Song for Sunday: Come Ye Thankful People Come

This week's Song for Sunday is a hymn that takes as back to the original meaning of Thanksgiving, back to before the pilgrims, to the idea of giving thanks for the harvest. In England, they called it "Harvest Home." It was a civic, not a religious holiday, though many took the time to acknowledge God as provider.

We tend to focus on the pilgrim's and think of theirs as the "first" thanksgiving, but many cultures have harvest celebrations. It's even in the Bible. Our American holiday has become a reminder of  our shameful historical and current treatment of Native  Americans who, like all of us, deserve justice, consideration, and respect. And perhaps it should be. There is work to be done there.

But that also shouldn't take away from thanking and acknowledging God. Or simply being grateful that we have enough.

Let us remember.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving. 

Earth Day and Science

Today is Earth Day. 


There is also a march for science happening, as people feel that science is being threatened by the current government. Along with the big march in Washington, there have been marches in cities all over the country. People are pointing out how science as helped us and how badly needed it is. 

One quote going around is: 

“The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.”

                                                                          ~Neil deGrasse Tyson

My personal response to that is this statement, that I posted on Facebook:

Science helps us explore the universe and our own back yards. It gives us a systematic way to observe and test what's around us. Science really isn't true or false, it helps us discover what is true or false about the physical world. It is highly important that we have people well educated in scientific method and aware of what has been learned and discovered in the past. Science and science education need to be supported. 

Science isn't something to be "believed in." It's a process (or a set of processes) which help us to learn many things. It has it's limits. It changes over time.

Put it in the context of Earth Day. Climate change is a big issue. It would be hard to say based on scientific evidence that global warming isn't real. It would also be difficult to argue that it isn't human driven. But scientists don't claim to have found out everything about this phenomenon. They are still studying, seeking causes and remedies, refining theories. Views on the specifics change all the time and vary from scientist to scientist. Also, no scientists studies all aspects of it. Some study the greenhouse effect, others melting glaciers, others the connection to increased severe weather events.

Here's another thing. Science doesn't tell us how to behave. Scientific discoveries can show us what the consequences of certain actions will be, but it doesn't offer moral evaluation. It's not meant to do that.

Science also isn't either good evil. It is how it is used that determines that. Remember scientists  have brought us both the cure for polio and the atomic bomb. Healing and destruction.

Personally, I believe that God gave us the inquiring and curious minds that have lead to the development of science. His Word can also give guidance in how to use it, to build the Kingdom of God rather than tear people down. 

Judeo- Christian culture historically supported science and allowed it to flourish. Check out more on that here: Are Christianity and Science Compatible?  There have been many clashes between science and the church, but really theology and science, if each is rightly understood can be complementary. 

One final response to Mr. Tyson's statement: 

God is real and alive and good, whether you believe in him or not. 

And that doesn't change the fact that science is important.

Meme-ic Monday: The Library

It has been said -- I found it quoted in several places -- that the public library is the poor man's university. Perhaps it should be poor person's university. 

You can learn about literally anything at a good public library, and most libraries can borrow from other libraries, even university libraries, if they don't have information on what you are looking for themselves. 

Many libraries provide free internet access as well, opening a plethora of online courses and resources about just about anything. 

Libraries even offer classes themselves. J and I have learned how to write resumes and do well on job interviews, we've supplemented our geography and history knowledge at engaging lectures, met interesting people at reenactments, and tasted new foods at cooking demonstrations. J has also learned how to program 3D printables in tinkercad, how to solder, and how to code computer games. On top of learning how to find books and do basic research. All for free. All at local public libraries. 

And that's just a sample. 

Libraries aren't free of course. Our taxes pay for them. Which makes it all the better to use them well to support lifelong learning. 

They aren't quite free, but they are a blessing and a help. I thank God for them. 

So I encourage you to get to the library, support your library, enjoy your library.  It's yours, after all.

I mean, that's Albert Einstein up there in that meme. He was a smart dude. And he went to the library. 

I dedicate this post to the memory of my sister Pam, a dedicated library director, who passed away a few months ago. Her town was better for her educational leadership. We were all better for knowing her. Love you, Pam!

Meme-ic Monday: Memorial Day

I don’t know much about my Grand-Uncle Russell. He died in WWII long before I was born.

I do know that he was adopted, meaning that he joined my great-grandparents’ family. There were no formal or legal proceedings, because that wasn’t the way things were done then. Not all the time, anyway.

I know what he looked like as I have a picture of his army unit, each head shot displayed separately and labeled with a name.

