"I've put flowers on the graves," my sister tells me.
As usual I can't be home to assist in this ritual.
But I can wish you a happy memorial day to remember all who have died on the battlefields throughout our history. I hope you find a grave to decorate in remembrance.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Fuel for Thought
Did you hear me really thinking hard about this blog? Well I have. You must not be listening. (smile).
Earlier this week, an article appeared about women and prayer in Christianity Today. I do think sometimes we forget other people can't read our minds but God Can. The article seems to stress more original extemporaneous praying than reciting one of the beautiful prayers from the Church, which is also an acceptable way to pray. It would be interesting to know if gender preferences occur here. Fortunately, prayer has no season, although there may be points where you are impressed to stop praying for something because the answer is complete.
If you need help formulating prayers, The Encyclopedia of Prayer and Praise, comp. and edited by Mark Water (Hendrickson 2004) is an excellent guide to prayers written by Saints throughout the years. Not only prayers are entered, but "extracts of classic Christian Teaching," stories about prayer and "effectual fervent prayers" and also quotations about prayer for those composing devotionals or talks. What's interesting about this collection is the ratio of men to women with the majority of the prayer and thought by men.
The title is an allusion to a poem/prayer by Amy Carmichael
Earlier this week, an article appeared about women and prayer in Christianity Today. I do think sometimes we forget other people can't read our minds but God Can. The article seems to stress more original extemporaneous praying than reciting one of the beautiful prayers from the Church, which is also an acceptable way to pray. It would be interesting to know if gender preferences occur here. Fortunately, prayer has no season, although there may be points where you are impressed to stop praying for something because the answer is complete.
If you need help formulating prayers, The Encyclopedia of Prayer and Praise, comp. and edited by Mark Water (Hendrickson 2004) is an excellent guide to prayers written by Saints throughout the years. Not only prayers are entered, but "extracts of classic Christian Teaching," stories about prayer and "effectual fervent prayers" and also quotations about prayer for those composing devotionals or talks. What's interesting about this collection is the ratio of men to women with the majority of the prayer and thought by men.
The title is an allusion to a poem/prayer by Amy Carmichael
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Milestones and Markers
MPOWcelebrated graduation a week ago, and I see others are currently having their celebrations this week. May is a season of graduation.
Now, the normally bustling building hosts a few random users, remnants from the Spring and graduate students seeking to finish their research during quieter times around here. We start to contemplate our goals and next year's tasks.
In some ways it is business as usual. Students come, they graduate, life goes on. We have these milestones and markers graduation and Mother's day to remind us life shouldn't be business as usual. We need to pause and reflect.
Congratulations to all graduates, particularly our two circulation persons who have received their MSLS today.
Happy Mother's Day to all who have "mothered' the next generations. We have the milestones and markers to show it.
Now, the normally bustling building hosts a few random users, remnants from the Spring and graduate students seeking to finish their research during quieter times around here. We start to contemplate our goals and next year's tasks.
In some ways it is business as usual. Students come, they graduate, life goes on. We have these milestones and markers graduation and Mother's day to remind us life shouldn't be business as usual. We need to pause and reflect.
Congratulations to all graduates, particularly our two circulation persons who have received their MSLS today.
Happy Mother's Day to all who have "mothered' the next generations. We have the milestones and markers to show it.
Friday, April 27, 2012
A season of gratitude
I saw the post at Collecting my Thoughts about the song I often sang as I was growing up. Sometimes it was part of a testimony service. A graduate student just walked in and thanked me for all the assistance I had given her as she worked toward her degree. That's a blessing I never weary of. She is going to various librarians and personally thanking them for their assistance. So here's to all the teachers in the many schools I have attended. Thank you.
I noticed an entry on "Gratitude" by Douglas J. Schuurman (pp. 342-343) in the new Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics, edited by Joel B. Green (Baker Book House, 2011). It briefly outlines various philosophies about the concept but emphasizes that gratitude or thankfulness for the Christian is bound up in his acceptance of salvation which is a gift. There is no tit for tat, so to speak when discussing this gift. Schuurman identifies obedience as the true response of a grateful person.
In her book, Traveling Mercies, Anne Lamott identifies the core of all our prayers to God: "Help me, help me, help me." and "Thank you, thank you, thank you."
