Christianity at Risk

On the basis which has been laid down one can speak briefly of the purpose with which the Christian enters into dialogue with people of other faiths. This purpose can only be obedient witness to Jesus Christ. Any other purpose, any goal which subordinates the honour of Jesus Christ to some purpose derived from another source, is impossible for the Christian. To accept such another purpose would involve a denial of the total lordship of Jesus Christ. A Christian cannot try to evade the accusation that, for him, dialogue is part of his obedient witness to Jesus Christ.

But this does not mean that the purpose of dialogue is to persuade the non-Christian partner to accept the Christianity of the Christian partner. Its purpose is not that Christianity should acquire one more recruit. One the contrary: obedient witness to Christ means that whenever we come with another person (Christian or not) into the presence of the Cross, we are prepared to receive judgment and correction, to find that our Christianity hides within its appearance of obedience the reality of disobedience. Each meeting with a non-Christian partner in dialogue therefore puts my own Christianity at risk. . . . The Christian who enters into dialogue with people of other faiths and ideologies is accepting the risk. But to put my Christianity at risk is precisely the way by which I can confess Jesus Christ as Lord - Lord over all worlds and Lord over my faith. (Weston, Paul. "Lesslie Newbigin: Missionary Theologian." Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. 2006 p168, 171)

As I read this, and it rings true in my heart, I can't help but draw the inevitable conclusions. Could it be that we have sought to share the good news in a way that doesn't put our own Christianity at risk? Could it be that we expect only our partner in conversation to be changed through the cross? Or could it be that we so little proclaim the good news of Christ that our Christianity is never placed at risk in dialogue, and is therefore never refined, and we are laden with chaff?

Daddy daughter outing

I found someone to take our picture together!

Opening the Word

Today Elisabeth opened up a little Gideon's New Testament and said,

"The Golden Rule sums up the Law and the Prophets."

She uttered a half dozen other things that I wish I could have caught on video. But she was aware - and so were we - that songs were the source of her insight. She was alluding to Do to Others on Hide 'em in Your Heart CD. Thank God for good music!

Family Devotions

We haven't yet hit our stride in family devotions. We read to Elisabeth from her children's Bible every night, and talk about it. We usually go through a small section of the catechism, and then we pray together. Yet this is not really family devotions. It is good, and helpful, but I'm looking forward to that time when we can truly have family devotions in a way that engages us together as a family. Today this post on Doing Family Devotions was very helpful to me, and I hope will be helpful to others.

HT: Justin Taylor

I prefer not

Elisabeth and I were just talking about whether or not to use the potty seat that sits on top of the toilet seat to make sitting on the big toilet more comfortable. In classic Elisabeth fashion, she replied simply:

"I prefer not."

A foretaste of the Kingdom

To put it even more sharply: the hope, of which the Church is called to be the bearer in the midst of a famine of hope, is a radically other-worldly hope. Knowing that Jesus is king and that he will come to reign, it fashions its life and invites the whole community to fashion its life in the light of this reality, because every other way of living is based on an illusion. It thus creates signs, parables, foretastes, appetizers of the kingdom in the midst of the hopelessness of the world. (Weston, Paul. "Lesslie Newbigin: Missionary Theologian." Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. 2006 p146)

Surely we do live in a famine of hope and have the privilege of living together as a foretaste of the kingdom in the midst of the hopelessness of the world because we know that Jesus is King and that He will come to reign!

Somersaulting photo

Here is the promised picture of Elisabeth in action!

Being the Body

In the last week or so, I have been so thankful for the Body of Christ. A week ago Saturday, Rebecca was on call, so good friends of our watched Elisabeth (on one day's notice) for the morning so that I could help paint at church. This past weekend, another couple took her for a whole day so that we could go to a wedding. Then Monday night other friends came to watch Elisabeth for the evening as Rebecca was on call again, and I had a meeting at church. In addition to all that, another couple approached us (without any solicitation whatsoever) at church and said that they want to take Elisabeth for an evening and send us on a date! How richly blessed we are to be surrounded by such friends, who reveal Christ to us in their love!

Zip that zipper

Yesterday Elisabeth surprised me by loading and zipping the zipper on her rain jacket. I have never seen her do it before. A whole new world of self-dressing is now opening!

