Love Them Fiercely
More for the mommy-inspiration files, from Kim at Upward Call. I asked her if I could share this here, because it wasn't originally posted on her blog or written with mothers in mind. Instead, these were ideas she was mulling and had in mind for a younger group of Believers, those who are not yet parents. Still these were the words I needed to read and again turned my heart towards Christ and my children.
As a parent, I have learned a lot. As a parent, I have re-visited how I was parented and how I behaved as a child. Of course, sin mars all we do, and there were mistakes I made as a child that I wish I could erase. While Christ has forgiven me for them, they remain in my memory.
It is the same thing with being a parent. I am sure that someday, I will have even more regrets than I do already for things done and not done.
One thing I can say, however, in encouragement to you who have yet to be parents is this: encourage your children.
There is nothing more devestating than being a child who never gets any encouragement for what he does. Some parents will tell all their friends how wonderful their children are, but will never tell the child to her face. Some parents are full of criticism, condemnation, and rules that have no rational explanation, and the kid never know which way is up. I know that I have not always been encouraging as a parent. I need to daily, verbally, emotionally, and even with a hug, encourage my kids.
Kids who grow up with no encouragement may become people who don't encourage. Kids who grow up with unmerciful, legalistic rules may become unmerciful, legalistic people. I have been married long enough to know how difficult it is to shed the baggage from my childhood. Sometimes, without meaning to, we simply mimick parenting we received. Now, if it's good parenting, that's one thing, but all too often we repeat the mistakes of our parents. We need to pray to God for deliverance from ungodly parenting ways.
So, young people, when you become parents -- and that is not all that far in the future, you know; just think how fast the past ten years have gone and you will realize how fast the next ten are going to go -- ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILDREN. Tell them when they've done well. Discipline them IN LOVE AND WITH MERCY when they make mistakes. And love them fiercely.
May 04, 2008 | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
I John - Bible Study Resources
This past Wednesday, I went to a women's Bible study. It's the first one I've been to in several years. In part because other studies have been held at a very difficult time for me to attend, and in part because I don't want to take the time to attend a book study. While there are some excellent Christian living and learning books published, if I go to a Bible study then I really do want to study the Bible. (Though, I also do appreciate other get together with women of the church for getting to know one another.)
So this women's Bible study is going through the book of I John. Since I won't be able to attend every week, I want to set aside extra time for personal study and meditation. I've found a site from which to download an audio version for my MP3 player. I think the boys and I are also going to read through it a few times together (and perhaps use it for some memory work?)
Poythress on Biblical Interpretation
Thomas Boston's Useful Directions
Metachoi's Short Course in Hermeneutics
April 28, 2008 | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Reading Ebenezer
If you haven't been keeping reading Dr. Camille Lewis's Ebenezer blog series, it's not too late to catch up. The story of God's grace and faithfulness is wrapped in the narrative of her mothering and academic journeys.
- Here I raise my Ebenezer. #1
- Ebenezer 2.0
- The Ezz and I (Ebenezer 2.1)
- Ebenezer — A Threepeat
- Ebenezer 2004 — Our First Outing
- Another Ebenezer — Reading is Fundamental
- Ebenezer — A Second Chance
- Ebenezer 2006 — A Gavin is Born!
- Ebenezer Vista — The Big Outing
- Ebenezer — The Meeting
- Ebenezer — The Chapter
- Ebenezer — The Document
- Ebenezer — The Ultimatum
- Ebenezer — The Resignation
- Ebenezer — The Dénouement
The series isn't finished yet--I'll add the rest of the links as they are published. Grab a cup of coffee and take some time to read and reflect.
Update 3/24/08: Added links to the final chapters in this story of remembrance of God's faithfulness. It takes time to read through and absorb, but those who do take that time -- I know that you will be challenged and encouraged.
March 24, 2008 | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Христос воскрес! Воистину воскрес!
Hear the bells ringing
They're singing that you can be born again
Hear the bells ringing
They're singing Christ is risen from the deadThe angel up on the tombstone
Said He has risen, just as He said
Quickly now, go tell his disciples
That Jesus Christ is no longer deadJoy to the word, He has risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujahHear the bells ringing
They're singing that you can
be healed right now
Hear the bells ringing, they're singing
Christ, He will reveal it nowThe angels, they all surround us
And they are ministering Jesus' power
Quickly now, reach out and receive it
For this could be your glorious hourJoy to the world, He has risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah, hallelujahThe angel up on the tombstone
Said He has risen, just as He said
Quickly now, go tell his disciples
That Jesus Christ is no longer deadJoy to the world, He has risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah
Hallelujah!
