Laity Lodge Texas

* Retreat *
ORIGIN late Middle English : from Old French retret (noun), retraiter (verb), from Latin retrahere ‘pull back’ (see retract )

•    a quiet or secluded place in which one can rest and relax : their mountain retreat in New Hampshire.
•    a period of seclusion for the purposes of prayer and meditation : the bishop is away on his annual retreat | before his ordination he went on retreat.

Beloved and I flew to San Antonio, Texas in November, far away from everything and everyone familiar for a retreat.  This was a spiritual exercise for us and one we were quite ready for.
The experience was rich and significant in a host of ways and is thus become a serious challenge to my blogging brain.
Six weeks! to assimilate my thoughts and come up with a plan of action (*ish) for the telling of it.
I've decided that you're going to hear and see about it bit by bit -- delivered in at least three separate instalments because it's simply too much for one post and because I want to share the riches of it in as authentic and thorough a way possible.

We were far into the hill country - 70 miles from the nearest store of any kind - unplugged and disconnected from any reliable cellular or internet service for four days.

It has been YEARS since either of us has gone 4 days straight unconnected.

That, all by itself was an experience worth journalling.

But first:

We spent a few days at an old hotel on the famous Riverwalk of SanAntonio -- a two and one half mile stretch of pedestrian walkway along the river that meanders below street level.  

                                                         

An outdoor theatre on the Riverwalk with sod lined stone risers.

Fanfare to attract touristy attention and restaurant business.

It was okay.  What more can I say?  Jostled by tourists eager for a nibble and peek at each and every establishment of an endless smorgasbord of boutiques and eateries?  *sigh*

Of course, only a fool lands in San Antonio and neglects to visit one of its' more famous historical markers:  The Alamo  I'll let this site take you around for the details.  

At least the ancient door was intriguing  :)

Last chance in the next four days to connect with the homefront!

The Riverwalk is even more winsome with the evening lights along the footpath.  

We were just a few weeks too early to enjoy the full blown Christmas displays; 

apparently it is a sight to behold.  

Stay tuned.  We're buckling up for a drive into the vast unknown tomorrow.

Deeply Loved

I wear these cloth fibre bangles every day to remind me.

And I'm reading a book called Deeply Loved by Keri Wyatt Kent.

Through many recent conversations, I have discovered 

I am SO not alone with these fears and doubts of mine.  

Keri's book is subtitled 

"40 ways in 40 days to experience the heart of Jesus"...from page 2

Augustine asserted, "God loves each of us like an only child."

You may not believe that.  Or perhaps, you do believe it 

on an intellectual or theological level, but you don't feel it.

You have never, or perhaps only rarely, 

experienced that deep love.

But what if he was right?

******

This is my much needed Advent 'activity'.

Abram, an unbeliever??

If you have ever felt unworthy or unqualified to believe that God will fulfill great purposes in your life, please allow me to introduce you to Abram. What you may not know about him is that at the time of his dramatic call from the Lord, he is living in idolatry. Abram is not yet worshiping the one true God; he is following many "little g" gods along with the rest of his family (see Joshua 24:2). He does not know the Creator of the universe, who is about to unleash his power into his destiny. In short, when our story begins, Abram is an unbeliever.

ACK!  What are you saying?

Believing God | Today's Christian Woman

I was first drawn to this article because of something that has occupied my thoughts for most of the summer.  I've been sifting through the things I'll call core values or beliefs and attempting to measure my commitment to them.  Weird stuff...and disturbing too.
Like Occupy Washington, this is no welcome squatter of my personal space.

Let's cut to the chase here.
Perhaps what I have identified as core values or beliefs could more accurately be called ideals or ideas.  Some (of which I used to apply as the irrevocable Law of the Medes & Persians) have since become utterly irrelevant.
Ouch.
Age, circumstance and children have a way of bringing these things to bear.
My beloved and I knew we'd be growing up with our kids but the degree to which it would be necessary (!) is still so shocking.

Back to the article:
Abram wasn't singled out for this privilege because of his greatness.  On the contrary.
He got a new name, a new identity, and a newly assigned life when God called him into covenant.
Abrahams claim to fame according to Hebrews Hall of Faithers in chapter eleven, is not that he believed in God but that he believed God.

Do you understand the difference?

The song that pops to mind (and you just know there is ALWAYS a song) is Trust and Obey~
"for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey".
I've been singing this song since I was a toddler for crying out loud.   I should have stayed that age.
Developing into responsible adulthood too often becomes code for:  I've got it figured out.  I can do this myself.

