Preventing Grace
“That’s just your interpretation. There are many others, so why should I believe yours?” You’ve probably heard that objection before. How do you deal with it? I shot this brief video last week to answer that question. Read more
“That’s just your interpretation. There are many others, so why should I believe yours?” You’ve probably heard that objection before. How do you deal with it? I shot this brief video last week to answer that question. Read more
Jesus in the garden experiences crippling fear, anxiety, sorrow. And there’s nothing wrong with him. The prosperity gospel has nothing here. It promises a smiling shiny life with perfect teeth. Jesus promises you himself. He’s a man of sorrows acquainted with grief. Read more
Found it to be really helpful, again, to hear it said out loud that because of Jesus we don’t have to have it all together, that grief and sorrow are a valid and rich part of the Christian Life, and that Jesus, the perfect man, had to throw himself on the mercy of his Father. Check out another great sermon. Read more
I hinted broadly and widely and Matt shuffled his way into the snow and into Weiss to rummage through the flowers on Valentine’s Day. I bought him a 24oz mug that he can knock on the floor without the coffee flinging everywhere. We handed over our offerings without eye contact and argued our way out to a very early 5 o’clock in the afternoon dinner so that the younger cooler baby sitter could have an evening Binghmaton life. This is... Read more
We’ve been enjoying a nice respite from family movie nights and reality in general by watching the Olympics whenever we have a spare moment. We don’t get to it enough to watch the cool stuff, like curling, and it seems like I’m watching one particular ice dancing routine over and over, but we have seen some snowboarding and cross country skiing and finally some bobsledding. I’m surprised how much I enjoy watching the actual sports and how exciting it can... Read more
Another great celebration of a Christian Martyr turned into a secular moment to eat chocolate and spend money you don’t have. And hold the one you love up to an impossible standard. Will he fulfill all my longings? Will he meet my expectations? Does he love me as much as I deserve to be loved? It is a perfect American Expression of the average dysfunctional, wrong headed, regular relationship that most everyone seems to be either in or looking for... Read more
Gladys was copying out that ridiculous poem yesterday ‘January brings the snow, makes my feet and fingers glow (what does that even mean?). February brings the rain thaws the frozen lakes again (rain and again are supposed to rhyme presumably).’ Gladys read it out and then looked up in confusion and wonder. “What month are we in?” “February,” I said, making some kind of small effort to surpress some bad words. “I don’t remember who wrote this poem,” I said,... Read more
I’ve been thinking about Jael the wife of Heber a lot lately. It’s hard not to with a steady diet of P.G. Wodehouse and his Scripture Knowledge Prize. Every book you open there she is, so funny, so strong, so like Aunt Agatha who chews up broken bottles and the dreams of young men. She, Jael, I mean, not Aunt Agatha, is an interesting portrait for our time. When all the men are freaking out, she picks up her tent... Read more
Baby turned three on Sunday. I’m thinking of calling her Elsbeth. I really like Ermintrude but Matt hates it. He really likes Euodia but I don’t. Clearly she needs a name because a Baby she isn’t, nor Fat. Woe is me. Her little baby shape has changed into a little girl. She uses words and has fine motor skills. Sob. She got a Pair of Shoes and a sparkly butterfly skirt and wings and a wand. When I mentioned that... Read more
Some lovely person came up to me this Sunday after church, someone who had spent a few minutes with my fifth child, a four year old girl, and said to me, “Marigold” (that’s her blog name) “is really independent isn’t she?” “Oh yes” I said, laughing, and then I looked in this lovely person’s eyes with a sinking heart, “you mean Rebellious, don’t you? Not independent.” She laughed. “Well yes. Rebellious.” It’s cute in a child, rebellion. And sometimes it’s... Read more
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