spirituality | dual personalities

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.

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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. ⁵Or 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”? ⁶But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” ⁷Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸Draw 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

March 30, 2023

More things of minor consequence

by chuckofish

“There is hardship in everything except eating pancakes.” (Charles H. Spurgeon)

I read this article about Welsh male voice choirs still singing and my heart was glad. I hope they can keep that Welsh torch lit for music. We have a lot of men in our PCA congregation and, praise Jesus, they all sing out throughout the service. It is indeed wonderful. (And such a change from the Episcopal churches I have belonged to.)

I liked this true story about Lyman Beecher’s prodigal son.

And Kevin DeYoung explains the fight of faith in this sad world.

Meanwhile the Christmas cactus is blooming again!

The big questions in life are not “Who am I?” The big question in life is “Whose am I?” You have got to answer that question. Whose are you? Whose are you? That’s the issue. In the twentieth century, we get all bent out of shape about self-identity and stuff. Who am I, and my worth, and my esteem, and my value, and all that — man. When you read the Bible, the huge issue is right relationship with God and to whom you belong, whose you are.

–John Piper

Whose are you?

3 Comments

March 29, 2023

Through cloud and sunshine

by chuckofish

Well, I had a wonderful time visiting my precious daughter #2 and her wee family over the weekend. How could I not? I did nothing but hold/gaze at little Ida…

…and hang out with Katie…

I also spent copious amounts of time having deep conversations about important subjects with daughter #2 while the little ones napped. When DN returned from his wedding festivities on Sunday, we were able to catch up as well and celebrate his birthday.

Time well spent indeed.

Daughter #1, Mr. Smith and the OM held the fort.

Now it is back to my old routine. I caught up with my Bible reading. I did laundry and watered the plants. I hung out with the boy who dropped by on his way to work.

Our pastor sent this recording of the hymn Abide with Me, a hymn that the church has often sung in days of grief and mourning, to our congregation following the shooting at our sister PCA church in Nashville. This version, sung by Jeremy Casella, was recorded in the sanctuary of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Nashville.

For our brothers and sisters in Nashville we pray that even as they grieve, they would know the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, a peace that will guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7), amidst their tears.

Anne of course had something meaningful to say about all the ““takes” in [her] feed, from every conceivable point of view, a cacophony of grief and schadenfreude.” You might want to read it.

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.

2 Comments

March 13, 2023

Abide with me

by chuckofish

Another gloomy, cold, rainy weekend in flyover country–par for the course now that all the flowering trees have popped. Daughter #1 and I drove to Jeff City again to start packing up her apartment. She has a lot of stuff to pack…

But we made a start and we brought some plants home.

We were exhausted when we got back. We tried to watch The Robe (1953) but only made it as far as Marcellus being converted. We’ll watch the rest this week.

On Sunday morning the OM and I picked up the twins per usual since lacrosse season started and took them to church. Because the OM was an usher, we had to get there a little early, so the twins were able to indulge in coffee hour donuts.

I think I know why the OM volunteers to usher so often–it is because he can pretend he doesn’t know us and sit elsewhere. This week I gave the twins a C+ on the depravity scale for their behavior. I blame Satan and not the donuts. After church one of the Sunday School teachers told me Wheeler was “sad” and I said, “I’m sure he was–I took his toy away and made him sit right next to me with my arm around him.” She said, ‘Well, I told him I’m sorry you are sad,’ and he said ‘Thank you.'”

After church we drove them to their Dad’s store where they were going to hang out for awhile.

Good times. I am really looking forward to lacrosse season settling down.

Meanwhile daughter #2 tried the Easter dress my mother made for daughter #1 back in 1988 on Katie. It fit and so did the matching doll dress on her baby doll.