How to Respond to Eastern Religions -- finished Jan 7
Crunchy Cons, by Dreher -- finished Jan 13
The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You,
by Aron
Let's Roll, by Beamer
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
Light in the Dark Belt: The Story of Rosa Young
Wild Swans, by Chang -- finished Feb 25
On Being a Theologian of the Cross, by Forde
Holy Housewifery -- finished Jan 17
Flatland
Pioneer Girl (biography of Laura)
Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good, by Karon
Beyond the Mists, by Benchley
Cutting for Stone, by Verghese
Re-reads:
Narnia
Harry Potter
Hammer of God
With Maggie:
Anne of Ingleside -- finished Jan 16
Rainbow Valley
Rilla of Ingleside
Penderwicks -- finished Feb 24
Carry On, Mr Bowditch
On to Oregon
Broken: 7 "Christian" Rules Every Christian Ought to Break
Swallows and Amazon series
or Little House series (again)
or Little Britches series
or Five Little Peppers
Friday, February 27, 2015
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Jesus' Works in Psalm 115
Those idols in Psalm 115? They have eyes that do not see, ears that do not hear, mouths that do not speak, noses that do not smell, hands that do not handle, and feet that do not walk. "Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them."
I find it fascinating that the Gospels mention Jesus' healing-miracles for every single one of those body-parts.* He healed cripples and made them to walk. He gave hearing to the deaf and sight to the blind. He loosed tongues. He got into trouble with the Pharisees for fixing the fellow's withered hand that Sabbath day in the synagogue.
It's almost as if the Man of Faith, who never had an idol in all His life, can even undo the idolatry that is part of our sinful nature.
I find it fascinating that the Gospels mention Jesus' healing-miracles for every single one of those body-parts.* He healed cripples and made them to walk. He gave hearing to the deaf and sight to the blind. He loosed tongues. He got into trouble with the Pharisees for fixing the fellow's withered hand that Sabbath day in the synagogue.
It's almost as if the Man of Faith, who never had an idol in all His life, can even undo the idolatry that is part of our sinful nature.
* Footnote -- Except for noses. That's
not explicitly mentioned in the Gospels.
But Jesus did heal lepers, and it's likely
that such healing fixed rotted noses.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Avoiding the Caffeine and Sugar
Doctor told me that I could cut down on a repeat-infection by staying away from coffee, tea, and sugar. Boo. Hiss.
I know some of y'all like your coffee black, the way grown-ups drink it. But I sure do like mine with sugar. I'm wussy. Oh, and the tea: Mississippi sweet-tea is too much like Kool-aid for my tastes. But I sho'nuf do like me some sugar in my tea. BUT my mommy told me once-upon-a-time that three weeks straight with NO SUGAR in your coffee will teach you to like it black. She and Dad toughed it out. And they never wanted to go back to sweetened coffee. (Or so they said. Maybe they fibbed?)
Well, I made it for more than three weeks with no sweetener in my beverages. Not even stevia or honey. So I can do it. I don't want to do it. I want sugar. Still. Months later.
What I discovered, however, is that hot water works for me on par with unsweetened tea and coffee. Plus, if I want to ratchet-up the flavor of plain old hot water, a little lemon juice or cranberry juice or orange or lime is wunderbar. Better than unsweetened tea or coffee.
But
still not as good as tea and coffee with sugar.
I know some of y'all like your coffee black, the way grown-ups drink it. But I sure do like mine with sugar. I'm wussy. Oh, and the tea: Mississippi sweet-tea is too much like Kool-aid for my tastes. But I sho'nuf do like me some sugar in my tea. BUT my mommy told me once-upon-a-time that three weeks straight with NO SUGAR in your coffee will teach you to like it black. She and Dad toughed it out. And they never wanted to go back to sweetened coffee. (Or so they said. Maybe they fibbed?)
Well, I made it for more than three weeks with no sweetener in my beverages. Not even stevia or honey. So I can do it. I don't want to do it. I want sugar. Still. Months later.
What I discovered, however, is that hot water works for me on par with unsweetened tea and coffee. Plus, if I want to ratchet-up the flavor of plain old hot water, a little lemon juice or cranberry juice or orange or lime is wunderbar. Better than unsweetened tea or coffee.
But
still not as good as tea and coffee with sugar.
Where Was Jesus Baptized?
The Israelites entered the Promised Land when they crossed the Jordan River (Joshua 3). This is not only a historical, geographical fact, it's also a picture/foreshadowing of Christians crossing into heaven after a pilgrimage through the wilderness of life.
Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River. I always thought that was because [duh] the Jordan River just happened to be the one that was available for John the Baptist. A simple fact of geography and nothing more.
But it IS more. We are joined to Him in His death and resurrection (Romans 6). In His baptism, He takes our sin upon Himself and gives us His righteousness. This is our entry into the promised land. Baptism is when the Father says also to us, "This one is My beloved son."
Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River.
A simple fact of geography.
And a big, sweet, beautiful theological truth
of what has been
and of what is yet to come.
Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River. I always thought that was because [duh] the Jordan River just happened to be the one that was available for John the Baptist. A simple fact of geography and nothing more.
But it IS more. We are joined to Him in His death and resurrection (Romans 6). In His baptism, He takes our sin upon Himself and gives us His righteousness. This is our entry into the promised land. Baptism is when the Father says also to us, "This one is My beloved son."
Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River.
A simple fact of geography.
And a big, sweet, beautiful theological truth
of what has been
and of what is yet to come.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Hooray for Antibiotics!
That said, doctors and modern medicine can do aMAZing things!! If it weren't for her surgeons, Maggie wouldn't be alive. If it weren't for my surgeons last spring, I wouldn't be walking, talking, driving, and going to work any more. And just this past week, a granddaughter ended up in the hospital. From a splinter. A lousy little splinter that appeared to been removed easily and cleaned up just fine at the time. A century ago, kiddo may have died from that splinter and ensuing infection and how it was trying to spread. But in 2015, it's [cough] "no big deal." A bit o' minor surgery to clean the wound. Antibiotics pumped straight into her blood. Just one night as an in-patient. And thus Jesus cures her!
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Ash Wednesday
This morning after chapel, last year's palms (from Palm Sunday) were burned to ashes (for the imposition of ashes later today). There is a rite that goes with this; it's not in the hymnal so I can't find the exact words. But there's something in there about how ashes show the frailty of our bodies. "All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness like the flowers of the field. The grass withers; the flower fades, because the breath of the Lord blows upon it. The people are grass. The grass withers...." (Isaiah 40)
Boy, that hits you different after you spent last Eastertide in ICU. Frail bodies, indeed!
Boy, that hits you different after you spent last Eastertide in ICU. Frail bodies, indeed!
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Talking Math
I recently bumped into the oh-so-cool blog "Talking Math with Your Children."
~ Fun stories that let you watch children learn when you don't have little ones to provide such amusement in your own home.
~ Ideas to encourage math-thinking in kids.
~ The importance of using numbers casually in everyday conversation, and how this habit will affect children's math-thinking.
I could waste a lot of time perusing this blog just for funsies!
For now, two quick comments:
First, the author put together an awesome book of shapes where you're supposed to figure out how "one of these things is not like the others; one of these things is not quite the same." It will work for 3-yr-olds or 50-yr-olds.
Second, a quote from the blogger:
Now, go play some math!
~ Fun stories that let you watch children learn when you don't have little ones to provide such amusement in your own home.
~ Ideas to encourage math-thinking in kids.
~ The importance of using numbers casually in everyday conversation, and how this habit will affect children's math-thinking.
I could waste a lot of time perusing this blog just for funsies!
For now, two quick comments:
First, the author put together an awesome book of shapes where you're supposed to figure out how "one of these things is not like the others; one of these things is not quite the same." It will work for 3-yr-olds or 50-yr-olds.
Second, a quote from the blogger:
Many things that you hope to remember, you can remember by encountering them frequently. Tabitha has never sat down with flash cards to memorize her single-digit addition facts. Yet she is in second grade and is starting to feel confident with them.This is where I get skittish about "classical ed" for math [accepted by some as "Just memorize the factoids already and don't expect the kids to understand what's going on]. Granted, I realize that some kids do fine with "just memorize it and practice enough that you can rattle off the drill, and then later you'll learn to understand." But some kids don't handle that well! How this Tabitha learned is the same way most of my children learned their math facts: if you figure it out repeatedly, soon you've accomplished two things. One: you've learned it, that is, memorized it. Two: you understand the concept already ... even to the point that, if you should "forget it" some day, you'll easily be able to figure it out quickly.
Now, go play some math!
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Can't Stay Clean
Maggie mopped the kitchen floor while I was gone yesterday.
I came home. Kitty jumped into my lap. I [shhh! shhhh!] requested someone to sneak a pair of scissors over to me. I trimmed knots and lumps out of kitty's fur. I was careful with gathering the clumps, but still ... it's a hair-trim. Little bits of fur scattered and drifted.
We don't have toddlers living here. This must be our version of the rule that milk MUST be spilled on a freshly mopped floor within 17 minutes of the mop drying.
I came home. Kitty jumped into my lap. I [shhh! shhhh!] requested someone to sneak a pair of scissors over to me. I trimmed knots and lumps out of kitty's fur. I was careful with gathering the clumps, but still ... it's a hair-trim. Little bits of fur scattered and drifted.
