Thursday, October 06, 2011

The Ultimate Test

Here's a quiz for you that I bet you won't pass.  Some questions do not have a right or wrong answer per se, but your answer does hold weight. Some answers (and I won't say which) may count against you if you know them.  Have fun, but be honest and NO GOOGLING! lol  Please send your answers to RuthieSisemore@gmail.com .... do NOT put your answers in the comment section

42

  1. Man's chief end is to:
  2. Hello, my name is:
  3. What does T.U.L.I.P. stand for?
  4. Name one book by Alexandre Dumas:
  5. I'm a lumberjack, and I'm:
  6. Always know where your ________ is.
  7. PCA stands for:
  8. Who was Fyodor Dostoyevsky?
  9. Name the members of the Fellowship.
  10. Name Santa's Reindeer.
  11. Who bore the number 24601?
  12. Complete this book title: Confessions of ......
  13. Name three dead theologians who were part of the Reformation.
  14. What's your favorite baseball team?
  15. If there's a fire in an electrical oven, what's the one thing you should NOT throw in it?
  16. Name one Jane Austen book.
  17. Which gasoline is better for your car and why, ethanol or no ethanol?
  18. How often should furnace filters be changed?
  19. How many of the Ten Commandments apply to today?
  20. Is age segregation in the Church a good or bad thing?
  21. If you were a Muppet, who would you be?
  22. Revenge is a dish best served:
  23. What's your favorite color?
  24. Question 23 makes me think of:
  25. Do you see Christian Psychology as good, evil, either, or an oxymoron? 
  26. What is your life goal?
  27. My favorite meal is:
  28. Typically, a car's oil should be changed every:
  29. If your car squeals when turning a corner, it probably needs:
  30. My ideal vacation would be:
  31. Do you smoke?
  32. If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you:
  33. What is the Proverbs 31 woman's chief purpose?
  34. May the _____ be with you.
  35. To go to a symphony concert would be _______ for me.
  36. Do you like Niel Diamond?
  37. Country must be________.
  38. You went to the woods.  Why?
  39. What does baptism signify?
  40. What is the date of Luther's 95 Theses?
  41. Tell me your best joke.
  42. What is the significance of the title of this Quiz (42)?

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Unsolicited Advice and Criticism




Sometimes, we Christian women can be the meanest creatures.  Notice I said "we."  I'm referring to something that I'm sure I've unknowingly done in the past....perhaps even the very recent past....hey, I'm middle-aged and my memory is fuzzy.

What I'm talking about is sharing unsolicited advice and/or criticism to younger (spiritual or chronological) sisters in Christ.  I'm sure most of us are just trying to be "helpful" but many times we unknowingly devastate our sister's morale over silly things that burn up as wood, hay, and stubble in the grand scheme of things.  Seriously, unless your sister in Christ is living in some sort of sin (and no, being tacky is not a moral sin) or gravely endangering their or their family's health, it may be best to be silent...in most cases.  I know that I personally probably need to start keeping a better watch out for this in my own life.

Our daughter (21) will in the next few years be leaving the nest to perhaps start her own family.  My ideas about how things should be done are not necessarily shared by her, just as my own mother and I differ in many ways.  I have even told our daughter that when it comes right down to it, it doesn't matter if I think her kids are dressed tacky (though I will pipe up about modesty issues lol) or if her house is "dirty" by my standards or if she feeds her family processed vs. all organic food.  What I care about is that she raise up her children in the Lord and that she loves and respects her husband.  Yes, breast feeding is better than bottle feeding, but it's not our business to point that out to everyone with whom we come into contact.  Yes, cloth diapers are better for the environment, the economy, etc., but it's not a "moral" issue to use disposable ones.   Yes, it best to vacuum everyday or iron 3/4 of your clothes like my sister does :), but a little bit of dirt or a wrinkle here or there is not the end of the world.

Granted, there are times when it is necessary to speak up, particularly if the younger sister has come to us for guidance, but that instruction should come with a spirit of gentleness, remembering our own inadequacies.  These little things mentioned above are just not as paramount as the deeper issues of Titus 2, such as be reverent, loving our husbands and children, being self-controlled and pure, etc.

