Modern Art

Maggie and I are watching the Sister Wendy videos about art history and art appreciation.  Neither one of us likes it much, but it's one of those things I make the kids do for school.  Cultural literacy and all that. 

In the Christian-homeschooling world, I had heard that Impressionism was bad.  It was the first step in a break-from-reality in paintings, the beginning of a slippery slope.  So, does that make me bad?  You see, I like the Impressionists.  Now I know that the Impressionists cared about beauty.  Even if they were painting impressions instead of realistic depictions, it was still about beauty.

Today as we watched the show about modern art, Sister Wendy told us that an important contribution that Picasso made to the world of art: breaking from the notion that art would be about beauty.  With modern art came the choice to paint what was beautiful or not.  Ugliness and violence was worthy of art too.  (Oh, yeah?  That's one doozy of a "contribution" to art.)

We also learned about a modern artist who believed in the big bang theory.  His art therefore showed a mess, a big ugly mess.  Because, you see, disorder and disarray are where new life and fresh things are created.  (Uh huh....)

Sister Wendy kept telling us that modern art is about freedom -- "freedom from the constraints of reality."  Yes.  Freedom from being bound to the rules.  Yes.  Freedom to think and dream without limitation.  Yes, that sounds to me like "nightmares." 

And that would be why I don't like modern art.
It's not just my silly little preference.
It's about God and reality and beauty and truth.

Reading the Blessing

Maybe the young, new pastor is shy and thus unsure of himself.
Maybe the pastor had been immersed in "contemporary worship" and is now discovering the blessings of the liturgy, although he's not yet grounded in the pattern of those words.
Maybe the pastor is having health problems so that his memory (or speech) is uncharacteristically jumbled.

There are times when it's important that the book be opened and be read, so that the words are right.  Obviously, nobody is expecting the pastor to go through the entire service, including the Prayer of the Church, including all the seasonal variations in the preface and the collects, with all of it memorized.  It's important to read the book.

But aren't there sections that we learn by heart?  "The Lord bless you and keep you.  The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you.  The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace."   Isn't that something we hear often enough that we learn it without even trying to memorize it?  It always surprises me when I see an experienced pastor looking at the book instead of at the people as he blesses them.

But, hey, definitely better to be reading it

than to be making up your own thing!

What Do Patients Know, Anyway?

So I'm visiting my mom in the hospital.  She's tired and needs an uninterrupted nap.  I sit out in the hallway, blocking her door, to make sure she has 15-20 minutes without anybody disturbing her.  I work on my Sudoku and tune out the conversations in the hallway.

Then a voice breaks through.  An unidentified nurse is exasperated.  "She keeps insisting that I check her blood sugar levels.  It's like she thinks I don't know how to do my job!  Why does she keep reminding me?  I am the professional here.  I've been trained.  She's just a patient."  Another nurse commiserates. 

I understand they have quite a few people to care for.  I realize not every patient can have the attention they want, exactly when they want it.  (That's one of the reasons I think it's important for patients to have someone there with them, someone to fix the pillow, to get a glass of water, to help get out of bed for a trip to the bathroom, etc.)   BUT ...

medical care is not just about science.  It's about people.  Different people have different needs.  A medicine that works for Joe may not work for Bob, even if they have the same illness.  Patients who live with chronic conditions know what's necessary.  They know what pills work better at what time of day.  They know what routines their bodies need.  They often know these things [gasp] better than the professionals do.

And then ... there is an ugly truth.

Sometimes nurses DO forget.
Sometimes they DO need to be reminded.
Maybe it's because they're truly busy and overworked.
Maybe there was an emergency in another room.
Or maybe they got too busy talking with co-workers about cute new Easter dresses.

Then add in that a patient endures the fall-out of a few doozy screw-ups, or a patient struggles to explain why something that's a minor problem for most people is a huge problem for her.  The doctor had told the patient to insist on proper care and to ask and to be pro-active and to remind the nurses.  A nurse protests that she "doesn't need to be reminded."  And somehow, we aren't so sure about that.

