She's No Lady

Musical Monday: Francesca Battistelli

2012-01-30T06:00:00.000-06:00

A light-hearted ditty reminding us to keep life's little inconveniences in perspective. (via Son Eric)

Musical Monday: The Staves

2012-01-23T06:00:00.000-06:00

Another music post? Yes. Those seem to be the only ones I have time to crank out these days. They require little effort and no deep thoughts on my part. Just an experience of joy that I prefer to share rather than keep all to myself! You're welcome.

This trio of sisters, The Staves, opened for The Civil Wars last week at The Pageant. Not only were they very good, but were also charming with their British accents and humor. Plus their style is one I'm naturally drawn to anyway. They remind me of The Wailin' Jennys and Red Molly...2 of my favorite female vocal groups.

I give you...The Staves:

My Objections to Yours

2012-01-22T17:06:00.029-06:00

Jefferson Bethke...friend or foe?

I realize I am entering this conversation a little late, but I promised a friend I would write about the viral video, so here I go. Answering a controversy effectively, requires much time and careful thought and I acknowledge that I have only invested a fraction of what I probably should have before going public. Nevertheless, this is the best I've got for now, so here's my slightly-reactionary, slightly-analytical take on Bethke's video and the ensuing public debate.

I would be remiss in not posting the actual video, so give it a look and a careful listen...AGAIN, even if you've already seen it. While listening through this several times, I wrote down the text which I've posted below....I hope I didn't make any errors in quoting Bethke's words. ( I chose to break it into 4-line verses, which may not have been his original intent...)

It is also important to highlight the commentary which accompanied the original YouTube video, but has been frequently overlooked: "A poem I wrote to highlight the difference between Jesus and false religion. In the scriptures Jesus received the most opposition from the most religious people of his day. At it's core Jesus' gospel and the good news of the Cross is in pure opposition to self-righteousness/self-justification. Religion is man centered, Jesus is God-centered. This poem highlights my journey to discover this truth. Religion either ends in pride or despair. Pride because you make a list and can do it and act better than everyone, or despair because you can't do your own list of rules and feel "not good enough" for God. With Jesus though you have humble confident joy because He represents you, you don't represent yourself and His sacrifice is perfect putting us in perfect standing with God!"

What if I told you, Jesus came to abolish religion?

What if I told you voting Republican, really wasn’t his mission?

What if I told you Republican doesn’t automatically mean Christian,

And just because you call some people "blind," doesn’t automatically give you vision.

I mean, if religion is so great, why has it started so many wars?

Why does it build huge churches, but fails to feed the poor?

Tells single moms God doesn’t love them if they’ve ever had a divorce,

But in the Old Testament, God actually calls religious people "whores."

Religion might preach grace, but another thing they practice.

Tend to ridicule God's people, they did it to John the Baptist.

They can't fix their problems, and so they just mask it,

Not realizing religion's like spraying perfume on a casket.

You see, the problem with religion is that it never gets to the core,

It’s just behavior modification, like a long list of chores.

Like "Let’s dress up the outside, make it look nice and neat."

But it's funny...that’s what they used to do to mummies, while the corpse rots underneath.

Now I ain’t judgin' I’m just saying', "Quit puttin' on a fake look."

'Cause there’s a problem if people only know you’re a Christian by your Facebook.

I mean, in every other aspect of life, you know that logic's unworthy -

It's like saying you play for the Lakers just because you bought a jersey.

See, this was me too, but no one seemed to be on to me.

Acting like a church kid, while addicted to pornography.

See on Sunday I'd go to church, but Saturday gettin' faded,

Acting as if I was simply created to have sex and get wasted.

See, I spent my whole life building this façade of neatness,

But now that I know Jesus, I boast in my weakness.

Because if grace is water, then the church should be an ocean,

It's not a museum for good people, it’s a hospital for the broken.

Which means I don't have to hide my failure. I don’t have to hide my sin,

'Cause it doesn’t depend on me, it depends on him.

See, when I was God's enemy and certainly not a fan,

He looked down and said, “I want that man!”

Which is why Jesus hated religion and for it he called 'em fools.

Don’t you see? So much better than just following some rules.

Now let me clarify: I love the church. I love the Bible. And yes, I believe in sin.

But if Jesus came to your church, would they actually let him in?

Remember He was called a glutton and a drunkard by “religious men.”

But the Son of God never supports self-righteousness - Not now. Not then.

Now back to the point, one thing is vital to mention:

How Jesus and religion are on opposite spectrums.

See, one's the work of God, but one's a man made invention,

One is the cure, but the other's the infection.

Because religion says "Do." Jesus says "Done."

Religion says "Slave." Jesus says "Son."

Religion puts you in bondage, while Jesus sets you free.

Religion makes you blind, but Jesus makes you see.

And that's why religion and Jesus are two different clans.

Religion is man searching for God; Christianity is God searching for man.

Which is why salvation is freely mine, and forgiveness is my own;

Not based on my merits, but Jesus's obedience alone.

Because he took the crown of thorns, and the blood dripped down his face;

He took what we all deserved, I guess that’s why you call it "Grace."

And while being murdered, he yelled “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do!"

Because when he was dangling on that cross, he was thinking of you.

And he absorbed all your sin, and he buried it in the tomb,

Which is why I'm kneeling at the cross saying, "Come on...there’s room."

So for religion? No. I hate it. In fact...I literally resent it.

Because when Jesus said, "It is finished!" I believe He meant it.

So there it is...this controversial video which has generated 16,000,000 views and hundreds of comments, blog posts, and video responses. Wow. There is no way I can speak to every statement of his that has been critiqued, nor to every debate that has been raised in its shadow (like how great the Pharisees were b/c their theology was precise and most close to Jesus's own...etc.). I'll keep it simple and only address a couple of the most predominant accusations.

One of the primary criticisms leveled by Christians has been Bethke's use of the word "religion." Those of you who know me well, know that words matter to me. Every word has an etymological origin from which its most basic definition is drawn and from which it should never be entirely severed. But words rarely remain static...they also carry cultural and contextual meaning. This viability of language is unavoidable, and accounts for common linguistic decisions such as not declaring, "I'm feeling unusually gay today." Though the word "gay" in its history and origin implies nothing of homosexuality, modern context dictates the ways we choose to use and not use the word. Does that mean we are conceding its improper use rather than reclaiming it in its redemptive context? Perhaps. But we have the gift of MANY words at our disposal which can communicate the same idea, emotion or truth while avoiding controversy or potential misunderstanding, so we generally avoid its more archaic use.

The word "religion" is no different. It too has an origin...in the Latin, of course! Religio means sanction or constraint and it is historically associated with the words obligare and religare, which both mean to restrain, to tie back, to impede, to bind fast. Throughout history, the word has been used to refer to a variety of systems that include beliefs, rites, rituals and sanctions for living. Its use has never referred exclusively to The Church or Christianity...in fact, its broad application to "false religions" has led many Christians to abandon its positive use for decades, even denouncing its use to reference Christianity. I think Bethke's use of the word is not inconsistent with its origin nor with its historical use. (Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary is the only source I could find linking the word primarily to Christianity. This too is a reflection of the time and culture in which he lived, as well as his personal beliefs.) To accuse Bethke of highjacking the word from its origin, definition, and common use is a bit disingenuous.

Because he was supposedly using the word "religion" outside of its ordinary use, Bethke has been repeatedly advised to "define his terms." Yet, if you listen to him, he makes it infinitely clear what he does and doesn't mean by "religion." He carefully defines religion as an outward display of self-righteousness that is inconsistent with the state of the heart. His language echoes that of Christ, who called such people "white-washed tombs," while Bethke uses parallel imagery of a mummy...beautified on the outside but full of death on the inside. The young man is right. Religion, as he defines it in his poem, IS on the opposite spectrum of The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Think about it. Most of us would concede that the same is true of the word "spirituality," which many of us avoid because of its common, rather distorted use. Even though its thoroughly Christian use means "of the Holy Spirit," this is not the modern cultural sense of the word at all. Bethke could just as easily have said, "Why I Hate Spirituality, But Love Jesus" and we should have understood that too, because "Of the Holy Spirit" is a GOOD THING, but "spirituality" as popularly understood is AN ENEMY of The Gospel!

He goes out of his way to clarify that he is NOT speaking of The Church or The Bible, or even Christianity. And by the way, where were all the critics when Peter Leithart published his book titled, Against Christianity?! How is this any different? Both men use a term provocatively in order to get our attention and make valid points. I don't recall anyone calling Leithart to account for his misleading use of the word. And his defense of the negative use of "Christianity" is much less accessible to the population than Bethke's. But of course, Leithart is not an easy target. He's an intellectual giant with a reputation for nuance within the bounds of orthodoxy. If you challenge him, you sure as hell better know your stuff. Bethke, however, is just "some young punk using the web irresponsibly to communicate theological error." Hmmm.

Conclusion #1: Bethke clearly defines the way in which he is using the word religion, and his use reflects a common cultural understanding.

The next major criticism is that Bethke was not scrupulous enough in his theology. He has repeatedly been accused of belittling obedience and promoting lawlessness. The truth is, he never sets up this dichotomy between obedience and grace or relationship and rules. In fact, he very clearly points out that in his personal movement from religion to Christ, he was transformed from a law breaker into a law keeper!! Not a self-righteous slave to the law, but an obedient son to his Father.

Perhaps we've reacted strongly to Bethke's words because we don't take kindly to having some of our most glaring failures highlighted. As professing Christians, we often have placed our trust in politicians; we often do pursue size, prestige and success while neglecting the poor and rejecting real sinners who are seeking grace. We older Christians should take heed to the rebukes of the younger generation and humble ourselves enough to hear and consider their accusations.

It disturbs me greatly that Bethke is being called out for his lack of theological precision. Do we really think so highly of ourselves as to suggest that any public words about Jesus and the Gospel demand the theological precision of a seminary professor, or of a council composing an official credal statement? How shamefully arrogant!

Here is a 23-year-old kid who never imagined he'd receive such widespread influence. He is taking Jesus and His life-giving, grace-filled Gospel seriously and applying its truths to his own life. And I find it impressive that his criticisms were leveled without a tone of disrespect or bitterness. This is evidence of an active faith and the work of the Holy Spirit, which should prompt us to rejoice, not publicly mock or disparage the kid! Bethke is responding in faith, with truth, and without hatefulness to the realities of his own life experience with religion. Isn't that the point after all??

Conclusion #2: While he may not have been as theologically precise as some would like, Bethke denounces hypocritical Pharisaism (as did Christ Himself), and he promotes the work, merit and grace of Jesus Christ! Whatever way The Gospel is preached, I rejoice!

Finally, (and somewhat lamely...), I'll address the issue of brotherly confrontation. I find it interesting that many chose to publicly chatise Bethke's video without contacting him personally. While many of the critiques I read were fairly gracious and careful in their criticisms, they were all presented publicly FIRST (which in response to a public proclamation is not entirely unwarranted, but I am particularly sensitive to this issue because of what my pastor has been through...).

