Today is Monday, today is Monday

Monday wash day

Everybody happy?  Well, I should say!

That's a song we used to sing at church camp.  Maybe you sang it, too.

Ivy is not happy this morning.  Nobody reminded her that it was Monday before she settled into our cozy, unmade bed.  She absolutely refused to move when I started stripping the sheets from the bed. 

I reminded her that if she didn't get off, I'd roll her up in the sheets so she could visit Mr. Kenmore. 

She was not impressed.

Chew on This: Psalm 4

Psalm 4
Answer me when I call,
O God of my righteousness!
You have given me relief when I was in distress.
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?
How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah

But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;
the Lord hears when I call to him.

Be angry, and do not sin;
ponder in your own hearts on your beds,
and be silent.
Selah

Offer right sacrifices,
and put your trust in the Lord.

There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?
Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”

You have put more joy in my heart
than they have when their grain and wine abound.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Oh, this Psalm takes me back about 20 years, when Jake was a preschooler.  He used to be afraid at bedtime and always needed an extra hug and a night light.  Many was the night that I would sit on the edge of his bed in the semi-darkness just sitting there with him, talking to him about this thing and that; praying with him.  Those were the days of one more drink, one more hug, one more question, one more story.

I told my sister, Kathy, about Jake's night fears and she gave us a little piece of paper  (might have been a sticker) with  a cheerful little blue bird and the words of Psalm 4:8.  This became Jake's comfort in the night.  We taped it to his headboard and it was always there, reminding him that God was always there, giving Jake relief when he was in distress.

Did David have any idea that the psalm he had penned would give comfort and peace to a little boy so many centuries later?  No, but God did.

I remember your name in the night, O Lord  Psalm 119:55

You can find more meditations on Psalm 4 at Light Came.  

Finally Buckling Down

I am finally buckling down and setting out to learn how to make Celtic knots the 'right' way.  It's something I've wanted needed to learn to do for some time, but it's tedious and complicated and hard not to get all tangled up.

It is proving even harder than I thought it would be.  So far, I've made two very small pieces--one made up of four triangle knots and one made up of four pretzel knots.  It has taken me all afternoon to accomplish this and my work is only so-so at best. (I worked in pencil, so some of the lines didn't show up too great when I scanned, but they're all there--I promise.  What I DON'T promise is that they're all in the right place!)

Are there any other "knotters" out there? 

Quote of the Week: Edwards

Resolution 48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or not; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.

Jonathan Edwards

The Resolutions

Sunday Hymn: Christ is Made the Sure Foundation

Christ is Made the Sure Foundation

Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the Head and Cornerstone,
Chosen of the Lord and precious,
Binding all the church in one;
Holy Zion's help for ever
And her confidence alone.

All that dedicated city,
Dearly loved of God on high,
In exultant jubilation
Pours perpetual melody;
God the One in Three adoring
In glad hymns eternally.

To this temple, where we call thee,
Come, O Lord of hosts today:
With thy wonted lovingkindness
Hear thy people as they pray;
And thy fullest benediction
Shed within its walls alway.

Here vouchsafe to all thy servants
What they ask of thee to gain,
What they gain from thee for ever
With the blessed to retain,
And hereafter in thy glory
Evermore with thee to reign.

Laud and honor to the Father,
Laud and honor to the Son,
Laud and honor to the Spirit,
Ever Three and ever One,
One in might, and One in glory,
While unending ages run.

Trinity Hymnal #268

A Call to Prayer: Earnestness in Prayer

I commend to you the importance of earnestness in prayer. It is not that a person should shout, or scream, or be very loud, in order to prove that they are in earnest. But it is desirable that we should be hearty and fervent and warm, and ask as if we were really interested in what we were doing. It is the "effectual fervent" prayer that "availeth much." This is the lesson that is taught us by the expressions used in Scripture about prayer. It is called, "crying, knocking, wrestling, labouring, striving." This is the lesson taught us by scripture examples. Jacob is one. He said to the angel at Penuel, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." Genesis 32:26. Daniel is another. Hear how he pleaded with God: "O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine won sake, O my God." Daniel 9:19. Our Lord Jesus Christ is another. It is written of him, "In the days of his flesh, he offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears." Hebrews 5:7. Alas, how unlike is this to many of our supplications! How tame and lukewarm they seem by comparison. How truly might God say to many of us, "You do not really want what you pray for." Lets us try to amend this fault. Let us knock loudly at the door of grace, like Mercy in Pilgrim's Progress, as if we must perish unless heard. Let us settle it in our minds, that cold prayers are a sacrifice without fire. Let us remember the story of Demosthenes the great orator, when one came to him, and wanted to plead his cause. He heard him without attention, while he told his story without earnestness. The man saw this, and cried out with anxiety that it was all true. "Ah," said Demosthenes, "I believe you now."

