A daddy's song about bedtime set to the tune of Pachelbel's Canon in D.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Bishop Akinola - Historical overview and current actions
The following is from the Archbishop Peter Akinola in Nigeria. This article was printed in BabyBlue Online and StandFirm. It was so good I had to give you the opening paragraphs. You can read the rest at the link below. BabyBlue Online's intro has some great links that I hate for you to miss if you are interested in the situation in the Anglican Church. They are included below:
BabyBlue NOTE: We were with Archbishop Akinola late yesterday afternoon with others from Virginia and it was an extraordinary time to hear from the Archbishop himself, as well as ask him questions and spend time in conversation with him. He is an extraordinary man, one who has an incredible sense of humor as well as a sharp mind and a big heart. That is the man I know. These words are his. When you meet him it is clear that he is passionately committed not only to our Lord Jesus Christ, but to the Church and the Anglican Communion. Last night he reminded us, among other things, that he is not leaving the Anglican Communion (and plese take note of that). The journey he recounts here begins in Kuala Lumpur, a meeting I remember hearing so much about ten years ago, as well as the historic document that came from that gathering and how it came before General Convention in Philadelphia in 1997. It had been in response to this presented by Bishop Spong of Newark that outlined where The Episcopal Church was indeed headed (I remember both documents laid out side by side in the House of Bishops in 1997, and that was ten years ago). Denver 2000 was a shock to the progressives that what they wanted didn't happen on their timetable and so cooked up the ingenious plan (make no mistake about it - remember who Gene Robinson's predecessor was) to elect Gene Robinson and time it so that confirmations would have to be conducted at General Convention 2003, thereby assuring that this statement would become the policy of The Episcopal Church, something all ready in place in practice, but with the consecration of the Bishop of New Hampshire became officially sanctioned of The Episcopal Church - and without one change to either the liturgy or the canons - and of course, ignoring the teachings of Scripture, the pleas from all the instruments of the unity in the Communion, and the House of Bishop's own theological committee itself.
Here Archbishop Akinola reminds us where we've been and how we got to where we are today, now forty days before the Dar es Salaam deadline.
A Most Agonizing Journey towards Lambeth 2008
I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Eph. 4:1,3)
We have been on this journey for ten long years. It has been costly and debilitating for all concerned as most recently demonstrated by the tepid response to the invitations to the proposed Lambeth Conference 2008. At a time when we should be able to gather together and celebrate remarkable stories of growth and the many wonderful ways in which our God has been at work in our beloved Communion as lives are transformed new churches built and new dioceses established there is little enthusiasm to even meet.
There are continual cries for patience, listening and understanding. And yet the record shows that those who hold to the “faith once and for all delivered to the saints” have shown remarkable forbearance while their pleas have been ignored, their leaders have been demonized, and their advocates marginalized. We made a deliberate, prayerful decision in 1998 with regard to matters of Human Sexuality. It was supported by an overwhelming majority of the bishops of the Communion. It reflected traditional teaching interpreted with pastoral sensitivity. And yet it has been ignored and those who uphold it derided for their stubbornness. However, we have continued to meet and pray and struggle to find ways to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
The journey started in February 1997 in Kuala Lumpur. It was here, during the 2nd Encounter of the Global South Anglican Communion that a statement was issued in which concern was expressed about the apparent setting aside of biblical teaching by some provinces and dioceses. The statement pleaded for dialogue in ‘a spirit of true unity’ before any part of the Communion embarks on radical changes to Church discipline and moral teaching. [ ]
Sadly, this plea, and several similar warnings, have been ignored and ten years later, in February 2007, the Primates of the Anglican Communion met in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and experienced an agonizing time trying to repair the Communion that has been so badly broken. Their earlier prediction at the Primates Meeting at Lambeth Palace in 2003, that rejection of the faith committed to us would tear “the fabric of our Communion at its deepest level,” has proven to be accurate. In Dar es Salaam the Primates proposed, as one last attempt to restore unity, a period of seven months for those who have brought our Communion to the brink of destruction to reconsider their actions and put a stop to the harmful actions that have so polarized our beloved church. [ ]
With about seven weeks to go, hope for a unified Communion is not any brighter than it was seven months or ten years ago. Rather, the intransigence of those who reject Biblical authority continues to obstruct our mission and it now seems that the Communion is being forced to choose between following their innovations or continuing on the path that the church has followed since the time of the Apostles.