March 23, 2008 | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
O Sacred Heart Now Wounded
But Jesus know -- there was no other way. All the poison of sin was going to have to go into his own heart. God was going to pour into Jesus' heart all the sadness and brokenness in people's hearts. He was going to pour into Jesus' body all the sickness in people's bodies. God was going to have to blame his Son for everything that had gone wrong. It would crush Jesus.
But there was something else, something even more horrible. When people ran away from God, they lost God -- it was what happened when they ran away. Not being close to God was like a punishment. Jesus was going to take that punishment.
Jesus know what that meant. He was going to lose his Father -- and that, Jesus knew, would break his heart in two.
. . .
The full force of the storm of God's fierce anger at sin was coming down. On his own Son. Instead of his people. It was the only way God could destroy sin, and not destroy his children whose hearts were filled with sin.
Then Jesus shouted out in a loud voice, "It is finished!"
And it was. He had done it. Jesus had rescued the whole world.
(As told in the Jesus Storybook Bible)
March 22, 2008 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
The Iniquity of Us All
The blood remains as red
That colours our spirits white
The blood remains as warm
That paints black skies with fire
...
But clouds are round about You...
And shadows veil Your eyes
...
The Ghost is ever sure
Who holds tight for precious life
The blood remains as rich
That poor sinners drink like wine
The blood remains as warm
That paints black skies with fire
"But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. . .
"[T]here followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. But turning to them Jesus said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!'. . .
"And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!". . .
It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last."
Remembering.
March 21, 2008 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Prayer of St. Patrick
I bind unto myself today the strong name of the Trinity
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One, and One in Three.I bind this day to me forever,
by power of faith, Christ's incarnation,
his baptism in the Jordan river,
his death on cross for my salvation,
his bursting from the spiced tomb,
his riding up the heavenly way,
his coming at the day of doom:
I bind unto myself today.I bind unto myself today the virtues of the starlit heaven,
the glorious sun's lifegiving ray,
the whiteness of the moon at even,
the flashing of the lightning free,
the whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,
the stable earth, the deep salt sea
around the old eternal rocks.I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead,
his eye to watch, his might to stay,
his ear to hearken to my need,
the wisdom of my God to teach,
his hand to guide, his shield to ward,
the word of God to give me speech,
his heavenly host to be my guard.
Against the demon snares of sin,
the vice that gives temptation force,
the natural lusts that war within,
the hostile men that mar my course -
or few or many, far or nigh,
in every place, and in all hours,
against their fierce hostility
I bind to me these holy powers.Against all Satan's spells and wiles,
against false words of heresy,
against the knowledge that defiles,
against the heart's idolatry,
against the wizard's evil craft,
against the death-wound and the burning,
the choking wave, the poisoned shaft,
protect me, Christ, till thy returning.Christ be with me,
Christ within me,
Christ before me,
Christ beside me,
Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ in quiet,
Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.I bind unto myself the name,
the strong name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One and One in Three,
of whom all nature hath creation,
eternal Father, Spirit, Word.
Praise to the Lord of my salvation:
salvation is of Christ the Lord.
Amen.
Attributed to St Patrick c 389 - 461
Of course, being the good Presbyterians we are, along with singing Be Thou My Vision the boys wore orange.
March 17, 2008 | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Branches of Palm Trees and Hosannas
The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out,
"Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,
even the King of Israel!"And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,
"Fear not, daughter of Zion;
behold, your king is coming,
sitting on a donkey’s colt!"His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.
The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. So the Pharisees said to one another, "You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him."
Hosanna, hosanna. . .blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!
Today we read the passage of the Triumphal Entry from each of the Gospels. Less than a week after this mass recognition that Jesus was sent from God, he was rejected and crucified.
The boys asked, "Why?" Why did the people crucify Him so soon after proclaiming He was sent from God?
As we talked, we recognized that all of us have the tendency to both recognize God and reject God. That sinfulness in our heart will want to reject the Lord, even though we KNOW he is Lord.