If, however, you find yourself on the flip side and are subjected to statements like "You know, you really shouldn't ...." consider what you're being criticized for, ask yourself is it something that really matters to God or is it just a matter of preference?  These are things that have to be weighed very carefully, as it is easy to become overly defensive when criticized.  Whatever the issue is, great or small, take it before the Lord in prayer and search the Scriptures.  Thank the person for their concern and make adjustments when necessary.

Mexican Archbishop Calls for Greater Modesty at Mass



.- The Archbishop of Leon, Mexico is calling on Catholics to dress modestly at Mass.
“If you have any respect for this place (a church), dress appropriately,” Archbishop Jose Guadalupe Martin Rabago told reporters after Mass on July 24.
Criticism of the archbishop’s comments came after local newspapers featured photos of posters at some parishes in Leon that said, “Respect God’s house. Don’t come dressed like this.” The posters said women should not come to church dressed in miniskirts, sleeveless shirts, or low-cut blouses.
According to the newspaper Correo, the archbishop said women ought to know what they should wear and when. 
“They know that for a wedding or a quinceanera they should dress one way, and for a trip to the beach they should dress another.” 
The archbishop also said men need to dress appropriately at Mass as well. “Some men show up at church dressed in way that is undignified, wearing shorts or sandals. The place they are in requires something else,” he said.
Archbishop Martin Rabago said the media should not focus exclusively on what the Catholic Church says about how people should dress, as many evangelical churches require their congregations to come to church in a suit and tie.
He dismissed charges that his comments were misogynistic. 
“This is not a misogynist attitude of any sort. I am simply asking for the dignity and decorum that this place calls for, that is all.”

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Try it Tuesday - Raspberry Chipotle Chicken

This recipe is from Anna Ginsberg, a stay-at-home mom who won the Pillsbury Bake-Off in 2006.   Our daughter made this recipe for our family, and it was awesome!

1/3  cup pecan pieces
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/2 inch thickness (okay...so we skipped the pounding)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2  cup diced onion
2/3 cup roasted raspberry chipotle sauce (found with bbq sauces)
1/3  cup white grape juice
1   Tablespoon lemon juice
2    packages whole-grain brown ready rice, cooked according to package directions
1 1/2  Tablespoons coarsely chopped cilantro (we forgot this step)

1.  Place pecans on a paper towel and microwave on High for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, tossing halfway through cooking; set aside to cool.
2.  Sprinkle chicken evenly with salt and pepper.
3.  In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat.  Add onion, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until onion is tender.  Add chicken to skillet and cook for 3 minutes per side, or until browned.  Add mixed raspberry sauce, grape juice, and lemon juice to coat chicken.  Stir and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
4.  Place rice on serving dish and top with prepared pecans.  Top with chicken and sauce and sprinkle with cilantro.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Monomoy Theatre

One of our favorite things to do while visiting Cape Cod is to attend one of the dozens of live theater venues.  Chatham, Massachusetts has enjoyed the Monomoy Theatre and the Ohio University Players for 54 years.  There is nothing like live theater, especially in an intimate setting.  The Monomoy has 260 seats, and every seat is a great seat!  The performances are generally comprised of talented graduates, undergraduates, and professionals.  The small setting lends a greater connection with the performers and the characters they portray. 

Our choice of play this year was Man of La Mancha.  Steve French was the most amazing Don Quixote that I have seen since Ed Ames.  We witnessed such an amazing metamorphosis of Mr. French from Miguel de Cervantes to Don Quixote that captivated each of us from the start.  Mr. French truly stole the show.

Monday, July 04, 2011

Cape Cod!  I love everything about Cape Cod!  For our entire married life, we have chosen Cape Cod as our vacation destination.....every single time.  That sounds boring and dull to most people, but for us, it's a place to cloister and regroup.  Everyone needs a place and time for just being quiet and still.  That's harder for some people, especially people who are running, whether it be from their own thoughts or from God.  I would encourage everyone to make time and space for quietness in their lives.  It doesn't have to be a vacation spot (although that does help).  I know it takes discipline and patience, but take time to just be.  No music, no tv, no cell phones....just you & God....and just be still....and know that He is God.

Sunday, June 05, 2011

On Being Cranky....




