In Iran today, an American citizen is being held in a death-sentence of a prison cell. For what? For believing in something the State doesn't.
His story can be found here. It made the news last week but has been all but forgotten this week.
He's a man of God. A pastor. Working in the country as an aid worker.
Imprisoned. Tortured. Beaten. Isolated.
His family is here in the U.S. Far from him, but near to their fear and bewilderment. Wife. Small children.
What is our State Department doing? From what I can tell, they are doing this: Nothing, or next to it.
It makes me physically ill.
I think of the sentencing process...or lack thereof. I can't breathe.
I think of the beatings and the prison conditions. Bile rises up in me.
I think of the lack of movement on the part of his own country's government. My heart races, feels weak, races again.
What can I do? If there is a petition, I will sign it. (Signed two already. Are there any more?) If there is a number, I will call it. I contacted my senator and representative already; maybe I'll start contacting other people's senators, too. I cannot stand by and allow evil to prevail without raising my voice in the streets to say "This, this atrocity, is wrong."
The only other option I have is prayer. It is not a last resort. I have been there many times since I learned of this turning of events. I find that I can be speaking of something completely unrelated and yet a Spirit-breath within my soul is near-silently beseeching for a miracle.
I asked, "How can You allow this? How can You see one of Your own suffer?" I was reminded of the Apostle Paul, a citizen of Rome, then the most powerful nation on earth. For the sake of Christ and His work, the status of citizen only goes so far. At some point, a higher allegiance means laying down the rights of self and birth and legal position and taking up the physical cross of Christ.
Bearing His wounds in our bodies, we submit to the sacrifice of following in His footsteps.
As I asked Why?, the whisper came to my heart: "He is in the right place at the right time." I believe this is true, though I don't understand.
I pray for strength and protection for him. I pray for grace for his family. I pray for a swift restoration to safety and home.
I pray that Jesus will walk around him,
visit him,
walk the halls of the prison and minister to those within the walls.
Most of all, I pray that The Work will be done through this Pastor. For the person or event that he is to impact in the right place at the right time, I pray for clarity of purpose and calling.
On the one hand, we pray against the prevailing of evil, and on the other hand, we recognize the sovereignty of God and His redemptive work.
Please pray with me for God's will to be done in Iran and in all of Creation during these last days.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
Be still and know
I am in the midst of my annual 21-day fast, with which I
greet each new year. This is a time to
set apart the year, mark these days as holy unto the Lord. Reflect on what He wants this year.
The first day or so is always a struggle—
I’m coming down from my self-inflicted sugar high,
coming out of the busyness of the holiday season,
and coming into the contemplative seeking that marks these days of fasting.
I don’t abstain from all foods—just the ones I want most—but I do limit my portion size so that I am reminded of my dependence on sustenance throughout the day.
I limit my attentiveness to activities that easily distract.
I am intentional with my thoughts and prayers by listing for myself the areas I believe are most in need of intercession. I ask the Lord for Scripture that sets the tone of each fast, and I meditate on it for the duration.
I settle into a new rhythm.
At this point, I fear that my dear Christian reader is aghast regarding this post as I am speaking openly about that most taboo and controversial topic of…fasting. (Gasp!) Fear not. I am neither holier-than-thou nor an unholy lightning rod.
Jesus speaks as if we’re all fasting regularly (cf. Matthew 6:17) and exhorts us not to take pride in our obedience. Trust me, I’d actually prefer to hide out in my prayer closet right now.
The first day or so is always a struggle—
I’m coming down from my self-inflicted sugar high,
coming out of the busyness of the holiday season,
and coming into the contemplative seeking that marks these days of fasting.
I don’t abstain from all foods—just the ones I want most—but I do limit my portion size so that I am reminded of my dependence on sustenance throughout the day.
I limit my attentiveness to activities that easily distract.
I am intentional with my thoughts and prayers by listing for myself the areas I believe are most in need of intercession. I ask the Lord for Scripture that sets the tone of each fast, and I meditate on it for the duration.
I settle into a new rhythm.
At this point, I fear that my dear Christian reader is aghast regarding this post as I am speaking openly about that most taboo and controversial topic of…fasting. (Gasp!) Fear not. I am neither holier-than-thou nor an unholy lightning rod.
Jesus speaks as if we’re all fasting regularly (cf. Matthew 6:17) and exhorts us not to take pride in our obedience. Trust me, I’d actually prefer to hide out in my prayer closet right now.