And we prayed. And repented.
March 16, 2008 | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Whate'er My God Ordains Is Right
Whate’er my God ordains is right,
Holy His will abideth.
I will be still whate’er He does,
And follow where He guideth.
He is my God,
Though dark my road.
He holds me that I shall not fall
Wherefore to Him I leave it allWhate’er my God ordains is right,
He never will deceive me
He leads me by the proper path,
I know He will not leave me
I take, content,
What He hath sent
His hand can turn my griefs away
And patiently I wait His dayWhate’er my God ordains is right,
Though now this cup in drinking
May bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it all unshrinking
My God is true,
Each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart
And pain and sorrow shall departWhate’er my God ordains is right,
Here shall my stand be taken
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
Yet I am not forsaken
My Father’s care
Is round me there
He holds me that I shall not fall
And so to Him I leave it all
This is the prayer of my soul, along with Anne, Kristen and Camille.
March 14, 2008 | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Nourishment to my Soul
This week I've been listening to Tim Keller's sermon series The Trouble with Christianity: Why it's so Hard to Believe it. These sermons have been so nourishing to my soul, especially the ones on doubt and suffering. This preaching is so basic and Christ-focused, but not at all simplistic. Listening drives my heart to worship our God.
Exclusivity: How can there be just one true religion?
1 John 4:1-10
Suffering: If God is good, why is there so much evil in the world?
1 Peter 1:3-12
Absolutism: Don't we all have to find truth for ourselves?
Galatians 2:4-16
Injustice: Hasn't Christianity been an instrument for oppression?
James 2:1-17
Hell: Isn't the God of Christianity an angry Judge?
Luke 16:19-31
Doubt: What should I do with my doubts?
John 20:1-18
Literalism: Isn't the Bible historically unreliable and regressive?
Luke 1:1-4; 24:13-32
March 02, 2008 | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Sealing My Heart
Come, thou Fount of ev'ry blessing,
Tune my heart to sing thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise,
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above;
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,
Mount of God's unchanging love.Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Hither by thy help I'm come;
And I hope, by thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wand'ring from the fold of God:
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed his precious blood.O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be;
Let that grace now, like a fetter,
Bind my wand'ring heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for thy courts above.
This hymn has been a reverberating theme this week in my heart, my life, my online interactions. So it seemed very fitting that it was part of the worship singing at church this morning. Tune my heart to sing thy grace. . .
February 24, 2008 | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Sola Scriptura and the Value of Books
"[Christians] often hear and repeat, “My Bible is all I need.” And while I understand and affirm the sentiment that God’s Word is well. . . . GOD’s WORD, the expression is full of hubris. It’s not that God’s Word is incomplete or inaccurate or insufficient. We are. It’s the old four blind men and the elephant problem. If that Eastern example doesn’t do it for you, there’s always good ol’ Francis Bacon. In sum, idols distract us. We’re blinded by our infirmed humanity (idols of the tribe), our idiosyncratic personhood (idols of the cave), our reified culture (idols of the marketplace), and our inadequate education (idols of the theatre). One way of seeing around those idols that stand in our way of understanding God’s Wor(l)d is through a iron-sharpening looking outside of ourselves. Otherwise, we just see ourselves in Scripture instead of seeing God. That’s why God gave us the Church — to edify each other and point out our blindspots. We’re not islands unto ourselves. Or we shouldn’t be!"
February 22, 2008 | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Here I Raise My Ebenezer
I encourage everyone--mothers, fathers, Believers, everyone--to take the time to thoughtfully read through Camille Lewis's second part of a journey in grace and faithfulness.
February 15, 2008 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Why I Study Psychology and Theology
Nearly all the wisdom we possess -- almost everything we know -- can be summed up under the knowledge of God and the knowledge of ourselves.
January 31, 2008 | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Shepherd of My Heart
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
January 30, 2008 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Tender Shepherd
Saviour, like a Shepherd lead us,
Much we need thy tend'rest care;
In thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use thy folds prepare:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, thine we are.We are thine; do thou befriend us,
Be the Guardian of our way;
Keep thy flock, from sin defend us,
Seek us when we go astray:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Hear the children when they pray.Thou hast promised to receive us,
Poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us,
Grace to cleanse, and pow'r to free:
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Let us early turn to thee.Early let us seek thy favor;
Early let us do thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Saviour,
With thy love our bosoms fill
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still.
