White Horse Inn

Today as I listened to the radio I heard an advertisement for the website, White Horse Inn. They played a clip from the download available at the link above involving a man-on-the-street question: "Can you list all the Ten Commandments?" A majority of Christians they've asked over the years, they say, have been unable to do it. One man said he may not know them, but he definitely keeps them all.

The American church has too much abandoned the preaching and teaching of the Word of God. How can Christians live like Christians, or spread the gospel, if they do not know the basics of Christianity like the meaning of Jesus' sacrificial atonement or the Ten Commandments?

Go to the link. Listen. Pass it on.

This is a subject about which I am passionate. Churches must teach the truth. As a side note, the men who did this broadcast did a comparison: J.I. Packer wrote a book called Knowing God. Rick Warren wrote 40 Days of Purpose. Do you see the transition? Do you see the problem?

To God be all glory.

Great Pyramids

There are several times and places in history that are constantly replacing each other for "video I would most like to see" or "time I would most like to visit." Included are the royal palace of Persia in Susa during the reign of Xerxes as described in Esther, the parting of the Red Sea, and the building of the Great Pyramids. How did they do that?

Watching television specials on the pyramids is fascinating and riveting, but they give me the shivers. Whether this is because of the pagan spirituality constantly referenced, the tales of curses on "grave-robbers," gory images of mummies, or the complete mystery of it all - I love the shows and dread them at the same time. Everything would be much better, and I would be content to be only awed, and not afraid, if I could just see how such huge things could have been built. Of course I am not the only person curious. Experts have been testing hypotheses for decades.

One scientist, Dr. Michael Barsoum, is now suggesting that many key blocks of the Egyptian pyramids were mixed and cast, like concrete, in place. Could we be closer to solving the riddle of technologically advanced pyramid construction? See this article by Science Daily and this on the Answers in Genesis website. Oooh! I'm excited!

To God be all glory.

Fell

I was thinking today about a word. So this is the occasional etymology trivia into which my blog delves. The word is "fell" as in a fell weapon, fell swoop, or in Lord of the Rings, fell beast.

This specimen of language is interesting to me because it is so simple, and seldom used. We like to be boring and use "deadly" all the time. This "fell" comes from the same root as "felon." Originally, the word was Middle Latin, fello, meaning villain:

fell (adj.)

c.1275, from O.Fr. fel "cruel, fierce," from M.L. fello "villain" (see felon). Phrase at one fell swoop is from "Macbeth."

Here is where it gets interesting. The word "fell" in verb form is attributed to the Germanic branch of languages, with neater spellings:

fell (v.)

O.E. fællan, (Mercian) fyllan (W.Saxon) "make fall," also "demolish, kill," from P.Gmc. *fallijanan (cf. O.N. fella, Du. fellen, O.H.G. fellan), causative of *fallan (O.E. feallan, see fall (v.)), showing i-mutation.

For this word, think of a common use such as "felling trees" (what a logger - not a blogger - does).

Last but not least, the verb "fall" traces its hypothetical roots to the Proto-Indo-European, with representatives in Armenian, Lithuanian, and Old Prussian. How neat is that?

fall (v.)

O.E. feallan (class VII strong verb; past tense feoll, pp. feallen), from P.Gmc. *fallanan (cf. O.N. falla, O.H.G. fallan), from PIE base *phol- "to fall" (cf. Armenian p'ul "downfall," Lith. puola "to fall," O.Prus. aupallai "finds," lit. "falls upon").

Hope you all enjoyed your lesson, and that you will work to implement this ancient word in your everyday speech.

To God be all glory.

How Much Worse?

A recent interview of Bill Richardson, potential Democrat candidate for president, by the LA Times yielded this interesting quote (italics are Richardson; bold is the reporter):

But I think eventually the best situation is a linkage. But if the linkage is not there, you know, the phased withdrawl, it has to happen. Because right now, it can't be any worse. There's a civil war going on. The Iraqi people want us to leave. So, you cut your losses.

The can't-be-any-worse argument was also very popular in 1975 in Vietnam, and Cambodians found out that it could actually get quite a good deal worse. Is that something that worries you? What do you build into that process?

Yeah. It worries me, but how worse can it get?

Two million people killed in a genocide?

Are the stakes not obvious? Do so few people understand war? What on earth is he thinking, that this is the worst the Middle East could possibly get? Did our education system teach him no history?

