Here we are on Christmas Eve–my plans are all kerpluey. I can’t go to church–one of my favorite services of the year. I do love a packed church with everyone dressed up and singing, the college kids home. And the boy is a lector! But I’m a big girl. My whole month has been off-track. And let’s admit, it hasn’t been a great year. Although we have been greatly blessed as well.
Daughter #1, Mr. Smith and I had planned to drive up to the prairie on Christmas afternoon, but we will delay that so as not to spread germs etc. C’est la vie.
So let us not forget that the Lord came—himself—to save you from your sins. As Ann says, what a reason to celebrate! What a glorious excuse to have a feast, to break out the champagne, the cheese, the cake, the party games and garlands.
Since I did not need to go to the County Courthouse for another day of Jury Duty yesterday, it felt like a free day. Wonderful. I mailed a couple of packages. I went to the grocery store. I organized all my Christmas presents and wrapped many of them. I was cookin’ with gas. I didn’t finish, but I made a good dent.
I had a second cup of coffee and caught up on my reading.
This is good advice for anyone going through something hard. “Do the next thing.”
Well, whoduh thunk? “I took our six kids overseas — and saw a ‘family-friendly’ nation in joyous action”. Indeed, children are not carbon-emitting inconveniences, but the clearest sign that a society believes in its future. (I will say that there are great swaths of our country that are still family-friendly, including the great Midwest.)
And this is great–watch this two and a half minute clip of John Piper Asking ChatGPT to Write a Prayer:
Brilliant. What are you feeling this Christmas season? The universe is created for people made in the image of God who feel the worth of Grace…I hope you are feeling what Scrooge feels at the end of A Christmas Carol. This is why the 1951 version with Alistair Sim is the best version–because the actor gets it. He feels the joy in his heart and he is giddy with happiness. There are many other versions featuring great actors, but nobody gets it like Alistair Sim.
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
As you know I was called for Jury Duty yesterday and, of course, was unduly angst-filled about the whole thing. Well, after pouring over the instructions and figuring out exactly where I needed to go to park etc, I made it down to the designated garage, parked, immediately met another juror and walked up to the county court house with her, made it through security, and found the juror room.
Of course, I was early, and over the next hour, about 140 people trickled in. I felt a little like Neal Page, willing people not to interact with me and I was mostly successful. People can be very triggering with their noisy chip bags but, I have to say, they are mostly civilized, well-meaning and well-behaved. Two groups were called–and it felt like that scene in A Tale of Two Cities where the aristocrats in the dungeon are waiting for their names to be called out–but after about 2 1/2 hours, the rest of us were sent home. Praise the Lord.
I admit, I prayed about this and had concluded that I would try and be positive about the whole thing and look on it as doing my civic duty. This is where God had put me. I would try not to worry about it, and, see, it worked out. Let this be a lesson.
I also wanted to mention that I went to the Lessons & Carols service at my church on Sunday night by myself. The church was packed. I sat between two elders who are new friends of mine. We raised the roof with our singing! I have always loved this old Anglican service, having gone to a school where such a service was the culmination of the fall semester and the opening to Christmas break. All the scripture, all the singing by the choir, the congregation and by smaller ensembles just combine to make a wonderful evening of praise and worship!
Even so, terrible things are happening in the world. This is a good post from an Australian pastor who happened to be in Jerusalem at Christ Church (which I visited in 2018) at the time of the Bondi Hanukkah slaughter. Read the whole thing.
My little problems are little indeed. All we can do is pray.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. 3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon[b] his shoulder, and his name shall be called[c] Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Well, we got more snow–how about that? Luckily I had gone out early in the morning to run errands, so I could just stay home and watch the snow fall. Thankfully, daughter #1 had cancelled her drive to Indiana for work, but she still had to drive home from downtown and that was moderately traumatizing.
The snow was really coming down when I took this picture, but the iPhone does not capture that adequately at all!
How was your weekend? Mine was pleasantly uneventful. Daughter #1 and I were moderately successful at an estate sale run by our favorite company–and by that I mean we got quite a few books and DVDs for an amazing Lamar discount.
The highlight of the weekend was going to church and seeing the boy and his family stand up in front of the congregation and be welcomed as new members. When the wee bud returned to our pew he said, “That was the best moment I’ve ever had!” They have been attending for four years, so I don’t think the twins really understood what was happening, but something clicked. We sang good hymns and, I must say, it melts my heart to hear little Lottie singing in her sweet falsetto “Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe; sin had left a crimson stain, he washed it white as snow” from memory beside me.
