Dance

It's been raining here. Great big drops from heaven. Saturating the earth. Flooding the land. It's been raining more than we would want for June. The summer plans, left in soggy remnants. The houses left destroyed. And yet it still rains.


The weather mirrors my innermost trials. Our plans have been left destroyed. I feel my heart is saturated. And yet it still rains.

God knows that this is what we need. We don't want more rain, but we need more.


He also tells us not to just tolerate the rain but to "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thes. 5:16-18) Let us look to Him so that we learn not just to trudge in the rain but to truly dance as drops continue to descend.

 

Memoirs of an Ordinary Pastor

Both my husband and my Dad had raved about this book and Trev had said months and months ago that I should read it too. I wasn't really sure, as I'm not a Pastor and I felt that this was perhaps a book only suited to men called as such, but once again my husband was right and this is a book that others, especially wives of those in Ministry could benefit from.

The book is basically the life story of Tom Carson, father of Don Carson told through narrative from Don and his siblings and diary entries from Tom himself. To be honest, I found the start of the book incredibly hard work, as Carson outlines a brief history of Quebec. I totally understand why this was included, as a foundation for the rest of the story, however as I knew absolutely nothing about the history of that area it took me a good while to read through! However, coming from the Northern Ireland context it was fascinating to see how many similarities there were between Canada and Northern Ireland in terms of Catholic and Protestant segregation especially as regards education.

Tom was born in Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland in 1911, this was somewhat exciting as this is where Trev is from and where my in-laws still live! However he emigrated to Canada when he was two and continued to live there for the rest of his earthly days. Throughout the book we are told of his conversion, his call and training for ministry and the various charges he went too. We see the ups and down of pastoral ministry. We see a man pressing on with great dedication to the people of French speaking Canada, despite seeing very little fruit for his labour. We see someone who was willing to live on very little for the sake of the Gospel.

Throughout the book we are given glimpses into the relationship between Tom and his wife, Marg. The support she was to him is an example for all Pastors wives. It is a credit to them and a real example of grace that their children were unaware when they were facing bitter opposition from other believers, because they had vowed never to speak ill of people in front of their children. Marg was the one Tom came and spoke to at the end of a day of pastoral visitation, we see her willingness to learn French although it didn't come easily to her and we see that she was willing to work outside the home when this was required but was willing to give this up when Tom needed more support at home. Tom did not take her forgranted but rather as she was plagued with Alzheimer's, he showed unfailing love and commitment to her. On her death he wrote; "What a woman of God she was! I bless God for having given her to me."

In many ways in the relationship between Marg and Tom I saw my own parents marriage; a picture of the wife of a Pastor being committed to his work and ready to make sacrifices for him in order that he is better equipped to spread the gospel. It challenged me once again to be this kind of wife; a wife who is her husband's confidante and support, who loves him continually through the ups and through the downs of Ministry and sees him as her hero when the rest if the world regards him as an Ordinary Pastor.

Published by Crossway

A Black and White Choice NOT to Read "Fifty Shades of Grey"

Recently people have kept coming into the shop where I work asking for the book, Fifty Shades of Grey. Obviously as a Christian bookshop we don't have it in stock, so customers leave empty handed. In the supermarket where my husband works customers also leave empty handed when looking for this book but not because they don't stock it but because they are sold out. I have not read this book, nor do I ever intend too and I would have to seriously question any Christian who would. Mary Kassian over at True Woman Blog has a wonderful article on why we shouldn't be reading this book. This summer in our reading, let's read things that encourage and stimulate our minds and souls, not things which pervert our minds.

Read the article HERE.

Shadows of the Workhouse

In April I read and reviewed Call the Midwife, the memoirs of Midwife Jenny Lee and her work in the East End of London. I wasn't really intending on reading any of the other books in the series but when we were at the outlet centre last week I noticed that they were on 2 for £5. I dithered for a good while whether or not to get them and in the end my lovely husband picked them up and went to the counter and bought me the next two books in the series. I'm so glad he did!

