Thankful Thursdays: Community

"The very fact that God, though singular in nature, is plural and societal in person, indicates that we should not view ourselves as isolated individuals who happen to exist in close proximity to others, but as. . .relational persons in community. . .so that what one does affects another, what one needs can be supplied by another, and what one seeks to accomplish may be assisted by another.

Living in isolation with the pretense of autonomy is, of course, 'the American way.' Our heroes are those rugged individuals like the Lone Ranger or Superman or Rambo who can do everything themselves and need no one's help. But when we insist on going solo, when the I-did-it-my-way syndrome strikes, we are rejecting God's plan for how we should live with one another. When we refuse to be in relationships of accountability and interdependence with one another, we are choosing to live in violation of God's created design."
--Dr. Bruce Ware, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

I'm grateful for a loving family who cares about what happens to me, and for loving friends who invest their lives into mine. They are all models of Biblical community and bring great glory to God as they seek to imitate His character!
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Birthday

Rachel and I had tea together.

Simon: "Happy birthday! Now you're 21 and you can do stuff."

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Rachel: "How come Rebekah doesn't get presents?"
Me: "I'm too old."
Mom: "Um, no. Her presents are the wine and steak and all the other expensive food we've had today!"

Menu (always one of the most important parts of one's birthday):

Breakfast...yogurt-berry parfaits, bagels and marmalade, and Irish Breakfast tea
Lunch...taco salad
Dinner...grilled steak with mushrooms, broccoli, Italian bread, caponata, and a Chilean Merlot
Dessert...chocolate torte with raspberries and whipped cream (which was also good on coffee!)

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Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you established the earth, and it stands fast.
By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants.
If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.
I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts.
The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your testimonies.
I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad.--Psalm 119 "Lamedh"

Mellifluous Mondays: A Birthday Poem

Since it's my 21st birthday on Wednesday, I thought I'd post an appropriate poem today. :) This is "A Birthday Poem" by Ted Kooser. I really like the imagery, starting with a humorous comparison but turning serious in its carpe diem outlook: first, the sun as a dairy cow, but then the entire day just brimming with wonderful, joyful potential. And that is how I want to see every sunrise, not just on my birthday, because "His mercies are new every morning." With that promise in mind, we can truly say, "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!"
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So anyway, the poem. Enjoy.
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Just past dawn, the sun stands
with its heavy red head
in a black stanchion of trees,
waiting for someone to come
with his bucket
for the foamy white light,
and then a long day in the pasture.
I too spend my days grazing,
feasting on every green moment
till darkness calls,
and with the others
I walk away into the night,
swinging the little tin bell
of my name.
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Five Minutes at Our House

In case anyone had the slightest doubt regarding our (in)sanity, here's a short episode from one evening this past week.

Mark and I go to the back porch.

Simon comes onto the porch and starts to chase Mark.

Mark responds by picking up a stick and using it as a saber, shouting, "On guard, you foul fiend!"

The boys duel like a pair of French musketeers.
Simon has the worst of it and perishes melodramatically ("Ah, I am slain!"), but handily resurrects himself ten seconds later.

Seeking revenge, Simon picks Mark up by the ankles and dangles his head two inches above the ground.

Mark shrieks.

Simon proceeds to carry Mark (still inverted) out into the yard, hollering, "Birds, here are cookies!"

Marks continues to shriek.

Matthew flies out the back door to join Simon, slips on the way down the hill, and sits down rather abruptly.

Simon almost drops Mark because he's laughing so hard.

An Amish buggy rumbles by, and the befuddled driver slows down to stare at these maniacal children.

All three brothers wave wildly and do a sort of mangled chicken dance.

I am vastly amused.
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An Advertisement

Hey, listen up!! This is an announcement from Luke's personal PR agent, ME. Everyone within a 151.43-mile radius of Lancaster City should come see the upcoming performance of Godspell by Central Lancaster Country Homeschool Music. Why? Well, because it's a great show to start with. But more importantly, because my brother is playing Jesus and basically does an AWESOME job with it. Oh, and the rest of the cast is pretty good too. haha

I watched a rehearsal last night and it made me 1) laugh and 2) cry, which are both good signs.

Anyway, there are two performances, both on August 9: I believe they're at 3:00 and 7:00, but I could be wrong about that (some PR agent I am). Tickets are $5 at the door. If you are interested, ask Luke, because he will know more details. :)

Here's the address of the church where they are performing it...

Newsong Fellowship Church
609 Prospect St
Lancaster, PA 17603