"Singing the Devil Away" (13)

Back to the Gerhardt hymn translated by Kleinig...

I am God's and He is mine;
Who can ever part us?
Even if the cross slips in
painfully between us,
let it be because it comes
from my God who loves me,
making, in His time, a door
open up before us.


I started noticing that "I am yours, and you are mine" was often used in connection to wedding rites. It's used between lovers. It's in Shakespeare and in Luther. It's in modern love songs. It's also used in some monastic vows.

The phrase comes up in hymns. "Lord, my Shepherd, take me to Thee. Thou art mine; I was Thine, even ere I knew Thee" (from Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me). "Thou art my heart's most beautous Flower, and Thy blest gospel's saving power my raptured soul engages. Thou mine, I Thine. Sing hosanna" (from How Lovely Shines the Morning Star).

The previous stanza of Gerhardt's hymn reflects on Satan's utter inability to override what God has established. This stanza goes on to be explicit about what God has established: that we are joined to Him. And even if trouble should come [if? ha! when is more like it...] it will work for our good.

Acts of Mercy

A question came up in Bible class recently. It was about acts of mercy, philanthropy, charitable deeds. The following comment does not in any way suggest kindness be withheld from one group of people or another. But it is nevertheless an interesting observation.


About a year or two ago, Pastor did some really intense study on the book of Acts. He says that nowhere in the book of Acts were "acts of mercy" done for anyone except the fellow-Christians.

CCA

The dates for next year's catechetical symposium are June 18-20. Put it on your calendar now. It really doesn't matter what the topic is, because you need to come regardless of the topic, as my dear friend makes clear. But for those whose curiosity overwhelms, the topic will be catechesis under the fifth commandment, particularly on "life issues."

Wasted Tax Dollars

We were at a very nice hotel for the last couple of days for a symposium. It's one of those hotels that draws a lot of business by renting out ballrooms, meeting rooms, conference rooms, etc.

I noticed that one of the large meeting rooms was being used by a government agency. They were together for "grant reading" to decide which grants to choose to fund.

WHY?

There's a very nice building in Madison. It's called the state capitol. It has lots of rooms. There's also the office building in Madison set aside for this agency. But no, they had to get people together elsewhere and pay for the rooms.

Why do I suspect that somebody wanted to make a vacation out of their duty to sort through grant proposals?

I Am the Vine

The Gospel reading for last night's Divine Service was from John 15. I don't know why I never noticed this until last night. Maybe it's because of going to vineyard country near St Catharines. Maybe it's because I've been trying to figure out what to do about pruning my grape vines.

Jesus is the vine.

Vines are held up by wood posts. Or trees. Hmmm.

Moving

For the sake of Katie's grandmas, aunts, mother-in-law, etc, I'm giving a report.

Gary, Paul, Andrew, Maggie, and I arrived Thursday morning to help carry boxes and furniture. Rachel had arrived a little earlier. Nathan and Katie hadn't wanted to impose by asking for help loading the rental truck. But when he saw how long it was taking him to move the pile of boxes outdoors, and how fast that pile zipped outdoors after The Help arrived, they were glad for the family who'd invited themselves over to assist.

Nathan learned that when they say you should use small boxes for books, they really mean small.

Gary and I were very impressed with the packing job the kids had done. They had nearly everything loaded into boxes and organized before we got there. For a first move, they sure had their act together!

Most of the family went home late Thursday afternoon. I shampooed the carpet and Katie thoroughly cleaned the place; she wants the whole security deposit back! We left about 8:00 and stopped in northeastern IN at a hotel. We drove the rest of the way to Fort Wayne on Friday morning.

I learned that stopping for food is more important than diligently loading a truck. And I learned that stopping at the grocery store to grab some fruit and lunchmeat should take priority over unloading a truck, even if you have to get it back to the rental facility.

We took an interesting little detour through Ft Wayne in the moving van. I did not realize that Katie and Nathan had rented the place, site unseen. I thought he was headed in an odd direction through town, but assumed he knew where he was going. Turned out that he was waiting for me to tell him which roads to take. Well,... we managed to get wherre we belonged by blundering our way through town without a map, just by the "feel" of the roads and going on intuition and a little bit of what I remembered from driving around the Fort when I've been there for symposium.

I can't even count the number of times Nathan exclaimed, "This is so great. It'll probably be the nicest place we'll ever live!" The complex is nice. The apartment is nice. Both bedrooms are about the size of our bedrooms here. The living room is about the size of ours. The kitchen is much smaller, but has as much counter space and cupboard space as my kitchen (maybe more). Katie is excited to see a full-size fridge and a full-size stove. The bathroom has two sinks and a washer-dryer. One bedroom has a walk-in closet. There's a nice little patio for sitting and/or grilling. It's just a very nice place. What blows my mind is that the apartment complex probably has more homes and a higher population than any of the villages near us.