We don't have toddlers living here. This must be our version of the rule that milk MUST be spilled on a freshly mopped floor within 17 minutes of the mop drying.
Monday, February 09, 2015
Twelve Minutes
Grandkids were dropped off here on Monday morning. Katie told me what she'd brought for food and gave me a list of phone numbers.
No sooner had Mommy and Daddy left than Alia (6 yrs old) tells me that she NeeEEEeeeds a peanut-butter-&-Nutella sandwich. "It's been TWELVE minutes since I ate breakfast, Nanna. I am SOooooo hungry!"
"Twelve minutes?! Oh my. Really?!"
"Yes, Nanna. Twellllve minutes. I neeeEEEeeed a sandwich!!" This is, of course, accompanied by elaborate gestures and vocalizations of one nigh onto dying of starvation.
After a bit of this [ahem] bantering, I leave for a minute or so to help Zoe with something. I come back to the kitchen, and Alia dives in again. "It's been TWELVE minutes since I ate. I neeEEEeeed food, Nanna! I neeEEEEeeed a Nutella sandwich!"
Please understand that it takes about 7 minutes to drive from their home to ours. They'd been here for a few minutes already. Doing a fairly good job of hiding my desire to laugh, I told Alia, "You know, sweetie, twelve minutes ago, I think your parents were already locking the door of your apartment and you were headed down the stairs and out to the car. I'm not so sure of your timetable on all this."
A moment of regrouping.
"Nanna, it's been THIRrrrrTEEeeN minutes since I ate. I'm starving!! I neeEEEeeed a peanut-butter-&-Nutella sandwich."
No sooner had Mommy and Daddy left than Alia (6 yrs old) tells me that she NeeEEEeeeds a peanut-butter-&-Nutella sandwich. "It's been TWELVE minutes since I ate breakfast, Nanna. I am SOooooo hungry!"
"Twelve minutes?! Oh my. Really?!"
"Yes, Nanna. Twellllve minutes. I neeeEEEeeed a sandwich!!" This is, of course, accompanied by elaborate gestures and vocalizations of one nigh onto dying of starvation.
After a bit of this [ahem] bantering, I leave for a minute or so to help Zoe with something. I come back to the kitchen, and Alia dives in again. "It's been TWELVE minutes since I ate. I neeEEEeeed food, Nanna! I neeEEEEeeed a Nutella sandwich!"
Please understand that it takes about 7 minutes to drive from their home to ours. They'd been here for a few minutes already. Doing a fairly good job of hiding my desire to laugh, I told Alia, "You know, sweetie, twelve minutes ago, I think your parents were already locking the door of your apartment and you were headed down the stairs and out to the car. I'm not so sure of your timetable on all this."
A moment of regrouping.
"Nanna, it's been THIRrrrrTEEeeN minutes since I ate. I'm starving!! I neeEEEeeed a peanut-butter-&-Nutella sandwich."
Update
Not blogging. Missing it.
A couple of big snows. I think we finally (!) have all the snow removed.
Taxes finished. Woo hoo!
Maggie's pneumonia is gone. Colds and general illness in the house aren't plaguing us at the moment.
Babysitting kids more than normal.
Trying to catch up on schoolwork that was neglected during Dec/Jan illnesses.
Big news: another grandchild on the way. Yee haw!
New glasses weren't adjusted right and my eyes were all googly-weird until I drove back to the optometrist (wearing the old glasses) a few days later. Nice to be able to see again.
Book I'm reading is harder than anything I've read since pre-stroke. But I'm enjoying it. Biographies of Chinese women in the 1900s.
Starting this week, my work schedule is increasing two hours a week. May not sound like much to you, but it seems like a humongous step to me. Also, I have a follow-up with the neurologist soon.
Looked at a house in town this past weekend, thinking a move would give Maggie access to places (church, library, grocery store, pharmacy, doctor, gym, park, possible jobs, etc) without being chauffeured. Some extra freedom for her. But the house, a duplex, wasn't okay. And we have some serious reserves about moving into the village anyway. At least, the condition of the house made for a no-brainer decision!
A couple of big snows. I think we finally (!) have all the snow removed.
Taxes finished. Woo hoo!
Maggie's pneumonia is gone. Colds and general illness in the house aren't plaguing us at the moment.
Babysitting kids more than normal.
Trying to catch up on schoolwork that was neglected during Dec/Jan illnesses.
Big news: another grandchild on the way. Yee haw!
New glasses weren't adjusted right and my eyes were all googly-weird until I drove back to the optometrist (wearing the old glasses) a few days later. Nice to be able to see again.
Book I'm reading is harder than anything I've read since pre-stroke. But I'm enjoying it. Biographies of Chinese women in the 1900s.
Starting this week, my work schedule is increasing two hours a week. May not sound like much to you, but it seems like a humongous step to me. Also, I have a follow-up with the neurologist soon.
Looked at a house in town this past weekend, thinking a move would give Maggie access to places (church, library, grocery store, pharmacy, doctor, gym, park, possible jobs, etc) without being chauffeured. Some extra freedom for her. But the house, a duplex, wasn't okay. And we have some serious reserves about moving into the village anyway. At least, the condition of the house made for a no-brainer decision!
Monday, January 19, 2015
Holy Housewifery
It's not.
The book is a delightful combination.
If you can look past the occasional references to praying to the saints, you find humor and pretty decent theology.
Imagine a combination of Martin Luther, Matt Harrison, John Kleinig, and Peter Bender -- on topics of vocation and joy and marriage and contentment and suffering and serving-the-neighbor (albeit a bit short on the Gospel). Stir in a hefty amount of humor similar to Erma Bombeck's (yes!!). Sprinkle lightly with some Roman Catholic perspective.
It's a very quick read.
By Ethel Marbach.
Published in 1964.
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Reading Challenge 2015
Challenge is probably too strong a word. Maybe "plans." Or "tentative plans." Or wish list.
How to Respond to Eastern Religions -- finished Jan 7
Crunchy Cons, by Dreher
The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You, by Aron
Let's Roll, by Beamer
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
Light in the Dark Belt: The Story of Rosa Young
Wild Swans, by Chang
On Being a Theologian of the Cross, by Forde
Holy Housewifery (because somebody mentioned it jokingly on Jenny's FB page and I happen to have a copy)
Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good, by Karon
Beyond the Mists, by Benchley
Cutting for Stone, by Verghese
Re-reads:
Narnia
Harry Potter
Hammer of God
With Maggie:
Anne of Ingleside
Rainbow Valley
Rilla of Ingleside
Penderwicks
Broken: 7 "Christian" Rules Every Christian Ought to Break
Swallows and Amazon series
or Little House series (again)
or Little Britches series
or Five Little Peppers
How to Respond to Eastern Religions -- finished Jan 7
Crunchy Cons, by Dreher
The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You, by Aron
Let's Roll, by Beamer
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
Light in the Dark Belt: The Story of Rosa Young
Wild Swans, by Chang
On Being a Theologian of the Cross, by Forde
Holy Housewifery (because somebody mentioned it jokingly on Jenny's FB page and I happen to have a copy)
Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good, by Karon
Beyond the Mists, by Benchley
Cutting for Stone, by Verghese
Re-reads:
Narnia
Harry Potter
Hammer of God
With Maggie:
Anne of Ingleside
Rainbow Valley
Rilla of Ingleside
Penderwicks
Broken: 7 "Christian" Rules Every Christian Ought to Break
Swallows and Amazon series
or Little House series (again)
or Little Britches series
or Five Little Peppers
Friday, January 09, 2015
Kid's Choice: Mom-at-Home or Mom-at-Work
The story comes from many different families. Kid says, "Mommy, don't go to work today. Stay home with me." Mommy says, "Well, I could quit my job and stay home with you. But if I do, then we don't have money to buy the things you like. Don't you like going to the go-kart track? Don't you like going out for pizza? Don't you like the toys we buy and the Buzz Lightyear sweatshirt you chose last week? If I didn't have a job, I wouldn't have money to buy those things." Kid thinks a bit. Kid says, "Go to work, Mommy."
People laugh.
People think it's so cute.
I would be embarrassed to announce proudly that my kid would prefer material stuff from me than my company. (That is, assuming that Mom's income is not buying necessities such as rent, groceries, and medicine.)
My question: WHY does a kid answer, "Go to work, Mommy"? Because the child is accustomed to day-care, does he see only the loss of stuff and not the gain of his parents' attention? Is it that the child naturally prefers indulgences to being with parents? (I suspect not but may be wrong.) Has the child learned that the parents think the toys and outings are a higher priority than copious time together as a family?
People laugh.
People think it's so cute.
I would be embarrassed to announce proudly that my kid would prefer material stuff from me than my company. (That is, assuming that Mom's income is not buying necessities such as rent, groceries, and medicine.)
My question: WHY does a kid answer, "Go to work, Mommy"? Because the child is accustomed to day-care, does he see only the loss of stuff and not the gain of his parents' attention? Is it that the child naturally prefers indulgences to being with parents? (I suspect not but may be wrong.) Has the child learned that the parents think the toys and outings are a higher priority than copious time together as a family?
Wednesday, January 07, 2015
Community -- Consumerism
Consumerists
find and express their personal identity through the consumption of products. Its ultimate goal is the spread of happiness and well-being through the improvement of material conditions, and the creation of general increase of wealth.
There's nothing objectively wrong with material progress, and a great deal right with it.
