dual personalities

Tag: spirituality

October 6, 2025

My heart is filled with thankfulness

by chuckofish

Yes, that season is upon us–even the boy has a giant skeleton in his front yard. (He inherited it from his in-laws.) Well, to each his own.

Anyway, I had a nice weekend. Pizza night at the boy’s house. A couple of estate sales. A trip to Hobby Lobby. Mr. Smith and daughter #1 came over Saturday night for Chick-fil-a and a movie.

We watched The Man Who Went Up a Hill and Came Down a Mountain (1995)–a favorite of ours from the good ol’ Harvey Weinstein Miramax days. It is a perfect movie–the kind they don’t know how to make anymore.

Highly recommended!

Sunday I went to church as usual and heard a good sermon on Philippians 2:5-11. We had our final Sunday School class on the Power of Story in the Works of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. I wish it were not over! I brought the twins new notebooks from the dollar store for them to draw/take notes/journal in. They were very pleased. After church we went to the bud’s soccer game which was very pleasant, even if it was a little on the warm side. We will be freezing soon enough.

After the game I went home and took it easy.

My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who bore my pain;
Who plumbed the depths of my disgrace
And gave me life again.
Who crushed my curse of sinfulness,
And clothed me with His light,
And wrote His law of righteousness
With power upon my heart.

For every day I have on earth
Is given by the King.
So I will give my life, my all,
To love and follow Him.

4 Comments
October 2, 2025

Forget not

by chuckofish

Even as the giant decorative skeletons crop up around town, I am reminded that I better get going on my Christmas shopping! Also we have multiple birthdays coming up in November/December/January, and have I mentioned, a new baby due in early December! Yes, daughter #2 is expecting baby #3. We are all pretty excited about it. The end of the year is always busy, but it will be even more so this year.

Meanwhile I am busy with my continuing home organization projects, bible study homework and the next edition of the Historical Review. My wonderful 89-year old co-editor stepped in for me over the summer, but I am back and have the reins in hand.

This is an interesting article about how “with poignant wisdom and gentle wit, Charles M. Schulz reinvented the form and introduced the nation to Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy and so many more indelible characters.”

This is good advice: Forget Not His Faithfulness–“Telling and retelling our stories of God’s faithfulness guards our hearts against forgetfulness, and hearing those stories is one of the ways God builds faith in little hearts.”

And here are a couple of photos I found in my archaeological dig in the basement:

BSA Boundary Waters canoe trip circa 2000. It nearly killed the OM but he did it (and so did the boy)!

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September 29, 2025

Come, ye weary, heavy laden

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? We had blue skies overhead, but it did get kind of toasty watching the bud play soccer on Sunday afternoon!

On Saturday morning daughter #1 and I ventured to Saint Charles across the Missouri River to a DAR cemetery marker ceremony. The SAR Color Guard was there in full regalia to lend support and authenticity to the event. Much appreciated, guys. (Sometimes I do think we live in Mayberry.)

In case you have forgotten, the Battle of Fort San Carlos, was fought on May 26, 1780, between British-allied Indians and defenders of the Franco-Spanish village of St. Louis (Louisiana Territory) during the American Revolutionary War. The garrison, a motley assortment of regulars and militiamen led by Upper Louisiana’s lieutenant governor, Captain Fernando de Leyba, suffered a small number of casualties. A few of the veterans of that battle were buried in Saint Charles. Their graves were later moved to the Saint Charles Borromeo Cemetery in Saint Charles and that is where the marker was dedicated. Lest we forget.

Afterwards we went to old town St. Charles and walked up and down Main Street visiting some “vintique” stores, and ate lunch on the patio of Llewellyn’s Pub, which was delightful.

Meanwhile, I was glad to see that the twins were practicing their BB gun marksmanship in their backyard.

On Sunday I went to church and heard a good sermon on Philippians 1:27-2:4: “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents.”

We sang “Come Ye Sinners” and I wept from start to finish. The choir was back and in fine fettle and sang “Land of Pure Delight”. Lovely.

And now the inimitable Voddie Baucham has entered into eternity (last Thursday) at the age of 56. It is a lot to process.

Voddie was an American pastor, author and educator. He served nine years as Dean of Theology from 2015 to 2024 at African Christian University in Zambia. Rest in peace, brother.