In contrast, Bethke responded privately and with grand displays of humility and grace to his public contenders. For example, in his correspondence with Kevin DeYoung of The Gospel Coalition (with whom Bethke initiated the conversation after reading DeYoung's online response to the video), he writes:

I just wanted to say I really appreciate your article man. It hit me hard. I'll even be honest and say I agree 100%. God has been working with me in the last 6 months on loving Jesus AND loving his church. For the first few years of walking with Jesus (started in '08) I had a warped/poor paradigm of the church and it didn't build up, unify, or glorify His wife (the Bride). If I can be brutally honest I didn't think this video would get much over a couple thousand views maybe, and because of that, my points/theology wasn't as air-tight as I would've liked. If I redid the video tomorrow, I'd keep the overall message, but would articulate, elaborate, and expand on the parts where my words and delivery were chosen poorly...My prayer is my generation would represent Christ faithfully and not swing to the other spectrum...thankful for your words and more importantly thankful for your tone and fatherly like grace on me as my elder. Humbled. Blessed. Thankful for painful growth. Blessings.

Grace and Peace,

Jeff

Even though I was already in this kid's corner, this response made me even more so. What a mature and gracious response, devoid of bitterness, arrogance and even defensiveness.

Sometimes, I fear, we heady Christians are too eager to demonstrate our intellectual acuity by being more "discerning" than the low masses who approved of Bethke's video. This is made most clear by our analytical denouncement of any statement we deem as theologically inferior. And YES...I realize the irony of that statement as I so discerningly naysay the naysayers - I am definitely not immune from the same temptation.

Conclusion #3: Perhaps we should consider private rebuke before public rebuke, and take the time to learn the person's heart and theology BEFORE we react. And certainly, we can all learn from and seek to emulate the humility exercised by Jefferson Bethke in his willingness to be rebuked and in his desire to promote the gracious Gospel of our Lord Jesus.

May we learn to encourage, rather than censor, young folks whose commitment to Christ prompts them to speak openly of their trust in Him. May we seek to cultivate maturity in them and not unnecessarily disparage their attempts to take ownership of their faith in Jesus and His grace.

And that's about all I have to say about that.

The Civil Wars

2012-01-17T23:59:00.000-06:00

Two music posts in a row? Yep. Couldn't resist.

Sunday night I had the great privilege of seeing The Civil Wars live at The Pageant with my son and my music pals, Annie and Annie. I went in with pretty high expectations, which they lived up to entirely. These two are as good in real life as they appear to be in both audio and video recordings. Dynamic voices. Dynamic performers. Dynamic music.

Here are a couple (OK, 4) of my favorites that I have not previously linked to on the blog:

Musical Monday: Chris Thile Encore

2012-01-16T06:00:00.004-06:00

It's been about 6 months since I posted about Chris Thile (tee-lee), but the longer this guy is around, the more I am impressed with him. Is it possible to become a legend before you die? If it is, then this guy is well on his way.

For your listening enjoyment and amazement, here are some samples of his virtuosity and versatility:

Nickel Creek - Sweet Afton (Thile's melody set to Robert Burns' poem) with his original hit-it-big trio:

Punch Brothers - Thile and a conglomerate of other talented young fellows use their traditional bluegrass instruments to play multiple genres of music. Here they are covering a Strokes tune:

And here they "cover" Bach's Brandenburg concerto #3: (forward to 1:30 to hear the music)

In an entirely mind-blowing performance, Thile performs Bach's E Major Prelude solo on the mandolin. Crazy good.

W/ Michael Daves - in 2011 Thile and Michael Daves recorded a classic, old-timey-sounding bluegrass album titled, Sleep With One Eye Open:

Goat Rodeo Sessions - A recent, unlikely collaboration of between Thile, YoYo Ma (cello), Stuart Duncan (banjo and violin), and Edgar Meyer (bass), with special guest, Aoife O'Donovan (vocalist), recording a song whose lyrics she and Thile co-wrote across texts.

This sampling only showcases a very small portion of Thile's work. If you liked it, check him out further. Have a great day, y'all.

The Reason Our Kids Can't Spell

2012-01-12T06:16:00.002-06:00

Many thanks to Justin Donathan for hooking me up with this fun little ditty:

English Pronunciation

by G. Nolst Trenité

Dearest creature in creation,
Study English pronunciation.I will teach you in my verse like corpse, corps, horse, and worse.
I will keep you, Suzy, busy,
Make your head with heat grow dizzy.
Tear in eye, your dress will tear.
So shall I! Oh hear my prayer.
Just compare heart, beard, and heard,
Dies and diet, lord and word,
Sword and sward, retain and Britain.
(Mind the latter, how it’s written.)
Now I surely will not plague you
With such words as plaque and ague.
But be careful how you speak:
Say break and steak, but bleak and streak;
Cloven, oven, how and low,
Script, receipt, show, poem, and toe.
Hear me say, devoid of trickery,
Daughter, laughter, and Terpsichore,
Typhoid, measles, topsails, aisles,
Exiles, similes, and reviles;
Scholar, vicar, and cigar,
Solar, mica, war and far;
One, anemone, Balmoral,
Kitchen, lichen, laundry, laurel;
Gertrude, German, wind and mind,
Scene, Melpomene, mankind.
Billet does not rhyme with ballet,
Bouquet, wallet, mallet, chalet.
Blood and flood are not like food,
Nor is mould like should and would.
Viscous, viscount, load and broad,
Toward, to forward, to reward.
And your pronunciation’s OK
When you correctly say croquet,
Rounded, wounded, grieve and sieve,
Friend and fiend, alive and live.
Ivy, privy, famous; clamour
And enamour rhyme with hammer.
River, rival, tomb, bomb, comb,
Doll and roll and some and home.
Stranger does not rhyme with anger,
Neither does devour with clangour.
Souls but foul, haunt but aunt,
Font, front, wont, want, grand, and grant,
Shoes, goes, does. Now first say finger,
And then singer, ginger, linger,
Real, zeal, mauve, gauze, gouge and gauge,
Marriage, foliage, mirage, and age.
Query does not rhyme with very,
Nor does fury sound like bury.
Dost, lost, post and doth, cloth, loth.
Job, nob, bosom, transom, oath.
Though the differences seem little,
We say actual but victual.
Refer does not rhyme with deafer.
Foeffer does, and zephyr, heifer.
Mint, pint, senate and sedate;
Dull, bull, and George ate late.
Scenic, Arabic, Pacific,
Science, conscience, scientific.
Liberty, library, heave and heaven,
Rachel, ache, moustache, eleven.
We say hallowed, but allowed,
People, leopard, towed, but vowed.
Mark the differences, moreover,
Between mover, cover, clover;
Leeches, breeches, wise, precise,
Chalice, but police and lice;
Camel, constable, unstable,
Principle, disciple, label.
Petal, panel, and canal,
Wait, surprise, plait, promise, pal.
Worm and storm, chaise, chaos, chair,
Senator, spectator, mayor.
Tour, but our and succour, four.
Gas, alas, and Arkansas.
Sea, idea, Korea, area,
Psalm, Maria, but malaria.
Youth, south, southern, cleanse and clean.
Doctrine, turpentine, marine.
Compare alien with Italian,
Dandelion and battalion.
Sally with ally, yea, ye,
Eye, I, ay, aye, whey, and key.
Say aver, but ever, fever,
Neither, leisure, skein, deceiver.
Heron, granary, canary.
Crevice and device and aerie.
Face, but preface, not efface.
Phlegm, phlegmatic, ass, glass, bass.
Large, but target, gin, give, verging,
Ought, out, joust and scour, scourging.
Ear, but earn and wear and tear
Do not rhyme with here but ere.
Seven is right, but so is even,
Hyphen, roughen, nephew Stephen,
Monkey, donkey, Turk and jerk,
Ask, grasp, wasp, and cork and work.
Pronunciation (think of Psyche!)
Is a paling stout and spikey?
Won’t it make you lose your wits,
Writing groats and saying grits?
It’s a dark abyss or tunnel:
Strewn with stones, stowed, solace, gunwale,
Islington and Isle of Wight,
Housewife, verdict and indict.
Finally, which rhymes with enough,
Though, through, plough, or dough, or cough?
Hiccough has the sound of cup.
My advice is to give up.

Cream of Leek Soup

2012-01-10T21:03:00.002-06:00

Cream of Leek Soup

4-6 medium leeks
6 T. butter
3 T. flour
2 t. chopped chives
6 c. milk, light or heavy cream ( I use heavy, of course)
6 cubes or t. chicken boullion

Thinly slice leeks, discarding top green portions. In medium saucepan, cook links in butter 8-10 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Whisk in flour, then add remaining ingredients. Cook over medium heat until boiling. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring until slightly thickened.

This recipe is not original to me, but was passed on from my sister, Sherre. I have made it several times and it is perfect.

Red Curry for a Crowd

2012-01-10T19:58:00.001-06:00

I made this for a recent family gathering and served it as a soup, but it could just as easily be served over basmati for a main course. Since I was preparing for 30, I have reduced all the ingredients by half, assuming that it will turn out the same for 15 servings.

Red Curry Soup

4 lbs. pork roast, coated in a rub of:

2 T. chili powder

6 T. garlic powder

2 T. ginger powder

4 t. coriander

4 t. cumin

3 t. turmeric

2 t. cardamom

1 t. salt

Large pinch of clove

Large pinch of cinnamon

(These are the same spices you would use in preparing Tikka.)

Coat all sides of the pork roast, then cover and bake at 200 degrees overnight or for 6 hours. While still warm, shred. Add to soup recipe below.

OR...to simplify, use leftover chicken, beef or pork. The primary seasoning comes from the soup itself, and the dish will still be excellent without the specially prepared pork.

1/2 c. butter, melt

1/4 c. flour, whisk into butter, then add:

2 jars Thai Kitchen red curry paste (yes, 2 whole jars!)

3 cans Coconut Milk (full fat)

4 heaping T. vegetable base

3-6 T. sliced fresh ginger

1 T. fish sauce

1/2 - 3/4 c. Splenda

1 pint heavy cream

2 leeks, thinly sliced

1 large red pepper, diced

5 oz. (1-1 1/2 c) portabellas, sliced

A couple dashes of each:

Cumin

Cardamom

Coriander

Turmeric

Simmer on low for about 30 minutes or so until flavors have had a chance to blend. This is just as good, if not better on days 2 and 3!

Faces on a Sunday Morning

2012-01-10T17:07:00.000-06:00

III.

Behind shyly-averted glances

From her pale, cherubic face,

Lurks a stifled exuberance

Which soon demands release.

33 Wine Bar

2012-01-08T21:32:00.000-06:00

33 Wine Shop & Tasting Bar is an intentionally obscure hole in the wall just a couple doors down from the more ostentatious Chocolate Bar in the historic Lafayette neighborhood. It lacks any street side identifying marks because the owner intends to build his business solely by word-of-mouth reputation.

Upon entry, you will be met by a minimalist setting and the smell of old, wet wood, reminiscent of an ancient wine cellar. For a place designed to cater to wine lovers, that's a good place to start.

The wine list is very extensive - 20 pages - so unless you know infinitely more about wine than I do, you'll probably want a recommendation from the helpful sommelier.

Don't show up expecting to have a meal because 33 is all about the wine. They do offer a meat and cheese tray that is exceptionally good, but that's all you'll find in the way of food.

Go with a group of 8-10 and explore some new wines! You won't be sorry.

We Three Kings

2012-01-06T10:09:00.001-06:00

"Nations will come to Your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising." Isaiah 60

Today is Epiphany - a fancy word meaning revelation or manifestation. WE celebrate this festival because the Light of the World has shined on us and made known to us The Savior, not only of Israel, but of all the Gentile lands. That's you and me, people! WE are the Gentiles to whom He revealed Himself.