Reading Challenge

Back in December, when everybody else was making their challenge lists for 2014, I didn't.  Maybe I can't plan for such pleasures right now.  But for now, here are some ideas I had early in the year, and how far I've come:

finish proofreading New Testament Catechist  [done Feb 11]

Light from Heaven (the last Mitford book) [done March 6]
the Father Tim series, by Jan Karon

the Kristin Lavransdatter series, by Sigrid Undset
Bridal Wreath [done March 27]
Mistress of Husaby
The Cross

Hammer of God (again)

The Complete Guide to Creating a Special Needs Life Plan, by Hal Wright


Anne of the Island
Anne of Windy Poplars
and maybe a few more in the series
(with Maggie)

likely some proofreading on Bible Stories for Daily Prayer



possibly
a Luther biography with Maggie
Narnia again
a book or two by Jillian Bradshaw
maybe try out an Elizabeth Gaskill book
something by Beverly Engel or Robin Stern
Quiet by Susan Cain

Kleinig

Oh boy!   I don't know when I'm going to listen to these, but .... oh boy!!!
These are from the Michigan District conference this spring. 

Receptive Piety

Receptive Meditation

Self-Examination    Clearing the Conscience

Vigilance of Spiritual Warfare

Physical Self-Restraint      Fasting / Feasting

Family Altar     Table Devotions for Daily Sanctification

Q & A session

(My "tag" on this is from the Gerhardt

 symposium.  These presentations aren't 

from that 2007 conference, but the same 

theologian is speaking.)

I Can Brush My Teeth

When a teenager asked Pastor during the quiz today, "Can you read question 3 again?" he grinned and winked at the adults in the room and said, "Yes, I CAN....   ...  ...   Oh -- would you like me to?"

I can brush my teeth.
I can go up and down the stairs to do laundry.
And if I forget to toss in a pair of socks, I can run downstairs again to add them to the load.
I can get myself a drink.
I can pick up my fork and feed myself supper.
I can even drive a car to the store and do an errand.
I can see well enough to read a book.
I can stand up in the shower.
I can kneel by the sink and use my neti-pot.
I can pick up my glasses and put them on my face.

This weekend I am particularly thankful for what I can do.  I so seldom realize what a great blessing these tiny things are, and how difficult life can be when these simple things are daunting tasks or even completely impossible.

My mom had surgery a week and a half ago.  Now she's recuperating and trying to get her meds regulated again and trying to get her hands & feet to DO what her brain is telling them to do.  It makes a person thankful for patient and tender CNA's and nurses.  And when I whine at Gary because I "only" accomplished laundry and bread-baking and mopping and vacuuming and supper and a half-day at paid work (and there was so much more that "should've" been done) I should be slapped.

I can brush my teeth.
And I can shower.
And I can go potty by myself.
That right there is a lot to be grateful for.

And if those were impossible, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. He shall be my salvation" (Job 13).

"I believe that God has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them....  All this He does out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me."

Depression

A post about some practical ways to show love and give help to someone who's depressed.  (Thanks for posting the link, Lora.)
And a related post about a few "natural treatments" for fighting depression.

So, They WERE Told, and Quite Clearly

Continuing on the theme of "but I always pictured it that way,"
somehow I always figured the disciples were caught off-guard by Jesus' arrest and trial and crucifixion. 

Pastor has told us again and again that Jesus told them repeatedly what was coming.  There are even several story-headings in my Bible that say "Jesus predicts His death" or "Jesus predicts His death a second time" or "third time." 

But there at the start of Matthew 26, already halfway through Holy Week, it's there again, in plenty of specificity.  Two more days.  At the Passover.  Delivered up to be crucified.

It's not even like the guys had to remember for a couple of weeks.  Or wonder how it was going to happen.  How much plainer could He be?!

