Morning all. Just got back from watching The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Such fun to see a good movie. Probably my one movie for the year.
Now that I have claimed first, I can take my time to tell you all that I have wanted to tell you.
1. As you know my Aunt Virginia, (all my friends call her that. All three words- My Aunt Virginia) has lung cancer. Back in the Spring when she was diagnosed, she told the doctor she was 79 years old and was not going to be miserable for the rest of her life and to make her comfortable. They decided to treat her with immunotherapy, which was working well enough. The cancer stopped responding to the treatment and she has been put on hospice. My understanding is that hospice is less than 6 months. I am not ready to let her go. She, on the other hand, has different ideas.
She has been going to the senior center for about 10 years to play card, dominoes, and Scrabble (she is impossible to beat at Scrabble). She has a group of ladies that have become close friends, so never one to miss a trip she and the ladies have planned a cruise. My father used to say that “Virgie Mae would ride a fence post wrapped in barbed wire to go someplace”. He also said I took after her. 😉
As many of you know, my childhood was not the happiest and there were some things I resented as an adult. Most of my aunts have beach houses and had to pass my parents house on the way to the beach. None of them ever stopped to take me and give me an escape. I am over it now.
I have also rewritten history. I remember as a small child being in the bathtub with M.A.V. I can still remember the mole on her back. This was an occasion as my mother was terrified I would drown in the bathtub. M.A.V. remarried and moved to Miami when I was a small child. She moved home after her husband died, to care for my grandparents. She spent about 10 years doing that. I have convinced myself that had she not moved to Miami things would have been different. She would have “rescued” me. Who knows if it would have been that way, but I like to think it would have. I do know that after she moved back home in 1998ish she and my father became “best friends” as well as brother and sister. She mourned his death almost as much as I did. So, while I am not ready to let her go, SHE is ready. I hope she has a wonderful cruise and somehow, if her time comes while she is on the ship, it might be just the way she would want it.
Our last day. It’s been extraordinary. Great place to stay across the street to the archives, wonderful helpful people, home cooked meal with terrific conversation and stories 8 evenings and six free washers and dryers down a short flight of stairs in the basement.
We even got fall colors and visits with other unmet friends.
I told my husband I thought I’d just stay here.
He said I had to come home.
Together, Catherine and I spent about 150 hours scanning documents and photos.
We’ll hand over an auxiliary hard drive to OMS this afternoon, backed up on my computer and onto a flash drive, and fly home tomorrow.
My heart and brain are stuffed, but it’s almost time to remember who I really and am what I do.
I’m so thankful most of the blog posts, both newsletters and my Christmas letter are pretty much written.
It is impossible for the seeds of depression to take root in a thankful heart – Andy Andrews.
So, as many of you also know, I have had my bouts with depression. October 7th I started taking a class offered once a week through my company. An instructor flies in from Atlanta and we spend 8:30-3:30 every Monday for 8 weeks. BOLD – Business Opportunity Life by Design. We are given a journal and part of the requirement is to write in it EVERY SINGLE DAY. I have told you before that I have “trust issues” and don’t want to put my thoughts on paper where someone may read them (yes, it does go back to my mother and yes I do write out a whole log on this blog, so don’t laugh and roll your eyes).
Part of the journalling is to write about gratitude. This past week the assignment has been to write out gratitude about 5 people in your life EACH DAY!!!!
I have also started a morning meditation. I am working on forgiveness. Forgiveness of myself and others.
The Summer and Fall this year have been a growing experience…Who knew at 5’4: and a few or more decades old I would experience a growth spurt. 🙂
So today, I want you each to know how grateful I am for you and the influence you have had in my life.
I must go. Little Miss spent the night last night and I can hear her in the kitchen asking Papa where MiMi is.
That “Nina’s Birthday Party” is an amazing clip.
How did they get those animals to do that in front of a camera?
“Nana” is the name Becky gave to Elvera. Now all the grandchildren, even in their forties, call Elvera “Nana”. That is her name to them. I have a name too, they call me “Da”. This is the first time I told anyone else. The reason is that I could have fallen for a scam, except that the scammer called me “Grandpa” when he should have said “Da”.
It wouldn’t work today because I have them on my “find friends” in my phone.
It’s impossible to describe how difficult it is to deal with someone as busy as she is when there is nothing she can do.
Presently, she is sitting here with the remote to the TV in the other room.
She has already disconnected her adjustable chair.
I am taking her to the Adult Center at 9:30, but she wanted to get ready ahead of time.
