MURPHY'S LAW CHRISTIANITY
I wanted to mention this before I forgot it.
This day has been really good. I won't go into the details of why because it doesn't have anything to do with this very short post. Here's the point --
Meredith's internal dialogue as she was "rebooting" the laundry. (Go here if you don't get it!)
"This has been a great day! I'm so relieved and feel really blessed."
"Well, you know it can't last. Tomorrow will probably be bad so enjoy today and don't think too much about it or else tomorrow may be jinxed."
The Lord proceeded to reveal to me this afternoon that this kind of thinking has more to do with Greek mythology than anything evenly remotely resembling biblical Christianity. Actually, I think I would go so far as to say that it's directly from the enemy. I'm going to use my sword called James 1:17 now. (Thanks Ann!)
Please stay tuned for these exciting and maybe controversial posts; topics to be included:
A credo-baptism celebration yesterday! (16 children involved)
Truth in advertising (has to do with TV and the main reason I didn't watch the Oscars last night for the first time in many years.)
Spiritual myopia.
Check back soon! Blessings.
Monday, February 28, 2005
Friday, February 25, 2005
test post
Go to Ann. Go to Wittenberg Gate. Go to this.
OK I think I fixed what was wrong in the previous post with the hyperlinks. Let's see if it works after I publish everything.
Go to Ann. Go to Wittenberg Gate. Go to this.
OK I think I fixed what was wrong in the previous post with the hyperlinks. Let's see if it works after I publish everything.
INTERVIEW FOR KAREN !!!!! (yeah, I think I did it!)
1. What is your best money saving tip? It could be about grocery shopping, decorating, clothing or all three!
2. Did you go to college? If so where and what was your major?
3. What is the silliest or most embarrassing thing you've ever done? (that you can share)
4. What is your favorite movie?
5. And finally I'm going to sneak some advice solicitation in here: I think you have girls so what is your advice concerning brushing their hair without them screaming bloody murder?
I'm reallly looking forward to your answers Karen! By the way, it was Karen who told me how to do these hyperlinks. Thank you so much! My sweet programmer of a husband was showing me all the code and trying to help me find the place where you would insert it. He didn't know you could do it by clicking on a simple icon in the tool bar. Wow! Blogger is cool!
1. What is your best money saving tip? It could be about grocery shopping, decorating, clothing or all three!
2. Did you go to college? If so where and what was your major?
3. What is the silliest or most embarrassing thing you've ever done? (that you can share)
4. What is your favorite movie?
5. And finally I'm going to sneak some advice solicitation in here: I think you have girls so what is your advice concerning brushing their hair without them screaming bloody murder?
I'm reallly looking forward to your answers Karen! By the way, it was Karen who told me how to do these hyperlinks. Thank you so much! My sweet programmer of a husband was showing me all the code and trying to help me find the place where you would insert it. He didn't know you could do it by clicking on a simple icon in the tool bar. Wow! Blogger is cool!
Thursday, February 24, 2005
ANOTHER BLOGGERVIEW FROM KAREN (www.engstromfamily.blogspot.com)
1. Latin, Hebrew, or Greek: which would you rather learn?
I have no clue. Probably none of them, LOL! OK, most likely Hebrew because I've heard there are so many nuances to it. Then again, that would probably make it harder. Ha!
2. If you could have (at any cost) a dream home somewhere what would it be like?
This is easy. Just go to www.hgtv.com/hgtv/pac_ctnt/text/0,1783,HGTV_3936_16206,FF.html (Will someone please help me with this hidden code thing!!)
3. What gets you up on your soapbox?
What doesn't get me up on my soapbox. Right at this moment it's probably Terry Schiavo. In general I really get irritated when people don't argue logically. They just spout their "party" lines without thought of the nonsense that's coming out of their mouths. Also, women's roles, birth control and the doctrines of grace. Oh and homeschooling.
4. What is your favorite food?
Only one? Probably french fries.
5. What has been your biggest challenge with parenting?
Real quick, probably what Ann has been talking about on her blog recently at www.holyexperience.blogspot.com. Wow!
I'll pose my questions to you Karen a little later. Gotta go!
1. Latin, Hebrew, or Greek: which would you rather learn?
I have no clue. Probably none of them, LOL! OK, most likely Hebrew because I've heard there are so many nuances to it. Then again, that would probably make it harder. Ha!
2. If you could have (at any cost) a dream home somewhere what would it be like?
This is easy. Just go to www.hgtv.com/hgtv/pac_ctnt/text/0,1783,HGTV_3936_16206,FF.html (Will someone please help me with this hidden code thing!!)
3. What gets you up on your soapbox?
What doesn't get me up on my soapbox. Right at this moment it's probably Terry Schiavo. In general I really get irritated when people don't argue logically. They just spout their "party" lines without thought of the nonsense that's coming out of their mouths. Also, women's roles, birth control and the doctrines of grace. Oh and homeschooling.
4. What is your favorite food?
Only one? Probably french fries.
5. What has been your biggest challenge with parenting?
Real quick, probably what Ann has been talking about on her blog recently at www.holyexperience.blogspot.com. Wow!
I'll pose my questions to you Karen a little later. Gotta go!
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
MORE BLOGGERVIEWS
From Ruthanne at Jellybeans and Chocolate (www.shepherdsjourney.com/jaysblog/)
1. What is your most despised food item?
I would have to say anything raw like oysters or clams. Ewww, they're slimy. Now if they're fried..
2. How many hours of sleep per night do you need to be healthy and happy.
This is an issue with me lately as I've found it especially hard to GET to sleep. I can spend an hour at least trying to get mind to stop racing with different thoughts and songs, etc. I really need 8 full hours to be at my best.
