Uncategorized | dual personalities

November 13, 2014

Let me think about that for a moment

by chuckofish

Here is some food for thought on this Thursday n November. Take a moment (or two or three) for some deep thoughts.

1. “The trouble with you,” Walter had said in a recent phone conversation, “is that you’re too prepared. You don’t give the Holy Spirit room to do wondrous things. You need to take risks now and then–that’s what makes life snap, crackle and pop.”

–Jan Karon, At Home in Mitford

2. “When I was an object of much contempt and derision in the university,” he later wrote, “I strolled forth one day, buffeted and afflicted, with my little Testament in my hand … The first text which caught my eye was this: ‘They found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name; him they compelled to bear his cross.'”

–Charles Simeon

3. “That man is the richest whose pleasures are the cheapest.”

–Henry David Thoreau

British 2nd Division at Kohima, India war memorial

Discuss among yourselves.

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November 12, 2014

Strengthen such as do stand

by chuckofish

Today is the lesser feast day of evangelical Anglican Charles Simeon (1759–1836) on the Episcopal calendar. Simeon is best known for serving Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge, and Cambridge University for 54 years, practicing and popularizing biblical, expository preaching and pioneering on-campus discipleship among university students. He is also credited with starting the evangelical revival in the Church of England.

Two hundred years ago students at the English Universities were required to attend church regularly, and to receive the Holy Communion at least once a year. This latter requirement often had bad effects, in that it encouraged hypocrisy and an irreverent reception of the sacrament. Occasionally, however, it had a very good effect, as with the Cambridge student Charles Simeon. He wrote: “On 29 January 1779 I came to college. On 2 February I understood that at division of term I must attend the Lord’s Supper. The Provost absolutely required it. Conscience told me that, if I must go, I must repent and turn to God.”

Kings College Chapel

By this experience his life was transformed. Upon finishing his college work he was ordained, and shortly appointed chaplain of Holy Trinity, Cambridge, where he remained for 55 years, until shortly before his death on 12 November 1836. His ministry helped to transform the lives of many undergraduates, of whom we may mention two in particular. Henry Martyn inspired by Simeon, abandoned his intention of going into law and instead devoted his life and his considerable talents to preaching the Gospel in India and Persia. William Wilberforce, also led in part by Simeon’s ministry of teaching and example, devoted his life to the abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire. Simeon’s enthusiasm and zeal brought him much ridicule and abuse, which he bore uncomplainingly. Though he himself remained in one place, his influence extended through the Anglican world. (Lectionary Home Page)

Holy Trinity, Cambridge

Simeon’s black Wedgewood teapot used at his Friday night Conversation Parties

Simeon’s preaching Bible

Bust of Simeon just outside the entrance to the Gonville and Caius Library.

Simeon prayed the following prayer each Sunday before delivering his sermon:

“O God, who hast caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our hearing, be with us now to sanctify unto us the truths that shall be delivered from them.
“Be with us especially to enlighten our minds by the Holy Spirit; and by the mighty working of thy power, bring in to the way of truth all such as have erred and are deceived.
“Be pleased also O Lord, to strengthen such as do stand, and comfort and help the weak hearted, and raise up them that fall, and finally to beat down Satan under all our feet.
“All this we humbly ask in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Looking south, down the River Cam, is Simeon’s Bridge. In 1816 Simeon financed the major portion of this bridge connecting King’s College property on both sides of The Backs. This is also the river into which Simeon threw a guinea (coin) as a self-prescribed punishment for not rising at the hour to which he had committed himself for Bible reading and prayer.

I like that prayer. And I want to go to there.

Photos are from the Charles Simeon website.

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November 11, 2014

“He was a good man. Make sure that it says so on the patrol report.”*

by chuckofish

Our grandfather’s grave in San Francisco

Veterans Day was once known as Armistice Day. The term comes from an armistice between Germany and the Allied Nations on November 11, 1918. World War I actually ended on June 28, 1919, during the Treaty of Versailles. The first Armistice Day was acknowledged on November 11, 1919.

On June 1, 1954, Armistice Day had its named changed to Veterans Day, so that the veterans of WWII and all the men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces would be honored.

