"My beloved is unto me as a bundle of myrrh." Song of Solomon 1:13
Tuesday, March 17th, 2015
We’ve been heading to “the next town over” since 2011 for the annual Lephrachaun Fun Run that kicks off their grand St. Patrick’s Day festival. I still don’t know why St. Patrick’s Day is such a big deal for them. Aren’t they all German up here?
Anyway, we like to go. We missed it last year cuz Phil had an owie and couldn’t run, so I was glad to get back to our tradition.
Sunday, March 1st, 2015
Well I’m going to play ketchup here for a bit and back up to Valentine’s Day. Mostly for myself, so next year when I get to wondering what in the world we did last year for Valentine’s Day I can just pull this old post up. The rest of you benefit from seeing the cute kids!
St. Valentine’s Day is one of the “saint days” that I have mixed feelings about. I think because we’re just a bit uncertain about who “St. Valentine” really was, if his story is of was one pastor or if through history his story was a combination of the lives of two or three pastors. Most of the events of his life are not verifiable.
Regardless of the unknown, there are some parts of his life that have been passed down that are probably true. So on his day we remember him and his stand for God’s gift and institution of marriage. Even facing death under the Emperor Claudius he was faithful to God’s will and word and was martyred for that. We shouldn’t forget that part. And remember to tell our babies that God’s children are still killed for this.
I also like to take advantage of his commemoration to teach our children about love, God’s love for us, our love for our neighbor and the love between husband and wife. And yes, we also decorate with hearts and give each other chocolates.
Thursday, February 12th, 2015
The other night while I cooked supper I put on one of my favorite pick me up jams, “I Need a Hero.”
And you girls danced and sang. I might have too a little. How could I not? Listen to those drums!
I remember this song from when I was your age Lily and the times I’ve hummed it, sang it, bopped around to it here and there throughout the years. I remember the waiting. Waiting for my “hero” and wondering if there would ever be one for me. And I want you to know that I’m glad I waited because he finally came. God in His wisdom brought just the hero I needed.
My hero was your Daddy.
He wasn’t a knight on a fiery stead, he wasn’t larger than life, or superman, he was better.
He was a sinner whom the Holy Spirit has called by the Gospel, enlightened with His gifts, and sanctified and kept in the true faith. A man that could look at married life and see that indeed it holds many “insignificant, distasteful, and despised duties,” but in the Spirit was aware that these duties “are all adorned with divine approval as with the costliest gold and jewels.” (Thank you Luther.)
Sunday, January 4th, 2015
A new year and another attempt at the family photo. The mayhem before was perfect. I can’t believe everyone got still for .5 of a second. I only had room on my dingy camera for a few shots, this was the best we could do. Good enough for me!
And this was exactly what I needed to read on New Year’s day thank you Walther:
“Should the Christian stand all day long at the grave of all joys which he enjoyed in past years?…Should the Christian be reminded all day long that the flowers of his youth fall more and more? He stands planted by God in the water of his Baptism as a palm tree which becomes greener and greener and whose leaves never wither. Yes, his Baptism makes death for him like a short winter’s nap, out of which an eternal spring–an eternal youth–follows. For Baptism is a bath that washed me not only once when I received it–washed me pure with Christ’s blood–but it continuously washes me clean even daily for as long as I hold it in faith. …
Now then, all of you who believe in God’s Word, let your watchword for entering the new year be this: “I am baptized!” Although the world may laugh at this comfort, the enthusiasts vex its confidence…nevertheless, abandon any other dear pledges and speak only throughout the entire year to come, in all terrors of conscience and necessity through sin and death: “I am baptized! I am baptized! Hallelujah!” And you shall prevail! In every time of need, you will find comfort in your Baptism; on account of it Satan will flee from your faith and confession; and in death you will see heaven opened and will finally come into the joy of your Lord to celebrate a great year of jubilee, a year of praise, with all the angels forever and ever. Amen!” [C.F.W. Walther, TDP, Writing for Jan. 1]
The peace of Christ be with you all this new year.