3. What Christian woman, past or present, would you love to visit with over coffee?
Well, anyone who knows me or has read this blog knows the answer to this one. Elisabeth Elliot, duh!
4. What critter gives you the creeps the most.
OK, I absolutely can't stand centipedes or millipedes. They completely creep me out. Also, we've had some slugs get in our house and I just try really hard to ignore them until my personal critter killer (my dh) can get rid of them.
5. If you could play in an orchestra for a Broadway show, what show would you choose?
I don't know about this question because I don't know a lot of Broadway shows. For those who don't know, my career before becoming a wife and mom was as a professional clarinetist. I would love to play in the Chicago Symphony clarinet section though. I've met a couple guys in the section and I love their playing. As for Broadway shows, I did play in the pit for 'Into the Woods' (was that on Broadway?) in a college production and I loved the story and the music.
From Molly (WAHC) at www.threepennies.blogdrive.com.
1. You are a homeschooler. So what philosophy/curriculum are you using so far and why?
I love this question! When we started (and this was two or so years ago) we were pretty much in the Well Trained Mind camp. I have been using The Story of the World for history and First Language Lessons for grammar. We started with Phonics Pathways and Bob Books and that worked great with our first child. I like the classical model and how sensible it is in terms of starting history at the beginning and doing it in four year cycles. Lately my dh and I have been discussing whether to do Latin or Greek with our oldest. I really liked what Rick Saenz had to say on his blog recently about homeschool philosophy. In a nutshell, I would say our goals with our children are to disciple them to be godly men and women and teach them to teach themselves.
2. Giving birth: au natural, pain-numbers or surgical help?
With our first I had a little Demerol which made me totally loopy. We were trying to go without an epidural and I went from 7-10 cm in about 30 minutes so there was no time to get one either. So when it came time to push, I just wanted him out of there! I was rewarded with a beautiful baby but an hours worth of stitching up and not being able to walk normally for three weeks. When number 2 and 3 came along I knew I wanted an epidural because I felt I could control my body better that way. Those labors were much easier, needless to say.
3. I see you like *good* books. List your top five works of fiction.
I am bad about reading fiction. I mostly read non-fiction. I've been trying lately to read the stuff I should have read when I was younger, but I have a bad habit of starting a book and then going on to the next one. Anyway, I'll try to scrounge up five. (Not in any specific order.)
1. Pride and Prejudice
2. Watership Down
3. Heidi (read it to my kids)
4. LOTR plus the Hobbit
5. Though the Darkness Hide Thee (by Susan Wise Bauer)
4. How did you meet your husband?
We were set up on a blind date by some mutual friends. When we met, he had just had knee surgery and he was growing a beard in order to play a role in the Atlanta Passion Play. So he was scruffy and had a limp!
5. Coffee, tea or hot chocolate?
Right now, coffee. But I can never resist some herbal tea and good conversation.
If you want to play along --
1. Leave a comment saying, "Interview me!"
2. I will respond by asking you five questions here on my blog.
3. You will update your blog with the answers.
4. You will include this explanation and offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
From Ruthanne at Jellybeans and Chocolate (www.shepherdsjourney.com/jaysblog/)
1. What is your most despised food item?
I would have to say anything raw like oysters or clams. Ewww, they're slimy. Now if they're fried..
2. How many hours of sleep per night do you need to be healthy and happy.
This is an issue with me lately as I've found it especially hard to GET to sleep. I can spend an hour at least trying to get mind to stop racing with different thoughts and songs, etc. I really need 8 full hours to be at my best.
3. What Christian woman, past or present, would you love to visit with over coffee?
Well, anyone who knows me or has read this blog knows the answer to this one. Elisabeth Elliot, duh!
4. What critter gives you the creeps the most.
OK, I absolutely can't stand centipedes or millipedes. They completely creep me out. Also, we've had some slugs get in our house and I just try really hard to ignore them until my personal critter killer (my dh) can get rid of them.
5. If you could play in an orchestra for a Broadway show, what show would you choose?
I don't know about this question because I don't know a lot of Broadway shows. For those who don't know, my career before becoming a wife and mom was as a professional clarinetist. I would love to play in the Chicago Symphony clarinet section though. I've met a couple guys in the section and I love their playing. As for Broadway shows, I did play in the pit for 'Into the Woods' (was that on Broadway?) in a college production and I loved the story and the music.
From Molly (WAHC) at www.threepennies.blogdrive.com.
1. You are a homeschooler. So what philosophy/curriculum are you using so far and why?
I love this question! When we started (and this was two or so years ago) we were pretty much in the Well Trained Mind camp. I have been using The Story of the World for history and First Language Lessons for grammar. We started with Phonics Pathways and Bob Books and that worked great with our first child. I like the classical model and how sensible it is in terms of starting history at the beginning and doing it in four year cycles. Lately my dh and I have been discussing whether to do Latin or Greek with our oldest. I really liked what Rick Saenz had to say on his blog recently about homeschool philosophy. In a nutshell, I would say our goals with our children are to disciple them to be godly men and women and teach them to teach themselves.
2. Giving birth: au natural, pain-numbers or surgical help?
With our first I had a little Demerol which made me totally loopy. We were trying to go without an epidural and I went from 7-10 cm in about 30 minutes so there was no time to get one either. So when it came time to push, I just wanted him out of there! I was rewarded with a beautiful baby but an hours worth of stitching up and not being able to walk normally for three weeks. When number 2 and 3 came along I knew I wanted an epidural because I felt I could control my body better that way. Those labors were much easier, needless to say.
