Do You Outsource Your Theology?

These are tough times for theology. Good doctrine seems to be assaulted on every front. From the church to the seminary, men and women, boy and girls have neglected the study of God. But this neglect on the part of the church might not be the kind of neglect one might expect.

Lately it would seem that this neglect is not of the active sort. Theology books are selling like hotcakes. It would not be a mistake to say that there has been a sort of resurgence in reading theology. Between the advent of E-Readers and the publication of a plethora of good books on God, many people can become and, indeed, are becoming theologians. On one hand, this is good and commendable. Pastors long for their people to understand theology and actually enjoy studying it. So this soaking up of theology is certainly not all bad, but it can be neglectful of God and His truth in a very real and profound way. Let me explain.

If people are actively reading and learning theology then how can it be that theology could actually be neglected? Well, the answer has to do with source. Where do people get their views on God? Think for a moment about where you get your views on God. If someone asks you a theological question do you answer with a explanation from a systematic theology book? Or, perhaps, do you appeal to well-known proponents from certain theological groups? Again, much of this sort of theological pursuit is good and healthy. But there is something inherently dangerous, lazy, and not very wise to locate the source of your theology primarily in a system or a scholar instead of in scripture.

A good corrective to this tendency would be to read and study scripture and then read and study scripture some more, perhaps even investing in some good commentaries to supplement your reading. Sometimes the English translations (for various reasons I won't go into now) distort the original authoritorial intent revealed in the Greek New Testament and the Hebrew Old Testament. You don't necessarily have to become an expert in biblical languages but you ought to consult those commentaries that actually exegete the original text. Spend more time in the text and your theology will be refined and developed exponentially.

Some may respond that they do this already. The unfortunate reality, however, is that the rampant biblical illiteracy in the church, at least the American evangelical church, exposes a bitter truth. Despite what they profess, people know little of the things they confess. Spend more time in the word than you do in the pages of your favorite Christian author. Be more exegetical than theological. The end result will be that you know more about the 5 chapters of 1 Peter than you do about the 5 points of your favorite theological system. But that's definitely not a bad thing.

New Book...I am Gonna Read!!!

Merry Christmas!

On Christmas we often are distracted by all the other things going on around us and, although we speak fluent allegience to Christ, all too many of us forget about daily obedience and how Christ himself talks about that being a sign of our love for Him. This Christmas let's not just offer lip service, but let's be the beacons in a dark world that the Lord has called us too! We wish you all a merry holiday and a year filled with opportunities to make the gospel central to everything you are, all that you say, and all that you do! Let's remember that we are the slaves of Christ to a lost and dying world and that they need us to be who He called us to be!

"How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, His precepts!"
— Benjamin Franklin

Because, Baby It's Cold Outside!

I need to move back to the Southwest! After growing up in Alaska, Spending the last 10 years in a climate more frigid than California, I think I have frozen enough for one life! Just saying, "It's Cold Outside!

Recipes

While creating a new recipe for lunch this week with what I had on hand, I began to see how many recipes were accumulating on this site. Now I love recipes, but technically, my husband and I share this sight for family purposes and I did not thing that it was very "sharing" to make our site even more my site. So I decided to make a place to post just my recipes. I need the quick reference place too especially when I think I chucked a ton of my recipes when I moved. So if you are looking for recipes here follow this link to visit over there. I know I love to cook and I will continue to post our favorite recipes on this other site. Just thought you should know!

Blessings,
Larissa

Little Momma

Lately my little girl has begun mimicing me. When I tell her brothers to do something she will chime in with "Yeah, you do it!" Or "Go!" or she will simply copy what I say, adding an extra amount of oomph to whatever I said. Will has taken to calling her "little Momma" and if it wasn't so funny and she didn't know it was so funny, I would be horrified! But man, it's just hysterical to see this chunky little bundle of energy thinking she is a momma in training, which is exactly what she is!

And How True It Is!

"You can never learn that Christ is all you need, until Christ is all you have."

— Corrie ten Boom

Because My Husband Loves The Original!

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The Cost of The Gospel In the Life of a Christian...Are You Willing To Pay?

“We honor the old prophets, we honor the Tozers and Spurgeons but we don’t want to pay the price they paid, and they paid the price by being men who walked alone who lived with God and who loved His word.”


“How could we have such a low view of the gospel of Jesus Christ that we have to manipulate men psychologically to get them to come down and pray a prayer? …How many times have I heard evangelists say, “It’ll only take five minutes.”? No my dear friend, it will take your life–all of it!”