Bottom line: I’m just being real…and using this setting as a vehicle for what I really want to share.
What I really want to share
The verse for this fast is Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.” I asked the Lord to reveal a verse for these 21 days, and after pondering several meaningful ones for a couple of days early on, He placed this one on my heart.
Here’s why this verse surprised me: It’s the beginning of a new year.
A time to reset habits,
strike out for distant dreams,
blaze a trail for generations to follow.
Move. Become. Do. Be.
Be. Still?
Yes. Be. Still.
Lord, I don’t understand. I’m really good at sitting still and doing nothing. Held back by complacency, fear, lack of what-I-think-is-clear direction. Is that what You mean?
I just bought this book to help me reach my goals—a short chapter a day, each day, for 21 days—and I believe You are okay with my doing that. You’ve been dropping me a lot of hints lately that this is the year to set a new course and actually walk down the road.
For too long I’ve let the “urgent” rule my life without setting a plan for accomplishing the meaningful.
This is my year to take a leap,
take the plunge,
take off.
What is this “be still” stuff? How do I reconcile the two?
A study of Psalm 46’s original Hebrew doesn’t point to sitting idly by while prettily daydreaming of God’s presence. Instead, the Hebrew word that we have come to know as “be still” is better translated “let go” or “surrender.”
In the context of the entire Psalm, which speaks of God’s mighty power and sovereignty over His creation, His people are called to remember who God is and what He’s done, to give Him the glory that only He is due, and then to look to Him as our only Refuge and Hope.*
So, let the surrendering begin, continue. I believe it’s okay for me to run alongside God on any adventure He has planned for me this year, but the preparation for the expedition must be
a letting go of my own tightly held plans,
a releasing of my will,
an acknowledgment that my knees need to bend now
and not just on the day when all will bow a knee to Him.
It’s more than that, though. It goes a step further. It is trust. Trust that He has everything in view and His plan is perfect and perfectly taking shape though I don’t understand one bit of it most of the time.
It means
letting Him do the heavy lifting
and following His lead for my involvement in the process.
It takes 21 days to form a new habit, or so the studies say. Perhaps that is why I am always a bit bereft at the end of my fasts—I’ve become accustomed to the extra time for prayer and Bible study, to the feeling of dependence on the Lord, to the greater appreciation I have for my comfortable lifestyle. (I am hungry by choice, after all, and not by necessity.)
It’s hard to return to life as normal
once one has learned that pizza and a movie
are a poor substitute for soup and Jesus.
Let the letting go carry on and forward.
Be still. Surrender.
And know. Acknowledge.
That I Am God. Yes, yes You are.
*I lament my lack of access to truly good commentaries, but passable source material was taken from here and here.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Redeeming Eden
I began a 21-day vision journey a few days ago—taking time intentionally
each day to seek the fulfillment of the dreams God has placed in my heart. I was inspired by a number of sources, but the
main motivation for the journey was from this blog post by Holley Gerth.
I’m struck by the travail that often occurs when we seek to see our God-ordained dreams satisfied. Sometimes the fruition takes years of time, hard work, trials of all types.
We think that because the dreams are from God the realization of them will be
quick,
painless,
easy.
Sometimes it is. God is gracious.
But sometimes redemption is difficult. That’s what our God-designed dreams mean, after all—redemption. Working with God to bring about His vision for restoring a fallen world.
And yes,
even here,
God is gracious.
Ever since the Fall, God has worked in Creation to show us the grace of His sovereign plan despite our depravity and apart-from-Him uselessness.
He has placed hopes,
plans,
ideas in us
that would never come to us,
from us,
unless by His divine intervention in our existence.
Think about it: Most of our God-sized dreams aren’t really about us. They’re about the next generation, making Creation better, innovation, reconciliation, and so on, and so on.
We couldn’t come up with these visions on our own if we tried our best and hardest from now until our dying day. We’re too far gone but for His grace and His grace-breath within our hearts.
In Luke 2:25ff, we find the story of Simeon,
who held
his long-awaited,
God-initiated dream
in his hands.
At some point during
the 400 years of silence on the part of God toward Israel,
when the prophets and priests heard nothing from YHWH Adonai,
and Emmanuel was not yet with us,
God had whispered
His vision
to Simeon’s willing heart.