3. I see you like *good* books. List your top five works of fiction.
I am bad about reading fiction. I mostly read non-fiction. I've been trying lately to read the stuff I should have read when I was younger, but I have a bad habit of starting a book and then going on to the next one. Anyway, I'll try to scrounge up five. (Not in any specific order.)
1. Pride and Prejudice
2. Watership Down
3. Heidi (read it to my kids)
4. LOTR plus the Hobbit
5. Though the Darkness Hide Thee (by Susan Wise Bauer)
4. How did you meet your husband?
We were set up on a blind date by some mutual friends. When we met, he had just had knee surgery and he was growing a beard in order to play a role in the Atlanta Passion Play. So he was scruffy and had a limp!
5. Coffee, tea or hot chocolate?
Right now, coffee. But I can never resist some herbal tea and good conversation.
If you want to play along --
1. Leave a comment saying, "Interview me!"
2. I will respond by asking you five questions here on my blog.
3. You will update your blog with the answers.
4. You will include this explanation and offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
INTERVIEW FROM KIM AT NUTTNHONEY (www.nuttnhoney.net/journal)
1. Since you named your blog entdraughts, I'm assuming you like LOTR. Sooo...who is your favorite LOTR book character? Who is your favorite LOTR movie character?
Yes, I love the LOTR. Thanks go out to my dh for encouraging me to read them a couple years ago. I actually like the books better than the movies. While I certainly admire the fabulous job Peter Jackson and crew did, I feel they fiddled around too much with the story. I don't know if I can choose just one favorite character but I'll try. I think Tom Bombadil is one of my most favorites in the book and I wished they had included that part in the movie. His character is just so fun and mysterious. And his friend Goldberry is nice too. In the movies I'd have to say Aragorn. I loved how he was always "the man". He was utterly loyal and protective. He wasn't afraid to do the hard things in order to fulfill his purpose. How's that for an answer!
2. What is your favorite book in the Bible and why?
It's probably a tie between Psalms and Romans. I love Romans for the deep and meaningful theological truths that feed my soul. I love the Psalms because I can always go there when I am at my wits end emotionally and pray one of those prayers.
3. What is your hair color?
Naturally blonde but getting darker as the years go by. (Hey where did that brown hair come from?)
4. What is your favorite comfort food meal?
Probably something fried and unhealthy like tater tots or fried shrimp with a big milkshake!
5. What are the colors you look and feel best in?
A salmon kind of pink or pinky peach. Does that make sense?
If you want to play along ---
1. Leave me a comment that says, "Interview me!"
2. I will respond by asking you five questions here on my blog.
3. You will update your blog with the answers.
4. You will include this explanation and offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
1. Since you named your blog entdraughts, I'm assuming you like LOTR. Sooo...who is your favorite LOTR book character? Who is your favorite LOTR movie character?
Yes, I love the LOTR. Thanks go out to my dh for encouraging me to read them a couple years ago. I actually like the books better than the movies. While I certainly admire the fabulous job Peter Jackson and crew did, I feel they fiddled around too much with the story. I don't know if I can choose just one favorite character but I'll try. I think Tom Bombadil is one of my most favorites in the book and I wished they had included that part in the movie. His character is just so fun and mysterious. And his friend Goldberry is nice too. In the movies I'd have to say Aragorn. I loved how he was always "the man". He was utterly loyal and protective. He wasn't afraid to do the hard things in order to fulfill his purpose. How's that for an answer!
2. What is your favorite book in the Bible and why?
It's probably a tie between Psalms and Romans. I love Romans for the deep and meaningful theological truths that feed my soul. I love the Psalms because I can always go there when I am at my wits end emotionally and pray one of those prayers.
3. What is your hair color?
Naturally blonde but getting darker as the years go by. (Hey where did that brown hair come from?)
4. What is your favorite comfort food meal?
Probably something fried and unhealthy like tater tots or fried shrimp with a big milkshake!
5. What are the colors you look and feel best in?
A salmon kind of pink or pinky peach. Does that make sense?
If you want to play along ---
1. Leave me a comment that says, "Interview me!"
2. I will respond by asking you five questions here on my blog.
3. You will update your blog with the answers.
4. You will include this explanation and offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
Monday, February 21, 2005
SPIRITUAL SNACKERS
There are times, more often than I would like, when I approach my spiritual life as a snacker. When I feel down I try to go to a certain devotional or verse that has "worked" in the past. This morning the Lord graciously reminded me of this truth - snacking will not satisfy. It's not about trying to find the right formula to give me a spiritual "pick-me-up". It's about feeding on Him. It's about resting and abiding in His presence. The practice of resting and abiding is antithetical to the spirit of our age. These past couple days I have felt like the spiritual equivalent of a remote control. By that I mean that spiritually I have been flitting back and forth with the "remote" trying to find something quick that will satisfy my soul. It doesn't work like that. I need to dwell (make my home) by the well of Beer-lahai-roi, the well of the Living One who sees me. I need to abide there and rest.
"Thou art my Portion, saith my soul to Thee,
O what a Portion is my God to me." Amy Carmichael
"Then you will say on that day, 'I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord; for although Thou wast angry with me, Thine anger is turned away, and Thou dost comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.' Therefore you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation. And in that day you will say, 'Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; make them remember that His name is exalted.' Praise the Lord in song, for He has done excellent things; let this be known throughout the earth. Cry aloud and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel." Isaiah 12
Blessings to you today as you abide in His presence and rest.