"He is not some little accessory... as through He was a cherry on top of ice cream! You have Jesus and Jesus has you or you are barren and wasted and lost."

-Paul Washer

Pie Pie

I am often asked to describe the personalities of my children. I have frequently thought over who they are, even at such a young age, and figured that maybe it would be fun for them, when they grow up, to read the description that I have given to more than one individual. So although this is open for all to enjoy, this is for the treasures that I am currently borrowing.




Our fourth admitee to the crazy society is our only little girl, Pie Pie. She is darling of the family, although she certainly doesn't act as if she were the youngest. She thinks that she is large and in charge and she is the houses self appointed authority on what happens around her. She is not in the least shy, although she is decidedly a momma's girl, she is not adverse to other people and branching out. And she LOVES babies, she is always rocking or feeding or singing to one or another of her babies, and sometimes three at a time. She loves trying to be a good momma.
 
What I love about this girl is that she is so self assured. She knows exactly what she wants and is tenacious in attaining it. This amazes me since I am of a personality which lacks ambition almost  completely, I know this girl will do things that she sets her mind to accomplish. But she has such a sunny personality, every morning she awakes with a smile and a spring in her step, dancing around the house (yes she wiggles when she walks and does little steps and dances while she moves around the house). She has also developed quite a sense of humor for a two year old. Her and daddy are often making jokes together and this girl has unquestionable timing. She comes out with the funniest one word answers to things delivered in such a quirky attitude that it is simply hilarious to watch and hear. Plus she has a wonderful belly laugh! The best laugh in the family, apart from Grehsam's little high pitched giggle.
 
Her bossiness is a weakness for her however, she thinks she can tell people when they can and can't do stuff and she tends to bully Gresham too often and is frequently in trouble for it. She is not in charge of the universe no matter what her perception may be, so her ambition will be a problem for her as long as she pursues it toward her own ends and not towards those of His glory alone. We love this little bit of Spunk! She is a very happy little sprite in our mostly male home, our girl tends to be less serious than the boys are and is such a happy girl that we enjoy her company, all of us. We are thankful we got our chica after so many fellas!

Faith and Obediance Go Hand in Hand

For faith is only real when there is obediance, never without it, and faith only becomes faith in the act of obediance. -Dietrich Bonhoeffer

How Much IS a Brood?

Announcing Crazy-Five-O



I want to see little children adorning every home as flowers adorn every meadow and every wayside. I want to see them welcomed to the homes they enter, to see their parents grow less and less selfish and more and more loving because they have come. I want to see God's precious gifts accepted, not frowned upon and refused.
-Elizabeth Prentiss


So I ask you, do we qualify as having a brood yet or not?

No Postage Necessary

We wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Enjoy celebrating the Birth of Christ our Savior this season! We will be!!!

I am Certain You are Dying to Know That......

Drinking: Orange Juice, did I even mention how I DON'T Like Orange Juice and here I am drinking it! Lame!


Recovering: Well, I would Love to recover from the Drama that has been 2010, but I have 3 more weeks to wait! Let's hope it is drama free!

Reading: Well, I have read several stinkers lately and have decided to take a little break from my list. I have been reading a bit but mostly, just school stuff with my boys.
Studying: Reading several Psalms while I have been deciding where to head next.

Linking: YouTube Shoah Foundation Page. I recently stumbled across these full length taped interviews with Shoah survivors and their families. I have read widely not only on the holocaust but also on WWII in general and it never fails to learn more the more you are exposed to. I have only watched a couple of these over several weeks, most are over 2 hours long, but they are very interesting, I think they should be more interesting to Christians as the Jewish people are clearly spoken of frequently in scripture. I have also learned through one of these videos about a pastor who was imprisoned in Dachau for excersizing church discipline on members of his church who engaged in Nazi activity. He was a member of the confessing church and one of the first martyered for the faith. This is just one example of how closely the history of Christianity is linked with the Jewish people.

Watching: I have watched some Sherlock Holmes on Netflix lately, loved the books I have read by Doyle and Jeremy Brett brings the old detective to life.

Listening To: my baby girl has recently begun "reading" books to people. Right now she is sitting at their little table reading herself a book, I have no idea exactly what it all says, but she is content to tell herself a story, I love this age right now, if only she would use the potty!

More Proof That We Are The Original Crazies

"Hey Momma, Have you ever seen a legless pig running?" --Silas


"I am not a piece of work I am a piece of Gresham!"--hmmm, I wonder...