We have made enormous efforts since 1997 in seeking to avoid this crisis, but without success. Now we confront a moment of decision. If we fail to act we risk leading millions of people away from the faith revealed in the Holy Scriptures and also, even more seriously, we face the real possibility of denying our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The leadership of The Episcopal Church USA (TECUSA) and the Anglican Church of Canada (ACoC) seem to have concluded that the Bible is no longer authoritative in many areas of human experience especially in salvation and sexuality. They claim to have ‘progressed’ beyond the clear teaching of the Scriptures and they have not hidden their intention to lead others to these same conclusions. They have even boasted that they are years ahead of others in fully understanding the truth of the Holy Scriptures and the nature of God’s love.
Both TECUSA and ACoC have been given several opportunities to consult, discuss and prayerfully respond through their recognized structures. While they produced carefully nuanced, deliberately ambiguous statements, their actions have betrayed them. Their intention is clear; they have chosen to walk away from the Biblically based path we once all walked together. The unrelenting persecution of the remaining faithful among them shows how they have used these past few years to isolate and destroy any and all opposition.
We now confront the seriousness of their actions as the year for the Lambeth Conference draws near. Sadly, this Conference is no longer designed as an opportunity for serious theological engagement and heartfelt reconciliation but we are told will be a time of prayer, fellowship and communion. These are commendable activities, but this very Communion, however, has been broken by the actions of the American and Canadian churches. The consequence is most serious because, even if only one province chooses not to attend, the Lambeth Conference effectively ceases to be an Instrument of Unity. The convener’s status as an instrument or focus of unity becomes seriously challenged. Repentance and reversal by these provinces may yet save our Communion. Failure to recognize the gravity of this moment will have a devastating impact.
Read the rest at BabyBlue Online. Scroll down to "Scorned Opportunities"...
BabyBlue NOTE: We were with Archbishop Akinola late yesterday afternoon with others from Virginia and it was an extraordinary time to hear from the Archbishop himself, as well as ask him questions and spend time in conversation with him. He is an extraordinary man, one who has an incredible sense of humor as well as a sharp mind and a big heart. That is the man I know. These words are his. When you meet him it is clear that he is passionately committed not only to our Lord Jesus Christ, but to the Church and the Anglican Communion. Last night he reminded us, among other things, that he is not leaving the Anglican Communion (and plese take note of that). The journey he recounts here begins in Kuala Lumpur, a meeting I remember hearing so much about ten years ago, as well as the historic document that came from that gathering and how it came before General Convention in Philadelphia in 1997. It had been in response to this presented by Bishop Spong of Newark that outlined where The Episcopal Church was indeed headed (I remember both documents laid out side by side in the House of Bishops in 1997, and that was ten years ago). Denver 2000 was a shock to the progressives that what they wanted didn't happen on their timetable and so cooked up the ingenious plan (make no mistake about it - remember who Gene Robinson's predecessor was) to elect Gene Robinson and time it so that confirmations would have to be conducted at General Convention 2003, thereby assuring that this statement would become the policy of The Episcopal Church, something all ready in place in practice, but with the consecration of the Bishop of New Hampshire became officially sanctioned of The Episcopal Church - and without one change to either the liturgy or the canons - and of course, ignoring the teachings of Scripture, the pleas from all the instruments of the unity in the Communion, and the House of Bishop's own theological committee itself.
Here Archbishop Akinola reminds us where we've been and how we got to where we are today, now forty days before the Dar es Salaam deadline.
A Most Agonizing Journey towards Lambeth 2008
I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Eph. 4:1,3)
We have been on this journey for ten long years. It has been costly and debilitating for all concerned as most recently demonstrated by the tepid response to the invitations to the proposed Lambeth Conference 2008. At a time when we should be able to gather together and celebrate remarkable stories of growth and the many wonderful ways in which our God has been at work in our beloved Communion as lives are transformed new churches built and new dioceses established there is little enthusiasm to even meet.