A good night's sleep

Last night Elisabeth (and, by consequence, her daddy) slept all the way through the night for the first time in a month! Since we came back from vacation at the end of July, Elisabeth has been waking in the night, either to call for one of her parents, or to toddle on into our bedroom and crawl up on the chair at least once - and sometimes several times - in a night. What bliss it is to sleep all the way through the night! Thank God!

The Parish Principle

The relation between the Church in a 'place' and the secular reality of that 'place' is intrinsic, not extrinsic. It is not just that it happens to be located in that spot on the map. It is the Church of God for that place, and that is because the Church does not exist for itself, but for God, and for the world which Jesus came to save.

I do not think we shall recover the true form of the parish [the Church of God for a place] until we recover a truly missionary approach to our culture. I do not think we shall achieve a truly missionary encounter with our culture without recovering the true form of the parish. These two tasks are reciprocally related to each other, and we have to work together on them both. (Weston, Paul. "Lesslie Newbigin: Missionary Theologian." Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. 2006 p133, 142)

In the past several weeks, the parish principle has been brewing in me, realizing that the very definition of the Church is the mission of God to a particular place. We are His ambassadors, which makes the Church a local embassy of the Kingdom of God among those who do not acknowledge His rule. We are not an affinity club for Christians of similar doctrine, worship preference or social agenda. We are placed in a place to bring the good news of the Kingdom to that place, and if we function otherwise, we are dysfunctional.

Are you going too?

Elisabeth is recently thinking herself quite mature and able to manage things alone. Not infrequently she will ask me if I can go out, and she can stay home alone.

On Friday night I said to Elisabeth that baby Zoe might come over to play with us for the evening so that her parents could go out on a date. Elisabeth asked me immediately,

"Are you going out with them?"

Not only does she think her self independent enough to be home alone, apparently she also thinks she could take care of a nine-month old!

Tracing Letters and Coloring in the Lines

Elisabeth had a newfound interest in tracing letters. We have a Wipe Clean book for learning to write letters that is ideal for Elisabeth. She writes the letters right on top of the dotted lines!

She has also shown interest in staying in the lines when she colors, rather than scribbling all over the page. Some months ago she began to localize and start writing inside the shape she wanted to fill (but then ended up all over the page. Now she fills in most of the space with marginal spillover (so that you can at least tell she was trying to fill in the shape.

Somersaulting

Today Elisabeth did a somersault (by herself) for the first time! Pictures to follow when she becomes more accomplished . . .

Guess where I am!

Elisabeth and I found a playground that has a fantastic world map cast into the concrete on the ground. And guess what location Elisabeth found on the map? Better yet, while we were in that park she met a little boy who speaks only Mandarin at home, and his mom taught Elisabeth to count to ten in Mandarin! (We'll need a lot more reinforcement for any of it to stick . . .)

Cute kid = Free stuff

Today Elisabeth and I stopped into a Dunkin' Donuts to use the restroom. When we came out, we surveyed the donut menu and chose one. The person serving us thought Elisabeth as so cute that he gave her three free donut holes!

That's not the first time that has happened this week. Earlier in the week we were in a small shop that had loose candy. We didn't even end up buying anything, and the manager gave Elisabeth a free bag of loose candy. (I had one happy and wired little kid.)

"Brain" failure

I'm at a bit of a loss (and looking for input from my computer savvy friends). I use my Palm for everything - to such an extent that my friends and family make fun of me for it. I love being able to carry everything in my pocket. The problem is that my "brain" is now failing.

Just today I realized that when I have been creating new Memos in Palm Desktop, they disappear when I sync - both from the Desktop, and on my Palm. So I checked out the record limit (I'm not anywhere near the 32,767 record limit), as well as the memory on my Palm to see if I had reached capacity and for that reason it was deleting them. (My Palm wasn't quite full, but I moved over most of the applications to my expansion card so that there is abundant memory left on the Palm - and the problem persists.)

Any help? I feel handicapped not being able to reliably store information!

Philadelphia Chickens

Sandra Boynton outdoes herself with this "imaginary musical revue." I think it is probably funnier for parents than children, but Elisabeth seems to love it.

Beware that the genre of music is much more akin to Broadway than children's tunes. (The music makes me smile just as much as the silly lyrics.)

My two favorites are Snoozers and I like to Fuss.

