dual personalities

Tag: music

December 4, 2024

It came a flow’ret bright, amid the cold of winter

by chuckofish

Last week I ordered my Christmas cards and yesterday I spent several hours working on my Christmas letter. The year is skiing by. Well, it is a good exercise to review the year and look at the highlights. Indeed it is, but it is truly in the every day happenings that we see how blessed we are.

Anne was on a tear again and I can relate. “Can I just check out now and not bother to try to endure the next month? Is there a reason for me to continue to participate in modern life? Is there a cabin in the woods I can retreat into and not emerge until some time in Lent?” But I really think it would be better for her if she just stopped reading The New York Times. I stopped years ago. Why make yourself crazy?

In view of this, I think this post by Tim Challies is relevant. “This is something I have been training myself to do in life—to look away from what is not mine to look at. There is so much in life that does not concern me, so much that may draw my eyes or engage my curiosity but is not for me to gaze at or fixate on, not for me to ponder or form opinions about.”

This made me laugh:

…and so did this:

And go ahead, listen to some Christmas music:

P.S. My dear friend Gary is having surgery this morning for an aggressive type of cancer and prayers for his recovery would be much appreciated.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, graciously comfort your servant in his suffering, and bless the means used for his cure. Though at times he may be afraid, fill his heart with confidence that he may yet put his trust in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

–BCP

4 Comments
November 18, 2024

O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!*

by chuckofish

As you know I am a creature of routine and this weekend I was a little off-kilter–mostly I blame Mr. Smith because he got his shampoo on Saturday rather than Friday. I managed to do all the same things, but slightly out of order. I guess it’s good to shake things up even a tad.

On Sunday I had my last Sunday School class and, of course, there were nine children–nearly double our usual number. Lottie was in fine spirits–volunteering for everything–and she read Acts 12: 12-15. She has no fear. I was impressed with her reading ability! We learned an important lesson on the power and necessity of prayer. I asked her if she thought anyone prayed for her. Well, I said, I pray for her every day! That angels watch over her and protect her. Insert mind blown emoji. 🤯

We had a good sermon on Hebrews 6:13-20 and the unchangeable-ness of God and we sang good hymns. I felt, as usual, the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart.

Meanwhile the prairie girls worked in their yard…

As the Madcaps say, “Here’s to amazing days ahead.”

Have a great week!

*Robert Robinson, 1758–I love this rendition:

5 Comments
November 4, 2024

Let the amen sound from his people again

by chuckofish

We enjoyed a beautiful fall weekend–how about you? I was confused on Friday because it seemed like Saturday, because of Halloween, but what ho. It is the bell and it tolleth for me.

On Friday the OM and I got new phones and switched carriers. Earlier in the week we also switched from U-verse to something else. Although this was all very stressful–and it took months to figure it all out–we were proud of ourselves for doing it. Another box checked off. ✅ I celebrated with daughter #1 at our favorite local hangout.

Wine and French Fries–we know what we like, okay? After that, I watched She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) in memory of my father and my great old friend Dick (WWII Guy) who both died on October 31. I loved it as always, especially after just being there in Monument Valley last month.

Sunday morning I enjoyed that extra hour although I still woke up at my usual time–so make that 5:00 am. We sang good hymns in church and the twins controlled their depravity like good Calvinists. We read about Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus in Sunday School and learned a few new words: persecution and conversion. Everyone enjoyed the wallking-to-Damascus-wearing-a-blindfold exercise. The bud called out–“It’s a conga line!”

Also, the little boy who always ushers with his dad and hands out the bulletins, said, “You look beautiful this morning!” I mean, I know his dad tells him to say that to all the old ladies, but it makes me smile nevertheless. Sometimes that’s all it takes to make your day.

‘Til He returns or calls me home
Here, in the power of Christ, I’ll stand

5 Comments
October 22, 2024

The meditation of my heart

by chuckofish

Wow! Look at this great photo my friend Don and his son took of the comet C/2023AG Tschinshan-ATLAS over the weekend. They were far from the city lights in Warren County where it was clearly visible. He says, “We were lucky as it is not scheduled to return for 80,000 years.”

When we were in Monument Valley a few weeks ago we enjoyed the wide expanse of starry, starry night sky. Thousands and thousands of stars! It was truly awesome, like nothing I had ever seen.

Well, while we are considering how the heavens declare the glory of God, it seems appropriate to note that three hundred years ago today in 1724, J.S. Bach led the first performance of his composition Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele (Adorn yourself, O dear soul) in Leipzig on the 20th Sunday after Trinity, based on the communion hymn of the same name. 

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

(Psalm 19)

5 Comments
September 17, 2024

“People do not drift toward Holiness”*

by chuckofish

I can’t say I exactly bounce back ever, but I try. On Mondays I always get back to my Bible reading and I do my Bible Study homework. My house is not the only thing that needs to be ordered and tidy.

