He is the Way. Follow Him through the Land of Unlikeness; You will see rare beasts, and have unique adventures. He is the Truth. Seek Him in the Kingdom of Anxiety; You will come to a great city that has expected your return for years. He is the Life. Love Him in the World of the Flesh; And at your marriage all its occasions shall dance for joy. W.H. Auden, chorus from Christmas Oratorio Read more
One Solemn Communion got off to a rambunctious and successful start last night. Its been about 5 years since we had enough kids at the right age to do the program to its full. It means 5 Thursday night mediation/instruction times, a full retreat day and a Sunday morning honoring/recognition time of the work they’ve done. I always forget that 2nd/3rd graders are deeply fascinated with death, hell and Satan and not so much enthralled by the love of Jesus. I always... Read more
So I’ve been reading the first three pages of Charles Williams’ Descent into Hell over and over for the last three weeks. I’m not trying to memorize it or anything, I just forget that I’ve read it already and pick back up at the beginning and then never get farther than the first chapter. Except for last night when I finished the chapter at 10:45 at night and had to read the entire first half of The Sacred Diary of... Read more
Exhausted baby after being baptized. Still can’t get over how fat she is. Its so great. Easter Egg Dyeing. Gladys was so upset about this until she was convinced we wouldn’t be killing any baby duckies. Stock piled eggs for weeks so there would be plenty. Never got a very good picture of everyone together. In fact, this was the only one even in focus. So this is the one you all get. They looked nice but they were already... Read more
From Charles Williams Decent into Hell “Don’t you think so?” Watteau, whose actual name was Myrtle Fox, asked, “It’s what I always feel–about trees and flowers and leaves and so on–they’re so friendly. Perhaps you don’t notice it so much; I’m rather mystic about nature. Like Wordsworth. I should love to spend days out with nothing but the trees and the leaves and the wind. Only somehow one never seems to find the time. But I do believe they’re all... Read more
It’s a pleasure to be here with you this morning for this difficult and probably to some, deeply offensive passage of scripture. If you would all like to turn to Colossians 3 verse 18 you will see why all the men in leadership in this church turned into cowardly custards and refused to preach. To stand in the middle of a deep strong rushing river of cultural consensus and heartfelt belief and try to either face the opposite direction, or... Read more
One My computer is on the delivery truck. Could be here any minute. Don’t know what to do with myself. Have like six or a hundred things I could do but can’t focus. Two Matt and I had strep this week and so we missed the whole last week of school. Sob. Including the end of the year party today. Three Alouicious: I guess I like this song because of the ninja. Me: Ninja? Elphine: What a wreck her house... Read more
I have a beautiful trifle dish. I bought it for a dollar at the Christmas Tree Shop in 2007 and made a gorgeous trifle right away. This week I thought it was time for a second trifle. I instructed Matt on my way out the door. “Cut up the last bit of delicious Easter bread/cake” I shouted, flinging kids and backpacks in the car, “and pour some brandy on it and put it in the fridge.” He gazed back at... Read more
I expect you’re settling in to enjoy a quiet Friday evening and were casting about for just a little something to take your evening to the next level. Here is my gift to you. Read more
Was just sitting here thinking, “I wonder what I could blog about if I had an inclination to blog” when into my email popped a nice note from some reader wishing I would write. I agree it is disagreeable to click onto someone’s blog and see the same old Funeral title there day after day. I do look at my blog every day. I click on the link and stare at it and think, “what a nice blog. Someday I... Read more
Preventing Grace
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