Cute smile

Decoding!

For some time Elisabeth has associated letters and their (multiple) sounds, and has been able to recognize onset (beginning) sounds and end rhyme. However, this week in the bath she began really decoding for the first time.

Using her foam bath letters, she said that she wanted to spell 'Neva'. She was able to separate each of the sounds and identify the letter that produces that sound, and then put them in the proper sequence. Excited by her newfound skill, she decoded and spelled 'Zoe' (another good friend).

We're on the road to reading!

Destroying self-confidence

One of the great missions you have is to get self-confidence out of your children's hearts. . . . We teach children to despair of themselves and to flee to Christ, to flee for grace and mercy . . . (John Piper in Fathers Who Give Hope)

This is the litmus test of whether parenting is faithful to the Gospel. If the good news of Christ is not true, then Piper's words are nonsense; if the good news of Christ is true, then Piper's admonition is the only wise way to raise children.

Head and heart

"In James Stephen's The Crock of Gold, a wise philosopher says, 'I have learned that the head does not hear anything until the heart has listened, and what the heart knows today the head will understand tomorrow.'" (quoted in Honey for a Child's Heart)

This, I think, is why God communicates to us through literature - including the literature of the Bible.

Those first, formative years

"I heard my first stories in my mother's voice. A satisfactory substitute for that technique has yet to be devised, because most of who we are is decided in those first fleeting years of life before we ever see a school" (Richard Peck, Newbery Medal winner for A Year Down Yonder).

As a former elementary teacher, Peck's comment resonates with me. So much of a child's character, personality and readiness to learn are shaped in the precious early years of life. That is not to say that the current cannot be changed later in life; it is simply that the stream has gathered more force.

Can I have the chip?

This week in the parents' Sunday school class at our church, we discussed the sacraments and the role that they play in the spiritual formation of our children. After the class, in the worship service (in which we celebrate communion every week), Elisabeth whispered in my ear,

"Dad, can I have the chip?"

It was the first time she had ever shown interest in communion. A few minutes later she leaned into me again (still before communion) and whispered,

"I like our chips that are pointy; they're salty!"

Clearly the round wafers didn't measure up in her eyes.

Keener pleasures

"Books are no substitute for life, but a keener pleasure comes to life because of books" (Honey for a Child's Heart p21).

Feed your kids

As a teacher, I consistently told parents, "The most important thing that you can do for your child's education is to read with your child." I still think that is true. However, I now see that it is inadequate. It is like saying, "Feed your kids," without giving any nutritional advice. So one parent will take the children to McDonald's for every meal, while another will provide a healthy variety of foods. My exhortation to "feed your kids" is not helpful in the health of those children, because I didn't say anything meaningful.

A more helpful admonition than "feed your kids" is "feed your children a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, protein, and fat in moderation." The parent who heeds my advice will be truly helping his or her children. In just the same way, rather than saying "read with your child," it is far better to say, "Read books with your children that communicate truth, goodness and beauty, that inspire your children to virtue."

However, just as a trip to the vegetable aisle might be daunting to the parent who is accustomed to exclusively processed food, so will a trip to the children's section of the library be frightening to the parent who is more comfortable in front of the television. For that reason, I think the good teacher or friend must go farther than commending the reading of great literature to provide examples of that literature so that the novice can learn to identify great literature by immersion in it.

In Honey for a Child's Heart, Gladys Hunt does precisely that: encouraging parents to take up and read great books with their children, describing the characteristics of such literature, and offering lists of such literature for each age of a child's life. She is a much better teacher than I, and I highly commend her book!

Well-chosen words

"Well-chosen words need only be few in number, but they help store away the pleasure of the adventure" (Honey for a Child's Heart p19).

One of the marks of the great books that I love to read to Elisabeth again and again is their brilliant economy of language. Clearly these authors are masters of language and image, like Kevin Henkes.

