A few rudiments

 Growing as an Artist and a Christian 

I uploaded a new banner last evening.  I love the letters, but I'm not all that knocked out about how it looks--rather imposing, don't you think?

I'm not sure how long I will keep it, however, I did want to tell a little bit about how it came about.

I did not draw the letters free hand.  I built them up using instructions from one of my favorite calligraphy books, Of the Just Shaping of Letters, by Albrecht Dürer, who also happens to be my favorite artist.  Some of you may remember, I did an extended series on his work last spring.  When I have time, I'll post some links to  those posts in a separate post for anyone who is interested in exploring the work of this amazing artist of the Northern Renaissance. (It's up now and you can find it here.)

 This little book was written for his friend and patron, Wilibald Pirckheimer, and was part of a larger work on Applied Geometry.  Here is a quote from the introduction of the book:

In our Germany, most excellent Wilibald, are to be found at the present day many young men of a happy talent for the Art Pictorial, who without any artistic training whatever, but taught only by their daily exercise of it, have run riot like an unpruned tree, so that unhesitatingly and without compunction they turn out their works, purely according to their own judgment.  But when great and ingenious artists behold their so inept performances, not undeservedly do they ridicule the blindness of such men; since sane judgment abhors nothing so much as a picture perpetrated with no technical knowledge although with plenty of  care and diligence.  Now the sole reason why painters of this sort are not aware of their own errors is that they have not learnt Geometry, without which no one can either be or become an absolute artist; but the blame for this should be laid upon their masters, who themselves are ignorant of this art.  Since this is in very truth the foundation of the whole graphic art, it seems to me a good thing to set down for studious beginners a few rudiments, in which I might, as it were, furnish them with a handle for using the compass and the rule, and thence, by seeing Truth itself before their eyes, they might become not only zealous of the arts, but even arrive at a great and true understanding of them.

Now, although in our own time, and amongst ourselves, the Art Pictorial is in ill repute with some, as being held to minister incitement to idolatry, yet a Christian man is no more enticed to superstition by pictures or images, than is an honest man girt with a sword to highway robbery.  He would be a witless creature who would willingly adore either pictures or images of wood or stone.  On the contrary, a picture is rather edifying and agreeable to Christian religion and duty, if only it be fairly, artificially, and correctly painted. 

Dürer goes on to say this:

Nor is anyone compelled whether or no to spend gainful hours on these exercises of mine; although I am not ignorant that whoever is well exercised in them will thence acquire not only the principles of His own art, but by daily practice, an exactitude of judgment, with which he will proceed to higher investigations and discover many more things that I have here pointed out.

Art is a discipline and the daily exercise of it will help to develop "an exactitude of judgment."  There is always more to learn and one can always hope to improve with steady practice.

It is the same thing with Bible study, isn't it?  One who engages in the daily exercise of it will acquire not only a basic understanding, but over a life time one can hope to develop "an exactitude of judgment."  In the same way that an artist benefits from the tutelage of a Master, the Christian benefits from the training that comes through reading the theological works of godly men throughout history.

I do not apologize for my dependence upon creeds and confessions of the faith, nor my reliance upon the writings of men such as Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon, Louis Berkhof, Stephen Charnock, and a host of others.  This is not idolatry, it is merely to be "furnished with a handle for using the compass and the rule, and thence, by seeing Truth itself before their eyes, they might become not only zealous of the arts, but even arrive at a great and true understanding of them."

All this. . .

. . .and a dinner invitation in Paris!

Blogging has proven to be an amazing way to meet people and make friends from all over the world.  I have developed friendships with people in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, China, Scotland, England and now France.     

Last August, I was surprised to find myself emailing a strange man in Paris. I promise you; that is not something I do everyday!  There was a comment left at my blog that day asking about the origin of the D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones quote I have posted in the header of my blog which explains the word hiraeth.

The inquiry came from a young man in Paris, who is working on his PhD in English Poetry.   He wanted to use the quote  but needed the source information before he could reference it in his thesis.

