on parenting

This is a good little article on parenting.
http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/motherhood-as-a-mission-field?md5=5cd7b50d37565f2318bee0dac1a2eec8
It really is all about perspective, isn't it?

"Die before you die. There's no chance after."

 How can they meet us face to face till we have faces?

Till We Have Faces, C. S. Lewis's greatest work of fiction, is the deepest and most layered of his books, and was also Lewis's favorite of his own works. But it is also a very simple myth, a retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche. Manganiello says, For Lewis the “grand miracle” of Christianity is its character of a “true myth” that merits our “imaginative embrace.” This myth surprises Orual by the joy of its truth in the Person she meets face to face at the end of her life.

I am reminded of the movie, The Saint, with Val Kilmer, and the quote, "It takes three miracles to make a saint." Psyche 1) sacrifices herself to the "Brute", she 2) sacrifices, at Orual's demand, her husband's trust in her, and 3) she goes through Hades to get beauty for Orual. When Orual goes to see Psyche after her first sacrifice, Psyche tries to explain to Orual what has happened. "You won't understand the wonder and glory of my adventure unless you listen to to bad parts." After Psyche endeavors to make Orual understand the true nature of her marriage to the god of the mountain Orual responds, "If this is true, I've been wrong all my life, everything has to be begun over again." There were many times when the truth was there for her to see, but she "put it aside" (ch. 14). Orual begs her sister to return with her, to which Psyche responds, "No, no, Maia. I can't come back to you. How could I? But you must come to me." (ch. 11) She explains the nature of her husband, "Don't you think a dream would feel shy if it were seen walking about in the waking world?"

Orual does not understand, nor attempts to understand, saying, " How can you know if you have never seen him?" (ch. 14) Orual threatens to do harm to herself unless Psyche spies in her husband, thinking what she is doing is out of love for Psyche but it is really selfishness. In response to Orual's demands, Psyche says, "You are indeed teaching me about kinds of love I do not know. It is like looking into a deep pit. I am not sure whether I like your kind better than hatred...Whatever comes after, something that was between us dies here." (ch. 14)

Because of Orual disbelief, both sisters must perform labors. Psyche completes the tasks while Orual bears the burden. The god tells Orual, " You shall wonder the earth. You too shall be Psyche." Through this she is transformed. As Peter J. Schakel puts it, “Her life of toil and suffering—physically in battle and mentally in toil—rather than death, becomes her sacrifice.” She slays her old self, offering it as the sacrifice. Manganiello says,

To her great surprise Orual learns that she “bore the anguish” while Psyche “achieved the tasks” (312) of sorting seeds of grain, acquiring golden wool, fetching a cup of water, and descending to the Deadlands. By sharing these seemingly unbearable burdens, Orual anticipates the kenosis, or self-emptying of Christ (cf. Phil. 2:5–11), that Hopkins called “the great sacrifice.”

Orual marvels at how this “way of exchange” or substitution can render any one happy. But this is precisely what she witnesses: Psyche “was merry and in good heart. I believe, from the way her lips moved, she was singing” (310–311). Psyche’s actions resonate with the key notes of the Old Testament song of the suffering servant. Her naturally Christian soul prepared for its great mission from the time in her youth that she showed compassion for the people of Glome in their pain. As Orual tells her, “You healed them, and blessed them, and took their filthy diseases upon yourself” (47).

Psyche’s willingness to be purified by a series of trials prefigures the great self-offering of Jesus, who “for the joy set before him, endured a cross” (Heb. 12:2). Since the god advises Orual, “You also shall be Psyche,” she is set to experience the same blessedness that results from partaking of the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4) or from “atonement.”...
This central paradox also operates in the powerful closing scene of the novel, in which Orual sees the “most dreadful, the most beautiful” face of the god of the mountain. “Even the love between the sexes,” to quote Lewis, “is, as in Dante, ‘a lord of terrible aspect.’” By participating in Psyche’s sufferings (cf. Col. 1:24), then, Orual begins to see the “terrible beauty” of justice tempered by mercy and fulfilled in love.

As the Fox tells Orual, "We are all limbs and part of one Whole. Hence of each other. Men and gods, flow in and out and mingle." Even the Fox, with his "doctrines of Glome and wisdom of Greece" (ch. 13) begins to see that he has misled her, saying, "I never told her why the old Priest got something from the dark House that I never got from my trim sentences. . . . Of course, I didn’t know. I don’t know now. Only that the way to the true gods is more like the House of Ungit. . . . The Priest knew at least that there must be sacrifices."

The Fox now begins to see the truth of Colossians 3:10-11, "And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all."