What a book does

That is what a book does. It introduces us to people and places we wouldn't ordinarily know. A good book is a magic gateway into a wider world of wonder, beauty, delight, and adventure. Books are experiences that make us grow, that add something to our inner stature. . . . Children don't stumble onto good books by themselves; they must be introduced to the wonder of words put together in such a way that they spin out pure joy and magic. (Honey for a Child's Heart p17)

These words from the first chapter of Honey for a Child's Heart capture my enthusiasm for introducing Elisabeth to great literature. Books can indeed be the gateway to worlds and experiences that will increase her capacity for delight, empathy and love. O how I want her to develop a love for great books!

Public reading of Scripture

On Sunday in church, we prayed for abatement of the California wild fires, and the Old Testament reading included Jeremiah 14:22.

Are there any among the false gods of the nations that can bring rain?
Or can the heavens give showers?
Are you not he, O Lord our God?
We set our hope on you,
for you do all these things.

The phrase "can the heavens give showers" hit me in the gut. To believe in the God of the Bible is to deny philosophical materialism (which maintains that events can be explained entirely in terms of material causes - like changes in temperature, pressure, humidity, etc.). Not only can the false gods not give rain, but the heavens themselves do not give showers; even the rains come from God. It is He who created the laws of nature, and He who establishes them and can overrule them at any time.

Thank God for the public reading of Scripture that overturns my assumptions, and teaches me to pray like I ought - and to raise children as I ought.

Our pumpkin

Listen to the Religious Affections

As I have mentioned before, I don't do as much reading as I would like to anymore, but I get to do a lot more listening.

This month one of my favorite books of all time (Jonathan Edwards' Religious Affections) is available for free from Christian Audio. For those who have been interested in it, but haven't had the stamina for reading, this may be a great way to get into it - on the commute, or while doing dishes!

HT: Justin Taylor

Where to buy your books

Does it matter where you buy books? Is book buying an action without social consequences?

Last week I ordered two books from Monergism and was reminded why I purchase from them. There are many titles that I could get less expensively from ChristianBook.com, but there is a dramatic difference between the way these two companies operate. Monergism is discerning in the titles it sells, because they realize that selling is an implicit commendation of content. By contrast, ChristianBook.com is indiscriminate in its title selection, and sells lots and lots of products that undermine the very message of the good news. (This is precisely what I expect of Amazon, which by its very mission is indiscriminate, not Christian Book Distributors.)

So I have put a link in my sidebar to Monergism that I would encourage you to check out - and use - to make purchases of Christian literature. By your purchases, you are establishing a discerning, wise and God-honoring organization.

(Incidentally, Monergism has many great resources outside of its bookstore, including many excellent mp3 sermons and lectures - for free!)

Liturgy

On Sunday, our prayer of the day was:

Almighty and everlasting God,
increase in us the gifts of faith, hope and charity;
and, that we may obtain what you promise,
make us love what you command;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one god, for ever and ever. Amen.

Even as we were praying, I was grateful that from a young age Elisabeth is hearing the great truths of the Gospel in prayer so that she learns that they are not "finer points", but teach us how to know and approach God. Thank Christ for good liturgy!

Girl in the gardens

We 'discovered' some stunning gardens near our home (like Columbus 'discovered' North America) two and a half years ago. Since that time, it has been a frequent destination for relaxation, reading, family walks and photography. On Sunday afternoon we went there to snap some pictures of Elisabeth with the mums - and this is representative of the roughly 100 pictures that I took using the continuous shooting feature on my camera. We did end up with a few good ones, that I'll share later on.

I went to the gardens again today . . .

I can't stay away from the gardens when the mums are in bloom!

Bursting with laughter

Elisabeth just couldn't contain the giggles!

She's not my friend

Yesterday Elisabeth announced that one of her classmates was not her friend. She explained,

"She doesn't listen to the teacher!"

It made me think of King David's words:

I hate the work of those who fall away;
it shall not cling to me.
A perverse heart shall be far from me;
I will know nothing of evil. (Psalm 101:3-4)

I could understand why Elisabeth was saying that she didn't want to be this girl's friend: she's a brat. And so in a certain sense, I don't at all want her to be this girl's friend. Yet in another sense, I do. The same King David said:

Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me. . .
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you. (Psalm 51:11, 13)

David had just confessed his own grievous sin, and pleaded for mercy - and therefore was jealous to turn other sinners to the Redeemer.