In Shadows of the Workhouse Jenny steps back from talking about Midwifery in the East End and talks more about life there in a by-gone era. We meet a variety of individuals who all have stories to tell, who have all been dramatically shaped by their past.

We hear stories from the workhouse and we see how cruelty was a predominant feature of these institutions. However, the author is  balanced, she recognises that although these institutions were cruel and unloving, they saved many children from a life of starvation on the streets. We see individuals at the end of their lives, having lost everything but still being thankful for what they have. We hear stories of the war and the devastating impact this had on so may families. This is the story of people from the East End of London, so at times it is gritty and there are a few bits which are inappropriate, however I felt that this book had less unsavoury elements that Call the Midwife.

What struck me time and time again was how many of the stories recorded happened only about 100 years ago. Families were separated and criminalised just for being poor. Old men were allowed to die, with no concern for their health. It was a reminder about how blessed we are in this country today and how we have very little reason to complain. The book also left me pondering a number of different issues, such as feminism, dementia and incest. I most definitely did not agree with the author on all these issues but it certainly made me recap why I believe what I believe and  look again to scripture to defend it. It also reminded me that issues such as these are not new phenomenons but have been around for a long, long time.

Perhaps, it's because I did History at University but I feel that it's important to look back at times. To look at our history, at what shaped us, as Cicero said:

"To know nothing of what happened before you were born is to remain forever a child."        

Risk

I am not a risk taker. I was always the one who used the traffic lights on the way home from school even though there wasn't a car in sight. The one who only eats plain food. The one who needs a schedule in order to keep sane. When it came to love and marriage I wanted it to be, you know, risk free. Plain sailing.

However, as I grew up I realised that this wasn't the case. Love is a risk. As CS Lewis says "To love is to be vulnerable." Whether you believe in courtship or dating. Whether your parents are heavily involved or completely absent, falling in love is a risk. More than likely you will get hurt somewhere along the path. There will be tears and confusion.

When me and my now husband first dated it was  full of risk. If it hadn't worked out there would have been no escape from each other, he worked at the church and I was the Ministers daughter. However if we never had taken the risk we would never have received the blessing of being married to each other and that is a much worse prospect than the fear of risk.

 

Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts

A long time ago I read a couple of Jerry Bridges books. I thought that they were, you know, OK. Years passed and I never really felt  I particularly wanted to read another one of his books. However recently life has thrown us a few 'difficult providences' as my Dad would say. One day I arrived home to discover that I had a parcel, which is always exciting and inside I discovered that my amazing friend Cat had send me Trusting God Even When Life Hurts. As I read those pages I realised why so many people are such big fans of Bridges and I  don't know why I wasn't before now!

In reading the book it is kind of like having a wise grandfather figure explaining the Bible's teaching on suffering to you in a clear and sensitive manner. However there is a great depth to the book and at times it has to be read slowly to fully grasp the depth of what Bridges is saying. The book is immersed in Scripture and we learn much about God and who He is and how He only wants the very best for His children. We are shown that God is in control over people, nations and nature, even when we can not seem to see it. Throughout the book Bridges tells us time and time again that we CAN trust God with everything. We trust Him when things are, in our opinion going well, so why do we question Him when faced with trials? This was such a challenge to me as so often I have a plan as to how things should go and if they don't go that way I begin to question God. In response to such feelings Bridges comments:

"God's infinite wisdom then is displayed in bringing good out of evil, beauty out of ashes. It is displayed in turning all the forces of evil that rage against His children into good for them. But the good that He brings about is often different from the good we envision." p126



This is a book for everyone, not just for those facing great present trouble. Trial comes to us all at one time or another, in some shape or form and in reading this book a firm foundation would be laid for when these difficult providences batter us.

Published by NavPress

Why You Should Consider Cancelling Your Short-Term Mission Trips

When I was a student, I did the thing that students do with their long holidays; I went on an international mission trip. However, when I came back from Nigeria I wasn't transformed, I didn't feel I'd made a difference to Africa, rather I felt that our visit had left children who'd been abandoned before more traumatised because they'd been left again and that I'd been little more than a tourist. Over the years I haven't found many people who have agreed with my sentiments, and often I have kept quiet about them in order not to offend people. However this article yesterday by Darren Carlson on the Gospel Coalition Blog sums up my feelings so well and also touches on one of my greatest annoyances; people sending clothes to Africa.