The problem is the way we relate to our materials gains.
Crunchy Cons, page 29
A society built on consumerism must break down eventually for the same reason socialism did: because even though it is infinitely better than socialism at meeting our physical needs and gratifying our physical desires, consumerism also treats human beings as merely materialists, as ciphers on a spreadsheet. It cannot, over time, serve the deepest needs of the human person for stability, spirituality, and authentic community.
Crunchy Cons, page 49
Tuesday, January 06, 2015
Community -- Technology
Americans naively accept new technologies, thinking only of what these technologies can do, but never what they can undo.
Crunchy Cons, page 33,
referring to Neil
Postman's Technopoly
Yes.
TV. Facebook. Smart-phones. Email lists.
But they're here.
No undoing it.
How do we respond,
using the technology wisely,
and yet preserving what that technology will undo?
Monday, January 05, 2015
Community -- Individualism
Free-market, technology-driven capitalism, for all its benefits, tends to pull families and communities apart by empowering individuals and encouraging --even mandating-- individualism. Most Americans would say, "Hey, what's wrong with individualism?" not thinking about the social costs of strained and even broken familial and communal bonds.
Crunchy Cons, page 41
Christmas Pictures: Time for Games
 |
| Big girls played "Ticket to Ride." |
 |
| Younger set tried their hand at Battleship. |
 |
| The fellas pulled out their Magic Cards. |
Sunday, January 04, 2015
Community -- A Book
Eight years ago, a bunch of my friends started a book-discussion group. I wanted to join. But I was still homeschooling three kids. Somebody's artery was beginning to fail and surgery was being planned. It was the wrong time for me to be reading for myself.
So now I'm ready.
Already.
The book was published in 2006. Rod Dreher wrote Crunchy Cons.
I think now is a much better time for me to be reading this book. I've been struggling with questions that I didn't have eight years ago. Moving to suburbia and starting a job-for-wages has brought with it an unsettledness. An unsettledness which I haven't been able to make sense of. And this book is helping.
The book is about how certain traditionalists can't stand the liberals because so much of what they're about is fulfilling their lusts, unrestrained. And yet, these same traditionalists can't stand the conservatives because so much of what they're about is fulfilling their greed, unrestrained. The book is about how this basic premise coincides with a plethora of topics: obesity, immigration policy, how everyone bemoans that we don't know our neighbors, the fussing betwixt our township and the nearby village, organic veggies and food co-ops, a new Meijer's or a new YMCA, the tremendous importance of stay-at-home moms, and so much more.
What I'm pondering most is the thesis that many who consider themselves conservatives, aren't. They may be in the "conservative" political party. They may be in favor of the free market. But if they're still driven by the consumerism that dominates this culture, they're fooling themselves. Getting more stuff and "growing the economy" isn't conservative. Spending time with family, appreciating beauty, serving the neighbor, working hard, being in touch with the natural world -- that's what being conservative is really about.
So now I'm ready.
Already.
The book was published in 2006. Rod Dreher wrote Crunchy Cons.
I think now is a much better time for me to be reading this book. I've been struggling with questions that I didn't have eight years ago. Moving to suburbia and starting a job-for-wages has brought with it an unsettledness. An unsettledness which I haven't been able to make sense of. And this book is helping.
The book is about how certain traditionalists can't stand the liberals because so much of what they're about is fulfilling their lusts, unrestrained. And yet, these same traditionalists can't stand the conservatives because so much of what they're about is fulfilling their greed, unrestrained. The book is about how this basic premise coincides with a plethora of topics: obesity, immigration policy, how everyone bemoans that we don't know our neighbors, the fussing betwixt our township and the nearby village, organic veggies and food co-ops, a new Meijer's or a new YMCA, the tremendous importance of stay-at-home moms, and so much more.
What I'm pondering most is the thesis that many who consider themselves conservatives, aren't. They may be in the "conservative" political party. They may be in favor of the free market. But if they're still driven by the consumerism that dominates this culture, they're fooling themselves. Getting more stuff and "growing the economy" isn't conservative. Spending time with family, appreciating beauty, serving the neighbor, working hard, being in touch with the natural world -- that's what being conservative is really about.
Saturday, January 03, 2015
Fixing Pietism
Joe has been accused of being a pietist. He wonders, "Am I?"
What's the solution?
Usually the person cusses, gets drunk, and does other decidedly impious things. Hey, if he's not pious, then he can't trust in his piety, right? Problem solved!
Except it's not.
Sometimes the flip-side is a response. "Am I a pietist? Am I looking too much at my own devotion, my own prayers, my own obedience?" So I look closer at myself. I pay more attention to my devotions and my church-attendance and my prayers. After all, I need to pay attention to my efforts to not pay attention to myself.
Wait.
What did I just say?
Ohhhhh....
you see the conundrum plain as day, huh?
Maybe there actually is a solution.
A solution that looks nothing like the two common fixes.
Maybe the solution is, "Lord Jesus, I am a pietist. I want You to like me better than the next guy because I'm such a good Christian. This is self-idolatry. I beg You to have mercy on me, a sinner."
Do you think He will?
What's the solution?
Usually the person cusses, gets drunk, and does other decidedly impious things. Hey, if he's not pious, then he can't trust in his piety, right? Problem solved!
Except it's not.
Sometimes the flip-side is a response. "Am I a pietist? Am I looking too much at my own devotion, my own prayers, my own obedience?" So I look closer at myself. I pay more attention to my devotions and my church-attendance and my prayers. After all, I need to pay attention to my efforts to not pay attention to myself.
Wait.
What did I just say?
Ohhhhh....
you see the conundrum plain as day, huh?
Maybe there actually is a solution.
A solution that looks nothing like the two common fixes.
Maybe the solution is, "Lord Jesus, I am a pietist. I want You to like me better than the next guy because I'm such a good Christian. This is self-idolatry. I beg You to have mercy on me, a sinner."
Do you think He will?
Christmas Pictures
 |
| Mr Photogenic |
 |
| Matthias weighed down with medals. |
 |
| Philip's height provides a grrreat view. |
 |
| Papa and some children. |
 |
| I love this happy picture! |
Friday, January 02, 2015
Pre-Christmas Pictures
 |
| Church's choirs singing with the symphony orchestra. |
 |
| Alia and Zoe -- shepherds in the SunSch Christmas pageant. |
Broken in 2014
Broken car. The deer ran into it.
Broken brain. Who knew there was an aneurysm waiting to burst?
Broken garden. But Katie helped.
Broken body. Side effects of the hospitalization and medications.
Broken garage floor. Last winter was COLD.
Broken pipe in the septic system. Last winter was COLD.
Broken furnace. Again: last winter was cold.
Broken water-filtration system.
Broken lung. Antibiotics can do wonders for Pneumonia-Girl.
Broken car again. Another naughty deer.
Broken different-car. Just some aging.
Youth group began reading Fisk's Broken this year, so Maggie and I read a chapter together before the discussion meetings. Hey. HEY! It was NOT supposed to be an omen! Here's hoping for a less broken summation-of-the-year twelve months hence.
Broken brain. Who knew there was an aneurysm waiting to burst?
Broken garden. But Katie helped.
Broken body. Side effects of the hospitalization and medications.
Broken garage floor. Last winter was COLD.
Broken pipe in the septic system. Last winter was COLD.
Broken furnace. Again: last winter was cold.
Broken water-filtration system.
Broken lung. Antibiotics can do wonders for Pneumonia-Girl.
Broken car again. Another naughty deer.
Broken different-car. Just some aging.
Youth group began reading Fisk's Broken this year, so Maggie and I read a chapter together before the discussion meetings. Hey. HEY! It was NOT supposed to be an omen! Here's hoping for a less broken summation-of-the-year twelve months hence.
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Sins and/or Ills
At Lessons and Carols the other night, we sang the LSB version of a Gerhardt Christmas hymn:
It struck me because TLH says,
It's like what Matthew tells us (chapter 8). While Isaiah says, "He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows," Matthew quotes it as "He took up our infirmities and bore our sicknesses."
Even though the sicknesses wouldn't be here but for sin,
even though sin is the cause of illness and death,
sometimes it nice to know that Jesus isn't "just" the cure for our sinfulness, but is also the one who bore the brokenness of our bodies, our snotty noses, our achy joints, our headaches, our mental shortcomings, and our physical weakness. And because He took those infirmities to the cross, that gives us a cure. The cure.
"From all ills that grieve you
you are freed.
All you need
I will surely give you."
Children, from the sins that grieve you,
you are freed.
It struck me because TLH says,
Brethren, from all ills that grieve you,
you are freed.
It's like what Matthew tells us (chapter 8). While Isaiah says, "He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows," Matthew quotes it as "He took up our infirmities and bore our sicknesses."
Even though the sicknesses wouldn't be here but for sin,
even though sin is the cause of illness and death,
sometimes it nice to know that Jesus isn't "just" the cure for our sinfulness, but is also the one who bore the brokenness of our bodies, our snotty noses, our achy joints, our headaches, our mental shortcomings, and our physical weakness. And because He took those infirmities to the cross, that gives us a cure. The cure.
"From all ills that grieve you
you are freed.
All you need
I will surely give you."
Monday, December 22, 2014
Broken Day
Pie-filling spilled over on Saturday night. The oven was smoking.
Maggie and I have snotty, coughy colds.
