Transitory Things

Excerpts from The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis
Book 1 Chapter 11
Of Seeking Peace of Mind and of Spiritual Progress

We may enjoy abundance of peace if we refrain from busying ourselves with the sayings and doings of others, and things which concern not ourselves. How can he abide a long time in peace who occupieth himself with other men's matters, and with things without himself, and meanwhile payeth little or rare heed to the self within?...We are too much occupied with our own affections, and too anxious about transitory things.

Standing in line this afternoon, I was reminded of the assault of the celebrities in the grocery store check-out lanes. The cover of one periodical pronounces that Brad has been kicked out of the house. Another opines that Angelina is pregnant and they are planning their fabulous wedding. Stars without make-up. Stars with tons of make-up and touched up photos. Unfaithful spouses. Divorces. Diets. Dating. Not dating. On and on...

You know what? I! Don't! Care!

You think I want to know Drew Barrymore's opinion on...anything?

Nope.

Just sell me some clean, healthy food that I can take home to my family. And please don't make me explain what a le*bian is to my daughter while we wait in the check-out line.

Yet another reason to grow your own groceries.

And a Battery

Easter Sunday I sat with some of the little ones as they ate their snacks after the service. One little girl in particular was very talkative. She had on her new Easter dress and was quite proud of her new little pink purse. While she carried her food to the table, I carried her purse. (Which was quite heavy, by the way!)

Adrianna: See my new purse?

Me: It's very pretty! I like the pink color, and the sequins.
What do you have in your purse?

Adrianna: Some lipstick. And some bubble bath.

Me: Those are good things to have with you.

Adrianna: And a battery.

Me: Why do you have a battery?

Adrianna: Because I like batteries!

There you have it. Out of the mouth of a pre-schooler. The three essentials to carry in your purse.

On Easter Sunday, why not carry bubble bath in your purse?! Jesus washed away our sins by His death and resurrection. We are made clean through Him. As for the battery, I suppose you can say it signifies that we get our energy from Him. We are a useless shell that doesn't work without Him to fuel us.

And the lipstick? It reminds us that no matter how much we try to gussie ourselves up, God see us for who we truly are. He sees into the depths of our souls. And He died for us anyway. He died for us BECAUSE of those things!

"Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands"

I happened upon this Easter hymn while perusing a hymnal from my collection. Words by Martin Luther (1483-1546), and music adapted and harmonized by Bach (1685-1750) from a German melody written in 1524. How can you go wrong? It's a bit difficult to sing on the first go around, even with the music in front of you, but it's worth listening to.

"Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands"

Christ Jesus lay in death’s strong bands,
For our offenses given;
But now at God’s right hand He stands,
And brings us life from Heaven.
Wherefore let us joyful be,
And sing to God right thankfully
Loud songs of Alleluia! Alleluia!

Here the true Paschal Lamb we see,
Whom God so freely gave us;
He died on the accursed tree—
So strong His love!—to save us.
See, His blood doth mark our door;
Faith points to it, Death passes over,
And Satan cannot harm us. Alleluia!

So let us keep the festival
Where to the Lord invites us;
Christ is Himself the joy of all,
The Sun that warms and lights us.
By His grace He doth impart
Eternal sunshine to the heart;
The night of sin is ended! Alleluia!

You can go here to listen to the wonderful melody and read all of the verses. Unfortunately, I think there's a wrong note in the next to last measure, so you'll have to overlook that. Also, just be forewarned that there is a painting a bit of the way down the page. It's of Jesus in the tomb, with two disciples looking at Him. As long as you're ready for it, I suppose it isn't quite so startling.

Unexpected Surprises

My dad would have been 81 today. He's been gone from this world now for nearly five years. One of my brothers remarked just yesterday that it seems far longer. It feels that way for me, too.

I still have mostly good memories and for that I am thankful. Time has a way of softening the rough edges of the bad memories. One of my good memories involves Dad and I shopping at a bookstore for a birthday present for my older brother. Dad bought me a paperback copy of Jane Eyre (for 95 cents!). That was something that never happened in our family; receiving a gift on the day of another siblings' birthday. It was so amazing, in fact, that I wrote on the title page, below my name: Oct. 16, 1967. I was 12, and the book was too hard for me just yet, but a little over a year later, I read the book and fell in love with it. It was bittersweet reading, however. Mom and Dad had just separated a few weeks before.

Dad's Christmas cactus just bloomed yesterday. A few years ago it bloomed on the anniversary of his passing. I don't think plants understand calendars or anniversaries of any kind. But God sure does.

(I took a photo of the cactus, but don't know how to get it onto the computer. I'll try to get it added to this post soon. And just a little aside. Interestingly, I found out later that Jane Eyre was published on October 16, 1847.)

"Christ The Lord Is Risen Today!"

"Christ The Lord Is Risen Today!"

Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!
Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Lo! the Sun’s eclipse is over, Alleluia!
Lo! He sets in blood no more, Alleluia!

Vain the stone, the watch, the seal, Alleluia!
Christ hath burst the gates of hell, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids His rise, Alleluia!
Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once He died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Hail, the Lord of earth and Heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to Thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail, the resurrection, thou, Alleluia!

King of glory, Soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, Thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing and thus to love, Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly King, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

But the pains that He endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured, Alleluia!
Now above the sky He’s King, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

(The drawing above is of the Foundry Chapel in London. Originally, an old iron foundry used to make artillery, the building was remodeled for use as a chapel. John Wesley’s words for this hymn were writ­ten for use at the first wor­ship ser­vice at this Wes­ley­an Chap­el.)

"All Glory, Laud, and Honor"

The tune for this Palm Sunday hymn was written by St. Theodolph (760-821), the well-loved Bishop of Orleans, France. When Emperor Charlemagne died in 814, his son and successor (Louis I the Pious) had Theodulph imprisoned. A legend arose that a short time before the bishop's death in 821, Louis was in the area where the bishop was imprisoned. As he passed under Theodulph's cell, the emperor heard singing and worshipping coming from the bishop's cell. When the emperor heard this tune being sung, he was so moved by it that he immediately ordered the bishop's release.

All Glory, Laud, and Honor


Refrain:
All glory, laud, and honor,
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.

1. Thou art the King of Israel,
thou David's royal Son,
who in the Lord's name comest,
the King and Blessed One.

(Go to the link above to see all verses.)

The Imitation of Christ - Part 10

Excerpts from The Imitation of Christ - Thomas a Kempis
Book 1 Chapter 10
Of the Danger of Superfluity of Words

Avoid as far as thou canst the tumult of men; for talk concerning worldy things, though it be innocently undertaken, is a hindrance, so quickly are we led captive and defiled by vanity.

Therefore must we watch and pray that time pass not idly away. If it be right and desirable for thee to speak, speak things which are to edification.

Nevertheless, devout conversation on spiritual things helpeth not a little to spiritual progress, most of all where those of kindred mind and spirit find their ground of fellowship in God.

How I am convicted of harsh words uttered from my lips. Even this day. And how very, very thankful I am for friends of "kindred mind and spirit" with whom I can fellowship.

(Photo of nuns at St. Walburga Abbey. I have visited here, and never fail to come away a changed person. This photo originally appeared in an article from the Ft. Collins, Colorado, newspaper. I found it on this blog and am borrowing (?) it.