Then, when the earth was first poised in mid space,
Then, when the planets first sped on their race,
Then, when were ended the six days employ,
Then all the sons of God shouted for joy. (TLH 255)
In last Sunday's [three-year-series] Old Testament (Job 38) we heard that the angels rejoiced when the foundations of the earth were fastened and its cornerstone laid.
The angels sang the Gloria in Excelsis when Jesus was born (Luke 2).
When Isaiah saw heaven (Isaiah 6), the angels were singing the Sanctus around the Lord who was high and lifted up.
In Luke 15, Jesus tells us that there is much rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents.
In Revelation 7, John lets us know what the angels are singing as they join in the song of the elders and the saints.
When the Bible tells us about the angels' joy and their song, there seems to be a tightly unified theme.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Jam
The guys went strawberry picking with me this morning. One pie and five batches of jam later (37 half-pint jars) I am way past ready for bed.
Didn't do schoolwork today, or clean house, or hoe the garden, or haul manure, or do the grocery shopping. So much still on the to-do list. But at least we aren't bereft of jam for the PBJs!
Tomorrow the dump truck arrives with the load of topsoil that will fill in the messy spot left from the spot the pool vacated 14 months ago. Some of that dirt will go into my raised beds. I really wanted to get a good pile of manure under the topsoil, but we don't have to move all that dirt into its proper place tomorrow already. That's something we can pick away at over the next week or two, and then sow the grass seed.
Didn't do schoolwork today, or clean house, or hoe the garden, or haul manure, or do the grocery shopping. So much still on the to-do list. But at least we aren't bereft of jam for the PBJs!
Tomorrow the dump truck arrives with the load of topsoil that will fill in the messy spot left from the spot the pool vacated 14 months ago. Some of that dirt will go into my raised beds. I really wanted to get a good pile of manure under the topsoil, but we don't have to move all that dirt into its proper place tomorrow already. That's something we can pick away at over the next week or two, and then sow the grass seed.
Worried about Organizing
I've been thinking about the post over at Dark My Road on keeping track of all the things there are to do, and how we become anxious over it, and fail to take care of our own need for rest when there's so much to do.
After some time to consider it, I realize the biggest problem for me is not organization. Karin and I have both bemoaned, "If only I could just be a little more efficient, a little more organized, I'm sure I could pull all this off."
No matter how organized I am, no matter what kind of program I can set up to help me, I will never do it well enough. Of course, I'm still gonna try to do what I can to keep up with my duties and serving my family and neighbors. But my biggest crash-and-burn is the expectation that I will find a way to do it right, to make it work, if I just try hard enough or find the right system.
I think the admission that I can't do it has to come first. Then an organizational plan that helps (but doesn't "solve"!) may prove to be of some assistance. But as long as I go on the assumption that I will be able to juggle all the demands on me and somehow keep track of my to-do lists, as long as I continue to listen to the voices saying "do this" and "do that," those demands will cripple me. For me the first step has to be acknowledging, "Yup, I won't get most of it done, and the world will go on."
But I am so reluctant to admit that.
After some time to consider it, I realize the biggest problem for me is not organization. Karin and I have both bemoaned, "If only I could just be a little more efficient, a little more organized, I'm sure I could pull all this off."
No matter how organized I am, no matter what kind of program I can set up to help me, I will never do it well enough. Of course, I'm still gonna try to do what I can to keep up with my duties and serving my family and neighbors. But my biggest crash-and-burn is the expectation that I will find a way to do it right, to make it work, if I just try hard enough or find the right system.
I think the admission that I can't do it has to come first. Then an organizational plan that helps (but doesn't "solve"!) may prove to be of some assistance. But as long as I go on the assumption that I will be able to juggle all the demands on me and somehow keep track of my to-do lists, as long as I continue to listen to the voices saying "do this" and "do that," those demands will cripple me. For me the first step has to be acknowledging, "Yup, I won't get most of it done, and the world will go on."
But I am so reluctant to admit that.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Pretty Well Settled
When we were visiting my folks and Katie in January, whenever I'd wake up in the middle of the night, before I had my bearings I'd be thinking I was in my bedroom back in the parsonage. But when I was visiting Mom this month, in my half-way-awake moments in the middle of the night I expected to find myself in my bedroom in the house where we live now. I think that means I must be settled in here now, and not still thinking of the parsonage as "home."
And it only took a year and a few months....
And it only took a year and a few months....
