To the Garden We Go

Both of my kids get to choose what they want in their garden.  Emma always chooses watermelon.  Sadly, hers did not make it this year.  Noah’s cantaloupe on the other hand has bore two full melons thus far.  While the fruit smelled fantastic, the taste was awful. 

Mirror Lake

Update on Southern

I am preparing for different seminars this fall.  I will finish up my last colloquium of my PhD career (things are starting to turn in the next chapter), which is both sad and exciting.  And I will finish up with two educational seminars that I am required to take in my fifth semester.  Other than one more seminar next spring, I will be complete with all my seminar work for PhD process, which is pretty amazing it has gone by that quick.  Lord willing, I will be setting my sights on comps in the spring, which many people believe to be the most difficult part of the PhD process.

He Liveth Long that Liveth Well”

He liveth long who liveth well;

All other life is short and vain;

He liveth longest who can tell

Of living most for heavenly gain.

He liveth long who liveth well;

All else is being flung away;

He liveth longest who can tell

Of true things truly done each day.

Be what thou seemest; live thy creed;

Hold up to earth the torch divine:

Be what thou prayest to be made;

Let the great Master’s steps be thine.

Fill up each hour with what will last;

Buy up the moments as they go;

The life above, when this is past,

Is the ripe fruit of life below.

Sow love, and taste its fruitage pure;

Sow peace, and reap its harvest bright;

Sow sunbeams on the rock and moor,

And find a harvest-home of light.

Twelfth Sunday After Trinity Prayer

Almighty and everlasting God, who is always more ready to hear than we to pray, and are likely to give more than either we desire or deserve, pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things where our conscience is afraid and giving to us that which our prayer dare not presume to ask; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Nuts and Bolts

Violinist layer tracks

Thomas Watson on Glorifying God

We glorify God by walking cheerfully.  It brings glory to God, when the world sees a Christian has that within him that can make him cheerful in the worst times; that can enable him, with the nightingale, to sing with a thorn at his breast.  The people of God have ground for cheerfulness.  They are justified and adopted, and this creates inward peace; it makes music within, whatever the storms are without.  If we consider what Christ has wrought for us by his blood, and wrought in us by his Spirit, it is a ground of great cheerfulness, and this cheerfulness glorifies God.  It reflects upon a master when the servant is always drooping and sad…A Christian’s cheerful looks glorify God; religion does not take away our joy, but refines it; it does not break our viol, but tunes it, and makes the music sweeter.

What I am Reading

The first 70 pages is rather slow going as the author goes overboard in defining Christian spirituality.  This book was not a true introduction to the subject.  I would much prefer McGrath’s.  Nevertheless, the author is remarkable at drawing out application from various backgrounds. 

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

#10-Got Bacteria in My Ears

#9-Saw how the “Amish” made stuff is really imported from Florida (but they can make incredible sandwiches).

#8-Had my sinus’ massaged by a woman with German type hands.

#7-Saw a woman in a bathrobe trying to shoot a turtle in water while the dock she was on was shaking ninety to nothing.

#6-Saw an idiot nearly blow off his hand while talking holding a lit firecracker. 

#5-Got More Bacteria in My Ears (see #10)

#4-Wished I was a millionaire so I could build a General Store as a tourist trap and make another million.

#3-Rode on a train forward while eating lunch.

#2-Rode on a train backward while eating lunch.

#1-Went to a health food store and noticed they were selling organic (“wink, wink”) raspberries for $24 a pound.  Wished I was a vegan store owner so I could make some money on the poor saps who buy these raspberries.  

Eleventh Sunday After Trinity Prayer

God, who declared your almighty power most chiefly in showing mercy and pity, give unto us abundantly your grace, that we, running to your promises, may be made partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

To the Garden We Go

This is a pretty good indication of life in the garden this last month.  While my tomatoes took off and gave me a steady harvest for about six weeks, they along with pretty much everything else are gone.   Oh well, gardening is a good lesson about Christianity; sometimes there is a dry period before the rains come in and fruit finally bears.  Thank God I have a basement to hibernate in until October. 

A Twelve Month in an Hour

They err who measure life by years,

With false or thoughtless tongue;

Some hearts grow old before their time;

Others are always young.

It is not the number of the lines

On life's fast filling page,

It is not the pulse's added throbs,

Which constitute their age.

Some souls are serfs among the free,

While others nobly thrive;

They stand just where their fathers stood

Dead, even while they live.

Others, all spirit, heart, and sense,

Theirs the mysterious power

To live in thrills of joy or woe,

A twelvemonth in an hour!

What I Am Reading-Conformed to His Image

This is a clear and straightforward look at how the spiritual disciplines shape our Christian life both personally and corporately.  Kenneth Boa’s easy read, yet comprehensive survey could make this a curriculum used in a Sunday school.  This is a compelling and edifying work. 