Path

In times of wonder and beauty we never stop to ask God, why? We praise Him, perhaps not enough but we generally don't ask Him why He he chooses to bless us.

In times of difficulty, when each and every step is a mammoth effort, when our hearts ache and our eyes are filled with salty tears, we ask why? Over and over and over again. We don't praise Him. At all.

And yet we should praise and rejoice in the happy and in the sad. If we ask why in the bad, we should ask why He ever chooses to bless wretched sinners such as us, in the good.

He is directing our paths and watching us in every single step of our life. That dark path your facing? That sense of deepest despair? The path of drudgery which seems to be never ending? He knows. He cares. And He brings us along that path because He is good and it is for our good. Even though this side of heaven we may never fully grasp what that good is.

Resources For Family Worship (Part 3)

Today I'm finishing our little series on resources for family worship. I've covered resources for families with younger children HERE and older children HERE. Today I thought I'd finish up looking at some Catechisms and resources to help and encourage parents. As I looked back on what has been reviewed I realise that this has been far from comprehensive as there are so many other good resources out there!

Over the course of the series I have looked at different books that help explain the Bible to children. However it is amazing how much of the Bible children can grasp by being read it alone. One mother, Carrie Ward decided that she was going to read through the entire Bible to her young children. In Together:Growing Appetites For God Carrie outlines in a down to earth manner how she did it and offers lots of practical encouragement for other Mothers who want to do the same.
She also did a great series recently on Revive Our Hearts.

Catechisms

I grew up on the Catechism and I really can't over emphasise what an amazing blessing it was to my life! Initially we used the Child's Catechism which is published by the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Basically it is just a series of very basic questions split into two sections, the first 129 questions are entitled 'History' and are basically questions on Bible stories, the second section is entitled 'Doctrine' and has 46 questions covering issues such as 'Who is God?' and the sacraments. For little ones it is a blessing to have such a grounding in the Bible which can be easily recalled.

Another popular Catechism type book is 'My First Book of Questions and Answers'. Perhaps a little more in depth that the Child's Catechism it covers many of the same topics with an especial focus on Doctrine and also has a Bible reference at the end of each answer. 

When we finished the Child's Catechism we moved onto the Shorter Catechism. Personally I learnt it in the traditional version, however sometimes it meant that I rhymed things off by heart that I wasn't fully sure what they meant! In recent years our church has used the Westminster Shorter Catechism in Modern English which has faithfully updated the  language for a new day. It is such a wonderful summary of the Reformed Faith and is something, which if learnt properly can be brought back to memory throughout life in all sorts of situations when wanting to recall truth.

If your still not sure about teaching children a Catechism there is a great book published by P&R called 'Rediscovering Catechism'. It explains to families and churches alike why the learning of a catechism is important and how to practically go about teaching it. It is packed full of resources and outlines different Catechisms available.

Waiting

For the past year and a half or so our lives have been characterised by waiting for one thing and another.
I'm so not good at waiting and at times this has been very trying! Lydia Brownback on her Blog The Purple Cellar has a wonderful post for anyone caught up in the waiting game, she comments :

"We’re restless for results, but God is just as concerned with the actual process that gets us there as he is with the ultimate outcome."

Read the rest of the article here.

Resources for Family Worship (Part 2)

On Thursday I started a series on resources for family worship and looked at some books suitable for families with young children. The first instalment  can be read HERE. Today I want to look at books for families with children who are older:

One Year Book of Dinner Table Devotions- Nancy Guthrie- Tyndale

These devotions are designed to be done together as a family in 10 to 15 minutes. There are verses to be read, an application and discussion questions as to how to apply the theological concept learnt on a practical level 

Good points:

• Can be used for all ages
• Goes deeper into the Word and causes children to be stretched
• Means that the Word is discussed in the family

Bad Points:

• Doesn't follow a particular pattern- ie don't read through a particular book of the Bible- However presumably in a Christian family children are doing their personal devotions too so this may not be a problem! 