Great children's music

Right now I am listening to Hide 'em in your heart, a CD of children's tunes from Steve Green. Essentially it is Scripture set to music. I like both that the music is good (I don't mind getting the tunes stuck in my head . . . which I can't say for lots of children's music) and the Scriptures selected are a great representation of what a child learn first about God's salvation in Christ.

I think this is a great example of solid content with great aesthetic quality.

Hey, Wake up!

Hey, Wake Up! is an adorable Boynton Book about morning routines. Elisabeth knows this one by heart too, and there are parts that make her giggle every time. If you read it, you'll quickly know which parts.

On a humorous note, Elisabeth opened this book yesterday and began reciting Birthday Monsters instead!

Turkey Tetrazzini

If you find yourself with leftover turkey or chicken, here is the best recipe for tetrazzini that I have found. It is easy (most ingredients may be found in the pantry without going shopping), quick (in prep time), and very tasty!

Backlit

I love when the sun catches Elisabeth from behind.

Toward a theology of capitalism

I think I am beginning to get a glimpse of the glory of God in the unmasking of capitalism. What I mean is this: Throughout His teachings, Jesus employs the principle of investment and return not as negative things, but as simple reality. Many of the parables late in His ministry turn on this truth. For example, in the parable of the minas (Luke 19:11-27) the two servants who invested their trust and gained a return are given responsibility in proportion to their return, and the one who did not invest becaues he feared is condemned, and his trust is taken from him.

What strikes me is that Jesus doesn't even comment on the market system, in which there is investment and return. Rather, His teachings consistently place Himself as supreme in this context. In the parable of the minas, the point is that we are stewards of what does not belong to us, and that we are called to invest actively and give the returns to the Master, who owns everything. This is the unmasking of capitalism - not that it is wrong to seek profit, that anything we have is a trust (that is to say, not our own), and we will answer for our use of it because all that we have, and all that we gain, belong to the Master.

I am quite sure that there is a spiritual meaning to the parable of the minas (i.e. the trust given is the good news of the Kingdom). Yet I cannot escape the fact that Jesus spoke in terms of money, and that this gives the parable meaning on both a spiritual and a material level.

Daddy, can you go away?

Yesterday we candidated for pre-school (two hours, twice a week - nothing too intense). There was a structured play time for the two year olds during which they were assessed by the teachers. Meanwhile, there parents were able to chat with the admissions director in a circle of chairs nearby. While we were talking, Elisabeth interupted us to say loudly,

"Daddy, can you go away?"

I explained that the parents were talking, and that she could continue playing, which she did.

The humor in all this is how much Elisabeth is like her mother. Apparently on Rebecca's first day of kindergarten, she got out of the car and said to her mother something to the effect of,

"You can go away. I'm going to school."

On being slow to anger

Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. (Proverbs 16:32)

On Monday I learned the truth of this proverb. After a fun morning outing, we came home for Elisabeth's nap (for which I thought she would be exhausted), but she wasn't about to sleep, and she, because she was tired, had difficulty obeying the instruction to stay in bed. That tends to shorten my nerves, and my typical approach is to put her in the running stroller and go for a run, which usually puts her to sleep in just a few minutes - and I get some exercise.

Yesterday, for the first five miles, Elisabeth didn't sleep and wouldn't even put her head down to rest, despite numerous admonitions, and my temper got even shorter. I noticed myself getting more and more curt with her, because my anger was flaring. Ultimately, the problem was not that she wouldn't nap, but that I was quick to anger - and that this dishonors the Father and is harmful to Elisabeth.

I want to take a picture of you

Elisabeth has been doing watercolor painting again this afternoon. She asked me to paint a horse for her, which I did. Then she said,

"I want to take a picture of you doing such a good job painting."

Is there any question that kids imitate what they see and hear?

Picking up after your children

Recently I have been realizing how detrimental it can be to pick up after one's children. Put another way, I have seen the importance of routines for kids.

Now, whenever we come home, the first thing that Elisabeth does is take off her sandals and put them on the shoe rack. She does it without being asked because she knows that is the routine, and because I'm not going to pick them up for her.

It took a long time to establish that routine without needing to remind her (most of the summer), but I am so thankful now because it would have been less helpful to her (to say nothing of our family) to let her take her shoes off, and then pick up after her.