I was able to tell him that the quote came from Volume One of Iain Murray's biography on D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, but since I had borrowed the book from my pastor in Ohio many years ago, I could not supply the exact page number.  All I had were the yellow post-it notes on which I took notes as I read the book.  We exchanged pleasantries and encouragements and our connection ended there.

 Until a few weeks ago.  I received another email from Daniel, asking if would be possible for me to track down the page number for him.  Since I've always wanted to read Lloyd-Jones' biography again, I decided to see if I could find it, used, on Amazon.  It arrived a couple of days ago and within 3 or 4 minutes of pouring myself a cup of coffee and sitting down with the book, I had found the quote.  I was surprised to discover that the phrase—“like a Christian yearning for Heaven”—was not included in the quote.  I can only think that I must have added that commentary at the time I copied the quote (I often do that—make record of my thoughts as I read).  By the time I started blogging and chose the name Hiraeth, I had forgotten that that phrase not part of the quote, but only my musings.

This morning I received a very gracious note of thanks from Daniel with an invitation to have dinner with his family if we should ever visit Paris.

 Unlikely, right?  Well, who knows?  After all, stranger things have happened.  Who knew that a borrowed book, a hastily scribbled quotation on a post-it note, a Welsh word chosen as my blog title, and a google search would allow me to aid a young man half way across the world?

Ain't bloggin' fun? 

Tout ce que vous faites, faites-le de bon coeur, comme pour le Seigneur et non pour des hommes.  Colossiens 3.23

Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith

April 4
God's Hornets

And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee. (Exodus 23:28)

WHAT the hornets were we need not consider. They were God's own army which He sent before His people to sting their enemies and render Israel's conquest easy. Our God by His own chosen means will fight for His people and gall their foes before they come into the actual battle. Often He confounds the adversaries of truth by methods in which reformers themselves have no hand. The air is full of mysterious influences which harass Israel's foes. We read in the Apocalypse that "the earth helped the woman."

Let us never fear. The stars in their courses fight against the enemies of our souls. Oftentimes when we march to the conflict we find no host to contend with. "The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." God's hornets can do more than our weapons. We could never dream of the victory being won by such means as Jehovah will use. We must obey our marching orders and go forth to the conquest of the nations for Jesus, and we shall find that the Lord has gone before us and prepared the way; so that in the end we will joyfully confess, "His own right hand and his holy arm, have gotten him the victory."

Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

A recommended sermon

Here's a link to our sermon from last Sunday.  Our pastor, Rev. Bill Radford, has been preaching on the Seven Words of Jesus on the Cross.  This sermon is entitled "It is finished," taken from John 19:29-30.

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth.   So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Thinking Blogger Awards

I was humbled yesterday to learn that I had been given a Thinking Blogger Award from two of my favorite thinking bloggers, Leslie, from Lux Venit, and Rosemary, from Seasonings of the Heart.

The best part of receiving this award is that I now get to award it to five (x2) bloggers.

Rebecca Writes

Rebecca has been making me think for years now. I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again.  She has had a great influence in my life.  I think better because of her.  I understand theology and doctrine better because of her.  I know Christ better because of her.  She probably didn't realize it at the time, but she was my first real mentor.

The Upward Call

Kim and I share many interests.  We are never reading the same thing at the same time, but we have read many of the same things.  I always appreciate what she brings to my understanding. 

Attention Span

Rev. Ed has written posts that not only make me think, but stop me in my tracks.  More than once I have been convicted of sin in my life and instructed in the ways of righteousness.   I do have one complaint against him--he doesn't post nearly enough!  ; )

Tulip Girl

Another blogger I've known for years.  TG and I share many interests, but she has much to say about child rearing and foreign missions that I wouldn't otherwise have thought about.   

The Happy Wonderer 

Ellen is a relatively new friend, but oh!  She has made me think.  And I've learned new things--always a good thing to have new things to think about! 