The story of the magi has been the subject of carols and even nifty little pop songs, but it carries a great (though often neglected) significance in the whole story arc of redemption. Yes, these men of renown bring tribute and pay personal obeisance to this new King, but in doing so, they submit themselves and all their kingdoms to the rule of the New and Eternal King. Then they return to their homelands, shining the light of the Good News: The Savior of the nations has come!

T.S. Eliot, in his poem, The Journey of the Magi, captures one powerful aspect of this story. These men leave the Christ Child knowing that nothing will ever be the same again. The meaning of earthly kingship has changed...forever. It is suddenly clear that all the national, tribal, household, and personal gods that have been clung to are irrelevant...powerless. These realizations are simultaneously comforting and unsettling. THE Divine-Human King has been born and nothing can ever be the same again.

It's good for us on this day, to reflect on the ways our own lives have been directly impacted by the light these magi carried back to their native lands. We should rejoice and give thanks on this day for the manifestation of Our Savior to the Gentiles...to US.

The Journey of the Magi

by T.S. Eliot

A cold coming we had of it,

Just the worst time of the year

For a journey, and such a long journey:

The ways deep and the weather sharp,

The very dead of winter.

And the camels galled, sore-footed, refractory,

Lying down in the melting snow.

There are times when we regretted

The summer palaces on slopes, the terraces,

And the silken girls bringing sherbet.

Then the camel men cursing and grumbling

And running away, and wanting their liquor and women,

And the night-fires going out, and the lack of shelters,

And the cities dirty and the towns unfriendly

And the villages dirty and charging high prices:

A hard time we had of it.

At the end we preferred to travel all night,

Sleeping in snatches,

With the voices singing in our ears, saying

That this was all folly.

Then at dawn we came down to a temperate valley,

Wet, below the snow line, smelling of vegetation;

With a running stream and a water mill beating the darkness,

And three trees on the low sky,

And an old white horse galloped away in the meadow.

Then we came to a tavern with vine-leaves over the lintel,

Six hands at an open door dicing for pieces of silver,

And feet kicking the empty wineskins.

But there was no information, and so we continued

And arrived at evening, not a moment too soon

Finding the place; it was (you may say) satisfactory.

All this was a long time ago, I remember,

And I would do it again, but set down

This, set down

This: were we led all that way for

Birth or Death? There was a Birth, certainly,

We had evidence and no doubt. I had seen birth and death,

But had thought they were different; this Birth was

Hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death.

We returned to our places, these Kingdoms,

But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation,

With an alien people clutching their gods.

I should be glad of another death.

A New Convert

2012-01-02T23:04:00.006-06:00

Wow.

I am sold. 100% taken. Past the point of no return.

Few things in my lifetime have transformed me into an enthralled, giddy little school girl, but that is exactly what has just happened to me.

Oh. My. Gosh. That's the phrase that keeps playing over and over in my head.

For years I've listened with skepticism as Mac devotees praised its virtues. I always figured the use of terms like "user-friendly" and "intuitive" were probably nothing more than the parroting of a sales pitch these folks had swallowed. I mean...seriously. A computer is a computer is a computer, right? One might be faster or a tad snazzier, but...c'mon...they're basically all the same.

I. WAS. WRONG. (do you have any idea how hard it is for me to say that??!)

I acquired my first iMac 2 days ago, and if I can help it, I will never touch another PC. I am a new believer in all things Apple.

Now...some of the upgraded technology I am loving is not unique to Apple...like the wireless keyboard and mouse...WiFi. Yes, we have been hopelessly behind on taking advantage of the latest and greatest advances. But NO TOWER?! I love how streamlined and beautiful this whole thing is. One power cord and that's it. Clean lines. Unobtrusive. I DO realize there's more to it than aesthetics, but that represents one part of my newfound joy. And the graphics? Phenomenal. The color and clarity are astonishing to me.

Then there's this OSX Lion thing. Holy toledo. Flawless. Seamless. Incredibly easy to use, move, organize, share, transfer, etc. User-friendly? I concede. This system is less cumbersome and more streamlined. It all flows and makes sense. I know what to do without even knowing. I guess I would describe it as...intuitive...yeah...that's the word. Yes, I too have drunk the Kool-Aid.

And all I can say is "Please, Sir, may I have some more?"

Annunciation - Donne

2011-12-30T07:59:00.006-06:00

Annunciation

by John Donne

Salvation to all that will is nigh;

That All, which always is all everywhere,

Which cannot sin, and yet all sins must bear,

Which cannot die, yet cannot choose but die.

Lo, faithful virgin, yields Himself to lie

In prison in thy womb, and though He there

Can take no sin, nor thou give, yet He will wear,

Taken from thence, flesh, which death's force may try.

Ere by the spheres time was created, thou

Wast in His mind, who is thy Son and brother,

Whom thou concievst, conceived; yea, thou art now

Thy Maker's maker, and thy Father's mother;

Thou hast light in dark, and shutst in little room

Immensity cloistered in thy dear womb.

Musical Monday: It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

2011-12-26T21:31:00.001-06:00

I never paid much attention to this hymn until last year, but it has since become a favorite. Many of the public domain recordings include only 3 of the 5 verses, but Sinatra's includes the same 4 that our hymnal does, so I've linked to his familiar version:

It came upon the midnight clear,

That glorious song of old,

From angels bending near the earth,

To touch their harps of gold;

“Peace on the earth, good will to men,

From Heaven’s all gracious King.”

The world in solemn stillness lay,

To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come

With peaceful wings unfurled,

And still their heavenly music floats

O’er all the weary world;

Above its sad and lowly plains,

They bend on hovering wing,

And ever over its Babel sounds

The blessèd angels sing.

Yet with the woes of sin and strife

The world has suffered long;

Beneath the angel strain have rolled

Two thousand years of wrong;

And man, at war with man, hears not

The love-song which they bring;

O hush the noise, ye men of strife

And hear the angels sing.

And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,

Whose forms are bending low,

Who toil along the climbing way

With painful steps and slow,

Look now! for glad and golden hours

Come swiftly on the wing.

O rest beside the weary road,

And hear the angels sing!

For lo! the days are hastening on,

By prophet-bards foretold,

When with the ever circling years

Comes round the age of gold;

When peace shall over all the earth

Its ancient splendors fling,

And the whole world send back the song

Which now the angels sing.

To Those Who Wait

2011-12-26T16:07:00.001-06:00

I do believe this little fella could be the most long-awaited gift in the history of civilization. A slight exaggeration? Perhaps. But long-awaited and highly-anticipated nonetheless. I have coveted this thing for about 8 years now...ever since I used first used one and realized how superior a product it is.

This little beauty belongs to me now and is EVEN BETTER than I expected...the V-8 Hemi of vacuums. Yeah...we're talkin' serious power...practically self-propelled. And it has a BAG for the dirt. Yep. No more nasty, messy, modern dust cups to empty. Just a good old fashioned BAG.

Good things DO come to those who wait. (Well, at least good things that can be purchased with money...)

Disclaimer: this post is not intended in any way to disparage Steve. I always talked myself out of getting the vacuum b/c it is hard for me to spend lump sums of money...it's MY fault I never had it before now.

Subconsciously Brilliant

2011-12-26T14:17:00.000-06:00

Why is it that my most brilliant and profound thoughts come to me in those ethereal moments when I'm hovering halfway between reality and dreamland? It's unfortunate, really. Complex problems, thoughts, philosophies, relationships, and ideas which have occupied and baffled my waking mind, come sharply into view, presenting workable solutions, fresh arguments, clear pathways...and stunning blog posts, I might add. Yet somehow, all that brilliance, profundity and clarity evaporate upon the assumption of full consciousness, leaving behind only the memory of brilliance and the exhilaration of the experience. The substance? Gone forever. Sigh...

Cap'n Geech's Shrimp Shack Shooters

2011-12-26T12:44:00.000-06:00

This is a first for me. I am publishing under the exclusive and reputable "SnootyCook.com" label, a recipe which I have never made myself! BUT...I have had it prepared for me 2-3 times now and these little guys are simply divine. Through Jack and Tracy Boeve, I give you:

Shrimp Shooters

In large bowl, whisk together:

1/2 quart Clamato juice

1/2 c. lime juice

1 T. oregano, chopped

1 T. parsley, chopped

1/4 c. anaheim chiles, roasted and pureed

1 c. ketchup

Combine with above mixture:

1/2 c. green olives, chopped

1 c. tomatoes, diced

1/2 yellow onion, diced

1 T. minced garlic

1/2 c. cilantro, chopped

2 c. avocado, peeled and diced

1 lb. cooked, deveined, de-tailed shrimp

Divide into 50-60 disposable "shot glasses" and chill before serving.

A Christmas Baby

2011-12-25T23:59:00.002-06:00

68 years ago, a little girl was born on Christmas morning...the sole present for her 4 unappreciative, and perhaps slightly resentful, older brothers. Throughout the decades, Little Martha continued to share her special day, not only with her own mother who was also born on December 25th, but also, of course, with the celebration of her Savior's birth.

This year, Little Martha finally had her turn. It was simple and short, but nevertheless, it was HER celebration. Little Martha (in case you don't already know) is my Momma. Our extended family had decided not to get together for Christmas until December 29th this year, so Daddy secretly invited us all to come by to honor Mother and have birthday cake ON HER BIRTHDAY. All about her...no Christmas celebration with them that day...just my Momma's birthday.

It was wonderful. She was entirely surprised and thrilled that all of us showed up, and shocked that Papa had pulled it off without the least suspicion on her part! Daddy had bought a beautiful birthday cake for her and we celebrated together for about an hour.

My Momma is one very special lady. Her life has been complicated, to say the least, but she has received and rested in the grace of Christ to carry her through all kinds of joys and testings. She is my dearest friend who, in spite of knowing me thoroughly, has listened to me, understood me, suffered long with me, and showered me with grace and love.

I love you, Momma. Happy Birthday.

Those Winter Sundays

2011-12-14T06:00:00.002-06:00

Those Winter Sundays

by Robert Hayden

Sundays too my father got up early

and put his clothes on in the blueblack cold,

then with cracked hands that ached

from labor in the weekday weather, made

banked fires blaze. No one ever thanked him.

I'd wake and hear the cold splintering, breaking.

When the rooms were warm, he'd call,

and slowly I would rise and dress,

fearing the chronic angers of that house,

Speaking indifferently to him

who'd driven out the cold

and polished my good shoes as well.

What did I know, what did I know of

love's austere and lonely offices?

A Blessing or a Curse?

2011-12-13T06:00:00.001-06:00

About 12 days ago, a little sprite (whether angelic or demonic is yet to be determined) delivered into my hands 6 heavily-laden garbage bags. A gift! Yes. A gift. A gift comprised of........oh........I'd say about..... TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND pieces of fabric!!!

I had to make a choice. 1) Promptly remove said bags to my sewing room where they would be out of my way...and would likely remain unopened and unexplored for 5-6 years. 2) Promptly carry said bags to my car and deliver them to someone else's doorstep to be dealt with by THEM. 3) Promptly dump contents of said bags onto my living room floor to sort through immediately.

