Apparently I preached for 15 minutes instead of 5. Oops. This psalm, psalm 34, is attributed to David and we have an interesting little note at the top, just before verse one. The ESV says, “of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimalech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.” Some Bible’s say, “when he feigned madness”, when he acted crazy. And then, if you glance at the text, we have a perfectly reasonable and seemingly... Read more
I posted this Nothing says “marital bliss” like trying to talk about money while you’re both actually surfing the internet. earlier in the day on facebook. The only use I generally aim to confer on facebook is sarcasm without bitterness, but I was So Tired this morning that I forsake both sarcasm and bitterness and posted something I really meant. Maybe it was the scare quotes around marital bliss that threw Matt off, causing him to say, “I don’t think... Read more
Where have I been the last few days? Trying to put the house back together after this last painting trauma, doing school, generally spinning my wheels BUT ALSO helping to organized a Day of Prayer at the church. Long ago we had a day of prayer right before we lost our law suit and building. Pastors from many kinds of churches came and preached and prayed with us and for us. It was so encouraging and wonderful to pray together... Read more
Because we’re a little bit stupid, we painted another room yesterday instead of sitting around lazily as is we Should have done because the next two weeks are horribly horribly unrelentingly busy. And the painting, which turned out beautifully, means that I HAVE to dye my curtains1. because they are now very much the wrong color and 2. because I am too cheep to buy new ones. They’re raw silk. Somebody, PLEASE, advise me. Also, Why Oh Why didn’t we... Read more
From Rudyard Kipling’s Captain’s Courageous: Like many other unfortunate young people, Harvey had never in all his life received a direct order–never, at least, without long, and sometimes tearful, explanations of the advantages of obedience and the reasons for the request. Mrs. Cheyne lived in fear of breaking his spirit, which, perhaps, was the reason that she herself walked on the edge of nervous prostration. He could not see why he should be expected to hurry for any man’s pleasure,... Read more
OneMarigold is learning to appropriately use the lou. I’m trying to elevate the overall tone of the process by not using the word “potty” which just doesn’t make me want to get up in the morning.“Will Aunty feel better after she’s been the to the telephone?” I say.And then Marigold shouts “Potty! Chocolate! More!”Delicacy aside, I am surprised and delighted that we’re taking this important step.TwoThe baby is standing very steadily on her own looks to be perhaps trying to... Read more
I kept tripping over this all day. When I’d sit down it would try to perch on my collar bones and breath in my ear. Or I’d turn my head vaguely towards this computer and it would get off me and sit on the keyboard. Honestly. If I’d wanted a dog (which, incidentally, I do) I’d have ….never mind. There’s no logical way to end that thought. Anyway, in answer to the catechism question, “What did God promise in the... Read more
Excerpted from Amy Carmichael’s Gold by Moonlight. 3“And after this, when thine enemies see that thou art so well willed, then are they much abashed. But then will they assay thee with flattering and vain pleasing. Thus do thine enemies that thou shouldest think their saying sooth, and have delight in this vain joy and rest thee therein. But if thou do well, thou shalt hold all such jangling as faslehood and flattery of thine enemy, that proffereth thee to... Read more
Alouicious has learned to whistle. Its really the most irritating skill I can think of, in all places, in all times. He whistles to everyhing and at every moment. Just now he is whistling along to Handel’s Greatest Hits (there’s no way anyone can ever accuse me of being a snob for any reason after such a revelation). Later he will whistle himself to bed and whistle himself to sleep. He whistles, aggravatingly, while he works. He whistles in between... Read more
Preventing Grace
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