First item of business Sunday morning? Stepping in a big pile of kitty-barf. Squish!
Then I caught myself right before I walked out the door to church. Dinner in the crockpot, ready to cook while we were gone. But it was turned off. Flipped the switch on -- whew!
Came home from church to find dinner cooked (whew!) but the house cold. Twelve degrees lower than the thermostat was set. Arranged for the repairman to arrive first thing Monday morning. I couldn't manage to start a fire in the fireplace, but Gary fixed it when he came home from church. I couldn't bake for heat, as the oven hadn't been fixed from the pie-spill. A friend loaned us her space heater. Blankets, fire, two space heaters, all the body heat contained to one room -- we didn't turn into popsicles.
Adjusting blankets in the evening, we managed to knock over a pint of cranberry juice. Not cranberry cocktail, all nice and watered down. 100% cranberry juice. I used a lot of Resolve, and the stain did come out. Woo hoo!
Repairman arrived this morning. Weird breakdown, but the part was available somewhere locally. He had it fixed by 9:30. We can now [again] feel a noticeable temperature-difference when entering the garage from the house. Honest and knowledgeable tradesmen are gold.
Maggie and I have snotty, coughy colds.
First item of business Sunday morning? Stepping in a big pile of kitty-barf. Squish!
Then I caught myself right before I walked out the door to church. Dinner in the crockpot, ready to cook while we were gone. But it was turned off. Flipped the switch on -- whew!
Came home from church to find dinner cooked (whew!) but the house cold. Twelve degrees lower than the thermostat was set. Arranged for the repairman to arrive first thing Monday morning. I couldn't manage to start a fire in the fireplace, but Gary fixed it when he came home from church. I couldn't bake for heat, as the oven hadn't been fixed from the pie-spill. A friend loaned us her space heater. Blankets, fire, two space heaters, all the body heat contained to one room -- we didn't turn into popsicles.
Adjusting blankets in the evening, we managed to knock over a pint of cranberry juice. Not cranberry cocktail, all nice and watered down. 100% cranberry juice. I used a lot of Resolve, and the stain did come out. Woo hoo!
Repairman arrived this morning. Weird breakdown, but the part was available somewhere locally. He had it fixed by 9:30. We can now [again] feel a noticeable temperature-difference when entering the garage from the house. Honest and knowledgeable tradesmen are gold.
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Helpful Girls
I need to watch my whining around my daughters. I express any dissatisfaction over what needs to be accomplished and how unable I am ... and somebody shows up to tackle projects.
On the one hand, I feel guilty.
On the other hand, I feel oh-so-relieved and grateful!
On the one hand, I feel guilty.
On the other hand, I feel oh-so-relieved and grateful!
Thursday, December 18, 2014
That Scary Part of Amos 5
Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord!
For what good is the day of the Lord to you?
It will be darkness, and not light.
Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light?
Is it not very dark, with no brightness in it? (Amos 5:18-20)
When Pastor read those verses, I hated it.
Where's the hope?
So, you're waiting for the day of the Lord?
Sounds like Amos is saying, "Tough noogies. Ain't you gonna be surprised? It's going to be terrible!"
But what about the pillar of cloud (Ex 14:20)? It was darkness to the one side, but light to the other. That pillar was protection for the people of God; it separated them from those who would harm them.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
They Slumbered and Slept
Interesting what we find back-to-back in Matthew.
Chapter 25 -- the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. They slept. They were supposed to watch for the coming of the Bridegroom. But they couldn't.
Chapter 26 -- the Garden of Gethsemane. Peter, James, and John were told to watch and pray. But they couldn't. Instead, they slumbered.
Chapter 25 -- the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. They slept. They were supposed to watch for the coming of the Bridegroom. But they couldn't.
Chapter 26 -- the Garden of Gethsemane. Peter, James, and John were told to watch and pray. But they couldn't. Instead, they slumbered.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
The Opposite of "Rejoice"
Pastor is always talking about rejoicing, even in the midst of trouble.
So. Hard. To. Understand.
In my mind, the opposite of "rejoice" is "grieve."
You know -- if you're not happy, then you're sad.
So when you run across a passage like 1 Thessalonians 1:6 ("You received the word in much affliction, with joy in the Holy Spirit"), it messes with my mind. So I asked a simple question: "What is the opposite of rejoice?"
The answer? "Despair."
Grieving and suffering and hurting and sorrow are NOT the opposite of joy. Despair is. Hopelessness is. Giving-up-on-God's-mercy is the opposite of "rejoice."
Now things are beginning to make sense.
So. Hard. To. Understand.
In my mind, the opposite of "rejoice" is "grieve."
You know -- if you're not happy, then you're sad.
So when you run across a passage like 1 Thessalonians 1:6 ("You received the word in much affliction, with joy in the Holy Spirit"), it messes with my mind. So I asked a simple question: "What is the opposite of rejoice?"
The answer? "Despair."
Grieving and suffering and hurting and sorrow are NOT the opposite of joy. Despair is. Hopelessness is. Giving-up-on-God's-mercy is the opposite of "rejoice."
Now things are beginning to make sense.
Monday, December 15, 2014
The Malefactors Crucified with Jesus
It's Luke that tells about the two criminals crucified with Jesus (23:39-43). Luke -- who was connected to the apostle Paul.
Paul -- who blasphemed at the cross. Paul -- who scoffed at Jesus' prayer for those who were putting Him to death.
Paul -- who came to believe that he deserved torture and death for his sin. Paul -- who learned to beg for Jesus' mercy.
No wonder the story is in Luke. That story of the two criminals probably really resonated with Paul.
Paul -- who blasphemed at the cross. Paul -- who scoffed at Jesus' prayer for those who were putting Him to death.
Paul -- who came to believe that he deserved torture and death for his sin. Paul -- who learned to beg for Jesus' mercy.
No wonder the story is in Luke. That story of the two criminals probably really resonated with Paul.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Apologetics
Those who like apologetics tend to think of faith as having an intellectual foundation. They use reason to "prove" why the Bible is true. But because of this intellectual foundation, they have little regard for the sacraments, which are supernatural, and which cannot be explained by way of reason and evidence.
Today's Laugh
We all could use a little more calmness in our lives, right?
On that note, here's a message from a friend:
"Here's some simple advice from the Dr Phil show. He said that the way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things you've started and never finished.
"So I looked around the house to see all the things I started and hadn't finished. Soon, I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of Zinfandel, a package of Oreos, the remainder of my old Prozac prescription, the rest of the cheesecake, a bag of Doritos, and a box of chocolates.
"You have no idea how freaking good I feel."
On that note, here's a message from a friend:
"Here's some simple advice from the Dr Phil show. He said that the way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things you've started and never finished.
"So I looked around the house to see all the things I started and hadn't finished. Soon, I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of Zinfandel, a package of Oreos, the remainder of my old Prozac prescription, the rest of the cheesecake, a bag of Doritos, and a box of chocolates.
"You have no idea how freaking good I feel."
Just to clarify, for people who have no
sense of humor (and I know you're
out there!) this is a JOKE. Okay?
Everybody knows that you can't be
drinking liquor and popping Prozacs.
Everybody knows that you can't be
drinking liquor and popping Prozacs.
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Going to Church "All the Time"
During certain bits of the church year, we have daily services. Even though I cook supper and vacuum and go to work on those days, even though we're in the Divine Service for only an hour or two each day, during the rest of the year it seems like those are seasons when we have church "all the time."
And when people become ill or elderly, and when they can make it to church only once every month or so, they look back on those years when they attended church weekly as "when I could be at church all the time."
Sometimes I think the book of Revelation paints heaven as one long never-ending church service. But maybe "all the time" doesn't mean that we never do anything else.
And when people become ill or elderly, and when they can make it to church only once every month or so, they look back on those years when they attended church weekly as "when I could be at church all the time."
Sometimes I think the book of Revelation paints heaven as one long never-ending church service. But maybe "all the time" doesn't mean that we never do anything else.
A Divorce for Mary and Joseph
Should he divorce her?
Or should he go through with the marriage?
I heard it again! Many people think that Joseph was trying to decide whether to divorce Mary or stick with her.
No. From his point of view, she had been unfaithful to him. She was carrying another man's baby. She obviously wanted to be with that other guy. He could let her marry the baby's father, let her go, divorce her.
His choice wasn't so much between marriage and divorce. His choice was more between a quiet, legal divorce or calling her out for her adultery, having her stoned. Being a just man, a man who believed in mercy, a man who offered forgiveness, he did not want her killed for her adulterous affair. He would spare her life, even if it meant that his own character would be besmirched as one who didn't wait long enough after the wedding ceremony for the coming-together night.
The angel came to Joseph in a dream.
Two thousand years earlier, another Joseph dreamed. That Joseph had an experience where an accusation of adultery was made against an innocent person. Both the angel and the Bible story corroborated Mary's story. That's when StayingMarried became an option for Joseph.
Or should he go through with the marriage?
I heard it again! Many people think that Joseph was trying to decide whether to divorce Mary or stick with her.
No. From his point of view, she had been unfaithful to him. She was carrying another man's baby. She obviously wanted to be with that other guy. He could let her marry the baby's father, let her go, divorce her.