So” We are waiting. She has settled down for a few minutes now.
Jo, I enjoyed the film so much that I had to get the book to read.
I am concerned. My schedule is still heavy, and my asthma is getting bad (I had an asthma attack at work yesterday). I have two 12 hour shifts coming up, in which I will be the only one working in the clinic. There are so many clients to be seen that they are booking through breaks. Because of my medication and other health issues, my blood sugar drops when I do not eat regularly, which makes me feel weak and unable to think clearly. I have pushed through other days of no breaks, but with my asthma getting bad, it increases the risk, not just to myself, but also to the clients.
Morning! We have had no internet and I can only get it on my phone this morning. I detest typing on my phone…fat fingers!?!? So Happy Birthday Dj!!! I am singing “I’m late I’m late for a very important date”!!!! We love you friend and are incredibly blessed to have you in our lives!!!!
Phos! I don’t see how the situation you described about being the only professional available on a 12 hour healthcare shift.
I got her to the Adult Center. They have a program that will keep her busy for abort four hours. She is always, always, glad to see me in the afternoon.
She was so restless that I put her in the car and we drove about for about ten minutes. She once asked if I knew where I was going.
I always know where I am going. Sometimes I don’t know how to get there.
Chas, we also question the legality of it and I have had many clients who come remark that it is not safe for one person to be there alone. It is not, and we know it, but what can we do? Quit? Community nursing in general is not really that safe. One never knows what will happen when one enters a client’s home. The irony is, that they send all the ones considered unsafe to be visited in home, to the clinic.
So I just received a pleasant surprise from the moderators at Facebook. About a week ago there was an ad up from some group called ElectDemocrats. It was so obviously biased, false, and completely misleading. So for the first time ever, I hit the report this content button, explained why it was false, provided some links showing it clearly was, and sent it.
So surprise, surprise…. today I get a notification that they reviewed my complaint, that they agreed, and that the clearly “fake news” ad had been removed by Facebook for violating their new ad standards about deceptive ads.
It was, by the way, entering a client’s home, which caused this flare up of asthma. I do not generally make house calls, but I have to do my share of being on call, which means responding to calls made after scheduled working hours. I was called out in the evening to make a call, and there were pets and a heavy smell of smoke where I went. I got my first asthma attack a few hours later, when I was trying to sleep – it is hard to sleep, even when exhausted, when one is expecting the phone to ring at any moment.
Good morning and thank you all again for the BD wishes — and for that charming Nana’s Birthday video 🙂 How sweet. I love to watch border collies (and other cute animals) having fun. As I recall, maybe?, both my dogs’ birthdays are in November also — Tess’ BD we have for sure as she came from the people who originally bred her as part of a BC collection that simply got too big for them to handle; Cowboy’s is a made-up BD. I’ve never done animal birthday observances here, but maybe this year I’ll get them at least some special treats.
This morning Annie Oakley was sniffing Cowboy’s neck and head as he lay sleeping on the dog bed in the living room, Then she rubbed her face up against him, she likes him because he’s so safe and gentle.
Tess, on the other hand, came up to us the other night — Annie was sitting on my lap on the sofa, something she’s just recently started doing — and Tess gave her that honest-to-goodness scary border collie stare ‘eye,’ the one they use to control sheep. Annie freaked and went flying off my lap. So from Tess’ standpoint, it all worked well. She makes use of her generations-perfected, no-contact control of all her housemates.
I’m busy today with a couple stories to write and then am picking up a friend from church at 6:15 so we can attend the church-and-state conference at our church this evening. I’ve told Carol, meanwhile, the we’re still on for me to visit her tomorrow although everything in me wants to not drive an hour each way for the visit this week since I’ll be pretty beat by tomorrow. I’d like to figure out a way to go up there in the morning so I can have better management of the rest of my day (otherwise, going in early afternoon — when I have to wait until her lunch hour is over — chops of the day as the entire venture with visiting and drive times will take about 4 hours). But I doubt I’ll be getting up early enough to get there in time for a decent enough visit before her lunch hour at 11:30. But I may really give it a try, though i think tonight will be a late night. I’d love to get the clear coat on that 2nd gate tomorrow if I can.
I saw this on Twitter today. It reminded me of some of our discussions about worship: The art of worship has been lost and in its place has come the strange and foreign thing called ‘program’. AW Tozer
And Boice noted that the Tozer quote was made many years ago (even then when Boice was writing). Even the term “program” comes from stage language. Worship has become “common, cheap, trivial.”