Reflections of the Times

Carla.  Sometimes I think of her going about her day, interacting with her children, doing her housework, teaching her children, and all the while she is thinking, thinking, thinking.  You can't cause others to think deeply about subjects such as the emergent church without doing a whole lot of thinking yourself!  I'd like to listen in sometime, wouldn't you? (Carla has recently moved her blog; have you updated your links?) 

Practicing Theology

Connie practices theology by studying Reformed doctrine and sharing it with us.  (and she's not afraid to tackle the "big ones.")

a rustling of leaves

 Pam is another like minded friend.  We share the same love for books and Bible Study.  We both recently read the same book, Redemption Accomplished and Applied, and I gained from her insights.

Biblical Christianity

Dan Phillips is probably best known as a member of TeamPyro but he also maintains his own blog.  I've dubbed Dan, "Dan the Man" because he has so frequently made me think deeply.  Someday, I may even start thinking in Greek! 

Godward Thoughts 

Doug  frequently posts quotations from the giants of the faith but he can write convictingly and convincingly in his own right. 

So there you go!  Those are my 5 (x2).  Now it's your turn!

Those who have been tagged by me are to continue by following the instructions for this meme:

1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think,
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme,
3. Optional: Proudly display the ‘Thinking Blogger Award’ with a link to the post that you wrote.

Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith

April 3
Sensitive to Warning

Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. (2 Kings 22:19)

Many despise warning and perish. Happy is he who trembles at the Word of God. Josiah did so, and he was spared the sight of the evil which the Lord determined to send upon Judah because of her great sins. Have you this tenderness? Do you practice this self-humiliation? Then you also shall be spared in the evil day. God sets a mark upon the men that sigh and cry because of the sin of the times. The destroying angel is commanded to keep his sword in its sheath till the elect of God are sheltered: these are best known by their godly fear and their trembling at the Word of the Lord. Are the times threatening? Does infidelity advance with great strides, and do you dread national chastisement upon this polluted nation? Well you may. Yet rest in this promise: "Thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace: and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place." Better still, the Lord Himself may come, and then the days of our mourning shall be ended.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

Before Bookworm Bookmarks

I was talking on the phone with my friend, Carol, this afternoon.  She shared that she had recently started reading Oswald Chamber's My Utmost for His Highest.  As we talked, I walked over to the bookshelf and pulled down my own copy and began thumbing through it.  As I turned the pages this once white, now yellowed piece of paper fluttered to the floor.

Fozzy the Bear, drawn by Jake, aged 4

See that little drawing in the upper left corner?  That's Piglet with a honey jar.  See those little circles under Piglet?  Those are bees flying around the honey jar.   

Non specific muppet, drawn by Jake, aged 4 

 

I still find these special bookmarks from time to time.  Here's another one that I've used for years.  Sam made it in first grade when we were studying mirror images, transfers, impressions, prints and lines of symmetry.

 

Go Bucks!

Go Bucks!

Beat Florida!

Tip off 9:21 EDT, 8:21 CDT

Need to be encouraged?

I've been reading The Happy Wonderer for a few months now.  It's what I think of as a solid blog.  

This morning she has a wonderful post about her parents, Moisi and Nadia.  They've built a beautiful marriage and family.  Why don't you go see what else they've built to the glory of God? 

Every once in a while someone will ask, "If you could sit down and chat over a cup of coffee with anyone at all at any point in history, who would you want to talk to?"  This morning I would like to share a cup of coffee with Moisi and Nadia. 

Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith

April 2
True Heart-Energy

Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all. (1 Timothy 4:15)

This is, practically, a promise that, by diligent meditation and the giving up of our whole mind to our work for the Lord we shall make a progress which all can see. Not by hasty reading but by deep meditation we profit by the Word of God. Not by doing a great deal of work in a slovenly manner, but by giving our best thought to what we attempt, we shall get real profit. "In all labor there is profit" but not in fuss and hurry without true heart-energy.