So take some time today to think about your ancestors who served their country in the Armed Forces. A favorite fighting ancestor of mine is Moses Wheeler who fought in the French and Indian War. He was a soldier on the frontier as early as 1746,

and was one of the company of Capt. Stevens in his celebrated defense of the Fort at No. 4…and was also with Hobbs in his terrible encounter with Sackett…[Wheeler] was a very large man, yet of good proportions, and was said to have been, in his prime, the strongest man in the cordon of forts on the frontier. One time Wheeler and five others were detailed to take a cannon to the top of Hoosac Mountain. It appeared to some of them a hard task and they stood around it a long time earnestly discussing the way in which it should be done. At length, tiring of their suggestions, Wheeler threw up his arms, at the same time exclaiming “Stand aside boys, I am going to take the cannon up the mountain myself,” and swinging it upon his shoulder bore it to the place which had been designated for it, pausing only once for rest upon the way.

It is related that the reason of his pausing as he did was to get a drink from a spring which he saw bubbling up beside his path. As soon as he saw this he flung his cannon from his shoulder and throwing himself flat on his stomach, the more readily to get at the water, he commenced drinking, as the soldiers expressed it, “like a horse.” Thinking he would kill himself they warned him to desist, but as he gave no heed to their admonition three of them seized one leg and two the other and drew him forcibly away. He thought it rather hard usage but concluded on the whole it was best to submit to it. After resting awhile he again resumed his cannon and bore it to its place, when he found that he had burst his shoes open which were new when he started from the foot of the mountain, and his pantaloons were such a wreck that they were good for nothing afterwards. The officers and soldiers were, however, so pleased with his exploit they they clubbed together and very generously more than made up the loss. After this he became quite a hero to the Indians, who, whenever they came where he was, always wanted to see “The Strong Man.”

(History of Charlestown, New-Hampshire by Rev. Henry H. Saunderson, 1876)

If this story sounds a bit familiar, it is because James Fenimore Cooper used some of Wheeler’s story to embellish a character in The Deerslayer. In the 1957 movie he was played by Forrest Tucker.

Is it any wonder that 240 years later we named the boy after this ancestor?

If I had a copy of The Deerslayer, I would surely watch it tonight. I’ll find something suitable. How about you?

*John Wayne in Operation Pacific

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November 10, 2014

“As if someone fled from a lion, and was met by a bear”*

by chuckofish

Are you prepared for the day of the Lord? For whom would it be good news? (Matthew 25: 1-13) These were the questions asked in our sermon yesterday. They are good ones to ask yourself. My rector was not terribly helpful in answering them, but that’s par for the course. You have to work out your own salvation anyway, so c’est la vie. I’m still stuck on old Amos’ imagery from the OT reading anyway (see above).

Well, the highlight of my weekend was an after-church jaunt to the Missouri History Museum with the OM. I had not been in years, but I had heard that the “250 in 250: A Yearlong Exhibit Commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the Founding of St. Louis” was not to be missed.

This turned out to be an over-statement. “Through the stories of 50 People, 50 Places, 50 Images, 50 Moments, and 50 Objects we were invited to learn all about St. Louis.” This kind of display is not really my cup of tea, but it was okay.

Across the hall, however, was a very cool exhibit–“The Louisiana Purchase: Making St. Louis, Remaking America”.

You will recall that in 1803 the United States agreed to pay France $15 million for the Louisiana Territory—828,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River. The United States doubled its size, expanding the nation westward. Beyond the geographic expansion, The Louisiana Purchase remade St. Louis into an American city—”and reshaped and redefined what it meant to be an American.” Featuring loans from the National Archives and documents and artifacts from the Missouri History Museum’s collections, the exhibition explores the complex negotiations related to The Louisiana Purchase and its after-effect on St. Louis. A highlight of the exhibition is the Treaty of Cession (in French), better known as The Louisiana Purchase Treaty. The Treaty was first drafted in French and then translated into English, so it can be said that the French text is the “original original.”

Anyway, the Museum has changed quite a lot since the days when we would visit with our mother. Nowhere in sight is the riverboat wheelhouse which was a favorite of mine and my dual personality’s as wee children. Also the gun collection, which made up a good part of the second floor exhibition space, is nowhere to be seen. Thankfully in moth balls is all the Veiled Prophet knick-knack-iture that also took up a lot of space in days gone by. Yes, it is all very 21st century and up-to-the-minute PC-wise, but I do miss the old-fashioned dusty taxidermy and Mark Twainia of the olden days.

Well, I’ve been there and done that now, but it is a good and mindful thing to be reminded of the wonderful and important part Missouri played in our national history.

There is a fancy restaurant in the museum, but we headed over to the Wildflower Cafe in the CWE for some eggs benedict. Yum.

How was your weekend?