Program is derived from the Ancient Greek programma and signified a written proclamation, derived from the verb prographo, meaning to write publicly. The verb prographo is used several times in the New Testament, such as in Galatians 3:1: “You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed (prographo) as crucified?”
Agree or disagree with the overall point, the current usage of ‘program’ as it more commonly now relates to “shows” is what was meant in the link above, based on the context.
Program now more commonly relates to technology, where the use of the terms ‘program’, ‘programming’, and ‘programmer’ is ubiquitous. The use of program in the theatre is derived from the fact that theatre companies would produce posters, called programs, proclaiming their upcoming performance, so association of ‘program’ with theatre was only ever a derivative from the original meaning of program, which is a public proclamation.
To me, “program” in the quote refers to the fact that many churches have a set amount of singing, announcements and preaching such that the meetings last an hour, not one minute longer, or people get upset. That means that if God were to move in ad cause revival, some people would be forced to stick around and miss the football game or whatever takes up the Sunday afternoon.
The point, was , was it not, that ‘program’ was a signal of a disintegrating church because ‘program’ was supposed to be derived from the theatre? The point was inaccurate, so perhaps the assessment that worship has become ‘common, cheap, and trivial’ is also inaccurate. To quote C.S. Lewis on the importance of the Church: “when I first became a Christian, about fourteen years ago, I thought that I could do it on my own, by retiring to my rooms and reading theology, and I wouldn’t go to the churches and Gospel Halls… I disliked very much their hymns, which I considered to be fifth-rate poems set to sixth-rate music. But as I went on I saw the great merit of it. I came up against different people of quite different outlooks and different education, and then gradually my conceit just began peeling off. I realized that the hymns (which were just sixth-rate music) were, nevertheless, being sung with devotion and benefit by an old saint in elastic-side boots in the opposite pew, and then you realize that you aren’t fit to clean those boots. It gets you out of your solitary conceit. It is not for me to lay down laws, as I am only a layman, and I don’t know much.” As Paul said in his letter to the Romans (12:16), “Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”
As for Tozer, his teaching has always seemed to me to be like what Jesus said of the Pharisees, binding heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, but not moving them with one of his fingers. From Challies’ review of a biography of Tozer, it sounds as if he lived as he wrote:
‘Biographer Lyle Dorsett has written a study of the man that deals as honestly with his faults as with the areas that are laudable. And in this case the faults are almost shocking.
‘Tozer was a man who loved Scripture and loved nothing more than preaching its truths to all who would listen. “A.W. Tozer heralded biblical truth. He loved the Bible and unflinchingly preached what he believed people needed to hear, regardless of what they wanted.” Yet he was a man who neglected the mission field in his home. “On and off over the years, Aiden exercised his role as head of the family by encouraging times of family devotions. These never lasted more than a few weeks. As one son explained, the children just did not want it and they were seldom all together for extended periods in any case.”
‘Tozer was a man who dedicated himself to reading, study and prayer and who delighted to be in the presence of God. “There is no way to measure the hours he spent in a typical day or week reading books and wrestling with ideas, but it was substantial. In a similar vein, we know that he increasingly devoted many hours each week praying, meditating on Scripture, and seeking deeper intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ. During the 1930s Tozer read voraciously, and he also developed a magnificent obsession to be in Christ’s presence–just to worship Him and to be with Him.” Yet he was a man who was emotionally and spiritually distant from his own wife. “By early 1928 the Tozers had a routine. Aiden found his fulfillment in reading, preparing sermons, preaching, and weaving travel into his demanding and exciting schedule, while Ada learned to cope. She dutifully washed, ironed, cooked, and cared for the little ones, and developed the art of shoving her pain deep down inside. Most of the time she pretended there was no hurt, but when it erupted, she usually blamed herself for not being godly enough to conquer her longing for intimacy from an emotionally aloof husband.”
‘These strange inconsistencies abound. Tozer saw his wife’s gifts for hospitality and encouraged her in them; yet he disliked having visitors in his own home. He preached about the necessity of Christian fellowship within the family of Christ; yet he refused to allow his family or his wife’s family to visit their home. For every laudable area of his life there seemed to exist an equal and opposite error.’