 
"Don't tickle my belly button, momma, your hand might fall into my belly and feel my food!" -Kace

Reposting: Because It Is Still True Today

G-Man

I am often asked to describe the personalities of my children. I have frequently thought over who they are, even at such a young age, and figured that maybe it would be fun for them, when they grow up, to read the description that I have given to more than one individual. So although this is open for all to enjoy, this is for the treasures that I am currently borrowing.

Our third little man is so different from the elder two we frequently joke that he had to have been switched at birth. He is the beginning of the blond/blue-eyed tradition in our family, where we are currently tied. He smiles a lot of the time, is very friendly and can talk up a storm! When he was just two we would ask him to say things like "penal substitute" or "incarnation" or "transubstantiation" and he was easily able to communicate those words to us. We were amazed because he rarely talked much before two, but when he began he knocked our socks off.

He is usually every ones favorite, when ever we visit people or make new friendships. Somehow he just knows how to get along with people, enjoys being pleasant to others and loves making friends of people. Although he does have a bad habit of whining more than any of the other kids, which we believe to be his greatest weakness. He is learning to communicate without ever whining and does well when he remembers not to whine or succumb to baby talking.

He is the only one of the four who can play pleasantly on his own. He enjoys being alone and entertaining himself. He makes up songs when he is playing alone that make no sense but are very cute and very funny (he reminds me of another little dreamer I know...you know who you are, girly!). He loves to dress up as a soldier or a warrior with swords and all. He also pretends to be animals frequently, although you cannot usually know what animal he is until you ask him to do something and he responds "I am not G, I am a kitty (or a dragon, baby, doggy, etc.)!" We all laugh at him because each of his alter ego's have a name and a personality that is unique to each one.

He is our night owl. Where the other kids are relatively good about going straight to sleep this little fellow finds a second wind almost nightly, where he wants to hang out with us adults, or simply play quietly in his bed. If he didn't have the earliest riser in history as a brother this fella would go to bed late and get up late. He has an easy personality so when he does stay up late with us he just hangs out with us, snuggles, or plays quietly, he is a joy to be around at these times especially. He is still only three so we are still learning exactly what makes this fella who he is, but we are so thankful for his sunny, easy, restful personality.

For us however, there is a time coming when our spiritual warfare will be finished, our perspective enlarged, and our understanding increased. Then we will look back upon the experiences through which the Lord led us and be overwhelmed by adoration and love for Him! We will then see and acknowledge that mercy and goodness directed every step. We shall see that what we once mistakenly called afflictions and misfortune were in reality blessings without which we would not have grown in faith. Nothing happened to us without a reason. No problem came upon us sooner, pressed on us more heavily, or continued longer than our situation required. God, in divine grace and wisdom, used our many afflictions, each as needed, that we might ultimately possess an exceeding and eternal weight of glory, prepared by the Lord for His people.

We very often fail to see our present circumstances in right perspective. Look back over the past, however and compare what you have been brought through with your frame of mind during each successive period. Consider how wonderfully one thing has been connected with another so that what we now count as our greatest benefits are rooted in incidents that at the time seemed insignificant. We have sometimes escaped from the grave dangers not by any wisdom or foresight of our own, but by the intervention of unforeseen circumstances. So both the revelation of Scripture and our own individual experiences confirm the wisdom and good providence of God. He watches over His people from the earliest moment of their lives. He overrules and guards them through all their blind wanderings and leads them in a way that they know not.

--John Newton

Craz-er-ella

And because it makes me laugh......even if no one else does

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If My Kids Had Kids.....

While having one of our many family discussions, which are really chances for me and Will to peek into the minds of our children for a good laugh (embarrassing our children is just one more service we offer), we began discussing what our boys would name their baby if they had one.

Silas Says he would pick Noah or Mary for names (although his first choice was Harry Potter, especially if he could spell the P in Potter with a lightening bolt--yeah lightening is pretty awesome I guess, he even gave us a picture to prove his point!). Which I must admit aren't that bad, his reasoning is that Noah is a God name and Mary is simply pretty. ;)

Kace says that he would name a girl Snowflake. Why Snowflake, you ask? Well we aren't quite certain, but suffice to say that Kace is an original. A boy would be named Hansel, you can imagine what fairy tale we have read he is a little preoccupied with.