Simeon, longing for consolation, the Consolation of Israel,
ideas in us
that would never come to us,
from us,
unless by His divine intervention in our existence.
Think about it: Most of our God-sized dreams aren’t really about us. They’re about the next generation, making Creation better, innovation, reconciliation, and so on, and so on.
We couldn’t come up with these visions on our own if we tried our best and hardest from now until our dying day. We’re too far gone but for His grace and His grace-breath within our hearts.
In Luke 2:25ff, we find the story of Simeon,
who held
his long-awaited,
God-initiated dream
in his hands.
At some point during
the 400 years of silence on the part of God toward Israel,
when the prophets and priests heard nothing from YHWH Adonai,
and Emmanuel was not yet with us,
God had whispered
His vision
to Simeon’s willing heart.
Simeon, longing for consolation, the Consolation of Israel,
redemption and
Emmanuel,
must have prayed and prayed for God to show Himself mighty in Israel’s
midst.
Was he ever discouraged as he awaited the fulfillment of the visions God had spoken through Isaiah and the other prophets in centuries past?
And then…one day…one day, the Spirit of God revealed that Salvation would arrive in Simeon’s own lifetime. That still, small Spirit-movement had to ring as loud as a shout in Simeon’s ears, so accustomed to God’s silence.
Yes,
the dream was placed in his heart,
to be pondered,
anticipated,
eagerly awaited.
We aren’t told how long he waited, but he was ready and willing when the time to meet Messiah was at hand.
When the time came,
all Simeon had to do was
enter the Temple,
find the infant ordained TheLordSaves,
proclaim the Word of Most High God over Him and His parents.
Prophesy.
Publically break the silence that had been
privately broken in his heart and the hearts of Mary and Joseph.
Give voice to the vision.
What if Simeon’s heart had never been open to hearing God’s voice or to repeating what he knew?
What if he had given up on God’s promise?
What if he had been afraid to enter into the Redemption of Creation?
What if he had become impatient
and charged into the Temple on any other day
to declare God’s Word over an infant unworthy of the appellations
YHWH Adonai’s Salvation, Light for Revelation and for Glory?
The waiting on the Lord
and the striving toward completion
are worth the Glory that will be revealed
as God calls us to our roles in Redeeming Eden.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Who I am reading and why - part 3 (alma mater edition)
After a few busy weeks, I'm getting back into the swing of things with my little on-again, off-again blog. As promised, I'm sharing about a few of the blogs I enjoy as a series of posts. Of course, this wouldn't be much of a series if I left off after only two entries on this topic! So, here's the third installment:
My alma mater, Lancaster Bible College, has produced several interesting bloggers. I'm following all of the ones I know about, which is likely only a small percentage of them. (Readers, please let me know who I am missing!)
My friend, Jessica Weleski, chairs the Arts & Sciences department at LBC, and she chronicles her daily experiences in her humorous, heartfelt blog. She's held this leadership position at the college for several years, despite her youth. She's a genuinely lovely gal who graduated at the top of our class. She has channeled her love of learning into a successful teaching career, where she guides students into the ways of faith and correct grammar. As the daughter of a teacher, I just love her classroom stories! On the side, she is working to renovate her vintage home while defending it against all sorts of wildlife, with her faithful sidekicks, Deogi and Gretel, always at the ready. Most posts read like a humorous short story, though she allows herself to be honest about the hard parts of life as well. Those interested in both compositions and opossums should check out http://oneenglishteacher.wordpress.com/.
One of my life's greatest blessings was my time spent in my college theology classes. LBC's Bible/theology professors are top notch, and one of the most memorable from my day was Dr. James McGahey. While he is no longer teaching at the college, it is no surprise that "Doc," a learned and lettered man, is utilizing this venue for sharing his scholarly writing and research. A proud Philadelphian, his blog covers the City of Brotherly Love, Pauline theology, church polity, Bruce Springsteen, and baseball...among other topics. Sometimes, these subjects bleed into one another in the same post, so you know you're bound for a good read. Caution: This guy loves a little (or a lot) of controversy every now and again (or nearly every day, as I know he'll readily admit), so read his posts when you have time to ponder the depth of his topics. Make sure to keep an open mind and a sense of humor...and be ready to defend your point of view if it differs from his. He loves a good, logical argument, and you can find his points of view at http://jamesmcgahey.blogspot.com/.