My Migraine Cure
I'd never had migraines until this spring when I started getting some pretty awful "ice pick" headaches. (Or at least, I'd never noticed migraines before. Maybe the persistent headaches were so bad that the migraines didn't stand out like they do now that the regular headaches have become rarer.)
Cherí and Gary were talking about neti pots after choir one night. I realized that I had not been using my neti pot because I hadn't felt stuffy from a cold. I thought maybe I should try it. I found that feeling like you have blocked-up sinuses may have nothing to do with what's really going on in there. I couldn't get any water to flow through. After a couple of days of whittling away at the rot in my head, I began to be able to use the neti pot properly. But I knew that, whenever I used it, I would get one of those ice-pick headaches --temporarily-- but aiming from the inside to the outside of my skull. It was the exact same pain as the migraine, only backwards. The good thing, though, was that it lasted only 5-10 minutes. Still, it was hard to force myself to the bathroom sink when I knew how badly it was going to hurt. Over the weeks, as I kept at it, I happily realized that I was no longer having migraines. And the mini-migraine pain that had initially accompanied the neti pot had also disappeared.
I get to feeling fine, and then I don't bother with the neti pot. If I forget for more than a week, headaches start sneaking up on me again. Then I have to diligently use the neti once or twice a day to get myself back to being comfy enough to ... well... y'know... forget to keep at the regimen again.
I know there are a gazillion causes for migraines, and a neti pot certainly won't cure most people. It probably wouldn't even help most people. But I was pleased to find that something this easy did so much to ease my pain.
Cherí and Gary were talking about neti pots after choir one night. I realized that I had not been using my neti pot because I hadn't felt stuffy from a cold. I thought maybe I should try it. I found that feeling like you have blocked-up sinuses may have nothing to do with what's really going on in there. I couldn't get any water to flow through. After a couple of days of whittling away at the rot in my head, I began to be able to use the neti pot properly. But I knew that, whenever I used it, I would get one of those ice-pick headaches --temporarily-- but aiming from the inside to the outside of my skull. It was the exact same pain as the migraine, only backwards. The good thing, though, was that it lasted only 5-10 minutes. Still, it was hard to force myself to the bathroom sink when I knew how badly it was going to hurt. Over the weeks, as I kept at it, I happily realized that I was no longer having migraines. And the mini-migraine pain that had initially accompanied the neti pot had also disappeared.
I get to feeling fine, and then I don't bother with the neti pot. If I forget for more than a week, headaches start sneaking up on me again. Then I have to diligently use the neti once or twice a day to get myself back to being comfy enough to ... well... y'know... forget to keep at the regimen again.
I know there are a gazillion causes for migraines, and a neti pot certainly won't cure most people. It probably wouldn't even help most people. But I was pleased to find that something this easy did so much to ease my pain.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Hanging onto Independence
Older people say they don't want to be a burden on their children. Ill people try to do things for themselves instead of admitting they need help. Two-year-olds demand that mother step back: "I do it MYSELF." Poor people do not want to accept charity. Even apart from human relationships, we sinners don't want to approach God as empty-handed beggars.
But what has happened to our society that so many now are willing to be dependent on government? Is it because we see the government as some far-away non-entity with unlimited resources and no face? Or have we simply belittled hard work and self-sufficiency for so long that we're no longer ashamed of laziness?
But what has happened to our society that so many now are willing to be dependent on government? Is it because we see the government as some far-away non-entity with unlimited resources and no face? Or have we simply belittled hard work and self-sufficiency for so long that we're no longer ashamed of laziness?
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Random Stuff
Some small strips of cilantro, parsley, and basil are now planted between some of my baby berry bushes. We also replanted the corn, cucumbers, and cantaloupe, none of which came up before. The asparagus trench is nearly filled in; the shoots have grown high enough. The sweet potatoes look like they're going to fail.
Several years ago, when the eye doctor told me I needed bifocals, I refused. I said I wasn't getting them until not having them was driving me totally bonkers. I'm not quite there yet. But I must be getting close because I'm considering it. Boy, my eyes have gone downhill a lot in the last month or so.
We thought about turning on the air conditioner today. Didn't do it. If we can get through tomorrow, the weather looks like it will become more pleasant. But, hey, the beans and tomatoes are probably lovin' this!
I took the kids out shopping today. We bought jeans for those of us who only have one or two pairs that aren't raggedy. We bought underwear and socks for those who hadn't raided my dad's dresser drawers two weeks ago. Normally we manage to get along with far fewer pieces of clothing than most people. But so much of it is shabby. And I keep wondering what's going to happen to the economy, and that maybe we shouldn't count on there being a steady supply of merchandise to the stores by the time we finally relegate our worn clothes to the dumpster.