Gresham said he would name a girl Petra, but when I told him we already have a Petra he was a little down cast, but he decided that Pooie would be acceptable. The family at this point became rather preoccupied with nicknames for said Pooie and one can imagine how quickly this conversation got out of hand. I often wonder how I ended up in man-land with only one princess to sustain my cause against grossness (is that a word?)!

I hope you get a smile from our children's attempts to name the babies they will have when they grow up. I know I did, and I will enjoy it much more when they are older and I remind them that their first born should be named Snowflake. Oh, how I will laugh!!!

DoDio

I am often asked to describe the personalities of my children. I have frequently thought over who they are, even at such a young age, and figured that maybe it would be fun for them, when they grow up, to read the description that I have given to more than one individual. So although this is open for all to enjoy, this is for the treasures that I am currently borrowing.

Our number two is fondly refered to as dodio (per his request). He is the most boy of the three! He is our early riser, the one up before the sun, who admits to hating sleep, and wishes never to miss a single thing (even when there is nothing to miss!). This boy is more organized than our eldest, but also less sentimental. He colors in the lines and remembers things in a very straight forward way, there are rarely any gray areas with this fella.

This boy is the biggest paradox for us; on the one hand he is the hardest worker in the family and on the other he is the most independant. He loves to do "jobs" in the house. He will fold laundry, organize his dresser drawers, vacuum, or any number of activites that are helpful. He works the hardest and gives the most effort and consideration to his actions. He is very deliberate in anything he does. He doesn't do anything withour thinking it through first, that doesn't necessarily mean he rationally deliberates over every decision, just that he thinks about it first. This means that when he gets up at 5am he is intentional about waking everyone in the house up so that "no on will miss anything"!

He is very serious. We joke often about him being a law-giver, but it is true that he wants everyone to tow the line in what he sees as right or wrong. This is also a great weakness for him as it is impossible for him to live up to his own expectations (I wonder who he gets this from--certainly not me!). He wants to make certain everything goes the way it should go, but this often makes it hard for him to see the laughter in many situations. It also makes him the most guilible. One night when Will worked the graveyard shift Dodio went into bed with him. After Dodio had fallen asleep Will got up to shave and ended up getting rid of his goatee. That morning after Dodio got up and Will came home Kace looked at his daddy in shocked amazement. "where is your goatee, daddy?" "Don't you remember, dodio? You ate it off my chin last night!" "WHAT?!" "You don't remember?" "NO! I DIDN'T, DID I??!!" And even today, he believes that he ate his daddy's beard off in the middle of the night!

He is the most unintentionally funny of all the kids! This kiddo is a mess! He is the most accident prone--remember the broken arm? He doesn't do anything half way! He is the silliest, because he doesn't even notice that he is being silly. He is unlike our oldest in that he understand social mores already, as Big Man could care less what is socially expected of him. I would never have believed that a kid could understand how people know how to work the system, but this kiddo does.

We enjoy just watching this fella! There is rarely a dull moment with him around, even his brothers and sisters get enjoyment from him being who he is naturally. All Boy, Like I said! I know that someday when he believes the Gospel totally and uniquivically this brave little worker will be a true herald of the truth and we are currently trying to tame the beast, so to say! :) And try and mold a little mercy in with the law that he so readily reverts to.

O, Lord,
Thou knowest my great unfitness for service,
my present deadness,
my inability to do anything for they glory,
my distressing coldness of heart.

I am weak, ignorant, unprofitable,
and loath and abhor myself.

I am at a loss to know what thou wouldest have me do,
for I feel amazingly deserted by thee,
and sense they presence so littler;

Thou makest me posses the sins of my youth,
and the dreadful sin of my nature,
so that I feel all sin,
I cannot think or act but every motion is sin.

Return again with showers of converting grace
to a poor gospel-abusing sinner.

Help my sould to breathe after holiness,
after a constant devotedness to thee,
after growth in grace more abundantly every day.

O, Lors, I am lost in the pursuit of this blessedness,
and am ready to sink because I fall short of my desire;
Help me to hold out a little longer,
until the happy hour of deliverance comes,
for I cannot lift my soul to thee
if thou of thy goodness bring me not nigh.

Help me to be diffident, watchful, tender,
lest I offend my blessed friend
in thought and behaviour;
I confide in thee and lean upon thee,
and need thee at all times to assist and lead me.

O that all my distresses and aprehensions
might prove but Christ's school
to make me fit for greater service
by teaching me the great lesson of humility.

valley of vision, 99

Who He is Should Change Who You are!