I don't want Elisabeth merely to avoid this girl because she's disobedient. I want her to learn to be a friend in a way that doesn't condone her rebellion, but invites her to receive mercy. If she can learn this lesson well early, it will serve her (and her friends) well for the rest of her life.

Honey for a Child's Heart

We just received a great gift in the mail: Honey for a Child's Heart. (Thanks, Sarah!)

I make it my practice to ask the best parents I know for good book lists, since when I go to the library I usually leave disappointed unless I have gone with a list of recommended titles. So I recently asked friends from our church (the parents of four well home-schooled children) for a book list, and they recommended Honey for a Child's Heart for its lists, and for its approach to literature.

I'm ready for my first trip to the library with book in hand!

Sitting with Mommy

Gospel Language for Kids

Ray Van Neste reviews children's books on The Children's Hour. He has pointed me toward some excellent literature, and so I check in there now and again.

He recently wrote an article called Evangelizing our Children for a local publication on the importance of presenting the warnings and promises of the Gospel to our children. His thesis is that:

No gospel plea makes sense unless the hearers know their need of rescue from judgment.

He draws on John Brown of Haddington (Scotland) as an example of one who did not shy away from presenting the reality of hell right alongside the promise of being reconciled to God through Christ.

It was a great reminder to me that our age likes to celebrate the positive and turn the eyes off the negative. However, in the case of the Gospel, without the bad news (that we have cut ourselves off from God through our sin), the good news (that God reconciles us to Himself through His Son) makes little sense.

I need more mentors like John Brown.

From the gardens

Educating her parents

Elisabeth had a new student named Oudai join her class last week. When Elisabeth told Rebecca about Oudia, Rebecca asked, "Is Oudai a boy or a girl?"

With some puzzlement, Elisabeth replied,

"Oudai is a boy's name, Mom!"

Clearly Elisabeth is the one educating us!

The Meanest Thing to Say

In general I am not a fan of trade books. I usually find them to be very poor literature, and put them to the bottom of the pile.

However, I really liked The Meanest Thing to Say by Bill Cosby. The story line is simple and clear, and kids see through a clever and humorous narrative how to handle name calling and 'slams'.

While it is not the kind of great literature that we will read again and again, it is worth reading several times.

A perfect gift

On the day that we moved, Elisabeth's best friend's parents took care of her for the day and fed us an outstanding leg of lamb for dinner. What could have been an enormously stressful day turned out to be fun for everyone involved - thanks to great friends.

As we parted to go to our new home, Aidan's mom gave Elisabeth a TykeLight, a very clever nightlight for children that charges by magnetism, casts warm glow, and doesn't get dangerously hot.

It was a perfect gift, as Elisabeth's new bedroom does not have an overhead light, and we had not yet found the lamps from the boxes. She cuddled it to sleep that night, and has done the same on many subsequent nights. What a great gift!

Writing

For quite some time Elisabeth's verbal abilities have far exceeded her fine motor skills. She has learned to sound out words, but when it comes to writing the letters, she is often intimidated to try. In fact, the letter S has kept her from writing her name. She can write all the letters, but finds the S difficult, and so when she gets to it wants to quit. Thus, her signature over the past several months has been Eli.

This week she made two major leaps forward in writing. The first is that she gained the ability to write an S. (In reality, she just developed the initiative to try it until she got it.) So now Eli is gone, and we have Elisabeth back again! The second is her willingness to take dictation. For some reason, until now she has been intimidated to write letters when asked to do so. But this week she wanted to write Joe and Emily on an envelope for our neighbors, and so she asked me how to spell their names, and wrote their names letter by letter as I dictated them.

We're on the road to writing!

Here is Life

Eight years ago I had the privilege of volunteering with Here is Life in Aringa, Uganda.