Blogging has become a way to keep family and friends updated when things are going well...and when they're not. My classmate, Josh Mott, has a brain tumor and has experienced all types of treatments in the pursuit of a cure. Josh is a couple of years or so younger than me, and he has a young family, so I found his diagnosis heartbreaking and unbelievable. He is a man of great faith, and his family exhibits such amazing grace and fortitude that I am frequently overcome with praise to the Lord who is sustaining them so faithfully. Josh's wife, Kristin, updates their family blog on occasion, and I marvel at the maturity of her words and faith. She's an excellent writer, and I believe the Lord has gifted her with this so she can share the good news of the Gospel that she and Josh are so passionate about, even in the midst of this present trial. More of the Mott Family story may be read at http://thejoshmottfamily.blogspot.com/.
Finally, I ran across a blog that has no direct link to my time at LBC, but it does put me in mind of the mandatory two semesters of Biblical Hermeneutics classes I took in my freshman year. That was fantastic training for the rest of my life, and I am grateful for the time I spent under Dr. John Soden's teaching. In the Preaching with Greater Accuracy posts, Pastor Randal Emery Pelton "attempts to show how hermeneutics affects the development of sermons. Preaching portions have ways of displaying theology which, in turn, creates relevant messages for the Church. The entries may provide direction for preaching a particular Text and also equip you to handle other Texts that present theology in similar ways. Those interested in Christ-centered preaching will observe numerous ways in which the Gospel fleshes out the interpretation and application of Scripture." (Quote taken from the blog itself.) I don't remember how I found this blog and I don't read the posts as often as I'd like, but I enjoy having posts like these at my fingertips just to stay in touch with hermeneutical concepts. I believe it would be a great resource for teaching pastors, and it can be located at http://preachingwithgreateraccuracy.blogspot.com/.
I'm also following a number of personal friends:
BJ Martin at http://bjchronicle.com/blog.html
Lindsay Spreadbury at http://spreadburystories.wordpress.com/about/
Andrew "Puffy" Pederson at http://drewism.me/
Jennifer Story at http://hydrangeasandharmony.blogspot.com/
Steve "Scuba" Grusendorf at http://martyrpriest.com/
My alma mater, Lancaster Bible College, has produced several interesting bloggers. I'm following all of the ones I know about, which is likely only a small percentage of them. (Readers, please let me know who I am missing!)
My friend, Jessica Weleski, chairs the Arts & Sciences department at LBC, and she chronicles her daily experiences in her humorous, heartfelt blog. She's held this leadership position at the college for several years, despite her youth. She's a genuinely lovely gal who graduated at the top of our class. She has channeled her love of learning into a successful teaching career, where she guides students into the ways of faith and correct grammar. As the daughter of a teacher, I just love her classroom stories! On the side, she is working to renovate her vintage home while defending it against all sorts of wildlife, with her faithful sidekicks, Deogi and Gretel, always at the ready. Most posts read like a humorous short story, though she allows herself to be honest about the hard parts of life as well. Those interested in both compositions and opossums should check out http://oneenglishteacher.wordpress.com/.
One of my life's greatest blessings was my time spent in my college theology classes. LBC's Bible/theology professors are top notch, and one of the most memorable from my day was Dr. James McGahey. While he is no longer teaching at the college, it is no surprise that "Doc," a learned and lettered man, is utilizing this venue for sharing his scholarly writing and research. A proud Philadelphian, his blog covers the City of Brotherly Love, Pauline theology, church polity, Bruce Springsteen, and baseball...among other topics. Sometimes, these subjects bleed into one another in the same post, so you know you're bound for a good read. Caution: This guy loves a little (or a lot) of controversy every now and again (or nearly every day, as I know he'll readily admit), so read his posts when you have time to ponder the depth of his topics. Make sure to keep an open mind and a sense of humor...and be ready to defend your point of view if it differs from his. He loves a good, logical argument, and you can find his points of view at http://jamesmcgahey.blogspot.com/.
Blogging has become a way to keep family and friends updated when things are going well...and when they're not. My classmate, Josh Mott, has a brain tumor and has experienced all types of treatments in the pursuit of a cure. Josh is a couple of years or so younger than me, and he has a young family, so I found his diagnosis heartbreaking and unbelievable. He is a man of great faith, and his family exhibits such amazing grace and fortitude that I am frequently overcome with praise to the Lord who is sustaining them so faithfully. Josh's wife, Kristin, updates their family blog on occasion, and I marvel at the maturity of her words and faith. She's an excellent writer, and I believe the Lord has gifted her with this so she can share the good news of the Gospel that she and Josh are so passionate about, even in the midst of this present trial. More of the Mott Family story may be read at http://thejoshmottfamily.blogspot.com/.