The kids had heard that the apt complex is nice, but that sometimes it can be very rowdy, with loud neighbors. I think they aren't going to have a problem with that. It looks like there are groups of college kids in other nearby buildings. But their row of buildings seems to be populated with senior citizens and young married couples. About 15 minutes after we arrived, a fellow of about 70 meandered out of his apartment, took up residence on his patio, and kept an eye on our unloading. Some of his buddies showed up and watched the entertainment too. All I can hope is that these guys continue to prove themselves to be like my dad; if so, Katie and Nathan will have good grandpa-neighbors around!

The biggest problem of my weekend was figuring out whether I wanted to be at the kids' apartment or at Jane's house for the homeschool-mom party. I much too thoroughly enjoyed whichever group I was with at the moment!

When it was time to go on Sunday morning, I said farewell to the kids and started to choke up. Gosh, it's harder to leave them when they're 225 miles away than it is when they're 50. But Melody and Wendi (with whom I was riding back to Illinois) were with me, and there was plenty of chattiness going on in the car, and I managed not to cry over leaving them.

Kitty Wars

Rosie's been here ten days now. It is now possible for Athena and Rosie to coexist in the same room for a short period of time, often without any hissing on Athena's part. Of course, this is only if wee-kitten remembers that old-cat's tail is not a toy for her pouncing amusement.

Wee-kitten has been bopped by an angry paw a time or two, and is thus beginning to learn that it is not always wise to treat old-cat the way wee-kitten had been tumbling around her mother.

Athena (old-cat) has been pretty irritable and cranky with us too, for having had the audacity to allow the interloper to remain. When it stormed the other night, she preferred to stay outside in the rain, hunched in a corner of the porch where she wasn't quite managing to stay dry, rather than to consent to come indoors where the Wild Thing was.

Today while I was jogging, I saw the first glimmer of Athena being her old self. She saw me outdoors, ran up to me, smooched my legs, wanted to be petted, and enjoyed (for the first time in ten days) getting scratched in her favorite spot. Of course, we were 200 feet from the house, hidden away at the far end of church, where we could pretend like Rosie never existed.... but, hey, it's a step in the right direction. Athena actually wanted to be petted again, and I was beginning to wonder if that'd ever happen.

Quick Update

I was gone for four days, helping kids move and playing with friends. (Jane and Polly have pictures.) Back here for two days, then out of town for three more, back home for one, and out of town for another day. Lots to do next week, but no trips more than 90 minutes away. Phew!

In the two days between trips, I
did laundry,
changed the bedding,
cleaned the house,
caught up on some undone dishes from the weekend,
answered the phone for church a lot,
did the weekly errands and shopping,
chatted with grown-up kids,
caught up on mail,
made gumbo (which makes for happy dinner companions, who thus are not sapping my energy by pretending -unsucessfully- not to be dissatisfied with their food),
played Apples to Apples,
made bread,
did some schoolwork with the kids (but only a couple of hours),
repaired some damage to the garden,
did the banking and took care of the bills and budget.

Almost everybody had places to be this afternoon, and I was going to be home alone for several hours. I had hoped to spend a lovely afternoon luxuriating by editing out in the sunshine and fresh cool air. Andrew told me that I always have too much on the to-do list and never finish it when I have a few hours to myself. He's right. I looked at that list and tried to tell myself that it was going to be okay (yes, really, it would be okay!) when I got to the end of the day and had accomplished less than a third of the items. But -- amazingly enough! -- the list is nearly done. And I'm thrilled. So now I'm ready for symposium and also for an ordination this weekend.

Gone for a While

Three kids have moved to Milwaukee. It wasn't hard for me to say goodbye to them when they were only 50-80 minutes away. But today we help pack up a kid who'll be going two states away. This is going to be different.

At least I can look forward to food, wine, chocolate, and giggling friends this weekend. It just so happened that the U-Haul unloading weekend landed on the same day, in the same city, as the Mamapalooza with a bunch of homeschooling friends. Helping the kids with packing/unpacking is how I'm justifying my goof-off trip. I feel a little guilty for leaving my husband to cook for the crew, and to fetch my broken car back from the mechanic, and to do my paper route for me. And I feel guilty for stalling on the next physics chapter and starting the Algebra 2 book with Paul. But I can justify it for now by claiming that I'm helping Nathan and Katie. Yes I am. I don't want to indulge myself with friends. No. Of course not. I'm just doing it to be nice to the kids.