His choice wasn't so much between marriage and divorce. His choice was more between a quiet, legal divorce or calling her out for her adultery, having her stoned. Being a just man, a man who believed in mercy, a man who offered forgiveness, he did not want her killed for her adulterous affair. He would spare her life, even if it meant that his own character would be besmirched as one who didn't wait long enough after the wedding ceremony for the coming-together night.
The angel came to Joseph in a dream.
Two thousand years earlier, another Joseph dreamed. That Joseph had an experience where an accusation of adultery was made against an innocent person. Both the angel and the Bible story corroborated Mary's story. That's when StayingMarried became an option for Joseph.
Friday, December 12, 2014
But Didn't They Ask the Same Question?
Zachariah to Gabriel: "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years."
Mary to Gabriel: "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"
Every year, the same question comes up. How come Zechariah gets in trouble for saying the same thing Mary said? It's often been said that Zechariah's question came from unbelief and doubt, whereas Mary responded in faith. But where did we get that idea, anyway?
Well, the story does tell us, point-blank --
The faith of the heart. Luke 1:20 tells us that Zechariah "did not believe." Verse 38 says that Mary responded in faith: "according to your word."
More about the difference --
Zachariah was in the temple, confessing sins and praying for the Messiah. An angel comes from the Lord and announces that the Lord has heard Zechariah's prayer. Even though he was right smackdab in the middle of praying for the things the angel announced, still Zachariah said "no" when he heard the message.
According to church tradition, Mary was going about her daily chores when the angel came to her.
Also, notice there is a difference in the questions --
Zachariah asks, "How shall I know?" while Mary asks, "How can this be?" Those may sound like the same question to us. But the answer to Zechariah's question is, "Uh, excuse me. I'm an angel. I've been sent by the Lord. And I just TOLD you, for pity's sake. And what I told you was from the prophet Malachi. That's how you shall know. And besides, good golly, don't you remember the stories in the Scriptures where an old man and a barren woman had a baby? This has happened before, you know."
Mary on the other hand doesn't ask how to know. She asks how this can be. She needs to "test the spirits" (1 John 4:1). "You're going to have a baby." "But I haven't known a man." The angel proceeds to explain that the child will be conceived by the Holy Spirit. And Mary concludes that this angel speaks in harmony with Isaiah's prophecy.
Furthermore, Mary leaves Nazareth and heads to Elizabeth's place. And what does she find? Elizabeth is pregnant. Just as the angel said. Hmmm -- this sounds like a pretty reliable messenger. She hangs around three more months. Baby arrives. Hmmm -- it's a boy. Just as Gabriel had told her. This angel agrees with scripture, and what he says comes to pass.
So let's have no more of this, "But they said the same thing. Why is one punished for it and the other is not?"
Mary to Gabriel: "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"
Every year, the same question comes up. How come Zechariah gets in trouble for saying the same thing Mary said? It's often been said that Zechariah's question came from unbelief and doubt, whereas Mary responded in faith. But where did we get that idea, anyway?
Well, the story does tell us, point-blank --
The faith of the heart. Luke 1:20 tells us that Zechariah "did not believe." Verse 38 says that Mary responded in faith: "according to your word."
More about the difference --
Zachariah was in the temple, confessing sins and praying for the Messiah. An angel comes from the Lord and announces that the Lord has heard Zechariah's prayer. Even though he was right smackdab in the middle of praying for the things the angel announced, still Zachariah said "no" when he heard the message.
According to church tradition, Mary was going about her daily chores when the angel came to her.
Also, notice there is a difference in the questions --
Zachariah asks, "How shall I know?" while Mary asks, "How can this be?" Those may sound like the same question to us. But the answer to Zechariah's question is, "Uh, excuse me. I'm an angel. I've been sent by the Lord. And I just TOLD you, for pity's sake. And what I told you was from the prophet Malachi. That's how you shall know. And besides, good golly, don't you remember the stories in the Scriptures where an old man and a barren woman had a baby? This has happened before, you know."
Mary on the other hand doesn't ask how to know. She asks how this can be. She needs to "test the spirits" (1 John 4:1). "You're going to have a baby." "But I haven't known a man." The angel proceeds to explain that the child will be conceived by the Holy Spirit. And Mary concludes that this angel speaks in harmony with Isaiah's prophecy.
Furthermore, Mary leaves Nazareth and heads to Elizabeth's place. And what does she find? Elizabeth is pregnant. Just as the angel said. Hmmm -- this sounds like a pretty reliable messenger. She hangs around three more months. Baby arrives. Hmmm -- it's a boy. Just as Gabriel had told her. This angel agrees with scripture, and what he says comes to pass.
So let's have no more of this, "But they said the same thing. Why is one punished for it and the other is not?"
Thursday, December 11, 2014
How's My Faith-Walk Coming Along?
In the story of the Emmaus disciples (Luke 24), the disciples are listening to Jesus preach to them all that the Old Testament taught about the Messiah. When He blessed and broke and gave them the bread, they realized this fellow was Jesus. And He disappeared from sight. Then they said, "Whoa. Hey! Yeah. Our heart burned within us as He taught us!" And they skeedaddled back to Jerusalem to tell the others.
Did you notice? When they were listening to Jesus, their eyes and ears and minds and hearts were captivated by HIM. They weren't evaluating their feelings. They weren't thinking about their faith. They paid no attention whatsoever to their response to His preaching ...
because all they cared about was Him.
Did you notice? When they were listening to Jesus, their eyes and ears and minds and hearts were captivated by HIM. They weren't evaluating their feelings. They weren't thinking about their faith. They paid no attention whatsoever to their response to His preaching ...
because all they cared about was Him.
Sunday, December 07, 2014
Thursday, December 04, 2014
Today's Laugh
It's so dry in Texas that
the Baptists are starting to baptize by sprinkling,
the Methodists are using wet-wipes,
the Presbyterians are giving out rain-checks,
and the Episcopalians, Catholics, and Lutherans are praying for the wine to turn back into water.
the Baptists are starting to baptize by sprinkling,
the Methodists are using wet-wipes,
the Presbyterians are giving out rain-checks,
and the Episcopalians, Catholics, and Lutherans are praying for the wine to turn back into water.
Wednesday, December 03, 2014
Miss Timnite
Samson was off to visit his heartthrob. He killed a lion on the way. When he returned for his wedding, he found the beehive in the lion's carcass. And that's where he came up with the riddle. When the Philistines couldn't solve the riddle, they threatened Samson's wife. "Hey, you better find out the answer, Miss Timnite. If you don't, we'll kill you and your family."
You know the story. She whined. She pouted. She begged. She wore down her husband, and he told the answer to the riddle. She ratted him out. And havoc ensued.
But catch what happens in the next chapter (Judges 15:6). The Philistines turn on her anyway, and burn her and her father's house with fire, precisely what they'd threatened at the wedding.
That girl was doomed. If she didn't tell, the Philistines would've killed her. When she did tell, they ended up taking out their anger at her and executed her even though earlier she had complied with their demands.
That's how it is with the devil. "Do this and I'll leave you be." "Do this and I'll give you something good." You do. And he turns on you. What a liar and enticer!
You know the story. She whined. She pouted. She begged. She wore down her husband, and he told the answer to the riddle. She ratted him out. And havoc ensued.
But catch what happens in the next chapter (Judges 15:6). The Philistines turn on her anyway, and burn her and her father's house with fire, precisely what they'd threatened at the wedding.
That girl was doomed. If she didn't tell, the Philistines would've killed her. When she did tell, they ended up taking out their anger at her and executed her even though earlier she had complied with their demands.
That's how it is with the devil. "Do this and I'll leave you be." "Do this and I'll give you something good." You do. And he turns on you. What a liar and enticer!
Champagne Vinaigrette
We fell in love with a salad dressing from the California Pizza Kitchen. After hunting up a variety of recipe-fakes, the following concoction has been whipped up many times over the last couple of months:
¼ cup white wine vinegar *
¼ cup raw olive oil
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard**
1 lime or ½ lemon, juiced (1 to 1½ Tbsp)
1½ Tbsp honey
1 clove garlic or ½ a shallot, lightly minced
½ tsp salt
½ tsp fresh ground pepper
Put all the ingredients in a
food processor and blend until smooth and somewhat emulsified. Stores nicely in the refrigerator, unlike my other oil-and-vinegar dressings which separate and where the oil solidifies. This isn't as healthy as my usual homemade dressings, but it's so yummy it makes me want to melt into the floor with joy.
* The recipe is supposed to use champagne vinegar. Several recipes suggested letting leftover champagne sit out for several days to become vinegary. Ummm ... we seldom have champagne, so it's a little hard to make champagne vinegar from the leftovers. Conveniently, Aldi offered white wine vinegar as a special purchase not long ago, and I nabbed several bottles.
** I usually use plain old hotdog mustard any time a recipe calls for whatever-type mustard. Aldi also ran a mustard extravaganza recently, so I bought my first jar of Dijon. The Dijon definitely makes a difference in this recipe.
Tuesday, December 02, 2014
Nicene or Apostles'?
It's probably bad to have a favorite when both are holy words from God.
But I sure do like the Nicene Creed better.
1) Longer section on the atonement. Why is it that my mind tends to wander so easily at "was crucified, died, and was buried"? But "was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried" is simply enough extra length that a brief moment of distraction doesn't mean I miss the whole section.
2) The necessity of God's word: "according to the Scriptures" and "who spoke by the prophets."
3) Not just that the resurrection and the life-everlasting will come, but that we long for it.
