dual personalities

Tag: spirituality

June 12, 2023

Arise my soul, arise

by chuckofish

We had a quiet weekend. The twins came over with their dad on Saturday after their swimming lesson and they ran around wrecking some havoc. We ate bagels before they left to go to a birthday party. I watched our local auction house online auction, but didn’t make any rescues. When I suggested to the OM that we might go to dinner at the Cracker Barrel, he literally leapt out of his chair and was in the car before I could powder my nose.

We enjoyed our homestyle meals and were home by 6:00 pm. Such oldsters. I noticed later on Not the Bee that there has been some controversy surrounding Cracker Barrel and a boycott because they are too woke. That might explain why there were so few people there! (Note the empty tables above.)

In church the sermon was about Hosea as we have been delving into this book for the last month or so. Interestingly, Anne wrote about it too. “Just to recap, in case you haven’t cracked open ye olde holy scriptures recently, (paging Rick Warren…and basically everyone), Israel, upon settling into the Land that the Lord her God had given her, decided that worshiping the gods of the people who lived there was at least as interesting as offering sacrifices and praise to the Lord. It’s not that they didn’t “worship” God, it’s just that on the way home from the place God put his Name, it was expedient and sensible to also stop at various other shrines and sacrifice a child or two along with pouring libations on the ground and depositing other kinds of offerings in the nooks and crannies of their inheritance. The all-or-nothing nature of Temple worship didn’t really suit the people whom the Lord had called out from all the nations around, to worship him alone.” God just wants your steadfast love. Is that too much to ask?

After church I helped decorate for VBS. And, thank you Jesus, I now have a teenage helper assigned to me so I do not have to go it totally alone with the 4/5th grade girls this week. 🙌🙌🙌

I thought this was very interesting, especially considering my post last week about outlawing insult. Now Monty Python is in trouble (again)…Forty-four years later we’re certainly not allowed to laugh at this nonsense because it has become the truth:

I mean who would have guessed how spot on the Pythons were back in the day!

And just in time for VBS, Matt Mitchell has a new video about…VBS!

P.S. Look at the wee pup and how his training is going: Sit, boy!

Good, dog!

3 Comments
June 5, 2023

It is hotter than the devil’s hootchie-cootchie out here

by chuckofish

Yes, it is full-on summer here in flyover country–hot and humid–and you better not walk barefoot on your asphalt driveway, that’s for sure. Heavy sigh. Well, we had a nice long spring and it was great while it lasted.

We kept a low profile this weekend, but Katie turned three in style back in Maryland.

She celebrated appropriately. (She is wearing her favorite vintage nightie, which my mother made for daughter #1/Aunt Mary about 36 years ago.)

Aunt Mary made her a tote bag with Pete the Cat fabric she found at Joann’s!

She immediately filled it up with books–a girl after our own hearts. Love the matching bow!

And, of course, there was cake!

I stayed after church on Sunday to go to a meeting for VBS volunteers–because, yes, I am once again doing my part, even after I said never again last year. This year I am on my own with 14 4th/5th graders! Am I crazy? Yes, yes I am. I will never be able to remember their names, much less keep track of them. I am praying for a teenage helper to step up to the plate.

I got a new t-shirt, since I threw mine away last year thinking I would never need it again. Well, I have a week to psych myself up for this. Please pray for me.

Enjoy your Monday!

4 Comments
May 7, 2023

None but Zion’s children know

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? Mine was very nice although the weather has turned hot and muggy in flyover country and that is never a cause to rejoice (although we try to rejoice in all things).

I helped set up for the Kirkwood Historical Society attic sale. And I bought a stack of books (just what I need, right?)…

I have a small collection of books on the Santa Fe Trail, so the Diary of Susan Shelby Magoffin is a great addition. The Seifert novel is about Magoffin. Shirley Seifert was a mid-century writer from Kirkwood who wrote quite a few historical novels, published by J.B. Lippincott. She was really into her research, but her writing is pretty dry, but I have a growing collection of her books. She also wrote the centennial history of my old church, Grace Episcopal, where she was a member for many years.

Daughter #1 and I went to the actual sale on Saturday and she got a nice table for $20 on which to put her Civil War officer’s desk, which I had bought at auction a few years ago.

We also got some more books. Afterwards we went to a couple of estate sales where we were successful again, rescuing a nice Hitchcock chair for $10.

She had many other adventures dealing with Lowe’s delivery men, UPS men, and ADT installers, but I will leave that to her to describe to you.

