dual personalities

Tag: scripture

November 13, 2024

To live in the mercy of God*

by chuckofish

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
      his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
      great is your faithfulness

(Lamentations 3:22-23)

I quote this particular scripture a lot on this blog, because it is one of my favorites. I also think about God’s mercy a lot and I pray (continually) for Him to have mercy on me a sinner.

This is a helpful article about God’s mercy and 10 key Bible verses.

And here is Dane Ortlund on God being rich in mercy. “Nowhere else in the Bible is God described as rich in anything. The only thing he is called rich in is mercy. What does this mean? It means that God is something other than what we naturally believe him to be. It means the Christian life is a lifelong shedding of our small thoughts on the mercy of God. God’s mercy is bigger than we realize.”

In other news, the Archbishop of Canterbury resigned, after a report found the Church of England covered up sexual abuse by a barrister. As Anne says, “[T]his sort of thing is a tragic exposure of the hubristic and hypocritical rot of the sexual revolution, which is coming to a cataclysmic conclusion. Justin Welby has tried to play the game out of both sides of his mouth, to be “evangelical” and yet “joyfully” flirt with the LGBT agenda, letting it devour and destroy a church already in decline. Guess what, you can’t do that. Sexual Immorality is a sin, full stop.” Oy vey. 

Have a good day!

*A poem by Denise Levertov. Read it here.

3 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
October 17, 2024

“Their foot shall slide in due time.”*

by chuckofish

Well, fall is finally here. I wore a turtleneck yesterday and switched out all my summer clothes. Now we have to enjoy it while we can before the winter winds begin to blow!

In other news the biggest pumpkin of the year weighed in at 2,471 pounds in California. Well, hey, congratulations. I had two pumpkin vines going and they flowered and grew, but, alas, no pumpkins emerged. C’est la vie. I suppose I will have to hop over to the pumpkin patch at the Methodist Church and buy some.

In my daily Bible reading, I am finally in the New Testament. It was a long haul through the OT–not that I’m complaining–but I’m ready to move on. Maybe I should watch The Ten Commandments (1956) to make sure I won’t forget what a great thing it was when God parted the Red Sea and how bad we stiff-necked sinners are who doubt and fuss and want to turn back to Egypt over and over and over again.

We do not have all the time in the world to repent and change our ways. And we are not reminded of this enough. Memento mori. Even at this time of year, when my neighborhood is populated with giant skeletons and plastic grave markers galore and the world is teetering on collapse, we go blithely on our merry way.

Well, here’s your reminder to turn back, O man, forswear thy foolish ways.

The bow of God’s wrath is bent, and the arrow made ready on the string, and justice bends the arrow at your heart, and strains the bow, and it is nothing but the mere pleasure of God, and that of an angry God, without any promise or obligation at all, that keeps the arrow one moment from being made drunk with your blood.

(Jonathan Edwards–read the whole sermon here.)

But I’ll let Isaiah have the last word today.

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

(Isaiah 43:1-3)

*Deuteronomy 32:35

3 Comments
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
August 26, 2024

Our strength and refuge

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? Friday I went to lunch with some old friends at my former flyover university faculty club. Then we went back to their house where I boxed up some books to take home. They are getting ready to downsize and that means getting rid of a ton of books. But God only knows where I am going to put more books! Daughter #1 came over to their house and filled a box for herself. I would have taken more, but as I told my friends, I already have a lot of their books.

The rest of the weekend I spent looking at/reading my new-old books. What a pleasure! I also took some old computer monitors over to a nearby recycling event and enjoyed a great sense of accomplishment which I relished all weekend. And daughter #1 and I continued our scientific study of the correct wine-bread ratio…

On Sunday the OM and I picked up the twins to take them to church with us since their parents are very busy getting ready to move. It had been awhile since the twins had been to church so they needed to re-learn some church behavior basics. They did pretty well. The bud drew some interesting pictures…note the devil prominently portrayed in hell…

After church we went home with the twins and the OM picked up lunch at McDonald’s. Then we took a little walk where the bud was able to pet a nice black Lab named Titan, who sniffed his face. Then we played more or less quietly at home while the OM took a nap. Lottie beat me repeatedly at Chutes and Ladders, but the bud told me that winners are losers and losers are winners, so there. And the first shall be last, right?

The boy picked them up mid-afternoon and stayed to chat for awhile, always a treat for me.

I changed my clothes for a third time and we headed back to church at 4:30 for the ordination service of our youth minister. Once again I was overcome with thankfulness that I am a member of this church.