If we divide ourselves between God and mammon, or Christ and self, we shall make no progress. We must give ourselves wholly to holy things, or else we shall be poor traders in heavenly business, and at our stocktaking no profit will be shown.

Am I a minister? Let me be a minister wholly and not spend my energies upon secondary concerns. What have I to do with party politics or vain amusements? Am I a Christian? Let me make my service of Jesus my occupation, my lifework, my one pursuit. We must be in-and-in with Jesus, and then out-and-out for Jesus, or else we shall make neither progress nor profit, and neither the church nor the world will feel the forceful influence which the Lord would have us exercise.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

Quote of the Week

The Father did not spare his own Son.  He spared nothing that the dictates of unrelenting rectitude demanded.  And it is the undercurrent of the Son's aquiescence that we hear when he says, "Nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done."  But why?  It was in order that eternal and invincible love might find the full realization of its urge and purpose in redemption by price and by power.  Of Calvary the spirit is eternal love and the basis of eternal justice.

John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied 

Eph 1:3-14  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. 

Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith

April 1
The King's Highway

The wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. (Isaiah 35:8)

THE way of holiness is so straight and plain that the simplest minds cannot go astray if they constantly follow it. The worldly wise have many twists and turns, and yet they make terrible blunders and generally miss their end. Worldly policy is a poor, shortsighted thing, and when men choose it as their road, it leads them over dark mountains. Gracious minds know no better than to do as the Lord bids them; but this keeps them in the King's highway and under royal protection.

Let the reader never for a moment attempt to help himself out of a difficulty by a falsehood or by a questionable act; but let him keep in the middle of the high road of truth and integrity, and he will be following the best possible course. In our lives we must never practice circular sailing nor dream of shuffling. Be just and fear not, Follow Jesus and heed no evil consequences. If the worst of ills could be avoided by wrongdoing, we should, in the very attempt, have fallen into an evil worse than any other ill could be. God's way must be the very best way. Follow it though men think you a fool, and you will be truly wise.

Lord, lead Thy servants in a plain path because of their enemies.

Sidebar problems

I tried to quickly update sidebar to reflect Rebecca's new URL and in my haste I got the whole thing all messed up.  If you see that your link is gone, don't worry.  It's only temporary.  I won't have time to work on it until later, but I will fix it.  In the mean time, why don't you go visit Rebecca in her new spiffy digs?

Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith

March 31
Presence of Mind

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. (Proverbs 3:25-26)

WHEN God is abroad in judgments, He would not have His people alarmed. He has not come forth to harm but to defend the righteous.

He would have them manifest courage. We who enjoy the presence of God ought to display presence of mind. Since the Lord Himself may suddenly come, we ought not to be surprised at anything sudden. Serenity under the rush and roar of unexpected evils is a precious gift of divine love.

The Lord would have His chosen display discrimination so that they may see that the desolation of the wicked is not a real calamity to the universe. Sin alone is evil; the punishment which follows thereupon is as a preserving salt to keep society from putrefying. We should be far more shocked at the sin which deserves hell than at the hell which comes out of sin.

So, too, should the Lord's people exhibit great quietness of spirit. Satan and his serpent seed are full of all subtlety; but those who walk with God shall not be taken in their deceitful snares. Go on, believer in Jesus, and let the Lord be thy confidence.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith

March 30
Prayer, Thanksgiving, Praise

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

NO care but all prayer. No anxiety but much joyful communion with God. Carry your desires to the Lord of your life, the guardian of your soul. Go to Him with two portions of prayer and one of fragrant praise. Do not pray doubtfully but thankfully. Consider that you have your petitions, and therefore thank God for His grace. He is giving you grace; give Him thanks, Hide nothing. Allow no want to lie rankling in your bosom; "make known your requests." Run not to man. Go only to your God, the Father of Jesus, who loves you in Him.

