First Sunday in Advent - 2009

Thoughts from The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis.
The Third Book - Chapter 1 - Of the Inward Voice of Christ to the Faithful Soul


"Blessed are the ears which receive the echoes of the soft whisper of God, and turn not aside to the whisperings of this world."

"Blessed are they who long to have leisure for God, and free themselves from every hindrance of the world."

"Put away thee all transitory things, seek those things that are eternal."

Thank you, Lord, for speaking to me. I am clinging to Your promise even now. May I not be hindered by this world, but seek Your face alone, and expectantly wait for You.

Motes and Beams

Excerpts from The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis
Book 1 Chapter 14
On Avoiding Rash Judgment

In judging others a man laboureth in vain;
he often erreth, and easily falleth into sin;
but in judging and examining himself
he always laboureth to good purpose.

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye
and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"
Matthew 7:3 (NIV)

"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye,
but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?"
Matthew 7:3 (KJV)

The King James version likens our sin to a beam, not merely a plank. I picture a lodgepole pine tree; not some puny 2" X 4" board.

We have a tree trunk in our eye! Several, actually. And we love to fret and complain about the speck in our brother's eye.

Dear Lord, help me not to unfairly judge others. Help me not to grumble in my mind over little petty things whilst ignoring my own faults.

(Photo taken by my son on the Texas Gulf coast. Notice that you can see lots of beams, but nary a mote.)

Met Outside the Door

Excerpts from The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis
Book 1 Chapter 13
Of Resisting Temptation

So long as we live in the world, we cannot be without trouble and trial.

No man is so perfect in holiness that he hath never temptations, nor can we ever be wholly free from them.

[Through temptations] we are humbled, purified, instructed.

Nevertheless, we must watch, especially in the beginnings of temptation; for then is the foe the more easily mastered, when he is not suffered to enter within the mind, but is met outside the door as soon as he hath knocked.

The longer a man delayeth his resistance, the weaker he groweth, and the stronger groweth the enemy against him.

(The photo was taken by my son while he was in Texas recently. I don't have one of a closed door, but I thought that the trestle blocking the tracks conveys a similar impediment.)

Resting Wholly Upon God

Excerpts from The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis
Book 1 Chapter 12
Of the Uses of Adversity

It is good for us that we sometimes have sorrows and adversities, for they often make a man lay to heart that he...not put his trust in any worldly thing.
...a man ought to rest wholly upon God.

I just returned Sunday from a week in West Virginia. My younger brother broke his femur in late February and was hospitalized for a month and a half. My mom went to help him, broke two vertebrae in her back and had to have surgery.

I fretted with deciding about going. What would happen to our daughter? She was frantic about me flying, and being away from her. When would be the best time to go? Who needed the most help and when? Could I get my mother to fly back with me? What would we do with her car that was in West Virginia?

There were so many questions, and I didn't know the answers to any of them! I prayed. I had friends pray. I read my Bible. I prayed some more. I tried to rest in Him. Truth be told, I fretted more than rested, and didn't see an easy way to solve all the problems.

But, I went anyway, hoping to solve a few of the questions that had perplexed me for days. I went to help my brother and mother with their immediate needs. I finally realized I couldn't solve every problem. I just had to focus on what needed to be done now. And then, God, in His infinite mercy and grace, solved EVERYTHING else, too! It didn't work out as I suspected, but He worked it all out. It still seems like a dream. But it's all very real and mysterious and amazing.

Thank you, Lord, for adversity. And thank you for praying friends, mercy, and answers to questions in ways we could never imagine.

(Photo of a West Virginia forest comes from
this website. When you drive down the hill from the airport in Charleston, you are welcomed by a beautiful wooded area similar to the photo above.)

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.

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.

Submission

The Imitation of Christ
Thomas a Kempis
Book 1, Chapter 9
Of Obedience and Submission

"Fancies about places and change of them have deceived many."

This is not something a city girl who longs for the country wants to read. I'd even rather live in a small town than in the suburbs. Maybe it's all the concrete I see every day. Maybe it's that I can go months without seeing our next door neighbors. Maybe it's all the cars I see. Driven by people I don't know.

Kempis speaks in this chapter about obedience. He admonishes us to obey God out of love, and not mere necessity. And yet, it's sometimes difficult to obey and submit without grumbling under our breath, isn't it?

I was just speaking with a fellow ballet mom this evening about her desire to move to the country. I never knew this about her, and here we both were talking excitedly about our mutual dreams of country life. She wants a little house on the property for her daughter to live in, I want one for my mom to live in. She wants to raise sheep, I want to raise alpacas and lavender.

Traversing the concrete to return home, I recounted my many blessings. I will go outside tomorrow and look for swelling buds on the trees, reminding myself that the color green will come to our yard in a few months. I'll look under the dormant lavender plants for volunteer babies that sprouted undetected last summer, and dream of where I can transplant them come spring.

And then maybe I should make some banana bread and take it over to our neighbors.

The Imitation of Christ - Part 8

The Imitation of Christ - Thomas a Kempis
Book 1 Chapter 8
Of the Danger of Too Much Familiarity

I have just been praying about the importance of good friends for our children, and how we can foster healthy Christian relationships between them and their peers.

God was gracious to point me to this quote from Kempis.

Let thy company be the humble and the simple, the devout and the gentle, and let thy discourse be concerning things which edify.

Lord, help me to teach my children these truths and to discern between those relationships that fit this standard vs. those that don't.

(our daughter with her dear, dear friend from ballet)

The Imitation of Christ - Part 7

The Imitation of Christ - Thomas a Kempis
Chapter 7
Of Fleeing From Vain Hope and Pride

"Trust not in thy learning, nor in the cleverness of any that lives, but rather trust in the favour of God, who resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble."