I try to not be one of those people that others cringe when they see them coming, but sometimes I don't just fear that I am one of those people, I KNOW that I am one of those people.  Honestly, I really do try to work on it.  I am most often the person you would like to avoid when I am shopping.  I don't start out my shopping trips that way, but give me a grocery basket and suddenly I morph into Maxine.  Knowing and owning this about myself, I try to shop far enough away from my home that I won't run into unsuspecting victims, I mean friends.  Just this last week, I went to Publix in Ooletewah (my favorite place to shop) and it was one of those times when I wasn't quite sure of everything I needed, what was on sale, or what coupons I had in my coupon file, so I was a little a foggy headed....never a good sign.  It was also a Saturday, which meant the store was more crowded, but I had worked during the week and we needed food...or at least caffeine in the house.  I didn't even get past the first food display when I found myself morphing into Maxine.  I saw that Cheerios were on sale, and I remembered I had a coupon as well.  I was so excited that I had  been there that day because the coupon expired that day as well.  But, as God would have it, there was a woman standing right in front of the Cheerios, blocking me from getting what I wanted.  I waited "patiently"....not.  I thought to myself, "I wish that woman would hurry up and move.  How long does it take to grab a box of cereal and move on???"  Then, I looked at the woman's frame....hmmm, she looks familiar....hmmm, her hair looks familiar too....hey! that's (insert the name of an elder's wife from church)!  I felt so embarrassed that my Maxine persona had such impatient and cranky thoughts about someone I knew and liked.  Every time I ran into her in the store yesterday, I felt convicted about my attitudes and thought patterns as I shopped.  I think I'm a nice person, but I own up to being a bit of a control freak....especially when it comes to grocery shopping and my kitchen....and my work environment....and which way the toilet paper should hang...OKAY, I'M A CONTROL FREAK; I GET IT.  I like to take my time in the store, check the unit price of grocery items, check for coupons, see which item is actually the best deal, check the ingredients to try to purchase food that's actually good for us.  I put my groceries on the conveyor belt in the order that I want them bagged, so that when I get home, it's easier to put things away.  I really prefer to bag my groceries myself because no one seems to get it right.  Canned goods with produce??? Really????  I like to take my groceries to the car myself because I like to put my cold things in a cooler....remember I don't shop near my home because I know I'm a bit of a handful.  I try to bite my tongue, and most of the time I do, but I know it shows on my face.  I know this because I've shopped with my mom....enough said.  But as my husband reminded me this morning impatience with others or situations is really impatience with God. OUCH!!!!  This is so true.  God is completely sovereign over every situation....over every molecule in the universe....or He isn't really God.  God has a purpose and a plan for me and He uses all these little frustrations in my life to mold me into not only into one who glorifies Him better but also into someone who enjoys Him better.  I need to be able to look at each and every person in the store as someone whom God created in His image, as someone to whom I can/should show God's love.  So, if you see me out shopping, don't run....as I know that will be your first instinct after reading this.  I really do want to be yielded to God and his plan for my life down to the minutest detail.  I want God to be in control, not me.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Never Forget That I Love You



Many of us are now at an age where roles are beginning to be reversed in regards to our aging parents.  This is a difficult time no matter which side of the fence you live on.  Years ago, my mom wrote a poem  for her children in case she ever developed Alzheimer's in the future.  She and her sister witnessed the slow and heart wrenching decline of their own mother as my grandmother gradually lost all faculties.  Alzheimer's is one of my mother's greatest fears.  This poem is not perfect in form or style, but it expressed her desire to love her children sacrificially until the end.  Perhaps, it will be just what you or I need to hear.



Never forget that I love you.
If I develop Alzheimer’s Disease,
I may forget who you are,
Call you names, scream at you,
And be mean to you.

Never forget that I love you.
If I develop Alzheimer’s Disease,
I may become very possessive
I may hide things in strange places
And accuse you of stealing them.

Never forget that I love you.
If I develop Alzheimer’s Disease,
I may be dirty and odoriferous.
I may wet myself and fight you
When you try to clean me.

Never forget that I love you.
If I develop Alzheimer’s Disease,
I may forget how to cook
And how to set the table.
I wash dishes without soap
And dry them with a dirty paper napkin.