What Students Do in School

Tenth Sunday after Trinity Prayer

Let your merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of your humble servants, and, that they may obtain their petitions, make them to ask such things as shall please you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Nuts and Bolts

Newscaster freaks out

Getting on a train in Asia

You Know You Are in Kansas

Update On Southern

My major paper is done and for the first time in over two years, I do not have in any standing work coming in.  I am waiting for it though as I am taking an educational seminar this fall and one colloquium. 

Richard Sibbes On the Trustworthiness of God

Richard Sibbes quotes Salvian concerning the trustworthiness of God:

“Who has made the earth faithful to bring forth fruit…but God?  Yet we can trust the ground with sowing our seed.  Who makes man faithful, who is by nature the most slippery and unconstant creature of all other, but God only?  Yet we can trust a vain man, whose, breath, is in his nostrils, and look for great matters at his hands, before an all-sufficient God, that changeth not.  Who makes the seas and the winds faithful, that they do not hurt us, but God?  And yet we are apt to trust the wind and weather sooner than God, as we see many seamen that will thrust forth their goods into the wide ocean in a small bark, to shift any way, rather than trust God with them.” Works of Richard Sibbes, edited by Alexander B. Grosart Vol. 1 Banner of Truth Trust, 1973                reprint, p. 413.

Ninth Sunday After Trinity Prayer

Grant to us, Lord, we ask you, the spirit to think and do always such things as are rightful; that

we, who cannot be without you, may by you be able to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

To The Garden We Go...

While we have a miserably, hot summer thus far with no end in sight, some of my vegetation has done well.  Others not so well.  Between the heat and squash bugs, I am left with no pumpkins and only one squash plant of the five I planted.  Below are some shots of my okra, tomatoes and pole beans (from Noah’s garden). 

There is a sad occasion in the gardening experience, “Big Bertha” finally died after two full seasons and many patches, the final tear was fatal, so we say goodbye to “Big Bertha” and hello to “Hot Mamma”. 

“And Is There Care in Heaven?”

And is there care in heaven, and is there love
In heavenly spirits to us creatures base,
That may compassion of our evils move?
There is : else much more wretched were the case
Of men than beasts: but oh! the exceeding grace
Of highest God, that loves his creatures so,
And all his works with mercy doth embrace;
That blessed angels He sends to and fro,
To serve even wicked men, to serve his wicked foe.

How oft do they their silver bowers leave,
And come to succour us that succour want!
How oft do they with golden pinions cleave
The flitting skies, like flying pursuivant,
Against foul fiends to aid us militant!
They for us fight; they watch and duly ward,
And their bright squadrons round about us plant;
And all for love, and nothing for reward:
Oh! why should heavenly God to men have such regard!

Update On Southern

I am finishing up a major paper for a seminar with Dr. Bruce Ware that I took back in May.  The paper is on a biblical survey of suffering in the people of God.  The work is very intense and as usual most of the difficulty lies in how to edit.  Please pray for me if you think about it.  The paper is due the end of this month. 

Augustine

“We must care for our bodies as though we were going to live forever, but we must care for our souls as if we were going to die tomorrow.” 

Sixth Sunday After Trinity Prayer

God, who has prepared to them that love you such good things as pass [surpass] all man’s understanding, pour into our hearts such love toward you that we, loving you in all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Nuts and Bolts

Here are two clips of some pretty talented people.

http://www.wimp.com/danceroutine/

http://www.wimp.com/nicesong/

Two Ways To Live

An excellent resource for the gospel is Two Ways to Live by 

I use this format regularly in my own evangelism, and we have several tracts available in the church foyer. 

What I Am Reading-Christian Spirituality

One author that I have always appreciated his expertise is Alister McGrath.  I have many of his works on Reformation thought and the spirituality of the Reformers.  Recently, I read his Introduction to Christian Spirituality.  The issue of Christian spirituality is a hot potato in evangelical ranks these days.  If people had questions as related to what is meant by spirituality and how is it demonstrated in the church, then McGrath’s work will be beneficial.  In typical McGrath style, he paints in broad sweeping strokes.  He excels in clarity as this book attests.  Throughout the work, McGrath seeks to describe the Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant perspectives of various spiritual practices and beliefs.  It is a good tool if one desires an accurate survey of what constitutes Christian Spirituality. 

A.W. Tozer-From “The Knowledge of the Holy”

“How completely satisfying to turn from our limitations to a God who has none.  Eternal years lie in His heart.  For Him time does not pass, it remains; and those who are in Christ share with Him all the riches of limitless time and endless years.”

Fifth Sunday After Trinity Prayer

Grant, Lord, we ask you, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by your governance that your congregation may joyfully serve you in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ame

To the Garden We Go

Spray-N-Grow has been the best liquid fertilizer I use on my plants.  I mix it with Coco-Wet and Bill’s Fertilizer and spray it every two weeks on all my plants and vegetables.  I clearly see results both on the health of my plants, size, and harvest.  Highly recommend this to gardeners everywhere.

You May Be From Kansas...

If you think “Rock Chalk Jayhawk” is the state song. 