There are continual cries for patience, listening and understanding. And yet the record shows that those who hold to the “faith once and for all delivered to the saints” have shown remarkable forbearance while their pleas have been ignored, their leaders have been demonized, and their advocates marginalized. We made a deliberate, prayerful decision in 1998 with regard to matters of Human Sexuality. It was supported by an overwhelming majority of the bishops of the Communion. It reflected traditional teaching interpreted with pastoral sensitivity. And yet it has been ignored and those who uphold it derided for their stubbornness. However, we have continued to meet and pray and struggle to find ways to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
The journey started in February 1997 in Kuala Lumpur. It was here, during the 2nd Encounter of the Global South Anglican Communion that a statement was issued in which concern was expressed about the apparent setting aside of biblical teaching by some provinces and dioceses. The statement pleaded for dialogue in ‘a spirit of true unity’ before any part of the Communion embarks on radical changes to Church discipline and moral teaching. [ ]
Sadly, this plea, and several similar warnings, have been ignored and ten years later, in February 2007, the Primates of the Anglican Communion met in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and experienced an agonizing time trying to repair the Communion that has been so badly broken. Their earlier prediction at the Primates Meeting at Lambeth Palace in 2003, that rejection of the faith committed to us would tear “the fabric of our Communion at its deepest level,” has proven to be accurate. In Dar es Salaam the Primates proposed, as one last attempt to restore unity, a period of seven months for those who have brought our Communion to the brink of destruction to reconsider their actions and put a stop to the harmful actions that have so polarized our beloved church. [ ]
With about seven weeks to go, hope for a unified Communion is not any brighter than it was seven months or ten years ago. Rather, the intransigence of those who reject Biblical authority continues to obstruct our mission and it now seems that the Communion is being forced to choose between following their innovations or continuing on the path that the church has followed since the time of the Apostles.
We have made enormous efforts since 1997 in seeking to avoid this crisis, but without success. Now we confront a moment of decision. If we fail to act we risk leading millions of people away from the faith revealed in the Holy Scriptures and also, even more seriously, we face the real possibility of denying our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The leadership of The Episcopal Church USA (TECUSA) and the Anglican Church of Canada (ACoC) seem to have concluded that the Bible is no longer authoritative in many areas of human experience especially in salvation and sexuality. They claim to have ‘progressed’ beyond the clear teaching of the Scriptures and they have not hidden their intention to lead others to these same conclusions. They have even boasted that they are years ahead of others in fully understanding the truth of the Holy Scriptures and the nature of God’s love.
Both TECUSA and ACoC have been given several opportunities to consult, discuss and prayerfully respond through their recognized structures. While they produced carefully nuanced, deliberately ambiguous statements, their actions have betrayed them. Their intention is clear; they have chosen to walk away from the Biblically based path we once all walked together. The unrelenting persecution of the remaining faithful among them shows how they have used these past few years to isolate and destroy any and all opposition.
We now confront the seriousness of their actions as the year for the Lambeth Conference draws near. Sadly, this Conference is no longer designed as an opportunity for serious theological engagement and heartfelt reconciliation but we are told will be a time of prayer, fellowship and communion. These are commendable activities, but this very Communion, however, has been broken by the actions of the American and Canadian churches. The consequence is most serious because, even if only one province chooses not to attend, the Lambeth Conference effectively ceases to be an Instrument of Unity. The convener’s status as an instrument or focus of unity becomes seriously challenged. Repentance and reversal by these provinces may yet save our Communion. Failure to recognize the gravity of this moment will have a devastating impact.
Read the rest at BabyBlue Online. Scroll down to "Scorned Opportunities"...
Friday, August 10, 2007
What is all the fuss about?
So, maybe you are somewhat new (or not and just confused - it's ok, we are, too , sometimes) to the "fuss" currently occurring in the Episcopal Church and the wider Anglican Communion (of which the Episcopal Church is a branch). There are some at my own church, where education about this very issue has been a core issue, who remain somehow "in the dark" about the history of these issues and the depth of these issues...and the implications of these issues.
I'd like to share some of the articles I've read lately that I feel are low on anglican jargon, which frankly confuses me, and help explain the issues at hand. I'll be sharing them as they pass across my "desk" in the coming weeks. The time is getting very near that major decisions will be made and chips will fall where they may.