Read the whole interview here if you're interested in context. We're not losing. Only politically, here, in the US, are we remotely losing this war. But the political, grassroots war is on. Some patriots are not interested in surrendering to (or negotiating with) terrorists. Hurray for the power of the press! We're the United States! Don't tell me we can't win.

To God be all glory.

Aprons

There is an apron contest going on, giving away a pretty apron. Since I thought any female readers might be interested (and in an attempt to increase female readership - hint: the blog has "Lady" in the title - not to scare any of my few readers away), and because you get to enter the contest an extra time if you link to the contest, guess what? I'm linking. You have to see the picture. It's beautiful. And if you're too late for the contest, or if you just don't win, there are more aprons for sale.

A google blog search for posts about aprons yielded this link. I enjoyed it. Aprons are neat. My grandma made old-fashioned aprons for my aunts and female cousins a few years ago, and I love mine. Watching Wives and Daughters I was so jealous of Molly's aprons that I made one of my own - then made some for my friends for Christmas 2005. I'd like to sell them, but all my ideas for sales are trends I'd like to set, so I'm not sure how to create the market. Anyway, aprons are still full of meaning, like a nice leather briefcase to a businessman, the author of the above post says.

To God be all glory.

For Whom Do I Cheer?

For kids I'd like to abolish organized sports. If a child wants to play, he should have friends over and learn the rules and get some good, fun exercise by playing a game with neighborhood companions. In high school it should be a less demanding (controlling, life-consuming) activity. The high school sports sphere is such a cutthroat quest for scholarships. At least in the cities, where the high schools have thousands of students enrolled, the students who make the team are those with resumes of involvement in sports since they were young, and over the summer at camps. An outrageous sum of money is spent on camps, equipment, uniforms, membership in leagues. The return is not profitable. I think parents should have been investing for college if college scholarships for a college education were the end-all for their children.

There are those devoted (obsessed) fans who have memorized statistics, names, plays, penalties, and trivia for their favorite sports team (or sport in general, or every sport). Cable channels dedicated to sports fuel this waste. Even in school I have met people who know more about their favorite athlete than they have Bible verses memorized, yet they've proved their brain capable.

What really bothers me about sports is when people are at practices or games, or watching games during times when they have committed to be at church. Especially children are taught by the priorities demonstrated by participating in a soccer tournament Sunday morning. The excuses are petty. No one has told me, "We go to church on Saturday (or Tuesday) because the Bible says we don't have to respect one day over another for worship and fellowship." This would be a satisfactory explanation to me. Yet kids can't attend our Bible study/memorization club on Mondays or Wednesdays, youth group on Tuesdays, or church on Sundays because they are either attending practices and games or too exhausted from practices and games.

On the other hand, sports in moderation (certain sports, which do not glorify meaningless violence) can be inspiring. There is an intoxicating thrill in being on the edge of your seat waiting for a team to win or lose, rising up with a cheer for the incredible play. Thoughtful tactics are for the peaceful moments of a game. What should they do? Why did the coach do that? Does the player understand all the rules, and the game-long scheme?

Then there is the fact that there are some very public Christians, whose character is demonstrated to be different even on the field or the court. Yesterday the Indianapolis Colts won the AFC Championship in football and they will be playing in the Super Bowl in 2 weeks. On a nationally televised game, forming a counterpoint to the worldly commercials and environment, the owner of the Colts "humbly" gave glory to God. Again, right after the owner, their coach, Tony Dungy, gave credit to God for their victory. My family speculated that their quarterback, Peyton Manning, had been praying during the last minutes of the close game. People know he's a Christian. His character is Christian. He is a team player and a good player, kind to the other team and usually calm even in the face of injustice - though with an intelligent grasp of the truth.

Though I love the city of Chicago, the other team playing in 2 weeks, and though they have a sort of Cinderella story, I will be cheering for the Colts. I want to be associated with their fans. At this big game, this big secular event, when the owner and coach mentioned God, the crowd even roared their agreement.

Sometimes, sports isn't so bad. Paul uses the imagery of the athletic tournaments to describe our spiritual life. Practices, following the rules, giving it your all, striving for the goal of the single prize:

2 Timothy 2:5,

"And if a man also strive for masteries,

yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully."

