This is just a silly post that will tell you that I am becoming an old lady. Does anyone remember what life was like before:

Computers. We used typewriters, and I'm just old enough to remember my mother typing on a manual typewriter on the porch. Clack! Clackclack, thud, clackity clack....ziiiiiiiip, dinngg! Remember getting the paper in just right?

Email. I still love getting real mail, and remember when learning to write a business letter was a Big Deal? Today some companies get business emails like this:  Dude, teh iphone don't work, need to send it bck. ur phone sux.

Home copiers. We used carbon paper. Whoa, carbons! Do they still make that?

Microwaves. You defrosted stuff in cold water in the sink or fridge. If you didn't plan ahead, you had breakfast for dinner. There was a funny little implement called a tea kettle. It was high-tech if it whistled.

Clothes dryers. We had one for as long as I can remember, but we used a line outdoors most of the time. Now in most neighborhoods those aren't allowed, which is a great argument against today's modern neighborhood. I'm hoping rules like that get rescinded in favor of greener ideas.

Fridges that didn't dispense water and ice. You had to open the door for those. My folks had this awesome icecrusher fixed to the wall. It was two-toned black and white, and shaped like a rocket, with a crank coming out the side, and very sturdy. I wish I had inherited it. I have a cranking ice crusher now, but it isn't nearly as sturdy. And I don't have a dispensing fridge either. In fact, my fridge is over 20 years old, although it isn't old enough to be called an icebox. Remember defrosting those things? Whoa.

Hair dryers. Today one points a gun at one's head. Back then, you took a bike ride. When I was ten, we got our first hair dryer. You put on this inflatable cap, and sat there for what felt like hours with your hair in curlers if you wanted. It made you look like a temporary mushroom.

Oh, and hair conditioner. After that got invented, I grew my hair long.

Air conditioning. In the South of course, they've had this for a long time, but in CT, we used noisy table fans that made an awful racket. Or maybe ours was just more ancient. It was blue, made of metal, and the noise helped cover the racket of thunderstorms.

Allergy pills. Need I say more?

Healthy Choice Frozen dinners. They were "TV Dinners" back then, awful stuff in foil. Today they aren't bad, alot faster, but they do still have that pre-packaged taste no matter how fancy.

Cell phones and answering machines. I know these are good for safety and convenience. But life could be pleasantly quieter then too.

Digital cameras. You had to wait for a stack of paper photos, many of which were no good, and unable to throw them out because you paid for them, they filled boxes, drawers and albums to overflowing. I'm very glad for today's cameras, and Photoshop. No film, no sending them out to be processed, easy to delete bad ones. The only problem is trying to share them with your friends at the grocery store.

Speaking of grocery stores, remember those old cash registers? We had a neighborhood grocery store with narrow aisles, small metal carts with invariably wobbling wheels, worn hardwood floors and gigantic old brass cash registers. It took forever to get checked out, and you didn't get an itemised recept at the end of it all-- you had to check it closely if you wanted to be sure of the totals. Still-- it slowed life down. The owner was always around-- his name was Gordie Terwilliger; he was tall and thin and always wore a canvas bib-apron. His store was called Gordie's. I think it's still there but of course Gordie isn't.

Maybe it's because I'm at an age where life is just going too fast that I don't mind waiting for things as much. Though this town I live in isn't my hometown, I've lived here longer than anywhere else, and Rich and I are old enough to remember when it was much different. It's improved in many ways-- but it definitely isn't the same town it used to be. Now that I am middle-aged, it's been startling to notice the passage of time has changed to a faster pace. I suppose when I am much older, life will be like being on a high-speed train where, inside, nothing is moving, but outside, everything is a blur...

The university we live near has a top drawer engineering and business reputation. Because of this, we have come to know and love many Muslim students over the years. One of our favorite things to do is to partner with another family to have them over for holiday meals whenever possible. It's a great opportunity for them to be included in our celebrations and to learn about them-- and to be exposed to the Gospel of peace.

We've had all sorts of Muslims sit at our table. One of the most memorable was a young man who thought Osama bin Laden a hero. I don't know how you feel about my entertaining such a person, but if I didn't do it, how would such a Muslim begin to understand the hospitality of Christ?

The first thing to remember about Muslims is that they are simply people with the same needs as any person. They like hospitality, and they need a listening ear. They want to make themselves understood, and they would like to say what's on their hearts without being engaged in a duel over it. I've learned to put myself in their shoes as they watch their countries crumble and crash in violence. They worry about their families and their futures, and they are frustrated. When they come to my table it's my job to send them away feeling as though they have been compassionately heard as well as fed. If I'm going to engage them in any kind of serious discussion about faith, I first need to show them that I care about them as people, and that I honor their presence with me. Ironically, it has been Muslims who have taught me that to sit at one's table is to honor them. I value that.

The second thing to remember about interacting with Muslims is that they respect our faith if it is genuine. With them, it isn't what you say, but what you do, and the two had better be a match. If you are living an immoral life according to your own Book, you will be held in contempt-- and rightly so. You'll be a damned hypocrite. In the West, we bobble around thinking that the Bible is a squishy book that we can pick and choose from and pretend that God winks at sin. Muslims see right through that hole, and when it is there, it disgusts them. It should disgust the true Christian too, but this sort of nonsense is common with "Christians". We are guilty.

