Ordinary Love in Marriage

Have you been the wife in the passenger seat whose knuckles are white because of your husband's racecar driving?  Or is your husband the one in Iowa who drives 51 mph in the 55 mph zone?  Whatever it may be, it's easy for us wives to want to take control by just offering a few suggestions on how to drive appropriately.   You only want to arrive alive!  Or maybe you're the husband who feels belittled and frustrated by the wife who is constantly back-seat driving.  You only want respect!  Yes, we've all been there.  This article by Winston T. Smith was very eye opening for me because it offers unique, God-glorifying insights into the driving scenarios, as well as many other "tough" areas of marriage as well.  I recommend taking three minutes to read it.  As Mr. Smith suggests, it is just ordinary love that can create extraordinary changes in your marriage.  Enjoy.

And, guess what?!  Last night, as we drove to the nearby town for supper, I put into practice what the author recommended "Rita" do...and...it was a blissful car ride with a happy wife and a contented, respected husband...and we didn't even crash!  ;)

First "Real" Quilt!

I just dropped off my very first quilt to be professionally quilted at Mary's Country Threads!  I am so excited!  Mary invited me to her quilting camp in June and that's where I started this one.  And, since I decided to do all my house cleaning in one day this week, I had some extra time during Aidan's naps and was able to finish it.

This is a picture of me and Kay, the professional quilter.  

I'm holding my Christmas quilt (Jovial Two-Bits it's called) and Kay is holding the backing.  I didn't take too many pictures of it because I'm thinking of giving it to a family member for Christmas!  In this picture, you can also see the huge $20k quilting machine.  It's so impressive and neat to see how it works.

Leo came to Country Threads today, too, and enjoyed his time playing with Izzy, Maggie Mae, Benjie, and Janie, his favorite.  Mary is so great to us!  It's such a beautiful and fun place.

And stay tuned...I also finished my Bulls Eye and will be taking that in soon to be quilted.  Yes, I am a quilting machine.  Who would've guessed?!  A year ago I thought it was a nerdy 90-year-old sport.  I'm a changed lady.  That's what a place like Iowa will do to you.

Courageous Review

I'll admit, after seeing Fireproof, I wasn't excited for the movie Courageous.  What I was excited for was the quadruple supper date that preceded the movie.  

And once I got over the giggles from the fact that we were watching it in a one-room theater like the Rialto with squeaky, duct-taped seats (yes, I totally missed the glitz and glamour and busyness of big city theaters - snobby me, I know!), I enjoyed the movie.  I enjoyed the action, drama, and the plot.  I was most impressed with the way that actors didn't make their "Christianese" seem so nerdy like in Fireproof.

   But even though I enjoyed the movie and would recommend it, there were still a few things that didn't sit right with me.  For example, the Christianity that they sought to convey wasn't always clear.  It was always about god.  god, god, god.  One could ask which god?  God -  The Triune God?  The Gospel of Jesus Christ was mentioned a few times, but it wasn't the emphasis.

As we watched these four men struggle through life - as fathers, as husbands, as bread-winners, etc. - it was evident that life isn't easy.  Unfortunately, instead of encouraging it's viewers to "...take up his cross daily and follow me," (Luke 9:23), the movie portrayed a man-centered, "I can do this" attitude with no emphasis on Christ & His Gospel as the Author and Perfecter of our faith.  As Anthony Parisi writes:

Courageous rejects nuance and the cross-bearing pilgrimage of the Christian life for artificially neat resolutions to the prayers of its one-dimensional characters. Sherwood continues to make films with God functioning primarily as a tool for our lives—whether he’s helping us win football games, repair our struggling marriages, or helping us find a job within seconds of a cry to the heavens. Brief, passing references to the gospel are only seen useful to convert a skeptic, who in a few tearful seconds somehow embraces the faith. Despite all the sermonizing dialogue—the story’s form and emphatic message has all of its focus on us and our accomplishments, not Christ and his work for us.

 Mr. Parisi goes on to encourage Christians not to baptize art by saying:

While surely produced with good intentions, Courageous is likely to further entrench the misguided culture wars and bring harm to the Christian witness in the world. Alongside the political arena, art is another place where confusion about the institutional church and the way it interacts with culture is common. Churches should always encourage individual members to take up vocations in the arts, but this is to be done out of love for one’s neighbor and needs to embrace the totality of life. Films like this reinforce the unfortunate impulse that anything we create must be explicitly “Christianized” or evangelistic. Churches are to spread the kingdom not by some sort of cultural revival but by the unglamorous life of local ministry God has founded on Word and sacrament. Making movies falls far outside the bounds of what the church has been called to do.

