Have you been watching Masterpiece Theatre's Complete Jane Austen? Post some reviews for us, please. The girls in our family are gathered on Sunday nights at their respective tv sets - eager to spot anachronisms and judge the relative merits of the different productions - we love Jane as she is presented for the 2008 audience!
Here's a mushy video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks8SRa7J7lA
to get you going.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Our God is a Happy God
We used the title "Don't Worry! Be Happy!" for the bible study of Phillippians. When I asked the women at the study what they were expecting, two or three said, "I came because of the title." I first used this title after hearing the song by Bobby Mcferren.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjnvSQuv-H4 If this video combined with the picture above of our kids and their hair in 1989 doesn't make you smile, you're in a bad way. Note the contrast between the West Point cut and the super lacquered upsweep!
I know, I know, we don't like to talk about happiness for Christians, it seems greedy or giddy or something. And no, we shouldn't be rolling on the floor in fake laughter. But Spurgeon was right when he said, "Our God is a happy God and he is a happy making God." And happiness can be learned – Paul says, "I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content."
Spurgeon comments on Psalm 100: 1-2: Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. "The original word signifies a glad shout, such as loyal subjects give when their king appears among them. Our happy God should be worshipped by a happy people; a cheerful spirit is in keeping with his nature, his acts, and the gratitude which we should cherish for his mercies - Serve the LORD with gladness. 'Glad homage pay with awful mirth.' He is our Lord, and therefore he is to be served; he is our gracious Lord, and therefore to be served with joy. The invitation to worship here given is not a melancholy one, as though adoration were a funeral solemnity, but a cheery gladsome exhortation, as though we were bidden to a marriage feast. Come before his presence with singing."
Spurgeon comments on Psalm 100: 1-2: Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. "The original word signifies a glad shout, such as loyal subjects give when their king appears among them. Our happy God should be worshipped by a happy people; a cheerful spirit is in keeping with his nature, his acts, and the gratitude which we should cherish for his mercies - Serve the LORD with gladness. 'Glad homage pay with awful mirth.' He is our Lord, and therefore he is to be served; he is our gracious Lord, and therefore to be served with joy. The invitation to worship here given is not a melancholy one, as though adoration were a funeral solemnity, but a cheery gladsome exhortation, as though we were bidden to a marriage feast. Come before his presence with singing."
So I say to all the daughters of song - in spite of the cheerios on the floor, the son who just told you he wants to be a clown when he grows up (not only told you but told his Sunday school teacher) when you were hoping for missionary/pastor/president of the US), the boss who is too demanding, the fears and frets that assail you, the studies that seem never ending, - come on, learn to be happy, shout out with joy!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Taking delight in the Sabbath
Isaiah tells us if we call the sabbath a delight and honor it, we are taking delight in the Lord. We had such a good day at Four Oaks yesterday in God's house (on Sunday mornings, Chiles High School is God's house). What a great proclamation of the word from the pulpit! The exhortation to use our gifts that we might reflect the image and nature of God, demonstrate his goodness and compassion as we act in obedience to him, produce intimacy and true fellowship in the body and that final powerful purpose for using our gifts in service to the body of Christ and the world: we manifest and embody the redeeming love of Christ to the world. Really made me want to do my share, to labor for these purposes.
Friday, January 11, 2008
"Behold, We Did Not Know This"
I didn’t have a good night’s sleep last night. I read Erik’s blog, Bright Wings, in the late afternoon, and he reminded me of the reality, the violence of abortion, of the murder of thousands of babies every day. I was a little irritated - I want to have peace and joy. I want to feel good about myself. Erik gave a website where I could view graphic pictures of these babies, these little ones. I didn’t go to that website. I knew it would upset me and I wanted a peaceful evening. I didn’t want to give a thought to those babies.
Then we read psalm 10 before we went to bed. “The wicked…sits in ambush… in hiding places he murders the innocent… he thinks in his heart, ‘God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.’ … Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, ‘Thou wilt not call to account‘? Thou dost see; yes, thou dost note trouble and vexation, that thou mayest take it into thy hands; the hapless commits himself to thee; thou hast been the helper of the fatherless… O Lord, thou wilt hear the desire of the meek; thou wilt strengthn their heart, thou wilt incline thy ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more."