I love books. I love reading. I love learning. Yet, I am not to trust in my learning. Surely, God is pleased when I read my Bible. What does Kempis mean by this?

When I look more closely, I see two things. First, Kempis is telling us not to trust in our LEARNING. We are to trust in the Lord. We should be looking for His favor. We are not to make an idol of our learning.

Secondly, Kempis says not to trust in THY learning. We have to be careful not to trust only in what we glean. We could be wrong in our conclusions. We need to seek Godly counsel. Pray for discernment. Test everything against scripture.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3: 5-6 NKJV

('Solomon dictating wise sayings' from Bible Picture Gallery)

The Imitation of Christ - Part 6

The Imitation of Christ - Thomas a Kempis
Chapter 6
Of Inordinate Affections

"Whensoever a man desireth aught above measure, immediately he becometh restless. The proud and the avaricious man are never at rest; while the poor and lowly of heart abide in the multitude of peace."

I hate going to the mall. Yes, hate. I see things I want. I see things I never knew existed. I see pretty things. Useful things. Clothes I'd love to wear. Furniture I'd like to put in my home. Gifts I'd like to purchase for others.

But it's all stuff I don't need. It's stuff that makes me ungrateful. Discontent. Greedy. Resentful. Restless.

I come home and I know that I already have far more than I need. I have so many books, I'll never read them all. Most of them aren't "stylish" anymore, but I have more than enough clothes to keep me warm. My mom stopped by today to get two loads of clothes to wash for me, while our washing machine is broken. My children did their math totally on their own while I took a short nap, being a little under the weather today. I had time to read my Bible and ponder God's watchcare over Israel. Over me.

I want to abide in the multitude of peace. I want contentment and gratefulness to reign. So I'll count my blessings. And just continue staying away from the mall.

(Photo of St. Petrog's church in North Wales from this site.)

The Imitation of Christ - Part 5

Book 1
Chapter 5
Of the Reading of Holy Scriptures

Our house holds lots of books. We haven't been able to buy like what we used to when I was working full time, but nonetheless, we still have tons of books. In addition, I give my library card a work out, so we manage to have new titles rotating around here all the time.

I always think to myself, "If only I could actually READ all of these books." Or better yet, "If only I could REMEMBER what I have already read!" And then there's my ultimate goal, "If only I could SYNTHESIZE all that's held in these books."

Ponder what Kempis has to say about reading:

~ We ought to read books which are devotional and simple, as well as those which are deep and difficult.

~ ...let the love of the pure Truth draw thee to read.

~ Men pass away, but the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.

~ If thou wouldst profit by thy reading, read humbly, simply, honestly, and not desiring to win a character for learning.

Another translation for this last sentence reads,

"...read with humility, simplicity, and faith..."

I like that.

The Imitation of Christ - Part 4

Book 1
Chapter 4
Of Prudence in Action

~Unhappily we are so weak that we find it easier to believe and speak evil of others, rather than good.

~Take counsel with a man who is wise and of a good conscience; and seek to be instructed by one better than thyself, rather than to folllow thine own inventions.

~The more humble a man is in himself, and the more obedient towards God, the wiser will he be in all things, and the more shall his soul be at peace.

The Imitation of Christ - Part 3

I love our public library. I go there often to get books for our home school, especially our history/English curriculum. The past few weeks, I've been using the free service of making five copies/day from the internet so I can build a copy of The Imitation of Christ from Project Gutenberg.

Book 1
Chapter 3
Of the Knowledge of Truth

The previous chapter about being humble dovetails nicely into this one. Again, Kempis cautions against striving after much knowledge.


~The more a man hath unity and simplicity in himself, the more things and the deeper things he understandeth; and that without labour, because he receiveth the light of understanding from above.

~A lowly knowledge of thyself is a surer way to God than the deep searching of man's learning. Not that learning is to be blamed, nor the taking account of anything that is good; but a good conscience and a holy life is better than all.

~And he is the truly learned man, who doeth the will of God, and forsaketh his own will.

(Chester Cathedral in England)

The Imitation of Christ - Part 2

Book 1
Chapter 2
Of Thinking Humbly of Oneself

Yesterday I posted about a man who calls himself a futurist. This excerpt from Kempis's book is the perfect rebuttal to the so-called miracle of information accessibility 24/7.

Rest from inordinate desire of knowledge, for therein is found much distraction and deceit. Those who have knowledge, desire to appear learned and to be called wise. Many things there are to know which profiteth little or nothing to the soul.

Many words satisfy not the soul, but a good life refresheth the mind, and a pure conscience giveth great confidence towards God.

Thank you, God, for drawing me close to you on this day 24 years ago. The more I learn about You, the more amazing your mercy becomes to me.

The Imitation of Christ - Part 1

Our ladies' Bible study has decided to read The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis (c. 1379-1471). Kempis (so named, for his native town of Kempen) was an Augustinian monk. The version I am reading states that his was "...an uneventful life spent in copying manuscripts, reading, and composing, and in the peaceful routine of monastic piety."

The book is arranged into four books, which are then subdivided into very short chapters. My public library version, updated in 1993, lacks the preciseness and beauty of the Gutenberg version I'm reading on line.

For example, the title of Chapter 1 in the modern version is On Following Christ Our Model. The Gutenberg version has translated the title as Of the imitation of Christ, and of contempt of the world and all its vanities.

It may be quicker to read, "It is better to experience contrition than to be able to define it."

But I prefer the poetry of, "I had rather feel contrition than be skilful in the definition thereof."

(This photo I found on line may be the monastery where Kempis lived.)