And what about those men who may have warmed a church pew a few times in their lives but truly want to be a Courageous man?  This movie doesn't help men see "where to go from here" or how to persevere when the road gets tough.  Gritting your teeth and looking at a piece of paper titled "Resolutions" won't get you anywhere - it's only Jesus Christ that will change hearts and lives.  Men who want to be Courageous must get plugged into a Gospel-preaching church.

If you see Courageous, enjoy it for what it is - entertainment.  Be motivated and humbled to be a better father (or mother) because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ - because Christ has been Most Courageous on the cross.   Daily we will continue to fall short as parents, and that's why we must take up our cross and follow Him.  And, by living in Christ's grace, may we extend that to our children.

More Farm Fun

Early this morning, Aidan and I went out to the Brozik's because they were receiving a load of pigs!

 These babies, just weaned from mama, arrive in a big trailer.

 Sue and Dan know exactly how to shoo them into the barn - they are so efficient!

 Dan counts out 26 at a time, and Sue puts them into the pens.

The bravest pig goes first into unknown territory!  It started to thunderstorm while they were unloading so the pigs were extra scared...and wet.  It's a good thing the barn is heated to over 80 degrees...just like their warm mama and siblings.

Aidan wasn't too sure about the little pig; he wouldn't even make eye contact with it!

 But he did like to watch them at eye level.  As long as they don't come too close...

Bye bye piggies!  Enjoy your new home.

They will stay here for a few weeks and then go to the "finishing" portion of the barn.  And you know what that means...soon they'll end up on your plate.

Now all our clothes are in the washer and I need to reshower!  Whew - how stinky!  Thanks, Dan & Sue, for showing us your operation; we were very impressed and had so much fun!

On another note, be praying for Erin Fray today.  This morning she had her reconstructive surgery; it is (LORD-willing) the last step in her breast cancer journey.  If you haven't been following her story, there's a link to her blog (Joy in the Journey) to the right.  She is such an inspiration - truly rejoicing in the midst of her suffering.

The World-Tilting Gospel Review

"The greatest need of the church today is a strategic, full-orbed, robust, biblical grasp of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and its transformative implications.  We don't need more glitz or glamour, better marketing or programs, snazzier decor or entertainment.  We do need a whole-bible grasp of the Gospel," (p. 19).

Author Dan Phillips does just that in his book The World-Tilting Gospel - he gives his readers a "whole-bible grasp" of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It's exactly what our Christian culture needs to hear; it's not about fancy programs, technology, coffee cafes, etc. in churches - it's about the Gospel.  As Mr. Phillips writes, it's, unfortunately, the world that is influencing the Church.  Instead, the Gospel needs to be influencing the Church - it's Jesus Christ that truly saves and changes lives - not glitzy programs!

This book is saturated with Scripture, yet written in a modern way - it's a must read for all those who need an introduction to the Gospel, whether it be the partially evangelized, new believer, or those seeking to know the depth of Christ's love for His people.

The layout of this book makes it very easy to follow and keeps you yearning for more.  First, Mr. Phillips discusses who we are as fallen men and women and, to do so, he takes readers to the Garden of Eden to show that when Adam & Eve fell, all of humanity plummeted into sin.  Secondly, he gives us the good news:  What Has God Done for Us? The Eternal Plan Conceived, Predicted, Executed.  And how do people receive the gloriousness of this new plan?  Part 3: How Do We Get In?  This is where Mr. Phillips presents the Gospel; through faith in Jesus Christ and repentance for our sins, we can be declared righteous in God's sight!  Lastly, readers are informed of how to go from here in Part 4: How Do We Get Going? Preparing to Launch.  I found this section particularly helpful because the author discusses the "misguided mindsets" that hinder true growth for Christians.  He is also honest about the fact that being a Christian doesn't automatically mean an easy life!  In fact, the opposite is true!  Growth is Hard and The Christian's Biggest Problem Isn't External are two chapters that encouraged me to fight this battle of faith because of the prize of Jesus Christ that awaits all who trust Him as their Savior.

As a pastor's wife who watched her husband accomplish his Master's of Divinity, I was extremely impressed with how deep and thorough Mr. Phillips is in his descriptions of the Gospel concepts.  They are not easy concepts, but he explains them so well (you will know what a passive imperative is by the time you're done reading!).  And the language he uses is not only clear about what's expected of Christians, but it also motivates believers to run toward the true Gospel - not the watered-down versions most churches so often preach.  He faithfully refutes wrong Christian mindsets using Scripture; in fact, the whole book is full of citations from Scripture.  There are also charts, diagrams, and real-life examples throughout the book to help the reader understand and remember the concepts.