January 27, 2008 | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Meditation
Peace I leave with you,
my peace I give unto you:
not as the world giveth,
give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid.
January 22, 2008 | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Comfort
I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever living Head.He lives to bless me with His love,
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed,
He lives to help in time of need.He lives triumphant from the grave,
He lives eternally to save,
He lives all glorious in the sky,
He lives exalted there on high.He lives to grant me rich supply,
He lives to guide me with His eye,
He lives to comfort me when faint,
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.He lives to silence all my fears,
He lives to wipe away my tears
He lives to calm my troubled heart,
He lives all blessings to impart.He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly Friend,
He lives and loves me to the end;
He lives, and while He lives, I’ll sing;
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives, and I shall conquer death:
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.He lives, all glory to His Name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives,
I know that my Redeemer lives!
January 19, 2008 | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Psalms of Thanksgiving: Psalm 100
Psalm 100Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!For the Lord is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.
November 22, 2007 | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Psalms of Thanksgiving: Psalm 30
I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up
and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.As for me, I said in my prosperity,
“I shall never be moved.”
By your favor, O Lord,
you made my mountain stand strong;
you hid your face;
I was dismayed.To you, O Lord, I cry,
and to the Lord I plead for mercy:
“What profit is there in my death,
if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it tell of your faithfulness?
Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me!
O Lord, be my helper!”You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
you have loosed my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness,
that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
November 21, 2007 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Psalms of Thanksgiving: Psalm 65
Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion,
and to you shall vows be performed.
O you who hear prayer,
to you shall all flesh come.
When iniquities prevail against me,
you atone for our transgressions.
Blessed is the one you choose and bring near,
to dwell in your courts!
We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house,
the holiness of your temple!By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness,
O God of our salvation,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas;
the one who by his strength established the mountains,
being girded with might;
who stills the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
the tumult of the peoples,
so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs.
You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.You visit the earth and water it;
you greatly enrich it;
the river of God is full of water;
you provide their grain,
for so you have prepared it.
You water its furrows abundantly,
settling its ridges,
softening it with showers,
and blessing its growth.
You crown the year with your bounty;
your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.
The pastures of the wilderness overflow,
the hills gird themselves with joy,
the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,
the valleys deck themselves with grain,
they shout and sing together for joy.
November 20, 2007 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Psalms of Thanksgiving: Psalm 24
The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein,
for he has founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
He will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. SelahLift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle!
Lift up your heads, O gates!
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory! Selah
November 19, 2007 | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Psalms of Thanksgiving: Psalm 34
I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!I sought the Lord, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant,
and their faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him have no lack!
The young lions suffer want and hunger;
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
What man is there who desires life
and loves many days, that he may see good?
Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking deceit.
Turn away from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
and his ears toward their cry.
The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
He keeps all his bones;
not one of them is broken.
Affliction will slay the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
November 18, 2007 | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Psalms of Thanksgiving: Psalm 67
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us.
God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him!
November 17, 2007 | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Psalms of Thanksgiving: Psalm 111
Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord,
studied by all who delight in them.Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
the Lord is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy;
they are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!
November 16, 2007 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Hubby Update
I've been so amazed and humbled at the outpouring of concern, prayers, and support from people online and in real life. I've been hesitant to share details until we have a diagnosis--which we still do not have. Of the four most likely scenarios initially presented by the doctor, the three mildest have been ruled out. The fourth and most serious, while not completely ruled out, was not confirmed by a clinical exam and next Friday Hubby will do some more medical testing that may take it off the table. That is our hope, though. . . it could still be a possibility. At that point, it is possible Hubby and his doc will be back to square one, as to evaluating the most likely causes for the symptoms he's been having.
Overall, though, we are at a place emotionally and spiritually where we were not two weeks ago--just being in the moment, taking each day, being hopeful, not speculating. . . Physically, Hubby's symptoms are still presenting, his energy is low. . . His thesis advisor has okayed a break from his research, and when we get a diagnosis, we'll evaluate the next step. He's still homeschooling the boys, though we're relying upon workbooks more than before.