When men who claim to prophesy the demise of the church and lament modernity neglect the care of their own home, their words ring very hollow indeed. As the Apostle John, states, “He that says he loves God and hates his brother, is a liar”
I once despised the “lowness” of modern church music. As a classically trained musician, I felt it was ‘common’ and ‘degraded’. I still greatly prefer classical music to country or rock and roll or pop, I still prefer singing (some) old hymns. But I also realize that the hymns that are meaningful to me are not necessarily meaningful to others in the church, and vice versa. Like C. S. Lewis, the layers of self conceit when it comes to church music are always being peeled off me by witnessing the genuine devotion of those who prefer a different kind of music than I. I am currently attending a church whose music is, objectively, very poor quality, and I am not talking about hymns versus choruses, or traditional versus contemporary – it is just that the musicians are not very skilled. I could probably play rings around them, and I am not the most skilled musician either. But, I have come to a point in my understanding of worshiping with others that makes me realize that poor quality music is not the most important factor in a church.
As for programs, I am inclined to wonder what all the fuss is about. I attended quite a large church in the city, but there was little substantial difference between the order of service there and the smaller rural churches I attended in the country. In both, there is prayer, corporate singing, reading of Scripture, collection of offerings, and preaching. Sometimes, the order varies a little, sometimes a missionary presentation, or baptism is added, but it is substantially the same. Programs usually refer to some outbranching of that core, such as the children’s program (a useful tool, to get all the Sunday School teachers on the same page with their teaching), or a temporary program at a specific time of year that takes place generally outside the Sunday morning gathering, such as a Christmas program.
We have internet again…boy some neighbors were going into withdrawal…me included!
I will have to take exception to some opinions of Tozer. I have read most of his books which have been to me exhorting and encouraging to fellow believers… and thought provoking. I have never read that he would ever have considered himself a “prophet”…some of what I have read certainly warns the church of worldly matters creeping into the church. We have listened to several of his sermons online. Some would view him as a simple country preacher…I believe he would have considered himself so. He was not a perfect man…he was human…as are we all. I am thankful the Lord called him to Himself and for the words he boldly spoke to glorify our Lord.
Peter – Don’t be too surprised by World. In the 2016 election, they took the editorial position that Trump should drop out.
I have appreciated how the World staff has striven to offer good journalism, not siding with one president or another. Under both Bush and Trump, their essays have given credit where they thought it was due, and criticism where they thought it was due.
After a mad-cap work week and last couple days, I attended a conference at our church tonight titled “Restoration of Church and State.” It was part of our ongoing apologetics series and was interesting to some degree, just not what I anticipated entirely. I carpooled with an older woman who lives nearby and doesn’t drive at night anymore.
Our pastor confessed he’d written in a candidate for president in 2016, someone he said wasn’t even qualified. Hmmm. He also expressed what many of us also feel, however, that he’s not too thrilled with the Republican party these days — but that the Democrat party for 2020 has turned into a “dog and pony show,” and seems to be totally out there. Sigh.
But the event itself was much more focused on the bigger ideas, principles and themes that should guide Christians in their participation in the public square.
I had back-to-back obituary stories to write Thursday and Friday. I like doing those and feel they’re important; but they also are very labor-intensive and often entail long, emotional interviews and some careful crafting.
Wandering Views 
If you hover you can be first
LikeLiked by 3 people
DJ,
Since I was late to your party…… 🙂
For you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good night Jo.
Good morning everyone else.
LikeLike
Good morning Kim & AJ. You weren’t here when I logged on.
Chas
LikeLike
I missed Donna’s birthday all day, until late night, yesterday.
Happjy belated BD Donna!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Morning all. Just got back from watching The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Such fun to see a good movie. Probably my one movie for the year.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Now that I have claimed first, I can take my time to tell you all that I have wanted to tell you.
1. As you know my Aunt Virginia, (all my friends call her that. All three words- My Aunt Virginia) has lung cancer. Back in the Spring when she was diagnosed, she told the doctor she was 79 years old and was not going to be miserable for the rest of her life and to make her comfortable. They decided to treat her with immunotherapy, which was working well enough. The cancer stopped responding to the treatment and she has been put on hospice. My understanding is that hospice is less than 6 months. I am not ready to let her go. She, on the other hand, has different ideas.
She has been going to the senior center for about 10 years to play card, dominoes, and Scrabble (she is impossible to beat at Scrabble). She has a group of ladies that have become close friends, so never one to miss a trip she and the ladies have planned a cruise. My father used to say that “Virgie Mae would ride a fence post wrapped in barbed wire to go someplace”. He also said I took after her. 😉
As many of you know, my childhood was not the happiest and there were some things I resented as an adult. Most of my aunts have beach houses and had to pass my parents house on the way to the beach. None of them ever stopped to take me and give me an escape. I am over it now.