Their Lives & Your Life - Reformation Heritage Books

This book is designed as a personal children's devotional but could equally be used in Family Worship. The book focuses on different Bible character. There is a passage to read, a key verse highlighted, a short exposition and a question for discussion.

Good points:

• Works logically through Bible passages
• Draws out new lessons from stories children may have heard many times before
• Practical application

Bad points:

• The key verse at the top is written in the KJV which wouldn't be my personal Bible version of choice, but the book could easily be used with another version.

Training Heart Teaching Minds- Starr Meade- P & R

This book goes through the Shorter Catechism. One question is taken per week and then there are 6 readings a week (Monday-Saturday) focusing on that particular question.  Each day there is a Bible passage to be read.

Good points

• Focuses on the Catechism which is an excellent summary of the faith.
• Contains a Bible passage
• Not very long each day so allows time for family discussion
• The question is repeated over 6 days so there is plenty time for children to remember it.
• Uses a modern version of  the Catechism (Westminster Shorter Catechism in Modern English)which is easier to understand.

Bad points:

•  With a 106 questions it will take over two years to complete. Children could become bored with the same structure every day.
• A lot of the Bible passages are from the New Testament. It may mean that for 2 years the Old is some what neglected.

Table Talk- Good Book Company

 

Table Talk contains 3 months of readings for families to do, which tie in with the reading notes XTB, for children to do personally. Each day there is a Bible passage to read, activities to do, questions, something to think about, a prayer and further optional activities.

Good points:

•  Ties with Bible reading notes, so the child has opportunity to really get to grips with the passage.

• There are 'notes to parents' to help with anything difficult that may crop up. This means that even families who have just come to faith and may not have much knowledge can still have family worship.
• Works logically through a Bible passage day by day.
• A key point to take away each day.
• Reading can be adapted depending on age.

 Bad points:

• Some of the activities at the start of each days reading are a little too complicated or could distract from the main purpose. However if the parent felt this they could easily be left out!

 The Big Book of Questions and Answers- Sinclair Ferguson- CFP

 This book has a question for each day with an answer, a Bible reading, a memory verse 'talking time', 'activity time' and a prayer. There are 77 lessons in this book but there are  follow up books which follow a fairly similar format.

Good points:

•  We used this book when we were younger, and although we're all quite spread out in age and it was mainly for my little sister I think everyone can gain something from it.
• Promotes discussion in families.
• Encourages Bible memorising.
• Simple question and answer format.
• Focuses on issues children may have questions about

Bad Points:

•   The memory verse doesn't tie in with the passage read
• Doesn't involve systematic reading through scripture.

Long Story Short -Marty Machowski - New Growth Press

This book chronological teaches 78 of the main stories and characters of the Old Testament. There is one story taught each week, three days are spent on the actual story, one day is spent seeing how this story points to Jesus, and the fifth day contains another Bible passage. Each day there is a Bible passage to read, an introduction to the story, a summary of the story, discussion questions and a prayer guide.




Good points:

• Goes through the Bible chronologically.
• Constantly points to Christ.
• Enables children to see the big picture of the Bible
• Suitable for a wide range of ages
• Very do-able even for a busy family

Bad points:

• There are no pictures, so although suitable for young children they may lose focus; however could use along with a children's Bible.

 

Saturday Snapshot

Expectation

I remember it so clearly. Five years old, standing in the pouring rain, waiting and waiting for my Primary one teacher to come out of the church as a Bride. At last she emerged radiant despite the horrible day, wearing a dress of white silk. Beautiful.

From that moment I dreamt of my wedding so often. Perhaps too often. As I walked home from school I'd decide the colour scheme and the music. As I walked home from University I'd ponder the flowers and the hairstyles.

By the time I was 22 I had it all planned out. I even had the music decided and the exact style of the dresses. However there was one thing missing. The groom. As I went about my day to day life I shelved my wedding dreams. Convinced it was not to be. My perfect wedding would never happen.