In her article, Facts, Mysteries, and Epiphanies, Kathryn Lindskoog writes,

There is no overt reference to Christ in Till We Have Faces; in fact, there is not even any reference to Hebrew monotheism. But there is a clear reference to Eros, the "Brute" bridegroom of Psyche. (In Christian tradition, the divine bridegroom is Christ: "...as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee," Isaiah 62.5.) Just before Orual's transfiguration, she heard voices say "He is coming. The god is coming to his house. The god comes to judge Orual." Suddenly "The air was growing brighter and brighter about us; as if something had set it on fire. Each breath I drew let into me new terror, joy, overpowering sweetness. I was pierced through by the arrows of it." "The only dread and beauty there is was coming, was coming." This echoes Dante's experience at the end of Paradise: "So my mind hung in abeyance, staring fixedly, immovable, intent, its ardor increasingly enflamed by the sight. Anyone who sees that Light becomes a person who would not possibly consent to turn away to any other sight; for the good that is the object of all desires is ingathered there in its fullness, and elsewhere it falls short of its perfection...For Orual (and C. S. Lewis), the answer is an encounter with divinity himself. At the end of her adventures, Orual realizes that before the face of God all questions die away and even all words die away.

lessons from Calvin

damn' good thrashing

This song makes me happy.

Recommended by Charis...

Thomas Weelkes

When Davis Heard
http://grooveshark.com/s/Thomas+Weelkes+When+David+Heard/3mnurj?src=5


Stephen Cleobury; Choir of King's College, Cambridge

The Great Divorce

After reading The Great Divorce, my thought was, "I can't believe I haven't picked it up before now!" It's a short, noteworthy, excellent read. And I hear there's talk of a movie adaptation. http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2011/04/28/an-interview-with-n-d-wilson-on-screenwriting-the-great-divorce/

Grimble

Last month, I wrote about the book, Manxmouse, and how it was a childhood favorite of J.K. Rowling's. Another such book is Grimble by Clement Freud. Rowling states, "Grimble is one of funniest books I've ever read, and Grimble himself, who is a small boy, is a fabulous character. I'd love to see a Grimble film." I've only just finished reading Grimble and Grimble at Christmas to my children, and they seemed to like it so so. I can see the appeal in Grimble, and understand what Rowling means, but the story does seem a bit flat and the secondary characters are very secondary, meaning you hardly get to know them at all. Clement Freud writes in the same manner as Roald Dahl, and one is constantly reminded of Dahl by the illustrations of Quentin Blake in Grimble. However, Grimble does not, in my opinion, possess the same magic of the stories of Dahl and Rowling. Grimble was a fun read, several funny parts, but not near enough, and in need of stronger characters. What do you think of it?

fabric

Check out this fun fabric! http://rebekahmerkle.blogspot.com/2011/05/presenting.html

And here is an interview with Rebekah Merkle.

O, Henry

My best friend and I just finished re-reading Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey, and the thing that struck me was that more than any of her other characters JA shares Henry Tilney's sense of humor. I can readily imagine her making the same spirited and humorous replies as he makes. And, indeed, we do hear her make them in her letters. I can't imagine Henry Tilney saying anything that would displease his creator. Although, JA said that Darcy and Edmund Bertram were her favorites, I am sure she would've laughed a great deal with Henry. Perhaps that is why he is named after her favorite brother?

My Very Favorite Chocolate Mint Brownie Cake

Ahhhh...the perfect marriage of chocolate and mint.
My mom used to make these while I was growing up and they quickly became my favorite. She found the recipe in one of her standby cookbooks, The Cotton Country Collection. Interesting name, I know. I usually omit the food coloring. There could not be an easier recipe for the result and it is so versatile. Cut it into bite-size squares for a party, eat it right out of the pan with a spoon (not that I've ever been guilty of that), or cut into diamonds and place on a chocolate drizzled plate for something stunning.

My Very Favorite Chocolate Mint Brownie Cake

Brownie:
2 squares unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon mint extract
1/2 cup flour

Frosting:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
1 Tablespoon milk
1/2 teaspoon mint extract
1-2 drops green food coloring (optional)

Glaze:
2 squares unsweetened or bittersweet chocolate
2 Tablespoons butter

To make brownie, melt 2 squares unsweetened chocolate and 1/2 cup butter together. In another bowl beat eggs and sugar together. Add chocolate mixture to egg mixture and mix together. Add remaining brownie ingredients. Bake in a 8 or 9 inch square pan at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. (Note: They should still be glossy and moist, but not too jiggly. Don't over bake or they will be dry.) Cool brownies in pan. Meanwhile, mix frosting ingredients together. Spread over brownies. Chill. For the glaze, melt the chocolate and butter together. Stir to combine and pour/spread over frosted brownies. Garnish with fresh mint, if desired & enjoy!

