Do you believe a woman going up to the front to read scripture during a worship service is wrong? She is not exegeting the text or doing a performance -- she is simply reading the scripture passage. What do you guys think?
I would love to get a good discussion going & just get your thoughts and scripture passages that come to mind. (Mom & Dad -- I would appreciate any wisdom from your lips as well!)
I spent my weekend playing mommy -- which means, in effect, that I sacrificed my clothing to baby drool, my voice to reading/telling stories, my body to wrestling and tickles, and my brain to . . . everything. I love these boys so much. They are all incredibly sweet, and they all have their own special characteristics.
Garrison is my absent-minded professor. He and I have conversations on the wonders of flora & fauna, fantasy books such as Narnia and The Princess and the Goblin, and the Bible. He is incredibly smart and also incredibly unaware of the world around him. This is an example of a conversation involving Garrison, occuring when he was seven:
Susan: "I took baby Clay to the doctor's today, and he said that he's already fourteen pounds!"
Garrison: "Oh, that is about the size of an average adult fox!"
That's my Garrison.
Sam is my sweet conversationalist. He often comes to me and talks . . . and asks a ton of questions . . . or else asks me to sing or draw for him. He is one of the only boys I know who remembers exactly what everyone wore in a day and he often tells me I look pretty or asks me to do things like putting a ponytail in my hair. He is a strong leader and is very creative at the same time. He will grow up to love a woman with all his heart and have lots of kids -- which he will teach to draw horses.
Henry is a very energetic, mischievious four-year-old. He and I spend a lot of time working through just why he felt the need to hit Clay or take the pillow from behind the baby just as he was falling. Henry is learning to read and is very proud of the fact that he can spell my name! Tickle-time is bonding time for us, as well as discovering all the intricacies of the heated matress pad that his Grandma sent him.
Clay is my self-proclaimed little buddy. Every time I walk out the door, he yells, "NO! Don't go! Stop!" and when I come back he exclaims happily, "I missed you!" Trucks are his obsession, and we spend a lot of time with them together. Clay's aspirations are to be an orange truck when he grows up.
Ezra is the most incredibly happy baby I have ever seen in my entire life. He wakes up smiling, and smiles throughout his waking hours. Ezra has just discovered the wonders of learning to sit on his own as well as the power of his own voice. He spends a lot of time keeping me warm and falling asleep on me.
It is amazing to me that God has not only given me a place to learn, but also a place to be of service! I cannot imagine what it would be like to live on my own with nothing other than my books and assignments for company, living only for myself and my education. God has provided me not only with friendship in Geoff and Susan & the boys, but also with opportunities to help others and give of myself! Scripture states that God always knows what we have need of before we even ask it. My life is a continual picture of this -- of grace in action.
"Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it! Shout, you lower parts of the earth; Break forth into singing, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, And glorified Himself in Israel." Is. 44:23
Only 13 more days until the conference! I can't wait to have Jacinda, Chrissy and Brad down here and show them my city of brotherly love and my school . . . I hope you guys will be blessed by what God is teaching me through the wonderful school I attend!
And . . . only about 46 more days until I get to go home for Christmas! I am so incredibly excited for Christmas. As much as I love making new friends, there is something beautiful about being with someone who knows and loves you through and through.
The other day it just hit me once again what a wonderful family I have. I am turning into this scary mixture of both my parents lately, and I am finding myself to be incredibly thankful for it and for the truths they have instilled in me from birth. My siblings are sweet (when they aren't following my example), and will be my friends for life. My gradparents are all godly people whom I love spending time with, my uncles and aunts are all role models and care about my life. My cousins are brothers and sisters -- without the hassles of dealing with each other's nasty sides. :) When I am with my extended family, I am home. I have a spot, my own little niche that I never outgrow, as does everyone else. I am not a caterpillar who ever finds her cocoon too tight and struggles to be free. I am a butterfly -- free and flying. As is everyone else. We are all very different, and yet, everyone is on an equal level, loved and accepted without effort. I never really feel that I have to find my spot back, or that I have to "get in touch" with who my family is every time I see them. They are a part of me, and I of them, even when we are apart.
Hence, the bear necessities dance.
Not to mention chocolate and skittles.
It is late . . . but I will not allow the noisy neighbors to steal productivity . . . even if they can steal sleep. Hopefully, this blog makes sense tomorrow!
So, what am I most looking forward to?
- Playing the two pianos together with Chrissy in their amazing piano room. Maybe we'll have another guitar added to the little "band" we form when your dad plays with us, Chrissy . . . if you don't mind!
- Organized Pandmonium!!!
- A good, long hug from Cher. I starve for Cher's hugs sometimes. They are addicting.
- Sitting close to my Grandpa in the mutual understanding we have.
- Meals . . . truly amazing, every year again.
- Long, relaxing talks.
- Late-night um . . . things . . . you never know what may happen when we all get together . . .
- Getting to know Steve's family better!
- Seeing all my incredible friends again . . . esp. hanging out with Carol-Lee, Amy, Maria, Jacinda . . .