Then all of a sudden he appeared from nowhere. Within six months we were engaged. I lifted those wedding plans down from the shelf and dusted them off. Within five months I had the wedding I'd been planning since I was five years old. The Jane Austen style dress, the dark blue bridesmaids dresses, the cream tulips and roses and Psalm 145 sung so beautifully by the congregation.

It was perfect.  In the past my dreams had never been as good as I had imagined. But this, this exceeded all of my expectations. This was the day I started my forever after with the man God had given me.

Resources for Family Worship (Part 1)

Sometimes I feel it may be a bit odd me writing book recommendations for children as I don't have any yet, but I feel working in a bookshop and being responsible for children's books means that at least I know what's out there and what seems to be good even if I don't know whether children respond well to it or not!

Family worship is such an important part of Christian family life. The Bible commands that parents teach their children the things of God, for example in Deuteronomy 6: 6,7 it says:

"And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

 Jason Helopoulos on the Gospel Coaltion Blog gives 11 reasons to worship together as a family, which are wonderful reasons why this should not be forgotten in families today. I was blessed to grow up in a home where everyday day after dinner we would all remain around the table while Dad read to us from the Bible. Over the years we used a variety of different resources, when we were all really little we used children's Bibles such as Leading Little Ones to God or The Children's Bible in 365 Stories . As we grew up we used various devotional books where Dad read a passage and then an author explained it in a child friendly way. Then finally we moved on to reading the Bible with maybe a bit of exposition from Dad or a question session at the end. We would then finish up with Catechism and prayer.

As I wrote that it all sounded rather twee. I can assure it was not. My family is INCREDIBLY loud. I am by far the quietest. When my sister enters a room you know all about it. She literally has the loudest voice I have ever heard. So family worship in our house was full of LOUD debate and talking. Sometimes it was also full of laughter and sighing. This mostly happened in the middle stage, the era of the devotional books. Now, some of these were OK. Others how ever were horrific. Some were dull. Some were super twee. Way too may revolved around animals, especially dogs which for our dog disliking family often took away from the whole point of the story.

However, there seem to have been a good few books  published in recent years suitable for family devotions which aren't twee but teach the truth! Before I review these may I point out that I am all for reading the Bible itself, alone to children but am also aware that there are lots of different ways to conduct family worship.Over the next few days I hope to review some of these, starting today with some resources for families of young ones:

God and Me- Penny Boshoff- Make Believe Ideas

God and Me is a colourful book that helps really young children find out about God. Real-life photographs of other children and simple, child-friendly text examine all kinds of everyday experiences and encourage children to think about Christian values.There is an introduction, prayer and Bible passage to be read.

 Good points:

• Really colourful and will appeal to small children who (apparently) like looking at pictures of other children.
• Do-able even for the youngest child.

Bad Points:

•  Perhaps focuses too much on being a good book of Christian values rather than showing children's need for a Saviour. However, parents could emphasise this themselves. 

The Dinnertime Bible-  Mary Manz Simon- Make Believe Ideas

The Dinnertime Bible is a daily devotional designed especially for families. Themed around the evening family meal, it contains 51 Bible references and a retelling of the Bible story, some facts relating to the story, a discussion point,  a  prayer and a note to parents.

Good Points:

• Something for the whole family, young and older children will benefit and there is a daily application for parents which could also be used for teens.
• Will get children talking.

Bad points: 

• There is a daily memory verse but it's very much paraphrased.
• The discussion points are perhaps too general and don't really focus enough on spiritual things.

The Big Picture Story Bible- David Helm- Crossway 

I love this book. I also know lots of families who have use it for family worship. I've already reviewed it HERE!

The Jesus Storybook Bible-Sally Lloyd- Jones- Zonderkids

"The Jesus Storybook Bible tells the Story beneath all the stories in the Bible, it invites children to join in the greatest of all adventures,... to discover for themselves that Jesus is at the centre of God’s great story of salvation---and at the centre of their Story too."