View Larger Map

Last week we had a good friend, Elly Moses, from Here is Life stay with us, and I was reminded why I love those people, and why I believe so strongly in their work. Since they have not had a website to present, I put together a simple blog on blogger as a communication tool for them, and as a learning tool for those who are interested in their work. At present it is just a thumbnail sketch of the organization, but I anticipate it being well used.

Elly's stay with us reminded me of how significant missionary visits were to me in my childhood. I think the missionaries who stayed in our home, and the biographies of missionaries that my parents read to us continue to shape my view of the world, and my dreams of what God will do with me. I want to give Elisabeth the same privilege of knowing great missionaries.

Three busy weeks

The past three weeks have been some of the busiest of my life, hence the lack of blogging. I'm looking forward to a return to a more peaceful pace of life with time to read, write and rest. So you can expect to see more posts, and more pictures in the days to come as I recover.

Ready to slide

First dance class

Elisabeth had her first dance class on Saturday!

The Life of David Brainerd

Although I don't read much anymore (although I wish I did), being a full-time parent has afforded lots of time for listening. One of the best books I have listened to (repeatedly) is The Life of David Brainerd by Jonathan Edwards. It is Edwards' compilation of Brainerd's diary, which is a brutally honest testimony of his own spiritual life, and his mission to the native Americans. John Piper has a great catalog of Christians who have treasured this book and explains why:

Why has this life had such an impact? . . . .

The answer for me is that Brainerd's life is a vivid, powerful testimony to the truth that God can and does use weak, sick, discouraged, beat-down, lonely, struggling saints, who cry to him day and night, to accomplish amazing things for his glory. (source)

Why mention it here? This month it is available for free! So if you like to listen to books, this is one not to miss.

HT: Justin Taylor

Questions

I'm convinced that the best conversationalists ask great questions. Justin Taylor just spotlighted some great questions for fathers to ask their children. While they're geared to older children, I think they're a good starting point for asking young children good questions.

Today I asked Elisabeth a question that is accessible for her age: "Why does Jesus love us?"

She answered, "Because we love Him and do what He commands."

It was a great reminder to me of how daily I need to be speaking and embodying the good news the when we were enemies, rebels and disobedient, God reconciled us to Himself through His Son. I want Elisabeth (and any other children God gives us) to clearly understand that we are commanded to love and obey Jesus, but that His love for us precedes our love and obedience, and is not conditioned on it.

That is good news!

In the hammock

Elisabeth found the best place to snuggle with Grandma on a crisp fall afternoon.

Light posting

I thought about putting up an "under construction" sign on my blog to explain the light posting over the last week or so, but realized that most blogs with such a sign are referring to the blog, and not to any real physical structure. So I must clarify: my project has been putting up a wall, which Lord-willing, will be complete by Wednesday, when the painting will begin!




















The reason I'm building a wall is because . . .

on Saturday - which is another reason why I may not post much at all this week.

I've not abandoned parenting, or blogging, but just have other big things going on!

Driving a tractor

This weekend we went on a church retreat, and Elisabeth tried her hand and driving a (stationary) tractor.

Big grin

Talking straight

At long last I have discovered someone who is willing to speak directly to the cultural issues of performance gaps.

"Ronald F. Ferguson, a black scholar and Harvard lecturer, has long studied racial achievement gaps in public schools. Complicated as those issues are, Ferguson boils them down to one: 'The real issue is historical differences in parenting. that is hard to talk about, but that is the root of the skill gap.' According to Ferguson, black households traditionally see schooling as a job for teachers, while white families are more involved in schooling the child or paying for special services." (The Read Aloud Handbook p xv)

I'm convinced that he is right that the skills gap has everything to do with parenting, and that there are current cultural differences in understandings of parenting that often fall along racial lines. However, while I am no historian, I think that I would differ with Ferguson slightly. I would say that in the past forty or so years dependence on 'the system' to educate children has emerged. My understanding is that in the pre-civil rights era, the African American family was much stronger, and much more active in parenting, and produced the likes of Ruby Bridges.