This shall bring you God's own peace. You shall not be able to understand the peace which you shall enjoy. It will enfold you in its infinite embrace. Heart and mind through Christ Jesus shall be steeped in a sea of rest. Come life or death, poverty, pain, slander, you shall dwell in Jesus above every rolling wind or darkening cloud. Will you not obey this dear command?

Yes, Lord, I do believe thee; but, I beseech thee, help mine unbelief.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
  
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
 

An unexpected reminder

So many things remind me that George is not here.  Some are expected.  When I go down to put a load of laundry in, he isn't there, racing me to the washer.  When I come in the back door, he isn't lounging there right in front of the door.  No meowing in the morning to be fed.

 But just now, I had a rather unpleasant reminder of George's absence.  A smelly litter box.

 You see, George was a fanatic neat-nik when it came to the litter box he shared with Buster.  Buster did not share George's fastidious litter box habits.  He would hop in, leave a bomb, and go take a nap.  So whenever George would see Buster making his way to the litter box, he would wait nearby until Buster would finish and then go cover up whatever Buster left behind.  A true Felix and Oscar relationship.

 I miss my "Felix."

Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith

March 29
Dauntless Faith

I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee. (Acts 18:10)

So long as the Lord had work for Paul to do in Corinth, the fury of the mob was restrained. The Jews opposed themselves and blasphemed; but they could neither stop the preaching of the gospel nor the conversion of the hearers. God has power over the most violent minds. He makes the wrath of man to praise Him when it breaks forth, but He still more displays His goodness when He restrains it; and He can restrain it. "By the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone, till thy people pass over, I Lord."

Do not, therefore, feel any fear of man when you know that you are doing your duty. Go straight on, as Jesus would have done, and those who oppose shall be as a bruised reed and as smoking flax. Many a time men have had cause to fear because they were themselves afraid; but a dauntless faith in God brushes fear aside like the cobwebs in a giant's path. No man can harm us unless the Lord permits. He who makes the devil himself to flee at a word can certainly control the devil's agents. Maybe they are already more afraid of you than you are of them. Therefore, go forward, and where you looked to meet with foes you will find friends.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith

March 28
Lead the Way

The Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail. (Deuteronomy 28:13)

If we obey the Lord, He will compel our adversaries to see that His blessing rests upon us. Though this be a promise of the law, yet it stands good to the people of God; for Jesus has removed the curse, but He has established the blessing.

It is for saints to lead the way among men by holy influence: they are not to be the tail, to be dragged hither and thither by others. We must not yield to the spirit of the age, but compel the age to do homage to Christ. If the Lord be with us, we shalt not crave toleration for religion, but we shall seek to seat it on the throne of society. Has not the Lord Jesus made His people priests'' Surely they are to teach and must not be learners from the philosophies of unbelievers. Are we not in Christ made kings to reign upon the earth? How, then can we be the servants of custom, the slaves of human opinion?

Have you, dear friend, taken up your true position for Jesus? Too many are silent because diffident, if not cowardly. Should we allow the name of the Lord Jesus to be kept in the background? Should our religion drag along as a tail? Should it not rather lead the way and be the ruling force with ourselves and others?

Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

Rest in Peace

Rest in Peace, George.  We loved you. 

Update on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 at 07:15AM by Kim from Hiraeth

Pam left this poem for me in the comments.  I think it says it all.

There's something missing in my home,

I feel it day and night,

I know it will take time and strength

before things feel quite right.

But just for now, I need to mourn,

My heart -- it needs to mend.

Though some may say, "It's just a pet,"

I know I've lost a friend.

You've brought such laughter to my home,

and richness to my days.

A constant friend through joy or loss

with gentle, loving ways.

Companion, friend, and confidante,

A friend I won't forget.

You'll live forever in my heart,

My sweet, forever pet.

Spring Flower

This year's first spring flower.

The daffodills, narcissis, tulips, and hyacinth are all up in leaf, but not in bloom.  I can't wait!

The mint and parsleys, sage and chives have made an appearance, too, but are still too small to cut.