Everything depends on whether one thinks that Jesus Christ is the idealistic founder of a religion or the very son of God. Nothing less than the life and death of the human being hangs in the balance. If he was the idealistic founder of a religion, then I can be inspired by his accoplishments and motivated to imitate his zeal, but my sin is not forgiven. In this instance God is still very angry with me, and I am under the power of death. Jesus' work leads me in this case to total despair.

If however, the work of Christ is the work of God, then I am not summoned to act like God or imitate God zealously, but instead I am convicted by this work as one who in no way can do it by myself. Rather I have found all at once the gracious God through this Jesus Christ, in this knowledge and in this work. My sin has been forgiven. I am not dead but alive. It depends therefore on the person of Christ, whether his work is understood as passing away according to the old world of death or whether it is eternal according to a new world of life.

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Who is Christ For Us?

Things I Shouldn't Love...But Do

I think that some of the things I love are either odd or I just shouldn't LOVE them, but somehow I just cannot stop myself from doing it.

1. a Monte Cristo- So we all know that this is a huge ham and turkey with cheese sandwich soaked in batter and then deep fried and served with this crazy sweet raspberry dipping sauce--something I should absolutely abhor....but alas, I love these sinkin' sandwiches, luckily it's hard to find a place that has them!
2. GiGi--One of my favorite movies (I have even read the book) of all time is a musical (this is probably the point where you start whispering to yourself that I was already going wrong at the word musical) about a young lady whose family are courtesans and they are training her to become one. She gains the attention of the a well known bachelor of the day who pursues her as his "lady love." It all turns out in the end and they get married instead--but for obvious reasons a movie I shouldn't love...but I DO!
3. My son's video games- Okay so you know my very embarrassing little activity...I don't do it very often. But yes I have played, okay more than played, my sons video games and liked it A LOT. I don't pretend to play anything over a 10yo rating, but I enjoy running after things collecting stuff and button jamming. My talents do not exceed that level, but that's okay with me, the old games are too hard for me :), LAME--I know!!
4. Whiney Music- while listening to my personal playlist the other day I suddenly realized that most of the music I like is kinda whiney. I mentioned this to the hubs and he was like "duh!" I was feeling pretty sheepish about liking whiney music, but I have to admit that I really DO!
5. I cannot think of a book I like that I totally shouldn't--I think I have yet to meet that elusive book that pleases this frightening alter ego, but never fear I am certain that book is just waiting to be read by me.

So all comes to light: I am a sucker for deep fried sandwich madness, a night of watching a movie about a professional call girl, while playing lego Indiana Jones, and listening to the some whiney music. Sheesh, this is pathetic!!!

Numero Uno

I am often asked to describe the personalities of my children. I have often thought over who they are, even at such a young age, and figured that maybe it would be fun for them, when they grow up, to read the description that I have given to more than one individual. So although this is open for all to enjoy, this is for the treasures that I am currently borrowing.

When I think on the character of my son I see so much of the baby I knew. Many people don't agree that children are who they are from the very beginning, but I find that especially this little person is the same since that day over six years ago when I first met him.

He is a very sensitive individual and when I say sensitive I mean aware of others who are in need or upset. He is not sensitive to others actions towards him as much as I would like and often commits himself whole-heartedly only to be roughly rebuffed. We have often noted his singular ability to focus his attention on the people who need a soft word or a gentle touch. I have frequently been with him in a convience store, an ice cream shop or some such place and hoped (yes I still struggle with selfishness)for him not to talk to a certain person, but he usually does. Frequently reminding me how much we need to go to sick not the healthy. I remember a specific time we ran into a woman who had clearly been undergoing chemo treatments and out of the blue he walked up to her and said "You are SOO beautiful!" I was shocked to see her depressed face look instantly years younger. I remember often how we prayed that Silas would have a heart for people. We have often joked about the possiblity of him being taken advantage of, but this trait is a blessing and we feel it often.

He is very active and has a hard time with attention. This boys stamina brings my own to shame. He is tenacious to a degree one is glad to see so long as they are not the one attempting to contain that tenacity. He also has great fun in making others laugh. He likes to play jokes, much in the way his father plays jokes. Both of them have a hard time making jokes that are intended for everyones entertainment and not just their own, but it is this jokester attitude that always understands our sarcastic or outlandish statements to our children. He never believes me when I tell them I will tie them to the luggage rack by their toes.