Well, we go on. Read some history, pet a nice dog. Come to Jesus.

3 Comments
September 25, 2025

Lest we forget: Laus Deo

by chuckofish

At the top of the Washington monument in Washington D.C., on the East-facing surface, are two Latin words: Laus Deo. “Laus Deo,” translated from the Latin, means “Praise Be To God.” The words cannot be seen from below and they face perpetually to the rising Sun in the east. 

The presence of those two words on his monument may recall, however, the prayer George Washington offered at his first inauguration as the first President of the United States:

“Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United states at large.

And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Amen, indeed!

If you haven’t seen this yet, check it out:

I will leave you with this video of 2 1/2-year old Idabelle’s favorite radio song. She knows all the words and sings along. How I wish I had a video of that!

Yea, though I walk through the valley
I will have

[Chorus]
No fear (No fear)
No fear (No fear)
The mighty power of Jesus is fighting for me here
No fear (No fear)
No fear (No fear)
The light of the world makes the darkness disappear

3 Comments
September 24, 2025

“The most fraudulent case of false advertising since my suit against the film ‘The Neverending Story’.”*

by chuckofish

Today we remember and toast the great Phil Hartman, comedian, actor, screenwriter and graphic designer, who was born on this day in 1948. Did you know that before he was a TV personality, he designed album covers–including this favorite from my youth.

He was a voice actor extraordinaire:

as well as a sketch comedy star…

We miss him. SNL and The Simpsons have never been the same without him.

On another sad note, Italian actress Claudia Cardinale died yesterday at age 87. I always loved her, especially in Circus World (1964) and The Professionals (1966).

Her delivery of the line, “Go to hell” in the latter film was classic. She was also great in Fellini’s 8 1/2 (1963), Visconti’s The Leopard (1963), The Pink Panther (1963) and as the woman caught in sin in Jesus of Nazareth (1977).

Riposi in pace, bella.

In other news, I love stuff like this: here’s a list of questions that evolutionists need to be able to answer if they want to remain plausible.

And here’s the story of the “watchmaker who forgave her enemies”: the wonderful Corrie Ten Boom. It’s always a good reminder!

Have a good day–hang in there!

*Lionel Hutz (Phil Hartman)

3 Comments
September 17, 2025

“Pick me out a winner, Bobby”*

by chuckofish

Yesterday Robert Redford died in his sleep at his home in Sundance, Utah at the age of 89. He was never a particular favorite of mine, but it is always sad to see a Hollywood icon from the olden days die. He was undeniably handsome, but he had a cold, cynical look in his eye that made him less attractive to me than, say, Paul Newman. But I really liked him in The Sting (1973) and The Natural (1984)–two of my favorite movies.

Maybe I’ll watch The Natural. Sigh.

It’s been a sad week.

This is a good one about reading as the best way to rebel in a world that can glance at everything and gaze at nothing. “In our world today, many voices seek our attention. Influencers everywhere hawk their wares. How tragic if we develop the capacity to attune to everything but the Word of the Lord. The most radical, countercultural practice we can cultivate today is an intensity in reading and listening to the Scriptures.”

So watch an old movie, read an old book, read the Bible!

103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

(Psalm 119:103-105)

*Roy Hobbs in The Natural

3 Comments
September 8, 2025

“Oh, God. I can’t wait to get into bed and stretch out. You know, there’s a Bob Hope movie on television later.”*

by chuckofish

How was your weekend? Mine was lovely. The weather was perfect. The sky was blue. I enjoyed great conversation, good fellowship at my mini-retreat in a beautiful setting…

I watched a good movie with daughter #1–in fact, my favorite Woody Allen movie (besides Annie Hall)–Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993). There is no bad language, no sex–just middle aged neurotics trying to solve a murder! I love the end where Woody is so relieved to find his wife (Diane Keaton) bound and gagged, but okay–he is so relieved and happy! It is like Cary Grant and Irene Dunne!

And you have to love Diane in a turtleneck, a blouse, a tweed jacket, and a belt!

