Restart

Every once in a while, here at Musings, I need to start over. I haven't written in so long, it's likely people have forgotten to watch. In this case it's been over two months -- since July 19.

So what do I have to say...

 A lot's happened.

 CYC, my favorite ministry, celebrated it's 100th anniversary! There was a Gala Banquet with alumni, staff, and even a few campers. It was amazing. We all knew the same songs and how to respond to code phrases, chants, etc. It was a celebration of continuity, of ministry, of changed lives. And it was fun!! Very loud, very enjoyable.

On the personal side my son started 10th grade and we are wading into geometry proofs, Tinkercad and writing resumes. Plus, we are reading 2001: A Space Odyssey. 

I've started a new job, as youth leader of a local church, and taken on the position of planning chair for CYC.

Human trafficking continues to be on my brain.

Oh, and I am working an a recipe for S'mores Pie.

I hope to write a few times a week and I am planning an update to the look of the blog.


Hope you'll follow along!

What's new with you?



Blog post #1 for the October 2015 Ultimate Blog Challenge.

In Memoriam, 50 years later.

50 years ago today, the U.S. and the world were reeling with the news of JFK's assassination, an event which cut short a productive and stellar life.

Others died that day. It is one of those, the news of whose death was swallowed up by the President's slaying, whom I want to talk about here.

He captured the imaginations of thousands of children, drawing them into a new world at a time when educators and authors believed children didn't need fantasy.

His fictional narratives for adults drew people in as well, demonstrating spiritual truths in compelling series of stories. Some were set on other planets, one was correspondence between demons.

He also explained in books, in essays, and in radio talks the theology of the Christian faith. He was an apologist par excellence who contended for Christ in every area he was found.

He was a teacher. He was once a soldier. He was a Christian who smoked and drank. He married to give a woman his citizenship and eventually fell in love with her. He met with a group of writers, the best Christian writers of his day, every Thursday morning at a bar. They criticized each other's work, argued, talked, inspired each other. It had been one of those Inklings-- JRR Tolkien -- who led him to Christ.

This author, teacher and apologist did much to build the Kingdom of God. His works still speak for him, challenging people to think theologically, to strive for excellence, to love their neighbors. He still calls people to Christ.

And, so, rest in peace

C.S. Lewis

 

 

you are not forgotten. Narnia, Perelandra and the rest are still beloved. Your books still teach. You were and, I trust, are a true servant of God.

 

 

 

https://www.cslewis.com/us/

 

http://www.cslewisweb.com/

 

http://cslewis.drzeus.net/

Knitter's Devotional: Patience

I am in the midst of writing a knitter's devotional and this is one entry. I would love feedback.

When I read A Tale of Two Cities in high school, my English teacher explained that Dickens portrayed Madame Defarge as a knitter to show that she was patient. She was willing to work and wait for her plans of justice and bloodthirsty plans to come to fruition.

Knitting certainly does take patience. Projects take time and effort to be completed well. Knitting can also help develop patience as we work slowly toward a goal. We learn over time to plan our projects, leaving ample time.

Patience is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit listed in Galatians 5, listed with joy, kindness and the others.  It is also a characteristic of God.  The Bible tells us:

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

 The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, ⁷ maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished... Exodus 34: 6b - 7a

It has been suggested that people not pray for patience because then God will send trials to teach it. I think that it is good to pray for the fruits of the Spirit, including patience. God will teach us in the way that is best for us. 

Patient and loving God, Teach us patience that we may be more like You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Has knitting helped you to learn patience?

Knitter's Devotional: A Consistent Gauge

 

I haven't written an entry for my knitter's devotional in a while, but it's back. I am hoping to form this into a book. Suggestions welcome.

Keeping a consistent gauge is an important part of knitting. Regular, uniformly sized

stitches help us to make a nice-looking product. Clothing will fit better, too. It’s not

always easy to maintain that consistency in our knitting, especially for beginners.