Finally, I ran across a blog that has no direct link to my time at LBC, but it does put me in mind of the mandatory two semesters of Biblical Hermeneutics classes I took in my freshman year. That was fantastic training for the rest of my life, and I am grateful for the time I spent under Dr. John Soden's teaching. In the Preaching with Greater Accuracy posts, Pastor Randal Emery Pelton "attempts to show how hermeneutics affects the development of sermons. Preaching portions have ways of displaying theology which, in turn, creates relevant messages for the Church. The entries may provide direction for preaching a particular Text and also equip you to handle other Texts that present theology in similar ways. Those interested in Christ-centered preaching will observe numerous ways in which the Gospel fleshes out the interpretation and application of Scripture." (Quote taken from the blog itself.) I don't remember how I found this blog and I don't read the posts as often as I'd like, but I enjoy having posts like these at my fingertips just to stay in touch with hermeneutical concepts. I believe it would be a great resource for teaching pastors, and it can be located at http://preachingwithgreateraccuracy.blogspot.com/.
I'm also following a number of personal friends:
BJ Martin at http://bjchronicle.com/blog.html
Lindsay Spreadbury at http://spreadburystories.wordpress.com/about/
Andrew "Puffy" Pederson at http://drewism.me/
Jennifer Story at http://hydrangeasandharmony.blogspot.com/
Steve "Scuba" Grusendorf at http://martyrpriest.com/
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Encourage him (Deuteronomy 1:38) – c.h. spurgeon
God employs
his people to encourage one another.
He did not say to an angel, “Gabriel, my servant Joshua is about to lead my people intoCanaan —go, encourage him.”
God never works needless miracles;
if his purposes can be accomplished by ordinary means,
he will not use miraculous agency.
Gabriel would not have been half so well fitted for the work as Moses.
A brother's sympathy is more precious than an angel's embassy.
The angel, swift of wing, had...
never experienced the hardness of the road,
nor seen the fiery serpents,
nor had he led the stiff-necked multitude in the wilderness as Moses had done.
We should be glad that God usually works for man by man.
It forms a bond of brotherhood,
and being mutually dependent on one another,
we are fused more completely into one family.
Brethren, take the text as God's message to you.
Labor to help others,
and especially strive
to encourage them.
He did not say to an angel, “Gabriel, my servant Joshua is about to lead my people into
God never works needless miracles;
if his purposes can be accomplished by ordinary means,
he will not use miraculous agency.
Gabriel would not have been half so well fitted for the work as Moses.
A brother's sympathy is more precious than an angel's embassy.
The angel, swift of wing, had...
never experienced the hardness of the road,
nor seen the fiery serpents,
nor had he led the stiff-necked multitude in the wilderness as Moses had done.
We should be glad that God usually works for man by man.
It forms a bond of brotherhood,
and being mutually dependent on one another,
we are fused more completely into one family.
Brethren, take the text as God's message to you.
Labor to help others,
and especially strive
to encourage them.
When you find a spark of grace in the heart,
kneel down and blow it into a flame.
Leave the young believer to discover the roughness of the road by degrees,
but tell him of the strength which dwells in God,
of the sureness of the promise,
and of the charms of communion with Christ.
Aim to comfort the sorrowful, and to animate the desponding.
Speak a word in season to him that is weary, and encourage those who are fearful to go on their way with gladness.
God
encourages you by his promises;
Christ
encourages you as he points to the heaven he has won for you,
and the Spirit
encourages you as he works in you to will and to do of his own will and pleasure.
Imitate divine wisdom,
and encourage others,
according to the word of this evening.
kneel down and blow it into a flame.
Leave the young believer to discover the roughness of the road by degrees,
but tell him of the strength which dwells in God,
of the sureness of the promise,
and of the charms of communion with Christ.
Aim to comfort the sorrowful, and to animate the desponding.
Speak a word in season to him that is weary, and encourage those who are fearful to go on their way with gladness.
God
encourages you by his promises;
Christ
encourages you as he points to the heaven he has won for you,
and the Spirit
encourages you as he works in you to will and to do of his own will and pleasure.