So as a parent and an educator (having taught almost exclusively in an African American environment), I want to learn how to encourage, and inspire (with their own history!) my neighbors to express their love to their children by reading great books to them day after day after day.

Climbing

Practical wisdom on family worship

Yesterday I listened to two segments (part 1 & part 2) of John Piper's sermon on Educating for Hope. Two pieces of practical wisdom jumped out to me:

1. Dr. Piper said that from the time his children were very small, they taught a morning 'quiet time'. He even suggested it can be as simple as propping up an infant with a pillow, and playing some worship music. I had assumed that the practice of beginning the day with Scripture and prayer would begin when a child started to read; Piper reminded me that it can begin long before.
2. For those who feel that they don't have time to lead their family daily in worship, he suggested a simple ten-minute routine:
• Read a verse or two from the Bible, and briefly explain it.
• Ask a question from a good catechism (and discuss its answer).
• Pray together.

I love receiving practical wisdom from others on how to be wise parents!

Climbing a spiral

Public truth

I have posted a number of times on public truth. Now, I'm excited that there is a new organization in New York that is engaging social issues through the Gospel with the conviction that this good news is for all, and is the core of addressing social issues. They have a kick-off meeting next week that includes Jim Wallis, for those in the area.

How kids think

My sister-in-law just put me onto an intriguing new blog called How Kids Think that is exploring how to teach a biblical worldview. I have many questions about how to do that, and so I plan to be a regular reader - and thought other parents might be interested too.

Morning routine

Each morning on our way to preschool I ask Elisabeth a few questions to prepare her for the day. I ask her, "What is your major job?" to which she eagerly replies: "Listen!" I also ask her, "Why do we go to school?" to which she answers, "To learn what is good and true and beautiful."

So yesterday I asked her the questions on the way to school, and when I asked her why we go to school, she answered:

"To learn what is good and true and beautiful and right and fun!"

I think that captures well the spirit of true learning, and virtue.

Can we go for a run?

I love to run with Elisabeth in the running stroller. And while she is a great passenger, I am still usually the one convincing her to go for a run rather than vice versa.

Yesterday morning Elisabeth woke up and poked her head out of her bedroom door.
"Can we go for a run?" she asked. I had gotten up early to run that morning, for the first time in nearly two weeks, and was still dripping with sweat.
"I already went running this morning, sweetie," I explained.
"I'm still feeling tired, and I want to go for a run so I can rest," she returned.
Finally I convinced her that we didn't have time to run, eat, shower and dress before preschool, and she capitulated.

This morning, while I was out for a run, Rebecca said she heard a little sleepy [and apparently still asleep] voice come from the bedroom:

"Can we go for a run?"

I love it that she's even more ready to go than I am!

Riding a horse

Sunday was Elisabeth's first time ever on a horse! She had such a good time, and was ready to do it again.

Sleeves getting longer

Fall is on its way in, and Elisabeth is moving toward long sleeves. (These are 3/4 length - perfect for transition!)

Will she remember it?

I do a lot of things with Elisabeth. We go to zoos, parks, museums and libraries on a regular basis, and we have a fantastic time. Yet on more than one occasion, I have had friends ask me, "Will she remember any of this?"

I think it is likely that she won't have any distinct memories of these years when she is older (I don't have many distinct memories of my preschool years), and yet I am convinced that these years will define the rest of her life. The fact that she may not remember the particulars later on doesn't stop me from living each day to the fullest with her; in fact, knowing that these years are so defining in her social, emotional, spiritual and cognitive development makes me want to do them all the more. That she may not remember these days does not mean they are unimportant.

In this respect of memory, I think there is a real parallel between early childhood and life, and life and eternity. Though we remember very little from our preschool years, our development during this time has a massive impact on the way we experience the rest of life. In much the same way, from eternity the years of our life will appear as but a whisper - but they will define the degree of our joy to all eternity. We live fully now, knowing that what we do matters even if we won't remember it when we see Christ face to face. That glorious truth makes each day full and reminds me that it is still as nothing compared to what will be.