Two friends from church are undergoing major surgeries next week.
I think I'm going to be helping out a friend with respite care for her mom. (C -- I left a message on your cell phone.)
A young man stopped by the house today to try to sell me some books and computer programs to help my kids keep up in school and get better grades. I wasn't interested; I didn't lead him on. But he was persistent. Not pushy persistent, but nevertheless he kept trying to find something I would spend money on. When I told him we homeschool, he smoothly began asking about what curriculum we use. "Oh, we make it up as we go. Libraries are great." That was only the beginning of the confusing responses the poor guy encountered.
I hope Alia is getting to the swimming pool every day. Hey, maybe Maggie and I should try a lake tomorrow.
While I was stopped at the gas station today, two different sets of lost people got themselves straightened out by a few moments with my local map. Neither one trusted the oral directions given by me and others. The map overrode their skepticism.
Several years ago, when the eye doctor told me I needed bifocals, I refused. I said I wasn't getting them until not having them was driving me totally bonkers. I'm not quite there yet. But I must be getting close because I'm considering it. Boy, my eyes have gone downhill a lot in the last month or so.
We thought about turning on the air conditioner today. Didn't do it. If we can get through tomorrow, the weather looks like it will become more pleasant. But, hey, the beans and tomatoes are probably lovin' this!
I took the kids out shopping today. We bought jeans for those of us who only have one or two pairs that aren't raggedy. We bought underwear and socks for those who hadn't raided my dad's dresser drawers two weeks ago. Normally we manage to get along with far fewer pieces of clothing than most people. But so much of it is shabby. And I keep wondering what's going to happen to the economy, and that maybe we shouldn't count on there being a steady supply of merchandise to the stores by the time we finally relegate our worn clothes to the dumpster.
Two friends from church are undergoing major surgeries next week.
I think I'm going to be helping out a friend with respite care for her mom. (C -- I left a message on your cell phone.)
A young man stopped by the house today to try to sell me some books and computer programs to help my kids keep up in school and get better grades. I wasn't interested; I didn't lead him on. But he was persistent. Not pushy persistent, but nevertheless he kept trying to find something I would spend money on. When I told him we homeschool, he smoothly began asking about what curriculum we use. "Oh, we make it up as we go. Libraries are great." That was only the beginning of the confusing responses the poor guy encountered.
I hope Alia is getting to the swimming pool every day. Hey, maybe Maggie and I should try a lake tomorrow.
While I was stopped at the gas station today, two different sets of lost people got themselves straightened out by a few moments with my local map. Neither one trusted the oral directions given by me and others. The map overrode their skepticism.
Monday, June 22, 2009
A Benefit of Being a "First-Career" Pastor
Subtitled: Why We Should Not Change the Words in the Hymnal and Agenda
Also subtitled: Another Plus for the Historic One-Year Series
When his eyesight starts to fail,
it's awfully good when the pastor is very familiar with the words.
He may not have the book memorized, but if he's used those words year after year for about twenty years before the eyes start playing tricks on him, and the bifocals don't quite have the solution to his problem, his memory in combination with his aging eyes will be enough for him to rightly see the words on the page.
Also subtitled: Another Plus for the Historic One-Year Series
When his eyesight starts to fail,
it's awfully good when the pastor is very familiar with the words.
He may not have the book memorized, but if he's used those words year after year for about twenty years before the eyes start playing tricks on him, and the bifocals don't quite have the solution to his problem, his memory in combination with his aging eyes will be enough for him to rightly see the words on the page.
Comportment in Church
There were two pithy and insightful statements made during symposium that I really wanted to remember. One was Pr Bender's on Wednesday afternoon, and I didn't write it down, and of course I got caught up in the rest of what he said and forgot that one line. So when I heard something fantastic from Pr Stuckwisch on Friday, I grabbed scrap paper immediately and started scribbling.
Pr Stuckwisch was asked about congregants' crossing themselves, bowing, genuflecting, etc. Some people do. Most people don't. Those who do, don't all do it at the exact same time. What about that? Shouldn't we be instructed on those matters so that we can be unified?
Pr Stuckwisch said that the people are free to engage in those gestures or not. There is no compulsion. He seemed a little leery of giving instruction in such matters to those who haven't asked, as if it might make laws or rules where there ought not to be any.