Imitate divine wisdom,
and encourage others,
according to the word of this evening.
As Moses said, “The Lord…said,
‘You shall not enter [the Promised Land].
But, your assistant, Joshua son of Nun, will enter it. Encourage him, because he will lead Israel
Deuteronomy 1:37-38
Deuteronomy 1:37-38
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Go again seven times (1 Kings 18:43) - c.h. spurgeon
Success is certain when the Lord has promised it.
Although you may have pleaded month after month without evidence of answer,
it is not possible that the Lord should be deaf
when his people are earnest in a matter which concerns his glory.
The prophet on the top of Carmel continued to wrestle with God,
and never for a moment
gave way
to a fear that he should be non-suited in Jehovah's courts.
Six times the servant returned, but on each occasion no word was spoken but
“Go again.”
We must not dream of unbelief, but hold to our faith even to seventy times seven.
Faith
sends
expectant hope
to look from Carmel's brow,
and if nothing is beheld,
she sends
again
and again.
So far from being crushed by repeated disappointment,
faith is animated to plead more fervently with her God.
She is humbled, but not abashed:
her groans are deeper,
and her sighings more vehement,
but she never relaxes her hold or stays her hand.
It would be more agreeable to flesh and blood to have a speedy answer, but believing souls have learned to be submissive, and to find it good to wait for as well as upon the Lord.
Delayed answers often set the heart searching itself,
and so lead to contrition and spiritual reformation:
deadly blows are thus struck at our corruption,
and the chambers of imagery are cleansed.
The great danger is lest men should faint, and miss the blessing.
Reader, do not fall into that sin, but continue in prayer and watching.
At last the little cloud was seen, the sure forerunner of torrents of rain,
and even so with you, the token for good shall surely be given,
and you shall rise as a prevailing prince
to enjoy the mercy you have sought.
Elijah was a man of like passions with us:
his power with God did not lie in his own merits.
If his believing prayer availed so much, why not yours?
Plead the precious blood
with unceasing importunity,
and it shall be with you according to your desire.
"Go and look toward the sea," he told his servant. And he went up and looked. "There is nothing there," he said. Seven times Elijah said, "Go back." The seventh time the servant reported, "A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea." ... Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling.
1 Kings 18:43-45
Although you may have pleaded month after month without evidence of answer,
it is not possible that the Lord should be deaf
when his people are earnest in a matter which concerns his glory.
The prophet on the top of Carmel continued to wrestle with God,
and never for a moment
gave way
to a fear that he should be non-suited in Jehovah's courts.
Six times the servant returned, but on each occasion no word was spoken but
“Go again.”
We must not dream of unbelief, but hold to our faith even to seventy times seven.
Faith
sends
expectant hope
to look from Carmel's brow,
and if nothing is beheld,
she sends
again
and again.
So far from being crushed by repeated disappointment,
faith is animated to plead more fervently with her God.
She is humbled, but not abashed:
her groans are deeper,
and her sighings more vehement,
but she never relaxes her hold or stays her hand.
It would be more agreeable to flesh and blood to have a speedy answer, but believing souls have learned to be submissive, and to find it good to wait for as well as upon the Lord.
Delayed answers often set the heart searching itself,
and so lead to contrition and spiritual reformation:
deadly blows are thus struck at our corruption,
and the chambers of imagery are cleansed.
The great danger is lest men should faint, and miss the blessing.
Reader, do not fall into that sin, but continue in prayer and watching.
At last the little cloud was seen, the sure forerunner of torrents of rain,
and even so with you, the token for good shall surely be given,
and you shall rise as a prevailing prince
to enjoy the mercy you have sought.
Elijah was a man of like passions with us:
his power with God did not lie in his own merits.
If his believing prayer availed so much, why not yours?
Plead the precious blood
with unceasing importunity,
and it shall be with you according to your desire.
"Go and look toward the sea," he told his servant. And he went up and looked. "There is nothing there," he said. Seven times Elijah said, "Go back." The seventh time the servant reported, "A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea." ... Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling.
