So the governors and satraps hated Daniel (Daniel 6:4). Why?? He was a good worker, honest, smart -- a good boss. Why be against a good man promoted to being your boss? That says something about human nature, about unwarranted hatred.
The decree to worship the king alone (6:7) wasn't just affecting Daniel. It was a law for everybody. Even if Daniel was the only person for whom they were intending to enforce the law, the other exiled Jews didn't know that. Think how the families and the priests and everybody would have responded to this command. And think how they would respond when they heard of Daniel's death-sentence and his 'resurrection.'
The law of the Medes and Persians could not be changed (6:15). The sentence had to be carried through. Not even the one who made the law could set it aside. That's sort of the way God's law is.* When Adam sinned, God's law ("in the day that you eat of it, you shall surely die") could not be changed. Man had to die. And as in the story of Daniel, the Man was sentenced to death. And yet, after He/he was sealed in the lions' den, He/he came out alive.
* Footnote: The difference between God's law and Darius's law is that the inviolability of the law of the Medes and Persians was something of their own design. But God's law being unchangeable and inviolate is because it simply IS; it's not, like, y'know, God being stubborn or something.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Abortion Pill
Granted, I was feeling a bit nauseated from pain anyway. But it got worse as I stood in line at the Walgreens pharmacy. The abortion pill was on display by the prescription counter, as well as perched alongside the Benadryl and Claritin, prominently displayed.
Really? Allergies. Abortion. Sneezing. Itching. All the same stuff, right?
I took a deep breath and willed myself not to cry.
The question is: Is there a drug store left that I could patronize without supporting the death of babies? I'm guessing not. There may be small independent pharmacies owned by Christians who refuse to sell abortifacients. But I don't know of any around here.
Really? Allergies. Abortion. Sneezing. Itching. All the same stuff, right?
I took a deep breath and willed myself not to cry.
The question is: Is there a drug store left that I could patronize without supporting the death of babies? I'm guessing not. There may be small independent pharmacies owned by Christians who refuse to sell abortifacients. But I don't know of any around here.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Fighting Wasps
AfterBite is amazing stuff. So is baking soda. I usually keep AfterBite in my purse. But this past week I emptied the container and had to buy a new tube.
"They" say to deal with wasps at dawn and dusk when the pests are less active. However, there is a problem with this plan. When the boogers get hacked off that you're there, and they land on you, you don't realize this until they begin stabbing with their stingers. Yeah. And then you're FULL of bites. Do NOT try this. "Dawn or dusk" should be when there's still enough light for you to see your enemy.
Wasp spray is better than flying-insect spray.
"They" say to deal with wasps at dawn and dusk when the pests are less active. However, there is a problem with this plan. When the boogers get hacked off that you're there, and they land on you, you don't realize this until they begin stabbing with their stingers. Yeah. And then you're FULL of bites. Do NOT try this. "Dawn or dusk" should be when there's still enough light for you to see your enemy.
Wasp spray is better than flying-insect spray.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Don't Be So Judgmental
Sodom and Gomorrah.
The angels came to check out the place. Lot saw them and invited them to stay at his house. When they said, "Thanks, but no thanks, we'll camp out here," Lot wouldn't allow it. When Lot would not allow his guests to be raped by the villagers who were banging on the door of his house, but offered his daughters instead, the men were hacked off (Genesis 19). And what did they say?
"This one came in to stay here, and he keeps acting as a judge."
THAT is being judgmental?
This Lot dude doesn't participate in their activities. And he doesn't turn his guests over for abuse. And their response is "he keeps acting as a judge."
Wow. It doesn't take much to be labeled judgmental, does it?
You don't even have to say anything negative. You don't have to scold. You don't have to preach. "Judgmental" is seen simply by not making the same choices that they do.
Wow.
The angels came to check out the place. Lot saw them and invited them to stay at his house. When they said, "Thanks, but no thanks, we'll camp out here," Lot wouldn't allow it. When Lot would not allow his guests to be raped by the villagers who were banging on the door of his house, but offered his daughters instead, the men were hacked off (Genesis 19). And what did they say?
"This one came in to stay here, and he keeps acting as a judge."
THAT is being judgmental?
This Lot dude doesn't participate in their activities. And he doesn't turn his guests over for abuse. And their response is "he keeps acting as a judge."
Wow. It doesn't take much to be labeled judgmental, does it?
You don't even have to say anything negative. You don't have to scold. You don't have to preach. "Judgmental" is seen simply by not making the same choices that they do.
Wow.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Don't Be So Judgmental
So. Apparently I was the troll yesterday.
A friend linked to a blogpost which kind of surprised me. When I read it, I thought that some of the things we discussed last week at VBS were entirely pertinent and affirming and comforting. So I made a brief comment, even though I didn't know the blog writer.
Dang it. Never post comments when the discussion is with strangers. I know that! Why did I have a lapse today?
Oh, right -- I thought I had something encouraging to say. But I was wrong wrong wrong, you see. It's bad of the Church to extol marriage, you see, because it makes singles feel like second-class Christians. We shouldn't be promoting marriage, you see, because what is truly important is love and community. If that comes in marriage, fine, but there are plenty of friendships and couple-situations that are just as important as marriage.
And when I was foolish enough to mention what God's word SAYS about the blessing of marriage and how it reflects the image of God, that was naughty of me. Bible verses are no help for people who are suffering, you see. (???) My experience and your experience count for something, you see, and let's not clutter what we know with old-fashioned stuff like God's word.
Not only that, but even when I mentioned a Savior who forgives and rescues sinners, that was naughty too.
This is what passes for Christianity?
This is how irrelevant Christians think God's word is?
We care more about hurt feelings than we care what God says?
Heaven forbid anyone talk about forgiveness, as that might imply sin.
It kind of shocks you to say something supportive and comforting and loving, and get smacked down for being a meanie.
A friend linked to a blogpost which kind of surprised me. When I read it, I thought that some of the things we discussed last week at VBS were entirely pertinent and affirming and comforting. So I made a brief comment, even though I didn't know the blog writer.
Dang it. Never post comments when the discussion is with strangers. I know that! Why did I have a lapse today?
Oh, right -- I thought I had something encouraging to say. But I was wrong wrong wrong, you see. It's bad of the Church to extol marriage, you see, because it makes singles feel like second-class Christians. We shouldn't be promoting marriage, you see, because what is truly important is love and community. If that comes in marriage, fine, but there are plenty of friendships and couple-situations that are just as important as marriage.
And when I was foolish enough to mention what God's word SAYS about the blessing of marriage and how it reflects the image of God, that was naughty of me. Bible verses are no help for people who are suffering, you see. (???) My experience and your experience count for something, you see, and let's not clutter what we know with old-fashioned stuff like God's word.
Not only that, but even when I mentioned a Savior who forgives and rescues sinners, that was naughty too.
This is what passes for Christianity?
This is how irrelevant Christians think God's word is?
We care more about hurt feelings than we care what God says?
Heaven forbid anyone talk about forgiveness, as that might imply sin.
It kind of shocks you to say something supportive and comforting and loving, and get smacked down for being a meanie.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Time to Dig Potatoes
Ouch! Shhhh: don't tell the bees and wasps where I am. I'm hiding indoors, behind screens, waiting for them to chill out. One little sting and two humongous stings/bites, and I'm a little worried about finishing the potato-digging. Those angry fellows and their stingers had a ground hive (of which I was unaware until 10 minutes ago!) in my compost pile masquerading as a potato patch.
Apparently, I should have dug potatoes sooner. Next year, Susan, do not wait until the vines dry up. Go out and dig when the potato vines BEGIN to wither and dry. This year, the red potatoes did okay. [Rachel, Rachel: warning. Do not swoon or puke at the rest of this paragraph.] The Yukon Gold, however, with their tenderness and their thin skins, were a feast for the centipedes. Yuck yuck yuck. I did keep some that were unmolested. But it was icky to dig in a spot where there should've been several potatoes and find only a swarm of fat centipedes. Or to pull out three nice potatoes with a couple of slimy ones that were half eaten. Next year, be earlier!!
About a month after planting potatoes this year, I had a huge pile of wood ash from the burn pit. I spread it on half the potato patch, not knowing whether I was helping or hurting. It was mind-boggling to see how the potato plants thrived where the ashes had been added to the compost pile. But would the huge showy greenery mean lots of top and not much potato growing underneath? Turned out there wasn't much difference between the two sections of the patch. If anything, I think maybe the end with the ashes resulted in more food for the table.
Well, time to head outside and see if I can finish the task. But this time, I know what I'm up against. I expect to disturb the wasp nest and make a run for it! And if that doesn't work, I suppose the centipedes will enjoy the rest of my potatoes.
Apparently, I should have dug potatoes sooner. Next year, Susan, do not wait until the vines dry up. Go out and dig when the potato vines BEGIN to wither and dry. This year, the red potatoes did okay. [Rachel, Rachel: warning. Do not swoon or puke at the rest of this paragraph.] The Yukon Gold, however, with their tenderness and their thin skins, were a feast for the centipedes. Yuck yuck yuck. I did keep some that were unmolested. But it was icky to dig in a spot where there should've been several potatoes and find only a swarm of fat centipedes. Or to pull out three nice potatoes with a couple of slimy ones that were half eaten. Next year, be earlier!!
About a month after planting potatoes this year, I had a huge pile of wood ash from the burn pit. I spread it on half the potato patch, not knowing whether I was helping or hurting. It was mind-boggling to see how the potato plants thrived where the ashes had been added to the compost pile. But would the huge showy greenery mean lots of top and not much potato growing underneath? Turned out there wasn't much difference between the two sections of the patch. If anything, I think maybe the end with the ashes resulted in more food for the table.
Well, time to head outside and see if I can finish the task. But this time, I know what I'm up against. I expect to disturb the wasp nest and make a run for it! And if that doesn't work, I suppose the centipedes will enjoy the rest of my potatoes.
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Flea Market
One of my jobs in an attempt to create margin has been cleaning out stuff for the flea market. The sale was today, and it went well. Hmmm, as far as the sales and the getting-rid-of-junk, it went well.
