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.

How grass reminded me about common grace...

Every morning we are woken by the sounds of Good Morning Ulster coming from the clock radio. I kind of like it, as I slowly awaken I pick up what's going on in the world. However when Trev works the early shift they clearly feel that people who are up at that hour of the morning aren't particularly interested in world or local events to such an extent, so instead we have the Farming News. Now living in the city the farming news doesn't really interest me. I have no idea what a good price is for a cow so the fact that the cost has dropped by a few pound is of little relevance! However, the other morning through that sleepy haze I heard them talk about grass. Now apparently due to the cold spring we had experienced the grass had not been growing fast enough. This was leading to concerns that the animals wouldn't have enough to eat. However in recent days the sun had shone, the heat had increased and so the grass had grown meaning the farmers (and the animals) were happy! As the report closed the reporter commented that no matter what the weather was like it always evened out and in the end the grass always grew.

Through my sleepiness this got me thinking about common grace. Wayne Grudem defines common grace as "...the grace of God by which He gives people innumerable blessings that are not part of salvation." The world deserves hell, yet everyday we see abundant examples of God's common grace. Be this in the provision of the so called basics of life like food and shelter, the ability to grow in knowledge and creativity, amongst many many other provisions. Common grace doesn't save individuals and because a non-believer may be more blessed than a believer in, for example intelligence, doesn't mean that they are more favoured by God. However Grudem states that there are 4 reasons for common grace

• To redeem those who will be saved
• To demonstrate God's goodness and mercy
• To demonstrate God's justice
• To demonstrate God's glory

As I thought about the grass that always grows it reminded me what a gracious God we serve. He could easily cause it to cease growing so the animals wouldn't have enough to eat and we in turn wouldn't have enough meat and milk. As sinners that is realistically what we deserve. Yet He doesn't. He is compassionate to all people. As Matthew 5:45 says:  "For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." (ESV) Our hearts should be full of abundant praise to God constantly for EVERYTHING! We are undeserving of anything- yet He gives us so much. So next time I look at the grass which I just take forgranted I will remember that we serve a great, good and compassionate God.

A Cure For Lame Table Prayers

So often I just say the same thing when my husband asks me to say Grace. It's pretty much exactly the same thing I used to say when my Dad used to ask me to do the same. In fact  I've said the same thing since I was about four. When I read Tony Reinke's article on Desiring God Blog the other day I was both challenged and rebuked. He comments that after reading  Douglas Wilson's new book Father Hunger,

"Instead of a vague prayer for the provisions, I gave thanks to the God who channelled his grace to us through a supply line of farmers ...through the factory workers ...through the unshaven truckers ... and through the grocery store stockers ... the men and women in this supply line have all been ordained, called, equipped, and preserved by God because God knows your name, he knows your tastes, he loves you, and because he wants you to enjoy a bowl of breakfast cereal in his name."

Read the entire article HERE and next time you say Grace you probably wont rhyme off the same old thing!

Sweet and Bitter

John Piper, This Momentary Marriage

Saturday Snapshot

Opportunity

There is a fear in the hearts of many women. A fear that they will never be able to fulfil the maternal desires which have been a part of them since the beginning of time. A fear that they will never feel that baby within their womb. A fear that they will never see that little face, the combination of them and their husbands. A fear that they will never hear that first cry. That they will never have that opportunity to be what they have always longed to be. A mother.

It stabs them to the core of their being as they see those who have abused this opportunity. Those who abuse their little ones. Those who complain. Those who simply are apathetic.

They cling to the Lord. Trusting that he knows best. Knowing that he has everything planned out. And that although there may never be the opportunity to hear that first breath, that first cry, that first giggle, He will provide other opportunities. Opportunities that are for our good. Even though it may not feel that way.

The Greatest Possible Joy and Glory

"God knows exactly what he is doing. You can have confidence in knowing that the events of your life are not spinning out of control or settled by random chance but that they are in the hands of God, who plans for you in love. Christians find joy in knowing that Gods plan will lead to the greatest possible display of his glory and the greatest possible joy for his people." 

Colin Smith, The Plan in The Gospel as Center

This Momentary Marriage

This video and a follow-up blog series was on Desiring God the other week. It is such a powerful example of self sacrificing love. I read This Momentary Marriage a few years ago just before we got married and I wasn't really I huge fan of it. (I'm sorry!!) However, throughout the video there were some amazing quotes, so I may go back and have a re-read.

God's Good Design

Last month the Gospel Coalition had on their blog, four books by women, about women. One of the books was Different by Design by Carrie Sandom which I read and reviewed last month. Another was God's Good Design by Claire Smith. When it arrived into the shop I debated whether or not to get it. I asked my husband- he told me that I should, but still I debated with myself. I wasn't sure I needed to read another book on the role of women!! However, eventually I decided to take the plunge and purchase it and I'm really glad that I did!

Unlike many books on the role of women this book focuses on Bible passages which cause great debate. Claire writes from the viewpoint of one who used to be a staunch feminist but since her conversion  has submerged herself in the study of the Bible both personally and at Bible College, thus we see someone who doesn't simply hold to her views because that is what she has grown up believing but rather because in depth study of the Word has convinced her that a complementarian view of men and women is Biblical.

The book starts with an overview of feminism and how the world got to where it is today. It then takes a two fold approach to the role of women: Within the Church and Within the Home. It covers the passages of 1 Timothy 2, 1 Corinthians 11 and 14, Ephesian 5, 1 Peter 3, Genesis 1-3 and Proverbs 31 in great detail, going back the original and what they really mean for us today. The book is grounded in Scripture and uses this foundation to apply these passages to our lives today. Although going into great detail on each of the passages the book is enjoyable and not unnecessarily complex for the reader. There is also a chapter on domestic abuse: "The Ultimate Distortion" and a chapter on how Claire came to her convictions and how they have been practically outworked in her life.