4) "Light of light." Beautiful words during these short days of winter, and also as we approach Easter and the Vigil.
5) "For us." Twice.
God became man "for us men."
Jesus was crucified "for us."
Even though the events of Jesus' life (as listed in the Apostles' Creed) are indeed for us, it's the Nicene Creed which states "for us" right out there, blunt and obvious and clear and unavoidable.
But I sure do like the Nicene Creed better.
1) Longer section on the atonement. Why is it that my mind tends to wander so easily at "was crucified, died, and was buried"? But "was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried" is simply enough extra length that a brief moment of distraction doesn't mean I miss the whole section.
2) The necessity of God's word: "according to the Scriptures" and "who spoke by the prophets."
3) Not just that the resurrection and the life-everlasting will come, but that we long for it.
4) "Light of light." Beautiful words during these short days of winter, and also as we approach Easter and the Vigil.
5) "For us." Twice.
God became man "for us men."
Jesus was crucified "for us."
Even though the events of Jesus' life (as listed in the Apostles' Creed) are indeed for us, it's the Nicene Creed which states "for us" right out there, blunt and obvious and clear and unavoidable.
Monday, December 01, 2014
Miscarriage
"Jesus wept."
Lora remembers her children in heaven and talks about the comfort of Jesus' tears and the comfort of the resurrection of the body.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Lora remembers her children in heaven and talks about the comfort of Jesus' tears and the comfort of the resurrection of the body.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Fix-It Time
The washer was having its fits. The water would drain out, but the tub wouldn't spin. Clothes were too wet. I researched likely causes for the problem, took the washer apart, and found lots of rust inside the outer-shell. After plenty of sanding and spray-painting, no more bits of loose metal could get jammed in the lid-latch-detector. And the washer works! Yee haw!
This week I finally tired of crackly phone lines and purchased a new phone. Now I can hear conservations through the phone. Nice!
Problems with a flickering light. Turned out not to be the light fixture or the wiring, as I'd thought. It was merely a faulty bulb. Replaced that, and we now have our under-cupboard, above-counter light again, after two years without. And it's over the cutting board -- important place, so you know whether you're chopping veggies or fingers.
Ugly equipment on the bathtub-plug lever, ever since we moved in. Also, the plug had a slow leak. Thursday night the metal busted altogether. I took it apart, went to the hardware store, and installed the new pieces. Woo hoo! Fixed that too.
I've been unable to play CD's or DVD's on my computer. That also meant I had no way to transfer the scanned old-timey photos onto my computer. I bought a new CD-drive and tried to install it. I couldn't; I bought one with the wrong plugs. But Nathan came over, found that we could switch around the old-fashioned plugs and the newer ones. He installed the new CD-player. Everything is hooked up and works! How's that for new-and-different?!
I'm feeling mighty self-satisfied
and pretty durn powerful because
of the repairs I accomplished!
And pretty thankful for the places
where Gary and Nathan took over
and finished what I attempted!
This week I finally tired of crackly phone lines and purchased a new phone. Now I can hear conservations through the phone. Nice!
Problems with a flickering light. Turned out not to be the light fixture or the wiring, as I'd thought. It was merely a faulty bulb. Replaced that, and we now have our under-cupboard, above-counter light again, after two years without. And it's over the cutting board -- important place, so you know whether you're chopping veggies or fingers.
Ugly equipment on the bathtub-plug lever, ever since we moved in. Also, the plug had a slow leak. Thursday night the metal busted altogether. I took it apart, went to the hardware store, and installed the new pieces. Woo hoo! Fixed that too.
I've been unable to play CD's or DVD's on my computer. That also meant I had no way to transfer the scanned old-timey photos onto my computer. I bought a new CD-drive and tried to install it. I couldn't; I bought one with the wrong plugs. But Nathan came over, found that we could switch around the old-fashioned plugs and the newer ones. He installed the new CD-player. Everything is hooked up and works! How's that for new-and-different?!
I'm feeling mighty self-satisfied
and pretty durn powerful because
of the repairs I accomplished!
And pretty thankful for the places
where Gary and Nathan took over
and finished what I attempted!
Saturday, November 29, 2014
The Popularity of Sims
In Bible class recently, we were discussing how God's word determines the value of things. God made the light, and He declared it to be good. He said the earth and seas are good. He said the man and woman He created (and the marriage by which He joined them) was very good.
God is the one who gets to say what's good and what's not. Hey, He was the one who made it.
Now, if you create a universe, then you get to decide how things go and what value things have. If you create the universe, you get to decide, for example, whether "being happy" is more important than being moral.
And that's when I realized: maybe that's why Sims and Minecraft and other video games are so popular. It's where we get to be god.
God is the one who gets to say what's good and what's not. Hey, He was the one who made it.
Now, if you create a universe, then you get to decide how things go and what value things have. If you create the universe, you get to decide, for example, whether "being happy" is more important than being moral.
And that's when I realized: maybe that's why Sims and Minecraft and other video games are so popular. It's where we get to be god.
Friday, November 28, 2014
Definition of Faith
We are SO good at turning even faith into a work.
I've heard definitions. Good definitions.
~ Faith is the passive receptivity of God's mercy.
~ Faith is the trust of the heart.
~ Faith is defined rightly only if you can replace the word "faith" with the word "Jesus," and still have the sentence mean the same thing.
Recently, Pastor said
Faith is a desire to be loved
and forgiven by your Lord.
A desire.
Huh.
Nobody confuses "desire" with my own work, my own activity, my own merits.
I like that.
I've heard definitions. Good definitions.
~ Faith is the passive receptivity of God's mercy.
~ Faith is the trust of the heart.
~ Faith is defined rightly only if you can replace the word "faith" with the word "Jesus," and still have the sentence mean the same thing.
Recently, Pastor said
Faith is a desire to be loved
and forgiven by your Lord.
A desire.
Huh.
Nobody confuses "desire" with my own work, my own activity, my own merits.
I like that.
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
The Upcoming Shopping-Weekend
"Black Friday"?
It's a new-fangled term. I'd never heard the phrase until my daughter worked at Borders.
I wasn't crazy about it at first. Then I began to use it; everybody else does!
This year, I'm refusing.
I hate the word. I'm not sure why. I suspect it's because of the consumeristic hype. It's also because my distaste for the name has increased as the Friday sales have spilled over onto Thursday. It's also influenced by the harm done to people (stampeding as shop-doors are unlocked, or crazy rudeness in parking lots).
A week or so ago I made a decision to refrain from using the phrase "Black Friday." I've slipped up a couple of times. But I'm still trying to stick with the much longer description: "the shopping day after Thanksgiving" or "the crazy shopping-weekend at the end of the month."
It's a new-fangled term. I'd never heard the phrase until my daughter worked at Borders.
I wasn't crazy about it at first. Then I began to use it; everybody else does!
This year, I'm refusing.
I hate the word. I'm not sure why. I suspect it's because of the consumeristic hype. It's also because my distaste for the name has increased as the Friday sales have spilled over onto Thursday. It's also influenced by the harm done to people (stampeding as shop-doors are unlocked, or crazy rudeness in parking lots).
A week or so ago I made a decision to refrain from using the phrase "Black Friday." I've slipped up a couple of times. But I'm still trying to stick with the much longer description: "the shopping day after Thanksgiving" or "the crazy shopping-weekend at the end of the month."
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Learning to Trust
When Pastor recently said something about "learning to trust Jesus," I realized that there are two different ways people could take that.
1) Matthias is learning to walk. He wants to. He keeps doing it. It's not "work." It's just what he does. And he falls a lot. No biggie. You just keep growing up and bumbling along, and the walking gets easier.
2) Pick a typical third-grader. Choose one of the math-haters; not a weirdo like me who thought math drill was play-time. That kid may be learning his math facts. But he's doing it because the teacher is arm-twisting him into it. He hates it. It's boring. It's hard. He doesn't understand what good this will do. Why does he have to do this anyway? "Because it's good for you." "Well, I'd rather climb a tree or ride my bike." There's no joy in the learning. And he hates being berated when he makes a mistake.
Both are learning.
But "learning to trust Jesus" is much more like the first than the second.
1) Matthias is learning to walk. He wants to. He keeps doing it. It's not "work." It's just what he does. And he falls a lot. No biggie. You just keep growing up and bumbling along, and the walking gets easier.
2) Pick a typical third-grader. Choose one of the math-haters; not a weirdo like me who thought math drill was play-time. That kid may be learning his math facts. But he's doing it because the teacher is arm-twisting him into it. He hates it. It's boring. It's hard. He doesn't understand what good this will do. Why does he have to do this anyway? "Because it's good for you." "Well, I'd rather climb a tree or ride my bike." There's no joy in the learning. And he hates being berated when he makes a mistake.
Both are learning.
But "learning to trust Jesus" is much more like the first than the second.