We've been pulling things out of cupboards and the attic and the basement all summer, pricing it, and piling it in the garage. Bright and early this morning, we set up the booth at church. I headed to work while Maggie was in charge of sellingjunk precious goods. After the bank closed, I joined the party. Fun day, sitting outside with friends! Warm, but not hot. At the end of the day, a few items came home with me, while Julie hauled virtually all my leftovers to Goodwill with her leftovers.
When we came home and counted the money, we cleared over $150 after paying for the booth and lunch and everything. That's way more than I anticipated. And there's more space in the house! And we can park inside the garage again!
Only downside of the day: Zoe was injured. I wasn't there, so I'm getting stories second and third hand. But somehow she was hit with a toy while some kids were playing. At the sound of her whimper, the grown-ups turned around and saw Zoe's face, hands, and dress covered with blood from a cut in her forehead. She was very good in ER for the doctors to give her stitches. Her momma reports that she's doing fine.
And now, after a week of VBS and the flea market, it's time to get back to normal. We haven't mowed in two weeks. It's been longer than that since the house was cleaned. Catch-up time!
We've been pulling things out of cupboards and the attic and the basement all summer, pricing it, and piling it in the garage. Bright and early this morning, we set up the booth at church. I headed to work while Maggie was in charge of selling
When we came home and counted the money, we cleared over $150 after paying for the booth and lunch and everything. That's way more than I anticipated. And there's more space in the house! And we can park inside the garage again!
Only downside of the day: Zoe was injured. I wasn't there, so I'm getting stories second and third hand. But somehow she was hit with a toy while some kids were playing. At the sound of her whimper, the grown-ups turned around and saw Zoe's face, hands, and dress covered with blood from a cut in her forehead. She was very good in ER for the doctors to give her stitches. Her momma reports that she's doing fine.
And now, after a week of VBS and the flea market, it's time to get back to normal. We haven't mowed in two weeks. It's been longer than that since the house was cleaned. Catch-up time!
Monday, August 12, 2013
I Have My Life to Live!
Those who have abortions are "not willing to sacrifice their comfort or convenience for a
child, but they have no problem sacrificing a child for their comfort
and convenience."
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Prayer Walk for Peace
Re-enactment weekend at a nearby park. From Greek Hoplites to Roman warriors to medieval Scots to fur traders to colonial America to War of 1812 to Civil War to WWII. Great stuff!
One of the re-enactors was a Native American. While helping kids do some beading, she was telling me about her recent mission trip to Russia for a prayer walk. She was telling me how the trip was designed to help cultures understand one another, so that the cultural divide between eastern Russia and western Alaska (all of about 150 miles apart) might be overcome. "I would talk to you and tell you what I believe, and you would tell me what you believe. And since it doesn't matter, since we're all the same, since there's really no right or wrong, then we can learn to get along."
A) What if I believe there IS a right and a wrong?
B) If you believe there's no right or wrong way to believe, do you really believe what you "believe"?
One of the re-enactors was a Native American. While helping kids do some beading, she was telling me about her recent mission trip to Russia for a prayer walk. She was telling me how the trip was designed to help cultures understand one another, so that the cultural divide between eastern Russia and western Alaska (all of about 150 miles apart) might be overcome. "I would talk to you and tell you what I believe, and you would tell me what you believe. And since it doesn't matter, since we're all the same, since there's really no right or wrong, then we can learn to get along."
A) What if I believe there IS a right and a wrong?
B) If you believe there's no right or wrong way to believe, do you really believe what you "believe"?
Friday, August 09, 2013
That Wouldn't've Been MY Answer
Story: the raising of Lazarus (John 11)
Time: shortly before Holy Week
Characters: Jesus and Martha
Question: I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?
And the answer from Martha?
Nothing that looks like a reasonable answer to a direct question.
Yeah, yeah, sure, we're used to hearing the reading, so it may go in one ear and out the other. But look how odd the answer is.
"People who believe in Me will not die, even though they die. Do you believe that?"
"You betcha, Jesus. I believe You're the Messiah."
Wait -- He was talking about resurrection. This interchange would make sense: "Do you believe I'm the Messiah?" "Yes, I do." And this interchange would also make sense: "Do you believe that I give/am life for those dead?" "Yes, You are."
But Martha's answer to the question about death-vs-life was "Yes, You are the Messiah."
In other words, she knew the Old Testament scriptures to teach that the Messiah would come into the world to overcome death, to be the resurrection, to be life, to give immortality.
I don't remember anybody teaching me when I was little that that's what the Old Testament was all about. I don't even remember hearing that the Old Testament was all about Jesus -- much less that it was about the Anointed One who would bring to us eternal life.
But that was a no-brainer for Martha.
Time: shortly before Holy Week
Characters: Jesus and Martha
Question: I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?
And the answer from Martha?
Nothing that looks like a reasonable answer to a direct question.
Yeah, yeah, sure, we're used to hearing the reading, so it may go in one ear and out the other. But look how odd the answer is.
"People who believe in Me will not die, even though they die. Do you believe that?"
"You betcha, Jesus. I believe You're the Messiah."
Wait -- He was talking about resurrection. This interchange would make sense: "Do you believe I'm the Messiah?" "Yes, I do." And this interchange would also make sense: "Do you believe that I give/am life for those dead?" "Yes, You are."
But Martha's answer to the question about death-vs-life was "Yes, You are the Messiah."
In other words, she knew the Old Testament scriptures to teach that the Messiah would come into the world to overcome death, to be the resurrection, to be life, to give immortality.
I don't remember anybody teaching me when I was little that that's what the Old Testament was all about. I don't even remember hearing that the Old Testament was all about Jesus -- much less that it was about the Anointed One who would bring to us eternal life.
But that was a no-brainer for Martha.
Dates of Easter
Grievous indeed that I need to have this in an easily accessible place, but what I think matters not.
2014: April 20 April 20
2015: April 5 April 12
2016: March 27 May 1
2017: April 16 April 16
2018: April 1 April 8
2019: April 21 April 28
2020: April 12 April 19
2021: April 4 May 2
(Western Church in the first column. Eastern Church in the second column.)
Thursday, August 08, 2013
It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Not hot. Not cold. Not humid. Not dry. A sweet softness to the air.
Picked raspberries to go on the breakfast oatmeal.
Ate the first tomato sandwich of the year. Big fat slice of tomato from the ONE tomato that's ripened so far. With avocado and onion and cucumber-from-the-garden and homemade mayo and freshly made pesto (with just-picked basil from the garden) on homemade whole wheat bread.
And lettuce salad for supper. With cucumber salad. And the first potatoes I dug this year.
Is this heavenly, or what?? You go out to your garden and bring in fresh food and feast on it!
When I began to realize that heaven was far more than fulfillment of every hedonistic desire (that is, fruit salad galore, chocolate chip cookies without getting fat, seafood chowder, etc), I began to think that the food of heaven would be the Lord's Supper. And only the Lord's Supper. Although that certainly is the primary feast, it is also true that God made the world and said it was good. So maybe we do get fruit salad in heaven! And tomato and avocado sandwiches!
Picked raspberries to go on the breakfast oatmeal.
Ate the first tomato sandwich of the year. Big fat slice of tomato from the ONE tomato that's ripened so far. With avocado and onion and cucumber-from-the-garden and homemade mayo and freshly made pesto (with just-picked basil from the garden) on homemade whole wheat bread.
And lettuce salad for supper. With cucumber salad. And the first potatoes I dug this year.
Is this heavenly, or what?? You go out to your garden and bring in fresh food and feast on it!
When I began to realize that heaven was far more than fulfillment of every hedonistic desire (that is, fruit salad galore, chocolate chip cookies without getting fat, seafood chowder, etc), I began to think that the food of heaven would be the Lord's Supper. And only the Lord's Supper. Although that certainly is the primary feast, it is also true that God made the world and said it was good. So maybe we do get fruit salad in heaven! And tomato and avocado sandwiches!
Tuesday, August 06, 2013
Those Thin Tent Walls
It's all through the psalms. Refuge. Rock. Fortress. Strength.
Not what we usually think of as a stronghold.
It is not just plain cloth, but the Word of God in and with the cloth. For without God's Word, the cloth is just a plain tent and no refuge. But with the Word of God, it is a refuge, that is, a life-defending fortress.
Sunday, August 04, 2013
Vanity and Chasing After the Wind
Poor Solomon. He's on his soapbox about how it's all useless. You work your butt off, and then your stuff all goes to the man who comes after you (Eccl 1-2). And who knows what that fellow is going to do with it -- how he's going to screw up all you worked for?
So, did he already know Reheboam would be his successor?
Did he already know that his son was the type of guy who couldn't hold the kingdom together?
Was he expressing not only "You can't take it with you" but also "You can't keep being an influence for good after you're gone"?
So, did he already know Reheboam would be his successor?
Did he already know that his son was the type of guy who couldn't hold the kingdom together?
Was he expressing not only "You can't take it with you" but also "You can't keep being an influence for good after you're gone"?
Saturday, August 03, 2013
Pure Plastic?
So Andrew comes home with a bottle of water. FIJI Natural Artesian Water. It was what was available when he needed to buy some bottled water, so it's what he bought.
When I was washing the bottle for refilling, I noticed the spiel on the label:
When I was washing the bottle for refilling, I noticed the spiel on the label:
Why travel to the South Pacific islands of Fiji for a drink
of water? FIJI Water’s aquifer is in a
virgin ecosystem at the edge of a primitive rainforest, thousands of miles from
the nearest industrialized continent.
This natural artesian aquifer protects the water until is is bottled at
the source and shipped to you.
So people want pure water from unpolluted sources. Okay.
And some people are willing to pay extra for it. Gotcha.
And they package this water in plastic?
That's where they lost me.
Friday, August 02, 2013
Keep on Praying
A slight twist on Dory's song:
Just keep praying.
Just keep praying.
Just keep praying praying praying.
What do we do? We pray pray pray.
Pastor likes to make the point that the story of "The Friend at Midnight" (Luke 11) is NOT comparing God to the neighbor who doesn't want to hand over the bread. It's contrasting God with that fellow. The neighbor didn't love the demanding guy who was banging on his door, but God DOES love us. How much easier it is to ask (and ask and ask) somebody who loves us and cares about us and has made promises to us!!