I have also rewritten history. I remember as a small child being in the bathtub with M.A.V. I can still remember the mole on her back. This was an occasion as my mother was terrified I would drown in the bathtub. M.A.V. remarried and moved to Miami when I was a small child. She moved home after her husband died, to care for my grandparents. She spent about 10 years doing that. I have convinced myself that had she not moved to Miami things would have been different. She would have “rescued” me. Who knows if it would have been that way, but I like to think it would have. I do know that after she moved back home in 1998ish she and my father became “best friends” as well as brother and sister. She mourned his death almost as much as I did. So, while I am not ready to let her go, SHE is ready. I hope she has a wonderful cruise and somehow, if her time comes while she is on the ship, it might be just the way she would want it.
LikeLiked by 4 people
I love the book even more than the splendid film.
Our last day. It’s been extraordinary. Great place to stay across the street to the archives, wonderful helpful people, home cooked meal with terrific conversation and stories 8 evenings and six free washers and dryers down a short flight of stairs in the basement.
We even got fall colors and visits with other unmet friends.
I told my husband I thought I’d just stay here.
He said I had to come home.
Together, Catherine and I spent about 150 hours scanning documents and photos.
We’ll hand over an auxiliary hard drive to OMS this afternoon, backed up on my computer and onto a flash drive, and fly home tomorrow.
My heart and brain are stuffed, but it’s almost time to remember who I really and am what I do.
I’m so thankful most of the blog posts, both newsletters and my Christmas letter are pretty much written.
I have a lot of work to do!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Oh, I did not find the specific photos I sought yesterday, but I did find an article and a photo of OC in Tokyo with the Cowman.
Delightful!
LikeLiked by 3 people
It is impossible for the seeds of depression to take root in a thankful heart – Andy Andrews.
So, as many of you also know, I have had my bouts with depression. October 7th I started taking a class offered once a week through my company. An instructor flies in from Atlanta and we spend 8:30-3:30 every Monday for 8 weeks. BOLD – Business Opportunity Life by Design. We are given a journal and part of the requirement is to write in it EVERY SINGLE DAY. I have told you before that I have “trust issues” and don’t want to put my thoughts on paper where someone may read them (yes, it does go back to my mother and yes I do write out a whole log on this blog, so don’t laugh and roll your eyes).
Part of the journalling is to write about gratitude. This past week the assignment has been to write out gratitude about 5 people in your life EACH DAY!!!!
I have also started a morning meditation. I am working on forgiveness. Forgiveness of myself and others.
The Summer and Fall this year have been a growing experience…Who knew at 5’4: and a few or more decades old I would experience a growth spurt. 🙂
So today, I want you each to know how grateful I am for you and the influence you have had in my life.
I must go. Little Miss spent the night last night and I can hear her in the kitchen asking Papa where MiMi is.
LikeLiked by 7 people
That “Nina’s Birthday Party” is an amazing clip.
How did they get those animals to do that in front of a camera?
“Nana” is the name Becky gave to Elvera. Now all the grandchildren, even in their forties, call Elvera “Nana”. That is her name to them. I have a name too, they call me “Da”. This is the first time I told anyone else. The reason is that I could have fallen for a scam, except that the scammer called me “Grandpa” when he should have said “Da”.
It wouldn’t work today because I have them on my “find friends” in my phone.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Good morning all (unless you’re reading this at another time of day).
You know there’s trouble when even WORLD features political cartoons critical of the GOP President.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Quick hello here! I am going on a little trip with the WMU ladies today. I have enjoyed reading all your comments today.
Belated Happy Birthday, Donna! Enjoy your birthday week to the max!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s impossible to describe how difficult it is to deal with someone as busy as she is when there is nothing she can do.
Presently, she is sitting here with the remote to the TV in the other room.
She has already disconnected her adjustable chair.
I am taking her to the Adult Center at 9:30, but she wanted to get ready ahead of time.
So” We are waiting. She has settled down for a few minutes now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jo, I enjoyed the film so much that I had to get the book to read.
I am concerned. My schedule is still heavy, and my asthma is getting bad (I had an asthma attack at work yesterday). I have two 12 hour shifts coming up, in which I will be the only one working in the clinic. There are so many clients to be seen that they are booking through breaks. Because of my medication and other health issues, my blood sugar drops when I do not eat regularly, which makes me feel weak and unable to think clearly. I have pushed through other days of no breaks, but with my asthma getting bad, it increases the risk, not just to myself, but also to the clients.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Morning! We have had no internet and I can only get it on my phone this morning. I detest typing on my phone…fat fingers!?!? So Happy Birthday Dj!!! I am singing “I’m late I’m late for a very important date”!!!! We love you friend and are incredibly blessed to have you in our lives!!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Phos! I don’t see how the situation you described about being the only professional available on a 12 hour healthcare shift.