Because it is Christmas time, and wrestling season, I have nothing at all to do, so I wisely chose..........you guessed it! OPTION #3!! Which is why, 12 days later, my house still looks like THIS:

We have no Christmas tree. No Christmas lights. No Christmas presents. No figgy pudding. But all is not lost! Afterall, WE HAVE FABRIC!! I must be at least halfway through sorting, organizing and eliminating fabrics I'll never use. I have cut hundreds of quilt squares for future use. And, I might add, I have completed my first...and perhaps last...project from this lovely assortment of scraps. Here it is:

Why is it when I get a hankerin' to sew, I make PINK things? I'm not exactly a girly girl. Ah, another of life's great mysteries: tough girl likes pink. Hmmm.

You'll excuse me now while I go wade through the remaining 11,000 pieces of fabric? See you when I come up for air in a two weeks...just in time to throw up a tree and celebrate Christmas!

Musical Monday: Forest Mountain Hymnal

2011-12-12T16:50:00.001-06:00

Thanks to Alicia Donathan for introducing me to this duo: Forest Mountain Hymnal

Check out their website and discography here. The credits from their recent Christmas release read as follows:

Jonathan Alan Moody: vocals, guitar, banjo, charango, autoharp, glockenspiel, recorders, clarinet, jingle bells, clapping, snapping

Rebecca Rose Moody: vocals, autoharp, clapping, snapping

So, yeah...he's slightly talented. ENJOY!

Welcome Back, Me

2011-12-12T08:03:00.002-06:00

In my absence, I feel certain that many of you have been waiting breathlessly at my virtual doorstep, clamoring for that next riveting commentary on my daily routines or demented musings. As I said, I feel certain of it...and whether or not that certainty is grounded in reality is entirely irrelevant and I'll thank you not to mess with my version of reality.

My days have been filled with busyness and frantic running to and fro. Hopefully the causes have been worthy and have resulted in an experience of joy, companionship or beauty for others. I am still running...but if I don't take a few moments and declutter my mind by dumping some of it's thoughts onto paper, you just might find yourself observing a colossal mental and emotional breakdown. And trust me, that is not a pretty sight.

Writing is essential to my nature, as is attempting to make people laugh. Both of these energize me. The really great thing about the blog is that I don't have to actually make you laugh or hear you say, "Yes, yes. That is helpful and profound, Lori." I only have to imagine those things happening, and wah-lah! Instant energy. And trust me, I have a very active imagination.

So now that I am energized, I gotta run deliver 60 bags of cookies to the St. Trinity Food Pantry in South City.

I haven't said a thing, and I feel better already. Am I easy or what?! Catch ya later, Y'all.

Wordsmith Wednesday

2011-11-30T15:00:00.002-06:00

Latin Root: lux, lucis = light

Derivatives: lucerne, lucid, lucidity, elucidate, lucent, translucent, translucence, lucite, lucifigous, lucifigal, lucida, Lucifer, Lucius, Lucy, Lucia

*NOTE: The following words are NOT derived from this Latin root:

luxury, luxurious, luxuriant, deluxe (all from the Latin, luxuriare, to have in excess)

lucre, lucrative (from Latin, lucrum, to gain or profit)

hallucinate, hallucination, hallucinogen (from Latin, hallucinatus, to wander or ramble)

reluctant, reluctance, ineluctable (from Latin, luctari, to struggle)

Greek Root: phos, photos = light

Derivatives: photograph, photographer, photography, aphotic, photocopy, photophobia, phototropism, photosynthesis, photon, photogenic, photokinesis, phosphorous, phosphorescence, phosphate

Grati-Tuesday

2011-11-29T12:07:00.001-06:00

I give thanks today for my grand nephew, Julian Paul Camp. His sense of humor, his artistic ability, his imagination, his unique perspective, his loving spirit...all bring much joy into our family. We are blessed to have him in our lives.

Musical Monday: Nick Lowe

2011-11-28T23:43:00.000-06:00

I was introduced to Nick Lowe through Terri Gross on NPR's Fresh Air this last week. He's one of those gruff old poets that I inevitably fall in love with. Here are two songs from his new release, "The Old Magic."

Garrison Keillor on Christmas

2011-11-25T07:15:00.001-06:00

A rather witty and bitingly sarcastic article from the creator of Prairie Home Companion:

Nonbelievers, please leave Christmas alone

December 16, 2009|By Garrison Keillor

I've just come from Cambridge, that beehive of brilliance, where nerds don't feel self-conscious: There's always someone nerdier nearby. If you are the World's Leading Authority on the mating habits of the jabberwock beetle of the Lesser Jujube Archipelago, you can take comfort in knowing that the pinch-faced drone next to you at Starbucks may be the W.L.A. on 17th-century Huguenot hymnody or a niche of quantum physics that is understood by nobody but himself.

People in Cambridge learn to be wary of brilliance, having seen geniuses in the throes of deep thought step into potholes and disappear. Such as the brilliant economist Lawrence Summers, whose presidency brought Harvard to the verge of disaster. He, against the advice of his lessers, invested Harvard's operating funds in the stock market and lost the bet. In the cold light of day, this was dumber than dirt, like putting the kids' lunch money on Valiant's Fancy to win in the 5th. And now the genius is in the White House, two short flights of stairs above the Oval Office. This does not make Cantabrigians feel better about our nation's economic future.

You can blame Ralph Waldo Emerson for the brazen foolishness of the elite. He preached here at the First Church of Cambridge, a Unitarian outfit (where I discovered that "Silent Night" has been cleverly rewritten to make it more about silence and night and not so much about God), and Emerson tossed off little bon mots that have been leading people astray ever since. "To be great is to be misunderstood," for example. This tiny gem of self-pity has given license to a million arrogant and unlovable people to imagine that their unpopularity somehow was proof of their greatness.

And all his hoo-ha about listening to the voice within and don't follow the path, make your own path and leave a trail and so forth, encouraged people who might've been excellent janitors to become bold and innovative economists who run a wealthy university into the ditch.

Unitarians listen to the Inner Voice and so they have no creed that they all stand up and recite in unison, and that's their perfect right, but it is wrong, wrong, wrong to rewrite "Silent Night." If you don't believe Jesus was God, OK, go write your own damn "Silent Night" and leave ours alone. This is spiritual piracy and cultural elitism, and we Christians have stood for it long enough. And all those lousy holiday songs by Jewish guys that trash up the malls every year, Rudolph and the chestnuts and the rest of that dreck. Did one of our guys write "Grab your loafers, come along if you wanna, and we'll blow that shofar for Rosh Hashanah"? No, we didn't.

Christmas is a Christian holiday - if you're not in the club, then buzz off. Celebrate Yule instead or dance around in druid robes for the solstice. Go light a big log, go wassailing and fa-la-la-ing until you fall down, eat figgy pudding until you puke, but don't mess with the Messiah.

Christmas does not need any improvements. It is a common, ordinary experience that resists brilliant innovation. Just make some gingerbread persons and light three candles and sing softly in dim light about the poor man gathering winter fu-u-el and the radiant beams and the holly and the ivy, and you've got it. Too many people work too hard to make Christmas perfect, find the perfect gifts, get a turkey that reaches 100 percent of potential. Perfection is a goal of brilliant people, and it is unnecessary where Christmas is concerned.

The most wonderful Christmas of my life was 1997, a quiet day with no gifts and no tree, waiting in a New York apartment for my daughter to be born. And the second most wonderful was one in the Norwegian Arctic, where it rained every day and the sun came up around 11 and set around 1, not that you ever actually saw the sun, and the food was abominable, boiled cod and watery potatoes, and the people were cold and resentful, and there was no brilliance whatsoever. And I had the flu. Why was I there? Good question. But every year it gladdens my heart to know that I will not be going to

Norway

for Christmas. A terrific investment. Mr. Summers should be so smart. For one week of misery, I get an annual joyfulness dividend of at least 25 percent. Merry Christmas, my dears.

A Litany of Thanks

2011-11-24T05:45:00.002-06:00

Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts so freely bestowed upon us.

For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea...

For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women, revealing the Image of Christ...

For our daily food and drink, our homes and families, our friends...

For minds to think, hearts to love, and hands to serve...

For the health and strength to work, and leisure to rest and play...

For the brave and courageous who are patient in suffering and faithful in adversity...

For all valiant seekers of truth, liberty and justice...

For the communion of saints, in all times and places...

We thank you, Lord.

Above all, we give you thanks for the great mercies and promises given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be praise and glory with you, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

(From the Anglican/Episcopal Book of Common Prayer)

Keeping Up

2011-11-23T09:48:00.003-06:00

Having trouble keeping up with the over-achieving Joneses? Then why not humbly resign yourself to and humorously acknowledge their superiority!

Grati-Tuesday

2011-11-22T23:46:00.000-06:00

I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of The Lord. The Lord has chastened and corrected me, but he has not given me over to death.

I will thank you, Lord, for you have heard me and have become my salvation.

(From Psalm 118, Coverdale Translation)

Musical Monday: Vocal Point

2011-11-21T23:40:00.001-06:00

This all-male group from Brigham Young was eliminated from The Sing-Off competition a couple weeks ago, but they were one of my favorites. Give a listen: (remember, every sound you hear is produced by a human voice...)

A Walk in the Burbs

2011-11-18T17:32:00.003-06:00

It never ceases to amaze me that something as routine as a daily ramble in the neighborhood can consistently provide adventure and amusement...with a tad of humiliation thrown in for good measure.

No. I didn't fall again. Though I'm not sure I would admit it at this point, if I did. I refuse to document more than one klutzy moment per calendar year.

Today's amusements included getting unexpectedly barked at from the window a passing pickup...I was deep in thought (of course) and nearly jumped out of my skin! I know at least a half dozen drivers saw me. But hey...what am I good for if not to entertain the masses?

Then there's this house dominated by a raging-maniac of a chiuaua who, from inside the safety of his home, barked like mad while repeatedly going airborne at least 4 feet! Holy toledo! That dog is nuts!! I couldn't help but stop and watch to see if he could keep it up. He could...and did...until I resumed my walk and disappeared from his sight.

THEN...yeah then...I'm running (well, it was more like hauling, really) my behind up a hill (OK...it was more of a slight incline...but still! Can I just tell my story, please, without worrying about accuracy?!), panting, heaving, working harder than any human being should have to, when suddenly, some cute, young, skinny thing very nonchalantly and effortlessly passes me by. Hmph. "I was young once too," I mutter under my breath...but only because I didn't have enough breath to release any real sound!

May I suggest that if your daily life lacks luster, perhaps you too should consider a daily stroll? You just might find (or provide...) that dose of happy that we all need.

Happy Walking, y'all.

Beauty at Both Ends of the Day

2011-11-18T17:31:00.000-06:00

Today's sunrise: (which Blogger insists on rotating!)

Today's sunset:

Apparently, St. Louis has gone and fancied herself some paradise-resort.

Wordsmith Wednesday

2011-11-16T11:01:00.003-06:00

This two-letter word in English has more meanings than any other two-letter word: that word is UP.

It is listed in the dictionary as an [adv], [prep], [adj], [n] or [v].

It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky...

or at the top of the list...

but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP?

At a meeting, why does a topic come UP?

Why do we speak UP?

Why are officers UP for election?

And why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report?

We call UP our friends,

brighten UP a room,

polish UP the silver,

warm UP the leftovers,

clean UP the kitchen,

lock UP the house and

fix UP the old car.

At other times this little word has real special meaning:

People stir UP trouble,

line UP for tickets,

work UP an appetite,

and think UP excuses.

To be dressed is one thing...
but to be dressed UP is special.