I pray you if you love me, bear my joy

I pray you if you love me, bear my joy
By Edna St. Vincent Millay
I pray you if you love me, bear my joy
A little while, or let me weep your tears;
I, too, have seen the quavering Fate destroy
Your destiny’s bright spinning—the dull shears
Meeting not neatly, chewing at the thread,—
Nor can you well be less aware how fine,
How staunch as wire, and how unwarrented
Endures the golden fortune that is mine.
I pray you for this day at least, my dear,
Fare by my side, that journey in the sun;
Else must I turn me from the blossoming year
And walk in grief the way that you have gone.
Let us go forth together to the spring:
Love must be this, if it be anything.

The Cumberland Crew (ocarina)

Manxmouse

During an interview, J.K. Rowling once said that one of her favorite books while growing up was Manxmouse by Paul Gallico. Books we read as children impact us and can shape our ideas, and knowing that this book meant something to Rowling as a child interested me. I've just finished reading it to my children and they give it a two thumbs up. I noted some things in Manxmouse which Rowling may have added to the "compost pile in her head" (as she calls it).

One of the things which may have stuck with her from Manxmouse is a "Clutterbumph". A Clutterbumph is anything that you are afraid of. They can take any form that will best frighten you. It can be a bump in the night or a large cat or anything. A Clutterbumph uses your fear to become that fear. This reminded me of the dementors in Harry Potter, and as my sister-in-law pointed out, also similar to the boggarts which the students of Hogwarts use with Professor Lupin to practice fighting their fear.

As the story of Manxmouse goes on, he becomes more widely known. A blue mouse? The only one in existence? Soon people are trying to outbid one another to own the little fellow. A bit like Harry Potter's celebrity status, which if one isn't careful can actually kill you. Learning to trust your friends is key, and not taking yourself too seriously must be implemented.

Another theme that was familiar was the idea of facing your fate. For most of the story, Manxmouse is running from Manx Cat. Manxmouse isn't afraid of Manx Cat, but just about everyone he meets (there is a variety of people that cross his path just as in HP) tells him that his fate is intertwined with the Manx Cat, that he "belongs" to the Manx Cat, that he should fear the Manx Cat. Manxmouse has a conversation that helps him resolve to go and meet Manx Cat, to face his fate. Voldemort is Harry's enemy from the beginning of Harry's life, and Manxmouse learns that Manx Cat is the one destined to end his life in what is termed the "Doom". Both Harry and Manxmouse learn of prophesies involving themselves and how they will die.

The most important idea in both stories is that only when one faces his fate will he truly be free- free from death, free from the enemy's control. Harry walks into the woods to face Voldemort knowing he will be killed, but knowing that it is the only way for Voldemort to be destroyed. The story of Manxmouse is more child-friendly and Manx Cat is quite the gentleman with a nice family, but feels obligated by the "Doom", set down by wizards or magicians long ago, to swallow Manxmouse. When the second half of the "Doom" is found, Manxmouse finds that his resolve to fight to the death has made the "Doom" null and void. This is somewhat reminiscent of Harry who willingly dies and therefore is saved. The theme of embracing your fate, perhaps dying willingly, without desiring to die makes a great story, for it is based on the Original.

from Mrs Sarah Emsley

I enjoy, from time to time, perusing Sarah Emsley's site, and came across this the other day. So, I do not take credit for the following. Find it here. She says,

"Have you ever searched the online concordance to Jane Austen’s novels for an apt, pithy quotation to write on a special occasion card?  I’ve tried this a few times, coming away disappointed each time because it’s so difficult to pin Austen down to a line or two of inspiration.  The novels as a whole may be inspiring, but a simple line or two of good wishes can be hard to find.  For example, here are some of the possibilities for a wedding:

Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance.  (Pride and Prejudice)

She meant to urge him to persevere in the hope of being loved in time, and of having his addresses most kindly received at the end of about ten years’ happy marriage.  (Mansfield Park)

I cannot easily resolve on anything so serious as Marriage; especially as I am not at present in want of money, and might perhaps, till the old Gentleman’s death, be very little benefited by the match.  (Lady Susan)

I’m always pleased, therefore, when I come across a line that is both memorable and inspiring, such as this one, from a letter to Cassandra in 1815, when their brother Henry was unwell and Jane was concerned about the uncertainties of his illness:

We must think the best & hope the best & do the best.  (November 26, 1815)

What more can anyone do?"
http://sarahemsley.com/

http://sarahemsley.com/2011/01/13/inspiration-from-jane-austen/

Couponing

Don't know who out there is a couponer, but here are some helpful sites.
http://thekrazycouponlady.com/
http://www.hip2save.com/
http://welovefree.wordpress.com/
http://www.target.com/
http://www.coupons.com/

Sigh No More - Mumford and Sons

The lyrics of this song, Sigh No More, contain some of the best-loved lines from my favorite-est Shakespeare play ever! Enjoy. (This is not the official video.)