There are times, more often than I would like, when I approach my spiritual life as a snacker. When I feel down I try to go to a certain devotional or verse that has "worked" in the past. This morning the Lord graciously reminded me of this truth - snacking will not satisfy. It's not about trying to find the right formula to give me a spiritual "pick-me-up". It's about feeding on Him. It's about resting and abiding in His presence. The practice of resting and abiding is antithetical to the spirit of our age. These past couple days I have felt like the spiritual equivalent of a remote control. By that I mean that spiritually I have been flitting back and forth with the "remote" trying to find something quick that will satisfy my soul. It doesn't work like that. I need to dwell (make my home) by the well of Beer-lahai-roi, the well of the Living One who sees me. I need to abide there and rest.
"Thou art my Portion, saith my soul to Thee,
O what a Portion is my God to me." Amy Carmichael
"Then you will say on that day, 'I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord; for although Thou wast angry with me, Thine anger is turned away, and Thou dost comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.' Therefore you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation. And in that day you will say, 'Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name. Make known His deeds among the peoples; make them remember that His name is exalted.' Praise the Lord in song, for He has done excellent things; let this be known throughout the earth. Cry aloud and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel." Isaiah 12
Blessings to you today as you abide in His presence and rest.
Thursday, February 17, 2005
FEBRUARY 17, 1996...
I woke up that morning and prepared to wed my beloved. It was a chilly day in Atlanta, Georgia. I got to the church, First Baptist Atlanta, in the middle of the afternoon. The ceremony would be at 7pm. As my friends and bridesmaids helped me dress and got themselves ready I nervously anticipated the moment I'd been dreaming about - walking down the aisle. We each had four attendants, skimpy for a Southern wedding I know. Being a professional musician, I had meticulously chosen each piece of music to be played or sung. As I stood in the stairwell behind the sanctuary, my heart leaped. I asked one of my attendants for my Bible. She held it open as I read a passage to slow my racing heartbeat. Then the most wonderful, beautiful sound floated past my ears. One of my best friends from college was playing the prelude music. The sound of his oboe playing Bach to the accompanying strains of the organ lifted my spirit and focused my mind on the beauty of the moment. When it was time, I stepped into the Narthex and stood by my father. As we awaited our turn to walk down the aisle with the other attendants I was captivated by the song being sung by the vocal quartet. "The Majesty and Glory of Your Name" was sung beautifully by choir friends of my soon to be husband and as the climax of the song approached tears formed in my eyes and I struggled to control my emotions. Then it was time for the mothers to process. My oboe friend played the solo from the soundtrack of The Mission as they went down the aisle with their spouses and lit the candles. Then it was the moment I'd been anticipating for months, the bridal processional. My beloved had ingeniusly chosen the most beautiful and powerful piece of music I could have ever imagined for a bridal processional - the Jupiter chorale from The Planets by Gustav Holst. Months earlier I had approached my organist and asked him to arrange this piece of music for himself and brass quartet. As each pair processed down the aisle, I got more and more excited. This was it. I could sense my dad's nerves as we awaited our turn. Then it came. My father escorted me down the aisle towards my soon to be husband and the ceremony began. The ceremony itself was all such a blur; I'm glad I have a video tape of it. I will never forget the end though. We had decided not to kiss each other until our wedding day. Our friends and family knew this was our intention and had planned a surprise after our inaugural kiss. After the most romantic kiss in history (no we didn't botch our first kiss ever!!) we turned around to see the congregation holding up scorecards!! How funny! What was even funnier was our second kiss. As we left the sanctuary as husband and wife we leaned towards each other and.....missed! LOL, that one was caught on film for every one to see years later.
As I reflect back on that day nine years ago, I praise God that He sovereignly brought Tim and I together and has blessed us and kept us strong ever since.
Blessings.
I woke up that morning and prepared to wed my beloved. It was a chilly day in Atlanta, Georgia. I got to the church, First Baptist Atlanta, in the middle of the afternoon. The ceremony would be at 7pm. As my friends and bridesmaids helped me dress and got themselves ready I nervously anticipated the moment I'd been dreaming about - walking down the aisle. We each had four attendants, skimpy for a Southern wedding I know. Being a professional musician, I had meticulously chosen each piece of music to be played or sung. As I stood in the stairwell behind the sanctuary, my heart leaped. I asked one of my attendants for my Bible. She held it open as I read a passage to slow my racing heartbeat. Then the most wonderful, beautiful sound floated past my ears. One of my best friends from college was playing the prelude music. The sound of his oboe playing Bach to the accompanying strains of the organ lifted my spirit and focused my mind on the beauty of the moment. When it was time, I stepped into the Narthex and stood by my father. As we awaited our turn to walk down the aisle with the other attendants I was captivated by the song being sung by the vocal quartet. "The Majesty and Glory of Your Name" was sung beautifully by choir friends of my soon to be husband and as the climax of the song approached tears formed in my eyes and I struggled to control my emotions. Then it was time for the mothers to process. My oboe friend played the solo from the soundtrack of The Mission as they went down the aisle with their spouses and lit the candles. Then it was the moment I'd been anticipating for months, the bridal processional. My beloved had ingeniusly chosen the most beautiful and powerful piece of music I could have ever imagined for a bridal processional - the Jupiter chorale from The Planets by Gustav Holst. Months earlier I had approached my organist and asked him to arrange this piece of music for himself and brass quartet. As each pair processed down the aisle, I got more and more excited. This was it. I could sense my dad's nerves as we awaited our turn. Then it came. My father escorted me down the aisle towards my soon to be husband and the ceremony began. The ceremony itself was all such a blur; I'm glad I have a video tape of it. I will never forget the end though. We had decided not to kiss each other until our wedding day. Our friends and family knew this was our intention and had planned a surprise after our inaugural kiss. After the most romantic kiss in history (no we didn't botch our first kiss ever!!) we turned around to see the congregation holding up scorecards!! How funny! What was even funnier was our second kiss. As we left the sanctuary as husband and wife we leaned towards each other and.....missed! LOL, that one was caught on film for every one to see years later.