We had a really good sermon on Sunday on Hebrews 2:1-9.

“Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.”

Indeed, we all know people who have made a “shipwreck of their faith” by the slow drift of indifference. This is your weekly reminder not to let that happen!

This is a great Ask Pastor John answer from John Piper. “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”

Also this article about corporate singing really rings true. “Christians can’t seem to stop singing: in catacombs, in cathedrals, everywhere throughout church history. In Saudi Arabia, the underground churches soundproof the walls and windows, sometimes with mattresses, so they can lift their voices in praise without detection. As Jesus said of the rejoicing multitudes, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out’ (Luke 19:40).”

Funnily enough, our “ministry” minute in church this week was provided by the choir and our young friend Ridge, who invited people to join the choir. He has sung in a church choir ever since his father “volun-told” him he was joining at age 12. All through high school, college, law school, and now young parenthood, it has been his priority to show up on Wednesday night and Sunday morning. He is one reason our congregation really sings! We sing five hymns in the morning service plus the Gloria Patri and the Doxology. Sometimes there is an organ accompaniment, sometimes a piano. And sometimes there is a guitar or a trombone or trumpet or a harmonica. We have a lot of participating musical members.

I know ‘joy’ is an overused and mis-used term these days, but even we very serious Presbyterians really do feel the joy in our hearts. I think that is why I cry so much.

Sinners, whose love can ne’er forget
the wormwood and the gall,
go spread your trophies at his feet,
and crown him, crown him,
and crown him Lord of all.

(Edward Perronet, 1779)

The Peace of Christ be with you.

*D.A. Carson

1 Comment
September 10, 2024

Just to be alive on this fresh morning in this broken world

by chuckofish

Mondays are for laundry, putting away toys and puzzles and games, vacuuming up crumbs, and generally getting situated for the week ahead. I also had to catch up with my Bible reading, which I had failed to do over the weekend. Now hear the word of the Lord:

And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. 14 And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.” (Ezekiel 37:13-14)

Now it is Tuesday. Time for a new ‘to do’ list!

And here’s a poem by Mary Oliver (1935-2019)–today is her birthday: “Invitation”

Oh do you have time
        to linger
                for just a little while
                       out of your busy

and very important day
        for the goldfinches
                that have gathered
                       in a field of thistles

for a musical battle,
        to see who can sing
                the highest note,
                       or the lowest,

or the most expressive of mirth,
        or the most tender?
                Their strong, blunt beaks
                       drink the air

as they strive
        melodiously
                not for your sake
                       and not for mine

and not for the sake of winning
        but for sheer delight and gratitude—
                believe us, they say,
                       it is a serious thing

just to be alive
        on this fresh morning
                in the broken world.
                       I beg of you,

do not walk by
        without pausing
                to attend to this
                       rather ridiculous performance.

It could mean something.
It could mean everything.
It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote:
You must change your life.

Another busy day!

3 Comments
July 29, 2024

Hillbilly rock etc.

by chuckofish

We made it to Jefferson City on Friday and the Marty Stuart concert was superlative! Our seats were front and center and we could really see everything. It wasn’t too hot and there was a nice breeze. Marty, Cousin Kenny, Handsome Harry and Chris Scruggs were rockin’. Before the concert we also managed to have a lovely and relaxing lunch at the Les Bourgeois Vineyard in Rocheport on the Missouri River.

Can’t do much better than that.

We spent the night in JC and then we drove to Boonville where we dropped daughter #1 off at a DAR Regent workshop. The OM and I then drove home where I went to a good estate sale at the kind of house I like best–one where someone has lived a long time and has a lot of stuff like my stuff. Best is when I can figure out whose house it was. (I did.) I usually find something. I got some books and a Christmas present.

We picked up Mr. Smith at the kennel, but it was pouring rain and he freaked out, becoming enraged by the windshield wipers. I talked him down from the ledge and we made it home, thankfully, without wrecking the car, and daughter #1 retrieved him after returning from her DAR workshop. He was happy to be back home again and at his post…

I went to Sunday School and church as usual where we had a trombone accompaniment (with piano) to our hymns, It was different, but surprisingly effective. I was also pleased to hear that my old colleague Abram Van Engen, the Stanley Elkin Professor in the Humanities and chair of the English department at my former flyover university, is going to give a talk at church in a couple of weeks about his new book, Word Made Fresh: An Invitation to Poetry for the Church. He is a fellow admirer of the Puritans. I ordered the book and look forward to reading it.

I watched Red River (1947). Did you? Walter Brennan won three Academy Awards, but he really deserved one for his portrayal of Nadine Groot. A terrific and layered performance. John Wayne is iconic and Montgomery Clift at the beginning of his career was never better.