Saint Patrick's Breast Plate

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through the belief in the threeness,

Through confession of the oneness

Of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today

Through the strength of Christ's birth with his baptism,

Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,

Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,

Through the strength of his descent for the judgment of Doom.

I arise today

Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,

In obedience of angels,

In the service of archangels,

In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,

In prayers of patriarchs,

In predictions of prophets,

In preaching of apostles,

In faith of confessors,

In innocence of holy virgins,

In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today

Through the strength of heaven:

Light of sun,

Radiance of moon,

Splendor of fire,

Speed of lightning,

Swiftness of wind,

Depth of sea,

Stability of earth,

Firmness of rock.

I arise today

Through God's strength to pilot me:

God's might to uphold me,

God's wisdom to guide me,

God's eye to look before me,

God's ear to hear me,

God's word to speak for me,

God's hand to guard me,

God's way to lie before me,

God's shield to protect me,

God's host to save me

From snares of devils,

From temptations of vices,

From everyone who shall wish me ill,

Afar and anear,

Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,

Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,

Against incantations of false prophets,

Against black laws of pagandom

Against false laws of heretics,

Against craft of idolatry,

Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,

Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.

Christ to shield me today

Against poison, against burning,

Against drowning, against wounding,

So that there may come to me abundance of reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today

Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,

Through belief in the threeness,

Through confession of the oneness,

Of the Creator of Creation.        

 (Saint Patrick's Breastplate is a Christian hymn whose original Old Irish lyrics were traditionally attributed to Saint Patrick during his Irish ministry in the 5th century.)

The Supper of the Lamb

The Supper of the Lamb is the most unique cookbook I have ever read. (You will see the significance of the onion photo after the first chapter.) You know, I wouldn't even call it a cookbook per se, rather a philosophy of food and of life. A man can do worse than be poor. He can miss altogether the sight of the greatness of small things.(25) And, Nourishment is necessary only for a while; what we shall need forever is taste.(40)

There are indeed recipes at the back and throughout the book, but The Supper of the Lamb (written by a priest, Robert Farrar Capon) is much more encompassing than recipes. He delves into being a pathological calorie counter. His body may or may not lose weight; his soul, however, is sure to wither.(112) He discusses types of knives. A woman with a cleaver in mid-swing is no mere woman...A man who has seen women only as gentle arrangers of flowers has not seen all that women have to offer. Unsuspecting majesties await him.(61). The wonders of garlic, commercial stoves, and the many salvific attributes of baking soda. One of them being a Bestower of peaceful sleep after four beers, two heroes, and a sausage pizza...(186)

He freely discusses the views of wine. Each thing, at every moment, becomes the delight of His (God's) hand, the apple of His eye. The bloom of yeast lies upon the grapeskins year after year because He likes it...every September, He says, That was nice; do it again.
Let us pause and drink to that.(85)
My flesh creeps when I hear the legitimate love of the fruit of the vine treated as if it were a longer-winded way of doing what the world does with grain neutral spirits and cheap vermouth...God gave us wine to make us gracious and keep us sane.(91)

He states that we should feed children but not cook for them (i.e. cook to their tastes). No matter what they think, we know: We are the ones who have tasted and seen how gracious it all is.(131) And he even goes into kitchen cleanliness. Woks and iron skillets should be rinsed and wiped, never washed. If someone comes along and tells you cleanliness is next to godliness the proper answer is, "Yes- next. Right now I'm working on godliness."(142)...A sense of proportion is a saving grace.(143) And even differing methods of cooking, peeling or scrubbing is merely high church(30).

My favorite chapter, though, is on entertaining when he gets wound up about the cocktail party. A zealous host and hostess "may work themselves into a fit of omnipresence."(168) But, I find hard liquor and goodies from 5 to 8 p.m. to be inhuman, unmerciful, and frustrating.(168) Saying that the dinner party on the other hand is, an honest attempt to create a company, not a crowd.(170)

He speaks truth, my friend. A piece of cheese, a bottle of beer, and a twenty-minute nap would solve more of the problems of industry, politics, and the church, than all the pretentious martini-logged luncheon meetings in the world.(147)

Let me just leave you with, May you drink well enough to drown the envy of youth in the satisfaction of maturity.(180)

And remember, We were given appetites, not to consume the world and forget it, but to taste its goodness and hunger to make it great.(189)

(The book on the right is the copy I have, and where I stole all of these great quotes.)

Parenting

Check out this pithy post by my friend, Sarah.
http://44socksontheline.wordpress.com/2011/03/07/she-picks-herself-up/