As I reflect back on that day nine years ago, I praise God that He sovereignly brought Tim and I together and has blessed us and kept us strong ever since.
Blessings.
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
BLOGGING CIRCUMSPECTLY
Circumspectly - heedful of consequences; prudent.
Kim over at Coffee and a Muffin just informed me that Dave Black quoted me on his blog today. I have to admit that I thought I was pretty safe over here in my unsophisticated corner of the blogosphere. The fact that someone else on the web (who is pretty widely read) would think to quote me has made me think about how carefully I should be writing over here. Sometimes I consider my blog to be just like my private journal. I think since more people are reading me over here I need to blog more prudently than before. It's not that I regret anything I've said so far (at least I can't remember anything :) It's just that I can't just write in a willy nilly manner. I think I need to read over my posts a lot more before I publish them from now on. I also need to remember why I'm blogging - to glorify God, not to get attention from man.
Also, I need to pay attention to what's most important in my life this day, training my children in righteousness and joyfully submitting to my husband and my God in all things. Hey, did you know there were so many prepositions? Here's the list we're memorizing right now -
aboard, about, above, across, after, against, along, among, around, at, before, behind, below, beneath...
I really have enjoyed working in Jessie Wise's book First Language Lessons with my son these past two years. Suprisingly, at least to me, he really likes memorizing the poems and definitions of things. Hopefully my other little ones will enjoy this as well. I'm trying to find a new grammar curriculum for next year since this one only goes through second grade. Any suggestions?
One more thing before I sign off, since this post is kind of random. My son was just practicing his recorder. He asked me if I thought he played 'I Love You Truly' pretty or very pretty. I said very pretty. Then I said, "Did you play it for me?" He blushed and didn't answer. I guess he's getting a little shy about lovey dovey things since he's 8! But then I asked him, "Do you love me truly?" He said, "Yes. And I know Daddy does. And God does!" What a son. Thank you, son, for putting a smile on my face today. I love you truly too! (He just gave me a hug!)
Circumspectly - heedful of consequences; prudent.
Kim over at Coffee and a Muffin just informed me that Dave Black quoted me on his blog today. I have to admit that I thought I was pretty safe over here in my unsophisticated corner of the blogosphere. The fact that someone else on the web (who is pretty widely read) would think to quote me has made me think about how carefully I should be writing over here. Sometimes I consider my blog to be just like my private journal. I think since more people are reading me over here I need to blog more prudently than before. It's not that I regret anything I've said so far (at least I can't remember anything :) It's just that I can't just write in a willy nilly manner. I think I need to read over my posts a lot more before I publish them from now on. I also need to remember why I'm blogging - to glorify God, not to get attention from man.
Also, I need to pay attention to what's most important in my life this day, training my children in righteousness and joyfully submitting to my husband and my God in all things. Hey, did you know there were so many prepositions? Here's the list we're memorizing right now -
aboard, about, above, across, after, against, along, among, around, at, before, behind, below, beneath...
I really have enjoyed working in Jessie Wise's book First Language Lessons with my son these past two years. Suprisingly, at least to me, he really likes memorizing the poems and definitions of things. Hopefully my other little ones will enjoy this as well. I'm trying to find a new grammar curriculum for next year since this one only goes through second grade. Any suggestions?
One more thing before I sign off, since this post is kind of random. My son was just practicing his recorder. He asked me if I thought he played 'I Love You Truly' pretty or very pretty. I said very pretty. Then I said, "Did you play it for me?" He blushed and didn't answer. I guess he's getting a little shy about lovey dovey things since he's 8! But then I asked him, "Do you love me truly?" He said, "Yes. And I know Daddy does. And God does!" What a son. Thank you, son, for putting a smile on my face today. I love you truly too! (He just gave me a hug!)
Monday, February 14, 2005
NEHEMIAH AND ANSWERS TO PRAYERS
Before I start on this post I have to say something complimentary about an otherwise pretty wordly show, Live with Regis and Kelly. I think that show is pretty cute so I turned it on this morning while ironing. I soon realized that this was their annual wedding show where two real people get married on live TV. I tuned in late so I didn't hear about the couple's story but apparently they had been reunited on the same show last year and now they were getting married. I was absolutely beaming when the pastor, a Baptist pastor to boot, started the ceremony. The words he spoke were so God honoring and filled with Scripture. Frankly I was not expecting this and it was such a pleasant surprise to hear this beautiful ceremony this morning. Did anyone else see this?
Now onto the topic at hand. My dh and I are beginning a study on Nehemiah and I am always struck by the first chapter. Nehemiah, even though he was in captivity at the time, really loved the people of God even when they were sinning. His prayer of repentance for himself and the people convicts me on many levels. First of all, how much time do I spend praying for those in my local body of Christ instead of criticizing them? How often do I lament the state of the body of Christ instead of fasting, praying, weeping and mourning for it? I think sometimes it's en vogue to heap on the criticisms of our fellow brothers and sisters when we haven't even prayed for them, and ourselves. I, personally, have had seasons of intense prayer for my church and my pastor. But the criticisms and opinions have been far more prevalent than the prayers. Graciously, the Lord has answered some of my feeble prayers. Our SBC premillenial, midtrib pastor recently preached partly on Romans 9. I about fell out of my seat. He has recently started quoting the commentaries of the late James Montgomery Boice. And even more significant, pay attention to what happened in the service yesterday. He preached on the deeds of the flesh, more specifically, sexual immorality and sensuality. It was a very hard hitting sermon where he mentioned the sins of pornography and immodesty several times. He stressed repentance as well. Then, we had communion. And, before we partook(?) of the bread, our pastor asked us to kneel on the floor in private confession of our sins. I don't remember us ever doing this in the past 9 years I've been there. Plus, we don't have kneelers! It was very powerful and reminded me that God is working in the midst of our congregation even if some would use a broad brush and call us a Southern Baptist, dispensational, seeker sensitive, contemporary-music-singing megachurch. At first glance, it may seem this way, but God is working. Let's stay on our knees and keep praying for our churches and the whole body of Christ. He is faithful. Amen.