Although I didn't 100% agree with her on every single detail this really was an incredibly useful book. Bible passages which I previously didn't fully understand I now feel much more informed on and now could explain them to others with much greater confidence! Claire writes warmly and although clearly very able the book isn't written in a distant scholarly manner. Throughout the book time and time again we are reminded that we are all equal in Christ, with "a part to play in ordered and complementary relationships between men and women".

Published by Matthias Media

Saturday Snapshot

Perspective

As I sit at the computer looking at the word perspective I think of deep and meaningful things I could write. But the thing about this word is, there is only one thing that I can think about when I see it. Second Year Art. The events of that class have forever destroyed the word and any other meaning it may have...

At thirteen years old I take the word geek to a whole new level. I enter the art class room with a gigantic school bag and equally mammoth  ring binder. The braces and massive glasses only add to the total nerd look. I'm as quiet as a mouse and am in absolute fear of the art teacher, Mr Reid. He is the stereotypical art teacher. Massive curly hair. Knitted tie.

As I sit at the desk with my friends I'm not really listening to him going on at the front of the classroom. We've been studying perspective drawing now for weeks. Months actually. Possibly the whole year. Lost in my own little world I pick up that  we're today putting our skills to use and are going to do a wall display. Half the class are to draw the Titanic, the other half write the word, using perspective.

I'm on the word side and I set to work. Writing out each letter with a ruler, it's a painstaking task. Eventually I finish. Before everyone else. I feel that I have arrived. At last I've understood what perspective is all about and more than that I'm faster than the rest of the class. I leave. Victorious.

The next week we return to that musty art room. As we enter I notice that our display adorns the wall. I sit down and suddenly from the other side of the room I hear roars of laughter coming from the 'in crowd'. A voice booms across the room "Who wrote Tinic, Who can't spell Titanic?!!!"

It dawns on me. I'm the one who can't spell it. I've left two letters out. No wonder I was finished first.

Humiliation abounds.

5 years later school is nearly over for good. I'm walking down the corridor and I hear someone call "Tinic". And I turn around. Again.

For Our Good

Me and hospitals have always had a bad relationship. Really bad. It's the smell. The clinical nature. The fact that there is the possibility of seeing blood while simply walking round minding your own business. The death. The sadness. The separation. Yep, I really, really do detest them. However, despite my total disdain of the places, I haven't done particularly well in avoiding them. It's where I began my life. Then, being the oldest child I had to go and visit my siblings one by one as they were born in those sterile institutions. Then the doctor decided I'd bent in feet and so I seemed to spend a lot of time trying to get them fixed which was a total waste of time. My Mum was ill and had to go for testing for two whole weeks, which meant daily visits and my Gran was in hospital for pretty much a year which also required visits. And that's only half of it, there's been visits to casualty, the very sound of the word which is enough to send shivers down my back.

So, me and hospitals don't get on well. At all.

Thankfully of late we'd not had many dealings. However, a few weeks back a letter came. A letter with that brightly coloured hospital heading. The sort of letter that's meant to make you feel relaxed and happy, knowing that your now safe in the hands of your local hospital. The sort of letter which makes me physically feel ill. I stuck it on the fridge and put a pretty postcard over it. And dreaded the day.

I arrived at the hospital. And waited. My ever patient husband who spent a significant part of his childhood going to hospitals came too, somewhat bemused as to how the waiting room can cause such stress. It's the posters. I always imagine I've developed every condition the posters talk about. And the kidney dishes. Seriously, why do nurses need to constantly carry them about?!

After waiting for a decade or so 15 minutes my name was called. The nurse greeted me like this was some sort of pleasant social call I was making and I went into the room. The room with the medical apparatus and the couch. The couch. It was at that stage I lost it. Tears streamed down my face. You see the thing in the hospital that terrifies me the most is that couch. To me it represents terrible, life threatening illness. In my world you jump up on that couch and next thing your told you've got some horrible incurable illness. Irrational? Totally. Unfounded? Completely. Stupid? Without a doubt. 

I've been back at work for a good while now. Without any serious life threatening condition. I've had time to ponder my visit and all my irrational fears. That is what they are, irrational. I know deep down in my self that when there is something wrong the hospital is the best place to be. The Doctors and Nurses are the people who know what is the best for me. They have absolutely no desire whatsoever to hurt me. In fact the health care I received yesterday was top notch. The staff were wonderful; lovely and patient and in all honesty I couldn't have had a more positive experience of the NHS.

In life this is often the way I react as well. I have been been able to rhyme off Romans 8:28 "All things work together for good for those that love God" since I was a tiny little girl. However as life passes by sometimes it's harder to accept. I kick and scream at God and His plans for life. I know that He is sovereign and all in control and only wants the very best for me. In the same way in order to get better we have to pass through the unpleasantness of hospital, in order to fulfil Gods perfect plan for our lives, at times we have to pass through hard times, instances that we would never ever have wanted to go through. God brings us through such times because He loves us and ultimately it is what is best for us. This side of heaven we may never understand the purpose of being brought through things that we detest but we need to trust that what He is doing isn't for no reason but rather for our good.

God only gives good gifts. Even if we don't understand what is good about them. May we fully grasp and ponder the words of Luke ch 11 v11, as we face seemingly difficult providences:

    "What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” ( ESV)