*Amos 5:18 (Not Abraham Lincoln like you thought)

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November 8, 2014

Like sapphire, pearl, and rich embroidery*

by chuckofish

Now that it has gotten colder and we are all beginning to hunker down for winter, I have been imagining myself tucked up with a lap blanket, a cup of tea and some embroidery. There’s plenty in my house to look to for inspiration. My dear dual personality made us this wonderful counted cross-stitch sampler for our wedding present.

It hangs in our bedroom above a bookcase, where, alas, it’s glass also reflects the overhead light, thus making it difficult to get a good photo. But isn’t it beautiful? Just imagine how much work went into it! On the other side of the closet door, on the same wall, sits a piece that my Aunt Donna made for us as a house-warming gift.

I love the circles and the colors, which go very well in the room. Can you imagine trying to keep those lines from wobbling? I apologize for the poor photos — I was trying to get close so you could see the detail.

Our mother was also quite deft with the needle, though she didn’t do that much embroidery. Years ago, I found this pillow cover tucked away in a box. I think she made it, or it might have been my grandmother. Some of the thread has worn away, but I really love the Jacobean design and the colors. It’s now in my living room.

I, too, have taken up the needle from time to time, albeit I am something of a novice compared to my sister, aunt, and mother. A few years ago I finished a pillow cover that still awaits blocking and backing. It’s a scene from the Bayeux Tapestry.

Not too bad, eh? Some day I’ll get my act together and have it made into a pillow. In the meantime, I have two projects that I picked up last year at the church Christmas Bazaar. Which one should I tackle first?

The way I see it, embroidery is just the ticket for reducing stress, which is something I need to do. Today we’re heading out to our camp to spend the night (for the first time in years) and I can see myself embroidering in front of the fire — a glass of wine a the ready — and the quiet tones of civilized conversation to sooth our work-weary souls. Okay, the reality will probably be somewhat different (grading, cleaning, more grading), but, one day, I WILL pick up the needle again.

Until then, I’ll just have to dream about it. Have a great weekend!

*Shakespeare, Merry Wives of Windsor

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November 6, 2014

“I live in my own mind, ain’t nothing but a good time”

by chuckofish

I missed Lyle Lovett’s birthday on November 1, so I will note it now belatedly.

Lyle, you know, is a 5th-generation Texan and a Grammy-winning country music singer/songwriter and actor. He is one of my favorites. I have actually seen him in concert three times! His picture is proudly displayed on my wall at home along with Bob Dylan and Mark Knopfler.

So let’s toast him tonight. Here are a couple of Lyle’s videos to watch and enjoy:

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November 5, 2014

Smoting the Babylonian Dame

by chuckofish

On this day in 1688, William of Orange invaded England in an action that ultimately deposed King James II and won him the crowns of England, Scotland and Ireland. Huzzah!

William’s mother, Mary Stuart, was the oldest daughter of King Charles I and sister of King Charles II and King James II. His wife was the daughter of King James II and his cousin. I can never keep all that royal genealogy straight, can you? I had forgotten that old William was the grandson of Charles I. It’s good to dust off the history books once in awhile, eh?

You will recall that the OM’s ancestor Henry Compton, the Bishop of London, crowned William King a few months later. He reigned jointly with his wife, Mary II, until her death in 1694–as William and Mary–and then alone until his death in 1702.

So a toast to William and Mary is definitely in order tonight, and to the Glorious Revolution when

Englands Church so much opprest
Of all its Rights now re-possest,
With all its Sacred Glories blest,
it shines in Heavenly splendor,
May it ever so endure,
And everlasting peace procure,
For him who keeps our Church secure,
and crush’d the Romish Grandieur.

(For the whole poem (ENGLANDS Triumph, OR, The Kingdoms Joy for the proclaiming of King William , and His Royal Consort, Queen Mary , in
the Throne of ENGLAND , on the 13th. of this instant February . 1688. To the Tune of, Thundering Cannons roar, click here.)

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November 4, 2014

An attitude of gratitude

by chuckofish

It being November again (!) it seems liked a good time to talk about thankfulness. “Nothing,” says Billy Graham “turns us into bitter, selfish, dissatisfied people more quickly than an ungrateful heart. And nothing will do more to restore contentment and the joy of our salvation than a true spirit of thankfulness.”

I have been re-reading Jan Karon’s seventh Mitford book In This Mountain and this is one of her main themes. Toward the end of the book, Father Tim preaches on this very subject (and I Thessalonians 5:18).

I admit to you that although I often thank God for my blessings, even the smallest, I haven’t thanked Him for my afflictions.