Before I start on this post I have to say something complimentary about an otherwise pretty wordly show, Live with Regis and Kelly. I think that show is pretty cute so I turned it on this morning while ironing. I soon realized that this was their annual wedding show where two real people get married on live TV. I tuned in late so I didn't hear about the couple's story but apparently they had been reunited on the same show last year and now they were getting married. I was absolutely beaming when the pastor, a Baptist pastor to boot, started the ceremony. The words he spoke were so God honoring and filled with Scripture. Frankly I was not expecting this and it was such a pleasant surprise to hear this beautiful ceremony this morning. Did anyone else see this?
Now onto the topic at hand. My dh and I are beginning a study on Nehemiah and I am always struck by the first chapter. Nehemiah, even though he was in captivity at the time, really loved the people of God even when they were sinning. His prayer of repentance for himself and the people convicts me on many levels. First of all, how much time do I spend praying for those in my local body of Christ instead of criticizing them? How often do I lament the state of the body of Christ instead of fasting, praying, weeping and mourning for it? I think sometimes it's en vogue to heap on the criticisms of our fellow brothers and sisters when we haven't even prayed for them, and ourselves. I, personally, have had seasons of intense prayer for my church and my pastor. But the criticisms and opinions have been far more prevalent than the prayers. Graciously, the Lord has answered some of my feeble prayers. Our SBC premillenial, midtrib pastor recently preached partly on Romans 9. I about fell out of my seat. He has recently started quoting the commentaries of the late James Montgomery Boice. And even more significant, pay attention to what happened in the service yesterday. He preached on the deeds of the flesh, more specifically, sexual immorality and sensuality. It was a very hard hitting sermon where he mentioned the sins of pornography and immodesty several times. He stressed repentance as well. Then, we had communion. And, before we partook(?) of the bread, our pastor asked us to kneel on the floor in private confession of our sins. I don't remember us ever doing this in the past 9 years I've been there. Plus, we don't have kneelers! It was very powerful and reminded me that God is working in the midst of our congregation even if some would use a broad brush and call us a Southern Baptist, dispensational, seeker sensitive, contemporary-music-singing megachurch. At first glance, it may seem this way, but God is working. Let's stay on our knees and keep praying for our churches and the whole body of Christ. He is faithful. Amen.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
REVELATIONS
This post is a result of many things the Lord has been teaching me lately about 1) friends 2) being who I am coram Deo 3) pride 4) my husband and how wonderful he is and other things that Valerie at BBG has brought up with her latest post.
As you know I've been struggling with whether I should spend so much time in the blogosphere. I've been tempted to huddle around my like minded friends out here and not invest the same amount of effort and time into flesh and blood friends and family here where I live. Lately, the Lord has been teaching me a whole lot about this. Sorry if this post is not terribly coherent or well thought out. This morning is a great time to write but I don't have time to put all my thoughts together neatly :)
There are several issues that I've been struggling with. One has to do with acquiring new knowledge. Here's what I mean by that. I love to read about theology and be encouraged to grow spiritually by people like RCJR and Carmon and others out here on the web. I get so excited that I sometimes (if not all the time) put those people on pedestals and think that their words are gospel. I then take those new convictions and secretly look upon others in my life with disdain because they don't measure up to my new standards, whatever they may be. This has happened in the realm of homeschooling, modest clothing, working outside the home, etc. The other thing that happens is instead of wisely incorporating new convictions into who I am as Meredith, I kind of become a clone of whoever I've been reading lately. My husband pointed this out to me just last Sunday and it was a revelation. Is there anything truly Meredith, or am I just a clone of whoever I've been reading lately?