However, he said, there's a difference between the people and the pastor. Unlike the people, the pastor is not free to choose his motions and behaviors during the Service. How a pastor comports himself in the chancel is part of his teaching. What is he teaching the people about the presence of Christ? What is he teaching his people about forgiveness? What is he teaching the people about reverence?
Duh. Of course. I had never been able to figure it out, but once he put it that way, it seemed so obvious!
Pr Stuckwisch was asked about congregants' crossing themselves, bowing, genuflecting, etc. Some people do. Most people don't. Those who do, don't all do it at the exact same time. What about that? Shouldn't we be instructed on those matters so that we can be unified?
Pr Stuckwisch said that the people are free to engage in those gestures or not. There is no compulsion. He seemed a little leery of giving instruction in such matters to those who haven't asked, as if it might make laws or rules where there ought not to be any.
However, he said, there's a difference between the people and the pastor. Unlike the people, the pastor is not free to choose his motions and behaviors during the Service. How a pastor comports himself in the chancel is part of his teaching. What is he teaching the people about the presence of Christ? What is he teaching his people about forgiveness? What is he teaching the people about reverence?
Duh. Of course. I had never been able to figure it out, but once he put it that way, it seemed so obvious!
Pea Shoots
Our CSA vegetables last week included pea shoots. It was a new idea to me. You can harvest the top 4-8" of the pea plant. It can be eaten raw -- in salad or just nibbling. It can be stir-fried. It tastes very very much like unto snow peas. This idea lets you enjoy your pea harvest even before the pods have begun to develop.
So as not to be too harsh to the plant, I waited until I had quite a few flowers on my pea plants at home before I tried snipping the tops.
So as not to be too harsh to the plant, I waited until I had quite a few flowers on my pea plants at home before I tried snipping the tops.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Clovered Laundry
We do not have a golf-course yard. When we drove up to the house after church today, I thought our yard looked so pretty with many patches of white clover.
I just brought in a load of laundry off the line. It smells like clover!!
The moral of the story is:
next time I should make sure to wash the sheets the day before the lawn is mowed, so that I can have the wonderful clover perfume in my bed. Mmmmmm.
I just brought in a load of laundry off the line. It smells like clover!!
The moral of the story is:
next time I should make sure to wash the sheets the day before the lawn is mowed, so that I can have the wonderful clover perfume in my bed. Mmmmmm.
At Church
It's always hard when there's a visitor there (or unfortunately, sometimes even a member) who's scoffing. There's something that just gives me the creeps when somebody is laughing about the hymns we're singing or something in the Psalms. I should be glad they're there, in the presence of God's word, hearing it. But there's something about people sitting there with us, making fun of what's going on, that makes me really uncomfortable.
There's a totally different discomfort when somebody has a favorite issue and outspokenly goes to pastors and says, "Here is where they need some improvement. Would you please start preaching more about how they should behave? They need to be told these things so that they can improve their Christian walk."
There's a totally different discomfort when somebody has a favorite issue and outspokenly goes to pastors and says, "Here is where they need some improvement. Would you please start preaching more about how they should behave? They need to be told these things so that they can improve their Christian walk."
June 17, 2010
Just to make sure people aren't getting their hopes up...
I am not anticipating that a Thursday night supper and/or party at my house will be a regular part of what my family does during symposium week. When we were in the parsonage, it didn't phase me in the least to invite 25-60 people over for a day. There was more room. This week we had 17 people over in addition to the people who were sleeping here, and the house was plenty full even though most of the people spent most of the evening on the deck. In this smaller home, it would be impossible for us to invite everybody we'd like to have.
I am not anticipating that a Thursday night supper and/or party at my house will be a regular part of what my family does during symposium week. When we were in the parsonage, it didn't phase me in the least to invite 25-60 people over for a day. There was more room. This week we had 17 people over in addition to the people who were sleeping here, and the house was plenty full even though most of the people spent most of the evening on the deck. In this smaller home, it would be impossible for us to invite everybody we'd like to have.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Naps
It's so quiet here today. Andrew took a morning nap and now he's asleep again. Gary and Maggie both napped this afternoon. I don't know if Paul's asleep or not, but he's awfully quiet.
Church was very crowded on Wednesday night; it was lovely. The party afterward was fun; not enough time to visit with all the people I wanted to see.
The house was full. We had Katie and Alia here, as well as our friend Jonathan from Fort Wayne. Philip stayed here two nights to take a half-hour off the drive from his condo to the hotel where symposium was held. Matthew stayed with us on Thursday night. So the time-allotment for your turn in the shower was not luxuriously long.