(Do ya buy that??)

"Singing the Devil Away" (12)

Gerhardt's song then goes on to make plain that first-article gifts are not enough to counter depression. They are good. They are evidence of what God does out of love for us. But gifts of food and clothing and home cannot counter the devil's attacks. The only antidote to depression is the song of God's Word and the Holy Spirit's enlightenment.

Stanza 10 speaks in sensual terms (as Dr Kleinig mentioned earlier). We taste the doctrine that we long to hear and by which we are refreshed. And when the Holy Spirit opens our minds, then our senses absorb His lovingkindness.

Stanza 11 echoes so many Easter themes. And Epiphany themes. The light in the darkness. The prophets' and the apostles' message. The peaceful conscience which is a peace "not as the world gives." And that these words of the scriptures are the only thing that brings assurance.

Stanza 12 recalls the firm foundation referred to in the previous stanza, and how the devil's efforts cannot topple what God has built. The devil's plans will collapse, but all his railing against God's work will not be able to undo it.

Huntress?

Good grieeeeeef!

Gary about stepped on a toad near the front stoop this evening. "Ah ha," I think. "An opportunity for wee cat to chase something alive." Granted, nobody wants to bite a toad. But still, the chase would be good for her. (Especially since I have had to kill two mice in the last 24 hours all by myself. And this AIN'T MY JOB. It's the cats' job!)

Well, either this is a very smart and camoflauged toad ... or this is a defective kitty. This kitty's grandma was the awesome huntress who taught Athena to be such a good mouser (and possum-chaser, and bunny-murderess, and fowler, etc). I would've thought Rosie would have a grand time pouncing at the toad. I didn't think she'd actually do it damage, though.

But, c'mon! She crouched into a pouncy stance, twitched her tail, and stared. No pounce. Finally she walked over and touched noses to the toad.

She better be more effective when tempted with mice and groundhogs!

Silver Chair

When I first read the whole Narnia series, I loved it. There were stories in the series I liked better than others, of course.

The thing I've found, though, is that one of my less-favorite books, the Silver Chair, is the one I'm growing to love more than ever. It touches on the idea about repeatedly reciting the words from God. And there's so much in there about believing the Word against all evidence to the contrary. And doing what Aslan called them to do, regardless of the outcome. And of course, Aslan's faithfulness to them in spite of their failure to obey. And Puddleglum's declaration that he would prefer to live in his imaginary world with a sun than in the "real" underground world of the queen.

When Maggie pops that BBC show into the VCR, I hear something new and rich each time.

"Singing the Devil Away" (11)

The next verses of Gerhardt's hymn make the case that God's first-article gifts are evidence that He cares.

Stanza 7 says that it's a lie that God doesn't accept us, and that He would not have given all these good things if He were displeased with us. Stanza 8 points out that everything in creation was designed to serve me. Stanza 9 comments on the rain and grass and food that God uses to delight us.

"Singing the Devil Away" (10)

Let the devil rant and rage;
death has lost its danger.
God protects me from his threats
with His grace and favor.
Since He honors me and loves
me as He loves Jesus,
all the devil's scornful taunts
will not make me gloomy.


Just look at all the lines in common with Gerhardt's Advent hymn!

"What though the foes be raging,
heed not their craft and spite.
Your Lord, the battle waging,
will scatter all their might."

and "I stood, my shame bemoaning,
Thou com'st to honor me."

and "Rejoice, then, ye sad-hearted,
who sit in deepest gloom."

And this Gerhardt stanza also reminds us of the ever-so-precious Christmas hymn by Luther (which didn't make it into LSB): "What harm can sin and death then do? The true God now abides with you! Let hell and Satan rage and chafe: Christ is your Brother; you are safe."

Entertainment

A hundred years ago, people did not have tv, movies, or video games.

But they did not spay their cats either. I think watching little kitties is all the entertainment anybody would ever need! We've had so much fun the last couple of days, watching Rosie attempt to master skills, explore her new environment, and just be cute. There's just nothing to do but laugh gleefully when the kitten suddenly pops out of nowhere and tears madly through the house, practicing her Bursts Of Speed. Or when she decides she MUST learn to run up the stairs with gracefulness, but keeps missing and bonking her head when she didn't jump high enough. And yet she perseveres.

Maybe instead of valium and antidepressants, we need more KITTENS to nap in our laps and entertain us with their antics. Hooray for kittens! (Hmm. Maybe we shouldn't get Rosie spayed when she's older, after all.)