The past few weeks I've been doing okay--and then this week, I've just been worn out and fell apart a few times emotionally. (Hence, the long delay in updating y'all. I just. . . couldn't.) I went to sleep at 7:30 pm the other night and slept 11 hours solid. Fighting off a cold. It was like as soon as we could take a breath and relax a little about Hubby, it all hit me.
Again, thank you for your encouragement and prayers. They mean a lot to us. We seek secure in the Father's hand. And we'll be sharing more as we know more.
November 10, 2007 | Comments (15) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
At The Foot of the Cross
Go on up to the mountain of mercy
To the crimson perpetual tide
Kneel down on the shore
Be thirsty no more
Go under and be purifiedFollow Christ to the Holy mountain
Sinner, sorry and wrecked by the fall
Cleanse your heart and your soul
In the fountain that flows
For you and for me and for allAt the wonderful tragic mysterious tree
On that beautiful scandalous night you and me
Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white
On that beautiful scandalous nightOn the hillside you will be delivered
At the foot of the cross, justified
And your spirit restored
By the river that pours
From our blessed Saviour’s sideGo on up to the mountain of mercy
To the crimson perpetual tide
Kneel down on the shore
Be thirsty no more
Go under and be purified
November 06, 2007 | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Reformation Hymn
"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"
A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Our helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe --
His craft and pow'r are great,
And armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide
Our striving would be losing,
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He --
Lord Sabaoth His name,
From age to age the same --
And He must win the battle.
And tho this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph thru us.
The prince of darkness grim --
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo! his doom is sure --
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly pow'rs --
No thanks to them abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Thru Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still --
His kingdom is forever.--Martin Luther
My boys sing this hymn lustily and know every stanza.
October 31, 2007 | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Moderns and Mystics
"It seems to me that in our day we take the pattern and measure of our religion too commonly from what is popular, that is bustling outward and full of éclat. But it may appear in another world that some of the mightiest influences have proceeded from souls of great quiet."
October 26, 2007 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
A Corrective Comedy.
This is worth reading all the way to the end.
Really. Go ahead and click on the link. Read it--it's worth it.
October 22, 2007 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
O Sacred Head Now Wounded
O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown;
How pale Thou art with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish, which once was bright as morn!What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered, was all for sinners’ gain;
Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior! ’Tis I deserve Thy place;
Look on me with Thy favor, vouchsafe to me Thy grace.Men mock and taunt and jeer Thee, Thou noble countenance,
Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee and flee before Thy glance.
How art thou pale with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!
How doth Thy visage languish that once was bright as morn!Now from Thy cheeks has vanished their color once so fair;
From Thy red lips is banished the splendor that was there.
Grim death, with cruel rigor, hath robbed Thee of Thy life;
Thus Thou hast lost Thy vigor, Thy strength in this sad strife.My burden in Thy Passion, Lord, Thou hast borne for me,
For it was my transgression which brought this woe on Thee.
I cast me down before Thee, wrath were my rightful lot;
Have mercy, I implore Thee; Redeemer, spurn me not!What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest friend,
For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever, and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to Thee.My Shepherd, now receive me; my Guardian, own me Thine.
Great blessings Thou didst give me, O source of gifts divine.
Thy lips have often fed me with words of truth and love;
Thy Spirit oft hath led me to heavenly joys above.Here I will stand beside Thee, from Thee I will not part;
O Savior, do not chide me! When breaks Thy loving heart,
When soul and body languish in death’s cold, cruel grasp,
Then, in Thy deepest anguish, Thee in mine arms I’ll clasp.The joy can never be spoken, above all joys beside,
When in Thy body broken I thus with safety hide.
O Lord of Life, desiring Thy glory now to see,
Beside Thy cross expiring, I’d breathe my soul to Thee.My Savior, be Thou near me when death is at my door;
Then let Thy presence cheer me, forsake me nevermore!
When soul and body languish, oh, leave me not alone,
But take away mine anguish by virtue of Thine own!Be Thou my consolation, my shield when I must die;
Remind me of Thy passion when my last hour draws nigh.
Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, upon Thy cross shall dwell,
My heart by faith enfolds Thee. Who dieth thus dies well.--Bernard of Clairvaux, trans. J.W. Alexander
Today was a communion Sunday.