The third thing to remember is to stick to the Scripture in truth and in peace. I, along with my husband carried on a long correspondence with a young Muslim man (it would be counterproductive to try to do it myself, as propriety rules against it in their culture). Over the years he has gone from a moderate stance on our countries' politics to an angered and perhaps extremist one. I thank God that my husband watches over this correspondence, because I have often written things in opinionated anger which he refuses to pass on. What in the world does my opinion matter? I have to remind myself of the goal, which is to proclaim peace, real peace, the peace of the Gospel of Christ. Anger cannot have part of this. I have to think on the things that my friend is writing and try to discern what it is that he really needs, and address that from Scripture. Now is the time for reconciliation. In His time, God will take care of judgement, and that's not my concern.

I can't save Muslims, but the Word of God can do some very powerful things. It's just my job to expose them to that Word. I don't really care if I die doing it, either. If you are a Muslim reading this, I'll lay all the cards on the table: Don't fear the West. The West will come down all by itself of its own accord. All you have to do is avoid the Bible-- if you can. I know the power of God to save, and I know that God can get His Word to you in many different and startling ways. I don't have (or want) a sword or draconian laws to force you to it, just the authority of God to say it to you, and that I will. I will pray that you will hear it from others-- or from His own mouth, which has happened--if I can't do it myself. If He wants you in His Kingdom, there is no way you can avoid it.

If you are a Christian reading this, look to your actions, confess your hypocrisies, and speak the Word in peace to others. You need the Gospel just as much as anyone, so speak it in humility. This Word was meant for the entire human race.

I'm trying to start a file of Things To Do With a Grandchild On a Rainy Day. ( No, no grandchildren on the way, just accumulating ideas!) I'd appreciate ideas in several different categories, and book titles are also welcome. In each of these, don't forget teens and toddlers, and let's limit it to fun-- teens should be able to do something that isn't generally thought of as work sometimes.

The Indoor Activity-  It has to be free or cost under $10. It has to be an indoor activity that can be done in a kitchen and fairly easy to clean up. It has to last more than an hour. It has to be creative and absorbing. It has to be something that the child can show the parent. Please indicate appropriate age. I'm thinking stuff like sugar-cube castles.

The Garage Activity-  It has to be free or cost under $20. This one has to be a game that can be played with one grownup and a child inside a swept garage space cleared of one or two cars. It should involve exercise.

The Outside-in-the-Rain Activity- This one should involve a willingness to get wet in the rain on a warm summer day, with the goal of making being outside in the rain fun. Try to think of some for city-dwellers too.  Parks can be involved, rain gear optional. Adult should not have to also get wet.

The Sickbed Activity-  This one should be for those days when one has to stay in bed, but is still passing some time when not sleeping.

Thanks in advance!

A while ago I received a sermon on Psalm 130 which has stayed with me in a deep place. First the Psalm:

A Song of Ascents.

 ¹Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD!
 ²O Lord, hear my voice!
 Let your ears be attentive
   to the voice of my pleas for mercy!

 ³If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,
   O Lord, who could stand?
⁴But with you there is forgiveness,
    that you may be feared.

 ⁵I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
   and in his word I hope;
⁶my soul waits for the Lord
   more than watchmen for the morning,
   more than watchmen for the morning.

 ⁷O Israel, hope in the LORD!
   For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
   and with him is plentiful redemption.
⁸And he will redeem Israel
   from all his iniquities.

I'd love to share all my notes on this sermon, but I won't. 

 "It's easy to sing cheerful songs in the daylight," said the pastor," when you can see all the threats around you and you can discern what is coming. It's quite another to, like Paul and Silas in Acts 16:25, sing hymns of faith in the middle of the night in a prison. We all have these experiences of the 'night'. You can't see what's coming but likely it isn't going to be good. You're truly in the depths. What does the mature man or woman of Christ do? They spend the time calling out to God in trust-- not the kind of trust that thinks things will always turn out rosy for us, but the trust that puts our lives in the hands of a God whom we know to be kind, good and powerful. Whatever He does is fine with us, because we have His promise that we are safe with Him. That's the knowledge that enables us to sing hymns in the night."

I have a couple of hymns I'm determined to memorise for those moments when I need songs to sing in the night.  One is this:

A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing. 
For still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

2. Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right man on our side,
the man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? 
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth, his name,
from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.

3. And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed
his truth to triumph through us. 
The Prince of Darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo, his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.

4. That word above all earthly powers,
no thanks to them, abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours,
thru him who with us sideth. 
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill;
God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever.

Also this one:

My song is love unknown,
  My Savior's love to me;
Love to the loveless shown,
  That they might lovely be.
    O who am I,
    That for my sake
    My Lord should take
    Frail flesh, and die?

He came from His blest throne
  Salvation to bestow;
But men made strange, and none
  The longed-for Christ would know:
    But oh, my Friend,
    My Friend indeed,
    Who at my need
    His life did spend.