You may think, "So what? I'm not Anglican or Episcopalian." That may be true, these troubles aren't yours....yet. However, let me just remind you that the Anglican church decided to approve birth control for married couples in 1933...there are very few (especially mainline) denominations that have not fallen into lock-step with that decision. (That may be a biased example, but it is what it is.) I pray that the decisions currently made by our mother church (ECUSA now known as TEC) will never affect your churches...and maybe they won't.
But in the meantime, perhaps you'll pray for those of us standing for biblical authority. We are facing losing our beloved churches (only buildings, yes - but some of these have been attended by families for generations), being personally sued by our denomination, and our congregations being splintered as we search for new church homes. Have no doubt, we know all this can be born for Christ! But it is painful....
Perhaps you'll take a moment or two to read the first article I'd like to share - a revealing personal history of a fellow Episcopalian and her activity in the denomination. You'll know better how to pray for your fellow Christians. Thank you for going to the throne room for us!
If you are praying for us, I'd love for you to leave a comment. Sometimes we feel like our struggle goes unnoticed, so it would be encouraging beyond words to know that you care enough to pray and comment. Thank you.
I'd like to share some of the articles I've read lately that I feel are low on anglican jargon, which frankly confuses me, and help explain the issues at hand. I'll be sharing them as they pass across my "desk" in the coming weeks. The time is getting very near that major decisions will be made and chips will fall where they may.
You may think, "So what? I'm not Anglican or Episcopalian." That may be true, these troubles aren't yours....yet. However, let me just remind you that the Anglican church decided to approve birth control for married couples in 1933...there are very few (especially mainline) denominations that have not fallen into lock-step with that decision. (That may be a biased example, but it is what it is.) I pray that the decisions currently made by our mother church (ECUSA now known as TEC) will never affect your churches...and maybe they won't.
But in the meantime, perhaps you'll pray for those of us standing for biblical authority. We are facing losing our beloved churches (only buildings, yes - but some of these have been attended by families for generations), being personally sued by our denomination, and our congregations being splintered as we search for new church homes. Have no doubt, we know all this can be born for Christ! But it is painful....
Perhaps you'll take a moment or two to read the first article I'd like to share - a revealing personal history of a fellow Episcopalian and her activity in the denomination. You'll know better how to pray for your fellow Christians. Thank you for going to the throne room for us!
If you are praying for us, I'd love for you to leave a comment. Sometimes we feel like our struggle goes unnoticed, so it would be encouraging beyond words to know that you care enough to pray and comment. Thank you.
Up the Hill Gang: Friday Link Love
Up the Hill Gang: Friday Link Love
Ok, this is only a week old, sorry. I am feeling better - slowly, but surely. You all watch out for this nasty virus! It is a doozy. If you hear anyone complaining of a sore throat - stay AWAY! :)
Anyway - Jenny posted the sweetest, dearest post about my little blog. Please go by and check out her blog, too. She and I have a friend in common - a non-blogger, IRL friend! Disney was right...it's a small, small world...and getting even smaller.
Ok, this is only a week old, sorry. I am feeling better - slowly, but surely. You all watch out for this nasty virus! It is a doozy. If you hear anyone complaining of a sore throat - stay AWAY! :)
Anyway - Jenny posted the sweetest, dearest post about my little blog. Please go by and check out her blog, too. She and I have a friend in common - a non-blogger, IRL friend! Disney was right...it's a small, small world...and getting even smaller.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Anglican Communion Action
Well, this week the Anglican Communion Network held an annual conference in Plano, TX. I've not been able to follow much of the action, but am trying to glean what I can. Two open letters have been posted in recent days which have given me insight into some Episcopalian's motives and thoughts and helped me better understand the ACN's stance. Here they are:
From Phillip Turner to Stephen Noll.
From Stephen Noll to Phillip Turner.
You can follow more of the "action" at the various Anglican blogs and websites listed in my sidebar.
From Phillip Turner to Stephen Noll.
From Stephen Noll to Phillip Turner.
You can follow more of the "action" at the various Anglican blogs and websites listed in my sidebar.