October 14, 2007 | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Waldensian Wisdom
The Vaudois Teacher “O Lady fair, these silks of mine are beautiful and rare,__
The richest web of the Indian loom, which beauty’s queen might wear;
And my pearls are pure as thy own fair neck, with whose radiant light they vie;
I have brought them with me a weary way, __ will my gentle lady buy?”The lady smiled on the worn old man through the dark and clustering curls
Which veiled her brow, as she bent to view his silks and glittering pearls;
And she placed their price in the old man’s hand and lightly turned away,
But she paused at the wanderer’s earnest call, __ “My gentle lady, stay!“O Lady fair, I have yet a gem which a purer luster flings,
Than the diamond flash of the jeweled crown on the lofty brow of kings:
A wonderful pearl of exceeding price, whose virtue shall not decay,
Whose light shall be as a spell to thee and a blessing on thy way!”The lady glanced at the mirroring steel where her form of grace was seen,
Where her eye shone clear, and her dark looks waved their clasping pearls between;
“Bring forth thy pearl of exceeding worth, thou traveller gray and old,
And name the price of thy precious gem, and my page shall count thy gold.”The cloud went off from the pilgrim’s brow, as a small and meager book,
Unchased with gold or gem of cost, from his folding robe he took!
“Here, lady fair, is the pearl of price, may it prove as such to thee!
Nay, keep thy gold __ I ask it not, for the word of God is free!”The hoary traveler went his way, but the gift he left behind
Hath had its pure and perfect work on that highborn maiden’s mind,
And she hath turned from the pride of sin to the lowliness of truth,
And given her heart to God in its beautiful hour of youth!And she hath left the gray old halls, where an evil faith had power,
The courtly knights of her fathers train, and the maidens of her bower;
And she hath gone to the Vaudois vales by lordly feet untrod,
Where the poor and needy of earth are rich in the perfect love of God!
October 06, 2007 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Yeah. What She Said.
Quoting Devona, about Lutherama:
Discipline? Means of Grace?
I try not to meddle in the parenting of others. It’s their business, but I obviously have my opinions. I mostly have oppositions to the “Christian Parenting” giants who like to write books making generalizations about how to parent my child unto godliness, all the while knowing nothing about me. I don’t just disagree with their methods, I disagree with their theology and their lack of discretion. How do they know to whom they are teaching? How do they know their methods are being properly prescribed? And mostly, how can they not see that this method of “discipline” obscures the person and work of Christ when a parent cannot forgive their chid until there has been punishment for their sins? Are not our Christian children under the Fount of Grace as much as we are?Here is a wonderful take on the topic over at Lutherama. Don’t just read my post on it. I have only skimmed the subject since she has done such excellent work, I would only be repeating, so make sure you click the link.
(Yes, I'm still Presbyterian.)
September 20, 2007 | Comments (13) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Instructor and Teacher
Be gracious, O Instructor, to us Thy children,
Father, charioteer of Israel,
Son and Father, both in one, O Lord.
Grant to us who obey Thy precepts,
that we may perfect the likeness of Thy image,
and with all our power know Him
Who is the good God and not a harsh judge.And do Thou Thyself cause that all of us
who have our conversation in Thy peace,
who have been translated into Thy commonwealth,
having sailed tranquilly over the billows of sin,
may be wafted in calm by Thy Holy Spirit,
by the ineffable wisdom,
by night and day to the perfect day;
and giving thanks may praise,
and praising thank the Father and Son,
Son and Father, the Son, instructor and teacher,
with the Holy Spirit,
all in one, in whom is all, for whom all is one,
for whom is eternity, whose members we all are,
whose glory the heavens are;
for the all good, all lovely, all wise, all just one.To whom be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
September 15, 2007 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Shepherd of Tender Youth
Shepherd of tender youth, guiding in love and truth
Through devious ways: Christ, our triumphant King,
We come Thy Name to sing;
Hither our children bring, to shout Thy praise.Thou art our holy Lord, the all-subduing Word,
Healer of strife: Thou didst Thyself abase,
That from sin's deep disgrace,
Thou mightest save our race, and give us life.So now and till we die, sound we Thy praises high,
And joyful sing: infants, and the glad throng,
Who to Thy church belong,
Unite to swell the song to Christ our King. Amen.
September 02, 2007 | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink
Sunday Evening Must Read
Growth and God. Grace and struggles. Mothering and loss. Life turned upside down, but God holding tight.
That's why this post is a must read.
August 19, 2007 | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0) | Permalink