He loves art. This little boys fancies himself a bonafide artist and I actually believe that he will one day make that a reality since he just assumes it to be the truth today. I actually have to limit his time in "creating" things. He draws, paints, and makes collages. All very colorful, but never in the lines--not at all like his mom--I might add. Will says  he will be a modern artist. Right now his obsession is monsters and aliens.

This little boy struggles with ease and comfort and loves movies and video game. Which is why he rarely gets to play with these items. He has a hard time buckling down to things like math, when it is more focus work--while he loves reading, history and science because they are not so much sit still and work through it systematically. He is good at math though even when he wishes to deny it.

He is definately more aware of his responsibly as the eldest brother more than his other siblings are aware of their own responsibility to their younger brother or sister. That may be our pressure on him, but I also think he likes the role of eldest brother.

But this boy, Numero Uno (as we call him since he understand when we spell his name outloud now--it's his code name), is my first baby. The first to scare our parental hearts with a life threatening disease, the first to read, the first to say "I love you momma!", the first to teach me what parenting really looks like and I would never have chosen another person to grow through this experience with, as he is a joy to watch and guide and even hear tell me, "Even when you yell at me momma, I still love you." Humility is freely dispersed in  my relationship with this little boy.

November Reading Update

Larissa's bookshelf: read-2010-11

Mr Poppers Penguins

by Richard Atwater

This was a cute and quick read for me and the kids. My six-year-old LOVED it! He wanted to have a pet penguin and keep it in the fridge. I obviously was not of the same opinion. Definately a great books for boys, especially boys who are cra...

tagged:
read-2010-11 and read-with-kids

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass

by Lewis Carroll

I found these books to be nonsense. But it is honest about it, not claiming to be anything but that. I thought a quote near the end of "Through the Looking glass" an apt description of the book: "Alice sighed and gave it up '...

tagged:
fantasy and read-2010-11

Wizard's First Rule

by Terry Goodkind

Just a bit to much for my taste. I liked the first couple of chapters, but I had to end it half way through, just couldn't continue. Maybe less description would have helped this novel out a lot.

tagged:
read-2010-11 and unfinished

Charmed Life

by Diana Wynne Jones

tagged:
fantasy and read-2010-11

Gooney Bird Greene

by Lois Lowry

We all loved this book. Gooney Bird is very funny in a serious way and this is a very good read aloud book! The characters are very real and believable. Learning can be fun. My son wanted to read the next one right away, maybe we will. Grea...

tagged:
read-2010-11 and read-with-kids

Phantastes

by George MacDonald

Like many of the other reviewers, I am certain that a second reading would reveal much more of this story to me. Many times throughtout the reading I wished I could just jump into MacDonalds mind and find the key to much that I am sure is a...

tagged:
fantasy and read-2010-11

Homer Price

by Robert McCloskey

I just love Homer Price! I loved it as a child and now as an adult the Edible Fungus song and centenial is simply hysterical! I am amazed at the laughter this book illicits. Although my six year old missed much of what was funny in this lit...

tagged:
read-2010-11 and read-with-kids

DragonSpell

by Donita K. Paul

tagged:
read-2010-11 and unfinished

Alanna: The First Adventure

by Tamora Pierce

tagged:
fantasy and read-2010-11

Pygmalion

by George Bernard Shaw

Truly enjoyed the dialogue between all the characters, but more because it was simply ridiculous and unbelievable, although I am certain that Shaw was most likely writing with all seriousness. I didn't however enjoy the long and boring expl...

tagged:
classics and read-2010-11

I perceive your case in this world smelleth of a fellowship and communion with the Son of God in His sufferings. Ye cannot, ye must not, have a more pleasant or more easy condition here, than He had, who "through afflictions was made perfect" (Heb2:10). We may indeed think, Cannot God bring us to heaven with ease and prosperity? Who doubteth but He can? But His infinite wisdom thinketh and decreeth the contrary; and we cannot see a reason of it, yet He hath a most just reason. We never with our eyes saw our own soul; yet we have a soul. We see many rivers, but we know not their first spring and original fountain; yet they have a beginning. Madam, when ye are come to the other side of the water, and have set down your foot on the shore of glorious eternity, and look back again to the waters and to your wearisome journey, and shall see, in that clear glass of endless glory, nearer the bottom of God's wisdom, ye shall be forced to say, "If God had done otherwise with me than He hath done, I had never come to the enjoying of this crown of glory." It is your part now to believe, and suffer, and hope, and wait on; for I protest, in the presence of that all discerning eye, who knoweth what I write and what I think, that I would not want the sweet experience of the consolations of God but for all the bitterness of affliction. Nay, whether God come to His children with a rod or a crown, if He come himself with it, it is well. Welcome, welcome, Jesus, what way soever Thou come, if we can get a sight of Thee! And sure am I, it is better to be sick, providing Christ come to the bedside and draw by the curtains, and say, "Courage I am Thy salvation," than to enjoy health, being lusty and strong, and never to be visited of God.