The last chapter of The World-Tilting Gospel is a culmination of all the previous chapters, and what makes it so good are the "...nine ramifications of the Gospel.  These ramifications move us beyond traditional, world-flirting Christianoid barriers, and into serious, world-tilting engagement with the Gospel," (p. 277).  With each ramification, Mr. Phillips asks, "How is this a world-tilting truth?" and then proceeds to answer the question.  I found this to be an exceptional way to end the book, leaving readers with the knowledge of  how the Gospel truly transforms their world, "busting barriers!"

This is a book I would highly recommend to those who desire to know the true Gospel of Jesus Christ - I wish every member of our church would read it.  It's rich with truth and saturated with the Word of God.  May this true Gospel change lives, churches, and truly tilt the world!  Thanks, Mr. Phillips!

Beautiful Fall

 This fall Iowa weather has been so gorgeous.  Not only is it warm, but there is a breeze just light enough to keep the "No-See-Ums" at bay.  We have been spending nearly every moment of Aidan's wake time outside!  Whether it's in the stroller, bike trailer, or strolling through piles of leaves, Aidan is having a blast - especially when Daddy leaves the office for a moment to join him!

He definitely prefers walking in the leaf piles in the church parking lot vs. piles in the grass - it's easier to stay upright!

 Aidan discovered the slide this week too; he loves it!  Leo does too...

and he must always be the first one down...

 So he can greet us at the bottom!

(Or take a chunk out of my arm.  Leo has lost 8 teeth so far - maybe the chewing will stop soon!?)

And they're ready to go again...and again...and again.

This time it's Daddy's turn:

 Yay!

 There's Leo again waiting at the bottom - he's so proud of Aidan too!

Daddy lets Aidan go up the slide too.  Fun fun fun!

 

On a side note:  Aidan has been waking up in the night at 1 am and 5 am since Labor Day.  I finally smartened up and realized that he may be getting ready to drop his morning nap.  So yesterday I shortened it to 1 hour (from 2) and still had him sleep for 2 hours in the afternoon.  And guess what!?  He slept from 7:30-7:15 last night...yay!  This mama feels well rested.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the same will be true tonight!

Contentment - It's Possible!

Brian came home from Desiring God's Annual Conference with The Secret of Contentment by William B. Barcley.  It was just what the Doctor ordered for my discontent, frustrated soul.  I could have written this part from the introduction:

"Now in a new state, in a new part of the country, I struggled with God's sovereignty.  I found no delight in my new job.  I found no delight in God and his plan for me.  My anger and disappointment kept me up at night.  I struggled to do the new work that I had been called to do.  For a year I accomplished very little and performed poorly on the job.

My discontent also affect my family.  I sulked around the house.  I withdrew from my family.  I was quick-tempered and yelled when something disrupted me...I became a self-absorbed, unloving husband and father," (p. 13).

My discontent is literally killing me.  It's wiping out my joy, my love for Christ, my family relationships, my desire to be with others, and I HATE it.  These circumstances in my life won't change - at least not in the near future - so what am I going to do?  Today I've decided I'm going to fight like crazy for contentment.  Paul says he learned the secret, so why can't I!?

Dr. Barcley extensively studied the Puritans in his research on contentment, out of which his book was written.  He says:

1. Contentment is attainable!  Yay!  According to Philippians 4:11-13, God empowers His people to acquire this Christian virtue in whatever situation He leads them.  That is so encouraging to me - I don't have to live in my misery.

2. Contentment is learned.  Paul says, "I have learned the secret..." (Philippians 4:12).  Dr. Barcley writes, "...true contentment comes by being satisfied with God and longing for heaven...But the key idea here is that we have to work at contentment.  We have to learn it.  We have to study it.  And we especially need to be 'reprogrammed' in our thinking," (p. 26).  I've met people who have learned this and they are so at peace, full of joy and just so great to be around.  I long to have that peace and joy - even if I am battling hard things.

3. You will not truly be content until you learn to be content in every situation that you face in life.  The author encourages his readers with, "...hardship has a God-ordained and Christ-exalting place in our lives.  God uses affliction to sanctify us, to make us holy.  But afflictions work in this way only if we face them with a certain degree of contentment - accepting them as from the hand of God...When we accept all hardships as from the hand of our heavenly Father, we grow in maturity, holiness, and contentment," (p. 29).

Dr. Barcley finishes up his first chapter with a definition of contentment and seven additional ideas about contentment and how it looks.  If this is an area you are struggling with - maybe it's not location or occupation, but relational or physical - I'd highly recommend this book.  As Paul taught in Philippians, contentment is learned and we must study study study it!  This book is a great way to do just that.  I can't wait to read more, and I pray that the LORD uses it to bring peace where there is none and joy where there is grumbling and frustration in my life.

See these two!?  Aren't they cute!?

They deserve a wife and mom who is happy and contented...thankfully, the LORD is in the business of doing the impossible.