I went to that website this morning at 6:45 AM and made myself watch the video. I'm not going to have a nice day. The terror going on today while I go about my life is going to get to me. I don’t want to forget. I want to be like my Father in heaven who cares for these babies. Will you go with me? Will you pray for an end to this? We need to be tough minded about this. Pray that the women of Four Oaks will be known as warriors for the unborn. "If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, 'Behold, we did not know this,' does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not requite man according to his work?"
Then we read psalm 10 before we went to bed. “The wicked…sits in ambush… in hiding places he murders the innocent… he thinks in his heart, ‘God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.’ … Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, ‘Thou wilt not call to account‘? Thou dost see; yes, thou dost note trouble and vexation, that thou mayest take it into thy hands; the hapless commits himself to thee; thou hast been the helper of the fatherless… O Lord, thou wilt hear the desire of the meek; thou wilt strengthn their heart, thou wilt incline thy ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more."
I went to that website this morning at 6:45 AM and made myself watch the video. I'm not going to have a nice day. The terror going on today while I go about my life is going to get to me. I don’t want to forget. I want to be like my Father in heaven who cares for these babies. Will you go with me? Will you pray for an end to this? We need to be tough minded about this. Pray that the women of Four Oaks will be known as warriors for the unborn. "If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, 'Behold, we did not know this,' does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not requite man according to his work?"
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
"I will be their God"
Start your day with this: "I will be their God." (Jeremiah 31:33) Here is all I require for today. "To make you happy you want something that will satisfy you; and is not this enough?" (Spurgeon's Morning Devotions) Yes, Lord! You have put your law within me – I have a new nature. You took my by the hand and led me out of darkness into your marvelous light – I have a new relationship with you based on real, intimate knowledge. I have forgiveness of my sin and iniquity – you remember my sin no more based on the blood of Christ shed for me.
"For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Cor. 2:16)
He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God has made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption; therefore, as it is written, "Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord." (1 Cor. 1:30-31)
"…let him who glories, glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I delight, says the Lord." (Jer. 9:23-24)
"O the depths of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways. For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen." (Romans 11:33-36)
Okay, ready for your day now? I am!
"For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Cor. 2:16)
He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God has made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption; therefore, as it is written, "Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord." (1 Cor. 1:30-31)
"…let him who glories, glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I delight, says the Lord." (Jer. 9:23-24)
"O the depths of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways. For who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen." (Romans 11:33-36)
Okay, ready for your day now? I am!
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Picture a Sunday Evening ...
Picture if you will a Sunday evening at our home. It is about 6:00, and people are gathering around our kitchen, drinking coffee and eating various snacks, laughing, talking, catching up on the week. Occasionally you see a flash of a child go by, a little hand reaches up over the counter to grab a cookie. Several moms have babies on their hips. This is our Home Fellowship Group, and soon we will move to the living room where we will sing a few songs, have a time of prayer, share and spend time in God’s word together. I love seeing everyone together, and I am so glad we are doing it.
Doesn’t that sound inviting? Now, let me rewind a bit. It is 5:00, and we are preparing for people to come. One of my children has had a potty accident, the girls haven’t cleaned up their rooms like I had asked them and I notice a pile of laundry by the front door. My husband has decided this is a good time to touch up the paint on the window. One of my sons is attempting to break a record with how many times he can run around the room. I’m feeling insecure about my housekeeping abilities, everyone will see I still haven’t dusted the chandelier (and it’s not Halloween so I can’t use that as my excuse.) It is around this time I ask my husband, “Why, exactly, are we doing this again?”
Don usually says something like “Because this is what it’s all about!” That response doesn’t always bring thoughts of joy and love to my mind. But he’s right. When I read God’s word to us, the constant encouragement for believers is to gather together and to rejoice together. Hebrews 10:23 tells us: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
It is my habit to withdraw from the body when I feel discouraged. When things are rough; maybe there is stress in my marriage, with my children, or with other believers, I want to keep to myself. Or maybe it’s my pride, like I mentioned earlier, my house isn’t clean enough… my kids aren’t well-behaved enough… or I just don’t feel like I have my act together enough to face other believers. I don’t want people to see my flaws. But often, I need a firm reminder: that is not what we are called to do. I don’t want other women thinking I have it all together. I want younger women to know I struggle, but with God’s faithfulness and mercy, I persevere, and I lean totally on His strength. What keeps me loving my children and my husband is God’s love for me. What keeps me loving His people is God’s love for me. I also want my children to see us open our home, to share our lives, to learn practically that it’s not all about our family and our needs, that we are part of a bigger family.