John Adams and Independence Day

I have such appreciation for our founder fathers.  I like so many of you am a lover of history, but particularly the colonial period has always been a fascination with me.  Granted these men were not perfect, in fact, there was downright hostility in some relationships, but these were men of honor with God and country in a way that is foreign to many today. 

One such father is John Adams who has been maligned and caricatured in modern times.  David McCullough’s biography of Adams is masterful.  Despite his flaws both true and false, he like so many of the fathers was a visionary.  When contemplating our Declaration of Independence Adams had a premonition:

“The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America.

I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shows, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.

You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. -- I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. -- Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will triumph in that Days Transaction, even though We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”

He wrote this letter to his wife Abigail believing that the Declaration of Independence would be signed on July 2, 1776 rather than July 4, 1776.  Despite his error in dates, he makes up for it not only in his prediction of celebration but in his praise of human labor and Providence to cherish for what it stands for.   

Years later while assisting on the draft of the Constitution Adams opined:

“We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people...it is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

Battle Hymn of the Republic

Okay the word is out with this video clip.  I am and have been since childhood a Stryper fan.  Yes, I have gone to their concerts and not worshipped the devil.  Yes, my wife has had to endure my taste in music since I have to endure her taste for country (it is one of God’s gifts to test our deep affection).  Yes, I believe they have promoted the gospel of Jesus Christ in ways I cannot.  No, I have never had my hair that long.  No, I have never worn an earring in my life.  No, I have never once tried on a pair of spandex.  But this will be reserved for another time and place. 

Here is their version of the Battle Hymn of the Republic.  It is a live version from about 25 years ago.  The recorded version is a little longer that concluded their “Soldiers Under Command” album which some say is their strongest.  They would often and still do introduce their concerts with this recording.  Ironically this clip is filmed in Japan.  But the words of this hymn (especially in its entirety) are gripping.  It emerged as a military song in the wake of a war, but the words are mainly theocentric.  In the words of the old saints, the church must be militant until she is triumphant. 

Enjoy! (And turn it up loud).   

Prayer Fourth Sunday After Trinity

God (the protector of all that trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy), increase and multiply upon us your mercy, that you being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal that we finally lose not the things eternal; grant this, heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake our Lord. Amen.

Nuts and Bolts

Here is my kind of counselor.  How I wish more Christians listened to his two words in their own sin struggles.  It would make for happier Christians and happier pastors to those who counsel such Christians.   I fear that we are breeding a self-absorbed, never-my-fault, other people are the issue, don’t want to really obey the Bible, just want someone to listen to my problems kind of Christian culture.  

Another Funny Lutheran Video

This is one of my favorites.  As typical with these extreme parodies, there is always an element of truth.  I couldn’t stop laughing.  

What I am Reading-Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

If Richard Foster is the devotional guru of the spiritual disciplines, then Don Whitney is the pastor.  Indeed, he wrote Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life while serving as a pastor and his guidance as a shepherd shows throughout this book.  Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life is the first and most popular work written by Whitney that deals with spiritual formation.  Whitney’s Southern Baptist background and theologically Reformed leanings narrow his focus and influences in the arena of spiritual disciplines. 
Whitney shares many of the major themes as other authors on the subject: worship, bible study, silence and solitude, stewardship.  There are disciplines unique to Whitney that is not mentioned by the other two most notably: evangelism and journaling.  One may suggest that journaling is not a legitimate discipline (using Whitney’s logic for journaling one could argue that eating is a spiritual discipline). 
Whitney also provides perhaps the most balanced approach on this basic overview of the disciplines.  While Richard Foster leans toward a devotional approach that draws from Scripture based on experience, and Dallas Willard clearly frames most of his chapters from a philosophical context, Whitney undergirds his approach fundamentally with Scripture.  With each discipline, he begins with a Scriptural principle and unpacks that principle interspersed with other passages throughout.  He only uses historical and personal experiences to illustrate and illuminate the biblical truth.

A.W. Tozer in “The Knowledge of the Holy”

“The days of the years of our lives are few, and swifter than a weaver’s shuttle.  Life is a short and fevered rehearsal for a concert we cannot stay to give.  Just when we appear to have attained some proficiency we are forced to lay our instruments down.  There is simply not time enough to think, to become, to perform what the constitution of our natures indicates we are capable of.”

Third Sunday After Trinity Prayer

Lord, we ask you mercifully to hear us, and to us whom you have given a hearty desire to pray, grant that by your mighty aid we may be defended; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

To The Garden We Go...

With the warmer temperatures a bit earlier this season (although a few cooler nights) our tomato crop is coming on.  They are infinitely healthier than last year dismal turnout, and at least by this time probably the healthiest crop altogether of any tomatoes I have ever grown.  We shall see.  Gardening is so much like the Christian life it is scary.

I have also had good fortune with my petunias, which is probably my favorite annual.  I have several different pots and varieties which I will try to feature throughout this growing season should they all make it.

 Here Noah takes a break from his gardening chores to indulge in “Big Bertha”.