The Blood of the Passover

Blood on the doorposts and lintels. 
The Angel of Death passed over those houses.

Maybe it was pictures from Sunday School lessons.
Maybe it was something I saw in a movie.

I always pictured in my mind the people painting the blood onto their door-frames.  You know, smearing it on in a rather tidy, complete way.

But Exodus 12 says the people were to dip the hyssop in the blood of the lamb and "strike [or touch] the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood."  The lintel.  The two doorposts.  That makes three applications of blood.



What happens in baptism?
I baptize you in the name of the Father
[splash]
and of the Son
[splash]
and of the Holy Ghost.
[splash]

"This Cup Is ... "

"This is My blood ..." Jesus says in the gospels written by Matthew and Mark.

But from Paul we read this very cool (and yet mind-boggling) thing:  "This cup is the new testament in My blood" (Luke 22 and 1 Corinthians 11).

This cup IS ... a ...

word.

Not "this cup contains ...."

Not "my blood is ...."

Any testament or a covenant is a word.

A promise.

This cup is a word.

Hallel

Sometimes it takes a while for the pieces to come together for me.

Piece #1:  Psalms 113-118 are a unit (the "Hallel" or "praise") used in connection with the Passover.

Piece #2:  When the Lord called Abram, He promised that, in Abram's seed, all the nations of the earth would be blessed.

Piece #3:  The Jews of Jesus' day thought they were the bees' knees, and that Gentiles weren't worthy.  Now, granted, that promise to Abraham was getting a mite "back-in-time" from their perspective.

Piece #4:  The Jews of Jesus' day were still singing the Hallel at Passover.  You can even see record of it in the chants of Palm Sunday when Jesus rode into Jerusalem. 

Piece #5:  Psalm 117 is about the Gentiles praising the Lord for His merciful kindness.


Wouldn't this mean that the people singing this liturgy should've gotten it that God's love is for the whole world and not just their own little selves?

(Shhh.  You don't suppose there are things in that we blow right past in the liturgy, singing without realizing what we're saying?...)

Heading Out for the Gathering

In Acts, we read a couple of times about how Paul wanted to go to Jerusalem for Pentecost.

You know what it sounds like to me?  It sounds like the great Lutheran migration to Fort Wayne in January (or maybe even here in June).  It requires planning and travel.  Other work must be arranged around the pilgrimage.  For those who can go, they eagerly anticipate the worship and theological discussion and seeing friends.  Those who cannot make the trip know they're missing out on something, but nevertheless stay where they are and do what's necessary at home.

Which Came First?

I find it fascinating that Exodus 12 comes before Exodus 14.

Now, for everybody who learned to count in kindergarten, you're looking at those numbers and thinking, "That is one dumb thing to find fascinating."

But look at what's happening in the story.
Exodus 10:  The 8th and 9th plagues (locusts and darkness).
Exodus 11:  God announces the 10th plague on its way.  Moses and Aaron go tell Pharaoh.
Exodus 12, part 1:  God institutes the Passover celebration.  He gives them the rites and rubrics.  He lays it all out, how they are to celebrate this festival for the rest of forever.
Exodus 12, part 2:  The 10th plague.  And the Israelites hustling out of Egypt.
Exodus 13, part 1:  More about the liturgy of Passover and also about the redemption of the firstborn.
Exodus 13, part 2:  Traveling from Goshen to the Red Sea.
Exodus 14:  The Lord's deliverance of His people.
Exodus 15:  The song of praise about the deliverance.

You would think that God would rescue His people FIRST.  And then they'd respond.  You'd think the event itself would precede the instructions of how they were to celebrate/remember the event.  But no.  God does it backward from our way of looking at it.  First comes the WORD which tells them how to celebrate what He hadn't even done yet. 

It's almost like His word makes things happen or somethin'.

It's like God thinks the liturgy to celebrate/remember these events is as important as the event itself.  (If I brought this up in Bible class, this is where my pastor would probably point out Luke 24: 46-47 where Jesus says that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer/die/rise AND necessary that it be preached.)