I know that after he died he was laid out in my great-grandparent’s living room. Decades later I would play and visit in that room. I know that his birth parents attended his wake and funeral.

I know that it was in his honor that the Gold Star hung in the house.

I don’t know much about my Grand-Uncle Russell, but I do know that he died in war and so we honor him on Memorial Day. I also know the truth of this meme:

and this one:

On Memorial Day and always, let us honor the Fallen.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

On Mondays, I will be posting and responding to memes, one each week. They will be ones that grab my attention, perhaps either resonate with me or annoy me. If you see a meme you would like me to react to, let me know.

Song for Sunday: America the Beautiful

A classic hymn, imbedded with prayers for the US, this song is perfect for the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. In fact, we sang it in church today. 

Most schoolchildren in the US can sing the first verse, but it was the other verses that struck me today. I especially noted the first two lines of verse three: "Oh, beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife, Who more than self their country loved, And mercy more than life!" A fitting reminder of the servicemen and women who paid the supreme sacrifice. I also love that this song acknowledges that America isn't perfect, and reminds us we are under a higher power. 

1. 1. Oh, beautiful for spacious skies,
   For amber waves of grain,
   For purple mountain majesties
   Above the fruited plain!
   America! America!
   God shed his grace on thee,
   And crown thy good with brotherhood
   From sea to shining sea.
2. 2. Oh, beautiful for pilgrim feet,
   Whose stern, impassioned stress
   A thoroughfare of freedom beat
   Across the wilderness!
   America! America!
   God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
   Confirm thy soul in self-control,
   Thy liberty in law.
3. 3. Oh, beautiful for heroes proved
   In liberating strife,
   Who more than self their country loved,
   And mercy more than life!
   America! America!
   May God thy gold refine,
   Till all success be nobleness,
   And ev'ry gain divine.
4. 4. Oh, beautiful for patriot dream
   That sees beyond the years
   Thine alabaster cities gleam,
   Undimmed by human tears!
   America! America!
   God shed his grace on thee,
   And crown thy good with brotherhood
   From sea to shining sea.
5. Text: Katherine Lee Bates, 1859-1929
   Music: Samuel A. Ward, 1848-1903
6. Public Domain.
7. Here's a link to a version by the Hillsdale College Choir.
8. 
   
9. 
   
10. On this Memorial Day, however you celebrate it, honor the fallen.

Our Christmas Tree

This year, we won our Christmas tree!

A local lot had a contest. They hid two coupons around town and then posted two semi-cryptic photos of the locations. J and I looked right away and recognized the locations. We were about a quarter mile from one, so Jordan ran for it while I followed in the car. By the time I got there, he'd found the coupon and was being greeted by an elf.

That weekend, we picked out a tree from the lot and it was delivered and set up by the friendly elf!

So much fun! And we were very thankful for a free Christmas tree, too.

                                                

 

Merry Christmas!!!

Song for Sunday: Beauty for Brokenness

I have used this prayer for shalom or wholeness as a Song for Sunday before, but we sang it in church today and it grabbed my attention. God has been challenging me to remember, even identify with, the poor. This time around it is these lyrics that caught me:

Shelter for fragile lives 

Cures for their ills 

Work for the craftsman

Trade for their skills 

Land for the dispossessed

Rights for the weakVoices to plead the cause

Of those who can't speak

                                                 Graham Kendrick
                                                 Copyright © 1993 Make Way Music,
                                                www.grahamkendrick.co.uk

                                                          Graham Kendrick, author,  talking about this song. 


And a link to the song itself: 

What has God been calling your attention to lately?

How are you called to help the poor?

CYC (Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park) is a two week leadership development program for high school students. It meets August 2-15, 2015 on the beautiful southern coast of Maine and is open to all teens ages 14 and up who have completed at least eighth grade. Check it out!

Surprised by Gratitude (While Cleaning)

I am spring cleaning. Yes, I am weeks late. That's just how I roll.

In the process, I became very grateful for the tilt-in windows that make this possible. So much easier than the old style windows.

Then, I became grateful that I have windows at all. Windows that let in light. That allow air to enter when open, that protect from the elements when closed. Millions of people around the world either live in dark, windowless spaces or have uncovered openings in their walls.

I realized how thankful I am that I can spare water to mix with vinegar to wash my windows. In some places, water is too precious for that. Every drop is needed for drinking.

Even the fact that I have lesiure for spring cleaning is cause for gratitude. For many procuring water, and growing, gathering and preparing food are tasks that overwhelm their time. The basic tasks of survival make cleaning house a luxury.

