Thursday, August 30, 2012

Prayers Always

Here is the latest update on Ruth (Hannah's former organ teacher) which her husband Paul posted on their Facebook page.

Unfortunately, we have come to see that Ruth just doesn't have that much time left in this world. Many of the more unpleasant symptoms which plagued her in the hospital around the time of John's birth have returned to her. But, as Ruth told me today, she is so much more ready to go home now than she was then. This is simply because she has been able to see our baby grow into a healthy, smiley, active little boy. She knows that he will be fine both in body and also in being brought up in the same faith as her and all those who have believed in our savior. Ruth has been and will continue to be a wonderful Christian wife and mother. This much is certain. If you know her, you'll know that she couldn't be anything else.

 Lord have mercy.  Christ have mercy.  Lord have mercy.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

My Work Week

Another pattern I find interesting.

On a Monday my 5th child was born.

On a Tuesday my 4th child was born.

On a Wednesday my 1st child was born.

On a Thursday my 3rd child was born.

On a Friday my 2nd child was born.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

11

My baby girl is 11 today.


Her requests:

Breakfast: cinnamon rolls (which she wanted to help her sister Ellie make)
Dinner: chicken quesadillas and Doritos.
Snack: Fruit Pizza (instead of birthday cake)
Supper: eating at Pizza Ranch with Grandpa and Grandma and Uncle Matt, Aunt, Michele, and cousins.


Gifts:
From siblings: three boxes of Skittles, two packs of gum, and a Lord of the Rings Lego set
From her parents: a big, soft, furry, bright-pink body pillow, and a set of nail art.

Happy Birthday our dearest Abigail!



Wednesday, August 08, 2012

Stop Robbing Me!

I need oil and instead I'm given pebbles and rocks.  Yes I know that my lamp* will still burn with the oil already inside even with the rocks included.  But see, I'm learning that my lamp burns much better with pure oil.  The light lightens my path so much clearer when there is more oil than rocks.  And when I go to where I think I will be given oil and instead I'm given rocks.  I'm mad.  I'm angry.  I feel robbed.

So stop it!  Please Pastor give me the pure oil.

I don't want to hear stories, however nice and funny, or ones I might even enjoy at a roast or a toast.  I want to hear Christ and Him crucified preached.

I don't want to hear personal commentary, just read to me the Word of the Lord as prescribed for that day's readings.

I don't want to hear about a generic God.  I want to hear about the loving, merciful, forgiving God who sent His Son Jesus Christ to bear my sin on the cross.

I don't want to sing some pseudo-spiritual.  I want to sing the hymns that tell me about Jesus and what He did for me.

Yes, give me Jesus and only Jesus.

Dare to be Lutheran and let the lovely Lutheran liturgy reign you in from giving me pebbles and rocks, and instead be the guide that gives you direction in how to give me Jesus.

The world, the devil, and my own so-very-sinful flesh throw ample rocks into my lamp.  I need you pastor and church to give me what I can't.  Give me oil for my lamp. Give me Jesus, and only Him, that my lamp may be filled and I not be caught without when the bridegroom comes.
*Thanks to Professor Marquardt who first explained to me in a seminary wive's class about lamps and oil and rocks.