Calling out to others

Some talk of it as an unreasonable thing to fright persons to heaven; but I think it is a reasonable thing to endeavor to fright persons away from hell - tis a reasonable thing to fright a person out of a house on fire. (Jonathan Edwards, quoted in Piper, John. "The Supremacy of God in Preaching." Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books. 2004. p93)

If any of you that are heads of families, saw one of your children in a house that was all on fire over its head, and in imminent danger of being soon consumed in the flames, that seemed to be very insensible of its danger, and neglected to escape, after you had often spake to it, and called to it, would you go on to speak to it only in a cold and indifferent manner? Would not you cry aloud, and call earnestly to it, and represent the danger it was in, and its own folly in delaying, in the most lively manner you were capable of? Would not nature itself teach this, and oblige you to it? If you should continue to speak to it only in a cold manner, as you are wont to do in ordinary conversations about indifferent matters, would not those about you begin to think you bereft of reason yourself? . . .

If [then] we who have the care of souls, knew what hell was, had seen the state of the damned, or by any other means, become sensible how dreadful their case was . . . and saw our hearers in imminent danger, and that they were not sensible of their danger . . . it would be morally impossible for us to avoid abundantly and most earnestly setting before them the dreadfulness of that misery they were in danger of . . . and warning them to fly from it, and even to cry aloud to them. (ibid. pp52-53)

Prayer and Study

We are called to the ministry of the word and prayer, because without prayer the God of our studies will be the unfrightening and uninspiring God of insipid academic gamesmanship. (Piper, John. "The Supremacy of God in Preaching." Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books. 2004. p63)

By implication, if we study on our knees, we will learn that the God of the Bible is one before whom we ought to tremble, and whom we ought to worship with joy.

Birthday Monsters

I want to start actively recommending children's literature that we enjoy. One of our favorite children's authors is Sandra Boyton.

One of Elisabeth's favorite books is Birthday Monsters, a silly, clever rhyming story. Elisabeth loves them it for it silly characters, charming illustrations and memorable rhymes. She has almost the whole thing memorized. Today she recited most of it for me while we were out - and we didnt' even have the book with us!

Boynton books are great because they're clever enough that parents aren't immediately bored after the twelfth reading.

(I have at least six of them memorized.)

Shredded Pork Tacos

Here's a great recipe for what to do with leftovers from the Teriyaki Pork Roast. It, too, was simple, quick and very tasty.

Teriyaki Pork Roast

On Sunday I made this teriyaki pork roast in the crockpot. It was super easy and very tasty, so I thought I'd pass it along:

3/4 cup apple juice
2 Tbs sugar
2 Tbs soy sauce
1 Tbs vinegar
1 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp garlic poder
1/8 tsp pepper
1 lean boneless pork loin roast (2 1/2 lbs.)

1. In the crock pot, mix apple juice, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, garlic powder and pepper. Add roast, turning to coat. (I seared mine in the frying pan before putting it in the crock pot.)
2. Cover and cook on high for 3 1/2 to 4 hours, or on low 7 to 8 hours or until meat is very tender.

The outcome was delicious, and the preparation only took about 10 minutes!

Sitting in the Park

Lychee Jelly

Today at the laundromat, Elisabeth was given Lychee Jelly by the proprietors. They speak almost no English (possibly fewer than 50 words in all) but are wonderfully kind, love Elisabeth and often give her things.

I had never seen Lychee Jelly before, but really liked it. It has the consistency of a stiff jello, with chunks of lychee (which I enjoy) in it. Elisabeth wasn't crazy about it, so I got to finish it!

What a fascinating world this is!

The Supremacy of God in Preaching

I love good books, and I love recommendations for good books. So, in an effort to support what I love, I'm going to offer some book reviews - one that I finished today, and several others that I have finished recently but haven't reviewed.

In preparation to preach (which has been rescheduled to September 3), I have read The Supremacy of God in Preaching by John Piper.

At 105 pages, this is one of the shortest Piper books I've read. Perhaps because it is so short, he gets straight to the point, and develops it well.
In typical fashion, Piper lays the theological foundation before he gets practical. The goal of preaching, he says, is the glory of God; the ground of preaching is the Cross of Christ; and the gift of preaching is the power of the Holy Spirit.

His section on the Holy Spirit is particularly helpful because he points out that we honor the Spirit by honoring His Word, and by relying on Him to communicate through us - avoiding the perils of academic study, and groundless 'Spirit-led' preaching. It closes with very practical counsel on how to rely on the Spirit in the very act of preaching.