I have so much. And I hardly ever realize it. It is sin to be so profligate and so unmindful of my blessings as I live my daily life.

That has been my reflection as I washed my windows. God grant I do not forget it.


What are you grateful for today?

(Belated) Song for Sunday: The Battle Hymn of the Republic

For Memorial Day, in honor of all the men and women who have died in the service of our country, a link to this powerful hymn, sung by the US Army Chorus.

Happy Memorial Day!!

Good Friday

 This ancient hymn, combined with images of Christ journey from trial to tomb, make a proper mediation for today's holy commemoration. May your day be blessed and may you remember the One who died for you.

 

 

 

O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown;
O sacred Head, what glory, what bliss till now was Thine!
Yet, though despised and gory, I joy to call Thee mine.
What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered, was all for sinners’ gain;
Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior! ’Tis I deserve Thy place;
Look on me with Thy favor, vouchsafe to me Thy grace.
Men mock and taunt and jeer Thee, Thou noble countenance,
Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee and flee before Thy glance.

How art thou pale with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!
How doth Thy visage languish that once was bright as morn!
Now from Thy cheeks has vanished their color once so fair;
From Thy red lips is banished the splendor that was there.
Grim death, with cruel rigor, hath robbed Thee of Thy life;
Thus Thou hast lost Thy vigor, Thy strength in this sad strife.
My burden in Thy Passion, Lord, Thou hast borne for me,
For it was my transgression which brought this woe on Thee.
I cast me down before Thee, wrath were my rightful lot;
Have mercy, I implore Thee; Redeemer, spurn me not!
What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest friend,
For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever, and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to Thee.
My Shepherd, now receive me; my Guardian, own me Thine.
Great blessings Thou didst give me, O source of gifts divine.
Thy lips have often fed me with words of truth and love;
Thy Spirit oft hath led me to heavenly joys above.
Here I will stand beside Thee, from Thee I will not part;
O Savior, do not chide me! When breaks Thy loving heart,
When soul and body languish in death’s cold, cruel grasp,
Then, in Thy deepest anguish, Thee in mine arms I’ll clasp.
The joy can never be spoken, above all joys beside,
When in Thy body broken I thus with safety hide.
O Lord of Life, desiring Thy glory now to see,
Beside Thy cross expiring, I’d breathe my soul to Thee.
My Savior, be Thou near me when death is at my door;
Then let Thy presence cheer me, forsake me nevermore!
When soul and body languish, oh, leave me not alone,
But take away mine anguish by virtue of Thine own!
Be Thou my consolation, my shield when I must die;
Remind me of Thy passion when my last hour draws nigh.
Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, upon Thy cross shall dwell,
My heart by faith enfolds Thee. Who dieth thus dies well

Christian Poetry by Bernard of Clairvaus
Translation by James Waddell Alexander
Public Domain

My third post for the April 2015 Ultimate Blog Challenge.

 

Song for Thanksgiving: We Gather Together

"We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing..."

The Thanksgiving hymns are some of my very favorites, and this one tops the list.

Enjoy it and Happy Thanksgiving!!

Song for Sunday: For the Fruit of All Creation

We sang this song in church this morning and two parts grabbed my attention.

In our worldwide task of caring
for the hungry and despairing,
in the harvests we are sharing,
God's will is done.

and

For the wonders that astound us,
for the truths that still confound us,
most of all that love has found us,
thanks be to God.

The first, I suppose, is because of the spotlight those words shine on missions and justice ministry.  We are called to serve our neighbors, wherever they may be. 

 The second, because I have been reading An Acceptable Time by Madeleine L'engle and that story emphasizes the mysterious nature of God. We really can't understand God fully. We must, for now, except some darkness in our comprehension of Him.

It is also a beautiful hymn, written in 1970 by Fred Pratt Green and using the tune of the Welsh folk song, 

Ar hyd y nos. I hope you enjoy "For the Fruit of All Creation."

Clean Sheets for the New Year

I follow this tradition and I know several others who do.

We strip our beds on New Year's Eve and then put on clean sheets to wake up in on New Year's morning.

I suppose it is symbolic of a new start, a fresh beginning. New year is traditionally the time to reflect on what has gone well and what needs to change. It's a bit out of sync in some ways as nothing new seems to start in January.

For Christians, the liturgical new year is the first Sunday in advent, at the end of November or the beginning of December. That year begins with anticipating the birth of Christ and works its way through His life and on to the life of the Church.

Most academic and church program years begin in September in my area, August in other parts of the U.S.