Of course, I look forward to those Sundays where we can take a night off and relax with just my family, and have some reprieve from the stresses of hosting. My children are usually disappointed, they love having the other kids over and playing with the babies. But when I feel the temptation to pull away, to close the door and turn off the porch light, God’s word is a wonderful reminder to me of His promises of sweet fellowship. My husband once said after a great meeting together of good fellowship, “Man! That is what heaven is going to be like, only better!” Yes, indeed. And I won’t have to hide my laundry behind the shower curtain. (Shh. Don’t tell.)
(Posted by Robin St. Denis, our daughter in Jacksonville)
Doesn’t that sound inviting? Now, let me rewind a bit. It is 5:00, and we are preparing for people to come. One of my children has had a potty accident, the girls haven’t cleaned up their rooms like I had asked them and I notice a pile of laundry by the front door. My husband has decided this is a good time to touch up the paint on the window. One of my sons is attempting to break a record with how many times he can run around the room. I’m feeling insecure about my housekeeping abilities, everyone will see I still haven’t dusted the chandelier (and it’s not Halloween so I can’t use that as my excuse.) It is around this time I ask my husband, “Why, exactly, are we doing this again?”
Don usually says something like “Because this is what it’s all about!” That response doesn’t always bring thoughts of joy and love to my mind. But he’s right. When I read God’s word to us, the constant encouragement for believers is to gather together and to rejoice together. Hebrews 10:23 tells us: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
It is my habit to withdraw from the body when I feel discouraged. When things are rough; maybe there is stress in my marriage, with my children, or with other believers, I want to keep to myself. Or maybe it’s my pride, like I mentioned earlier, my house isn’t clean enough… my kids aren’t well-behaved enough… or I just don’t feel like I have my act together enough to face other believers. I don’t want people to see my flaws. But often, I need a firm reminder: that is not what we are called to do. I don’t want other women thinking I have it all together. I want younger women to know I struggle, but with God’s faithfulness and mercy, I persevere, and I lean totally on His strength. What keeps me loving my children and my husband is God’s love for me. What keeps me loving His people is God’s love for me. I also want my children to see us open our home, to share our lives, to learn practically that it’s not all about our family and our needs, that we are part of a bigger family.
Of course, I look forward to those Sundays where we can take a night off and relax with just my family, and have some reprieve from the stresses of hosting. My children are usually disappointed, they love having the other kids over and playing with the babies. But when I feel the temptation to pull away, to close the door and turn off the porch light, God’s word is a wonderful reminder to me of His promises of sweet fellowship. My husband once said after a great meeting together of good fellowship, “Man! That is what heaven is going to be like, only better!” Yes, indeed. And I won’t have to hide my laundry behind the shower curtain. (Shh. Don’t tell.)
(Posted by Robin St. Denis, our daughter in Jacksonville)
Friday, January 4, 2008
Resolution for 2008
Two Resolutions for 2008: the first came as a result of encouragement from our daughter, Robin, who told me her only resolution this year was to get up and have some time with the Lord. I know if she can manage it, pregnant with 4 lively other children, I certainly ought to be able to! And my second? To use this blog as an encouragement for others to do the same. It's more difficult than I imagined to write for encouragement and send it out to cyberspace - all my insecurities come charging in. So let me know if you read this - if you can't get through to comment here, send me an email at susanbraun7@gmail.com.
I can't wait to study with some others Paul's letter to the Phillippians - the first letter I read in the New Testament as a young Christian almost 44 years ago and it has never lost its appeal for me. There is nothing like the joy of rediscovering all God has for us as we get into the Word together.
I can't wait to study with some others Paul's letter to the Phillippians - the first letter I read in the New Testament as a young Christian almost 44 years ago and it has never lost its appeal for me. There is nothing like the joy of rediscovering all God has for us as we get into the Word together.
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