School planning and a sick mama
Oh, yuck. Sore throat, headachey, tired - that's me. It's been three days now...maybe time to see the doctor? I just hate going in and being told that it is just a virus and I'll have to wait it out. Gee, thanks - not worth my co-pay! :) I've wondered if it could be strep, but two of my kids have had it and bounced back without medication, so I think it probably is a virus. My sweet hubby has worked from home the past couple of days to help take care of the kids so I can rest. He's such a good hubby!
So, when the tylenol has kicked in sufficiently I'm trying make some headway on school plans. Next week is a "Creative Arts Camp" at a local church - all three kids will participate, so I'll be able to get some work done then, too.
School starts for our homeschool on Monday, August 13th!! I'm using the book Latin Centered Learning by Andrew Campbell to shape our education plan. It needs a bit of tweaking to use with our family (more than one child and an older child just starting classical education). Perhaps, you'll be interested to see how I've used Mr. Campbell's ideas. I'll post some of our schedules and resource information.
How is your homeschool planning going? Got links to your own plans or resources? Leave a comment with links!
So, when the tylenol has kicked in sufficiently I'm trying make some headway on school plans. Next week is a "Creative Arts Camp" at a local church - all three kids will participate, so I'll be able to get some work done then, too.
School starts for our homeschool on Monday, August 13th!! I'm using the book Latin Centered Learning by Andrew Campbell to shape our education plan. It needs a bit of tweaking to use with our family (more than one child and an older child just starting classical education). Perhaps, you'll be interested to see how I've used Mr. Campbell's ideas. I'll post some of our schedules and resource information.
How is your homeschool planning going? Got links to your own plans or resources? Leave a comment with links!
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Drum Roll, please...
And the WINNER is.....
Corey at Living and Loving!!! The amazing thing is that she's won two of the other giveaways, too. The Lord really wanted to bless her, I guess! Enjoy the book, Corey!
Go by and tell her congratulations and check out her lovely blog.
Thank you all for entering - I wish I could afford to give away more books. There were so many dear comments. I am going to do my best to come visit each blogger who took the time to comment.
This was so much fun, I'm going to do it again sometime!
Corey at Living and Loving!!! The amazing thing is that she's won two of the other giveaways, too. The Lord really wanted to bless her, I guess! Enjoy the book, Corey!
Go by and tell her congratulations and check out her lovely blog.
Thank you all for entering - I wish I could afford to give away more books. There were so many dear comments. I am going to do my best to come visit each blogger who took the time to comment.
This was so much fun, I'm going to do it again sometime!
Thanks for your participation...
Wow! 130 comments! I'm so glad you all liked the giveaway so much! I'm not sure if the other bloggers have announced their winners...so if they have and I'm late, please forgive. I've been at the CiRCE conference since Thursday. (It was WONDERFUL, by the way - more on that later!)
Since it is Sunday, I'm going to wait and announce the winner tomorrow morning (this being a day of rest and all). I'll post the winner's name and, if she/he is a blogger, a link to their blog. I'll also email the winner (if I have a working email address for the winner). So, check your email and/or this blog to see who has won the Mother Goose book!
Since it is Sunday, I'm going to wait and announce the winner tomorrow morning (this being a day of rest and all). I'll post the winner's name and, if she/he is a blogger, a link to their blog. I'll also email the winner (if I have a working email address for the winner). So, check your email and/or this blog to see who has won the Mother Goose book!
Monday, July 23, 2007
Farce and Future
Going back to my two posts prior to the give away (have you signed up to win yet???), one of the thoughts that has occurred to me is this: If our past church decisions concerning contraception and women's ordination have led us farther and farther away from creedal Christianity, what will our current and future decisions do? Here is a point in case:
After the election of Gene Robinson to bishop (an openly gay man in an non-celibate relationship), ScrappleFace posted this farce. This was a joke. The point was to provoke the question, "What's next?". Well, the farce has now COME TRUE a mere 4 years later.
Hat tip to First Things. They have an excellent article (all their articles are excellent) discussing this at length and the implications for interfaith dialogue. Otherwise, I'm still digesting....
After the election of Gene Robinson to bishop (an openly gay man in an non-celibate relationship), ScrappleFace posted this farce. This was a joke. The point was to provoke the question, "What's next?". Well, the farce has now COME TRUE a mere 4 years later.
Hat tip to First Things. They have an excellent article (all their articles are excellent) discussing this at length and the implications for interfaith dialogue. Otherwise, I'm still digesting....
