The Lord has been teaching me much these past crazy, amazing, life-changing months. I haven't been posting regularly here on the blog, obviously, but it's been in my thoughts. Someday soon, I hope, I will take the time to sit down and talk to you about some hard and wonderful lessons I've learned. The core of some of them comes down to... the topic of this video. I hope you are encouraged by it.
Since the publication of their book Do Hard Things, Alex and Brett Harris have toured the country to present conferences. A small group from my church, with the support of our church leaders, was able to go down near Washington D.C. in September to take part in one. What an amazing thing for me, being from a small town where most the believer I know are the people in my church, to see this huge auditorium full of (mostly) other Christians, ready to get going and Do Hard Things.
Last night, I went with a group of church family to a MercyMe concert. There is something about attending a concert by Christian performers that blesses my heart.
This concert was in the state of Vermont, statistically the 'least Christian' state in the U.S., quite spiritually dead and the people are difficult to reach. Nevertheless, there we were, 1,600 believers standing in an auditorium in the heart of Vermont, singing and worshiping together, feeling the presence of the Lord so strongly and surely.
Who are we
That You would be mindful of us
What do You see
That's worth looking our way
We are free
In ways that we never should be
Sweet release
From the grip of these chains
Like hinges straining from the weight
My heart no longer can keep from singing
All that is within me cries
For You alone be glorified
Emmanuel
God with us
My heart sings a brand new song
The debt is paid these chains are gone
Emmanuel
God with us
Lord, You know
Our hearts don't deserve Your glory
Still You show
A love we cannot afford
Such a tiny offering compared to Calvary
Nevertheless we lay it at Your feet
-MercyMe
Last Sunday, three more of us IDDiots had the chance to meet! Maureen was stopping in Boston, on her way home from London, and Krista and I met up with her for coffee. For about 2 1/2 hours we talked about books, writing, family, more books and, of course, IDD. What a blessing to see the friends we'd goten to know so well through IDD in person.
From Sovereign Grace Ministries comes Valley of Vision, one of those rare albums that has lyrics that truely speak to me. Inspired by a book of Puritan prayers, The Valley of Vision , the songs are a medley of God's love for us and our desperate need of Him. So many of the word bring me to my knees, and sometimes to tears, longing for a closer and truer walk with the Lord. Especially now, while going through an uncertain time of life, these words give me something to cling to and take comfort in, the determination I need to throw of the "old man" and conform to His image.
In the daytime there are stars in the heavens
But they only shine at night
And the deeper that I go into darkness
The more I see their radiant light
So let me learn that my losses are my gain
To be broken is to heal
That the valley’s where Your power is revealed
Let me find Your grace in the valley
Let me find Your life in my death
Let me find Your joy in my sorrow
Your wealth in my need
That You’re near with every breath
In the valley
Listen here
If you prefer plants to seeds, it's very very tempting to blow the budget at the nearest super-garden center. Again, I would encourage looking at mail-ordering plants. (If you can afford it, by all means support a local nursery. If it's a choice between Wal-Mart and mail-order, go for mail-ordering!) Bluestone Perennials is my absolute favorite company. The fact that they grow their own plants instead of shipping them in from who knows where is a huge bonus.
Orange Curd
1 C sugar
1/4 C cornstarch
2 C orange juice
1/4 C lemon juice
3 eggs beaten untill smooth
1/4 C butter
1 Tbs orange zest
Bend together sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan. Wisk in juice and beaten eggs. Bring to a boil and cook 1-2 minutes.
Longing for what God has not given, or has not yet given, is not only reasonable and understandable; it can also be constructive as a means to draw us to cling more closely to the One who created us to hunger in this way. But living in a constant state of longing can become woe-is-me and self-centered. Most importantly, if we are constantly harping on what we want but do not have, we are declaring that God has not managed out affairs well, because with or without our longing, God wills us to be content in Him. In fact, our contentment is of far greater importance to God than our marital status.
- Lydia Brownback, "Fine China is for Single Women too"
The plant:
Today's world is sadly short of role models. Pop culture and political fiascos dominate our society, leaving many people, especially the young, confused and at a loss as to where to turn. Many, like myself, turn to the past for our heroes.
As most of my fellow IDDiots know, I have a passion for studying and growing flowering plants. Recently my studies have lead me to discover my own personal role model, Carl Linnaeus, famous Swedish botanist of the 18th century.
Meet my hero:
Carl Linnaeus was born 1775 to a Lutheran pastor and his wife. His father was an avid gardener, and passed on this trait to his son.