I got her to the Adult Center. They have a program that will keep her busy for abort four hours. She is always, always, glad to see me in the afternoon.
She was so restless that I put her in the car and we drove about for about ten minutes. She once asked if I knew where I was going.
I always know where I am going. Sometimes I don’t know how to get there.
LikeLiked by 4 people
I didn’t make it. But I questioned the Legality of Phos’ situation.
Chas
LikeLike
Chas, we also question the legality of it and I have had many clients who come remark that it is not safe for one person to be there alone. It is not, and we know it, but what can we do? Quit? Community nursing in general is not really that safe. One never knows what will happen when one enters a client’s home. The irony is, that they send all the ones considered unsafe to be visited in home, to the clinic.
LikeLike
So I just received a pleasant surprise from the moderators at Facebook. About a week ago there was an ad up from some group called ElectDemocrats. It was so obviously biased, false, and completely misleading. So for the first time ever, I hit the report this content button, explained why it was false, provided some links showing it clearly was, and sent it.
So surprise, surprise…. today I get a notification that they reviewed my complaint, that they agreed, and that the clearly “fake news” ad had been removed by Facebook for violating their new ad standards about deceptive ads.
So a thank you and a golf clap for Facebook. 🙂
LikeLiked by 7 people
It was, by the way, entering a client’s home, which caused this flare up of asthma. I do not generally make house calls, but I have to do my share of being on call, which means responding to calls made after scheduled working hours. I was called out in the evening to make a call, and there were pets and a heavy smell of smoke where I went. I got my first asthma attack a few hours later, when I was trying to sleep – it is hard to sleep, even when exhausted, when one is expecting the phone to ring at any moment.
LikeLike
What’s a “golf clap”?
LikeLike
Good morning and thank you all again for the BD wishes — and for that charming Nana’s Birthday video 🙂 How sweet. I love to watch border collies (and other cute animals) having fun. As I recall, maybe?, both my dogs’ birthdays are in November also — Tess’ BD we have for sure as she came from the people who originally bred her as part of a BC collection that simply got too big for them to handle; Cowboy’s is a made-up BD. I’ve never done animal birthday observances here, but maybe this year I’ll get them at least some special treats.
This morning Annie Oakley was sniffing Cowboy’s neck and head as he lay sleeping on the dog bed in the living room, Then she rubbed her face up against him, she likes him because he’s so safe and gentle.
Tess, on the other hand, came up to us the other night — Annie was sitting on my lap on the sofa, something she’s just recently started doing — and Tess gave her that honest-to-goodness scary border collie stare ‘eye,’ the one they use to control sheep. Annie freaked and went flying off my lap. So from Tess’ standpoint, it all worked well. She makes use of her generations-perfected, no-contact control of all her housemates.
I’m busy today with a couple stories to write and then am picking up a friend from church at 6:15 so we can attend the church-and-state conference at our church this evening. I’ve told Carol, meanwhile, the we’re still on for me to visit her tomorrow although everything in me wants to not drive an hour each way for the visit this week since I’ll be pretty beat by tomorrow. I’d like to figure out a way to go up there in the morning so I can have better management of the rest of my day (otherwise, going in early afternoon — when I have to wait until her lunch hour is over — chops of the day as the entire venture with visiting and drive times will take about 4 hours). But I doubt I’ll be getting up early enough to get there in time for a decent enough visit before her lunch hour at 11:30. But I may really give it a try, though i think tonight will be a late night. I’d love to get the clear coat on that 2nd gate tomorrow if I can.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Still enjoying grandson…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I saw this on Twitter today. It reminded me of some of our discussions about worship:
The art of worship has been lost and in its place has come the strange and foreign thing called ‘program’. AW Tozer
LikeLike
Kevin- A golf clap is a soft, “fingers-to-palm” clap, not a loud applause.
LikeLike
And Boice noted that the Tozer quote was made many years ago (even then when Boice was writing). Even the term “program” comes from stage language. Worship has become “common, cheap, trivial.”