Give AWAYS? Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer (a fantastic blog, by the way) is hosting a give-away carnival. I love give aways...so how much fun to be one of the people giving away!
In keeping with the theme of my blog, I'm giving away a new copy of The Real Mother Goose, with the old-fashioned illustrations by Blanche Fisher Wright. (She's the illustrator for the Ten O'Clock Scholar picture in my title.) This is the book I grew up with (and many of you did, too, I bet!)
In order to win, all you have to do is submit a comment to this post. In it please include your favorite nursery rhyme (not in it's entirety - just a line will do!). From these commentors, I will randomly choose someone to win on Friday, July 2th, 2007. (The nursery rhyme is not required to win, just thought it would be fun.) Because of shipping costs, I reserve the right to limit winners to those with US addresses.
Thanks for coming by to visit - hope you'll take some time to check out the rest of my young blog!
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Another link along the same lines...
Heather from Stepping Heavenward left a wonderful comment (thanks, Heather) and a shocking quote from GK Chesterton. It is so good that I had to put it into a regular post so that it wouldn't be missed....
"Given an attempt to escape from the nature of things and I can well believe that it might lead at last to something like 'the nursery school for our children staffed by other mothers and single women of expert training.'
I will add nothing to that ghastly picture, beyond speculating pleasantly about the world in which women cannot manage their own children but can manage each other's."
Here is a link to the entire essay. It was written in 1927....and again (why am I so fascinated by this reference? :) ) there is our old friend Malthus. I think I'm going to have to go read some of his writings.
"Given an attempt to escape from the nature of things and I can well believe that it might lead at last to something like 'the nursery school for our children staffed by other mothers and single women of expert training.'
I will add nothing to that ghastly picture, beyond speculating pleasantly about the world in which women cannot manage their own children but can manage each other's."
Here is a link to the entire essay. It was written in 1927....and again (why am I so fascinated by this reference? :) ) there is our old friend Malthus. I think I'm going to have to go read some of his writings.
My mind is kind of whirling around right now.....I need to spend some time distilling this down a bit before I post more or I'm afraid it will be just 'gobbldygook'!
Do you have any thoughts or comments?
Friday, July 20, 2007
She wore a lovely green Malthusian belt....
Birth Control. Whew, that is a subject that can cause some real divisions even among like-minded folks, isn't it? And it is a subject that is frequently on my mind. I've gone from extreme to extreme in my life and I'm trying to find, if not a middle ground, a godly understanding.
Last week, I read a post from a pastor in my own denomination concerning feminism, birth control, women's choice, etc. The subject matter was typical feminist rhetoric, but with the addition of some personal attacks against women to whom she disallows the freedom of chosing their own values. Remarks were also made directly about another pastor in our denomination concerning her fitness for motherhood because she also held values with which the author disagreed. (The article has since been modified to remove some very offensive statements, but the gist of the article is still the same.) In the comments, I found this statement...
"And I have no sympathy for those who would teach that contraception is wrong and that you should just leave the pregnancy up to God - if you do that, there's going to be lots of pregnancies"
Keep in mind that this is from a Christian who is supposed to believe that God is GOOD - and what he gives you is GOOD - and that his will for you is GOOD (Matt 7:11; Luke 11:13). Do you see the contradiction in this statement? Whether or not you believe Christians should be using artifical contraception, let's hope your argument doesn't rest on "if you leave it to God, there will be lots of pregnancies". Geez - you've practially made the argument for your opposition!
Yes, if you leave "it" - "it" being the size of your family - up to God, he very well may BLESS you with a large family...but on the other hand, He may BLESS you with a medium or small family. The point being what He gives us is always GOOD! Why do we trust our own limited "knowledge" and "understanding" when there is a God of perfect wisdom to whom we may turn? If we trust Him, he will lead us through seasons of fruitfullness and seasons of fallowness. Both are needed for a bountiful harvest!
Back to the original article, the woman whose motherhood status was questioned has responded with a godly grace and restraint. She also linked to an interesting Touchstone article on the history of the birth control question in the church.