I watched the Kentucky Derby–whoop-di-do–but my horse did not win. I remember when Secretariat won fifty years ago. My Sunday School teacher went to the race and he assigned everyone in our class a horse. Mine won, but I think all I got was a $5 gift certificate. Typical Episcopalians–betting in Sunday School!

I did not watch any of the coronation, but Anne wrote a long article about it. Read the whole thing.

It was so strange for example, to listen to that glorious Colossians text read in that exquisite church by a practicing Hindu. Dissonance, at the very least, is the word one gropes for, if not blasphemy. How can that person stand there, after reading aloud about how all things are put in subjection under Christ, how he is the Firstborn in whom all things hold together, and then say, “The Word of the Lord” if he doesn’t really believe it? How can Justin Welby face Charles and command him to stand on the authority of the Bible when he himself has been unwilling to do any such thing?

On Sunday the kindergartners received their very own Bibles in front of our whole Presbyterian congregation. The wee bud stood up beaming with his father and I was very proud. (Lottie was home sick, bit she still got her pink Bible!) I may have gotten a little verklempt.

Afterwards we all went home to eat bagels and sit outside. Good times.

Savior, if 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 pleasure,
All his boasted pomp and show;
Solid joys and lasting treasure
None but Zion’s children know.

–John Newton

P.S. On Saturday we had three blue eggs in our Robin’s nest, but sadly they have all been destroyed by other birds. Nature. C’est la vie.

4 Comments
May 2, 2023

Faint not, hold on and hold up

by chuckofish

Still working on getting my house back in ship shape after having daughter #1 and Mr. Smith staying with us for four months. But you know how it is–I’m sure I will be finding their stuff for weeks to come.

Well, that’s okay.

Here’s what happens when you’re about to sink the ball two under par but an angry swarm of bees has different plans for you.

This is the most radical thing I do also.

Here’s a list of books everyone should read. I already have most of these, but you can bet I am ordering Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devises by Thomas Brooks.

“For a close, remember this, that your life is short, your duties many, your assistance great, and your reward sure; therefore faint not, hold on and hold up, in ways of well-doing, and heaven shall make amends for all.”

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April 25, 2023

O Me! O Life!

by chuckofish

Greetings from the land of Still Recovering from that same virus/whatever that got me down last November. Ugh. Nevertheless, I started the slow process of cleaning my empty nest.

Clearly this was a bad idea, since in the process of doing this, I broke the glass tabletop in my Florida Room.

Oh me! Oh life! of the questions of these recurring,

Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the foolish,

Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?)

Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the struggle ever renew’d,

Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me,

Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me intertwined,

The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life?

  Answer.

That you are here—that life exists and identity,

That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.

(Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass 1892)

4 Comments
April 17, 2023

I will take my stand at my watchpost*

by chuckofish

We had a quiet weekend, but the weather was not quiet! We had some big storms on Saturday.

The local stations stayed on the air without commercial breaks for at least three hours. At one point we even got Mr. Smith and went down to the basement as tornadoes moved through the area. But that’s par for the course this time of year.

(Mr. Smith gets a peak into the OM’s dark lair.)

On Sunday the temperature had dropped 40 degrees and it was very blustery, but nothing serious. The boy and his family lost their power during the storm on Saturday, but we (thankfully) did not. When we picked up the twins to go to church, the power was still off at their house!

Church was very special because we had a guest preacher who was a beloved former pastor. I had heard a lot about George Robertson, so I was very curious. He gave a great sermon on Habakkuk 1:12–2:3, all about doubt and dealing with it by running to God not away from Him. The church was of course full and when we sang the doxology at the end of the service–wow–I cried like a baby as usual. I am just so happy to be there.

Daughter #1 was in Jeff City most of the weekend finishing up packing her apartment and getting ready to move next Saturday. She closes on her house this Wednesday.

Meanwhile I am reading Vittoria Cottage by D. E. Stevenson.

My DP recommended the author in a blogpost some years past and I am finally taking her advice. Written in 1949, the action takes place in a quiet village in postwar England. Just what the doctor ordered. I am also reading In the Heart of the Rockies by G.A. Henty, whose author I mentioned a few weeks ago in reference to Louis L’Amour being a fan.

I am enjoying it also.