Reading Challenge
Update on this year's reading list:
finish proofreading New Testament Catechist [done Feb 11]
Light from Heaven (the last Mitford book) [done March 6]
Home to Holly Springs [done Sept 7]
In the Company of Others [done Nov 23]
Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good
the Kristin Lavransdatter series, by Sigrid Undset
Bridal Wreath [done March 27]
Mistress of Husaby [done April 30]
The Cross [done June 15]
Anne of the Island [done July 31]
Anne of Windy Poplars [done Sept 8]
Anne's House of Dreams [done Oct 12]
Anne of Ingleside
Rainbow Valley
Rilla of Ingleside
(with Maggie)
Hammer of God (again)
The Complete Guide to Creating a Special Needs Life Plan, by Hal Wright [done Sept 19]
likely some proofreading on Bible Stories for Daily Prayer
possibly
a Luther biography with Maggie
Narnia (again)
Horses of Heaven, by Gillian Bradshaw [done Sept 1]
maybe try out an Elizabeth Gaskill book
something by Beverly Engel or Robin Stern
Quiet by Susan Cain [done July 20]
additions beyond original list
What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause [done July 29]
Struck by Genius [done Oct 20]
The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You
by Elaine N Aron
Let's Roll, by Beamer
Beyond the Mists, by Benchley
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
Cutting for Stone, by Verghese
Light in the Dark Belt: The Story of Rosa Young
finish proofreading New Testament Catechist [done Feb 11]
Light from Heaven (the last Mitford book) [done March 6]
Home to Holly Springs [done Sept 7]
In the Company of Others [done Nov 23]
Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good
the Kristin Lavransdatter series, by Sigrid Undset
Bridal Wreath [done March 27]
Mistress of Husaby [done April 30]
The Cross [done June 15]
Anne of the Island [done July 31]
Anne of Windy Poplars [done Sept 8]
Anne's House of Dreams [done Oct 12]
Anne of Ingleside
Rainbow Valley
Rilla of Ingleside
(with Maggie)
Hammer of God (again)
The Complete Guide to Creating a Special Needs Life Plan, by Hal Wright [done Sept 19]
likely some proofreading on Bible Stories for Daily Prayer
possibly
a Luther biography with Maggie
Narnia (again)
Horses of Heaven, by Gillian Bradshaw [done Sept 1]
maybe try out an Elizabeth Gaskill book
something by Beverly Engel or Robin Stern
Quiet by Susan Cain [done July 20]
additions beyond original list
What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause [done July 29]
Struck by Genius [done Oct 20]
The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You
by Elaine N Aron
Let's Roll, by Beamer
Beyond the Mists, by Benchley
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
Cutting for Stone, by Verghese
Light in the Dark Belt: The Story of Rosa Young
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Zoe Said Her Catechism Verse
At church, there's a star-chart in the hallway. Kids' names, listed by grade, with slots for having learned the main Bible stories and the Six Chief Parts. When you say the Bible verse from one of the chief parts, you get a colored star. When you speak the entire section, the date is listed.
Today 3-yr-old Zoe recited fully and correctly to Pastor for the first time. (Earlier this year, she told him the Lord's Prayer almost by herself without prompts.) This morning shewhispered told him the verse from John 20. He gave her a high-five, then she walked away, dragging me with her. Down the hall. Directly to the star chart. It was all of about 15-20 seconds after finishing her recitation.
Disappointed little girl. Her star had not appeared on the chart yet!
(I told Pastor about her expectation. I suspect the star will appear soon.)
Today 3-yr-old Zoe recited fully and correctly to Pastor for the first time. (Earlier this year, she told him the Lord's Prayer almost by herself without prompts.) This morning she
Disappointed little girl. Her star had not appeared on the chart yet!
(I told Pastor about her expectation. I suspect the star will appear soon.)
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Learning the Letter Sounds
Three-year-old says:
"Q" is for "'kwuh." Kwuh, kwuh, KWOSED!
(You know. "Kwosed" -- the opposite of open.)
"Q" is for "'kwuh." Kwuh, kwuh, KWOSED!
(You know. "Kwosed" -- the opposite of open.)
Stealing Katie's stories because
they make me smile.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Pictures
Friday, November 14, 2014
People Praying for Me
I phoned the Issues Etc Comment Line today. Jeff asked my name and my comment. Just before he put me on hold, he asked where I was calling from. I told him and then kneaded bread while waiting for my turn on-air. About a minute before Jeff was ready to put me through, he popped onto the phone to tell me that the break was nearly over and they were about ready to take my call. And then ...
then he asked me how I was doing and how my health was.
And he told me they'd been praying for me.
I was floored.
Me?
Why should he even know me?
I lightly (and quickly) mentioned that I was much improved. I said I am walking, talking, and DRIVING again.
Wow.
People that I've met only a few times, only briefly, and yet they care and they pray on my behalf.
"The communion of saints." Sometimes you get a glimpse that you don't normally see, and it blows you away.
then he asked me how I was doing and how my health was.
And he told me they'd been praying for me.
I was floored.
Me?
Why should he even know me?
I lightly (and quickly) mentioned that I was much improved. I said I am walking, talking, and DRIVING again.
Wow.
People that I've met only a few times, only briefly, and yet they care and they pray on my behalf.
"The communion of saints." Sometimes you get a glimpse that you don't normally see, and it blows you away.
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Update
I put my good mittens (the most-excellent ones that Dad bought for Mom) into the car. They feel fantastic when the steering wheel is so cold.
Upon the girls' encouragement, I trimmed about an inch of hair off the very middle back of my neck, to even out the look of the short hair. It does look better now.
Katie cleaned house here last week. Gary did loads of raking over the weekend but didn't have time to get rid of the leaves. Today Katie finished raking and dragging leaves over to the garden. Wow! What a relief that that's done!
I cleaned out the gutters last weekend. Funny, for some reason, we didn't get to it last spring. There were a few teeny-tiny maples that had sprung up from spring's helicopters. Whew! I'm glad we didn't leave them there longer -- I hate seeing maples grow out of people's gutters.
Coat needs to go to the dry-cleaner too. Still covered with last winter's road-salt. Funny, for some reason, I didn't get that chore done in May either.
Chicken soup is my friend.
Proud, proud, proud of Katie for getting involved with village politics, where a bunch of regular folks are calling out the shenanigans of the village leaders. She's been to some public meetings, talked, and is circulating petitions. Proud of her! And proud of the 100-or-so other folks in the village who are also fed up with government spending and subterfuge.
Upon a friend's reminder of what fish oil can do for joints and nerves, I have been diligently working to remember (and oh!, it's hard to remember) to consume fish oil daily. I've also been pretty good recently about remembering mypond scum vitamins. Arachnoiditis has noticeably improved. I begin to tentatively hope that maybe, someday, I will actually "get back to normal." Maybe.
The computer mouse has been acting up recently. It's annoying, but I haven't done anything to fix it yet. (What's up with that laziness?!) Yesterday, the Blue Screen Of Death swooped upon us. The computer tried its self-repair thingy, and then we attempted going back to a restore-point. I'm scared that pretty soon it's going to keel over and die-beyond-resuscitation. But Gary did get the machine turned on last night, and I backed up photos, documents, bookmarks, and email. That's the critical stuff.
I'm sorting and cleaning out files at church. Today I think I finished the Scaer files for already-published and yet-to-be-published volumes.
a) There's so much stuff I want to nab, curl up with on the couch, and read.
b) Combine several different editors on the same project, and a variety of different concepts for organizational themes, and it turned out there was LOTS of duplicate material. The boxes are nicely thinned now without any articles being eliminated. Yee haw -- all the highs of clutter-dumping with none of the worry of "What if I need it later?"
Upon the girls' encouragement, I trimmed about an inch of hair off the very middle back of my neck, to even out the look of the short hair. It does look better now.
Katie cleaned house here last week. Gary did loads of raking over the weekend but didn't have time to get rid of the leaves. Today Katie finished raking and dragging leaves over to the garden. Wow! What a relief that that's done!
I cleaned out the gutters last weekend. Funny, for some reason, we didn't get to it last spring. There were a few teeny-tiny maples that had sprung up from spring's helicopters. Whew! I'm glad we didn't leave them there longer -- I hate seeing maples grow out of people's gutters.
Coat needs to go to the dry-cleaner too. Still covered with last winter's road-salt. Funny, for some reason, I didn't get that chore done in May either.
Chicken soup is my friend.
Proud, proud, proud of Katie for getting involved with village politics, where a bunch of regular folks are calling out the shenanigans of the village leaders. She's been to some public meetings, talked, and is circulating petitions. Proud of her! And proud of the 100-or-so other folks in the village who are also fed up with government spending and subterfuge.
Upon a friend's reminder of what fish oil can do for joints and nerves, I have been diligently working to remember (and oh!, it's hard to remember) to consume fish oil daily. I've also been pretty good recently about remembering my
The computer mouse has been acting up recently. It's annoying, but I haven't done anything to fix it yet. (What's up with that laziness?!) Yesterday, the Blue Screen Of Death swooped upon us. The computer tried its self-repair thingy, and then we attempted going back to a restore-point. I'm scared that pretty soon it's going to keel over and die-beyond-resuscitation. But Gary did get the machine turned on last night, and I backed up photos, documents, bookmarks, and email. That's the critical stuff.
I'm sorting and cleaning out files at church. Today I think I finished the Scaer files for already-published and yet-to-be-published volumes.
a) There's so much stuff I want to nab, curl up with on the couch, and read.
b) Combine several different editors on the same project, and a variety of different concepts for organizational themes, and it turned out there was LOTS of duplicate material. The boxes are nicely thinned now without any articles being eliminated. Yee haw -- all the highs of clutter-dumping with none of the worry of "What if I need it later?"