I know the fifth chapter of First Thessalonians pretty well, yet it just hadn’t occurred to me to actually take Him up on this notion. I’ve been too busy begging Him to lead me out of the valley and onto the mountaintop. After all, I have work to do, I have things to accomplish…alas, I am the White Rabbit everlastingly running down the hole like the rest of the common horde.

I want to tell you that I started thanking Him last night–this morning at two o’clock, to be precise–for something that grieves me deeply. And I’m committed to continue thanking Him in this hard thing, no matter how desperate it might become, and I’m going to begin looking for good in it. Whether God caused it or permitted it, we can rest assured–there is great good in it.

So no matter what happens to us, no matter how difficult our situation or how much our friends disappoint us, no matter how alone we feel–we must never forget that God is with us. No matter what happens, God has promised that He will be with us in whatever tribulation or trial that comes. God will not waste this experience. He doesn’t waste anything. And so we are thankful for everything. We try to be anyway.

Nobody said it would be easy, right?

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November 3, 2014

Here in Missouri

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? The OM and I had an adventure–a roadtrip on Saturday over to Fulton in the rolling green hills of central Missouri to visit the Winston Churchill Memorial on the campus of Westminster College.

You will recall that in 1946 it was at Westminster College that Winston Churchill delivered one of the most significant speeches of his long and illustrious career–the “Iron Curtain” speech. In the 1960s Westminster College set out to mark what would be the 20th anniversary of Churchill’s visit. After due consideration of traditional modes of commemoration, Westminster College settled on the rather more ambitious notion of moving a Christopher Wren designed Church from London. This Church, St. Mary the Virgin Aldermanbury, had stood in London since 1677 when it replaced an earlier structure that had sat on the same site since the 12th century until it was destroyed in the great fire of 1666. This magnificent building, badly damaged during the London Blitz, was moved stone by stone to Westminster’s campus and rebuilt to Wren’s original specifications.

What an incredible undertaking! I had not been there since 1969 when it was dedicated. It is breathtaking.

It is a popular venue for weddings, as you can imagine, and there was one about to take place when we ducked in, so this postcard view will have to suffice. It is my favorite type of church, reflecting the puritan branch of the Anglican church. I love those clear glass windows and brass chandeliers and the Ten Commandments behind the altar.

A needlepoint kneeler in the museum downstairs

The National Churchill Museum which opened in 2006 is downstairs under the church. I was quite impressed.

ANC III would have approved of these toy soldiers.

Indeed, ANC would have liked the museum as it illustrates the life and career of W.C.

Iron Curtain Speech sculpture

Anyway, it is well-worth the trip to Fulton which is a nice college town, not unlike Greencastle, Indiana which we visited many times over the years when daughter #1 was a student at DePauw University. I like college towns and am always up for visiting one.

Sunday was All Saints Sunday and we had three baptisms in church. All three children, who ranged in age from infant to toddler, wailed for dear life. (Bill Baker who baptized daughter #1 and the boy always said that that was the devil leaving the child and not to worry.) Well, I always enjoy renouncing “Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God”, including “the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God”--especially a few days before an election.

Don’t forget to vote tomorrow!

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November 2, 2014

Merry Men of the Green Wood

by chuckofish

We’ve always been big fans of Robin Hood in this house. When the boys were little, he loomed even larger than Ninja Turtles or Power Rangers, at least most of the time. With Errol Flynn’s perfect film “The Adventures of Robin Hood” to view over and over

and a poster of N.C. Wyeth’s Robin hung over a bed

how could they not want to be Robin Hood? Is anyone cooler? When boy #2 was three years old, he chose to be Robin Hood for Halloween. A good friend made the cap, which was beyond my meager sewing talents, but I made the brown jerkin. Here is Robin at the SLU playgroup with his best friend, who was dressed as a railwayman (albeit it’s hard to tell in this picture). Note that back in the day it was okay to carry weapons: Robin has both a bow and sword.

In fact, the little tikes paraded through the SLU corridors, even interrupting classes to get candy. Famously, our little Robin Hood went into his father’s class and shot the teacher (aka Dad). Ah, such innocent times. They’d probably arrest the child now. Be that as it may, some things never change. Here is the same tike all grown up, but still dressing as his favorite for a Halloween party.

Alas, Robin’s mother is a bad photographer, so the picture is very blurry, but you get the idea.

As Howard Pyle wrote in his Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, “So passed the seasons then, so they pass now, and so they will pass in time to come, while we come and go like leaves of the tree that fall and are soon forgotten.”

May the rest of your weekend be merry!

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