How messed UP is this?

A drain must be opened UP

because it is stopped UP.

We open UP a store in the morning

but we close it UP at night.

We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP!

To be knowledgeable about its proper uses, look UP the word in the dictionary. In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4 of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions.

If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used.

It will take UP a lot of your time,

but if you don't give UP, you may

wind UP with a hundred or more.

When it threatens to rain, we say it is

clouding UP.

When the sun comes out, we say it is
clearing UP.

When it rains, the earth soaks it UP.
When it does not rain for awhile, things dry UP.

I could go on & on, but I'll wrap it UP, for now ........my time is UP!

Don't screw UP. Share this with everyone you're hooked UP with in cyberspace..or not...it's UP to you.

Thanks for putting UP with me. Now I'll shut UP!

NOTE: Material not original. Source unknown

Grati-Tuesday

2011-11-15T06:00:00.001-06:00

I give thanks to God today for my oldest son, Grant, who graced us with his presence 18 years ago.

I had no idea where this path of motherhood would take me. I knew I wanted to walk that path more than anything, but I could not have imagined the joys and sorrows it would bring, nor the ways in which this Little One's existence would expose and change me. I thought it was my job to form and shape HIM, not the other way around! I didn't realize just how little I knew about life and the human spirit...

I thank God for this child - yes, Son, you're still a child - for his sense of humor, his forgiving spirit, his strong mind, his repentant heart, his leadership, his compassionate attitude, his service to those in need, his wise choice of friends (at least as far as I know! :-)...

I don't wish to imply that he's perfect...of course, he's not. But that's another thing I appreciate about him. He is mature enough to recognize, admit and talk openly about his shortcomings, weaknesses, and sins, both past and present. That is a huge blessing!!

I must also return thanks to God for His faithfulness to my son, manifested by a recent fireside conversation in which Grant assured me of his absolute trust in Jesus Christ, and his desire to frame his life accordingly. What more could a mother ask for?

Thank you, Lord, for the birth and life of Grant Ford Shaffer.

Musical Monday: Owl City

2011-11-14T11:13:00.000-06:00

I avoid listening to highly-synthesized music. I don't like it.

I generally look down my nose on musicians whose songs are indistinguishable from one another because they repeat the same chord progressions, intervals, and vocal inflections over and over and over again.

I roll my eyes at cheesy, sappy, and non-sensical lyrics.

Yet somehow, even with all these snobberies in place, I have grown fond of Owl City, whose music is the very embodiment of all those elements I despise.

I don't - and probably couldn't - live on a steady diet of his music, but I actually do enjoy listening to him. Perhaps it's the joyful quality of his sound...or the innocence of his lyrics...I don't know. Here's one of my favorites:

Grati-Tuesday

2011-11-08T06:00:00.002-06:00

Perhaps I repeat myself, but that's OK, right?

I return thanks to God for faithful women friends. In particular, I am thankful for 8 special gal pals with whom I have taken an annual trek for 14 years now. Each of our lives has changed dramatically through this passage of time. We have experienced a variety of joys and triumphs, failures and heartaches, and we have rejoiced and mourned together in ways that have created inseparable bonds.

Don't imagine that we are unusual or that we have sailed smoothly along in flawless relationship for all these years. The truth is, we have stepped on each other's toes...hurt each other's feelings...been insensitive to one another...dismissed significant events or emotions that we didn't understand...spoken harsh words that we regret. We are all so very different - a rather varied, and sometimes motley, crew to be sure. But, we have served one another...cried on each other's shoulders...laughed ourselves silly...repented, apologized, loved and prayed together...and, most importantly, we have FED each other!!

Seriously. Though we have diverse personalities, interests and opinions, one of our great bonding rituals is to cook for each other on our trips. Besides our love for Christ, good food and wine are a common bond, and we delight in the joy we know we've shared when our careful selection, investment, and preparation elicit genuine appreciation - best expressed in "Mmmmms," "Ooohs," and "Ahhhs" - around the table.

I need these women in my life and am thankful that God placed them here long ago to shape, encourage, help, rebuke and love me.

Thanks be to God for faithful Christian friendships

Musical Monday: Stacey Kent

2011-11-07T00:01:00.001-06:00

More of The Civil Wars

2011-11-03T01:04:00.001-05:00

How Do I Love Thee?

2011-11-03T00:50:00.001-05:00

Elizabeth Barrett Browning's most famous poem (and a favorite of mine, of course) from her Sonnets of The Portuguese:

Sonnet XLIII

by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of everyday's

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with a passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

A Somewhat Inconvenient Truth

2011-11-03T00:01:00.006-05:00

In Ecclesiastes, Solomon teaches us that much of our striving is as useless as trying to "shepherd the wind." Here is a favorite passage from Jeff Meyers' commentary on Ecclesiastes, A Table in the Mist:

In spite of life's vaporous nature, God can be trusted. God and life can be enjoyed despite the fact that life cannot be mastered, leveraged, or even fully comprehended by man. Solomon uses the word hebel as a description of the enigmatic, mysterious, intractable character of life under the sun for man - even for the Christian man! Faith recognizes this and, in the face of it, moves forward to claim and enjoy the life and work and happiness that God apportions as gifts to man.

Realizing this can help you deal with life in a way that honors God. For example, do not be surprised to find yourself in a frustrating situation from which you cannot escape by means of controlling it. Not everything can be fixed! Not everything is a problem to be solved. Some things must be borne, must be suffered and endured. Wisdom does not teach us how to master the world. It does not give us techniques for programming life such that life becomes orderly and predictable.

In fact, trying to gain a wisdom that will give you control may make you worse off. It is precisely the task, the work, the endeavor, the toil of mastering life that is vapor - a chasing after dust devils! Instead of gaining leverage, you will only add to your frustration. Solomon carries out a direct frontal assault on the very idea that humanity is able to leverage creation for his own purposes, to wrestle order out of God's inscrutable ways. Wisdom - real biblical wisdom - is not the art of steering or programming the world according to man's purposes. Wisdom does not advise man to search for order or to attempt to master life. Under the sun, one cannot know, one cannot predict, one cannot trace causal connections. Who knows why things happen? Often, trying to figure it out is simply chasing after the wind as if we can catch and contain it. One can only hope and believe. Rejoice in what God has given you to do and trust in him. This is the perspective of faith.

Wordsmith Wednesday

2011-11-02T23:20:00.002-05:00

assure (v) fr. L ad = to + securus = secure - to make sure of something; to convince; to promise confidently; to make certain; to guarantee

ensure (v) fr. ME en = to make + seur = certain - to make sure or certain; to guarantee; to make safe; to protect

insure (v) fr. ME en = to make + seur = certain - to guarantee against loss

Grati-Tuesday

2011-11-01T16:58:00.003-05:00

Today, I am giving thanks for an elderly lady that has become a regular part of my life, and for the lessons that I am learning from her. As her mental faculties decrease, it has become increasingly obvious to me that she established habits of thinking and living that continue to guide her thoughts and behavior. It is second nature for her to give thanks to God for simple things in life...things we normally take for granted.

It might be as simple as thanking him, aloud, that she has not always struggled with pain as she does now. Or thanking him for the joy she finds in a story from childhood...or for a husband who is good to her...or for a father who read to her. Because her ability to reason is decreased, it is incredibly clear that these thoughts and words come from a pattern she set long ago...a pattern of giving thanks daily for the simple gifts in life. I am often rebuked by her attitude and reminded how important it is for me to form those habits of mind and heart now.

I thank God for the older saints he places in our path to teach us wisdom.

Musical Monday: The Civil Wars

2011-10-31T12:58:00.001-05:00

In honor of their upcoming trip to St. Louis, here are a couple numbers from southern boy, John Paul White, and his singer-songwriter sidekick, California native, Joy Williams. Read more about their story here. And then...listen to, watch, and buy everything you can get your hands on.

Here's an original composition:

Here's a cover tune:

Here's a rather morbid twist on an old classic:

The Triple Fool

2011-10-27T08:37:00.000-05:00

The Triple Fool

by John Donne

I am two fools, I know,
For loving, and for saying so
In whining poetry;
But where's that wise man, that would not be I,
If she would not deny?
Then as th' earth's inward narrow crooked lanes
Do purge sea-water's fretful salt away,
I thought, if I could draw my pains
Through rhyme's vexation, I should them allay.
Grief brought to numbers cannot be so fierce,
For he tames it, that fetters it in verse.

But when I have done so,
Some man, his art and voice to show,
Doth set and sing my pain,
And by delighting many, frees again
Grief, which verse did restrain.
To love and grief tribute of verse belongs,
But not of such as pleases when 'tis read;
Both are increased by such songs;
For both their triumphs so are published,
And I, which was two fools, do so grow three;
Who are a little wise, the best fools be.

Name That Flower

2011-10-25T06:11:00.001-05:00

Musical Monday: Soggy Bottom Boys

2011-10-24T07:14:00.001-05:00

From one of the great soundtracks of all time: O, Brother Where Art Thou

Donne's Holy Sonnet IV

2011-10-22T21:56:00.001-05:00

Holy Sonnet IV

by John Donne

Oh my black soul! now thou art summoned
By sickness, death's herald and champion;
Thou art like a pilgrim, which abroad hath done
Treason, and durst not turn to whence he is fled,
Or like a thief, which till death's doom be read,
Wisheth himself delivered from prison;
But damn'd and hal'd to execution,
Wisheth that still he might be imprisoned.
Yet grace, if thou repent, thou canst not lack;
But who shall give thee that grace to begin?
Oh make thyself with holy mourning black,
And red with blushing, as thou art with sin;
Or wash thee in Christ's blood, which hath this might -
That being red, it dyes red souls to white.

Name That Flower

2011-10-20T17:00:00.001-05:00

Wordsmith Wednesday

2011-10-19T14:59:00.004-05:00

Root:

premo, premere, pressi, pressum (v) L. - to push; to crush; to overpower

Derivatives:

press - to act on with steady force or weight

pressure - the application of a steady force or weight (-ize)

compress - to push together (-er, -ion)

depress - to push down (-er, -ible, -ion, -ive, -or)

impress - to press into, leaving a mark (-ion, -ionistic, -ionable, -ive)

oppress - to press heavily upon; to burden (-ion, -ible, -ive, -iveness, -or)

repress - to push back; restrain (-ible, -ibility, -ion, -ive, -or) (ir-)

suppress - to push down by force; to hold down (-er, -ible, - ion, - ive, - or)

Not Done With Donne

2011-10-19T06:09:00.001-05:00

I know I am supposed to be focusing on a variety of poets this year - and I've done some of that (Kenyon, Teasdale, Millay...is that it??) - but I simply can not stay away from Donne. Every time I read him, it's as if I am reading with new eyes and I discover another gem...or two...or three...which I had read before, but hadn't really heard. I can only hope that at least one of you falls in love with and is profoundly moved by his work.

Holy Sonnet III

by John Donne

O might those sighs and tears return again

Into my breast and eyes, which I have spent,

That I might in this holy discontent

Mourn with some fruit, as I have mourned in vain;

In mine idolatry what showers of rain

Mine eyes did waste? what griefs my heart did rent?

That sufferance was my sin, now I repent;

'Cause I did suffer I must suffer pain.

Th' hydroptic drunkard, and night-scouting thief,

The itchy lecher, and self-tickling proud

Have the remembrance of past joys for relief

Of coming ills. To poor me is allow'd

No ease; for long yet vehement grief hath been

Th' effect and cause, the punishment and sin.