Still, we tend to see this night as an emotional and spiritual turning point. We make resolutions, set goals or simply reflect on our lives. At my house, one thing we will do is open our gratitude jar and read about the good things that have happened to us. We'll play games, listen to music and toast the New Year at midnight. Hopefully, we'll remember to take a moment to thank God for his blessings and seek his guidance.

And, we'll change our sheets. Because that's what we do.


How about you? What are your traditions?



Blessings for 2014.......and

!!Happy New Year!! 

Food for 10,000

First off, Jordan suffered no ill effects from eating raw vegetables last night. :)

Our host is the President of the Pwo Karen Baptist Seminary. His seminary hosted 10,000 people for the Judson BiCentenary finding them beds, setting up temporary latrines and keeping things orderly and moving. The seminary students (16-20 year olds) plus youth from the villages perforned "Stewardship." In teams, they set-up, cleaned and served food.

The seminary also  cooked for all those guests plus 500 extra. Before the program started, we had a tour of the big outdoor kitchen they were using:

                                       

  

They had many cooks preparing vegetables and meats with garlic and a numer of other spices.  Rice was cooked in a separate outdoor kitchen. 

The wood for the fires was from some buildings that had recently been torn down.

Twice each day the peope  were served "meat ball" (curried meat with a serving of rice) in styrofoam lunchboxes which the youth laid out on several rows of long tables at three or four stations around campus. They could pick up breakfast between 9:30 and 11:30 and dinner between 4:00 and 6:00.

So how was the food? Well, I don't know how that food was because our group didn't eat it. Before the sessions started our host sat down with us and explained that he was afraid the food might not be good for foreigners' stomachs and he wanted to provide us with separate food that would be very clean. So all through the celebrations we ate meals like this one. 

And they were good. 

It was a real blessing, too, as otherwise we would have had to spend time and money at safe restautants. We are very grateful!!

What food advenures have you had?

Gratitude over Greed

   I went to a chain department store recently and saw this notice:

Massachuesetts Law requires that we close on Thanksgiving Day.

Therefore, we will open at 1:00AM on Nov. 29. Neighboring

stores (excluding Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island)

will be open at 8 PM on the 28^th.

I have also been seeing posts on Facebook from people stating that they will not be shopping on Thanksgiving Day. I copied one of those posts.

Thanksgiving is the one major holiday that we can all really share. Whatever our religion* we can all give thanks -- and even atheists can give thanks to family and friends. People from other countries who are working, studying or visiting can gather for Thanksgiving and participate freely with the full meaning. Alternate diets can be got around so everyone can be part of things. Thanksgiving has traditionally been a day for family to enjoy a meal, a football game, a long discussion, a time of serving the poor  or whatever their particular tradition, together. I hate to see retail work get in the way of that.

I know that some people will always have to work on Thanksgiving. I also know that many “critical” workplaces try to arrange shifts so that everyone can be home at either noon or in the early evening. I know of families who accommodate difficult work schedules for members who work in hospitals, public safety institutions, etc.

I am grateful to those who work in restaurants so that some families –like mine this year—can have their dinner out. I am hopeful that they work their shifts so everyone can be at home part of the day.

I am very glad to live in a state that requires stores to close on Thanksgiving.

I would like to call for people to respect Thanksgiving. To give us at least this one day when we can have a common day off to spend time with our families and loved ones, to worship if we will, to rest and to be grateful.

I would ask people not to shop before 9:00 AM on “Black Friday.” 1:00 AM openings mean that people have to sleep through the late afternoon and evening.

I would ask store owners and managers to keep their stores closed until 9:00 AM on black Friday.

I would encourage retail employees to organize and ask for the day off. It has to be a large group effort to protect people’s jobs.

Let's put gratitude ahead of getting a bargain or making a buck. Let's have a holiday together. Keep the stores closed.

Your thoughts?

*Except Jehovah's witnesses, who only celebrate one holiday and not this one. 

Song for Sunday: The Caissons Go Rolling Along

Veteran's Day is tomorrow. 

My father served in the army. He was a Vietnam era vet, though he never saw action. I was born on the army base at Ft. Leonard Woods, MO. So the army is the military branch I connect to most easily. But I post this Song for Sunda, which has been in my head this week, in honor of all U.S. veteran's of every branch. May God richly bless you all!!

The Caissons Go Rolling Along

(The Army's Official Song)

Over hill, over dale
As we hit the dusty trail,
And the Caissons go rolling along.
In and out, hear them shout,
Counter march and right about,
And the Caissons go rolling along.