But [she wondered] if I really believed that God would give what I need, then why should I keep pestering him about it? After all, I could pray once, and then just trust Him to do what is good and right, and not keep asking (and asking and asking). So is my persistent prayer due to my lack of faith???
Pastor said no.
He said a mother would know what it is like to have children talk to them. Don't parents delight when their children talk? Isn't that what parents want? Isn't it great to know that they trust you and enjoy talking to you? Don't we love to hear their stories and their discoveries and their thoughts and their feelings?
Yeah. We do.
(Now, hang on just a minute. I know some of y'all are at the stage with kiddoes that you're thinking, "Uh ... uh ... well, uh ... sometimes I'm not so sure I delight in that. Sometimes I kinda sorta want to lock myself in the bathroom to hide from it...." Okay, let me put it this way: If one of your kids stopped talking to you someday, your heart would break. And you would miss him. And you'd have no way to pour out your love to him. And you'd rejoice when there is some small chance to talk again. So yeah, you young moms, tired though you may be, hiding in the bathroom though you may be, you do TOO love hearing your kids talk. It may not always be apparent to you, but deep-down you treasure it. Trust me on this.)
So, yeah. I guess I can "just keep praying praying praying." And it's okay. It's not annoying God.
Quite the contrary.
Just keep praying.
Just keep praying.
Just keep praying praying praying.
What do we do? We pray pray pray.
(I hope Nemo doesn't mind the tweaking.)
Pastor likes to make the point that the story of "The Friend at Midnight" (Luke 11) is NOT comparing God to the neighbor who doesn't want to hand over the bread. It's contrasting God with that fellow. The neighbor didn't love the demanding guy who was banging on his door, but God DOES love us. How much easier it is to ask (and ask and ask) somebody who loves us and cares about us and has made promises to us!!
But [she wondered] if I really believed that God would give what I need, then why should I keep pestering him about it? After all, I could pray once, and then just trust Him to do what is good and right, and not keep asking (and asking and asking). So is my persistent prayer due to my lack of faith???
Pastor said no.
He said a mother would know what it is like to have children talk to them. Don't parents delight when their children talk? Isn't that what parents want? Isn't it great to know that they trust you and enjoy talking to you? Don't we love to hear their stories and their discoveries and their thoughts and their feelings?
Yeah. We do.
(Now, hang on just a minute. I know some of y'all are at the stage with kiddoes that you're thinking, "Uh ... uh ... well, uh ... sometimes I'm not so sure I delight in that. Sometimes I kinda sorta want to lock myself in the bathroom to hide from it...." Okay, let me put it this way: If one of your kids stopped talking to you someday, your heart would break. And you would miss him. And you'd have no way to pour out your love to him. And you'd rejoice when there is some small chance to talk again. So yeah, you young moms, tired though you may be, hiding in the bathroom though you may be, you do TOO love hearing your kids talk. It may not always be apparent to you, but deep-down you treasure it. Trust me on this.)
So, yeah. I guess I can "just keep praying praying praying." And it's okay. It's not annoying God.
Quite the contrary.
Thursday, August 01, 2013
Baby
Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.
He was wounded for our transgressions.
He was bruised for our iniquities.
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
and by His stripes we are healed. (Is 53)
By His stripes we are healed.
Children of the heavenly Father
safely in His bosom gather.
Nestling bird nor star in heaven
such a refuge e'er was given.
Let the little children come to Me. (Mark 10)
For the transgression of My people He was stricken.
When you make His soul an offering for sin,
He shall see His seed,
He shall prolong His days,
and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.
(Is 53)
My people.
God His own doth tend and nourish.
In His holy courts they flourish.
From all evil things He spares them.
In His mighty arms He bears them.
Out of the depths have I cried to You, O Lord.
Lord, hear my voice.
Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
O Israel, hope in the Lord.
For with the Lord there is mercy,
and with Him is plenteous redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquity. (Ps 130)
Neither life nor death shall ever
from the Lord His children sever.
Unto them His grace He showeth,
and their sorrows all He knoweth.
A voice was heard in Ramah,
lamentation and bitter weeping,
Rachel weeping for her children,
refusing to be comforted for her children,
because they are no more.
Thus says the Lord:
Your work shall be rewarded,
and they shall come back from the land of the enemy.
There is hope in your future, says the Lord,
that your children shall come back to their own border. (Jer 31)
Jesus said, "I am the Resurrection and the Life." (John 11)
Though He giveth or He taketh,
God His children ne'er forsaketh.
His the loving purpose solely
to preserve them pure and holy. (LSB 725)
Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. (Matt 18)
He lives, all glory to His name.
He lives, my Jesus still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives:
I know that my Redeemer lives. (TLH 200)
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
There shall be no more death,
no sorrow, nor crying.
There shall be no more pain,
for the former things have passed away.
Then He who sat on the throne said,
"Behold, I make all things new." (Rev 21)
E'en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come,
and night shall be no more.
They need no light nor lamp nor sun,
for Christ shall be their all. (Manz)
By His stripes we are healed.
He was wounded for our transgressions.
He was bruised for our iniquities.
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
and by His stripes we are healed. (Is 53)
By His stripes we are healed.
Children of the heavenly Father
safely in His bosom gather.
Nestling bird nor star in heaven
such a refuge e'er was given.
Let the little children come to Me. (Mark 10)
For the transgression of My people He was stricken.
When you make His soul an offering for sin,
He shall see His seed,
He shall prolong His days,
and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.
(Is 53)
My people.
God His own doth tend and nourish.
In His holy courts they flourish.
From all evil things He spares them.
In His mighty arms He bears them.
Out of the depths have I cried to You, O Lord.
Lord, hear my voice.
Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
O Israel, hope in the Lord.
For with the Lord there is mercy,
and with Him is plenteous redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquity. (Ps 130)
Neither life nor death shall ever
from the Lord His children sever.
Unto them His grace He showeth,
and their sorrows all He knoweth.
A voice was heard in Ramah,
lamentation and bitter weeping,
Rachel weeping for her children,
refusing to be comforted for her children,
because they are no more.
Thus says the Lord:
Your work shall be rewarded,
and they shall come back from the land of the enemy.
There is hope in your future, says the Lord,
that your children shall come back to their own border. (Jer 31)
Jesus said, "I am the Resurrection and the Life." (John 11)
Though He giveth or He taketh,
God His children ne'er forsaketh.
His the loving purpose solely
to preserve them pure and holy. (LSB 725)
Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. (Matt 18)
He lives, all glory to His name.
He lives, my Jesus still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives:
I know that my Redeemer lives. (TLH 200)
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
There shall be no more death,
no sorrow, nor crying.
There shall be no more pain,
for the former things have passed away.
Then He who sat on the throne said,
"Behold, I make all things new." (Rev 21)
E'en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come,
and night shall be no more.
They need no light nor lamp nor sun,
for Christ shall be their all. (Manz)
By His stripes we are healed.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
The Neighbors Moved Away
So they played loud music. Music that I wasn't fond of. That's not too big a deal.
But first impressions? Boy, when they were checking out the place prior to moving in, and those kids were running through our yard, across our deck, and making leaps off our deck onto the grass below, that did not bode well.
But, hey, I was impressed when the dad sent the kids over with an apology when the boys' party guests ran through my garden and trampled strawberry plants.
We were surprised last November when we arrived home after work to find Christmas light in OUR tree. And a mega-ugly job of lighting up our huge old maple trunk. It's hard to find Christmas lights done in an ugly way. But these were! And these lights were burning for three months, pouring light into our bedrooms at night. In March, when the neighbor finally took down the lights on his eaves, we were hoping the lights on our tree would be removed too. No such luck, though.
And then they moved. The landlord apologized to Gary for whatever trouble this neighbor had caused: apparently other neighbors had been complaining for quite a while. We saw that these people left a mess for the landlord to deal with, tossing garbage out at the back of the property rather than leaving it for the garbage pick-up. It seemed characteristic....
So we headed out to remove the lights from our tree. How did he accomplish this "decorating"?? The lights strands were STAPLED to the tree. Fifteen feet high. We have a huge ladder, and the only way we could remove these light-strands was with wire cutters and the extended-handle pruning saw. There's still garbage up in the tree that we couldn't remove. When we put lights on the indoor tree, we usually have one person standing on each side of the tree, passing light-strands back and forth. HOW did this guy wrap lights around a 4' diameter, 15' in the air? No wonder he didn't want to remove the mess!
We have a better feeling about the new neighbors. Hooray!
But first impressions? Boy, when they were checking out the place prior to moving in, and those kids were running through our yard, across our deck, and making leaps off our deck onto the grass below, that did not bode well.
But, hey, I was impressed when the dad sent the kids over with an apology when the boys' party guests ran through my garden and trampled strawberry plants.
We were surprised last November when we arrived home after work to find Christmas light in OUR tree. And a mega-ugly job of lighting up our huge old maple trunk. It's hard to find Christmas lights done in an ugly way. But these were! And these lights were burning for three months, pouring light into our bedrooms at night. In March, when the neighbor finally took down the lights on his eaves, we were hoping the lights on our tree would be removed too. No such luck, though.
And then they moved. The landlord apologized to Gary for whatever trouble this neighbor had caused: apparently other neighbors had been complaining for quite a while. We saw that these people left a mess for the landlord to deal with, tossing garbage out at the back of the property rather than leaving it for the garbage pick-up. It seemed characteristic....
So we headed out to remove the lights from our tree. How did he accomplish this "decorating"?? The lights strands were STAPLED to the tree. Fifteen feet high. We have a huge ladder, and the only way we could remove these light-strands was with wire cutters and the extended-handle pruning saw. There's still garbage up in the tree that we couldn't remove. When we put lights on the indoor tree, we usually have one person standing on each side of the tree, passing light-strands back and forth. HOW did this guy wrap lights around a 4' diameter, 15' in the air? No wonder he didn't want to remove the mess!
We have a better feeling about the new neighbors. Hooray!
The Story about Abraham's Persistent Prayer for Sodom
Maybe it's the math geek in me. The part of the story (Gen 18) I always noticed was the countdown. 50? 45? 40? 30? 20? 10?