Enjoy your Monday! Enjoy the ordinary. Step into the the sun, step into the light! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

*Habukkuk 2:1

3 Comments
April 13, 2023

Oh Daniel prayed every morning, noon and night

by chuckofish

As you know we are reading the book of Daniel in my women’s Bible study group. I had, of course, read the book before–last year in fact–but I had never really noticed what a treasure trove it is. Daniel is an amazing guy! Angels are frequently showing up in his life, even Gabriel! He tells him: “O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision.” (Daniel 9:22-23)

“For you are greatly loved.” In the next chapter Daniel is again told by an angel, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” (10: 19)

John Piper says, “I admit that each year when I read through the Bible and come to these verses, I want to take them and apply them to myself. I want to hear God saying to me, ‘You are greatly loved.’” He says we do hear it. But, wow, Daniel.

From the beginning of the Babylonian captivity, Daniel kept the faith. He shunned the depraved culture in which he was forced to live. And as he continued to surrender to God, Daniel rose to great prominence in the palace of the king. Even King Nebuchadnezzar turned to Daniel for counsel. So did King Darius. He reminds me a lot of Joseph and his rise to prominence in Egypt. There is a lesson here, of course.

Part of that lesson is that Daniel prayed. A lot. And his prayer is refreshingly straightforward. Right before the angel Gabriel appears, Daniel prays:

O Lord, hear!

O Lord, forgive!

O Lord, listen and act!

I like his direct approach. And I like Patty and Ricky’s version of this Gospel classic.

Oh Daniel served his living God
While upon the earth he trod
He prayed to God each morning, noon and night
He cared not for the king's decrees
But trusted God to set him free
Oh Daniel prayed every morning, noon and night
--Ralph Stanley
5 Comments
April 12, 2023

You can find rest in the Father/lay your worries down*

by chuckofish

Yesterday was a typical day for this old retired lady. First thing in the morning I did my daily Bible reading. Then I hopped in the Cooper and drove down to the Link Auction Galleries to pick up my ‘winnings’ (i.e. old stuff no one else wants) from last week’s auction.

It was a beautiful day to take a drive as spring is busting out all over this flyover town.

I came home and caught up on my emails and “desk work”. Daughter #2 sent this picture of baby Idabelle already wearing a dress that daughter #1 made for Katie!

Sunrise/sunset. And, of course, I got the daily update on Katie’s day at daycare…

The boy came over for our usual Tuesday morning gabfest before he headed off to work.

In the afternoon I worked on putting together the first issue of the Kirkwood Historical Society Review with me as co-editor. (The Review has been around for 60-odd years.) Everything goes to the printer today, so say a little prayer. We switched printers when the old printing company’s warehouse burned down and now the printer is my old friend Cherie, with whom I worked for many years while I was at my flyover university. It is good to be back doing business with an old pal.

I walked the dog. I read some poetry:

(W.H. Davies, 1911)

I made hash for dinner with the leftover pork tenderloin from Easter. It was really tasty.

Life is good and God is sovereign. Take the time to stop and stare. Enjoy your day!

*I like this song by Stephen Stanley.

5 Comments
April 5, 2023

I’ll lay my trophies down

by chuckofish

I am currently reading the Epistle of James in my daily Bible reading plan. Chapter 4 is quite convicting:

Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Clearly, resisting the devil is a full time job and we must never drop our guard. Read the whole chapter and see how the Bible speaks to us today. Washing our hands was not just something we did during Covid.

So be obedient and all manner of things shall be well. Don’t follow the world, follow Jesus. Being kind is important, but it’s not the Gospel.

And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
I’ll lay my trophies down,
All down at Jesus’ feet.

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

–Elvina M. Hall, 1865

4 Comments
April 4, 2023

The idle singer of an empty day*

by chuckofish

Well, spring has sprung here in flyover country, it would appear, although the daffodils have been blooming (and blooming) for weeks and weeks. It was warm enough to sit out on the patio this weekend and it was glorious. I am (slowly) cleaning up the Florida Room and am hopeful I will have all my plants out there etc by the end of the week. It is hard work for this creaking old body.

And, look, Don reports that the gnomes are back in his garden!

In other news, on TCM this month they are celebrating the 100th anniversary of Warner Brothers, so you can imagine there are some great movies being shown.

I love a good conversion story. Here is John Piper’s. “All I remember is believing. I’ve always believed, as far as I can remember. I’m sure that’s not true since we come into the world bent out of shape by sin, but whatever God did in my life to make me a believer, he did so early that I don’t remember it happening.”

As Holy Week continues, this is a meaningful read.

This is also excellent.

Also I will note that today is what would have been my father’s 101st birthday. We will toast you tonight, ANC III. From the distance of thirty-one years since your death, I can say, many thanks for being my father.

*From the poem “Prologue of the Earthly Paradise” by William Morris (1834-1896); the painting is “Interior of the Artist” by Léon De Smet (Belgium 1881 – 1966)

3 Comments