Tough Love

Joseph rules over Egypt.
A famine causes widespread hunger.
Rumor is that food can be bought in Egypt.
Jacob's sons go to buy grain.
They bow before Joseph.

And what does Joseph do?  "He acted as a stranger to them and spoke roughly to them."

He loves them so much that he cared more about their salvation and their repentance than he cared about the comfortableness of BeingNice.

Jesus Sinners Doth Receive

Luke 15: The tax collectors and sinners crowded around Jesus, soaking up His preaching.  The "good guys" were crabby.  "Eeeeuw -- this guy hangs out with sinners.  He even eats with them.  [shudder]  Yish."

So the exact same words -- "Jesus sinners doth receive" -- have various meanings.  It could be a complaint (as from the scribes and Pharisees).  Or it could be a simple statement of fact.  Or it could be high praise and thanksgiving to a gracious Lord.

Tying Scarves

Melody linked to a you-tube about tying scarves.  I need to learn a few of these because I am inept with scarves.  I think many of my scarves are way too small to use these tricks, but the instruction helps me think in new ways.

Now, can I remember even ONE of these for when I'm dressing in the morning?  Or will I have to run to the computer and hunt through blogposts for the video-link?  Oh, you know how it is -- if I have to struggle that much to tie a scarf, I'll be going scarfless.

Family

Our friend, Rachel-the-Most-Excellent-Photographer, came over to take some pictures of our family when Paul and Mandy were here to visit last month.

Why You Can Be Wrong Even When You're Right

or "Why It Matters That Justification Is the Chief Article"

It is unfortunate that men who have offered strong confessional Lutheran service in the Gospel have then doctrinally gone astray. How does this happen? When the chief article of justification [and I would say applying it, not just knowing it] begins to wane in one's thinking as the chief article, when it becomes just one among all the other articles of faith, the devil can use whatever articles make up one's doctrinal passion (which are good in their own right) to replace it.  Just because you're against the false teachers about whatever articles of faith are near and dear to you, that's no guarantee that the devil must throw up his hands and raise the white flag in seeking to separate you from a right faith and ministry in the righteousness of Christ.  He's demonstrated ample ability to use your passions, your commitments against the false teachers, and your zeal, to dethrone the significance of the forgiveness of sins in an all-sufficient cross of Christ.

Once dethroning the sufficiency of the righteousness of Christ as the chief article [so it's not gotten rid of, it's just no longer the center], he then works to drive a wedge between those articles of faith and issues of praxis that stir your passions, and the pure milk of the Gospel. When other heterodox traditions hold your views on your passionate articles of faith, the devil will be at work to have you view their doctrinal errors as not so bad . . . even when they involve a false understanding of justification, the central article of the Gospel.

Dr Steven Hein

"Going East?"
as referenced at the Redeemer conference 20 January 2014

Click on Dr Hein's name to find the whole piece.  The context is how, in the "Battle for the Bible" in the 70s, many Lutherans became so passionate for inerrancy that they siderailed justification.  They didn't get rid of the forgiveness of sins for the comfort of terrified consciences.  But it wasn't the main thing. Thing is, inerrancy is important; it mattered; it was indeed something to fight for.  But the church's focus was sometimes askew.  Sadly enough, we can still make the same mistake.  Today our passion may be missions.  Or respect for the office of the ministry.  Or liturgy.  Now, those are very important things; they are indeed things to fight for.  But even they can [gasp] become idols. 

Gary's Award

for QUALITY work

Nasty Deer

The only predator left for the whitetail deer in our area:

Guns would be much better.  Venison sausage would be much better.
Spending time contacting the insurance company and getting repair estimates?  Not so good.

Thankful at least that no one was hurt, the car was not totaled, and that we found a reputable body shop where we can take the car already next week.  (The place that gave us the first estimate told us it would be March 17 or later.)