Sunday, November 09, 2014
With Two They Humbly Hid Their Feet from Sight
Isaiah 6 -- Isaiah saw the seraphim around the throne of the Lord. Each used two wings to cover his face, two wings to cover his feet, and two wings to fly.
Interesting about covering the feet.
Because when we hear about redeemer types, their feet are uncovered.
Moses (Exodus 3).
Joshua (Joshua 5).
Boaz (Ruth 3).
Jesus (Genesis 3).
Even preachers too (Isaiah 52 and John 13).
I don't know what it means, but it makes me wonder.
(And I do wonder about God becoming incarnate as a man, not as an angel.)
Interesting about covering the feet.
Because when we hear about redeemer types, their feet are uncovered.
Moses (Exodus 3).
Joshua (Joshua 5).
Boaz (Ruth 3).
Jesus (Genesis 3).
Even preachers too (Isaiah 52 and John 13).
I don't know what it means, but it makes me wonder.
(And I do wonder about God becoming incarnate as a man, not as an angel.)
Friday, November 07, 2014
Anniversary
Fun evening out tonight at the Cafe Bavaria.
A couple of weeks ago, Gary said he wanted to take us out this Friday evening to celebrate. "Celebrate what?" An anniversary.
Hmmm. Not our wedding. Not our kids' weddings. Not our parents' weddings.
No birthdays either.
I was stymied.
He finally asked, "What happened six months ago?" He said it was time to celebrate.
Andrew and Olivia and Maggie and Gary and I went out for a fabulous-tasting dinner, visiting, and lots of laughs. (And a little post-election cheering.) I got my first look at their very cute apartment! It was one of those evenings that you wish could happen more often (and are grateful for the gifts that made such a fun and extravagant evening possible).
And you know what else?
It's really really nice that my family wants to celebrate that I'm still here. It makes a person feel all warm and fuzzy and loved!
A couple of weeks ago, Gary said he wanted to take us out this Friday evening to celebrate. "Celebrate what?" An anniversary.
Hmmm. Not our wedding. Not our kids' weddings. Not our parents' weddings.
No birthdays either.
I was stymied.
He finally asked, "What happened six months ago?" He said it was time to celebrate.
Andrew and Olivia and Maggie and Gary and I went out for a fabulous-tasting dinner, visiting, and lots of laughs. (And a little post-election cheering.) I got my first look at their very cute apartment! It was one of those evenings that you wish could happen more often (and are grateful for the gifts that made such a fun and extravagant evening possible).
And you know what else?
It's really really nice that my family wants to celebrate that I'm still here. It makes a person feel all warm and fuzzy and loved!
Saturday, November 01, 2014
Your Daughter-in-Law?
Katie came to the bank today with the kids. The girls accepted stickers and colored. Matthias crawled around, causing Alia to worry that he would get into the garbage or something. Our newest employee did Katie's transactions while I flirted with the grandkids.
After my family left, the new teller asked, "So, that was your daughter-in-law?"
No. She's my daughter.
It happens over and over. When there's a substitute or a new employee, upon meeting Katie, they always assume she is my daughter-in-law, and they seem surprised that she's my daughter.
A) Different last names seems to me to indicate she had my last-name, but no longer does. But divorce is rampant, and some women don't take their husbands names anyhow. Still, wouldn't it be nice if people could take it for granted that her different-last-name meant she was my daughter?
B) Really -- why the pervasive assumption that Katie is married into the family instead of born in? I don't get it.
After my family left, the new teller asked, "So, that was your daughter-in-law?"
No. She's my daughter.
It happens over and over. When there's a substitute or a new employee, upon meeting Katie, they always assume she is my daughter-in-law, and they seem surprised that she's my daughter.
A) Different last names seems to me to indicate she had my last-name, but no longer does. But divorce is rampant, and some women don't take their husbands names anyhow. Still, wouldn't it be nice if people could take it for granted that her different-last-name meant she was my daughter?
B) Really -- why the pervasive assumption that Katie is married into the family instead of born in? I don't get it.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Korby Quote
"Jesus does not puke when He hears you or sees you."
-- Ken Korby, 1992
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Date It!
Going through files at church, thinning, weeding, sorting, and ordering, again I see the importance of dating paperwork.
Invitations to conferences with dates and no years. That makes it hard to sort chronologically.
Faded and yellowed papers. Are they from the 1950's? Or is the booklet from the 1990's but printed on cheap paper that aged too quickly?
Lovely to run across a stream of stuff that you'd luv-luv-luv to throw out, but it must be kept for certain reasons ... and find that at least you can put them in order because they're fully dated.
At home it's good to find an owner's manual with the date scribbled on the front of when we bought that mower or washer or stove ... especially when the years fly by and you could've sworn that the appliance was only three years old in spite of the written evidence proves the item is twelve years old.
Invitations to conferences with dates and no years. That makes it hard to sort chronologically.
Faded and yellowed papers. Are they from the 1950's? Or is the booklet from the 1990's but printed on cheap paper that aged too quickly?
Lovely to run across a stream of stuff that you'd luv-luv-luv to throw out, but it must be kept for certain reasons ... and find that at least you can put them in order because they're fully dated.
At home it's good to find an owner's manual with the date scribbled on the front of when we bought that mower or washer or stove ... especially when the years fly by and you could've sworn that the appliance was only three years old in spite of the written evidence proves the item is twelve years old.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Thyself to Scorn Didst Offer
A few weeks ago we heard the parable (Matt 21) about the vine-dressers who beat up the land-owner's servants. Then they killed his son.
Then we heard (Matt 22) about the people who were invited to the wedding-feast of the king's son and responded with, "Phhhtttthhhbbbbppp! We've got better things to do."
We also heard about Pharisees and scribes and Sadducees trying to entrap Jesus (Matt 22).
If we keep reading through the passion (Matt 26-27 or Psalm 22) we'd see a lot more scorn and mocking -- from the church leaders, from the soldiers, from the people. Even from the disciples.
Every single sin we commit =
unbelief =
disobedience =
scorning Jesus.
Lamb of God, pure and holy,
who on the cross didst suffer,
ever patient and lowly,
Thyself to scorn didst offer.
All sins Thou borest for us,
else had despair reigned o'er us.
Have mercy on us, O Jesus.
Then we heard (Matt 22) about the people who were invited to the wedding-feast of the king's son and responded with, "Phhhtttthhhbbbbppp! We've got better things to do."
We also heard about Pharisees and scribes and Sadducees trying to entrap Jesus (Matt 22).
If we keep reading through the passion (Matt 26-27 or Psalm 22) we'd see a lot more scorn and mocking -- from the church leaders, from the soldiers, from the people. Even from the disciples.
Every single sin we commit =
unbelief =
disobedience =
scorning Jesus.
Lamb of God, pure and holy,
who on the cross didst suffer,
ever patient and lowly,
Thyself to scorn didst offer.
All sins Thou borest for us,
else had despair reigned o'er us.
Have mercy on us, O Jesus.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
We Have Never Been in Bondage to Anyone
Pastor was talking in Bible class today about how we believe in the Word of God. But it's not only words we believe. Any religious leader can spout words. The truth of those words is shown in whether the words come to pass (Deut 18:21-22). The events of Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection show that His words were true. His own words came to pass in the historical events. The words of the Old Testament prophets also were proven true in the historical events of Jesus' day.
So I asked, "Did the Old Testament Christians believe in 'just the words' or did they have the events too?" confused because they obviously had not observed the events that occurred in the life of Jesus of Nazareth.
Pastor pointed out the constituative event of the Israelites: the Passover and the crossing of the Red Sea. That was their salvific event. It saved. It was a historical fact. It was the fulfillment of the promise which came before. It showed that the Lord was faithful to His word.
About an hour later, we hear from John in today's Gospel. Jesus is telling His followers to abide in His word. He tells them, "The truth shall make you free." And what's the response from some of the Jews?
Free? Huh? We're free. We're Abraham's descendents. How come you're offering freedom? We've never been in bondage to anyone.
I laughed.
Hello, guys: Pharaoh. Egypt. Slavery.
Moabites, Amorites, Sidonians.
Ammonites, Canaanites, Philistines.
Assyria.
Babylon and Persia.
Yeah, I guess if they couldn't remember the historical events of their past, they're not going to be able to believe the words which came to pass in the unfolding of those events.
And neither would they believe the words which were soon to pan out in the events of Holy Week.
So I asked, "Did the Old Testament Christians believe in 'just the words' or did they have the events too?" confused because they obviously had not observed the events that occurred in the life of Jesus of Nazareth.
Pastor pointed out the constituative event of the Israelites: the Passover and the crossing of the Red Sea. That was their salvific event. It saved. It was a historical fact. It was the fulfillment of the promise which came before. It showed that the Lord was faithful to His word.
About an hour later, we hear from John in today's Gospel. Jesus is telling His followers to abide in His word. He tells them, "The truth shall make you free." And what's the response from some of the Jews?
Free? Huh? We're free. We're Abraham's descendents. How come you're offering freedom? We've never been in bondage to anyone.
I laughed.
Hello, guys: Pharaoh. Egypt. Slavery.
Moabites, Amorites, Sidonians.
Ammonites, Canaanites, Philistines.
Assyria.
Babylon and Persia.
Yeah, I guess if they couldn't remember the historical events of their past, they're not going to be able to believe the words which came to pass in the unfolding of those events.
And neither would they believe the words which were soon to pan out in the events of Holy Week.
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