Where did I grow up?

Tonight we were playing with Elisabeth's favorite online map. She found my home state and said excitedly:

"Daddy, I found where you grew up! Where did I grow up?"

I love that she thinks it is in the past tense!

Gospel Humility

“If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring,
we would have been like Sodom
and become like Gomorrah.” (Romans 9:29)

I think this is the key that unlocks gospel humility. In fact, I don't know how to receive this in a way that is not shattering. All that we can say for ourselves is that if the Lord had not intervened, we would have become like Sodom and Gomorrah.

I very often look at myself and think that I am doing well. Perhaps I don't boast out loud, but the proud attitude is just as deadly. This word from Isaiah, repeated by Paul, is the cure for my arrogance, if I will believe that it speaks the truth. But far too often I flatter myself in my own eyes so that I don't see or feel the weight of this truth.

I want to live daily in the wonder of this reality: I, who would have run down the path of Sodom and Gomorrah, have been forgiven, released and reconciled to the God whom I had offended! He called me when I was His enemy, and purchased my repentance because I would never have repented. He has established the way of perfect, unshakable (because it doesn't depend on me!) joy, and destroyed every boast that is not boasting in Him.

Just as much, I want Elisabeth to taste this from childhood. I want her to be in awe and wonder at our God who justifies the wicked, and makes His enemies into friends. I long to save her from the folly of pride and arrogance that have ensnared me. I want her to feel the reality of our rebellion, and the unfathomably good news of Christ. This, I believe, is what it means to love my daughter.

Reading about Noah in public

Yesterday I found myself reading the story of Noah in a Doctor's office while I waited for an appointment. As I read aloud (and thought about the people overhearing it), it struck me how revolutionary the story is. Although the story involves an enormous boat, lots of animals, and a rainbow (all kid-friendly themes), it is ultimately a story of sin, judgment and mercy.

Tonight at dinner I asked Elisabeth some questions about the Noah story to see if the main point of the story was registering with her. I asked her, "Why did God send the flood?" She replied,

"Sometimes the forecast is for rain, and sometimes the forecast is for sun."

It made me happy that she sees that God is the author of everything, including the weather, but it also made clear that the flood as judgment hadn't impressed her. So we talked a little bit about why God sent the flood as judgment and why in mercy He told Noah to build an ark. The expressions on her face changed entirely as she began to see what the story was really about.

This encounter was even more vivid to me, as I had read in my devotions just yesterday that this kind of wickedness was not limited to Noah's time. God said through Ezekiel that the people of Jerusalem were so faithless that "even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness, declares the Lord God" (Ezekiel 14: 14). This was not the only time that wickedness reigned, or that judgment came!

It is becoming increasingly clear to me that reading the Bible on its own terms is revolutionary. Reading aloud in public was the gracious occasion of this realization: the message with which we are entrusted simply is not polite dinner conversation. It is the message of sin, wrath, judgment and mercy. The reason for the ark was the flood; the reason for the cross is the wrath of God against sinners. I needed to be reminded of that.

Swinging

Preschool highlights

What's the best part about preschool? I asked Elisabeth at the end of her first week, and she answered:

"I get my own cubby and my own mailbox!"

Her delight hasn't worn off yet!

No school on Saturday?

On Saturday, Elisabeth asked when she was going to school. We explained that she would be going to preschool again on Monday. She had such a good time during the first week that she was pretty disappointed not to get to go on Saturday and Sunday.

In my estimation, that means the teachers are doing a great job. I wish all of my students had looked forward to Monday the way Elisabeth does!

Big grin

I love overhead shots of tire swings, but I'm not very good at taking them. I loved Elisabeth's expression in this once, but because her shirt and skin tone are so light compared to the tire and ground, she's washed out.

(Yes, I know I need to use spot metering on my camera, but I didn't catch any good grins once I adjusted the settings . . .)

Another in the gardens

Here is another cute one of Elisabeth looking away from the camera . . .