Part 2 of the book is called How to Make God Central in Preaching and extracts 10 principles from the life of Jonathan Edwards. Edwards' preaching was marked by authority and power, and he had a deeply spiritual and Scriptural eye for discerning genuine religious experience. I'll simply enumerate them here:

1. Stir up holy affections


2. Enlighten the mind


3. Saturate with Scripture


4. Emply analogies and images


5. Use threat and warning


6. Plead for a response


7. Probe the workings of the heart


8. Yield to the Holy Spirit in prayer


9. Be broken and tenderhearted


10. Be intense

This is an excellent read on what preaching can, and ought to be. Look for quotes to come . . .

That's the kind of toy I like!

We just got a new (used) toy that exemplifies a category of toys that I love. I gravitate toward toys that encourage creativity, that have multiple outcomes, and that require critical thinking.

I have a Granddaddy to thank for that, who not only loved such toys, but also invented them. He had that inventive, creative spirit that was not content just to play with other people's creative toys, but to design his own . . . for the grandkids!

Imitation of Christ

Some men speak much of the imitation of Christ, and following of his example; and it were well if we could see more of it really in effect. But no man shall ever become 'like him' by bare imitation of his actions, without that view or intuition of his glory which alone is accompanied with transforming power to change them into the same image. (Owen, John. "The Glory of Christ." Glasgow: Christian Heritage. 2004. p66)

Low-sided slides

Low-sided slides make for easy photo-ops, but aren't so great on the safety scale!

Telling stories

Elisabeth has begun telling stories. Yesterday she told us that the ants from Ants'hillvania lived in a barn (pictured in a painting on our wall).

Today she told me about her friends who go to school with her.

I look forward to many interesting and creative stories!

That's where Kristalyn lives!

Yesterday Elisabeth and I were looking at the Pandas in National Geographic. As we did, Elisabeth pointed and said, "That's where Kristalyn lives!" I was a bit puzzled because all I saw on the page were pandas. Then I noticed a small outline map of China - not set in Asia, but just the outline of China. She pointed again (to the particular region where Kristalyn lives) and said, "That's where she lives!"

I had no idea that kids developed that kind of spatial awareness so early!

Pesto Pizza

We tried out pesto pizzas with the basil pesto we made on Sunday, and they were excellent, a great variation on our regular pizzas.

Atop another slide

Elisabeth found a new slide, and tested it out with Penny on her lap.

Everlasting Life

43. What did God do to save his people from his anger and
punishment?
He sent his Son so that whoever believes in him would not perish but have
everlasting life.

Last night when we were practicing this question from the catechism, Elisabeth turned to me quizzically and said, "Cereal?" At first I was just as puzzled by her question as she was by the catechism. Then I realized the connection. "No, sweetie, not Life Cereal, but living forever with Jesus."

The loss to be desired

I know in the contemplation of [the glory of Christ] , it will quickly overwhelm our reason, and bring our understanding into a loss: but to this loss do I desire to be brought every day; for when faith can no more act itself in comprehension, when it finds the object it is fixed on too great and glorious to be brought into our minds and capacities, it will issue (as we have said before) in holy admiration, humble adoration, and joyful thanksgiving. In and by its acting in them it fills the soul with 'joy unspeakable and full of glory' (1 Pet. 1:8). (Owen, John. "The Glory of Christ." Glasgow: Christian Heritage. 2004. p106)

It is striking to me that in loving God with all his mind, Owen is vividly aware that the glory of Christ is so far greater than reason can comprehend that we will be drawn into awe-filled worship.

On the slides

I'm trying out posting multiple pictures in one post with the new "stretch" template to see how it appears on screen. Elisabeth found a super (tall) slide, and went up and down numerous times yesterday.

Blogging in the Park

Today I tried something new: blogging in the park. I recently got a new laptop and decided to bring it with me today, should Elisabeth fall asleep in the stroller on our outing to a new park, and a museum. She did in fact fall asleep (within steps from our home) so I walked to the park, found a wireless network, and was able to work (and blog) for about two solid hours! Praise God for the potential of being able to use naptimes in the park!

I forgive you

I feel passionately about the words, "I forgive you." Not surprisingly, one of the things I do frequently as a parent is to correct Elisabeth. When I do, I require her to say, "I'm sorry, Daddy, for _____," so that she connects her repentance with a particular action. Every time I respond, "I forgive you," (and I often make her look me in the eye when I say it).