1 Corinthians 9:24-27,

"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all,

but one receiveth the prize?

So run, that ye may obtain.

And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.

Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

I therefore so run, not as uncertainly;

so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection:

lest that by any means, when I have preached to others,

I myself should be a castaway."

To God be all glory.

Changing Church Part XIV

“You say ‘might’ a lot. And you hope, or believe.”

“Excuse me, but as we are Christians here who believe in a mighty God, I thought such words would be acceptable,” said Anne. Her defensive mood had not lessened.

“Anne, can you bring out the cake?” Will’s tone said more than his words. Anne could tell that the men understood his rebuke. She rose meekly and spent some time in the kitchen.

“Please don’t think I’m trying to give you a false impression of our feelings by keeping her quiet at times.”

Anne came out smiling, having heard this, and having regained control of her attitude. She offered a piece of thickly frosted chocolate cake to each of her guests. Then she sat down to quiet herself over an oversized piece of her own.

“Your deacon was concerned that this was a one-man decision. I am concerned that the only person you consulted was your wife.”

“I consulted my Bible. Anne is a sounding board. And a different perspective.”

“And she advises and influences you. That is clear, and we have no objection, I think, to that. I just would be more at ease if you had sought guidance from a mentor or superior before you acted.”

Deflecting this comment, Will asked, “As it sits, I would like to ask you all what your opinion is of this change our church has made.”

The five men, dressed in stuffy suits and ties, looked at each other. Who wanted to speak for the group? The man who had been on the investigational team eight months ago leaned back in his chair with a satisfied sigh. After a pause in which the only sound was chewing, the youngest spoke. “For myself, I am curious. I see no violation of conference or church policy, and it would be interesting to see what benefits these adjustments bring. I think you are very brave, and maybe over-bold, but you have a faith I respect.”

“We’ve talked to several of your deacons, and many of them feel the same way. They were caught off guard, and they are a little hurt that they were left to the surprise. But they’re excited. By now they have asked their questions and given the matter some thought. There are skeptics, but they are weakening. Even amongst ourselves, the outrage we first felt at such a massive overhaul of a church in the course of a single Sunday morning is fading into misty memory,” agreed their leader.

“Are you concerned about Anne’s involvement? I love her and respect her so much that it is hard for me to keep her from… I can’t think how to say it.”

“That is a question to ask your congregation. I expect your wife doesn’t speak in church?”

“No,” they answered together.

“I suppose I am uncomfortably turning this meeting over in my mind to see whether it is appropriate for her to be answering you, or whether I should have handled the interview alone.”

“She was not teaching, but giving a testimony of God’s work in you. This is not the congregation; it is a small group gathered for that purpose, to hear your side of the story. She is apparently a large part of it.”

“As long as you all want to discuss me, maybe I’d better leave. I should get some rest,” Anne offered.

“Are you feeling ok?” Will asked eagerly.

“Fine,” she grinned.

“We just found out she’s expecting.”

“Is that timing or what?” joked Anne.

“Congratulations,” the leader told them. “Do any of you have any other questions?” he asked his companions. “Ok, then I think we have what we need. We’ll leave you to your rest.”

Standing together at the door to watch them go, Will wrapped his arm around Anne’s small waist. “I think we made it,” he whispered.

“So far,” she said.

To God be all glory.

See the index for first and additional chapters.

Woman in the Window

"Because the neighborhood was so dark and lonely, I always felt a warm reassurance upon seeing the woman in the window, sewing. I cannot explain all the thoughts I had but here are some: somehow, I thought that she was very brave. She was not ashamed of her homemaking and was not self-conscious about being seen in the window, sewing. It brought back memories of my mother singing while she swept the front porch. The other feeling was that it somehow made the world better. It showed that no matter what the current news media hype or world threat was, the woman in the window as still going about her daily work and taking her duties seriously. And still another feeling it gave me is one of wanting to go home and be very creative and industrious. The sight of her in that window was like a light in the darkness."

Mrs. Lydia Sherman posted a lovely article (literally: lots of nice paintings) about the effect one stranger had on her. If you want more than the part I quoted, you can read the article here.

I was impressed by the impact one silent, diligent, feminine woman could have. Little actions speak volumes. So do the clothes you wear, for that matter. Natalie Nyquist wrote an article linked on Ladies Against Feminism about the statement her long flowing skirts made to her fiance. Next time you do anything, consider what impression it will give to people. Will you inspire others and build them up?