Never forget that I love you.
If I develop Alzheimer’s Disease,
I may not eat good food.
I may forget how to use a fork or spoon.
I may even forget how to swallow.

Never forget that I love you.
If I develop Alzheimer’s Disease,
Don’t allow my care to ruin your lives.
Don’t keep me lingering on by measures that only
Prolong the agony for us both.
Rather, let me go ---- and find peace with my Lord.
But, never forget that I love you.
Mom

Friday, May 13, 2011

God's Still on His Throne





As I was driving tonight I saw a sign in front of a church that made me both sad and angry.  It read, "God was not in the tornado."  While I'm sure that congregation's intention was to comfort people hurt by the storms, I find no solace in that statement.  What I have to say may ruffle many feathers and make some people angry, but here goes....

If there is one single molecule or atom out there that is outside of God's control then God ceases to be God.  Think it through for a moment.  If God is not completely sovereign and able to control storms or the "bad" things that happen in our lives, then those things are more powerful than God.  I can take no comfort in the thought that there is any thing that is outside of His reach and authority.

God allows us to pass through storms.  God allows us to go through heart wrenching times.  God allows us to go through pain, loss, and death.  But He meets us there.  He sees us through to the other side.  He has plans for us.  He uses those inexplicably hard times for our good (molding us into His image) and His glory.  Dwell on the following passages:

Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.   ... In the Christian life there WILL be very trying times.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.   ...God is perfectly good and perfectly sovereign; He does have a plan for you.

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  ...God uses ALL things (even the seemingly horrific ones) for our good and His glory.

My God is in the storms.  Not a hair can fall from my head apart from His will. (Mtt. 10)   Nothing can touch me without passing through His hands first.  This is my comfort.  This is what I cling to. 

Job 1:21 The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

The Impending Extinction of Adulthood















I've hesitated to write on this topic for quite some time now.  It's been on my mind a lot, for a number of years actually.  I have not sat down to put my thoughts on paper because so much of what I have (or need) to say is a critic of me.  As you read through this, please be mindful that I'm speaking largely to myself and know that I'm not peering into your lives with a critical eye and waving a pointed finger your way.  These are just some observations that I need to think through to clarify and categorized them properly in my little mind.


I've been greatly distressed lately at the lack of maturity and responsibility in adults.  I know I'm not the only one because there have been books written about kidults, generation "me" and other narcissistic types.  But before we start complaining about the twenty-something dad who ignores his child's cries while he plays video games or the mom who leaves her infant in the car to go nightclubbing, maybe it's time we looked at ourselves first. 

Did you know that the average social gamer is a 43 year-old woman?!  This is the statistic that hit me other the head.  According to game maker  Popcap:

  • 38% of female social gamers play several times a day, vs. 29% of men.
  • Two-thirds play every day, nearly all play multiple times a week, and more than 60% say their sessions last more than half an hour.
  • Only 6% are age 21 or younger.
  • The largest single group of social gamers — 41 per cent of those surveyed — work full time, while 13 percent are retired and 11 percent are homemakers.
Okay, I confess.  I have Farmville, YoVille, and play Poppit on Pogo.com.  All three are relaxing, addictive, and time consuming.  It almost sounds like a recreational drug!  Are these things I need to weed out of my life?  Probably, but addictions are hard to break, particularly when your social network (the real one, not the internet) is in the same boat as you.  This is something I really need to pray about.

Also on my mind lately is the lack of protocol, maturity, and simple etiquette in the workplace.  One of my biggest pet peeves is unanswered emails.  Granted, we're all busy (though some of us are so busy because we're on Farmville), but at least an acknowledgment of receipt of a business inquiry is in order.

As a society, we also have allowed Casual Fridays to morph into a daily style of dress that is typically lazy and sometimes downright childish.  Pajamas and lingerie are for the bedroom, not the workplace or Wal*Mart.  How can we expect to respect each other if we don't respect ourselves enough to comb our hair?  Why do we demand to be treated with dignity when we depreciate our own bodies by poking too many holes in it with piercings or drawing all over it with tattoos or color are hair as if we were a My Little Pony doll?