With the deacon out on disability right now as he recuperates from knee surgery, I had the CCA booth to myself. I think I missed a lot of Pr Stuckwisch's lecture as I tried to catch up on the paperwork & record-keeping from the sales I made during the morning coffee-break. It was fun to meet new people who'd never been to CCA before, and I got to talk to them about what kind of materials we have, and which materials would be more suited to whatever-it-was that particular person was looking for. For somebody like me who is a tightwad and encourages other people to be tightwads and who is the most low-pressure salesman you could ever meet, I think I sold a lot of stuff!
Gary and I tried to amuse Alia as much as possible, ostensibly to "give Katie a break" but really because we just like kissing her little piggy-toes and playing peek-a-boo and giggling at her.
After church on Thursday, Karin and Sandy brought supper for a crowd. Four homeschooling families and four other adults and two spare teenage boys (who thought my house, with its plethora of teenagers, sounded more fun than the party where the symposium speakers were dining -- mmmwha ha ha) feasted on barbecue and pasta salad and salsa and other sides, with of course beer for the adults because it was a bunch of Lutherans. Since I'm a lousy excuse for a Lutheran, I tried out those cranberry-vodka cocktails that people were telling me about. Pretty tasty!
We fell into bed exhausted. Some of us were disturbed by a humongo storm, but some of us snoozed through it. They tell me the hotel was out of power for two hours during the night. When we got up in the morning, there was evidence of abundant rain. Streets had flooded. There was about 5" of rain in the wheelbarrow. I thought maybe that was a fluke, y'know, because of the uneven depth of the wheelbarrow, but all the local folks who had rain gauges were telling tales of 4-6" overnight. (Notice I'm on the computer and not gardening in the mud right now.)
Friday morning were more sessions for the symposium. Then the teens helped me pack up the van. I took a lot less stuff back to church than I hauled to the hotel, and that was even with Webers doing a run to church to refill my empty piles on Thursday afternoon. We had much better weather for the picnic than the forecast had indicated. We unpacked everything back at church, came home, and not long afterwards we got us another doozy of a storm. Nothin' like the one 15 hours earlier, though.
Maggie got herself involved in helping at the academy's fund-raising fish fry while we unpacked books in the storage room. She wanted to stay at church and keep helping. Today she asked if she could help every month. Okay by me!
But now, we are very tired.
Church was very crowded on Wednesday night; it was lovely. The party afterward was fun; not enough time to visit with all the people I wanted to see.
The house was full. We had Katie and Alia here, as well as our friend Jonathan from Fort Wayne. Philip stayed here two nights to take a half-hour off the drive from his condo to the hotel where symposium was held. Matthew stayed with us on Thursday night. So the time-allotment for your turn in the shower was not luxuriously long.
With the deacon out on disability right now as he recuperates from knee surgery, I had the CCA booth to myself. I think I missed a lot of Pr Stuckwisch's lecture as I tried to catch up on the paperwork & record-keeping from the sales I made during the morning coffee-break. It was fun to meet new people who'd never been to CCA before, and I got to talk to them about what kind of materials we have, and which materials would be more suited to whatever-it-was that particular person was looking for. For somebody like me who is a tightwad and encourages other people to be tightwads and who is the most low-pressure salesman you could ever meet, I think I sold a lot of stuff!
Gary and I tried to amuse Alia as much as possible, ostensibly to "give Katie a break" but really because we just like kissing her little piggy-toes and playing peek-a-boo and giggling at her.
After church on Thursday, Karin and Sandy brought supper for a crowd. Four homeschooling families and four other adults and two spare teenage boys (who thought my house, with its plethora of teenagers, sounded more fun than the party where the symposium speakers were dining -- mmmwha ha ha) feasted on barbecue and pasta salad and salsa and other sides, with of course beer for the adults because it was a bunch of Lutherans. Since I'm a lousy excuse for a Lutheran, I tried out those cranberry-vodka cocktails that people were telling me about. Pretty tasty!
We fell into bed exhausted. Some of us were disturbed by a humongo storm, but some of us snoozed through it. They tell me the hotel was out of power for two hours during the night. When we got up in the morning, there was evidence of abundant rain. Streets had flooded. There was about 5" of rain in the wheelbarrow. I thought maybe that was a fluke, y'know, because of the uneven depth of the wheelbarrow, but all the local folks who had rain gauges were telling tales of 4-6" overnight. (Notice I'm on the computer and not gardening in the mud right now.)