I never noticed in verse 19 what the Lord was pondering about Abraham's status: "For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.”
The Lord loves us. And we teach others about His love and mercy, so they too can hang onto that righteousness He gives. And the Lord needs to make sure we know (verse 17) about His punishment of sin so that we do not waver in trusting His goodness. What we see and experience must never be allowed to override in our hearts the sweet promises He has made.
I never noticed in verse 19 what the Lord was pondering about Abraham's status: "For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.”
The Lord loves us. And we teach others about His love and mercy, so they too can hang onto that righteousness He gives. And the Lord needs to make sure we know (verse 17) about His punishment of sin so that we do not waver in trusting His goodness. What we see and experience must never be allowed to override in our hearts the sweet promises He has made.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Fussing about Ordination Being Called a Sacrament
Crab, crab, crab. "It's Catholic to call ordination a sacrament." (Wait. Did you read that last sentence correctly? "Catholic" has to be spoken with a scrunched-up nose and have a definite tone-of-insult.)
I realize that the Roman Catholic Church teaches some things about ordination that aren't scriptural. It almost seems to me it's like magic: the priest is given "indelible character" that makes him (in his own person!) able to do things laymen cannot.
But what if "ordination" is "being put under orders" -- and those orders are the commands of Christ to baptize and to preach and to forgive and to administer the Supper and to judge doctrine? If the pastor's power is entirely in the Word of God, and if those actions are a means through which God gives grace (not particularly to the ordinand alone but to the man's whole congregation), then why would anyone object to a high view of ordination??
The Confessions themselves say:
So, what's the problem? Consider it a sacrament (without consenting to the errors of Rome). Or consider it not-a-sacrament (without consenting to the errors of the Anabaptists ... a far more prevalent problem in today's society). But why should it be an issue?
I realize that the Roman Catholic Church teaches some things about ordination that aren't scriptural. It almost seems to me it's like magic: the priest is given "indelible character" that makes him (in his own person!) able to do things laymen cannot.
But what if "ordination" is "being put under orders" -- and those orders are the commands of Christ to baptize and to preach and to forgive and to administer the Supper and to judge doctrine? If the pastor's power is entirely in the Word of God, and if those actions are a means through which God gives grace (not particularly to the ordinand alone but to the man's whole congregation), then why would anyone object to a high view of ordination??
The Confessions themselves say:
If ordination be understood as applying to the ministry of the Word, we are not unwilling to call ordination a sacrament. For the ministry of the Word has God's command and glorious promises -- "The Gospel is the power of God for salvation to every one that believes" (Rom 1:16). Likewise, Is 55:11 -- "So shall My Word be that goes forth out of My mouth; it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please." If ordination be understood in this way, neither will we refuse to call the imposition of hands a sacrament. For the Church has the command to appoint ministers, which should be most pleasing to us, because we know that God approves this ministry, and is present in the ministry. (Apology XIII:11-12)
So, what's the problem? Consider it a sacrament (without consenting to the errors of Rome). Or consider it not-a-sacrament (without consenting to the errors of the Anabaptists ... a far more prevalent problem in today's society). But why should it be an issue?
Monday, July 29, 2013
Fathers in Luke 11
Look at all the fathers in Sunday's [three-year] Gospel (Luke 11:1-13).
"Our Father who art in heaven."
Then comes the parable of the friend at midnight. Did you notice that the neighbor (the one who doesn't want to get out of bed to hand over the bread) is a father? He's in bed with his children. He's unwilling to grant the unreasonable request of the dude next door, and we always think he's a selfish grump. But maybe he's just trying to take care of his children. (Every mama knows what it's like to have the babies awakened by noisy neighbors. Yeah . . . you know what I'm talkin' about. We can understand the fellow-with-the-bread having loads of love for his kids ... and no heart for the guy who's pounding on the door and disturbing the munchkins.)
Then comes the example of the human kids asking their human dads for something necessary, and how daddies take care of their kids instead of hurting them.
Then comes a heavenly Father who gives the Holy Spirit.
Dads.
Dads.
Dads.
"Our Father who art in heaven."
Then comes the parable of the friend at midnight. Did you notice that the neighbor (the one who doesn't want to get out of bed to hand over the bread) is a father? He's in bed with his children. He's unwilling to grant the unreasonable request of the dude next door, and we always think he's a selfish grump. But maybe he's just trying to take care of his children. (Every mama knows what it's like to have the babies awakened by noisy neighbors. Yeah . . . you know what I'm talkin' about. We can understand the fellow-with-the-bread having loads of love for his kids ... and no heart for the guy who's pounding on the door and disturbing the munchkins.)
Then comes the example of the human kids asking their human dads for something necessary, and how daddies take care of their kids instead of hurting them.
Then comes a heavenly Father who gives the Holy Spirit.
Dads.
Dads.
Dads.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
A Post about Nothing
(I didn't watch Seinfeld, but I think that's the line people used about the show.)
I found the old Playskool wooden puzzles and brought them upstairs. Zoe had a great time with them yesterday. She's just the right age for it.
Our Culligan water filters needed replacing. The salesmen think our system is obsolete and should be replaced. I think they're trying to sell something. But there's the niggling fear: what if they're right? What if I'm spending the bucks on new filters, and it turns out to be wasted because the system is too old. Why, oh why, can't I buy an appliance once and have it last my whole life long??
I was mean to the septic system today. I put bleach in the wash. Those white bath towels were looking so grungy. They're still not white-white, but they look so much better. Story is that one of my grandmas prided herself on having the brightest whitest laundry around. She would be horrified at me.
Andrew started full-time work as a CNA. He works evening shift.
I'm hungry. I am SO looking forward to Tuesday or Wednesday -- and a happier gall bladder -- so that I can have soup or burritos or lentils or a pbj or a hamburger or my favorite tilapia recipe. [drooooool....]
Poor little granddaughter. Her daddy has crud feet. And her momma and grandma and great-grandma have crud feet. Really now -- bunions already when she was two? Thanks to a generous soul at church passing along virtually new "hand-me-downs," Alia wore Birkenstocks last summer. This summer she's been aching but unable to explain why -- unable to know that this ain't how it's supposed to be, folks. But wise Katie managed to figure it out and bought special supportive shoes and inserts. (Really? Inserts for a preschooler?? Yikes!) Child is much happier!
Andrew and I have been hauling wood chips from the town's compost pile. My plan was to put down cloth in certain weedy spots and cover it with a hefty pile of wood mulch. I need to cut down on the amount of work around here, and mulch seemed like A Plan. I'm beginning to wonder, though, if the wood chips are already too composted. There seems to be a lot of dirt in with the chips. Maybe I'm just going to end up with shallow-rooted weeds.
Black raspberries came up volunteer. Yowza -- I thought red raspberries had prickly thorns. Nothing compared to these black raspberries. These delectable little guys are the kind of thing you'd want to plant around your castle, next to your moat. Yup, a fence of these canes would be some serious protection.
Met with the lawyer this week about guardianship for Maggie. After reading the paperwork, it appears that there are less drastic ways of accomplishing what we need, such as Power of Attorney paperwork. So we're looking into those matters.
If we used Divine Service 3 (aka "page 15") every Sunday for the next few years, I do not think I would get tired of the Lack Of Variety.
Things have been kind of slow at work while our road has been under construction. I'm looking forward to business picking up again soon. I hate sitting at work during those occasional 10 minutes stints without customers, knowing that there's plenty to do at home.
The other day, I saw a little girl at the grocery store that looked amazingly like Alia. When she turned around, it WAS Alia. You know what? There's something incredibly joyous about bumping into friends and family at the grocery store. Rather than leaving with my groceries, I bopped through the store again, just to grab a few minutes with Katie and the girls. These chance encounters provide a dose of happiness that is unreasonably huge. Love it love it love it!
We're trying to declutter. The weekly trash piles have been huge recently. The give-away trips to Goodwill have been more frequent. The pile in the garage for a rummage-sale is growing! "But we could use this for [fill in the blank]." NO! Fighting the urge to hoard!!
Maggie is on a Beverly Cleary jag. I'm just a tad jealous.
Someone here purchased a Wii. I have mixed feelings. The other people who live here do not have mixed feelings.
That's enough "nothing." I probably left out some major stuff from this update. But my brain is pre-occupied with my tummy ache. So this is all there is. For now.
I found the old Playskool wooden puzzles and brought them upstairs. Zoe had a great time with them yesterday. She's just the right age for it.
Our Culligan water filters needed replacing. The salesmen think our system is obsolete and should be replaced. I think they're trying to sell something. But there's the niggling fear: what if they're right? What if I'm spending the bucks on new filters, and it turns out to be wasted because the system is too old. Why, oh why, can't I buy an appliance once and have it last my whole life long??
I was mean to the septic system today. I put bleach in the wash. Those white bath towels were looking so grungy. They're still not white-white, but they look so much better. Story is that one of my grandmas prided herself on having the brightest whitest laundry around. She would be horrified at me.
Andrew started full-time work as a CNA. He works evening shift.
I'm hungry. I am SO looking forward to Tuesday or Wednesday -- and a happier gall bladder -- so that I can have soup or burritos or lentils or a pbj or a hamburger or my favorite tilapia recipe. [drooooool....]
Poor little granddaughter. Her daddy has crud feet. And her momma and grandma and great-grandma have crud feet. Really now -- bunions already when she was two? Thanks to a generous soul at church passing along virtually new "hand-me-downs," Alia wore Birkenstocks last summer. This summer she's been aching but unable to explain why -- unable to know that this ain't how it's supposed to be, folks. But wise Katie managed to figure it out and bought special supportive shoes and inserts. (Really? Inserts for a preschooler?? Yikes!) Child is much happier!
Andrew and I have been hauling wood chips from the town's compost pile. My plan was to put down cloth in certain weedy spots and cover it with a hefty pile of wood mulch. I need to cut down on the amount of work around here, and mulch seemed like A Plan. I'm beginning to wonder, though, if the wood chips are already too composted. There seems to be a lot of dirt in with the chips. Maybe I'm just going to end up with shallow-rooted weeds.