Our language in general has sunk to beneath primordial sludge in many cases.  My grandmother wouldn't just blush, she'd be cutting a switch if she heard some of our word choices.  I honestly believe this shows either an uneducated (read: stupid) mind or a lazy mind.  A good and decent vocabulary requires having good and decent things in your head.  This week, to help keep my mind from straying into the sin of worry, I've been focusing on Philippians 4:8-9

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. ~ESV


Frankly, I can see no reason to ever drop the F-bomb or most other swear words.  There is a time for anger to be sure, but not for expletives....including minced oaths which are mere shadows of what is truly in our sinful hearts.

None of the above troubles me as much as the lack of respect shown during worship services.  Worship is to be God-centered.  It's difficult to achieve that when the person behind you is talking (not just whispering, talking), the person next to you is drinking Starbucks while munching a doughnut, and the girl in front of you is obviously proud to be sporting a thong.  There are so many distractions in worship services today, including the ever popular cell phone interruptions.  Worship comes from the Greek word  proskuneo meaning "to bow before."  I think some of us (self included sometimes) tend to forget that we are there to worship the sovereign God of the universe who takes worship very seriously, regardless of whether or not we have good intentions or just "forgot."

So, why do we do all these things when we know better?  I believe it is because we are all basically self-centered.  That guy who cut you off in traffic had no idea that his actions scared you senseless or upset you; he was only thinking about his personal agenda.  Everything we do and say (or wear) affects someone else (unless you're a hermit, but if you're reading this, you're NOT a hermit).  I believe that if we change the focus of our hearts and minds to being God-centered rather than self-centered, a lot of us will mature naturally.  

I'm also going to start asking myself to try to understand the position of others.  Perhaps the guy who cut me off in traffic was rushing to the hospital.  It's unlikely, but possible.  No matter what, he is a person who stands in need of Christ.  What about the store clerk who is rude or unwilling to be helpful, etc.?  We just don't know what's going on in another person's personal life.  The world is full of hurting people.  How can we point them to Christ if  we're so focused on our own needs and desires?  Again, ultimately, we/I need to be more God-centered.  It's high time we grew up....

Sunday, April 10, 2011

The Good Ol' Days


April 1, 2011

Lately, I've felt as though the world is changing too quickly.  I'm not just referring to technology or fashion, but to people's core values.  It seems as though my understanding of what's fair or what an individual's responsibilities should be is somehow completely contrary to the views of contemporary society.  Not that I have ever agreed with the general populace; I've always been old-fashioned in my way of thinking.  I have now moved beyond that to viewing my world through antiquated spectacles.


Already having the mindset that I am of a dying breed, my heart nearly stopped momentarily when I found a cafe inside a department store in Indianapolis.  This probably means nothing to you, but to me it represents an era gone by.  So of course, I stopped in....and here I sit, listening to the sounds of clinking china and happy chatter, reminiscing about lunching ladies and a life less cluttered and complicated.  I miss those days of shopping and having lunch with my mom.  Those were relationship days rather than task oriented days; days when we took time to reflect and share.  Life's not like that any more for most of us.  At the end of a work day, we're too tire to interact with real people and too often turn instead to our TV friends.

Somehow, I need this to change.  I don't want relating to family and friends to be just another activity for which I punch a mental time clock.  I'm not sure how to bring this about.  It's one of those inside-out changes where your heart attitudes must change before your actions can change.  Beyond that, I'm not sure.  Life dictates that my time with you be scheduled in my planner.  In this day, there is no escaping that for me.  Perhaps, it lies in being 100% in the moment: turning off the cell phone and tuning in to whomever I'm with, learning the discipline of focusing upon the moment/person.  Another simple step could be to just get off Facebook and actually pick up my phone to call someone, if only to plan a time to sit and chat.  So, don't be surprised when I phone you out of the blue.  I'm not calling to ask you to serve on some committee or to help out with some project.  I just want to sit and share life....just like the good ol' days.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Meet My Dad