Meanwhile daughter #2 and her family drove up to Lake Huron to spend the week, leaving at five in the morning for the long drive.

I remember those days–leaving before dawn to get a jump on the driving while the kids sleep! (Note both babes are wide awake.)

They are having a good ol’ time.

And not to get political, but this was hilarious.

So put your phone down, look up, and thank God for the day. Then read some old books!

4 Comments
August 5, 2024

Solid joys and lasting treasures

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? Daughter #1 and Mr. Smith and I had fun zipping up north for a short visit with the prairie girls who are always up for a good time. (We returned their pack-n-play crib which they left at my house and will need when they go on vacation.) We took walks…

and played fetch in the back yard…

Katie was very brave and Mr. Smith was a very good boy and they are edging their way toward being friends. She was thinking a lot about him after we left…

On Sunday the OM and I went to church and Sunday School which was about the use of the word Zion in the OT.

His foundation is in the holy mountains.
2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion
More than all the dwellings of Jacob.
3 Glorious things are spoken of you,
O city of God! Selah

(Psalm 87:1-3)

This week our teacher was a church member who is a professor at St. Louis University and she is very learned. I felt like I was back in college. Our sermon was on Psalm 9. Our pastor always asks a question for “young worshippers” to help them stay focused. I will admit, it helps me too. This week the question was, “When we are in trouble, what is God for us?” Answer: a stronghold!

Savior, since of Zion’s city
I through grace a member am,
let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in Thy name.
Fading is the worldling’s pleasures,
all his boasted pomp and show;
solid joys and lasting treasures
none but Zion’s children know.

–John Newton, 1779

Meanwhile the boy and his family returned from Hilton Head, all fit and tan. They went to the aquarium in Charleston on the way home…

and saw some sights…

Now that they are back and will be starting back to school soon, I am looking forward to getting back on our usual schedule of Sunday dinners etc. But it is hard to believe that the summer will soon be over.

Have a good week!

6 Comments
July 30, 2024

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace.”*

by chuckofish

Well, I have finally caught up with my daily Bible reading schedule. Amen. And it has been a pleasure to be in Isaiah, which is always timely.

“Listen to me, you who know righteousness,
    the people in whose heart is my law;
fear not the reproach of man,
    nor be dismayed at their revilings.
8 For the moth will eat them up like a garment,
    and the worm will eat them like wool,
but my righteousness will be forever,
    and my salvation to all generations.”

(Isaiah 51:7-9)

Here’s Sinclair Ferguson on the Gospel according to Isaiah.

Speaking of revilings, this is a good one by Carl Trueman about our anti-culture of nothingness.

And for some comic relief, Black Bears really are becoming cartoon characters in real life. (Be sure to check out the photos of the wrecked car.)

Cheer up–don’t let the turkeys get you down!

*Isaiah 55:12; the painting is by Eugène Boudin (1824-1898)–Trouville Beach, 1865

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 24, 2024

“Have you not known? Have you not heard?”

by chuckofish

I think I mentioned that I fell behind in my daily Bible reading over the past two weeks, but I am catching up. Yesterday I was rewarded with Isaiah 40-43, which covers a lot of familiar territory.

Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
    his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
    and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
    and young men shall fall exhausted;
31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint.

(Isaiah 40:28-31)

I was also reminded of last year’s VBS where the kids memorized the following:

Fear not, for I am with you;
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

(Isaiah 41:10)

And these verses were important in Pilgrim’s Progress:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

(Isaiah 43:1-3)

These are all great verses, especially when we are in need of hope and comfort.

This article gives solid advice for when your mind gets stuck in unproductive places.

And I really liked this one about prayer postures in the Bible. I need all the help I can get in increasing my prayer time. I tend to “remember [God] upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night.” (Psalm 63:6) My wandering mind betrays me during the day when I try to focus. I can do better.

Meanwhile I am rearranging my office and I moved a small bookcase. The question arises: how many copies of the BCP do I really need?

One?

6 Comments
July 17, 2024

The trees of the LORD are watered abundantly*

by chuckofish

We had quite the deluge of rain all day yesterday which curtailed our plans again. The twins and their parents came over in the morning, but there was no splash pad play. Sigh. At least it cooled off from Monday’s 97-degree high. We played inside.

We also did some laundry.

It’s all good.

Today we are traveling back to Illinois.

In the meantime, this article looks at a presidential assassination of long ago and asks how one of that era’s foremost theologians interpreted God’s providence in it. Very interesting!

And happy birthday to the OM!

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

*Psalm 104:16

2 Comments