This struggle meshed with another over last weekend. I went to our church's women's retreat at a really nice hotel and resort, Chateau Elan. This was the eighth time I've been on this women's retreat and it's always so nice to get away. It's grown bigger every year and this year we moved the location again in order to accomodate over 700 women. I drove up with four other women in the car, three of whom were my roommates. Of these three women I would say that two of them are pretty close. These two are women with whom I'd like to spend more time. One sends her kids to a homeschool school and the other one is planning to take her kids out of public school and start homeschooling next year. She and I play clarinet together in the church orchestra. Both of these women have two children a piece so they are not of the no birth control mindset. I say these things just to set the stage of what was going on with me this weekend. Every time I go on these retreats I struggle with pride. I look at other women there, especially ones who are dressed really trendy and look all put together, and immediately make judgments about them. I secretly assume in my flesh that since these women look wordly and send their kids to public school and use birth control that God could not possibly work in their lives. I was so disgusted with this attitude of mine that I stayed behind in my room during one of the breakout sessions and cried and prayed about it with the Lord. (I also took a bath, because I had a terrible cold :) I cried out to God to break me of my pride. I also was praying and lamenting to God about my lack of a really close friend. Later on in the large group session I was really convicted by how three women had given their testimonies and they didn't share the exact same convictions with me and they had very different backgrounds and made different choices but God had worked and was continuing to work mighty things in their lives. Then the main speaker, Lisa Harper, who is amazing by the way, told a story about a friend of hers, Kim Hill. This is Kim Hill the singer from Nashville. Lisa is very close with her and her family because she is single. Kim's dad recently died of cancer and she told the story of how he died and how she had to take Kim's kids to see their grand dad until Kim could get there from a singing job. Lisa mentioned as an aside about how Kim was no longer married or something. Anyway, the story was so sweet and heartwrenching about how Kim's dad was dying and the family was "singing him home to Jesus". Then in the wee hours of the night Kim's oldest son (about 11 years old) comes in and starts singing with the others and telling his grandfather that it was OK to go home to Jesus now. Needless to say, we were all in tears. But one thing bothered me. When Lisa mentioned how Kim was no longer married I started thinking things in my head like, "I didn't know Kim Hill was divorced. Gee, I wonder if it was a biblical divorce, etc., etc." Little judgments like that popped up in my head and I tried to sweep them away. God worked a tremendous thing in this family and all I could do was think about whether Kim Hill had a biblical divorce or not!!! Lisa didn't even say that Kim was divorced or anything. Maybe her husband died, I don't know. The point is that I had been so wrapped up with my convictions about the Christian life that I didn't think God could work in lives that didn't look the same as mine. I would have never said that out loud but inside, in my flesh, I think I believed it.
Then I had a major conversation with another friend and she shared something very serious with me that blew me away. I won't go into detail because I don't want to break a confidence. But I can say that that conversation made me think a lot about how we really don't know what people are going through and it's very easy to make quick assumptions and think that you shouldn't be friends with someone and God isn't working in their lives. WAKE UP MEREDITH! I said to myself. Don't limit God. He is working in many people's lives, just not according to your purposes, but according to His purposes and His timing.
Valerie has been writing on her blog about how she and her family have been struggling with whether to move or not. I guess my response would be this: don't give up on where God has you right now. Don't dismiss friends or family that may not be where you are spiritually right now but God is working in their lives and you can be a part of it by investing yourselves in them. I'm not saying that those at the HSC are wrong for moving and gathering around people with like convictions. I'm saying that, in terms of my life, Satan and my flesh have taken advantage of certain convictions I have and used them to make me be discontent where I am and secretly disdain the people in the body of Christ around me. Other people may or may not struggle with this. Maybe I'm over analyzing the whole situation. I do tend to do that, as my sweet dh pointed out to me last weekend.
One of the last revelations was so sweet and it happened during the Superbowl. I was preparing some food for my family and I to share while we watched. I was really tired and really emotional and something my dh said just made me cry and start to argue with him. Well our children were around and I think my oldest got a little scared because mommy looked a little out of control. Well, we just laughed it off and apologized and spoke some sweet words to our son and everything was better. Then I felt like God was saying to me, "I am big enough and powerful enough to work even in spite of your mistakes as a parent. Stop trying to be perfect and trust me!!" I also felt like he was saying this about my dh. Anyway, later after the kids were in bed, my dh and I were cleaning up while the game was still going and I told about what I felt God was teaching me earlier. I spilled my guts and then asked him what he thought. He took a while to answer and I thought he just didn't get it or didn't care. But then, he hit me with the most convicting, sanctifying, wise words that my love for him just shot up like a rocket! WAKE UP MEREDITH! you have a great husband here and why do you go to other men on the web for spiritual wisdom and growth (i.e. RCJR, Doug Wilson, Doug Philips) when you have such a gem here! I told him that and how I was so sorry that I was hindering him from leading me. You see, I've had some secret disdain that he was not as spiritually up to par as I was but it was partly my fault that he and I haven't been on the same spiritual wavelength. I've been going elsewhere for my food instead of going to him.
The last thing I've been learning and will continue to learn is how much God loves me. I know that sounds like, DUH! but I struggle with knowing God accepts me and loves me right where I am even when I make mistakes. I fear that this part of me is being replayed in my older son who hates to make mistakes. So I'll write more about that later but for right now, if you can get your hands on a tape from Ligonier that features Sinclair Ferguson talking about Romans 8 at a Ligonier conference in Texas please try to get it. It is priceless and every time I listen to it God cements in my spirit that I really am His, forever.
Blessings to you all. Feel free to comment by clicking on my name below the post.
This post is a result of many things the Lord has been teaching me lately about 1) friends 2) being who I am coram Deo 3) pride 4) my husband and how wonderful he is and other things that Valerie at BBG has brought up with her latest post.
As you know I've been struggling with whether I should spend so much time in the blogosphere. I've been tempted to huddle around my like minded friends out here and not invest the same amount of effort and time into flesh and blood friends and family here where I live. Lately, the Lord has been teaching me a whole lot about this. Sorry if this post is not terribly coherent or well thought out. This morning is a great time to write but I don't have time to put all my thoughts together neatly :)
There are several issues that I've been struggling with. One has to do with acquiring new knowledge. Here's what I mean by that. I love to read about theology and be encouraged to grow spiritually by people like RCJR and Carmon and others out here on the web. I get so excited that I sometimes (if not all the time) put those people on pedestals and think that their words are gospel. I then take those new convictions and secretly look upon others in my life with disdain because they don't measure up to my new standards, whatever they may be. This has happened in the realm of homeschooling, modest clothing, working outside the home, etc. The other thing that happens is instead of wisely incorporating new convictions into who I am as Meredith, I kind of become a clone of whoever I've been reading lately. My husband pointed this out to me just last Sunday and it was a revelation. Is there anything truly Meredith, or am I just a clone of whoever I've been reading lately?