Why do I care? The common replies, "It's OK," or "Don't worry about it," minimize the offense if they acknowledge it at all. "I forgive you" recognizes the offense, and puts it forever in the category of yielded to the merciful God. I want Elisabeth to know clearly that an offense has been committed, that we both know it, and that before God I have truly forgiven her. In so doing, she learns the reality of sin, and of forgiveness - and sees modeled (many times per day) the way that we live in the light.

Artist in Action

I am amazed at how Elisabeth is learning the rules of water colors. She has learned to soften the paints by putting a drop of clean water on each color when she begins. She knows that she has to rinse the brush between colors, and she has even mastered wiping the brush in the rim of the glass (to squeeze out the excess water) in a way that doesn't flick painty water across the room! It is a great reminder to me that kids learn to do as they are taught. If I take the time to teach her the rules of painting, she learns; if I don't, she learns that she can do it however she likes (and make a mess). Either way, I am the teacher.

Changes coming

Blogger has just made some improvements that you'll begin to see soon. One improvement is adding Labels so I can categorize the posts. You'll see Quotables, Elisabethisms, Recipes, Parenting, etc. I think that will be a big improvement.

They have also added a layer of privacy, which I wanted. So if you are a regular (or even occasional) reader, send me an email (leavened@gmail.com) and I'll add you to the invite list so that when I switch over to the service that offers more privacy, you'll get an email inviting you to register so that you can continue reading as you did formerly.

And finally, I'm going to toy with some template changes to make the blog easier to navigate - so you can let me know whether you like it or not.

Painting

Elisabeth has been loving her paint set from uncle Roger & auntie Haley. We're painting almost daily now!

In the park with Auntie Megan

Elisabeth enjoyed the sun with Auntie Megan on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Church identity

[The Church] derives its character not from its membership but from its Head, not from those who join it but from Him who calls it into being. (Weston, Paul. "Lesslie Newbigin: Missionary Theologian." Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. 2006 p127)

I find Newbigin so refreshing in helping me to think about how to be the church. Everything draws the distinctives away from ourselves to the One who calls us into fellowship with Himself through His Son.

What's cooking?

We love to cook, and I've thought about trying to integrate that into this blog, to share some of the good recipes we've found. One of the (many) weaknesses of Blogger is that you can't easily tag your posts or categorize them. If they did, I would have a Recipe tag.

So, notwithstanding Blogger, I'm going to share some fun ones that we've found recently.

Yesterday we made a big batch of basil pesto that we put on green beans last night and tonight we used the pesto to make chicken fettucine with pesto cream sauce, which I highly recommend. It was very easy (since we made the pesto yesterday) and full of flavor.

Quiet time

In the last couple of weeks we have transitioned from "nap time" to "quiet time." Elisabeth often would not go to sleep during her nap time, and so it became something of a struggle. So we decided that she needed the quiet rest time, even if that didn't include a nap (although hopefully it does). So far I'd say she naps about 30% of the time, and the rest she plays in her bed (and is still learning that she has to stay in bed the whole time).

Right now she's sleeping (hooray!) which has enabled me to begin to catch up on many things that have fallen behind in the absence of her sleep.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Recently I listened to John Piper's mini-bio on Martyn Lloyd-Jones. I highly recommend it as a call to prayer for revival. However, perhaps I appreciated most that Piper avoided hagiography by giving a critique of Lloyd-Jones' practice by applying his own principles. It was especially helpful because it was a reminder that right words must be followed by right action. As such, it was an encouragement to seek, trust and wait on Christ perseveringly.

Help with her hair

When Mommy needs to do her hair, she has a ready helper!

Busy week

I've been a little light on posting this week due to being very busy. Parts of three days and all of one evening I was learning how to lay hardwood with a friend from church who was redoing our nursery floor. He did an outstanding job, and I learned a lot in the process.

How does a stay-at-home dad refloor a nursery? Great friends! Auntie Millie took Elisabeth to the park one day while I worked, and Auntie Megan played with her another. What a treat for Elisabeth!

Writing should pick up in the next few days . . .

Who we are

The Church is the pilgrim people of God. It is on the move - hastening to the ends of the earth to beseech all men to be reconciled to God, and hastening ot the end of time to meet its Lord who will gather all into one. (Weston, Paul. "Lesslie Newbigin: Missionary Theologian." Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. 2006 p126)

What a needed reminder of our fundamental identity.

