Pediatrics published new information. “Research in full-term newborns found more good results. The newborns that had kangaroo care shortly after birth slept longer and were mostly in a quiet sleep state compared to those who didn’t have it.” Read more in laymen’s terms or in the technical version.

Last week, a church in Australia banned breastfeeding by mothers during playgroup, for the inane reason that it “might offend passing tradesmen or ethnic groups.”

Thankfully, other churches encourage breastfeeding mamas. I remember when we visited Marco Island Presbyterian and I saw an invitation to a monthly La Leche League meeting held in the church nursery. If churches don’t embrace the way the Creator designed mothers and children, who will?

On Monday, we went with our friends Sergei and Lena to Chernivskya (sp?), a small city about two hours north of here by marshrutka. It was a perfect day for walking around, seeing the old churches (from the 10th century forward), ancient sculptures from even before then, and just enjoying being out of Kyiv. I was amazed at how quiet the city was, and how fresh smelling. It was a wonderful day with dear friends.

Me with R5, J7, C3, T6 (left to right.)

Another new story at Voices of Experience:

“When J. was about 3 and a half months old, I started thinking he looked a little skinny. Everybody told me I was silly. Then he started fighting when I wanted him to nurse. And sometimes he would wake up half an hour into his nap crying. I, being a “mother in charge”, let him cry himself back to sleep. It only took a few minutes usually. But I was concerned. What was going on?

We went to his 4-month appointment and he weighed in at 11 pounds, 6 ounces. He had lost nearly a pound in 2 months, where he should have gained at least 3.

I was horrified.”

It was hard for me to read K.M.’s story, because it was so similar to what we lived through when applying the principles from Ezzo’s Babywise* book. Thankfully, K.M. quickly connected the cause of Ezzo’s misinformation with the effect of her son’s weight loss, sleep problems, and milk supply loss and had a wonderful outcome when she tossed out Babywise with the bathwater.

*Babywise is the secular version of Let the Children Come Along the Infant Way, formerly known as Preparation for Parenting.

Update: Tim at Challies.com has some interesting things to add about Ezzo. Konkadoo, Rasita, and Shane are also blogging about Ezzo this week.

I just found out that Kevin Bywater has a blog. Cool. I met him in. . . what. . . 1992? And saw him again when passing through Manitou Springs in 2001. It’s fun seeing pics of his family, and I’m pretty sure this will be a regular read.

(via Mark Horne)

I’m sitting here eating fresh bread, spread with cool butter and warm strawberry jam. A taste of heaven.

Two batches done, one to go. . .

I have 7 kilograms of strawberries to jam! What am I doing sitting here?!

The letter seeks to provide a definition of racism, a theological perspective on racism, pastoral responses to racism and discussion of pastoral issues relating to racism. Racism is an explicit or implicit belief or practice that qualitatively distinguishes or values one race over other races. From a biblical perspective, it is the position of the General Assembly that racism, as it is defined in the letter, is sin, and that repentance must follow both individually and corporately.

I recommend reading and reflecting upon the complete PCA Pastoral Letter on Racism.