Then it's hi! hi! hee!
In the field artillery,
Shout out your numbers loud and strong,
For where'er you go,
You will always know
That the Caissons go rolling along. 

In the storm, in the night,
Action left or action right
See those Caissons go rolling along
Limber front, limber rear,
Prepare to mount your cannoneer
And those Caissons go rolling along.

Then it's hi! hi! hee!
In the field artillery,
Shout out your numbers loud and strong,
For where'er you go,
You will always know
That the Caissons go rolling along. 

Was it high, was it low,
Where the heck did that one go?
As those Caissons go rolling along
Was it left, was it right,
Now we won't get home tonight
And those Caissons go rolling along.

Then it's hi! hi! hee!
In the field artillery,
Shout out your numbers loud and strong,
For where'er you go,
You will always know
That the Caissons go rolling along.
That the Caissons go rolling along.
That the Caissons go rolling along.

                   ~Brigadier General E. L. Gruber
         (I guess it is now "The Army Goes Rolling Along" , but this is what it was when my father
           served.)

Thank You, Veterans!!!

Anniversary

Today's my wedding anniversary. I have been married 19 years.

Going with one of the main themes of blog the last few weeks, I will mention that I am in an intercultural marriage. I am an American of European extraction. My husband is English. We met at church while I was teaching at an international school in London.

Most people wouldn't really think of us as being a multicultural family, I suppose. I remember attending a lecture in London on teaching third culture kids. The speaker told us that families usually figured that England would be an easy transition from the U.S., but it never was. Parents and kids still need to get used to a new school system, a new medical system, a new bed, and, yes, a new language.

Seriously, if you compliment an English woman on her "pants" she'll take offense. "Pants" in England are men's underwear. Then there are zebra crossings, smart clothes, flats. A "store" is a closet; you go to a shop. Tea isn't just for drinking, it's also the evening meal.

Oh, and if a six year old asks you for a rubber it's fine. They just want to erase a mistake.  Etc, etc, etc.

English and Americans think about money differently. English people will wait longer in line without getting impatient. Different sports (how does cricket go again?) different ways to look at holidays (is Valentine's Day for kids or isn't it?). The differences go on and on.

So, I will say I am in an intercultural marriage. And I love it.




 

Trees

135 years ago, J Sterling Morton came up with the idea of setting aside a day to plant trees.

National Arbor Day is the last Friday in April -- today. For a while, having not heard of it since elementary school, I thought it had "morphed" into Earth Day but it's still around.


Trees are beautiful, useful, a wonderful part of the created order. Appreciate them! Hug one if you want. Plant one if you can.


Did you learn Joyce Kilmer's poem in school? It seems perfect for today:

Trees

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree. 

 

We are going to read this outside at a picnic lunch and then plant a bed of wildflowers. We'll rub our hands over the bark of our backyard trees and offer a prayer of thanks to God that trees are part of our landscape.

 

How will you commemorate Arbor Day?

Water

Water.

Just think about it. We all need it, we all use it.


Today is World Water Day.

If you have constant access to safe, clean water, take a few moments to celebrate and give thanks for that fact.

Then, say a prayer for those don't.

There are still families around the world who have no access to clean water at all. Many children still die because of this.

For millions of others, clean water is hard work -- carrying, boiling, filtering.

The technology exists to help. Limited resources, political instability, and war are just a few of the barriers that stop relief organizations from helping. In some places, education about the need for clean water is still desperately needed.

For more information, check this out:

http://view.newsletter.worldvision.org/?j=fe561777726701787311&m=fed016707262047d&ls=fe0a12727566067d70157274&l=fe9315797760057873&s=fe6c16717664057c7210&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe1c177274610c74721379&r=0


So, enjoy water today. Use it with thought and care. It's good for you (if it's clean.)

Your thoughts on water?

Remembering Mom

My mother was the most self-less person I ever met.

Two years ago today we lost her to cancer.

Before that, she spent 15 years as a devoted fulltime caregiver. In that time, she cared for my grandfather during his battle with emphysema, for my father while he battled ALS and for my grandmother who was bedridden for 10 years.

Much of the time she was "on duty" 24/7 with an aide only two hours a few times a week. She never took more than a two day break and that no more than twice in a year.

She dealt with bedbaths, commodes, medications, equipment, doctors, nurses and hospice workers. She managed it all with grace.

Less than two years after my grandmother died, my mother got her own diagnosis: ovarian cancer. She was gone a few months later.

I miss her. I'm sure she has a few jewels in her heavenly crown.

Who are you missing?