Meanwhile we are back on our fall schedule of going to the 8:30 a.m. service at church, followed by Sunday School, and then on to a soccer game at 12:15. The boy and I went to the class on “The Power of Story in the Works of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien” taught by our favorite college professor with a ponytail. It was very good. Also, our Associate Pastor is back from sabbatical and he gave a really good sermon on Philippians 1: 1-11.

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace,[d] both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

And BTW I heartily agree with this article by Albert Mohler Jr.: “I try to be appropriately respectful of all elected officials, but Sen. Kaine uttered one of the most profoundly wrong, dangerous, and downright stupid comments a member of the Senate might articulate.” Who are these ignorant people?

Have a good week! Pray hard.

*Larry Lipton in Manhattan Murder Mystery

3 Comments
September 5, 2025

It’s Friday again–can you believe it?

by chuckofish

Last night my Church Community Group started up again after its summer recess, so I am back to doing homework! We are continuing to read this book…

…which we began last spring. I think I would rather read an actual book by Tim Keller, but this is okay. We got some good conversation going.

Next week my Women’s Bible Study starts back up. We are continuing with the study of Exodus (19-40) by Jen Wilken. So more homework! It’s a good thing my shredding project is almost finis. And in case you are wondering, somehow I have kept up with my daily Bible reading! I just read 2 Corinthians 4–I highly recommend it.

Tomorrow I am going to a ladies’ lakeside mini-retreat at Innsbrook about an hour out of town. I am looking forward to this fellowship time with my church friends.

Here’s a fascinating look at the “secular liturgy” that is Goodnight Moon. This book is still a favorite of my younger grandchildren, but it cannot be denied that its author, Margaret Wise Brown, was a real mess and lost soul. (You may recall that she was the granddaughter of early Missouri governor Gratz Brown, about whom I wrote a while ago.) Her famous book reflects her lostness. I have to admit, I always thought the book was a little odd. “Instead of appealing to a God who holds all things together in his ordered creation, the liturgy of Goodnight Moon simply observes the randomness of an inexplicable universe: Goodnight nobody. Goodnight mush.“

This is much better:

O LET the Earth bless the Lord: * yea, let it praise him, and magnify him for ever.
    O ye Mountains and Hills, bless ye the Lord: * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
    O all ye Green Things upon the earth, bless ye the Lord: * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
    O ye Wells, bless ye the Lord: * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
    O ye Seas and Floods, bless ye the Lord: * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
    O ye Whales, and all that move in the waters, bless ye the Lord: * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
    O all ye Fowls of the air, bless ye the Lord: * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
    O all ye Beasts and Cattle, bless ye the Lord: * praise him, and magnify him for ever.
    O ye Children of Men, bless ye the Lord: * praise him, and magnify him for ever.

–BCP, 1928

3 Comments
September 3, 2025

His grace is sufficient

by chuckofish

The Madcaps are grieving the death of one of their beloved Pugs. They are so right about “working” through it. Personally, I have been wearing out the shredder every day, since the OM never threw out a piece of paper in his life. Slowly but surely I am making progress. Bringing some measure of order to the chaos is bringing me joy.

This is a really good article about God’s mercies “even to your old age”.

“The manna in the wilderness was given one day at a time. There was no storing up. God wants us to depend on him every single day. We do not receive today the strength to bear tomorrow’s burdens. We are given mercy and strength to match the needs of today.” 

What a great analogy from Exodus!

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

–Lamentations 3:22-23

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September 1, 2025

Postcards from the weekend

by chuckofish

How was your holiday weekend? Mine was delightful. We sat outside and enjoyed the lovely flyover weather and good company.

On Saturday we went to an estate sale where daughter #1 scored a Lane cedar chest for a very reasonable price. Then we went to Meijers in Champaign, which actually blew our minds. So big, so clean. There were even tropical fish.

But then, it doesn’t take much to please us.

We went to church on Sunday at daughter #2’s church in Urbana and heard a good sermon on Genesis 38–God works through what is sinful and shameful to accomplish his glorious redemptive purpose.

And Mr. Smith was a good boy.

I never took a picture of our hosts, but c’est la vie. Mea culpa. Everything was wonderful.

“Lord, help me to glorify Thee; I am poor, help me to trust Thee; I am weak, help me to lean on Thee; I am foolish, help me to learn of Thee.” (Charles Spurgeon – 1834-1892)

3 Comments