-Samuel Rutherford, From His Letters.

Fun Facts

This week we have been taking a much needed break from school. After nearly 10 weeks of tons of work (reading, math, history and science) we decided that fall break was looking like a pretty good option, so even if we go a week longer at the end of the year, I needed some time away from the books! I figured since I wasn't working as hard I would share some fun facts that I haven't had a chance to yet.

• Petra and I painted out nails together for the first time. My toes and her toes and nails.
• Silas has informed us that Mr. Popper named his penguins after my sister Jenny and her husband Scott, which I thought hysterical. (Poppers penguins are capt. cook, Greta, Magellan, Arabella, jenny Scott and some other names I cannot currently recall.)
• My kids think that a good competition is seeing whose mouth can open the widest. I think a good competition is who can keep silent the longest.
• My kids are all fascinated by Ancient Egypt right now, good thing we are currently studying that in history. I even got them watching a documentary! Am I a nut or what?!
• Fall is my favorite season of the year, but I hate that the fam always gets a cold at this time of year.
• I don't know about you, but I hate it when people tell me I must have the patience of a saint to handle more than one kid. I don't have the patience of a saint and I fail daily dealing with all four of my kiddos. Seriously I feel more inadequate everyday!
• I can hardly believe that 8 years ago this month my husband and I started dating...officially.

So I suppose those are out little fun facts for the week. Aren't we just simply the most interesting people you have ever met? :p

Hiking Malvern Hill Battlefield

Imagine being a reb trying to charge across this field toward these guns.

there was a whole bunch of them lined up on a small hill in the middle of the field.

Someone didn't quite make the whole walk.

Old farm road used by the conferate to try to flank the union lines. it didn't work, obviously.

If you are interested in knowing more about Malvern Hill and the Battle there. Here is a link to the wikipedia page.

Update.....Even When We Are Kinda Boring

Can't forget the crazy pic! Here's our fab female Boone Baby!

Drinking: hmm, I have to be thankful they have a Sonic here too! :)

Recovering: I don't want to answer this one, suffice to say that we have yet to recover. I suppose one can honestly say that we will always have the truth of our eternal allegiance upon us.

Reading: Where do I start? The Wizard's first rule-fantasy recommend from my sis Jenny. Rutherford's letters-I read them every so often and man is this guy on point or what?! I have read some of his letters before, I assume our current reality has something to do with his power today rather than yesterday. Also reading Luther's treatise on Good Works- Always knew I loved Luther. Slowly wading through Bonhoeffer Bio by Metaxes-I hope everyone knows by now I love reading Bonhoeffer! I am reading a few other things that are probably of little interest to anyone but me. Plus Gooney Bird Greene with my first grader (when did he get sooo OLD????).

Studying: Luke and Joel (now, just finished Lamentations)

Linking: http://www.goodreads.com/-If you haven't signed up and are a reading nut I hope you will. It is alot of fun to see what other people are reading and what their favorite books are. I heard someone say once that where one is well read one need not fear any ideas, it is only the less well read who must fear being apprehended by a wayward idea. I hope that means I am well read, although I would probably say I was far from well read, as you will see if you join! :)

Watching: Nothing right now. But I recently re-watched the Hiding Place and was reminded again that "no pit is so deep that He is not deeper still." I am not one to over-spiritualize by any means but I have to admit somehow that watching seemed providential, because I really wasn't wanting to watch it over. But I am thankful for her testimony once again. I love that Corrie ten Boom says that because her sister died she now gets to speak about Jesus to everyone. I often forget that my struggles are often the means by which the gospel is brought forth, already that has been true. It is easier for people in struggles seeing us so clearly struggling to speak to us. I suppose we are more available than ever before. More Human, but isn't that the point, to become what God created us to be.....true humans-just as Christ was the epitome of Humanity so one day will we be to--exactly what He created us to be if we follow Him completely.

Listening To: New iTunes songs I downloaded, maybe it is a bad sign when all the songs I like are .69 cents? I also was able to play a trick on my hubs, so that's ALWAYS fun!!!