J. C. Ryle,

A Call to Prayer 

Polish the Dull Side*

Last night, after a couple of days of sitting, disassembled, on a sunny window sill, we put my phone on the charger.

The battery took a full charge but, as you can see, there is still condensation and no information shown on the front.

 

 When we powered it up, all my information is there--pictures, contacts, wallpaper.  (That's a picture of Ivy curled up on our bed)

 

 But it never connects to service.  Searching, searching, searching.  Searching for service.

So, it's not as bad as it could be.  I haven't lost all my information and I do have a credit for new phones at the Verizon store.

*Like Karen always says, "If you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side." 

I just wouldn't recommend throwing the dull side in the washer.

Reading the Classics Together: Religious Affections

 Tim Challies has announced the next book in his "Reading Classics Together" challenge.  This time 'round he has chosen Religious Affections, by Jonathan Edwards.

As soon as I read his post, an internal debate (like this) began in my brain: 

“Faithless is he who says farewell when the road darkens,” said Gimli.

“Maybe, but let him not vow to walk in the dark,” said Elrond, “who has not seen the nightfall.”

“Yet sworn word may strengthen quaking heart,” said Gimli.

“Or break it,” said Elrond, “Look not too far ahead!”

 I've read Religious Affections before, so I know the worth of joining with others to read this classic work.  And yet, I also know how hard it is to keep up reading commitments that are based on someone else's reading schedule.  If I commit to reading it on a schedule, then the commitment MIGHT help me to finish, however, real life has a way of exploding the best laid plans.

Therefore, I am going to start the challenge along with everyone else and do my best to keep up. Tim says:

We will target July 17 as our start date. That gives you three full weeks to secure a copy and to read the Introduction and Preface. Then, every Thursday following, we’ll read a portion of the text and discuss it together.

There.  A noncommittal commitment.   And an opportunity to experience again a great Christian classic.

Dictionary Word of the Day: Cockaigne

Cockaigne \kah-KAYN\, noun:
An imaginary land of ease and luxury.

I've had quite a run on new vocabulary words in the past few weeks.  Here's another one I didn't know. 

I have never really longed for a land of ease and luxury.   If anything, I would long for a land of peace and plenty. And maybe a land with more hours in the day.

What I'm longing for now is a week in the North Woods of Wisconsin.

Sigh. . .

A few years ago, Tom got me a cell phone.  I am not much of a phone talker to begin with, so I haven't used it much.  Usually, it sits on top of Tom's dresser and he recharges it for me when he notices.

But now that Beth is home alone with the baby and John is back to work, I stuck it in my pocket when I went to the basement to exercise yesterday morning just in case she needed something.  I am often out in the yard with the dogs or plugged in to my Ipod, so keeping it nearby seemed like a good thing.  This was the first day I've ever kept it in my pocket.

Yesterday was a busy day.  I did all my laundry in the morning and then ran over and helped Beth with a few things in the afternoon.  After I took my shower last night, I tossed the towels and my clothes down the laundry shoot.  I sighed, thinking to myself, "so much for having all the laundry done and put away." 

You know what's coming.  I wanted to be triumphant over that laundry!  So, I went down and threw the pile into the washer before I went to bed.  With my phone in the pocket.

Sigh. . .

 A quick Google search gives me hope that it may still work once it dries out. 

A Light, Summery Sidedish

Here's a nice summery side dish, especially if you've got fresh herbs growing in your garden:

Herbed Lemon Orzo

Prepare one cup of orzo according to the package instructions, substituting chicken broth for the water.

While that's cooking, zest and juice one lemon.  Collect an assortment of fresh herbs from the garden, enough for about 2 big tablespoons. (I used curly parsley, chives, thyme, rosemary, and basil.)  Wash, pat dry, and rough chop.

Drain the orzo, sprinkle with zest and herbs and give it a good squirt of extra virgin olive oil.  Add lemon juice and toss.  (I also added a sprinkle of crushed red peppers because we like things hot, but you could leave that out).

It's pretty, it's simple; the flavor reminds me of unadulterated summer.   I served it along side a pork loin roast last night with a garden salad and steamed zucchini and it was just right.