Coming Out of the Closet

2011-10-18T06:07:00.001-05:00

I believe I can safely say that I have never ever posted a blog about fashion. Not because I don't like fashion, but because I don't know fashion. I am usually a year or two behind on the trends, because it often takes me a while to even become aware of them and then it takes even longer to adjust to the idea. So, about the time a trend has ceased to be a trend and is on its way out, I'm finally buying into it...which makes for great shopping at Goodwill!

I am bucking my own trend here, though, to "write" a fashion post. Sort of.

You see, I like scarves. I've always liked scarves. In fact, I may even LOVE scarves. They provide a wonderfully safe way to incorporate eye-popping color and prints in which I would otherwise not be caught dead. They also present an economical way to spice up a closet full of classic lines and neutral colors. But I have been eternally plagued by a dilemma: I don't know how to wear them! I mean, I DO know 1 or 2 ways but they are the old-fashioned, traditional, "going-to-the-office" looks. So I buy beautiful scarves, but they adorn my closet, not me.

But then last week! Ahhh...last week. T'was a life-changing week indeed...in terms of fashion, that is. My friend, Dana Hui, brought the following video to my attention and wah-lah!

Suddenly I can rock a scarf like nobody's business!

I thank you, Dana, and my poor neglected scarves thank you as they will finally see the light of day! This may well be the most useful YouTube video ever!

Name That Flower

2011-10-17T12:27:00.000-05:00

Musical Monday: Ben Folds

2011-10-17T06:00:00.002-05:00

My eldest son introduced me to Ben Folds about 3 years ago. Grant is pretty good about knowing what music I'll like, and this was one of those cases where he was spot on. So, thanks to him, I grew to appreciate Folds' music, but I knew nothing about the person, Ben Folds, until we began watching The Sing Off last year. He has the most endearing personality...charming, witty, kind, humble. He is an excellent judge too whose evaluations of the performances are honest yet generous...and they're RIGHT (AKA: he agrees with ME!).

So here is one of my favorite songs by him. Enjoy.

Marquee Madness

2011-10-16T07:00:00.001-05:00

What's wrong with this picture?

The Teacher in Me...

2011-10-15T23:56:00.001-05:00

This post could very possibly be motivated by my Inner Perfectionist, but since I'm pretending to work on that, I shall blame my Inner Teacher instead.

You see, one of my friends loves me enough to correct me. In my posts on PERFECTIONISM...which I forbade myself to edit (aaargh...!), I misspelled the word "committment" repeatedly. It's not the first time this week I've had to be corrected for public errors... apparently I have a need to make my mistakes OUT LOUD.

This isn't the first time I've spelled "commitment" incorrectly. The weird thing is...I KNOW the phonics rule that applies! I know that when adding "-ed" or "-ing" to "commit," one must double the final consonant in order to avoid making that final vowel long. Conversely, I know that because "-ment" begins with a consonant, it is entirely unnecessary to double the final consonant, but I do it anyway...almost every time.

So...the Teacher in me decided that this habitual spelling error needed to be corrected once and for all. What does a teacher do when a kid repeatedly spells a word incorrectly? She makes him learn the rule, of course. And when that fails to penetrate his thick-skull, then what? She makes him write it 50 times, right? So...I decided to swallow a little of my own medicine:

Perhaps I won't make this particular mistake again. Or perhaps I'll discover that I am even more thick-headed than I thought. Sigh...

Practically IMPerfect in Every Way

2011-10-14T13:36:00.000-05:00

SO...this MAY be considered cheating.

I am forbidden from editing my previous post because I committed to not doing so and, of course, I must scrupulously keep that committment...by publishing a new post with all the important stuff I left out of the last one!

But I really did neglect a couple of really significant factors in this whole perfectionism thing!

First of all, we easily identify and assign negative motivations, such as pride and insecurity, to our perfectionistic tendencies...and they certainly can be and often are driven by sinful motivations. BUT...we should also remember that to some extent, this pursuit is driven by a desire to obtain that for which we were created: beauty, order, dominion, service, the glorious image of God in Christ. That pursuit is noble and worthy and should not be abandoned. At the same time, though, we have to accept our own and other's limitations, recognizing that we will remain in a state of dissatisfied longing until the final consummation of our redemption.

We must come face-to-face with the limitations of living in a fallen world as finite, frail and flawed creatures. "We are indeed a strange, wonderful, and terrible mixture of dignity and depravity, beauty and brokenness, glory and grief. Imagine a beautiful old palace or castle, built many centuries ago. You wander around the crumbling ruin...you have a sense of its previous glory and the tragedy of its destruction. You can also imagine what it would be like if it were to be completely restored. Accepting that we are glorious ruins, with great dignity and profound depravity, is part of the tension of living in a fallen world. This ambiguity is hard for perfectionists to accept. For them, the dignity and depravity are not woven together, but are in two separate compartments...they find it hard to live in the tension of both at the same time." (Perfecting Ourselves to Death)

Accepting the truth of our mortality as well as our legitimate desire for glory, is crucial and allows us to submit to the tension, trusting God to complete the work he has begun in us and to bring us to maturity.

That's about all I have to say about that. So there.

Practically Perfect in Every Way

2011-10-14T12:35:00.002-05:00

I have known for a good portion of my adult life that I have a slight tendency toward perfectionism (OK...so maybe it's a ridiculously heightened inclination.) I have also known for years that this tendency can cause problems for not only me but everyone around me. However, I have held on fiercely, afraid that letting go meant settling for mediocrity and abandoning the pursuit of excellence...a sacrifice I haven't been willing to make.

The common circumstances of life (marriage and motherhood) have forced me to lighten up considerably. I look back on some of the ways I used to function in life and wonder at my lunacy. Why in the world did I think every drawer and closet and curtain rod and window sill and cabinet and tub had to be spotless and organized before I could have people over for dinner? Seriously. I didn't even recognize this as odd...I even thought it was NORMAL. That's astonishing to me now.

What is the motivation behind this kind of perfectionistic mentality? Well...it's complicated. For me, and I suspect for many others, multiple factors are involved: innate personality, family of origin tendencies, theological committments, etc. Insecurity, pride, a need to feel in control, the love of beauty and order, a sense of duty, the desire to serve others well...both positive and negative factors can propel us toward perfectionism. It's helpful to identify the matters of our own heart in this regard.

It has also helped me to recognize that moving away from perfectionism does NOT require that I abandon the pursuit of excellence. In his book, Perfecting Ourselves to Death, Dr. Richard Winter clarified for me that the primary delineating factor between healthy and unhealthy perfectionism: how do I respond when I or others fail to meet my standard of excellence? If my response is characterized by negative emotions - irritability, frustration, disdain, arrogance, defeatism, etc. - toward myself or others, then my pursuit has become unhealthy. If I can pursue that same standard of excellence, knowing that neither I nor others will always meet up and I can extend grace, understanding, acceptance and love anyway...then my pursuit of excellence is a good thing and will likely increase my productivity and quality of life.

True to my nature, as I read the book, I found myself wanting to perfectly overcome my perfectionism! To find that magical key that would change me forever into a non-perfectionist pursuer of all things excellent...and, of course, would create a reputation for me as a conquerer of this evil! So OBVIOUSLY...I have not yet achieved perfection in my pursuit to abandon perfectionism.

As I set out to adjust my expectations, my mindset, my responses, my motivations, my heart committments, etc., I've sometimes let the pendulum swing toward the other extreme (b/c we perfectionists are all-or-nothing sort of folks), but that overcorrection is sometimes a necessary part of learning to let go. Don't be afraid of it. I'm slowly finding my way back toward the middle...and even toward excellence. I believe I will arrive there as a much more pleasant and tolerable human being who finds a great deal more joy in life than I did before.

The good thing is, I know I'm not the only one riding this train! Hop on and let's enjoy the ride together.

NOTE: as an exercise in non-perfectionist self-discipline, I will not allow myself to edit this post more than once! Any shortcomings in thought, wording, grammar, or spelling, shall remain forever immortalized in all their inglorious imperfection. (Excuse me while I pause a moment for some deep-breathing exercises. There. That's better. No one said this was gonna be easy...did they?!?)

The London Tea Room

2011-10-14T01:08:00.001-05:00

I love St. Louis. For many reasons. Not the least of which are the abundant opportunities to listen to live musical performances free of charge. No tickets, no entry fees, no cover charges. It's astonishing really.

Tonight offered another of those opportunities.

Thanks to my sweet friend and fellow Christian, Mom, and Blogger, Annie, I became personally acquainted with the hammered dulcimer - played by none other than...you guessed it...Dulcimer Dude (Annie's special appellation for him). I also discovered a comfortable little spot where I would love to drink away my days. Drinking TEA, that is.

The London Tea Room occupies an old storefront on Washington Avenue in downtown St. Louis. It's not exactly what you might expect from a place with such a name. You won't see a single doily. Not even a hint of a floral print. No lace. No fine china. And not a lick of pretense. Just high ceilings, brightly colored walls, rustic wood floors, and an urban coffee shop atmosphere.

You'll also find a selection of delectable-looking homemade pastries, a comprehensive and highly entertaining (yes, you heard me...ENTERTAINING) tea menu, and even a few coffee options for those who really must.

Owner and manager, Jackie, is a transplanted Brit whose longing for the familiar tradition of afternoon tea, prompted her to set up shop. Her emptiness has led to a fuller, more complete world for the rest of us, who never knew until now just what we were missing. One taste of the Tanzanian or the Coconut Oolong and you'll wonder at our ancestors for hurling such unequivocal goodness into the harbor.

Visit the website...if the tea selection doesn't convince you, I guarantee their sense of humor will entice you to visit! Patronize this gem of a shop as soon as you're able. While you're there, why not wander next door into English Living - a haven of well-appointed home furnishings, owned by Jackie's folks.

If you need a guide to accompany you...I just might be available!

Marquee Madness

2011-10-13T21:33:00.000-05:00

I don't even know what to say...

Tree of Life 1

2011-10-12T22:22:00.004-05:00

There are two ways through life: the way of nature and the way of grace.

Grace doesn't try to please itself. Accepts being slighted, forgotten, disliked. Accepts insults and injuries.

Nature only wants to please itself. Gets others to please it too. Likes to lord it over them...to have its own way. It finds reasons to be unhappy when all the world is shining around it, and love is smiling through all things.

They taught us that none who loves the way of grace ever comes to a bad end.

I will be true to You. Whatever comes.

Thus begins Terrence Malick's The Tree of Life, in which he artistically - through magnificent images and cinematography - yet very overtly - through the voices of his characters - asks some of life's most difficult questions. Where is God...that One whose majesty, glory, and power are revealed in His creative works? Why doesn't He intervene when tragedy befalls the faithful? Is He there? Does He know? Who are we to Him? Why does He hurt us?

Malick's motives, belief statements, and artistry have been both acclaimed and ridiculed, and a variety of interpretations have been assigned to the film's deeper meaning. It seems to me that the majority of these interpretations have minimized, if not entirely ignored, the film's opening statements, which colored my interpretation of everything that followed, as I suspect they were intended to. The initial screenshot highlights this text from Job 38:

"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

This is crucial to understanding the film. The dichotomy of belief and experience is the thread of continuity throughout. The God who laid the very foundations of this unbelievably magnificent earth appears to stand idly by while the crowns of his creation suffer loss and grief. A sermon from Job holds a prominent place in the movie and creates a crisis of faith - again juxtaposing man's beliefs about God with his finite perspective and experience. One of the central characters, the eldest of three adolescent sons, cries out poignantly to God, "You let a boy die. You let anything happen. Why should I be good if You aren't?"