As a young man Linnaeus studied medicine, through which he gained much knowledge of the plant world. Botany was required study for doctors at that time, most medicines coming from plant material. He continued practicing and studying medicine all his life, at one point becoming physician to the Royal Swedish family. However, his greatest, though by no means only, contribution to science was the classification system he developed for plants and animals. We use this very system today, though it is somewhat modified. We've all seen it; to some it's merely the boring grid in our biology books… you know, stuff about kingdoms and species, who knows what that all means!
Well, this system was very needed and timely when Linnaeus first published it in a small pamphlet in 1735. He lived in an era when waves of men were traveling and exploring the world, bringing vast numbers of plants and animals to Europe that had never before been seen. Often, a scientist or explorer would give the plant whatever name struck him, or a very, VERY descriptive one, such as this whopper: Rosa sylvestris alba cum rubare folio glabro. Loosely translated, this name is "White wild rose with red, smooth leaves". Sometimes, one plant would receive more than one name because it was 'discovered' multiple times.
See what I mean? Scientists needed help, and Linnaeus was just the man for the job. His system of classification was quickly accepted because it was so workable. More and more plants and animals we being discovered and studied all the time, and this 'tree' system with all its 'branches' was very workable, new names being added by adding new 'branches'.
Animals and plants were fitted into categories, not put in a continuum. Linnaeus strongly believed that plants and animals were made after their own kind, as the Bible says, not evolved as the theory beginning to gain popularity claimed. People today often think that the debate between creation and evolution has risen only in very recent times, but Linnaeus himself, over two hundred and fifty years ago, stubbornly insisted that all species were created separately in the beginning, and no new species have formed since creation.
Linnaeus' original work "Systema Naturae" was expanded and reprinted many times during his lifetime. A few years before his death he was made a nobleman and given the name 'von Linne', denoting his nobility. His son, Carl, continued in the studies his father began, and took his position teaching at the university he founded. Today, his writings are considered some of the finest Swedish literature ever written. There are many more interesting aspect of Linnaeus. He was a poet, and scientist ahead of his time, a philosopher, a Christian who revered his Creator.
My personal favorite fact about this marvelous man is his life's motto, carved into a doorframe in his house.
"Innocue vivito, numen adest"
Live Righteously. The Deity is Present.
For the most part, I love Christmas. I love the celebrating, the singing, the glowing lights, live nativities and, yes, I love presents. However, there is one part that I dread every year - going to my grandparents.
At this house, I do not fit in anywhere. One Aunt is Queen of the Kitchen, with no space for kitchen maids, so I can't help there. The gift giving is a sort of mad free-for-all scene where you rarely know if anyone likes what they got, and with the exception of one very sweet cousin who is now married and moved away, nobody ever talks to me. Instead, my cousins tell colorful stories among themselves while I sit in a corner, wishing desperately that I was home reading a book or humming to myself so I don't hear the dirty language they are using. I am not exaggerating when I say that most of my family wouldn't go except for the fact that grandma will put you in the dog house if you don't show up.
On the trip down this year I kept thinking it over, the desire NOT to go, and the reasons why I know I should. I would much rather stay home. Seriously. I get so bored - nope, wrong attitude.! Grandma at least will be glad to see me. No one else will though, they say hello then pretend I'm not there. But I need to go. I need to be a light. I could... try talking to them, and not just sit there. Take the bushel off the light, so to speak.
Then I started praying. Lord, give me an opportunity to be a light to - NO! Wait! What if i say something stupid? What if I give them something more to mock Christians about? Never mind Lord, I'll just be a content little mouse in the corner. Okay? Um... no? No. You are right. Might as well glue some feathers on me and listen for the clucking, I'm that much of a chicken. Alright, Lord! (Here I felt very brave indeed) I mean it this time! Give me an opportunity!
I walked into that house half expecting shocking and uncomfortable situations that I would bear nobly, such as being approached by a disreputable guy cousin about why I act so differently, or bravely standing up and defying peer pressure, possibly even witnessing to someone.
What did happen was not very heroic. I spent the evening talking and laughing with two girl cousins I have barely spoken to since we used to play dolls together. Pretty tame, but definitely a step in the right direction for me.
It didn't turn out to be a lesson on how to do brave and heroic things for the Lord. It was a lesson in simply being willingly obedient. I didn't need to impress God with great moral strength. He simply wanted me to follow His lead, no matter what He brings my way.
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