We also had a great sermon on the final verses of Philippians–4:10-23–and an in-context explanation of I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Ah, the secret of Christian contentment: you may not get what you want, but you will get what you need.
My adult ed class was a panel of elders talking about various topics, including stewardship, and it was very instructive and so incredibly different from my experience in the various Episcopal churches I have attended over the years. At Covenant the session sets a budget and trusts the Lord will provide. There is no lengthy Every Member Canvas, no fund-raising, no talk of gross vs. net pay. This continues to blow my mind. When there is an opportunity to preach about giving from the Gospel lesson, as there was on Sunday, the pastor talks about giving: And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
We went to the Sunny Street Cafe after church to celebrate and daughter #1 met us there. We gobbled down our food and talked about her business trip to Wyoming and Devil’s Tower and giant coal-mining equipment much to the twins’ amazement. The bud already knew all about Devil’s Tower and the legend of the two Indian sisters and the bear, because he is a whiz on landmarks. Speaking of bears, did you know they are wrecking havoc in Japan? Neither twin knew there were bears in Japan and were skeptical when I told them.
I am re-reading Shane by Jack Schaefer and enjoying it. It is interesting to see how it is different from the movie and how the screenplay (in the hands of the great A.B. Guthrie) changes some things and emphasizes others to make a truly great film. I can’t wait to watch it again soon.
Have a great week–be thankful for your many blessings! Be content, give generously, rejoice. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus.
(And pet a nice dog.)
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; to his feet your tribute bring. Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, evermore his praises sing. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise the everlasting King!
But we urge you, brothers…to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. (I Thessalonians 4: 10-12)
It’s finally Friday! I picked up Mr. Smith yesterday without any drama and he slept the afternoon away after his busy stay at the kennel. We had some lap time and watched Fox News for awhile before dinner. (He loves Tyrus.)
I went to my community group in the evening where we started a new study on Matthew, so he had a quiet night.
Daughter #1 made it home and I will leave it to her to tell you about her latest foray out West, but she did send this picture:
FYI Devils Tower National Monument was the first U.S. national monument, established on September 24, 1906, by President Theodore Roosevelt. She and one of her co-workers hiked around it and luckily did not encounter any bears on the trail.
This Sunday the boy and the twins are formally joining our church during the morning service, so I am excited about that. We will probably celebrate afterwards at the Sunny Street Cafe. Now all three of my “kids” will be members of PCA churches. (Daughter #1’s church is actually OPC, but I won’t quibble.) Praise the Lord.
The weather has been unseasonably warm and beautiful for November–blue sky, orange trees, temps in the 70s! Daughter #1 and I sat out on a lovely patio on Friday afternoon and enjoyed a glass of wine–in November! Then we drove out to Wildwood and enjoyed pizza night with the boy and his family. Lovely.
The rest of the weekend was fairly quiet. I finished a D.E. Stevenson book and watched the leaves float down. I watched the new Kevin James movie–Playdate–on Prime. I’m not saying it’s a great movie, but I enjoyed it.
A “buddy action comedy movie”, it is about two dads and their sons who are targeted by mercenaries. There is no bad language, no sex, no politics, and very little real violence. It held my interest for 90 minutes. And the first scene takes place at a lacrosse game. Why don’t they make more movies like this?
On Sunday I went to church and heard a great sermon on Philippians 4:2-9.
2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Think about these things. Practice these things. The Lord is near. Wow. And Wow.
My adult ed class was about the diaconate. We have 14 deacons at my church and they really walk the walk. Presbyterian polity, which was developed as a rejection of governance by hierarchies of single bishops, also differs from the congregational polity in which each congregation is independent. In contrast to the other two forms, authority in the presbyterian polity flows both from the top down (as higher assemblies exercise limited but important authority over individual congregations, e.g., only the presbytery can ordain ministers, install pastors, and start up, close, and approve relocating a congregation) and from the bottom up (e.g., the moderator and officers are not appointed from above but are rather elected by and from among the members of the assembly). Brilliant. This theory of governance was developed in Geneva under John Calvin and was introduced to Scotland by John Knox. Presbyterians view this method of government as approximating that of the New Testament and earliest churches. In our church, deacons exercise responsibility for practical matters of the building and grounds and administer the welfare matters of the congregation. Members who are in need are helped by the deacons. These men are the faith in action team.