My dad was one of the toughest, most powerful men I have ever known.  He could handle anything.  I remember him saying once that if ever I saw him running, I best run too because something terrible was heading our way.  He was so tough that he could get a root canal without any pain meds or Novocaine and declare that he never even felt it.  In all my growing up years, he was only sick once with the flu.  I remember because I laughed inwardly because maybe then he knew how miserable I felt all the times I was sick.  He came from a very poor family and had a tough upbringing.  He was a smart man, but he had to drop out of school in the eighth grade in order to work and help bring income into the family budget.  He and his dad even stood in food lines just to get some crackers with lard.  He never gave up though and was always working.  If God had put more hours into the week, my dad would've worked those hours as well; that's just part of who he was.  My dad wasn't all business though.  Coming from a German family, my dad drank beer and he loved it.  I do not recall my dad ever being "drunk."  He was just more relaxed and cheerful when he drank.  As soon as he walked in the door, my mom would hand him a beer bottle; that's just the way life was.  When I was 7, we all found Christ...and....shortly thereafter, while my dad was away at work, my mom became convicted about my dad's drinking and smoking (we won't even go into whether she was right or wrong; it's just part of my tale) and dumped all the liquor and tobacco down the toilet.  In years gone by, my dad would have been furious and there would have been an all out war, but to everyone's surprise he declared that he guessed God wanted  him to give it up.  He never smoked again and gave up drinking ... for 25 years.  Sadly, he took up his beer again.  The Methodist minister where they attended church at that time drank, and if he could, so could my dad.  He didn't drink nearly as much as he used to, but he was drinking again and loving it.  He loved it so much that as he was about to go into his second open heart surgery, he asked the doctor if it was alright for him to  still drink.  Unfortunately, it was the death of him.  Shortly after taking up drinking again, cancer cells in his liver awoke.  The doctors originally gave him six months to live, but my dad was a stubborn man who lived another 7 years.  At first, it wasn't that bad; he fought hard to live.  We even thought he may actually beat it.   He deeply regretted having taken up drinking again though and grieved over seeing young people drink in excess.  The last few weeks of my dad's life were pretty horrific for him and those around him.  The man who knew no pain, was in constant agonizing pain those final days.  He moaned and cried loudly 24/7.  It was excruciating for him and for those who watched over him.  I prayed for his death and on April 5, 2006 he finally rested.   My dad's ashes sit in the bookcase at my mom's house now.  He'd still be here if it hadn't been for that cancer.  Why do I tell you all this?  Because I want you to think more than twice before you drink.  I do not have a problem with alcohol in and of itself.  It has its proper places in many households, but for a lot of people, it should not even be an option.  Many young people declare that they will drink responsibly and not abuse alcohol.  Guess what?  If you drink and you're underage, you've already been irresponsible and you're already an abuser.  If you can't follow the law at this young age, then you've already got a problem.  If you say you can drink responsibly, then start by following the law.  Is that buzzed feeling you're going for really worth walking down a road that could lead to addiction or your destruction?  Is it really worth destroying your testimony by lowering yourself to such a level?  Please don't grieve my dad....he suffered enough.


Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Hope Springs Eternal


Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5: 1-5

As I witness my father’s sluggish passing from the harsh Winter of his sufferings into the newness of Spring’s hope of glory, I find myself longing for the dawn that lies on the other side of this dark night’s watch. For many months now, my father has been in the dark and cold winter season of life. Winter is now drawing to a close for him, but this last leg of his journey is one that, to outside viewers, seems to be solitary and lonely. As Christians and fellow sojourners in this life, we know this is not so. Even as my father gives the impression of no longer being lucid and stares blankly at nothing, I believe he is simply beginning his passage into the Spring of eternity with Christ. This is not a crossing that he makes alone. If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! Psalm 139:8……He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
What a glorious Spring awaits my father on the other side, to be free from the bondage of sin and its effects on our frail human bodies, to truly know and be in the presence of the glory of the Lord, to have his hope realized. How truly beautiful our Lord must be! And what joy will be his as he will finally be able to worship in spirit and in truth! This is what we long for, to finally be able to fulfill our chief end: to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. For the common man, Winter is end of his journey, but for those who love the Lord hope springs eternal.

Tuesday April 4, 2006

Today, I am asking you to pray that God would take my father home. He has been more than a week without food or water - he is unable to swallow. He is no longer lucid or able to communicate. He is in constant pain and moans day and night. He has not slept for days. My mother's strength is beginning to fail. The last two statements that my father made were, "I want to go home (heaven)." and "I love you (my mother)." Please pray for grace for my parents during this time. Please ask others to pray.