Black raspberries came up volunteer. Yowza -- I thought red raspberries had prickly thorns. Nothing compared to these black raspberries. These delectable little guys are the kind of thing you'd want to plant around your castle, next to your moat. Yup, a fence of these canes would be some serious protection.
Met with the lawyer this week about guardianship for Maggie. After reading the paperwork, it appears that there are less drastic ways of accomplishing what we need, such as Power of Attorney paperwork. So we're looking into those matters.
If we used Divine Service 3 (aka "page 15") every Sunday for the next few years, I do not think I would get tired of the Lack Of Variety.
Things have been kind of slow at work while our road has been under construction. I'm looking forward to business picking up again soon. I hate sitting at work during those occasional 10 minutes stints without customers, knowing that there's plenty to do at home.
The other day, I saw a little girl at the grocery store that looked amazingly like Alia. When she turned around, it WAS Alia. You know what? There's something incredibly joyous about bumping into friends and family at the grocery store. Rather than leaving with my groceries, I bopped through the store again, just to grab a few minutes with Katie and the girls. These chance encounters provide a dose of happiness that is unreasonably huge. Love it love it love it!
We're trying to declutter. The weekly trash piles have been huge recently. The give-away trips to Goodwill have been more frequent. The pile in the garage for a rummage-sale is growing! "But we could use this for [fill in the blank]." NO! Fighting the urge to hoard!!
Maggie is on a Beverly Cleary jag. I'm just a tad jealous.
Someone here purchased a Wii. I have mixed feelings. The other people who live here do not have mixed feelings.
That's enough "nothing." I probably left out some major stuff from this update. But my brain is pre-occupied with my tummy ache. So this is all there is. For now.
Used Furniture
A lovely little consignment store recently opened in Sussex. Framed art. Furniture. China. A few books and rugs and other items. Good prices. More expensive furniture than Goodwill, but it seems to be in better condition.
It's on Main St, just west of the hardware store. Great service. Check 'em out.
It's on Main St, just west of the hardware store. Great service. Check 'em out.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Gall Bladder
(Notes to remind myself. Nobody else will want to bother reading.)
Low-fat vegan diet for several days: no caffeine, no sugar, no gluten, no alcohol. Raw fruits and veggies as much as possible. Lots of cukes, beets, tomato, lemon juice. Rice salad works well.
Day before and morning of cleanse:
No fat. No, really -- NO fat: olives, avocado, coconut milk, nuts, crackers.
Day starting the cleanse:
2:00 p.m. -- begin fast. Drink plenty of water because of the salt later. Unsweetened herbal mint tea is okay too.
6:00 -- first potion (3/4 cup water or apple juice with 1 Tbsp epsom salts)
8:00 -- second epsom-salt potion; prepare another potion for morning and put by bed
9:15 or 9:30 -- get ready for bed, pj's and brush teeth
9:45 -- mix 3/4 cup olive oil with juice of 3 lemons or 2 grapefruit (1/2 or 3/4 cup juice); shake well in jar until thin and frothy; go to the bathroom
10:00 -- drink the "salad-dressing" potion; it may help to use a straw or to chase sips with honey; drink it quickly (within 5-10 minutes); immediately go to bed; do not clean up the kitchen; lie down on the right side in the fetal position and stay still for at least 20 minutes; okay to get up overnight to use bathroom if necessary
Day ending the cleanse:
6:00 a.m. or later -- another dose of epsom salts; go back to bed
8:00 (or 2 hours later) -- another dose of epsom salts (may skip if stomach is too nauseous), then relax for another two hours
10:00 (or after 2 or 3 trips to toilet) -- may begin juice
10:30 or 11:00 -- may have some fruit
12:00 -- may begin eating light food
supper -- simple and easily digestible food
Organic better.
Freshly juiced juices better than purchased.
Low-fat vegan diet for several days: no caffeine, no sugar, no gluten, no alcohol. Raw fruits and veggies as much as possible. Lots of cukes, beets, tomato, lemon juice. Rice salad works well.
Day before and morning of cleanse:
No fat. No, really -- NO fat: olives, avocado, coconut milk, nuts, crackers.
Day starting the cleanse:
2:00 p.m. -- begin fast. Drink plenty of water because of the salt later. Unsweetened herbal mint tea is okay too.
6:00 -- first potion (3/4 cup water or apple juice with 1 Tbsp epsom salts)
8:00 -- second epsom-salt potion; prepare another potion for morning and put by bed
9:15 or 9:30 -- get ready for bed, pj's and brush teeth
9:45 -- mix 3/4 cup olive oil with juice of 3 lemons or 2 grapefruit (1/2 or 3/4 cup juice); shake well in jar until thin and frothy; go to the bathroom
10:00 -- drink the "salad-dressing" potion; it may help to use a straw or to chase sips with honey; drink it quickly (within 5-10 minutes); immediately go to bed; do not clean up the kitchen; lie down on the right side in the fetal position and stay still for at least 20 minutes; okay to get up overnight to use bathroom if necessary
Day ending the cleanse:
6:00 a.m. or later -- another dose of epsom salts; go back to bed
8:00 (or 2 hours later) -- another dose of epsom salts (may skip if stomach is too nauseous), then relax for another two hours
10:00 (or after 2 or 3 trips to toilet) -- may begin juice
10:30 or 11:00 -- may have some fruit
12:00 -- may begin eating light food
supper -- simple and easily digestible food
Organic better.
Freshly juiced juices better than purchased.
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Decorating Opinions?
Unlike me, some of you have, well, y'know, taste. And some of you enjoy looking at decorating magazines. So I'd like to ask for input.If these are my [ahem] outdated kitchen cabinets,
and if I have no intention of updating them,
and if I'd like a lighter kitchen,
1: What's trendy is irrelevant. If I accomplish this project within five years, I'll be patting myself on the back for speediness.
2: If the cupboard doors were white or some other near-white color and the cupboards themselves remained dark, would the outline of the dark wood look super-tacky, or elegant, or some blah-in-between?
Unripe Avocado
Again? We cut into an avocado, expecting to add deliciousness to a sandwich, and it wasn't ripe enough. Let's get real -- it wasn't ripe at all. When it happened last month, I chafed at putting a whole avocado into the garbage. So when it happened again this month, I didn't want to waste another one. Time to start a google-hunt.
I decided to try an avocado hair mask.
Because the fruit wasn't ripe, I let it sit for several days. I don't have the foggiest idea why it didn't mold. But it didn't. At least, not this time. The cut edges dried. The middle under the dried edges continued to ripen somewhat. Eventually, I followed online instructions to mash/puree the avocado with olive oil, smoosh it through my hair, cover it with a shower cap, heat it with a blow-dryer for a couple of minutes, and then let it sit for an hour. I washed my hair. The next morning I rinsed it thoroughly again with plain water and let it dry.
And today I have sproingy-boingy soft curls instead of slight waves. Nice!
I decided to try an avocado hair mask.
Because the fruit wasn't ripe, I let it sit for several days. I don't have the foggiest idea why it didn't mold. But it didn't. At least, not this time. The cut edges dried. The middle under the dried edges continued to ripen somewhat. Eventually, I followed online instructions to mash/puree the avocado with olive oil, smoosh it through my hair, cover it with a shower cap, heat it with a blow-dryer for a couple of minutes, and then let it sit for an hour. I washed my hair. The next morning I rinsed it thoroughly again with plain water and let it dry.
And today I have sproingy-boingy soft curls instead of slight waves. Nice!
Thursday, July 18, 2013
"Luther on Vocation"
Wingren's book isn't what I expected. Loads of people had recommended it as a fabulous book about vocation. There are definitely good parts, but overall I'm not as impressed as I thought I'd be.
From the title, I'd expected the book to be virtually all Luther. It's not. It's Gustaf Wingren, and he is explaining his take on Luther's take on vocation. He also disputes other authors' take on Luther's take on vocation.
I also noticed the use of the word "vocation." There is some disagreement among us about whether vocation is law or gospel or both or whatever. And as I've been reading Wingren, I think part of the reason for this disagreement can be attributed to his book. He keeps using the word vocation and "interpreting Luther" as it were ... but he substitutes the word vocation when Luther's word in that particular quote was station or office.
Vocation is from the Latin for "calling." As in, "The Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, ...." Vocation is the call to live by faith in whatever station or office God has placed you. Yeah, so, when Wingren flip-flops "vocation" and "station" (and when we then do the same thing) discussions are muddied and convoluted.
And then there's the section on prayer. Wingren points out that we shouldn't be praying for things God has promised through means. In other words, I can't sit on the couch and eat bonbons and watch Oprah, and then complain at 7:00 because God didn't give us supper. God gave me a grocery store and money, and a garden and a knife and an oven, and that is how He gives us supper. But then Wingren goes on to suggest that God will be hacked off at us if we pray for things and haven't done everything in our power to bring Whatever-We-Prayed-For into being. According to that, I guess I'd never pray because I could never do enough to provide for myself. Furthermore, he makes it sound like prayer is a last resort: when there's nothing left for you to do to solve the situation, that's when you can pray for help. I just have to keep reminding myself that Wingren is trying to argue against prayer-as-a-magic-wand.
From the title, I'd expected the book to be virtually all Luther. It's not. It's Gustaf Wingren, and he is explaining his take on Luther's take on vocation. He also disputes other authors' take on Luther's take on vocation.
I also noticed the use of the word "vocation." There is some disagreement among us about whether vocation is law or gospel or both or whatever. And as I've been reading Wingren, I think part of the reason for this disagreement can be attributed to his book. He keeps using the word vocation and "interpreting Luther" as it were ... but he substitutes the word vocation when Luther's word in that particular quote was station or office.
Vocation is from the Latin for "calling." As in, "The Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, ...." Vocation is the call to live by faith in whatever station or office God has placed you. Yeah, so, when Wingren flip-flops "vocation" and "station" (and when we then do the same thing) discussions are muddied and convoluted.