If you're short on examples in your neighborhood, you can find paintings of inspiring activities to put up in your house. One hanging over my lamp is of a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse on the east coast. The fact that the children are learning, and that there is peace in a room so full of kids overseen by one busy woman is positively inspiring to me.

I also collect old photographs, and scrapbook them with a message. One quotes Proverbs: "The memory of the just is blessed." There are pictures of farmwives, or one of my favorites is of a pair of girls doing dishes, smiling widely. Some of these are hanging on my wall. Thinking about their lives, and the attitudes they expressed for the camera encourage me to keep on, and to continue with a sense of adventure, delight, and elegance. See a few of these pictures here.

To God be all glory.

Christmas Hath Made an End Part Two

As promised, I am alerting you to the arrival of Part 2 in Lanier's story on her after-Christmas feast. Once more, excellent writing, quoting poetry, and speaking of customs either to ancient or too distant to be common knowledge lends her story an air of intrigue. Read it.

My first post is here.

To God be all glory.

Complaints

No, this is not some spiritual post on how we ought never complain. Wish it were. What is the point, though, of something bad happening to you if you can't blog about it?

When I bought my car two years ago I was determined to take good care of it. Oil changes were the extent of the regular maintenance this very girly girl understood. If something went wrong, though, I was determined to suffer any imagined price exploitation by mechanics and get it fixed right away. So when over a year ago my car would not start after a Bible study at my church, I took it straight to a recommended mechanic. After driving it, inspecting it, and whatever else they do, he said he couldn't tell what was wrong; come back when it was broken. Wrong! It wouldn't start. How much more wrong can a car go, I wondered. Dad taught me how to press on the gas and tell my engine to start anyway. Disappointed by my first mechanic experience, I started my car hard for a year. Occasionally the thought would cross my mind that this might not be good for the car, but what can you do when no one knows what's wrong?

This week I finally decided to take my car in again. Granted, the engine runs noticeably rougher than the time I brought it to the mechanic before. Those of you who love cars are probably cringing at these confessions. Maybe I'm in a generous mood this week; I don't know. I'm just tired of worrying about what is wrong with my car.

This morning the automotive repair shop calls and the man asks if I'm sitting down. Great sign, right? Luckily, I was. His estimate made me a bit sick.

$941... (some odd cents; when you start like that, who's listening to the end?)

Is that just me, or could you buy a lot of candy bars for what it costs to replace my radiator and temperature sensors and a list of other little things that I recognize as little but of whose motor purposes I am ignorant?

Yes, sensors. See, all this time I'm trying to be a responsible car owner. If the oil light comes on, refill the oil. Get the oil change every 3,000 miles as recommended. When the coolant light flashed I submitted and asked my maintenance mechanics if they could fix it (dreaming horrible dreams of what it could be). They told me it was just a tiny bit low, and they topped it off for free. I checked carefully per the manual to be sure when the coolant light flashed that my engine wasn't getting too hot. Not that. Temperature normal.

Today I find out the news. Babies cry when they hurt, are hungry, teething, or need a diaper change. They can't talk, but they communicate. My gold baby with power sunroof and rear spoiler can't communicate at all. Her sensor was broken, and the official temperature she thought she had was 15 degrees Farenheit. All the while the coolant was low and her engine was overheating and everything was just miserable for her, I'm sure.

Despite my best intentions (short of going to mechanic school myself), my car is a mess and I didn't even know. What is up with that?

This week has been a control week. Not "get life under control," or going on a power trip. Quite the reverse. Every once in a while God reminds me that not only am I not in control (which could be voluntary), but there is nothing I can do about certain things. All my efforts are vain. Just like washing your hands a million times a day won't guarantee that you'll resist the viruses floating around during the winter season. But God is in control. He is God and I am not. There are reasons here, I'm sure, that I was sick on Tuesday and that my car is costing nearly a thousand dollars in repair.

The other half of this moral is that even though there are reasons, and results to efforts I make, God is not obligated to show them to me. Outcome does not determine the validity of my obedience or dependence. Sometimes the results are in me.

Ohh, I'm groaning, though, thinking of all the hours of work that went into paying this repair bill. $941 dollars better be worth it!

To God be all glory.