A Natural Spotlight

This vingette comes from a shady part of my yard.  The brilliant sunshine poured forth through an open spot in the thick canopy of maple leaves above and acted like a natural spotlight on the scene.  The scene was set and awaiting us when we pulled into the driveway after church this morning.

You can't plan shots like this.  (Well, I can't!)

Chew on This: Psalm 3

 My friend, Leslie, of Light Came, has invited her readers to “Chew on This.”  ‘This’ is a passage from Psalm 3, as presented by Charles Spurgeon in his Treasury of David.

I was delighted to take up the challenge and invite you to respond on your own blog and send Leslie the link.

Here is Psalm 3 in its entirety:

A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

1 LORD, how they have increased who trouble me!
         Many are they who rise up against me.
 2 Many are they who say of me,
         “There is no help for him in God.”  Selah  
         
 3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,
         My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
 4 I cried to the LORD with my voice,
         And He heard me from His holy hill.  Selah  
         
 5 I lay down and slept;
         I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.
 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
         Who have set themselves against me all around.
         
 7 Arise, O LORD;
         Save me, O my God!
         For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;
         You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.
 8 Salvation belongs to the LORD.
         Your blessing is upon Your people.  Selah 

This Psalm opens with David crying out to God.  His own son had led a rebellion against him and he now is fleeing into the night-- the palace behind him and the wilderness before him.  Can you imagine the pain of betrayal?  Your own son?  It is unthinkable!  David had restored his relationship with this son and he repaid him by “stealing the hearts of the people.” David did not stand and fight, nor did he call his counselors together and plot revenge.  He left with his household, bent with sadness but trusting in his God.

David’s head must have been hanging low.  He had been grieved beyond measure in the cunning rebellion of his son.  How deeply personal were his wounds and how hard it must’ve been to hold his head up!  Everyone was watching; everyone knew.  However, his steadfast trust in the God of his Fathers not only allowed him to raise his head high, it allowed him to look beyond himself to his people and to testify of God’s goodness:

4 I cried to the LORD with my voice,
         And He heard me from His holy hill.  Selah  
         
 5 I lay down and slept;
         I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.
 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
         Who have set themselves against me all around.

It must also be that way with us.  When we are burdened down with pain and trial, we must first cry out to God, for it is He who knows what we are going through and it is He who understands why.  There is great comfort in this.  David could lie down and sleep and awake in the morning knowing that it was God who sustained him.  God had protected and sustained him during the vulnerable watches of the night and he need not fear what man could do.  That is what he had experienced and that is what he cried out to the people.  “I trusted in God and He heard me—you can trust Him, too.”

It is during times of great trial that we, and the watching world, learn that of which we are made.  If we stand in our own strength and “fight it out” on our own, what lasting words of instruction and encouragement do we have for others?  None.  But when we trust God and stand in His strength and in the comfort of His shielding presence, we have something of value to share with others.

“I trusted in God and He heard me—you can trust Him, too.”

My Apologies

. . .to the person from the Philippines who has repeatedly visted my blog overnight searching for information about the history and development of letters.  You know, the series I was going to do this year?

It seemed like a good thing to do, and I did work very hard on the first piece and almost finished it, but then I got sick, and then I got busy, and one thing after another and I forgot all about it.

Until this flurry of yahoo hits.  So I apologize.  I bit off more than I could chew.  Someday the first post may materialize when you least expect it, you just never know.

Sunday Hymn: Here is Love

Here is Love

Here is love, vast as the ocean,
Lovingkindness as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our Ransom,
Shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten,
Throughout Heav’n’s eternal days.

On the mount of crucifixion,
Fountains opened deep and wide;
Through the floodgates of God’s mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love, like mighty rivers,
Poured incessant from above,
And Heav’n’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.

Let me all Thy love accepting,
Love Thee, ever all my days;
Let me seek Thy kingdom only
And my life be to Thy praise;
Thou alone shalt be my glory,
Nothing in the world I see.
Thou hast cleansed and sanctified me,
Thou Thyself hast set me free.

In Thy truth Thou dost direct me
By Thy Spirit through Thy Word;
And Thy grace my need is meeting,
As I trust in Thee, my Lord.
Of Thy fullness Thou art pouring
Thy great love and power on me,
Without measure, full and boundless,
Drawing out my heart to Thee.

Quote of the Week: A.W. Pink

The essence of idolatry is the entertainment of thoughts about God that are unworthy of Him.