This struggle meshed with another over last weekend. I went to our church's women's retreat at a really nice hotel and resort, Chateau Elan. This was the eighth time I've been on this women's retreat and it's always so nice to get away. It's grown bigger every year and this year we moved the location again in order to accomodate over 700 women. I drove up with four other women in the car, three of whom were my roommates. Of these three women I would say that two of them are pretty close. These two are women with whom I'd like to spend more time. One sends her kids to a homeschool school and the other one is planning to take her kids out of public school and start homeschooling next year. She and I play clarinet together in the church orchestra. Both of these women have two children a piece so they are not of the no birth control mindset. I say these things just to set the stage of what was going on with me this weekend. Every time I go on these retreats I struggle with pride. I look at other women there, especially ones who are dressed really trendy and look all put together, and immediately make judgments about them. I secretly assume in my flesh that since these women look wordly and send their kids to public school and use birth control that God could not possibly work in their lives. I was so disgusted with this attitude of mine that I stayed behind in my room during one of the breakout sessions and cried and prayed about it with the Lord. (I also took a bath, because I had a terrible cold :) I cried out to God to break me of my pride. I also was praying and lamenting to God about my lack of a really close friend. Later on in the large group session I was really convicted by how three women had given their testimonies and they didn't share the exact same convictions with me and they had very different backgrounds and made different choices but God had worked and was continuing to work mighty things in their lives. Then the main speaker, Lisa Harper, who is amazing by the way, told a story about a friend of hers, Kim Hill. This is Kim Hill the singer from Nashville. Lisa is very close with her and her family because she is single. Kim's dad recently died of cancer and she told the story of how he died and how she had to take Kim's kids to see their grand dad until Kim could get there from a singing job. Lisa mentioned as an aside about how Kim was no longer married or something. Anyway, the story was so sweet and heartwrenching about how Kim's dad was dying and the family was "singing him home to Jesus". Then in the wee hours of the night Kim's oldest son (about 11 years old) comes in and starts singing with the others and telling his grandfather that it was OK to go home to Jesus now. Needless to say, we were all in tears. But one thing bothered me. When Lisa mentioned how Kim was no longer married I started thinking things in my head like, "I didn't know Kim Hill was divorced. Gee, I wonder if it was a biblical divorce, etc., etc." Little judgments like that popped up in my head and I tried to sweep them away. God worked a tremendous thing in this family and all I could do was think about whether Kim Hill had a biblical divorce or not!!! Lisa didn't even say that Kim was divorced or anything. Maybe her husband died, I don't know. The point is that I had been so wrapped up with my convictions about the Christian life that I didn't think God could work in lives that didn't look the same as mine. I would have never said that out loud but inside, in my flesh, I think I believed it.
Then I had a major conversation with another friend and she shared something very serious with me that blew me away. I won't go into detail because I don't want to break a confidence. But I can say that that conversation made me think a lot about how we really don't know what people are going through and it's very easy to make quick assumptions and think that you shouldn't be friends with someone and God isn't working in their lives. WAKE UP MEREDITH! I said to myself. Don't limit God. He is working in many people's lives, just not according to your purposes, but according to His purposes and His timing.
Valerie has been writing on her blog about how she and her family have been struggling with whether to move or not. I guess my response would be this: don't give up on where God has you right now. Don't dismiss friends or family that may not be where you are spiritually right now but God is working in their lives and you can be a part of it by investing yourselves in them. I'm not saying that those at the HSC are wrong for moving and gathering around people with like convictions. I'm saying that, in terms of my life, Satan and my flesh have taken advantage of certain convictions I have and used them to make me be discontent where I am and secretly disdain the people in the body of Christ around me. Other people may or may not struggle with this. Maybe I'm over analyzing the whole situation. I do tend to do that, as my sweet dh pointed out to me last weekend.
One of the last revelations was so sweet and it happened during the Superbowl. I was preparing some food for my family and I to share while we watched. I was really tired and really emotional and something my dh said just made me cry and start to argue with him. Well our children were around and I think my oldest got a little scared because mommy looked a little out of control. Well, we just laughed it off and apologized and spoke some sweet words to our son and everything was better. Then I felt like God was saying to me, "I am big enough and powerful enough to work even in spite of your mistakes as a parent. Stop trying to be perfect and trust me!!" I also felt like he was saying this about my dh. Anyway, later after the kids were in bed, my dh and I were cleaning up while the game was still going and I told about what I felt God was teaching me earlier. I spilled my guts and then asked him what he thought. He took a while to answer and I thought he just didn't get it or didn't care. But then, he hit me with the most convicting, sanctifying, wise words that my love for him just shot up like a rocket! WAKE UP MEREDITH! you have a great husband here and why do you go to other men on the web for spiritual wisdom and growth (i.e. RCJR, Doug Wilson, Doug Philips) when you have such a gem here! I told him that and how I was so sorry that I was hindering him from leading me. You see, I've had some secret disdain that he was not as spiritually up to par as I was but it was partly my fault that he and I haven't been on the same spiritual wavelength. I've been going elsewhere for my food instead of going to him.
The last thing I've been learning and will continue to learn is how much God loves me. I know that sounds like, DUH! but I struggle with knowing God accepts me and loves me right where I am even when I make mistakes. I fear that this part of me is being replayed in my older son who hates to make mistakes. So I'll write more about that later but for right now, if you can get your hands on a tape from Ligonier that features Sinclair Ferguson talking about Romans 8 at a Ligonier conference in Texas please try to get it. It is priceless and every time I listen to it God cements in my spirit that I really am His, forever.
Blessings to you all. Feel free to comment by clicking on my name below the post.
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