And then there's the section on prayer. Wingren points out that we shouldn't be praying for things God has promised through means. In other words, I can't sit on the couch and eat bonbons and watch Oprah, and then complain at 7:00 because God didn't give us supper. God gave me a grocery store and money, and a garden and a knife and an oven, and that is how He gives us supper. But then Wingren goes on to suggest that God will be hacked off at us if we pray for things and haven't done everything in our power to bring Whatever-We-Prayed-For into being. According to that, I guess I'd never pray because I could never do enough to provide for myself. Furthermore, he makes it sound like prayer is a last resort: when there's nothing left for you to do to solve the situation, that's when you can pray for help. I just have to keep reminding myself that Wingren is trying to argue against prayer-as-a-magic-wand.
Good aspects of the book coming up in another post...
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
But They're WRONG
Jews have no dealing with Samaritans (John 4).
The Samaritan (yeah, you know, the good Samaritan, the one in the parable) was somebody the beaten-up Jew considered an enemy (Luke 10).
But let's think about it: It was not okay for the Samaritans to worship someplace besides Jerusalem. It was wrong for Jereboam (that long-ago king) to have set up a church that wasn't the temple in Jerusalem. So the Jews were right to insist that worship belonged only where God had instituted it.
What was wrong was hating the errant Samaritans for their error. "They screwed up. FINE. Just leave them to their badness. FINE."
Nope. Not fine.
"... Love to the loveless shown
that they might lovely be."
The Samaritan (yeah, you know, the good Samaritan, the one in the parable) was somebody the beaten-up Jew considered an enemy (Luke 10).
But let's think about it: It was not okay for the Samaritans to worship someplace besides Jerusalem. It was wrong for Jereboam (that long-ago king) to have set up a church that wasn't the temple in Jerusalem. So the Jews were right to insist that worship belonged only where God had instituted it.
What was wrong was hating the errant Samaritans for their error. "They screwed up. FINE. Just leave them to their badness. FINE."
Nope. Not fine.
"... Love to the loveless shown
that they might lovely be."
Serendipitously, this same topic
came up on another blog this week.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
The Lawyer's Version of Law
When the lawyer wanted to trap Jesus in His words (prior to the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10), Jesus asked, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?"
Of course, the lawyer answered with a synopsis of the Rules. And sure enough, that is in the law.
But what else is in "the law," the Torah?
What if Jesus asked, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?" and the answer was something like, "The Lord shall provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering" (Gen 22)? Or "Stand still, and see the salvation which the Lord your God will accomplish for you this day" (Ex 14)?
Of course, the lawyer answered with a synopsis of the Rules. And sure enough, that is in the law.
But what else is in "the law," the Torah?
What if Jesus asked, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?" and the answer was something like, "The Lord shall provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering" (Gen 22)? Or "Stand still, and see the salvation which the Lord your God will accomplish for you this day" (Ex 14)?
Monday, July 15, 2013
The Good Samaritan
We self-righteous humans are prone to thinking the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10) is all about what we should DO.
I find it interesting that the very next verses in Luke are the story of Mary and Martha. Martha is fretting because there's too much to DO, and Mary isn't DOing. She's sitting there, soaking up Jesus' preaching.
I'm supposin' that these are not two disconnected stories. The events at Lazarus's house shed more light on the parable.
Yup.
I find it interesting that the very next verses in Luke are the story of Mary and Martha. Martha is fretting because there's too much to DO, and Mary isn't DOing. She's sitting there, soaking up Jesus' preaching.
I'm supposin' that these are not two disconnected stories. The events at Lazarus's house shed more light on the parable.
Yup.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Patient Angels
The angels must have been affected by our sin.
I never thought of it before.
They're created beings. The whole creation groans, awaiting the redemption of the sons of God. The angels fight in the spiritual dimension ("wield God's word, a weapon glorious...") to guard us from demonic forces.
Angels too, like the bunnies and the rocks and trees, will rejoice when Jesus returns and makes a new heaven and a new earth, and man is freed, and sin's effects are no more.
I never thought of it before.
They're created beings. The whole creation groans, awaiting the redemption of the sons of God. The angels fight in the spiritual dimension ("wield God's word, a weapon glorious...") to guard us from demonic forces.
Angels too, like the bunnies and the rocks and trees, will rejoice when Jesus returns and makes a new heaven and a new earth, and man is freed, and sin's effects are no more.
Tuesday, July 09, 2013
Hand-Me-Down Treasures
Once upon a time, I felt greedy and guilty when people would hand over STUFF when we happened to mention we needed something like it. Our parents were not the only culprits, but were the most frequent givers. "Wait, I wasn't asking for yours! I was just noticing that it's something I need to obtain somewhere." And yet, "No, it's fine. Here, take it. Really!"
But now I'm there. I want stuff out of the house. The kids see it on the pile headed to the flea market, and ask if I'd mind if they took it. MIND? No. No no no. Please take it and enjoy!
I almost feel guilty for inflicting STUFF on them.
Almost. But not quite.
But now I'm there. I want stuff out of the house. The kids see it on the pile headed to the flea market, and ask if I'd mind if they took it. MIND? No. No no no. Please take it and enjoy!
I almost feel guilty for inflicting STUFF on them.
Almost. But not quite.
Monday, July 08, 2013
Music Appreciation
A lot of us middle-aged people learned about classical music more from Bugs Bunny than we did from school. Even without formal and systematic instruction, though, the simple exposure to music made those pieces seem comfortingly familiar when we bumped into them again. (Of course, we may imagine Elmer Fudd or Wile E Coyote when we hear certain pieces of music, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.)
I love what the headmaster of our church's school is doing with the kids. Simple simple simple. But an idea I wish I'd known about earlier. She has an assortment of great music pieces. I forget how many -- maybe 100 to 200? One piece per week. Play it every day.
That's it. There isn't necessarily any study of the composer's life, or his other music, or anything. There could be. But the point is simply for the kids to HEAR these pieces over and over. So it takes 3-5 minutes a day. It requires little prep from the teacher. But it does a lot to expose the kids to all sorts of important pieces of music.
And the kids seem to enjoy it even without Bugs and the Taz.
I love what the headmaster of our church's school is doing with the kids. Simple simple simple. But an idea I wish I'd known about earlier. She has an assortment of great music pieces. I forget how many -- maybe 100 to 200? One piece per week. Play it every day.
That's it. There isn't necessarily any study of the composer's life, or his other music, or anything. There could be. But the point is simply for the kids to HEAR these pieces over and over. So it takes 3-5 minutes a day. It requires little prep from the teacher. But it does a lot to expose the kids to all sorts of important pieces of music.
And the kids seem to enjoy it even without Bugs and the Taz.
Saturday, July 06, 2013
Purge Mode
Too. Much. Stuff.
Although there are plenty of more pressing tasks on the to-do list, I am distracted by my desire to de-clutter. The yard needs to be simplified so there's less weeding and work out there. But mostly I want to thin what's in cupboards, bookshelves, closets, and storage areas. Flea market at church is in six weeks; hopefully I'll have a good pile for Maggie to hawk while I'm at work that day.
So it was timely to read an article on what clutter does to the mind. [Hat tip: Cheryl.] It helps me recognize why it's so hard to declutter; there is a neurological response in the brain which registers pain when getting rid of an object to which you are attached. The article also shows that there really is stress and problems-with-focus from having too much clutter; it's not just silly me feeling overwhelmed.
I think this also explains one of the reasons vacation can be so relaxing. If you're away from home there is usually less clutter. The place you're staying probably has less stuff in the kitchen; you have fewer clothes to choose from; while you're away, housekeeping projects are not piled up demanding your attention. For me, the escape-from-clutter is probably the most relaxing part of any vacation trip.
Conundrum of the month: it's so much work to de-clutter. And it clutters the brain to make de-cluttering decisions. Uh ... no pain, no gain???
Although there are plenty of more pressing tasks on the to-do list, I am distracted by my desire to de-clutter. The yard needs to be simplified so there's less weeding and work out there. But mostly I want to thin what's in cupboards, bookshelves, closets, and storage areas. Flea market at church is in six weeks; hopefully I'll have a good pile for Maggie to hawk while I'm at work that day.
So it was timely to read an article on what clutter does to the mind. [Hat tip: Cheryl.] It helps me recognize why it's so hard to declutter; there is a neurological response in the brain which registers pain when getting rid of an object to which you are attached. The article also shows that there really is stress and problems-with-focus from having too much clutter; it's not just silly me feeling overwhelmed.
I think this also explains one of the reasons vacation can be so relaxing. If you're away from home there is usually less clutter. The place you're staying probably has less stuff in the kitchen; you have fewer clothes to choose from; while you're away, housekeeping projects are not piled up demanding your attention. For me, the escape-from-clutter is probably the most relaxing part of any vacation trip.
Conundrum of the month: it's so much work to de-clutter. And it clutters the brain to make de-cluttering decisions. Uh ... no pain, no gain???
Thursday, July 04, 2013
Skits in Church
So I don't like skits during church. But is that just my preference, whereas somebody else has a different preference?
I figured it out. It's not just me and my old-fashioned hang-ups.
Skits are pretending.
They're not real. People are acting. Actors pretend to be who they're not. They say lines written for them instead of engaging in real-life, from-the-heart conversation.
What happens during church must be REAL. It must be true and honest and live dialogue between God and man.
No show.
No pretend.
Genuine speech. Speech that accomplishes a transaction.
I figured it out. It's not just me and my old-fashioned hang-ups.
They're not real. People are acting. Actors pretend to be who they're not. They say lines written for them instead of engaging in real-life, from-the-heart conversation.
What happens during church must be REAL. It must be true and honest and live dialogue between God and man.
No show.
No pretend.
Genuine speech. Speech that accomplishes a transaction.
Wednesday, July 03, 2013
Business-World Apologies
You've heard non-apology "apologies": "If anyone was offended by what happened, then I want you all to know that was never the intention, and this has been over-exaggerated."
Somehow, being in the Church, I always figured that apologizing meant that a person was taking the blame: "My fault, my own fault, my own most grievous fault."
And then you get out in the world.
Something came through at work recently. We weren't exactly told to read it. But it was made available, just like other materials, and proposed as suggested reading that would help us deal with customers. The title was "Help Your Employees Learn to Apologize." I was stunned. An apology is NOT "accepting blame." An apology IS "acknowledging the client's feelings."