Friday morning were more sessions for the symposium. Then the teens helped me pack up the van. I took a lot less stuff back to church than I hauled to the hotel, and that was even with Webers doing a run to church to refill my empty piles on Thursday afternoon. We had much better weather for the picnic than the forecast had indicated. We unpacked everything back at church, came home, and not long afterwards we got us another doozy of a storm. Nothin' like the one 15 hours earlier, though.
Maggie got herself involved in helping at the academy's fund-raising fish fry while we unpacked books in the storage room. She wanted to stay at church and keep helping. Today she asked if she could help every month. Okay by me!
But now, we are very tired.
Salsa
Gary and I ate Glenda's salsa for our breakfast today. Andrew found the leftover salsa as I was hauling out the contents of the refrigerator for lunch. "Oh, hey, that's good salsa!" and he grabbed a snack as the food was warming. Excellent salsa. I may have to try my hand at it ... if it ever gets warm enough here for the tomatoes to start producing.
Party Dress
Sometimes other people know things about you that you don't know yourself.
I got dressed Wednesday night for church and the symposium reception afterward. Andrew says, "So, you're wearing your party dress." What? Party dress? I have a party dress? What makes him say such a thing?
And then he rattles off to me a few of the instances where I've worn the dress -- weddings, parties, receptions, etc. Sure enough! He's right! When I want to be dressed up and have fun, this is usually the dress that comes out of the closet. Funny how I'd never noticed.
I got dressed Wednesday night for church and the symposium reception afterward. Andrew says, "So, you're wearing your party dress." What? Party dress? I have a party dress? What makes him say such a thing?
And then he rattles off to me a few of the instances where I've worn the dress -- weddings, parties, receptions, etc. Sure enough! He's right! When I want to be dressed up and have fun, this is usually the dress that comes out of the closet. Funny how I'd never noticed.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Today's Laugh
Once upon a time we were reading a children's science book.
What do you call a group of birds?
A flock.
What do you call a group of wolves?
A pack.
What do you call a group of cows?
A herd.
And then we got to the page that made this pastor's wife bust a gut laughing. (Oh, this is so naughty of me!)
What do you call a group of alligators?
A congregation.
What do you call a group of birds?
A flock.
What do you call a group of wolves?
A pack.
What do you call a group of cows?
A herd.
And then we got to the page that made this pastor's wife bust a gut laughing. (Oh, this is so naughty of me!)
What do you call a group of alligators?
A congregation.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
At the Visitation
I think I heard "I'm so sorry for your loss" about a hundred times last week. Then there were the subtle variations: "I'm very sorry for your loss," or "My condolences to your family," or "You have my deepest sympathy." I was surprised by how comforting those short sentences could be. I always feel like I should say more to the bereaved, and that I want to say something to help. But hearing "I'm so sorry for your loss" really meant a lot.
There were two other expressions that left me with mixed emotions, though. Some people would say something to the effect of, "At least your dad is out of his pain now." And others would offer comfort in "You'll always have your memories."
Those things are both true. I am comforted that God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death nor sorrow nor crying. There will be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. And there definitely are good memories to keep with us.
But what is sad is when the memories or the alleviation of pain IS the comfort. As in, the only comfort. When Christians have confidence in Christ's atonement, they can also find joy in the memories of time spent with loved ones. They know too that the pain is no more for the dear one. But when non-Christians say the same basic thing, there's just an emptiness there that makes you really ache for their loss.
There were two other expressions that left me with mixed emotions, though. Some people would say something to the effect of, "At least your dad is out of his pain now." And others would offer comfort in "You'll always have your memories."
Those things are both true. I am comforted that God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death nor sorrow nor crying. There will be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. And there definitely are good memories to keep with us.
But what is sad is when the memories or the alleviation of pain IS the comfort. As in, the only comfort. When Christians have confidence in Christ's atonement, they can also find joy in the memories of time spent with loved ones. They know too that the pain is no more for the dear one. But when non-Christians say the same basic thing, there's just an emptiness there that makes you really ache for their loss.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Philip's Place
Finally got over to see Philip's condo today. Here are Gary and Philip carrying in some spare counter-space that Paul built for his brother.
The living room --
The bedroom --
The kitchen --
The patio between the buildings. The entry to the locked garage is underneath this.
The living room --
The bedroom --
The kitchen --
The patio between the buildings. The entry to the locked garage is underneath this.
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