Idols Are Usually Nice Things....Bummer, Eh?

Think it not hard if you get not your will, nor your delights in this life; God will have you to rejoice in nothing but himself.
                                           --Samuel Rutherford

Maybe personal happiness, ease or even delightful things aren't really as important as we would like to make them?

Where Milk Comes From

"My stomach hurts."

"Does it, Gresham?"

"Yes, I want some milk to make my stomach feel better"

"Okay....."

"Gresham, where does milk come from?" I cannot stay out of the conversation.
"It comes from the store." He is very certain about this.
"Yes, but where does the store get it from?"
"No where we just buy it, we just put it in the cart and I help."
"Milk comes from animals, Gresham."
"No it doesn't!" Quite indignantly!

"Yes it does it comes from cows." and here occured the funniest part. A blank and obviously disapproving stare met my last statement. He was stoick. "Don't you believe me?"

"No!" Total certainty again! I wonder why its absolutely unheard of from this boy of mine to get milk from a cow.

And if men want to praise us...

Martin Luther wrote....

...Be on one's guard, to flee from and to avoid all temporal honor and praise, and never to seek a name for oneself, or fame and a great reputation, that every one sing of him and tell of him; which is an exceedingly dangerous sin, and yet the most common of all, and, alas! little regarded. Every one wants to be of importance and not to be the least, however small he may be; so deeply is nature sunk in the evil of its own conceit and in its self-confidence contrary to the[se] two first Commandments. Now the world regards this terrible vice as the highest virtue, and this makes it exceedingly dangerous for those who do not understand and have not had experience of God's Commandments and the histories of the Holy Scriptures, to read or hear the heathen books or histories. For all heathen books are poisoned through and through with this striving after praise and honor; in them men are taught by blind reason that they were not nor could be men of power and worth, who are not moved by praise and honor; but those are counted the best, who disregard body and life, friend and property and everything in the effort to win praise and honor.

...quoting....

...St. Augustine says: "All other vices are practised evil works; only honor and self-satisfaction are practised in and by means of good works."

...very passionately he adds...

...The holy Name of God, which alone should be honored, is taken in vain and dishonored through our own cursed name, self-approval and honor-seeking. And this sin is more grievous before God than murder or adultery, but its wickedness is not so clearly seen as that of murder, because of its subtlety, for it is not accomplished in the coarse flesh, but in the spirit.

...vehemently he reminds all of his readers that...

And if men want to praise us and not God in us, we are not to endure it, but with all our powers forbid it and flee form it as from the most grievous sin and robbery of divine honor.......flattery is not to be endured. but not only that but any praise that detracts from the Lord.

I wonder if he thought we would need to listen to his wise counsel?
I know I need to hear this....frequently....

Another History Lesson

 I bet you are jumping for joy....

On Chancellorsville Battle Field near the sight of the accidental shooting of General Jackson.

the western end of the battle field, where the sign is of course, but also almost on either end of this sign were northern and southern troops entrenched.

the Road Jackson was riding on when shot, about 1900.

The road Today, not changed too much has it?

Artillery encasements on the hill east of the line of Jackson.

Map of the Wilderness battle field. May 1864 Lee met Grant and altogether there was an astounding loss of life. Aproxamately 28000 dead. The sadest part was that over 1000 union soldiers were simply left where they fell and were not even burried, at the fredricksburg national cemetary, for an entire year! That's enough to make your stomach turn!

My little fellows. And though they are willing fellows, the fact that there is never a good excuse for war has our eldest convinced he wouldn't have fought in this battle or in this war.

And so I actually have been to Chancellorsville. I have alsways wanted to visit and see these places, but it is sad to think of standing where you can actually see the entrenchments, often both sides across from one another. Knowing that they were fighting and dying here, very violently.

We visited several battle fields yesterday after running errands for Daddy. We got to see Chancellorsville, the battle of the Wilderness (Where Longstreet lost the use of his arm) Field, and Spotsylvania Battle field home of the infamous Bloody angle. What is most disturbing about this is that the Wilderness battle was quickly followed, only days later, with Spotsylvania Court House. If you are into this stuff, check out some of the history behind who our nation was and now why we are who we are. This War was very instrumental in making america of today. It's not shrouded in glory like we would prefer to think, but a sad history like any civil war.

Crazy Talk



I am certain no one can imagine a face like this being extra silly.

 "Daddy, You have a nose on your brain....and a mouth on your brain! Daddy! You have EYES on your brain!!" -Crazy Boy #2