I noticed an entry on "Gratitude" by Douglas J. Schuurman (pp. 342-343) in the new Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics, edited by Joel B. Green (Baker Book House, 2011). It briefly outlines various philosophies about the concept but emphasizes that gratitude or thankfulness for the Christian is bound up in his acceptance of salvation which is a gift. There is no tit for tat, so to speak when discussing this gift. Schuurman identifies obedience as the true response of a grateful person.
In her book, Traveling Mercies, Anne Lamott identifies the core of all our prayers to God: "Help me, help me, help me." and "Thank you, thank you, thank you."
Count your blessings, indeed.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Humor and Christian Spirituality
As noted in my last post, April is National Humor Month. I have heard statements about humor and Christianity for nearly all my adult life and the avowal that the Devil has no sense of humor. Maybe I'll look these up for sources, but for now, I'll point out a new reference work you might have, The Dictionary of Christian Spiritualty (Zondervan, 2011). Nestled between "Humility" and "Hannah Hurnard"is a short signed article on humor. The next to last paragraph reminds us "Humor ought to be neither cheap, nor cruel, nor ignorant. Instead humor in the Christian life should signal spiritual health. It is a sign of trust when we are able to see the mirth and delight in the world, and a sign of humility when we are able to laugh at ourselves.
Creaturly humor...has a long history in tye Christian tradition. Prophetic humor also has an important place. Prophetic humor slips behind our defenses to flash its blade of critique. This can serve several redemptive purposes: enabling a distressed group to speak truth to power, deflating self-righteousness and pomposity, and exposing follies." Debra Rienstra. "Humor" pp. 515.
She also mentions many great Christian writiers such as C. S. Lewis, G. K. Chesterton, and Anne Lamott who have used humor in a literary context.
Creaturly humor...has a long history in tye Christian tradition. Prophetic humor also has an important place. Prophetic humor slips behind our defenses to flash its blade of critique. This can serve several redemptive purposes: enabling a distressed group to speak truth to power, deflating self-righteousness and pomposity, and exposing follies." Debra Rienstra. "Humor" pp. 515.
She also mentions many great Christian writiers such as C. S. Lewis, G. K. Chesterton, and Anne Lamott who have used humor in a literary context.
Friday, April 13, 2012
friggatriskaidekaphobia
friggatriskaidekaphobia
It's almost the middle of the month with Tax Day looming. I've been trying to think of a post with enough meat in it of interest to my dedicated 5 followers.
I was surprised that I didn't find much on biblical teaching about taxes. Just a chapter, "Owning Up to Our Greatest Obligations: Death and Taxes," in StewardShip Services, by David Musser. (Abingdon Press, 2007). This chapter is an application of Matthew 22:15-22 in which the Pharisees try to trap Jesus. A seen which is very political and very adroitly handled. However, I've been looking for more substance related to personal finance, especially as to obligations such as this and I guess I will have to keep searching.
Although this month contains National Library Week which we Acl-ers use to pray for our organization, its officers and members, April is full of other self-proclaimed topics such as Jazz. In fact so many organizations have laid claim to the month, it's hard to decide which to emphasize. Hence, my fear of this Friday is that I won't get much more done. (I settled on National Humor month especially in poetry books for one display.) At least my taxes are paid.
It's almost the middle of the month with Tax Day looming. I've been trying to think of a post with enough meat in it of interest to my dedicated 5 followers.
I was surprised that I didn't find much on biblical teaching about taxes. Just a chapter, "Owning Up to Our Greatest Obligations: Death and Taxes," in StewardShip Services, by David Musser. (Abingdon Press, 2007). This chapter is an application of Matthew 22:15-22 in which the Pharisees try to trap Jesus. A seen which is very political and very adroitly handled. However, I've been looking for more substance related to personal finance, especially as to obligations such as this and I guess I will have to keep searching.
Although this month contains National Library Week which we Acl-ers use to pray for our organization, its officers and members, April is full of other self-proclaimed topics such as Jazz. In fact so many organizations have laid claim to the month, it's hard to decide which to emphasize. Hence, my fear of this Friday is that I won't get much more done. (I settled on National Humor month especially in poetry books for one display.) At least my taxes are paid.
Tuesday, April 03, 2012
Think
I follow several Christian bloggers of various denominations because they explore issues of interest to me....At this season, all our thoughts are moving toward Easter and one side mashup which only in a multicultural or pseudo multicultural society would occur.
As you can see, this is the second in a series of posts about fiction and the Christian faith.
As you can see, this is the second in a series of posts about fiction and the Christian faith.
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