So when I'm in a store and they're apologizing to me, it's not my imagination that I sense they're not really apologizing.
Somehow, being in the Church, I always figured that apologizing meant that a person was taking the blame: "My fault, my own fault, my own most grievous fault."
And then you get out in the world.
Something came through at work recently. We weren't exactly told to read it. But it was made available, just like other materials, and proposed as suggested reading that would help us deal with customers. The title was "Help Your Employees Learn to Apologize." I was stunned. An apology is NOT "accepting blame." An apology IS "acknowledging the client's feelings."
So when I'm in a store and they're apologizing to me, it's not my imagination that I sense they're not really apologizing.
At least there are some places that
consider an apology something more
than mere empathy.
Tuesday, July 02, 2013
Post-Modernism
[Yawn ...]
Folks talk about post-modernism, and I tune out. Despite hearing people talk about it ad nauseum and what it means for society and for the Church, I just do not understand. I tend to hear "blah blah blah" when I should be listening.
So when Jonathan Fisk was presenting at the CCA symposium last month, I was shocked to hear a brief explanation that even A Bear Of Very Little Brain can understand.
First, Pastor Fisk explained that post-modernism is post [that is, after] the age of Reason. "Modern man" used reason and intellect and thinking. Post-modernism poo-poos reason.
And here's what that means:
1. What I feel and what I experience is what matters.
2. Therefore, there is no certainty, no objective truth, and no absolutes.
Now that I know this, I'm not completely lost! And "blah blah blah" actually contains a few words and sentences now that I can grasp!
Folks talk about post-modernism, and I tune out. Despite hearing people talk about it ad nauseum and what it means for society and for the Church, I just do not understand. I tend to hear "blah blah blah" when I should be listening.
So when Jonathan Fisk was presenting at the CCA symposium last month, I was shocked to hear a brief explanation that even A Bear Of Very Little Brain can understand.
First, Pastor Fisk explained that post-modernism is post [that is, after] the age of Reason. "Modern man" used reason and intellect and thinking. Post-modernism poo-poos reason.
And here's what that means:
1. What I feel and what I experience is what matters.
2. Therefore, there is no certainty, no objective truth, and no absolutes.
Now that I know this, I'm not completely lost! And "blah blah blah" actually contains a few words and sentences now that I can grasp!
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Rainbow
Driving home from a visit to Mom, we watched the storms passing behind us or to the south of us. Certainly an interesting weather lesson! But the coolest thing was the rainbow -- the most vibrant one I'd seen in my life. And the fattest.
The evening before I'd been reading "Heaven Is for Real," and (whether it's true or not) I thought it was interesting to have read about all the colors in heaven and then to see this glorious rainbow.
 |
| (after it had already faded quite a bit) |
The evening before I'd been reading "Heaven Is for Real," and (whether it's true or not) I thought it was interesting to have read about all the colors in heaven and then to see this glorious rainbow.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Nosy Phone Calls
Maggie answers the phone, knows she can't handle whatever-it-is the stranger is saying, and passes the phone off to Mom. I pick up the receiver and say hello.
"Have I reached you today on a land line or on a cell phone?"
A confused look pops out on my face. "Why do you want to know?"
"It's the first question on our survey today."
Me: "I won't be answering that question today."
She responded firmly: "Are you on a land line or on a cell phone? It's the first question I have for you on our survey today about vaccinations in your community."
"I won't be answering that question today."
Caller: "How many children between the ages of 2 and 59 months do you have in your household?"
Me (in partial shock and partial laughter): "I won't be answering that question today."
Well, I must have sounded more snippy than I intended because her irritated response was, "You don't have to be so hostile about this."
Putting on my best effort at a pleasant voice: "I'm not being hostile. I'm just telling you that I won't be answering your questions today."
"WHY do you have to be so difficult about this?! Now, how many children between the ages of ..."
"Excuse me. I won't be answering your questions today. I'm going to hang up now. Buh-bye."
Wow.
"Have I reached you today on a land line or on a cell phone?"
A confused look pops out on my face. "Why do you want to know?"
"It's the first question on our survey today."
Me: "I won't be answering that question today."
She responded firmly: "Are you on a land line or on a cell phone? It's the first question I have for you on our survey today about vaccinations in your community."
"I won't be answering that question today."
Caller: "How many children between the ages of 2 and 59 months do you have in your household?"
Me (in partial shock and partial laughter): "I won't be answering that question today."
Well, I must have sounded more snippy than I intended because her irritated response was, "You don't have to be so hostile about this."
Putting on my best effort at a pleasant voice: "I'm not being hostile. I'm just telling you that I won't be answering your questions today."
"WHY do you have to be so difficult about this?! Now, how many children between the ages of ..."
"Excuse me. I won't be answering your questions today. I'm going to hang up now. Buh-bye."
Wow.
Mnemonic Device for the Gospel Responses
"Praise to You, O Lord"?
"Glory be to Thee, O .... Christ??? Lord??? What IS the word?"
When I was little, I could never keep it straight. And I've noticed there are lots of people who have the same problem.
The S goes in the same response. "Praise" goes with "Christ."
Praise be to Thee, O Christ.
The OR goes in the same response. "Glory" goes with "Lord."
Glory to You, O Lord.
"Glory be to Thee, O .... Christ??? Lord??? What IS the word?"
When I was little, I could never keep it straight. And I've noticed there are lots of people who have the same problem.
The S goes in the same response. "Praise" goes with "Christ."
Praise be to Thee, O Christ.
The OR goes in the same response. "Glory" goes with "Lord."
Glory to You, O Lord.
Friday, June 28, 2013
Interior Decorating
I admit it up-front: I don't have a sense for decorating. I would like a prettier house, but I don't want it enough to figure out what to do and then make it happen.
So on a slow day at work I was flipping through Midwest Living. I was amazed by some of the nifty, cool, stylish, up-to-date ideas for decorating. My jaw actually dropped. And I still can't figure it out.
So it's stylish to have a beat-up old table? People spend lots of money buying furniture and decorative items that are "distressed." There are methods to paint a decent piece of furniture to make it appear "distressed." Why can this look fabulous in somebody else's house? If I had something like that in my house, it would not tout STYLE. It would look unkempt.
For a delectably romantic table setting, one suggestion was to use a length of burlap as a tablecloth. Burlap. As in, the burlap that we used in the 60's to make banners for church. Or the burlap we would use for sack-races in grade school.
One magazine article will tell you how a house needs COLOR . White or eggshell walls? Out out out. And yet, another article will extol the virtues of various whites all throughout the house.
One photo display showed an old wooden ladder propped up in a dining room, the rungs serving as a way to display the woman's collection of antique dish towels. And I'm thinking, "Oh, that I had enough space in the house to even understand how it's possible to have a display like that!"
These homes are put together intentionally and carefully. People shop and shop and shop for Just The Right Item to fit the theme of the house.
Me?
I have books.
And piles of Stuff We're In The Middle Of.
And kiddos' drawings on the refrigerator.
And evidence of projects: a bag of grass seed to plant, a blender and a toaster and a mixer on the counter at all times instead of in an "appliance garage," newspaper on the table, schoolbooks on the coffee table, a sewing project scattered across the basement, etc.
Maybe we could pretend my house was decorated with a theme of Practicality and Self Reliance? Sure. That's it. Totally. It was all planned!
So on a slow day at work I was flipping through Midwest Living. I was amazed by some of the nifty, cool, stylish, up-to-date ideas for decorating. My jaw actually dropped. And I still can't figure it out.
So it's stylish to have a beat-up old table? People spend lots of money buying furniture and decorative items that are "distressed." There are methods to paint a decent piece of furniture to make it appear "distressed." Why can this look fabulous in somebody else's house? If I had something like that in my house, it would not tout STYLE. It would look unkempt.
For a delectably romantic table setting, one suggestion was to use a length of burlap as a tablecloth. Burlap. As in, the burlap that we used in the 60's to make banners for church. Or the burlap we would use for sack-races in grade school.
One magazine article will tell you how a house needs COLOR . White or eggshell walls? Out out out. And yet, another article will extol the virtues of various whites all throughout the house.
One photo display showed an old wooden ladder propped up in a dining room, the rungs serving as a way to display the woman's collection of antique dish towels. And I'm thinking, "Oh, that I had enough space in the house to even understand how it's possible to have a display like that!"
These homes are put together intentionally and carefully. People shop and shop and shop for Just The Right Item to fit the theme of the house.
Me?
I have books.
And piles of Stuff We're In The Middle Of.
And kiddos' drawings on the refrigerator.
And evidence of projects: a bag of grass seed to plant, a blender and a toaster and a mixer on the counter at all times instead of in an "appliance garage," newspaper on the table, schoolbooks on the coffee table, a sewing project scattered across the basement, etc.
Maybe we could pretend my house was decorated with a theme of Practicality and Self Reliance? Sure. That's it. Totally. It was all planned!
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Surely He Won't Go to Hell? (part 2)
"So my friend is gay. He's a really nice guy, and he goes to church
and reads his Bible and everything. Surely God won't send him to hell
just because he's a homosexual?"
No.
Somebody said this was a hard question to answer. Doesn't seem hard to me. The answer is "no."
Do we or do we not believe that the blood of Jesus, shed on the cross, forgives the sins of the whole world?
God "sends people to hell" because they refuse to have Him. He forgives. He loves. He reaches out to rescue people. But some people refuse it.
It's got nothing to do with "how bad they are" or whether they're pretty good people overall.
"On my own I am worthy of all sorts of trouble in this life and eventual damnation. There is nothing nothing nothing I can offer God to make Him like me or approve of me." "Jesus is my righteousness, my hope, my life, my sanctification, my salvation. Everything He is, He gives to me, and I am pure and holy in Him."
Heaven or hell? It's not about the kind of sins or the quantity of sins you commit. It's about whether you are in Christ. Repentant faith clings to Him.
No.
Somebody said this was a hard question to answer. Doesn't seem hard to me. The answer is "no."
Do we or do we not believe that the blood of Jesus, shed on the cross, forgives the sins of the whole world?