— A.W. Pink

A Call to Prayer: Regular Times of Prayer

I commend to you the importance of making prayer a regular business of life. I might say something of the value of regular times in the day for prayer. God is a God of order. The hours for morning and evening sacrifice in the Jewish temple were not fixed as they were without a meaning. Disorder is eminently one of the fruits of sin. But I would not bring any under bondage. This only I say, that it is essential to your soul's health to make praying a part of the business of every twenty-four hours of your life. Just as you allot time to eating, sleeping, and business, so also allot time to prayer. Choose your own hours and seasons. At the very least, speak with God in the morning, before you speak with the world: and speak with God at night, after you have done with the world. But settle it in your minds, that praying is one of the great things of every day. Do not drive it into a corner. Do not give it the scraps and parings of your duty. Whatever else you make a business of, make a business of prayer.

I commend to you the importance of perseverance in prayer. Once having begun the habit, never give it up. Your heart will sometimes say, "You will have had family prayers: what mighty harm if you leave private prayer undone?" Your body will sometimes say, "You are unwell, or sleepy, or weary; you need not pray." Your mind will sometimes say, "You have important business to attend to to-day; cut short your prayers." Look on all such suggestions as coming direct from Satan. They are all as good as saying, "Neglect your soul." I do not maintain that prayers should always be of the same length; but I do say, let no excuse make you give up prayer. Paul said, "Continue in prayer and, "Pray without ceasing." He did not mean that people should be always on their knees, but he did mean that our prayers should be like the continual burnt-offering steadily preserved in every day; that it should be like seed-time and harvest, and summer and winter, unceasingly coming round at regular seasons; that it should be like the fire on the altar, not always consuming sacrifices, but never completely going out. Never forget that you may tie together morning and evening devotions, by an endless chain of short ejaculatory prayers throughout the day. Even in company, or business, or in the very streets, you may be silently sending up little winged messengers to God, as Nehemiah did in the very presence of Artaxerxes. And never think that time is wasted which is given to God. A nation does not become poorer because it looses one year of working days in seven, by keeping the Sabbath. A Christian never finds he is a loser, in the long run, by persevering in prayer.

J. C. Ryle,

A Call to Prayer 

My Friend, Paul

For the past 27 weeks, I've been taking my little Sunday School class verse by verse through the book of Acts.  It's been an amazing journey through the history of the early church and through the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul.  Each week since his conversion in Chapter 9, his personality and style have been fleshed out through the scriptures.  I've always loved Paul, but I admit that I could  identify more closely with Peter.  I've always sort of seen Paul as the "go to" guy for doctrine.   In my imagination of what they would have been like if you'd have been there and could have known them, Peter seemed the guy to talk to, while Paul seemed the guy to listen to.  (I know that may seem silly but I don't think you can diligently study the Word without developing a relationship of sorts with its authors as well as its Author.)

 But I've changed my impression of Paul through this study.  Now, when I read his epistles, I can almost see the man behind the letters--his passion for the Gospel, his love for the churches, his willingness to both discipline and restore.  More importantly, the more I see of Paul, the more I see of the Trinity--God's sovereign plan, Christ's Person and Work, and the Spirit's guidance and direction.

Ephesians 1 has always been one of my favorite "go to" passages in all of scripture.  I've read it more times than I can count or will ever know, for it is chock full of the doctrines of grace.  But when I read it again this morning, I didn't just thrill to the great theological sweep of the chapter, I saw Paul, the man, writing to his beloved friends in Ephesus, speaking to them of the things he desired above all other things that they remember. I can imagine how those words echoed in the minds of the Ephesian elders.

He had laid the foundation of doctrine while he was laying the foundation of friendship--with the Ephesians and the Galatians and the Caesareans and with every one he taught, even me.

Paul's a great guy to get to know.  

On Being a Grandmother

In the comments of the last post, Rosemary asked me to "tell us what it's like to be a grandma. "

My first thought was, "I have no idea--yet!"

I can tell you what it's like to see your grandchild for the first time and to fall in love with him at first sight.  I can tell you what it's like to see your son so full of pride and delight at seeing his son.  I can tell you what it's like to see your daughter-in-law radiate ineffable joy and unmistakable motherliness after her long day of bringing him into the world.  I can tell you what it is like to praise God and rejoice with thanksgiving and gratitude.

I can tell you what it's like to lie down to sleep with an image of a little face indelibly imprinted on your mind and to remember the feel of having a babe in arms again after all these years.  

 Oh, I've experienced so many wonderful emotions, accompanied by tears of joy and pride, but what it's like to be a grandma?  I think I will spend the rest of my life learning about that. 

Becoming a grandmother is effortless.  But BEING a grandmother will be the greatest joy of all.

 

The Cutest Grandson?

Yes, that would be me.