The movie succeeds in portraying the soul's inner, often unspoken, struggle to reconcile faith and experience. The characters' experiences aren't always negative either. We see astonishing expressions of love and grace...mostly astonishing because Malick makes them stand out as extraordinary even though they come in and through the very ordinary means of daily life. Simple daily interactions have the power to transform lives. For example, in keeping with Proverbs, we see through the contrast of the mother and father's words to their sons that "a soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness therin is a wound to the spirit." This is only one of several allusions to the Tree of Life. More on that in another post...hopefully.

The breathtaking visuals (if you have the patience to endure long sequences of images coupled by a complete absence of traditional plot and character development), and the sparse, yet powerful, words, are joined to a dynamic soundtrack which sheds significant light on each scene's symbolism. (Let me warn you here that the CD titled as the soundtrack, contains a score composed for, but rarely used in, the actual movie. Here is a comprehensive listing of what you actually heard...or will hear.)

I will go so far as to suggest that the scattering of pieces from The Requiem are not only fitting and telling, but may well regulate the overarching structure of the film. At the very least, there is a correlative movement from judgement and pleas for mercy to an everlasting day of light, rest and communion.

I'll leave it at that for now, recognizing that the artistic, poetic, theological, musical, philosophical, familial, as well as other themes remain largely unaddressed. After a single viewing, I am entirely inadequate to effectively address all of those layers! I hope to say more after multiple viewings as well as input from others.

I do encourage you to watch it, and as you do, keep in mind during the creation scene (which has been hailed as a glorious testament to Darwinism) that the lyrics playing in the background are from The Requeim's Lacrimosa:

"Mournful that day when from the ashes shall rise guilty man to be judged. Lord, have mercy on him. Gentle Jesus, grant him eternal rest."

To learn more about the film's content from a decent review that is helpful without being very theological or too philosophical, go here. This will give you an idea of the film's story, which I have completely ignored in this post.

Then...let me know what you think of the film, please! And feel free to completely dismantle my interpretation!

Sunset in Suburbia

2011-10-11T23:57:00.001-05:00

Dust

2011-10-10T12:29:00.001-05:00

Dust

by Sara Teasdale

When I went to look at what had long been hidden,

A jewel laid long ago in a secret place,

I trembled, for I thought to see it's dark deep fire -

But only a pinch of dust blew up in my face.

I almost gave my life long ago for a thing

That has gone to dust now, stinging my eyes—

It is strange how often a heart must be broken

Before the years can make it wise.

Musical Monday: Louis Armstrong

2011-10-10T06:00:00.003-05:00

Images of Fall

2011-10-09T06:42:00.002-05:00

Name That Flower

2011-10-08T15:09:00.000-05:00

The Mind of the Maker

2011-10-06T17:24:00.004-05:00

Dorothy Sayers wrote a book by this post's title, in which she suggests that man's primary means of imaging God is in his creativity. Man is inherently a creative being and is at his best and most joyful when his mind and hand are engaged in creative work.

The world lost two men this week who, whether or not they intended to, beautifully reflected the mind of the Maker in their creative pursuits.

Steve Jobs is a household name and most of us are not only aware of his creative contributions to the world of technology, but have had our daily lives impacted by them. He made the world a better place to live by imagining what could be...by envisioning that which had never before existed, then bringing it into existence for the benefit of others. He may not have done it in submission to God, but that doesn't mean his works and legacy are fruitless. Just as the children of God used the creative works of Cain's descendants (bronze tools, musical instruments) to beautify and glorify the worship of God, we too should delight and rejoice in man's creative works, redeeming them for the sake of the Gospel.

But St. Louis lost another creative genius whose name is not remotely close to being a household name. Bob Cassilly died this week. Have you ever heard of Bob Cassilly? Probably not. But I guarantee, if you live in St. Louis, his work has brought you moments of great delight. You see, he was the mind (and the money) behind The City Museum, an unparalleled haven of creativity!

This place never fails to astonish me on so many levels. First of all, it is a playground for kids of all ages that openly defies the modern tendency to remove every element of risk. One can walk through a pitch black cavern where the ground is uneven and the "danger" of tripping and falling is significant!! Can you believe that?! Somebody might get HURT!

This playground is non-traditional in other ways too. You will find no pre-fab plastic slides here and no formulaic play spaces that dictate exactly how one ought to use them. Everything is constructed from someone else's garbage. The building itself was an abandoned warehouse whose usefulness and beauty had been overlooked. Now, discarded yet important pieces of St. Louis's architectural history have been preserved for posterity. Cases of unused watch bands beautify a column. Scrap metal is twisted into spiral tunnels which tower 2 stories above ground. Broken shards of pottery line the floors in fantastical designs. The entire place, from floor to ceiling offers an indescribable feast for the eyes and the imagination.

I don't know what Mr. Cassilly believed, but I can tell you that his creative works are reflective of God's image. Not only in their originality, but especially in their nature. How much more godlike action is there than to rescue that which has been cast aside, deemed useless and unworthy...mere trash...and transform it into a thing of beauty which brings delight to all who experience its transformation?! Our God delights in creating beauty from ashes...in reclaiming and restoring broken, ugly, abandoned people for himself.

I hope you rejoice and give thanks with me for the lives of these men who, at least in this one aspect, reflected the glory of man as made in the image of God.

When Helping Hurts

2011-10-06T06:09:00.003-05:00

When Helping Hurts is an excellent book, recommended to me by Pastor Chris Smith. Authors Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert each bring practical, philosophical, theological and economic experience to bear on their assessment of poverty - its causes, its perpetuation and its alleviation. They are forthright in their criticism of current models, but they are also helpful, encouraging, and specific in their suggestions for altering our mindset, thus transforming our approach to those living in poverty.

You'll need to read the book to get the full import of their ideas, but here are a couple of issues that stood out to me.

One significant problem in the way we approach the poor is rooted in faulty assumptions about the nature of poverty. We define poverty too narrowly in terms of material deficit, when in reality, it has everything to do with relationship deficits: relationships to self, community, creation and God are all in various states of poverty. These broken relationships sometimes lead to material poverty and in order to be truly effective in our efforts, all 4 relationships must be addressed.

Instead, our most common approach is to offer RELIEF (providing "stuff" or labor), when relief efforts ought to be seldom, immediate and temporary. Relief is appropriate in certain circumstances (i.e. immediately following disasters), but ongoing relief too often keeps the poor trapped in the same broken place in which we found them.

So why do we tend to focus on relief?

1) It's doable. Most of us can take a short-term missions trip to provide temporary assistance, or participate in a food drive, or some other event where we can step briefly into and out of a particular context. Most of us don't have (or don't believe we have) time or the desire to devote to long-term, ongoing involvement in the lives of the needy. We tend to believe that relief is all they want anyway.

2) It's manageable. Relief is something we do TO and FOR the poor, so we are in complete control of what is given and done. We don't want to go getting entangled in the mess of rehabilitation and development, which require us to work intimately WITH the poor to help them create a different future for themselves by restoring relationships with self, community, God, and the rest of creation. This one of the authors' main arguments: the poor must be involved in the decisions and process which help them move to a healthier place in life.

3) It's rewarding. Quite frankly, it makes us feel good about ourselves. Problem is, we often end up with a god-complex while we leave the poor feeling inferior, indebted, and helpless. This is almost certainly unintentional on most of our parts, but it's an unfortunate truth that hurts both parties...the helping and the helped.

One of the things I love most about this book, is the authors' insistence that because God is present and active in all of His creation, including poor communities, we must take the time to see, uncover, display and build upon the work and image of God in every human and community. These people and communities already have strengths which they and we need to recognize, give thanks for, and capitalize on! Those of us who are not materially poor, tend to sweep in with an "I'm going to save you" attitude that assumes we have all the answers and resources, while "they" have all need and deficits. In reality, we are often just as deficient in our relationships as those we seek to serve...we too are broken and needy, and we can actually learn from those we are trying to "help." But only if we have an attitude of humility.

I could go on and on, but you really just need to read the book! These guys lay a strong theological and anthropological foundation, then offer very concrete advice about when and how to do relief, rehabilitation and development among the needy according to their own context. Even if you don't anticipate personal involvement in charitable work, this book will challenge you to think more biblically, with a more God-like attitude toward your fellow man. This will likely influence allocation of your funds, and may transform your political views as well. If you ARE actively involved in charitable ministries that attempt to make a difference among the poor, you will be helped not only by the book, but by ongoing resources offered through The Chalmers Center in Chattanooga.

Thanks, Pastor Smith, for the challenge and for creating and providing ongoing opportunities to put these principles into action.

Wordsmith Wednesday

2011-10-05T22:45:00.001-05:00

Somewhere along the way, I contracted a form of mental illness which fortunately is not called Preoccupied Constrained Malady (PCM)...Tormented Coerced Ailment (TCA)...Haunted Urgency Syndrome (HUS)...or even Beset by Impulse Disease (BID). In the realm of synonyms, I suppose any one of these could have been chosen, yet somehow, the all-knowing "they" chose the best-sounding, most appropriate name of all.

Obsessive - (adj) L. obsidere - ob = on + sedere = sit - haunted or troubled in mind to an abnormal degree

Compulsive - (adj) L. compellere - com = together + pello = to drive or force - controlled by a driving force; dominated by an irresistible impulse to perform some act

Disorder - (n) Fr. desordre - an upset of normal function; irregularity

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder = an irregularity of normal function in which a driving desire takes control of your mind and sits heavily on you until you act upon it, providing relief for the anxiety.

Yep. That's me alright: an abnormal driving desire that weighs me down until I DO something which relieves the anxiety of disarray.

I know what you're thinking. "I bet she's one of those who turns all the soda cans the same direction in the fridge." Well...yeah...but don't judge me too harshly. It's an illness, right, so you shouldn't JUDGE me, you should feel SORRY for me. Or the people who live with me...

Have a great day, all, and straighten something crooked today...see if it doesn't bring you just a tiny bit of delight!

Donne's Holy Sonnet VII

2011-10-03T20:19:00.000-05:00

Today I am giving thanks for two of my life's great joys: exceptional poetry and music. Thanks be to God for gifting men and women in these areas, and for their response to His call to use those gifts to bring joy to others!

At the round earth's imagined corners blow
Your trumpets, angels, and arise, arise
From death, you numberless infinities
Of souls, and to your scattered bodies go ;
All whom the flood did, and fire shall o'erthrow,
All whom war, dearth, age, agues, tyrannies,
Despair, law, chance hath slain, and you, whose eyes
Shall behold God, and never taste death's woe.
But let them sleep, Lord, and me mourn a space ;
For, if above all these my sins abound,
'Tis late to ask abundance of Thy grace,
When we are there. Here on this lowly ground,
Teach me how to repent, for that's as good
As if Thou hadst seal'd my pardon with Thy blood.

Musical Monday: Abbie & Anthony

2011-10-03T06:00:00.002-05:00

Abbie is part of the trio from last week's music post, Red Molly. She and Anthony DaCosta are both talented singer-songwriters who happen to work well together. Learn more about both of them here. They have produced one short but exquisite album together: Better Nights, Better Days.