Mommy is the cutest . . .

Elisabeth today changed her tune. Now she says:

"Mommy is the cutest, and Daddy is the biggest."

What is this church for?

The relation between the Church in a 'place' and the secular reality of that 'place' is intrinsic, not exrinsic. It is not just that it happens to be located in that spot on the map. It is the Chruch of God for that place, and that is bcause the Church does not exist for itself, but for God, and for the world which Jesus came to save.

[Newbigin asked a group of elders] "What is this church for?" There was, of course, a long and embarassed silence and then I received the answer, "It caters to the needs its members." "Then," I said, "it should be dissolved." The Church does not exist for its members. (Weston, Paul. "Lesslie Newbigin: Missionary Theologian." Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. 2006 p133)

O how important it is for children to learn this while they are yet children!

Blowing Bubbles

Today we had fun blowing bubbles at the park!

Little things matter

One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. (Luke 16:10)

Little things are the indicators of bigger things. Will I use software I haven't paid for? Or music that I haven't purchased?

In all these things, our kids will see either God-wrought faithfulness, or human hypocrisy.

Grace is a necessary preparation for glory

No man shall ever behold the glory of Christ by sight hereafter, who does not in some measure behold it by faith here in this world. Grace is a necessary preparation for glory, and faith for sight. Where the subject (the soul) is not previously seasoned with grace and faith, it is not capable of glory or vision. Nay, persons not disposed hereby to it cannot desire it, whatever they pretend; they only deceive their own souls in supposing that so they do. (Owen, John. "The Glory of Christ." Glasgow: Christian Heritage. 2004. p45)

Can we sit on the bench and have a chat?

Tonight Rebecca took Elisabeth to the playground. In the midst of playing, Elisabeth said to Rebecca,

"Can we sit on the bench and have a chat?"

Rebecca replied, "Sure." They sat down together on the bench and Rebecca asked Elisabeth, "What do you want to chat about?" Elisabeth responded, "Let's play I spy."

I guess that qualifies as a kind of chat.

Changchun, China

Elisabeth can find Changchun with one eye closed!

 

Needle touched by a loadstone

One of the pleasures of being a father is getting to sit in the park and read John Owen while Elisabeth snoozes in the stroller. Two days ago, I got to sit with Owen for about an hour and a half, so you can expect to see a lot of quotes in the days to come. This one, reminiscent of Augustine, captures the heart of the gospel:

The hearts of believers are like the needle touched by the loadstone, which cannot rest until it comes to the point to which, by the secret virtue of it, it is directed. For being once touched by the love of Christ, receiving in that an impression of secret ineffable virtue, they will ever be in motion, and restless, until they come to him, and behold his glory. (Owen, John. "The Glory of Christ." Glasgow: Christian Heritage. 2004. p42)

We have a big toilet!

Last night on our family walk we stopped to get some toilet paper. As we compared prices and qualities, Elisabeth picked up a four roll package. I found a twelve roll package that I planned to buy. I explained to Elisabeth that she could carry the larger package, and I would put the smaller one back. As we walked to the register, she exclaimed,

"We have a big toilet!"

eliciting at least one laugh from someone other than her parents.

Belief owing to education

By reasonable conviction, I mean, a conviction founded on real evidence, or upon that which is a good reason, or just ground of conviction. Men may have a strong persuasion that the Christian religion is true, when their persuasion is not at all built on evidence, but altogether on education, and the opinions of others; as many Mahometans are strongly persuaded of the truth of the Mahometan religion, because their fathers, and neighbors and nation believe it. That belief of the truth of the Christian religion, which is built on the very same grounds with a Mahometan's belief of the Mahometan religion, is the same sort of belief. And though the thing believed happens to be better, yet that does not make the belief itself to be of a better sort; for though the thing believed happens to be true, yet the belief of it is not owing to this truth, but to education. So that the conviction is no better than the Mahometan's conviction; so the affections that flow from it, are no better in themselves, than the religious affections of the Mahometans.
[Jonathan Edwards, Religions Affections, in The Works of Jonathan Edwards, ed. John. E. Smith, vol. 2 (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1959), 295. cited in John Piper, God is the Gospel (Wheaton, Il.: Crossway Books, 2005), 82.]

