Thursday, September 22, 2011

Aslan

Don't stop your crying on my account
A frightening lion, no doubt
He's not safe, no he's not safe
Are you tempted now to run away?
The King above all Kings is coming down

But He won't say the words you wish that he would
Oh, he don't do the deeds you know that He could
He won't think the thoughts you think He should
But He is good, He is good

I know you're thirsty, the water is free
But I should warn you, it costs everything
Well, He's not fair, no He's not fair
When He fixes what's beyond repair
And graces everyone that don't deserve

No one knows Him whom eyes never see
No, I don't know Him but He knows me
He knows me, He knows me

Lay down your layers, shed off your skin
But without His incision, you can't enter in
He cuts deep, yeah He cuts deep
When the risk is great and the talk is cheap
But never leaves a wounded one behind

But He won't say the words you wish that he would
Oh, he don't do the deeds you know that He could
He won't think the thoughts you think He should
But He is good, He is good


~Kendell Payne
Listen

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Tired, But Hopeful

I have been giving some thought to my lack of interest and almost apathy in current events lately. It can be very discouraging. Our country is in trouble. Politicians don't understand (or don't care about) the Constitution or good economics. Christians are wandering from their biblical base or doing things inconsistent with their faith and the world inevitably sees and wonders, rightfully, about "those Christians." It is so easy to see the very profound fallenness of our world and get bogged down in that. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?

Because of my teaching, I am forcing myself to pay more attention to current events and try to process the issues, as complicated and discouraging as that may be. The kids want to know, and my calling right now is to try to help them understand.

BUT:

"For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
yet in my flesh I shall see God,
whom I shall see for myself,
and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
My heart faints within me!" (Job 19:25-27)

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

Only in Christ do we find real hope and change. There are no easy answers, and there are many things we may never fully know or understand here and now. It gives us more proof that we are made with a desire for more than this life, and we feel it whether we recognize that or not. But in spite of all that is wrong with the world, there is encouragement to be found even in the day-to-day:
-the sun rises and sets each day
-a great sermon this morning at church
-good friends and fellowship
-excellent, thinking kids willing and loving to learn both at church and in class
-people who will tell it like it is to Congress, and maybe a few who will listen.
And that's just a few for today.

But best of all is the knowledge that all is in the hands of our all-wise, all-knowing and Provident God, and he isn't finished with us yet.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Excellent (and convicting) read

I read this article Josh Harris reposted on his blog and I wanted to share. It is long, but well worth reading. It is written for homeschool and other family focused parents, but has applications for children, teachers, and Christians in general, I think.

I particularly appreciated point number 5, about being dependant on formulas (even Scriptural ones) rather than trusting in God alone and His provisions. "Yet many of us lean toward a formulaic mentality, because our fallen natures are drawn toward self-reliance. We want to feel that by our own efforts (works) we have achieved something that will make us acceptable to God - by nature we are legalistic." It is so easy to depend on ourselves without even realizing it.

There is so much here and I know it will take time to process.

What are your thoughts?

Saturday, September 10, 2011

10 Years

September 11, 2001.

I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing that morning, much as previous generations remember where they were and what they were doing when they heard of JFK's assassination. I can't believe it has been so long, and yet such a short time. It is indelibly etched on our minds as a country. It still saddens me greatly to think of it. I tear up listening to Alan Jackson's "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning" or Darryl Worley's "Have You Forgotten?" and I'm thankful for these artists' use of their gifts to memorialize what it felt like that day and afterwards (whether I fully agree with them politically or not).

Current events can be a discouraging topic. I tend to bury my head in the sand, maybe hoping irrationally that if I don't ponder the issues they'll go away. I don't pretend to have all the issues sorted out, and one must remember that cliched phrase "hindsight is 20-20." What was the right response to this attack, what was the practical response, when should we have ended the wars or should we have begun them in the first place? But thoughts of 9/11 remind me that I never want to grow fully apathetic. I never want to forget.

I read Lisa Beamer's book Let's Roll years ago about her everyday hero of a husband and his and other passengers' actions that day over Pennsylvania. I am thankful for her testimony of God's love and I pray that she's staying strong these many years later. I pray God's healing for all those affected, that they might remember this day in a good way. I pray that for the entire country. I pray (while I know this with certainty) that God worked good, and is still working it, in the lives of all of us as a result of this tragedy. We don't know the big picture, but one day we will.

1 Corinthians 13:12- "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."

Philippians 1:6- "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."

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Rainy days

It sure feels like a Monday here, but this old Pixar short is good for a laugh.

Friday, September 2, 2011

A video

I am thankful for this video (though not for the reason it must be made) and for the people who made it.

Official Christcentric Video- "Fight For The Children" from Christcentric on Vimeo.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Canning


The smell of apples and cinnamon. Stewed apples in jars, popping as they seal. Looking forward to fall and chilly weather. The promise of good things in the winter.

The why

I guess it's time for one of those silly "welcome to my blog" posts, and I assure you that this won't be profound. The blog won't be either, probably. It's just my place to share the little blessings, things that make me happy, the reminders, the small reasons to rejoice in the world in which He has placed us. May it be for His glory.