What to do about it?
https://books.google.com/books?id=eMxtZMIqHVoC&pg=PA173&lpg=PA173&dq=The+art+of+worship+has+been+lost+and+in+its+place+has+come+the+strange+and+foreign+thing+called+‘program’.+AW+Tozer&source=bl&ots=F_bJwhDzPp&sig=ACfU3U1ec86Ki4Q2JOPEJFNGt8QZPZMSww&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwixwsSrkdvlAhVSI6wKHQC9C8YQ6AEwAnoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=The%20art%20of%20worship%20has%20been%20lost%20and%20in%20its%20place%20has%20come%20the%20strange%20and%20foreign%20thing%20called%20‘program’.%20AW%20Tozer&f=false
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do not suppose a pet rock would make quite the mess with the wrapping paper.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Program is derived from the Ancient Greek programma and signified a written proclamation, derived from the verb prographo, meaning to write publicly. The verb prographo is used several times in the New Testament, such as in Galatians 3:1: “You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed (prographo) as crucified?”
LikeLike
And there would be more cookies-and-cake leftovers.
LikeLike
Agree or disagree with the overall point, the current usage of ‘program’ as it more commonly now relates to “shows” is what was meant in the link above, based on the context.
LikeLike
What a pretty fall banner photo 🙂
LikeLike
Program now more commonly relates to technology, where the use of the terms ‘program’, ‘programming’, and ‘programmer’ is ubiquitous. The use of program in the theatre is derived from the fact that theatre companies would produce posters, called programs, proclaiming their upcoming performance, so association of ‘program’ with theatre was only ever a derivative from the original meaning of program, which is a public proclamation.
LikeLike
Well, we digress from the original point, I think. Let’s forget the term program. 🙂
LikeLike
To me, “program” in the quote refers to the fact that many churches have a set amount of singing, announcements and preaching such that the meetings last an hour, not one minute longer, or people get upset. That means that if God were to move in ad cause revival, some people would be forced to stick around and miss the football game or whatever takes up the Sunday afternoon.
LikeLike
The point, was , was it not, that ‘program’ was a signal of a disintegrating church because ‘program’ was supposed to be derived from the theatre? The point was inaccurate, so perhaps the assessment that worship has become ‘common, cheap, and trivial’ is also inaccurate. To quote C.S. Lewis on the importance of the Church: “when I first became a Christian, about fourteen years ago, I thought that I could do it on my own, by retiring to my rooms and reading theology, and I wouldn’t go to the churches and Gospel Halls… I disliked very much their hymns, which I considered to be fifth-rate poems set to sixth-rate music. But as I went on I saw the great merit of it. I came up against different people of quite different outlooks and different education, and then gradually my conceit just began peeling off. I realized that the hymns (which were just sixth-rate music) were, nevertheless, being sung with devotion and benefit by an old saint in elastic-side boots in the opposite pew, and then you realize that you aren’t fit to clean those boots. It gets you out of your solitary conceit. It is not for me to lay down laws, as I am only a layman, and I don’t know much.” As Paul said in his letter to the Romans (12:16), “Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”
As for Tozer, his teaching has always seemed to me to be like what Jesus said of the Pharisees, binding heavy burdens that are grievous to be borne, but not moving them with one of his fingers. From Challies’ review of a biography of Tozer, it sounds as if he lived as he wrote:
‘Biographer Lyle Dorsett has written a study of the man that deals as honestly with his faults as with the areas that are laudable. And in this case the faults are almost shocking.
‘Tozer was a man who loved Scripture and loved nothing more than preaching its truths to all who would listen. “A.W. Tozer heralded biblical truth. He loved the Bible and unflinchingly preached what he believed people needed to hear, regardless of what they wanted.” Yet he was a man who neglected the mission field in his home. “On and off over the years, Aiden exercised his role as head of the family by encouraging times of family devotions. These never lasted more than a few weeks. As one son explained, the children just did not want it and they were seldom all together for extended periods in any case.”
‘Tozer was a man who dedicated himself to reading, study and prayer and who delighted to be in the presence of God. “There is no way to measure the hours he spent in a typical day or week reading books and wrestling with ideas, but it was substantial. In a similar vein, we know that he increasingly devoted many hours each week praying, meditating on Scripture, and seeking deeper intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ. During the 1930s Tozer read voraciously, and he also developed a magnificent obsession to be in Christ’s presence–just to worship Him and to be with Him.” Yet he was a man who was emotionally and spiritually distant from his own wife. “By early 1928 the Tozers had a routine. Aiden found his fulfillment in reading, preparing sermons, preaching, and weaving travel into his demanding and exciting schedule, while Ada learned to cope. She dutifully washed, ironed, cooked, and cared for the little ones, and developed the art of shoving her pain deep down inside. Most of the time she pretended there was no hurt, but when it erupted, she usually blamed herself for not being godly enough to conquer her longing for intimacy from an emotionally aloof husband.”