I can't express how often I think of this selection from Edwards' Religious Affections in reference to raising children. How easily we take belief owing to education as Spirit-wrought, when it is no different in nature from the way children are raised in Islam. O Lord, grant our kids true knowledge of you.

Where do you get your cuteness?

Today Rebecca said to Elisabeth, "You're so cute! Do you get your cuteness from your Daddy?"

Elisabeth replied,

"No! From uncle Roger!"

I seem to have lost my Dora treats

Elisabeth never ceases to amaze me with her manners of speech.

Somehow at church today her 'Dora treats' (fun fruits with Dora merchandizing) got lost (or eaten?) in the nursery. So as we left church, Elisabeth told everyone she passed,

"I seem to have lost my Dora treats."

Yes, those were her exact words.

Restoring the Throne

Cotton Mather, who ministered in New England three hundred years ago, said, "The great design and intention of the office of a Christian preacher [is] to restore the throne and dominion of God in the souls of men." (Piper, John. "The Supremacy of God in Preaching." Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books. 2004. p25)

That is to say, the role of a preacher is to proclaim the Kingdom of God, for the glory of the King and the good of His subjects.

Mommy is the cutest

Yesterday Elisabeth said something that caught us by surprise, and then she repeated it again tonight (making clear that she really believes it!) She said,

"Mommy is the cutest and you [Daddy] are not."

Low points for tact, but I happen to agree!

Little Cyclist

Remember when she was this little? 

How Elisabeth gets her hair wet 

Beating the heat 

Elisabeth has a new bear

Elisabeth was given a beautiful new bear on vacation, but we haven't yet settled on a name. Any suggestions? 

Parenting and the need for new life

This should teach us the much-needed lesson that no outward instruction, not even by Christ Himself; no argument, however convincing; no sense of the beauty of humility, however deep; no personal resolve or effort, however sincere and earnest - none of these can cast out the devil of pride. We must come to know that when Satan casts out Satan, it is only to enter afresh in a mightier though more-hidden power. Nothing can avail but this: that the new nature in its divine humility be revealed in power to take the place of the old, to become as truly our very nature as the former ever was. (Murray, Andrew. "Humility: The Beauty of Holiness." Fort Washington, PA: CLC Publications. 1997. p4)

Murray is not new or unique in his emphasis on the new birth. Yet it is so refreshing in our day to hear someone who so clearly trumpets our desperate need for Christ to live in us - not for us to live for Christ. (Incidentally, I've never encountered a more helpful exposition of Satan casting out Satan.)

I see this as deeply connected to parenting. If we believe, practice and teach this, we will not depend on our clever methods to raise God-loving children. We will humbly cry to Christ to live in us before our kids that they may see Him in us; and we will cry to Him for them, that He would live in them in power in the same way to kindle in them love for God.

Why do you want forgiveness?

If you want forgiveness for the sake of savoring the creation, then the Creator is not honored and you are not saved. Forgiveness is precious for one final reason: It enables you to enjoy fellowship with God. If you don't want forgiveness for that reason, you won't have it at all. God will not be used as a currency for the purchase of idols (Piper, John. Pierced by the Word. Multnomah: Sisters, Oregon. 2003. p18)

Any parent can see that this is not merely heady theology. If a son says to his parents, "I'm sorry, will you forgive me?" so that he can take the car out again on Friday night, and not in order to have a restored relationship with Mom and Dad, it is not forgiveness that he seeks but license to do what he wishes.

A new favorite activity . . . with beloved aunt and uncle 

The lowest place

Murray has one of the clearest articulations of the glory of humilty I have encountered. Here is one small glimpse:

Just as water ever seeks and fills the lowest place, so the moment God finds the creature abased and empty will His glory and power flow in to exalt and to bless. (Murray, Andrew. "Humility: The Beauty of Holiness." Fort Washington, PA: CLC Publications. 1997. p36)

The aim of true preaching

In preparation to preach, I picked up my brother's copy of The Supremacy of God in Preaching, and came across these wise words:

The Scottish reacher James Stewart put it like this: the aims of all genuine preaching are "to quicken the consience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of God, to purge the imagination by the beauty of God, to open the heart to the love of God, to devote the will to the purpose of God." (Piper, John. "The Supremacy of God in Preaching." Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books. 2004. p 23)

May God do all these things in and through me.