The other day I mentioned the story of Billy Graham going to see the dying Steve McQueen and that truly is a great story. But the even better part of all that was how the flight instructor over time converted the questioning Steve into a “born again” Christian. I know quite a few people like that flight instructor now–“ordinary” men who take Mark 16:15 very seriously in their daily lives. One such guy is Bill who was an executive at some big engineering firm. He is a piano-tuner now (in retirement) and he evangelizes quietly everywhere he goes, just talking to people. He is not ashamed of the Gospel. No sir. He sees it as his duty to spread the Word.
The Billy Grahams of this world are wonderful, but it is the Bills among us who do the real work where the rubber meets the actual road.
And here’s a song for Monday–the great Mark Knopfler singing the great Bob Dylan:
Oh, a false clock tries to tick out my time To disgrace, distract and bother me And the dirt of gossip blows into my face And the dust of rumors covers me
[Chorus] But if the arrow is straight and the point is slick It can pierce through dust no matter how thick So I’ll make my stand and remain as I am And bid farewell and not give a damn
(Meanwhile we made it to the prairie–where it has turned cold and even snowy!–and we went to church where daughter #2 and the girls became members along with a dozen others.)
We are surrounded by God’s benefits. The best use of these benefits is an unceasing expression of gratitude. –John Calvin
Daughter #1 and I are heading up to the prairie again on Saturday so that we can go to church with daughter #2. She and the girls are officially joining along with other new members. I’m really looking forward to this and attending what Ida refers to as, the “Hallelujah Church”. I am so thankful they have found a church where the Word of God is its foundation. Hallelujah, indeed.
Today we remember Steve McQueen who died on this day in 1980. You will recall that Steve met with Billy Graham a few days prior to his death. The year before he had gotten to know pilot Sammy Mason when he was teaching Steve to fly. He noticed something authentic and genuine about the pilot and his close-knit family. Mason was able to explain that a personal relationship with Jesus Christ had made the difference in his life. Steve started showing up at Mason’s church, the Ventura Missionary Baptist Church, which he eventually joined, and reading scripture with the pastor and Mason. Eleven months later He was diagnosed with cancer. Hearing that Billy Graham was in California, he reached out to the evangelist for a possible meeting. Graham spent some time with Steve and drove with him to the airport before being flown to a hospital in Mexico. Steve shared his story with Graham. Having misplaced his Bible, Graham inscribed his own Bible and gave it to Steve before they prayed together. Four days later, Steve was found with Billy’s Bible cradled on his chest. He had died in his sleep. Praise the Lord.
It is the season when we are especially tuned into thankfulness and this article talks about prioritizing gratitude, especially in today’s culture. “A life of gratitude is especially difficult in a culture such as ours that exalts the proud, despises humility, and enthrones self as the highest authority. In a world consumed by indifference and lack of appreciation, Christians can engage in a moment-by-moment protest of thankfulness. Persistent gratitude will set us apart from the world, making us salty to a self-indulgent culture (Matt. 5:13).”
Daughter #2 sent this pic of her street in response to my post yesterday about not much color yet in my flyover neck of the woods. The prairie is ablaze!
Here are two articles about growing older which I found to be very interesting. “This is a plea for aging Christians not to follow millions of your peers in making a tragic mistake: leaving the place, and especially the local church, where you have built up years, if not decades, of relational capital.” In other words, Boomers need to stay put. Retirement ought not be exclusively about playing golf and collecting seashells. “For decades, you’ve been amassing wisdom and experience and patience and perspective. Now, on the other side of a career, you’re finally free to share those riches with others. There are younger men and women in the throes of their early careers, new fathers and mothers insecure in their parenting, teens eager to grow up but unsure how — all in desperate need of your rooted presence.” I think of 80-something John who goes out to lunch with my son and mentors him on his spiritual walk. I think of Allan who keeps the furnace going and the grass cut at the church he has attended his whole life. I think of all the old ladies in my bible study group who pray without ceasing for us all.
(This meme never gets old.)
And in this one Carl Trueman talks about assisted suicide and the disturbing modern vision of what it means to be human. “We might even say that it represents a dehumanized and absurd view of what it means to be human. Our dependence upon others, and our obligations towards them, are what define us. The richest experiences in life arise in those contexts where we are not isolated individuals or lonely egos wandering aimlessly through this world. Love, friendship, kindnesses done, and kindnesses received are not inconveniences but elements of the very fabric of life.”
Go to church! Make some new friends. Share what you know. Learn about Jesus. His arms are open.
And this is for anyone who might need to hear it again:
dual personalities 