‘These strange inconsistencies abound. Tozer saw his wife’s gifts for hospitality and encouraged her in them; yet he disliked having visitors in his own home. He preached about the necessity of Christian fellowship within the family of Christ; yet he refused to allow his family or his wife’s family to visit their home. For every laudable area of his life there seemed to exist an equal and opposite error.’
When men who claim to prophesy the demise of the church and lament modernity neglect the care of their own home, their words ring very hollow indeed. As the Apostle John, states, “He that says he loves God and hates his brother, is a liar”
LikeLike
I once despised the “lowness” of modern church music. As a classically trained musician, I felt it was ‘common’ and ‘degraded’. I still greatly prefer classical music to country or rock and roll or pop, I still prefer singing (some) old hymns. But I also realize that the hymns that are meaningful to me are not necessarily meaningful to others in the church, and vice versa. Like C. S. Lewis, the layers of self conceit when it comes to church music are always being peeled off me by witnessing the genuine devotion of those who prefer a different kind of music than I. I am currently attending a church whose music is, objectively, very poor quality, and I am not talking about hymns versus choruses, or traditional versus contemporary – it is just that the musicians are not very skilled. I could probably play rings around them, and I am not the most skilled musician either. But, I have come to a point in my understanding of worshiping with others that makes me realize that poor quality music is not the most important factor in a church.
As for programs, I am inclined to wonder what all the fuss is about. I attended quite a large church in the city, but there was little substantial difference between the order of service there and the smaller rural churches I attended in the country. In both, there is prayer, corporate singing, reading of Scripture, collection of offerings, and preaching. Sometimes, the order varies a little, sometimes a missionary presentation, or baptism is added, but it is substantially the same. Programs usually refer to some outbranching of that core, such as the children’s program (a useful tool, to get all the Sunday School teachers on the same page with their teaching), or a temporary program at a specific time of year that takes place generally outside the Sunday morning gathering, such as a Christmas program.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have internet again…boy some neighbors were going into withdrawal…me included!
I will have to take exception to some opinions of Tozer. I have read most of his books which have been to me exhorting and encouraging to fellow believers… and thought provoking. I have never read that he would ever have considered himself a “prophet”…some of what I have read certainly warns the church of worldly matters creeping into the church. We have listened to several of his sermons online. Some would view him as a simple country preacher…I believe he would have considered himself so. He was not a perfect man…he was human…as are we all. I am thankful the Lord called him to Himself and for the words he boldly spoke to glorify our Lord.
LikeLike
Peter – Don’t be too surprised by World. In the 2016 election, they took the editorial position that Trump should drop out.
I have appreciated how the World staff has striven to offer good journalism, not siding with one president or another. Under both Bush and Trump, their essays have given credit where they thought it was due, and criticism where they thought it was due.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Finished up scanning 1575 “items,” or 7.9 GB of data.
We tossed virtual confetti and went out to dinner followed by the movie Harriet.
We have to clean the apartment tomorrow, wash and refresh linens and then catch a 12:35 flight.
My husband said there was laundry waiting for me to do at home.
“Joke.”
I don’t remember anything about my real life, other than I’m teaching Bible study on Tuesday. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Harriet was very good.
LikeLike
It seems impossible I saw Cheryl three days ago. Surely it was last week!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yep, last week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
After a mad-cap work week and last couple days, I attended a conference at our church tonight titled “Restoration of Church and State.” It was part of our ongoing apologetics series and was interesting to some degree, just not what I anticipated entirely. I carpooled with an older woman who lives nearby and doesn’t drive at night anymore.
Our pastor confessed he’d written in a candidate for president in 2016, someone he said wasn’t even qualified. Hmmm. He also expressed what many of us also feel, however, that he’s not too thrilled with the Republican party these days — but that the Democrat party for 2020 has turned into a “dog and pony show,” and seems to be totally out there. Sigh.
But the event itself was much more focused on the bigger ideas, principles and themes that should guide Christians in their participation in the public square.
LikeLike
I had back-to-back obituary stories to write Thursday and Friday. I like doing those and feel they’re important; but they also are very labor-intensive and often entail long, emotional interviews and some careful crafting.
LikeLike
Every church has and follows a liturgy and that’s as it should be, an order of service. It varies from church to church, of course.
LikeLike