- Introducing Steve to the my family and seeing how he holds up under the pressure . . . seriously, guys, you've got to be on my side here, okay? I know we were saying at the cottage that we would just throw our boyfriends on the mercy of the council of the uncles, but . . . all I can say is, I'm glad we didn't form an oath or anything!
Anyways . . . it is really getting ridiculously late to be blogging. I think I may just try to tune out the rock, the rain, the sirens and all various and sundry noises the human voice is capable of making . . . ah, sleep. I believe I've heard of that before . . . somewhere.
Here are some quotes from my professor of my Human Personality class that I found resonated deeply with my being:
"To be fully known and also fully loved by someone is both terrifying and desirable."
"The nature of sin is that we walk around in it, living like there is no one over us. Yet, we have the feeling that there is -- therefore, we try to cover ourselves."
"We know, deep down, that we are utterly unpresentable."
"Lies are the fig leaves' constant companions."
To be fully vulnerable to both God and others is something that is both petrifying and incredibly beautiful. It is in Christ that we can be clothed with righteousness! It is in him that we can be open to the gaze of God and be loved.
What will it take to accomplish Eden in our own hearts?
Fun facts about Philadelphia:
~ Philadelphia was once the capitol of the United States! I think that the intentions were always that it would move to Washington, but nonetheless . . .
~ Philadelphia houses the famous Liberty bell. Although a crack ended its ringing days and it had to be taken down, it is still on display as a symbol of Liberty in America.
~ Philadelphia means "city of brotherly love" which is ironic as it is also rated as the most hostile city in the United States.
~ Philadelphia was founded by William Penn, who was a committed Christian. The first colony here was made up of Dutch people! :D
I love the country, and I can't deny it. I love wide open spaces, the woods, trees, the smells of earth and plants. I love animals and bugs and flowers. And yet, I am so glad to have this opportunity to be living in the city, experiencing things I'd only ever read about. There is beauty here as well, an energy and a sense of competition for survivial. It is challenging. I have to crane my neck to see the sky.
Granted, cities are dangerous. Ever since the fall, people have wanted to make a name for themselves, and ever since the tower of Babel, cities have been the places of confusion, where people fight to make those names known. And yet, God commanded us to subdue and fill the earth and promised us a new city -- a place to fellowship and flock together and be at peace cooperating with one another! We will find our names and identities in God, and in Him we can have true peace, even now. In Him, we can "both lie down in peace and sleep . . . for you alone, Oh Lord, make [us] dwell in safety!"
One day . . . gunshots and perversion and homelessness will be a thing of the past, barely remembered, infinitely paltry. One day, the vision of John will become reality.
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There willl be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.' He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!'" Rev. 21:5a
Lord Jesus, come quickly . . .
Every season I make a new discovery: I love each one!!
Fall is beautiful. The smell of an apple orchard, crisp cold air, maple leaves, and hot chocolate. Mmmm.
I went to the park with the Bradfords today (the closest you can get to "country" around here). So much laughing, so much fun. Garrison and I raced on burlap sacks down this slide made of what looked like hardwood flooring -- and I'm pretty sure he is the established slide champion. The boys and I also spent some serious time on the flying saucer swings . . . and all the other wonderful inventions which I don't know the names of. I'll have to say, that is the most impressive park I have ever seen. It almost made me feel old to look around and realize that the world of kids has evolved since I was there! (Even though the lady at the park entrance did think I was twelve!)
God's promises remain. Harvest has come once again, reminding me that His love and care continue, and will never fail!! God has not only given us His word on this, but He has also given us glimpses of it in nature, and shows us continually in our lives and the lives of others! I feel so incredibly blessed when I look at my life and realize just how much He has done for me, dispite my many, many failures. In so many little ways he has just worked things out so incredibly! It is becoming more and more natural to be here, to be a part of this family, to be going to CCEF and living in a big city. It is not home . . . but all of this is God's provision for me, and in Him I am content and happy.
My soul is satisfied in You-
Your love can never fail.
So, guys, apparently you can no longer view my pics because there are too many people reading my blog, and the transfer level has gone beyond it's limit or something like that. (What did I say . . . technology, I tell ya!)
Condolences and donations to ressurect them are both willingly accepted.
Side note: Who on earth is reading my blog and not leaving "footprints"?!!! Kinda makes me wonder . . .
"You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,
And called you from its farthest regions,
And said to you, "You are my servant,
I have chosen you and have not cast you away:
Fear not, for I am with you:
Be not dismayed for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Is. 41:9-10
"And the Spirit and the Bride say "Come!" And let him who hears say "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take of the water of life freely."
Rev. 22:17
"When the music fades,
All is stripped away,
And I simply come;
Longing just to bring
something that's of worth
That will bless your heart;
I'll bring you more than a song
for a song in itself
is not what you have required;
you search much deeper within
Than the way things appear
You're looking into my heart . . .
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
and it's all about you,
it's all about you, Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the the thing I've made it
'cause it's all about you
it's all about you, Jesus . . ."
Ha! So there!! Victory over a computer is always sweet! (Alright, so isn't complete victory . . . but it works to convey my feelings, I think!)