Anne had a good take on the anti-Christian display and general debauchery at the opening of the Olympics with good links to other comments. “I like telling my 10 & 7 year-olds, “We’re skipping this because those are men dressed up like women” and seeing the look of revulsion on their faces. God’s created order is pretty straightforward to kids.” We’ll try to keep our sense of humor and as usual just turn off the telly, keeping in mind Romans 1:24-25.

Meanwhile we will be girding our loins and staying inside this week as we have this to look forward to…

Jealous of the boy and his fam who are in Hilton Head…

Have a good week! Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

2 Comments
July 26, 2024

And I stood beneath the blue sky

by chuckofish

Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer,
    who formed you from the womb:
“I am the Lord, who made all things,
    who alone stretched out the heavens,
    who spread out the earth by myself,
25 who frustrates the signs of liars
    and makes fools of diviners,
who turns wise men back
    and makes their knowledge foolish,
26 who confirms the word of his servant
    and fulfills the counsel of his messengers,
who says of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be inhabited,’
    and of the cities of Judah, ‘They shall be built,
    and I will raise up their ruins’…

(Isaiah 44:24-26)

Here’s more Isaiah to propel us into the weekend. I daresay we can all use it.

We are heading to Jefferson City today and the boy and his family are heading out to the beach on Sunday so traveling mercies to all who are on the road. We also wish the boy and daughter #3 a happy 12th anniversary on Sunday! Mazel tov!

This is a cool photo from @audubonsociety…

Pileated Woodpeckers are my faves.

And daughter #1 sent this for your weekly dose of Mr. Smith…

Quel cutie.

The summer is winding down. Soon it will be back-to-school time!

(Chris and Thomas)

1 Comment
July 25, 2024

“Give me a condor’s quill!”

by chuckofish

Unlike the narrator of Moby-Dick, I have no great topic to write about today (see above quote), but only some odds and ends of my small life. But I do love that image of a condor’s quill.

Tomorrow the OM and daughter #1 and I are heading to Jefferson City (woohoo!) to see Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives in concert. While in town we will visit our favorite winery down there and other old haunts. I was pleased to see Marty visiting with Robert Duvall…

Speaking of Red River Valley, Saturday is the National Day of the Cowboy, so you will want to plan accordingly. We will toast my ancestor John Wesley Prowers and watch Red River (1948) which is our tradition.

If I was in Oklahoma City, I would, of course, go to the celebration the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum has planned, but we do what we can.

In other news, maybe you have noticed that there is nothing to watch on TV and, if you do watch–even streaming platforms–you are inundated with ads and more ads. And political ads. So the OM and I are watching (on DVD) the Hillsdale College series on WWII with Victor David Hanson. It is intellectually stimulating and the politics is 85 years old. After watching last night’s episode, we watched Operation Pacific (1951) with John Wayne as a submarine commander in WWII. Not the greatest movie ever, but entertaining and diverting. If I was in a submarine in WWII, I would want the Duke as my commander! (The freckle-faced kid below is Martin Milner of Adam-12 fame.)

Meanwhile here is something good to read about Mothering in today’s world. “Mothering is a fraught profession in the modern world. The stakes are high to do it right. If you’re going to ‘waste your intellect’, as my own mother so kindly put it, you’d better have exceptional children to show for it. Or at least a podcast.”

So learn something new, call your mother (or mother substitute), watch a cowboy movie, and listen to some good music:

Live for the glory of God and the good of others.

3 Comments
July 3, 2024

Come and see, look on this mystery

by chuckofish

It is a sultry day; the sun has drunk

The dew that lay upon the morning grass;

There is no rustling in the lofty elm

That canopies my dwelling, and its shade

Scarce cools me. All is silent, save the faint

And interrupted murmur of the bee,

Settling on the sick flowers, and then again

Instantly on the wing.

–William Cullen Bryant, “Summer Wind”–read it here.

Yesterday I had lunch with two old (and much older than I) friends at the fancy retirement home where they live. It is always a delight to meet with them and talk about what we are reading, re-reading and what we are finding to watch on TV/streaming. One of them walks on the treadmill every morning and recites the Gettysburg Address from memory. I told him about the guy I used to know who recited the lyrics to Abide With Me while maintaining a plank position every morning. We avoid discussing politics but one of them said that the (very liberal) interfaith group he was in fell apart this year following the events of October 7. This is troubling, but no surprise to me I said. It is not the evangelicals the Jews have to worry about. I have no doubt that I am somewhat of a mystery to them, but we respect each other, and yes, even love each other. And that is the way it should be.

So meet an old friend for lunch, read some poetry out loud, memorize something! And here’s a hymn that we heard in church on Sunday that the boy really liked:



Sing to Jesus, Lord of our shame
Lord of our sinful hearts
He is our great redeemer
Sing to Jesus, honor His name

(The painting above is by Winslow Homer, 1878)

4 Comments