God "sends people to hell" because they refuse to have Him. He forgives. He loves. He reaches out to rescue people. But some people refuse it.
It's got nothing to do with "how bad they are" or whether they're pretty good people overall.
"On my own I am worthy of all sorts of trouble in this life and eventual damnation. There is nothing nothing nothing I can offer God to make Him like me or approve of me." "Jesus is my righteousness, my hope, my life, my sanctification, my salvation. Everything He is, He gives to me, and I am pure and holy in Him."
Heaven or hell? It's not about the kind of sins or the quantity of sins you commit. It's about whether you are in Christ. Repentant faith clings to Him.
That said, it is true that those who are
in Christ will not "continue in sin that
grace may abound." And God's word
does say something about homosexuality.
Surely He Won't Go to Hell? (part 1)
"So my friend is gay. He's a really nice guy, and he goes to church and reads his Bible and everything. Surely God won't send him to hell just because he's a homosexual?"
Forget the friend for a minute. What does this question show about the one who's asking?
"Just because" he's a homosexual? "Just because" she sassed her mom and wouldn't pick up her toys when she was a toddler? "Just because" they committed acts of aggression against Europe and the whole world, resulting in the death of millions of soldiers, and exterminated six million Jews?
Big sins or little sins ... any sin is still sin. Any imperfection -- no matter how slight -- is Not Being Perfect. And God requires complete and total and utter perfection for those entering His heaven.
Forget the friend for a minute. What does this question show about the one who's asking?
"Just because" he's a homosexual? "Just because" she sassed her mom and wouldn't pick up her toys when she was a toddler? "Just because" they committed acts of aggression against Europe and the whole world, resulting in the death of millions of soldiers, and exterminated six million Jews?
Big sins or little sins ... any sin is still sin. Any imperfection -- no matter how slight -- is Not Being Perfect. And God requires complete and total and utter perfection for those entering His heaven.
Movies
After several friends suggested "Mirror Mirror" (a Snow White story) we watched it and fell in love with the movie. Adventure, laughs, and romance. One of the best we've seen in a long time! And Maggie and I weren't even watching it with kids.
We also watched "Temple Grandin," a movie about a woman with autism, and how she (and her family) built on her strengths. She ended up working with butchers and slaughterhouses; it may sound weird when you first hear it, but she cared about making the slaughtering more humane. I don't know how the story will strike you if you don't know anyone on-the-spectrum, but for me it was an engaging story on so many levels!
Both are good enough to watch again and again.
We also watched "Temple Grandin," a movie about a woman with autism, and how she (and her family) built on her strengths. She ended up working with butchers and slaughterhouses; it may sound weird when you first hear it, but she cared about making the slaughtering more humane. I don't know how the story will strike you if you don't know anyone on-the-spectrum, but for me it was an engaging story on so many levels!
Both are good enough to watch again and again.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
DAILY Bread? Not Monthly? Or Yearly Bread?
Any person who does not know what insecurity is
does not know what faith is.
Wingren, Luther on Vocation, page 36
referring to Luther WA 6, 8
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Please Be Petty About the Pennies
If you're honest, you point out to the clerk* or the bank teller when you've been given too much change. But some of us don't want to appear greedy by complaining if we were shorted a dime or a dollar. Go ahead -- be "greedy" about such things: the bank tellers will be appreciative that you helped them avoid the mistake which would have their drawer out-of-balance at the end of the day.
* Footnote: I doubt it is as strict for clerks as it is for bank tellers. When I worked in stores or restaurants, it wasn't exactly okay but wasn't a humongous deal if your cash register was off by a quarter or a dollar.
* Footnote: I doubt it is as strict for clerks as it is for bank tellers. When I worked in stores or restaurants, it wasn't exactly okay but wasn't a humongous deal if your cash register was off by a quarter or a dollar.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Recently
Symposium last week. Lots of friends. Some fun house guests. Parties. Theology lectures. Good times!
Work. Boy, the job sure gets in the way of my to-do list.
Washing the eaves. Seems dumb. But, hey, during winter's roof-raking I noticed spots that could've been dirt or could've been mildew on the eaves. After living in the parsonage, I passionately hate mildew. Kids washed half the eaves one week and I finished the other half this week with a bleach/soap solution.
Grass seed scattered and being watered daily in one portion of the lawn burned in last summer's drought. (Funny. Last year "they" kept telling us that the grass would survive just fine. Don't water it. It will be fine. Don't waste water on the lawn. This spring, the landscapers were all offering to fix lawns which obviously need fixing. If the government propagandizes about something piddly like lawn-watering, why should we believe what "they" say about anything else?)
The lettuces are finally coming up. So are the turnips, beets, basil, zucchini, cucumber, and cilantro. Memo to self: forget the seed-saving. The germination rate is awful. Short of catastrophe, just buy the seeds new each year.
Fewer strawberry plants + fewer rows = bigger berries. Nice. Clusters on the grape vines look great at this early stage. Blackberries have been pruned, but still need more whacking back. One cherry tree looks to be nearly ready for a nice harvest.
Loads of weeding to do. Katie and Maggie have helped a lot. I need mulch. Tons of mulch. The strawberry bed this year (with the between-spaces covered with a few layers of newspaper and many inches autumn leaves) has been quite easy to weed. I want everything else covered in that much mulch. But mulch is heavy. We can go at it slowly, though, with free wood chips and free compost from the town's compost site. The mulching may be a huge amount of work, but the weeding is its own frustration, especially in the front where the flowers are, where the previous owners put layers of gravel which is now under a bit of soil. It just plain needs to be fixed!
Pretty boring, huh? That's the way we like it!
Work. Boy, the job sure gets in the way of my to-do list.
Washing the eaves. Seems dumb. But, hey, during winter's roof-raking I noticed spots that could've been dirt or could've been mildew on the eaves. After living in the parsonage, I passionately hate mildew. Kids washed half the eaves one week and I finished the other half this week with a bleach/soap solution.
Grass seed scattered and being watered daily in one portion of the lawn burned in last summer's drought. (Funny. Last year "they" kept telling us that the grass would survive just fine. Don't water it. It will be fine. Don't waste water on the lawn. This spring, the landscapers were all offering to fix lawns which obviously need fixing. If the government propagandizes about something piddly like lawn-watering, why should we believe what "they" say about anything else?)
The lettuces are finally coming up. So are the turnips, beets, basil, zucchini, cucumber, and cilantro. Memo to self: forget the seed-saving. The germination rate is awful. Short of catastrophe, just buy the seeds new each year.
Fewer strawberry plants + fewer rows = bigger berries. Nice. Clusters on the grape vines look great at this early stage. Blackberries have been pruned, but still need more whacking back. One cherry tree looks to be nearly ready for a nice harvest.
Loads of weeding to do. Katie and Maggie have helped a lot. I need mulch. Tons of mulch. The strawberry bed this year (with the between-spaces covered with a few layers of newspaper and many inches autumn leaves) has been quite easy to weed. I want everything else covered in that much mulch. But mulch is heavy. We can go at it slowly, though, with free wood chips and free compost from the town's compost site. The mulching may be a huge amount of work, but the weeding is its own frustration, especially in the front where the flowers are, where the previous owners put layers of gravel which is now under a bit of soil. It just plain needs to be fixed!
Pretty boring, huh? That's the way we like it!
Two Kingdoms
There is a spiritual kingdom "through the word and without the sword, through which men might become devout and righteous, so that along with this righteousness they might receive eternal life." The earthly kingdom, which is administered by the sword (that is, with punishments), exists "in order that they who refuse to be made devout and righteous unto life eternal shall by such earthly government be compelled to be devout and righteous before the world.... Though [God] does not reward this righteousness with life eternal, He nevertheless insists on it, in order that peace may be maintained among men; and He does reward it with temporal gifts."
Luther, WA 19, 629
in Wingren's Luther on Vocation, page 24
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Wedding Pictures -- the cute little girls
 |
| When the bubble-passer-outers ran out of bubbles, they began gathering petals that the flower girls had dropped during the processional. |
 |
| Alia |
 |
| Zoe and her bubble-basket |
 |
| Waiting patiently during picture-time. |
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Where Does Preaching Belong?
In the Lutheran church, preaching comes after the Bible readings and before the Lord's Supper. We visited a church once where the Lord's Supper comes first, with preaching afterward. What difference does it make?
If preaching is about converting sinners (over and over and over again), then it belongs prior to the Supper. I am called to repentance for my sin; Jesus' mercy is lavished upon me; this makes me able to receive His body rightly.
But if the Holy Communion comes first and then preaching, that's because they believe the Supper is to give you the power, the oomph, the motivation, to be Jesus' follower. And the point of the sermon is to instruct you in your behavior.
So the difference is whether the sermon is seen as comfort or guidance.
And that ultimately indicates whether we trust in the law or the gospel.
If preaching is about converting sinners (over and over and over again), then it belongs prior to the Supper. I am called to repentance for my sin; Jesus' mercy is lavished upon me; this makes me able to receive His body rightly.
But if the Holy Communion comes first and then preaching, that's because they believe the Supper is to give you the power, the oomph, the motivation, to be Jesus' follower. And the point of the sermon is to instruct you in your behavior.
So the difference is whether the sermon is seen as comfort or guidance.
And that ultimately indicates whether we trust in the law or the gospel.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Clean and Holy
I used to think it was so unfair of God to have those rules about being clean and unclean. How could the Jews ever keep those rules? For example, touching a dead body rendered a person unclean ... but somebody had to prepare the body for burial. How could God makes rules and expect us to keep them when the rules were unkeepable??
But that's not what holiness is about. Holiness isn't about doing all the right things and keeping ourselves oh-so-pure. It's about being contaminated as the helpless unclean one is served and helped and made clean. Again and again, Jesus' miracles show Him getting dirty by touching the lepers and the ill and the bleeding and the dead.
God sure does seem fond of oxymorons.
But that's not what holiness is about. Holiness isn't about doing all the right things and keeping ourselves oh-so-pure. It's about being contaminated as the helpless unclean one is served and helped and made clean. Again and again, Jesus' miracles show Him getting dirty by touching the lepers and the ill and the bleeding and the dead.
God sure does seem fond of oxymorons.
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