1 Kings 18:43-45
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Who I am reading and why - part 2 (house & home edition)
Big news! I'm...such a...girl. Yes, I read some blogs because they speak to that feminine need to "feather the nest," so to speak. Here are a few of my favorite domestic idea-crafters:
Rachel Meeks has mastered the mantra, "Simplify, simplify, simplify." In her Small Notebook blog, she shares insights for bringing simplicity to the heart and home. As a wife and mother of young children, her goal is to share the peace her family has found through identifying what is truly important (in relationships, budgets, possessions, etc.) and letting go of as much of the rest as possible. When I gather enough courage, I will attempt her "No-Spend Month" challenge. On another note, whenever I consider a new piece of clothing, I remember her advice about choosing to purchase only a few truly beautiful, well-made items that will last for years rather than spending money on many, lower-quality garments. (Unlike others who give out this tip, I believe Rachel actually follows her own advice.) Check out all of Rachel's ideas at http://smallnotebook.org/start-here/.
Ladies, if you've ever wondered what it's like to be an Irish dairy farmer's wife (and who hasn't?), Imen's "I Married an Irish Farmer" blog will fill you in quickly...and leave you wishing to be her neighbor and tea-time visitor. Imen worked in big-city America as an ad executive until she met a charming Irish farmer who was visiting the States. They hit it off and ended up returning to his Irish farm. The rest is history and has been very neatly recorded in her posts. Many of these posts have to do with the lovely foods she creates in her farmhouse kitchen--sometimes gourmet and unique, sometimes traditional and simple, but always with a distinctly Irish flavor. Her photography is gorgeous as well. You may visit her farm and home at http://marriedanirishfarmer.com/about-2/.
April Swiger keeps a journal of her life as a Pittsburgh-area worship pastor's wife. I first found her blog when I was researching, of all things, B&Bs in New York. She wrote a lovely piece about an anniversary trip to the Chautauqua region, and featured the Brick House B&B (Westfield, NY) prominently in the post. Her description sold us on staying there ourselves, and it is now one of my family's favorite destinations. She writes for her friends and family, is a committed DIYer, and shares her projects--as well as delicious recipes--on her site. Most intriguing is her belief that her ministry is to her church and husband. She works part time at her church, but she is primarily a stay-at-home wife (what is that again?). The Swigers are currently awaiting God's timing on adopting their first child, and I've enjoyed praying with them through their journey. April's journal can be accessed at http://theswigers.blogspot.com/.
Rachel Meeks has mastered the mantra, "Simplify, simplify, simplify." In her Small Notebook blog, she shares insights for bringing simplicity to the heart and home. As a wife and mother of young children, her goal is to share the peace her family has found through identifying what is truly important (in relationships, budgets, possessions, etc.) and letting go of as much of the rest as possible. When I gather enough courage, I will attempt her "No-Spend Month" challenge. On another note, whenever I consider a new piece of clothing, I remember her advice about choosing to purchase only a few truly beautiful, well-made items that will last for years rather than spending money on many, lower-quality garments. (Unlike others who give out this tip, I believe Rachel actually follows her own advice.) Check out all of Rachel's ideas at http://smallnotebook.org/start-here/.
Ladies, if you've ever wondered what it's like to be an Irish dairy farmer's wife (and who hasn't?), Imen's "I Married an Irish Farmer" blog will fill you in quickly...and leave you wishing to be her neighbor and tea-time visitor. Imen worked in big-city America as an ad executive until she met a charming Irish farmer who was visiting the States. They hit it off and ended up returning to his Irish farm. The rest is history and has been very neatly recorded in her posts. Many of these posts have to do with the lovely foods she creates in her farmhouse kitchen--sometimes gourmet and unique, sometimes traditional and simple, but always with a distinctly Irish flavor. Her photography is gorgeous as well. You may visit her farm and home at http://marriedanirishfarmer.com/about-2/.
April Swiger keeps a journal of her life as a Pittsburgh-area worship pastor's wife. I first found her blog when I was researching, of all things, B&Bs in New York. She wrote a lovely piece about an anniversary trip to the Chautauqua region, and featured the Brick House B&B (Westfield, NY) prominently in the post. Her description sold us on staying there ourselves, and it is now one of my family's favorite destinations. She writes for her friends and family, is a committed DIYer, and shares her projects--as well as delicious recipes--on her site. Most intriguing is her belief that her ministry is to her church and husband. She works part time at her church, but she is primarily a stay-at-home wife (what is that again?). The Swigers are currently awaiting God's timing on adopting their first child, and I've enjoyed praying with them through their journey. April's journal can be accessed at http://theswigers.blogspot.com/.
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