Musical Monday: Red Molly

2011-09-26T07:17:00.004-05:00

A favorite trio of mine:

Welcome Ruby Mae

2011-09-25T00:09:00.004-05:00

Here a people of godly race are born of heaven;

The Spirit gives them life in the fertile waters.

The Church-Mother in these waves bears her children-

The virginal fruit she conceived by the Holy Spirit.

Hope for the kingdom of heaven, you who are reborn in this spring!

For those who are born but once have no share in the life of blessedness.

Here is to be found the source of life, which washes the whole universe,

Which gushed from the wound of Christ.

Sinner, plunge into the fountain to wash away your sin.

The water receives the old man, and in his place makes the new man rise.

You wish to become innocent? Cleanse yourself in this bath.

Your burden may be Adam’s sin or your own.

There is no difference between those who are reborn;

Let none be afraid of the number or the weight of their sins:

Those who are born of this stream will be made holy.

This poem is attributed to Sixtus III from the 5th century.

Living Vicariously

2011-09-24T23:21:00.001-05:00

Today, 2 very important men in my life, lived out 2 of my fantasies.

At 8AM, my 17-year-old son headed toward the heavens for a hot air balloon ride. I wasn't there to see this, but received a full report and dozens of photos upon his return. This non-risk-taking child of mine loved the experience!

I'm proud of you, Grant, for dragging yourself out the door at 6AM on Saturday and for stepping outside your comfort zone to enjoy a new experience!

At 5PM, my soon-to-be-69-year-old Daddy headed toward the heavens for his first skydive. He had never jumped before, but chose to go solo his very first time!! THAT was a very brave move. He hung suspended more than a mile in the air from the plane's strut. As he let go, his body left its arch position too quickly and he experienced an unplanned flip. Thankfully he remembered all his emergency procedures and recovered nicely to enjoy his leisurely descent. He pulled off a pretty sweet landing too!

See that tiny little foot rest? That's where he stepped out of the plane...he had to reach beyond that black line and hang there until they told him to let go! CRAZY.

Giving us a very calm thumbs-up as though this is commonplace:

Can you make out the tiny black speck just below center left? That is his plane just before he exited.

Here he comes!

Still smiling and ready to do it again!

I'm proud of you, Papa! And I'm proud of you too, Momma, for encouraging him to follow his dreams.

What a beautiful day.

Do You Think I'm Beautiful & Captivating

2011-09-23T07:18:00.009-05:00

Notice the absence of a question mark. This is NOT a poll, so feel free not to treat it as one. Believe it or not, this post isn't even about ME!

I recently spent a week blazing my way through these two books:

Do You Think I'm Beautiful?

Captivating

I read the first by way of recommendation and the second because it addresses similar issues. Captivating has been both widely hailed and wildly criticized, so I decided to read it myself in order to confirm my preconceived bias against it. I have to admit I was somewhat surprised at what I found (stay with me, Momma!)

I went into this expecting to disagree with every word on every page, but found instead that both books contain nuggets of truth.

1) Both present fairly accurate insights into the longings of the feminine heart: to be seen, known, and understood (at our best and worst), yet still be considered beautiful, significant...glorious even...and to be loved. I think they get this right, although I could easily argue that these desires are not distinctly female, but HUMAN. But I'll grant them this as a postive point of truth anyway.

2) Both suggest, and I think rightly so, that our experiences in life and relationships often leave us believing the opposite of what we desire: that we are mostly ugly, insignificant, and unloved. Our response is usually to harden our hearts or withdraw so that we can avoid the pain of being "too much and not enough." And then...we TRY HARDER.

3) This restless striving in all the wrong directions actually thwarts the fulfilling of our desires, and it compounds, rather than fills, our lacking.

4) Only as we come to terms with our standing in Christ and believe (i.e. really TRUST) His unfailing love for us will we find a place of freedom, satisfaction and rest.

If you have read the books, perhaps you find those 4 points rather generous, but I do think both authors communicate these truths and they shouldn't be overlooked. Each challenges us as Christian women to confront our desires honestly; to understand how these desires and our responses to them are marred by original and personal sin, ongoing fallenness, and the curse; to seek first and foremost the redeeming love of God in Christ; and to be at rest. These things are true, right, and beneficial.

However...(you knew that was coming, didn't you?)...it would be negligent of me to ignore the ways in which both women depart significantly from sound, biblical interpretation.

For both Thomas and Eldredge, the path to life and health is found in Jesus Christ...so far, so good. But then they insist that the way this happens is through my relationship with him as Bridegroom. He loves me with an intimate, romantic love. He is smitten with my beauty and wants to dance with me and be my Lover.

I will attempt to stifle all the sarcasm that such sentimental silliness evokes, and I promise not to tell you how many emphatic "NO's!" "UGH's" and "BLECH's!" I wrote in the margins of both books. I won't say anything about THAT. But I will explain why I consider the idea as sheer nonsense.

1) First of all, if Jesus' personal relationship with women is as a Romantic Lover-Husband, then what is his personal relationship with men? Is He a Romantic Lover-Wife to them? Well, that doesn't exactly work since He is a Man. If He is not a wife, is He a Romantic Lover-Husband to them also? That doesn't work either for obvious reasons! As absurd as those questions seem, they flow quite logically from the premise. If we answer both of these questions with "No" then Christ's personal relationship with Christian MEN still remains undefined...except that in some way He relates differently to men than He does to women.

2) A couple of even more shocking questions follow. If Jesus is my personal Lover, Romancer and Husband, then He is also those same things to every other woman who trusts in Him, right? As far as I can tell, that makes Him a polygamist at best and a philanderer at worst. Think about it. Any man who woos more than one woman is an infidel...an unfaithful spouse. This system of thought borders on blasphemy! We know for certain that one of Christ's primary traits is FAITHFULNESS.

3) The fact is, I am not Jesus' personal bride. His Bride is The Church...the collective Body of believers from eternity who look to Him for redemption. He does not husband individuals, He husbands The Body. She is His One Bride. Period. Both the Old and New Covenants make it infinitely clear that His People as a unified whole are His Garden, His Beloved, His Bride.

Don't misunderstand. I am not implying that we have no individual, personal relationship with Christ. We most certainly do!

His strong, unfailing, limitless, eternal love for us as individuals is clearly portrayed in His Word through a plethora of analogies, both personal and impersonal. He is my Shield, my Defender, my Strong Tower, my Rock, my Light,etc. But he is also my Shepherd, Father, Brother, Friend, Protector, Defender, Kinsman Redeemer, etc.

The underlying truth that these two books attempt to convey - that God's love for me in Christ is perfect and eternal - can be very effectively communicated without distorting the concept of the Bridegroom and the Bride.

It is unnecessary to adopt a sentimental, feel-good mentality that says Jesus thinks I am a beautiful and captivating woman whom He wants to romance, in order to know that I am infinitely loved by Him.

Though a mother may forget her nursing child, He will not forget me...I am graven on the palm of His hand.

He fought to the point of death in order to redeem my life from the pit!

He rescued me from dangerous waters because He delighted in me.

If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there His hand shall lead and guide me. I am never forsaken.

He shepherds and restores my soul, leading me by quiet waters.

He preserves me from the Evil One.

He gathers me under the shadow of His wings, as a mother bird gathers her chicks.

These only scratch the surface of biblical truths that demonstrate that He loves me. He is present with me. He is unwaveringly faithful to me.

But He is NOT my personal husband.

In conclusion, let me make it clear that, on one hand, I appreciate the heart that these 2 authors have to help other Christian women. These books are not altogether devoid of truth and value. On the other hand, I fear their counsel may be received trustingly by hurting women who may end up highly-disillusioned if they wholeheartedly swallow the Lover-Romance pill.

As always, we must determine to read books like this carefully, attempting to find that balance between opening our hearts to learn new things, yet not being either gullible or overly negative, skeptical, and judgemental.

May God grant us the grace to move toward one another on these issues and to sharpen one another by challenging all teachings from a standpoint of biblical truth.

Whate'er My God Ordains - A Paraphrase

2011-09-22T14:06:00.001-05:00

Whatever my God ordains is right.

His will is always holy.

I will quiet my spirit

And follow where He leads.

He is my God! Even when my road is dark,

He holds me in His hand

And does not let me fall.

Therefore, I leave everything to Him.

Whatever God allows to happen is good.

He will never deceive me,

But will always lead me in the right path

And will stay by my side.

I will be content with whatever He sends my way

Knowing that He can turn away all my griefs.

So, patiently I wait for Him to act.

Whatever God sends is necessary for me.

Though this cup I'm drinking now

Seems bitter to my fainting heart,

I drink it without cowering.

Because I know my God is true

And will send comfort to my heart with every new day.

He will eventually banish sorrow and pain permanently.

Whatever hardship God puts me through is faithful.

Here I take my stand:

Whether sorrow or need or death are my lot,

Yet I know I am not forsaken.

In all those places, my Father's care

Surrounds me and He holds me securely

So that I cannot fall.

Therefore, I leave everything to Him.

Adapted from the Trinity Hymnal #94.

Wordsmith Wednesday

2011-09-21T04:44:00.001-05:00

Root:

ludo (ludere, lusi, lusum) - to play; to mock

Derivatives:

allude - a playful, light-spirited reference (allusion, allusive, allusiveness)

collude - to play to mock together, often in secret with harmful intent (collusion, collusive, colluder)

delude - to play down; to mislead or deceive by minimizing truty, reality or consequence (delusion, deluder)

illusion - a playful or mocking appearance (illusionist, illusory, illusive, disillusion, disillusionment)

elude - to paly or mock by avoiding or escaping (elusive, eluder)

interlude - a pause between 2 events or parts of an event ("between plays" or "play between")

prelude - to play before; a performance preceding the main attraction

postlude - to play after; a performance concluding the main attraction

ludicrous - mocking; ridiculously absurd (ludicrously, ludicrousness)

Grati-Tuesday

2011-09-20T07:58:00.000-05:00

Today I am returning thanks for men and women who understand and create new technologies. I am particularly thankful today for the help and convenience afforded by Global Positioning Satellites.

Musical Monday: Zac Brown

2011-09-19T01:33:00.002-05:00

Just a happy tune from the Zac Brown Band:

Love's Labours Lost

2011-09-17T23:41:00.001-05:00

What do you get when you cross Shakespeare, Branaugh, and Gershwin? A rousing and hysterical rendition of Love's Labours Lost!!

Kenneth Branaugh might be nearly as brilliant as Shakespeare was. It's nearly impossible to improve on his original works, but Branaugh just might have done that with his delightful "musical" interpretation.

I strongly suggest you watch this play. Unless you're exceedingly uptight and have lost all sense of humor, you can not help but smile repeatedly at the cleverness of both of these men.

Here is a selection from one of the foundational and highly poetic passages from the play: (Act IV, Scene 3)

From women's eyes this doctrine I derive:

They sparkle still the right Promethean fire;

They are the books, the arts, the academes,

That show, contain and nourish all the world:

Else none at all in ought proves excellent.

Then fools you were these women to forswear,

Or keeping what is sworn, you will prove fools.

For wisdom's sake, a word that all men love,

Or for love's sake, a word that loves all men,

Or for men's sake, the authors of these women,

Or women's sake, by whom we men are men,

Let us once lose our oaths to find ourselves,

Or else we lose ourselves to keep our oaths.