Good points:

• Suitable for a wide range of ages
• All the stories point to Christ
• Tells the story in a new way so even if children have heard the story before, they will not simply turn off.

Bad points:

• Doesn't cover all the 'traditional' stories found in most children's Bibles, however I don't really feel this is a problem.

The Pastor's Wife and Her Primary Ministry

My Husband will be starting Theological College in September to train to be a Minister. We are still trying to sort out all the details and seriously there are SO many details and practicalities to sort out. Sometimes the whole thing stresses me out so much and I feel so overwhelmed! This helpful article by Gloria Furman at the Gospel Coalition Blog is so useful. Although especially speaking to Pastors wives it is just as relevant as we begin the training stage and as I learn to be a greater support to my Husband in the work God has called him too. She comments: 

"Instead of giving in to fear that we are incapable and insufficient, we should rely on the sufficiency of Christ and lean into the older women in our lives who can teach us how to love our husbands and children like Titus 2 describes. Surely a pastor's wife who models humility and teachability is leading other women faithfully in her example of biblical womanhood."

Read the rest of this article HERE

Dear Mummy to Be

I was so hesitant to publish this. However I write it not out of bitterness but simply to guide those who were blessed with a child easily as to how to relate to their sisters in Christ who struggle with infertility.


Dear Mummy to be,

Congratulations on your wonderful news. How exciting! What a blessing to be carrying that little child close to your heart. That blessing from the Lord. The Bible says that you are blessed and truly you are. Abundantly.

I am happy for you. I really am. But sometime it's hard. It's hard when you complain about feeling sick and tired. I know that you do. I know that it's not pleasant. But it would be better if you spoke to someone else about it. To be perfectly honest I'd lie in bed ill for 9 whole months if it meant at the end I'd hold my baby in my arms. To see my husbands face light up as he saw the face of our child, that combination of he and I.

Please don't ask if I'm expecting. Or say that your child needs companions of the same age. If I could have a child to play with yours, I would. I'm trusting that God's timing is perfect. I know that it is. Maybe your child may babysit mine one day rather than be friends with them. If that's Gods will, then let it be.

Please don't tell me of the sacrifices to your career your making or the problems your going to have finding childcare. Long ago  we made plans for me to give up work when baby came. Yet everyday I go to work. Everyday at work is a reminder to me that my arms are empty.

Please don't tell me it was an 'accident'.

Please don't offer me advice. Unless I ask. If I don't ask please support the decisions we are making. Know that they are made with prayers and tears.

Please support me. Please don't always go into a mummy and mummy to be huddle. Please treat me like I am an equal. Just because a child doesn't grow within me doesn't mean that I'm a child. I can engage in adult conversation. I need love and support.

Please pray.  That I will trust in Gods perfect plan. That bitterness will not consume me. That one day, be that by birth or adoption I'll have a baby to love.

In Christ

Longing to be Mummy

Diamond Jubilee

 "Honour everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the emperor." (1 Peter 2:17 ESV)

See

He made me. He knows me. He saved me. He loves me. Yet sometimes I lose sight of him. I fear and wander. Tremble and question.

And more often than not, it's not the big things that mean I lose sight of who He is and what He's done. When the big catastrophes of life happen we realise we've nowhere else to cling and so we keep our sights fixed on Him. Knowing that He alone is the one who can sustain us through this trial, this agony that is too much for us to bear alone. We know that He is doing it for a purpose and that He never stops loving us.

It's the little things that can build up a wall and make us lose sight of Him. One by one, those little trials like building blocks. We think we can deal with them alone. But we can't. And combined we lose sight of Him. That irritating cough which means we can't sleep at night so wake up exhausted. The excessively busy week which means you have to reach for a meal out of the freezer one more time than you wish you had to, shattering your illusions of being the 'perfect' wife. Combined with the fact that your husband has to search for a work shirt out of the laundry basket rather than the drawer because you haven't even had a moment to put on a wash, leaves you feeling like a contender for 'worst wife' award. All so small. But one by one all so overwhelming.

We look to Him in the big things. Why not in the little?

We should constantly seek His face. In all things.