 

It’s also not easy to be even-tempered in our lives. Many of us spend seasons of our lives

on an emotional roller coaster. It is difficult to maintain a calm front, to treat others well,

to think positively when things around us are going wrong. But is important, even when it

is difficult.

 

Rudyard Kipling wrote the poem If to instruct his son on what it is to be a man. The opening verse says:

IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:....

 

 

 

 

In Kipling's estimation, being even-tempered is part of maturity.

 

 

The Bible lists “self-control” as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit and reminds us that a

soft answer turns away wrath. We are called to practice self-restraint and not sin when we

are angry.

Like a consistent gauge in knitting keeps items well-sized and well-shaped, self-control

helps keep our lives balanced and productive. It facilitates healthy relationships, good

parenting and a positive reputation.

 

May God help us all to keep a consistent gauge in our lives.

Mermaids and Babies

I run a creative writing club for homeschool kids and right now they are working on a set of shared world stories. My son decided to populate an underwater kingdom with good and evil mermaids.

He began with an illustration, drawing mermaids in traditional form with their chests  obsured by  long hair and their lower private parts replaced by tails.

This lead to an interesting question: How do mermaids reproduce?

My son pointed out that there are mermen but didn't think that really was a complete explanation, because of the tails. We discussed fish reproduction but didn't find that a satisfactory answer either. Merpeople have too many human characteristics.

So after debate and discussion, we concluded that these amazing legendary creatures reproduce by:

IMAGINATION.

If you have a better answer, please let me know. 

Have a blessed day!

Who's Going to See This?

This morning my teabag tag read "Never write a wrong."

It put me in mind of a historical incident my son and I read about. In John Adams David McCullough describes a private letter written by Mr. Adams during the second continental congress. In it he described John Dickinson, the respected leader of those opposed to separation from England, in an uncomplimentary light and referred to him as a "piddling genius." The letter was intercepted by Tories and widely published, causing great harm to Adams' reputation and social life.

Even if such things do stay private, it would probably be best never to have written them, to be more charitable. (Of course, speaking out intentionally in public about a systemic injustice such as slavery or a dangerous activity like texting while driving is something else.) But it adds a whole new level when we are "caught."

It has become almost cliche to say that what you post will be around forever and might be seen by anyone, but a lot of people still ignore this fact, despite embarassing accidents. I have seen a lot of things, in a number of formats, online and otherwise that make me wonder if the person might end up regretting saying such a thing. Maybe I have been more careless than I should have been at times, too.

Beyond embarrasment, there are bosses, volunteer leaders and others who check Facebook, MySpace and Google before making staffing decisions. What we post can affect our lives in more ways than one.

<sup>And I think these verses apply to what we write as well as to what we say:


James 3:3-11
3</sup> When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. ⁴ Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.⁵ Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶ The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

 ⁷ All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, ⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
 ⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. ¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ¹² My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.




What are your thoughts?

My Son is Starting a Blog

My eleven year old boy has decided to write a blog.


He saw mine and liked my fish gadget. Then he heard that you can make money writing a blog and decided he wanted to try it. (Please, no one tell him how little it is. He needs to practice his writing.) He's going to start tomorrow.


Jordan has decided his first post will be a book review. I won't tell you what book it is, but he was quite surprised to learn that many kids today would not know to be interested in it. He has decided to let them know that it is a really great book. Read his blog to find out why. In future posts he plans to talk about his life as a homeschooler, his photography and more books, DVDs and CDs. He's discovered that sometimes you can use quotes or invite guests to write on your blog, so he'll be doing some of that, too.


I am excited about this new venture of Jordan's. I hope he sticks with it for a while. Besides being good writing practice, it will give him a new creative outlet and a chance to interact with more people in a different way. It should be a marvelous learning experience.


Jordan is too young to have a Facebook page, but I'll post his blog on mine and also post links to it here. If anyone is willing to encourage a little boy in a new project, we'd both be grateful.



Have a wonderful day!