"Singing the Devil Away" (9)

Still singing to the TLH tune for "Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain"...

Jesus is my innocence,
righteousness, and glory.
He has gained from me a place
where I live in safety,
like a fortress so secure
that no foe can conquer.
Even hell's artillery
cannot break and take it.

Dr Kleinig pointed out that Gerhardt lived during the time of the Thirty Years War. Previously, fortresses provided protection during war. But gunpowder and cannon had been developed to such a point by this time that cannon would break down the thick walls of castles. So this verse hearkens back to the idea that there actually is an impenetrable fortress where we can find security and safety from our enemy.

"Singing the Devil Away" (8)

If I've sinned and done what's wrong,
Then I say I'm sorry.
My one antidote for guilt
Is the blood of Jesus.
That's the ransom for my soul
From all evil-doing.
If I show it at God's throne,
I have His approval.

Notice that the "I'm sorry" is spoken, but is not the antidote for guilt. Contrition goes hand-in-hand with faith, but is never the thing that gives assurance of forgiveness. The only thing that rescues us from evil-doing (and from the guilt associated with it) is Jesus' blood.

The last couple of lines remind me of "In Thee Alone," where it says about Christ's death and sacrifice:
Lord, show before the Father's throne
That Thou didst for my sin atone.
So shall I from my load be freed.
Thy Word I plead.
Keep me, O Lord, each hour of need.

"Singing the Devil Away" (7)

The Gerhardt hymn "Let Me Rise" goes on with the Christian's response to the devil's accusations. The venom has been removed from Satan's bite. It is the cross of Christ which has crushed Satan's head and provides for us the feast in heaven.

I will shake my head and say:
"Flee, you snake, you dragon!
You can't strike me with your sting.
You can't make me fearful!
Christ has crushed your toxic head
with His painful passion.
He has snatched me from your reach
to His hall for feasting.

"If you tell me I have sinned,
I will answer boldly:
I don't take my lead from you
for my self-appraisal.
Who has given you the right
to condemn God's people?
Aren't you now already stuck
in hell's fiery fury?"

Then the song goes on to tell Satan that he has no right to throw our sin in our faces. And it reminds us of the communion hymn: "Who can condemn me now for surely the Lord is nigh who justifies." And Romans 8: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." And the lines from "God's Own Child": telling Satan to "drop his ugly accusation" and "now that to the font I've traveled, all your might has come unraveled."

They say "the winner writes the history." It's true. But that never stopped the devil from trying to rewrite history from his own perspective. They also say that if you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it. That's what the devil is aiming for with his accusations!

Here, Kitty, Kitty, Kitty!

Andrew has been such a help recently. He has been growing up and maturing. He's also been yearning desperately for a cat of his own for about 4-5 years. So on Saturday (somewhat as a reward) we brought home the sister of Rachel and Matt's kitty.

Rachel tells us that Hero is the lively one and Rosie is the calm one. It's been fun, watching Rosie play and explore and learn, and then flop down exhausted and snooze. One of the kids exclaimed, "And Rachel says this is the CALM one?" Yup yup yup: that's how toddlers are!

Rosie is named in honor of Samwise Gamgee's fair bride. For pictures, check out my husband's very first blog post that's not about theology.

Train

We attended a lovely wedding yesterday of some young friends. In addition to the worship and prayers, in addition to the nice party, there was a little bit of tugging on the heart-strings. This was the first time I remember being back at that church after Pastor Wiest's funeral there.

For the wedding, we sang the beautiful Starke wedding hymn, part of which goes:
Jesus, You have made her holy,
pure and fair her radiant train.
To Yourself Your church presenting
without wrinkle, spot, or stain.

That one word train threw me back to one of the songs that always reminds me of Pr Wiest: "The Son of God Goes Forth to War" (the second verse of which is about St Stephen). Each stanza ends with "who follows in his train?"

We've sung this wedding hymn several times in the last year, and until yesterday, I never thought about the train of the apostles, prophets, martyrs, and all saints. I always just thought of a bride's dress, the beautiful wedding clothes, pure and fair, without stain, as the Apostle writes about the Church in Ephesians 5. ("And there, in garments richly wrought, as Thine own bride I shall be brought to stand in joy beside Thee.")

But do these words not also call to mind the whole Church, all the blessed saints who have gone on before, as well as those who will come after, joined with us? "A noble army, men and boys, the matron and the maid, around the Savior's throne rejoice, in robes of light arrayed. They climbed the steep ascent of heaven, through peril, toil, and pain. O God, to us may grace be given to follow in their train."