Ok, the Malthusian belt. I was positively thrilled to see to see this reference in the article. I'm currently reading Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. Huxley uses a reference to Malthus with the contraceptive equipment/fashion statement known as the "Malthusian belt". I had a sneaking suspicion about Malthus' politics, but hadn't looked it up yet. This article provided the impetus. Here's what I found. If you've not read Brave New World - go out and purchase a copy pronto. You'll be ASTOUNDED and saddened by his "prophetic" vision of the future. Well, I was. It is particularly telling that he wrote his book in the early 30s - right around the time discussed in the Touchstone article.
Now, off to pizza, wine and a movie night with hubbie....
Last week, I read a post from a pastor in my own denomination concerning feminism, birth control, women's choice, etc. The subject matter was typical feminist rhetoric, but with the addition of some personal attacks against women to whom she disallows the freedom of chosing their own values. Remarks were also made directly about another pastor in our denomination concerning her fitness for motherhood because she also held values with which the author disagreed. (The article has since been modified to remove some very offensive statements, but the gist of the article is still the same.) In the comments, I found this statement...
"And I have no sympathy for those who would teach that contraception is wrong and that you should just leave the pregnancy up to God - if you do that, there's going to be lots of pregnancies"
Keep in mind that this is from a Christian who is supposed to believe that God is GOOD - and what he gives you is GOOD - and that his will for you is GOOD (Matt 7:11; Luke 11:13). Do you see the contradiction in this statement? Whether or not you believe Christians should be using artifical contraception, let's hope your argument doesn't rest on "if you leave it to God, there will be lots of pregnancies". Geez - you've practially made the argument for your opposition!
Yes, if you leave "it" - "it" being the size of your family - up to God, he very well may BLESS you with a large family...but on the other hand, He may BLESS you with a medium or small family. The point being what He gives us is always GOOD! Why do we trust our own limited "knowledge" and "understanding" when there is a God of perfect wisdom to whom we may turn? If we trust Him, he will lead us through seasons of fruitfullness and seasons of fallowness. Both are needed for a bountiful harvest!
Back to the original article, the woman whose motherhood status was questioned has responded with a godly grace and restraint. She also linked to an interesting Touchstone article on the history of the birth control question in the church.
Ok, the Malthusian belt. I was positively thrilled to see to see this reference in the article. I'm currently reading Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. Huxley uses a reference to Malthus with the contraceptive equipment/fashion statement known as the "Malthusian belt". I had a sneaking suspicion about Malthus' politics, but hadn't looked it up yet. This article provided the impetus. Here's what I found. If you've not read Brave New World - go out and purchase a copy pronto. You'll be ASTOUNDED and saddened by his "prophetic" vision of the future. Well, I was. It is particularly telling that he wrote his book in the early 30s - right around the time discussed in the Touchstone article.
Now, off to pizza, wine and a movie night with hubbie....
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Homeschool Carnival!
This week's Homeschool Carnival is up and full of great articles, ideas, essays, etc. Go by and enjoy!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Our Labra-dudette
Our labra-dudette is Sophia - aka: Sophie, Soapie, Soaps, Dopey. She's a great dog: Just enough smarts to be dangerous, just enough goofiness to keep us always in stitches. She was a rescue "doodle".
The Common Room family shared some recent "then and now" photos of their dog Donovan. Now, Donovan may not be a labradoodle (waiting for comfirmation from The Common Room), but he sure looks exactly like our Sophia! What do you think? Go check out Donovan and compare him to Sophia...
THEN:
The Common Room family shared some recent "then and now" photos of their dog Donovan. Now, Donovan may not be a labradoodle (waiting for comfirmation from The Common Room), but he sure looks exactly like our Sophia! What do you think? Go check out Donovan and compare him to Sophia...
THEN:
Do you pour out your alabaster jar?
Baby Blue just posted an excellent essay about sacrifice, particularly women who serve their husbands and families with little or no earthly "recognition". It was written in response to a very distressing post by an Episcopal clergywoman who ridiculed women who chose the high calling of motherhood and wifehood eschewing the world's version of "fame" and "fortune". (These links are not at all necessary to enjoying the essay.)
The essay on the "Alabaster Jar" is an encourgement and challenge! I hope you'll take the time to read it.
The essay on the "Alabaster Jar" is an encourgement and challenge! I hope you'll take the time to read it.
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