Prosperity

Mark Dever captured something succinctly and clearly that I want Elisabeth to understand as she grows up:

"Prosperity isn't always wrong, but prosperity is always dangerous."
(Preaching the Cross p30)

Just Like Mama

One of Elisabeth's friends who lives in Amish country gave us Just Like Mama to help her understand a little bit about Amish life and culture. It was a fantastic gift from a country kid to a city kid.

The book gives a glimpse into the daily life of the Amish, and a view of the heart from which that life flows. The book is well illustrated and well written to draw readers into a little girl's desire to be like her Mama.

The book also provoked me to think about how good literature leads us to question, and to think. Just Like Mama closes with the mother telling her daughter,

"I have a wonderful-good idea, dear one. Let's be more like the Lord Jesus . . . together."

The question ran through my mind, "How does this lead a reader to the gospel?" I'm not trying to criticize this author in particular, but to get a better sense in my own understanding of how good literature points us, even subtly, to the gospel.

I think that this author tries to show the good fruit that Mama bears: her patience, gentleness, kindness - everything that makes her daughter want to be "just like Mama." And at the end, she points her girl in the right direction: to Jesus. But I wonder if some readers might see becoming a certain sort of person - even like Jesus - as the heart of Christianity, and of the good news. I wonder if readers like that might be drawn to imitate Jesus without knowing Him, or being reconciled to God through Him.

What Just Like Mama helped me to see is that I can't filter for perfect literature. But with good literature (and bad) it is my responsibility to ask the right questions to help Elisabeth see that the center of the good news is God reconciling rebels to Himself through His Son.

First day of school

Yesterday was Elisabeth's first day of preschool! Since we lost the backpack (oops!), we decided to do the mandatory 'first day of school picture' in the gardens instead of at school.

[Real photographers, please forgive me for shooting into the sun on this one. It was the only sitting shot that I caught her with a genuine smile!]

Update: The backpack is found! I feel like the woman in the parable of the lost coin!

Can you read me a story?

Elisabeth just picked up a book and asked me:

Dad, can you read me this story: The Wolf and the Big Bad Children?

I wouldn't be surprised if the book exists, but we don't have it.

Reading John Owen at bedtime

In the past several months, I have found reading John Owen at bedtime to be tremendously rewarding. You may be thinking that Owen is the cure for insomnia, as he is widely charged with being a challenging writer, but I have found him eminently helpful in humbling me, setting my eyes on Christ, and teaching me to be a better parent. In fact, his treatment of our condition and Christ's sufficiency is so rich that I have wondered that some scholar hasn't applied his insights to parenting - for the benefit of all.

Here are a couple of recent bedtime nuggets:

This is the trial and touchstone of gospel light: If it keeps the heart sensible of sin, humble, lowly, and broken on that account - if it teaches us to water free pardon with tears, to detest forgiven sin, to watch diligently for the ruin which we are yet assured shall never ruin us - it is divine, from above, of the Spirit of grace. If it secretly and insensibly makes men loose and slight in their thoughts about sin, it is adulterate, selfish, false (Overcoming Sin and Temptation pp301-302)

Labor, therefore, to fill your hearts with the cross of Christ. . . . Fill your affections with the cross of Christ, that there may be no room for sin (ibid. p332)

Owen is, in my opinion, one of the wisest counselors of the soul who has put pen to paper. I am deeply thankful for his cutting words, and penetrating insight.

A Tree is Nice . . . but the book is not

I picked up A Tree is Nice at the library because it had a Caldecott Medal. Having read it several times, I fail to see what literary merit the judges saw in the book. The author picked a great theme: accessible to children and important for society. Yet I was completely unimpressed with the literary quality of the book. The language is simple, but not poetic - to the point of being very repetitive. There are no clever twists of plot, because there isn't a plot.

So, for those who haven't read it: Don't worry; you haven't missed anything. For those who have: Can you help me see why it got a Caldecott?

Fun at the beach

Look at those teeth!

Elisabeth was a bit dismayed at the shark's teeth.