Sometimes they strew His way,
  And His sweet praises sing;
Resounding all the day
  Hosannas to their King:
    Then "Crucify!"
    Is all their breath,
    And for His death
    They thirst and cry.

They rise and needs will have
  My dear Lord made away;
A murderer they save,
  The Prince of life they slay.
    Yet cheerful He
    To suffering goes,
    That He His foes
    From thence might free.

In life, no house, no home
  My Lord on earth might have;
In death, no friendly tomb,
  But what a stranger gave.
    What may I say?
    Heav'n was His home;
    But mine the tomb
    Wherein He lay.

Here might I stay and sing,
  No story so divine;
Never was love, dear King,
  Never was grief like Thine.
    This is my Friend,
    In whose sweet praise
    I all my days
    Could gladly spend.

The people of God all need to have our "songs in the night" ready to go.  What are yours?

  For as long as I can remember I have been intensely interested in the natural world. As an introspective teen, I used to spend hours wandering the (then-undeveloped) fields of Connecticut-- tall grass, scrubby crabapple trees, junipers, tiny, private brooks and shallow ponds. I often took a camera with me and binoculars. I also loved horses, and rode as frequently as I could. If you've ever read Robert Lawson's Rabbit Hill series, that's the world I lived in. It was quiet, subtle, and full of wonderful surprises that I stored up like treasure in my heart and mind.

Today at 51 years old, I still get alot of spiritual nourishment from that world. When I was a teen, I wasn't a follower of Christ, but I certainly believed in Mystery, and was deeply aware that such things as I saw could not have happened accidentally. Today I know the One Who created it all, and I marvel at His works. Even more, I know my place in this world. God in Christ has given it to me and to my human kind to dominate this earth and to be stewards over it, caring for it until He returns. I know that in that capacity as in all others, I will have to give account to Him.

I frequently read a blog that has to do with horse rescue. Recently there was a piece about a guy who was a trainer who trained horses in a very abusive manner. He also happened to be a preacher, a televangelist. A commenter noted that fact with deep cynicism, commenting that here we had "another Christian" who was acting in a way that even they, a nonbeliever, could see was antithetical to our confession.

"God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." Romans 2 24

My response to this was to curtly point out to the commentator that I was thoroughly sick of people making Christ a party to the hypocrisy of people who call themselves Christians but disobey God's commands to us and His example in Christ. I might add, nowhere in Scripture am I prohibited from appropriately defending myself and my opinions. If you would like to show me where I am wrong, I'm listening-- but only if you are civil.

The general population is always looking for ways to dishonor the name of Christ, using His followers as an example. We have a heavy burden to behave in ways that bring honor and glory to Christ. Too frequently, God's people get full of themselves when they hear that they are to have dominion over the Earth. They think it gives them license to beat the h-e-double hockey sticks out of anything that frustrates their efforts to bring order to the world. If you were answerable to God, would you abuse His Creation and be willing to present that injured creature to Him? I can tell you I would not, because I fear God.

This is not to say that we are to leave the Creation alone, or to let it run wild. Because of the sin of Man, this world is fallen. Yet our position as regents of the world remains. We have a responsibility to bring order to this world even though it is beyond our ability to make perfect as it was before we caused its fall. We do have a responsibility to take the world that God has given us as a gift, and train it to do what it was intended to do: to glorify God. You cannot do that by starving, beating, injuring, frightening and traumatising the created things of this world.

God has endowed people with brains. We are to use those brains to study His world and study the ways in which we can best bring Creation into alignment for its true purposes. It is clear from how animals are 'gifted' that that many are intended to serve Man. Cattle with their strong shoulders enabled us to till the earth and haul heavy loads, to give us milk and cheese. Chickens provide eggs for our nourishment. Some animals provide fur for our warmth, and leather for our tender feet. Horses are almost in a class by themselves, like dogs-- they are useful critters to have around, but they also delight our souls with their beauty and devotion to us. It is no sin to put God's creatures to work if possible to do so. But the follower of Christ knows that this Creation is a gift to Mankind that we are to return to Him with interest. We are to make this place better not just for ourselves, but to enable all Creation to glorify God with its giftings.

Neither is it glorifying to God to elevate the Creation to the same position as Man. We are to value human life, because of all Creation, it is only Man that is created in the Image of God. As shattered an image as we are, God commands us to value it above all else. To prefer the Creation over the well-being of people is not right. To coddle the animal in an unnatural way is not consistent with our command to be stewards of this earth. This is a kind of abuse at the other end of the scale.

Horses are created for work, and if I may say so, to delight the senses. There's nothing quite like being aboard a willing, healthy, able, affectionate horse. But you don't get there by being a Nazi trainer. You get there by intelligently drawing out the best natural instincts of the animal. That goes for all creatures that live with and for people.

I am pleased to be a Christian environmentalist. My perspectives are quite different from those who would love to depopulate the Earth of humans in order to allow "Nature" to have its head. Not for one minute do I think the world would be a better place without humankind. But it is a fallen world, and requires the grace and wisdom of God to take good and appropriate care of it. With His help and guidance, we can do this.

Christian, what are you doing to be a faithful and accountable steward of this planet?