And here's the other thing I have to keep learning over and over again:
STOP MAKING HEROES OUT OF BIBLE FIGURES and evaluating their performance as if it were something to be measured by.   They are merely examples of God reaching down into messy lives with a mercy and grace and love that defies understanding.

It isn't about them or you or me.
It's about GOD the Creator who made us, shapes us, calls us and carries us.  24/7 without exception.

I have just discovered the newest release of Sally Lloyd Jones:   Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing
If I told you it was for my grandkids, it'd be a half-truth.  No.  I buy them by the boxload;  to help me get back to basics, to wrap my head around simple bible truths and to stop COMPLICATING things!
Faith 101 if you will.
Hit the link and browse through this masterpiece with me.  It truly does make your heart sing and your eyes brim over at the reality of belonging to Him and becoming more and more aware of His never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love.
Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing Video

The Bible:  HIS story (with divine fingerprints tracing all the others of the Bible) combined with Sally's gift of storytelling, brings home a beauty barring none.

Children's Music Matters | Christianity Today

Children's Music Matters | Christianity Today

As one with the enviable position of being able to introduce good music and song into the lives of +100 elementary students, you know that this title would have grabbed my attention immediately.
I first heard Sandra McCracken sing a soulful rendition of "Dear Refuge of my Weary Soul" at the Gospel Coalition in Chicago.  I've been tracking her music ever since along with that of her hubby Derek Webb (Indelible Grace) and am just now, digesting her first ever album for kids Rain For Roots which I first purchased as a four song pre-sale product available on NoiseTrade.
There.
You've been asking where I find my music.
NoiseTrade is one of the newest favourite places to search for good and upcoming music and a most excellent forum to 'test' it without investing too much too early.
The money I have wasted collecting music that I seldom or never listen to again is lamentable.

He's Always Been Faithful

I'm packing a few friends in the car and we're off to see this Sara Groves Girl in concert.

I. Am. So. Stoked.

Baby Kae

This little guy is a heart-throb

Dare I say it?  I absolutely adore him.

He reminds me more and more of his daddy now -- not in appearance as much as manner.

 But did this delightful Déjà vu compel ME to go to the lengths that 

one of his daddy's co-workers did?

 .... Scouring one textile store after another in search of fishing pictures
to adorn a personalized baby quilt??  Did I say that the co-worker was male?

 ....or that it was a mission lovingly & joyfully embraced with and by his girlfriend
whom we don't even really know??

The gift is a sort of precious humbling thing that brings tears to the eye.

Songs & Stories Tour USA

We're in Valparaiso, Indiana -  "investing" in our marriage and other loves like golf, music, used bookstores, coffee shops, Amarone - the list goes on and on.  There are just so many good things about this life isn't there?
We are drawn to this place in particular, 8 hours from home, to attend a concert at the Valparaiso Nazarene Church, one of the stops in a ten week Songs & Stories tour through the USA by Steven Curtis Chapman along with Josh Wilson and Andrew Peterson.
*sigh*
It was SOOOooo good.  Man!  Was it GOOD.
But I have to go to sleep first before I launch headlong into a recap.  I have to golf tomorrow with my hubby and I want to beat him.  On the scorecard that is.  That's what I meant of course.
Here's a few snapshots we managed to snag tonight...

 Andrew Peterson of Counting the Stars fame.   He was OUR drawing card for sure!

 This dude below with the cool hat played so many different instruments, he boggled the senses with his multi-talent.  His cello playing alone was enough to render one weeping - it was 'plugged' and the sound of it resonated so deep I felt it rumbling in my chest.  (We were in row 4:)

This Synthesizer man (pictured below) is Ben Shive, trusty sidekick to Andrew Peterson - shows up on all his albums including a soon to be released kids album called Slugs & Bugs Vol. 3  So much fun to watch in action.  That little blue thing at his elbow is a teeny miked xylophone (like a Fisher Price toy!) that peeled out sound like church bells. 

A long shot down the centre aisle of tonights venue.

These pic's tell a certain story about Daddy's Cinderella - perhaps I'll share that story tomorrow when I'm feeling a little less raw. There's a version of this song on Youtube as well.  I'll post that tomorrow too.  Tomorrow.  What am I saying?  It IS tomorrow already and I have a score to settle on some nearby fairways that require a good nights sleep!  *sigh*  

.....zzzz... shhh.... more tomorrow...

For My Beloved

August 1980
We were only 20 & 21.
We went dancing in the minefields,
we went sailing in the storms...
and it was harder than we dreamed
but I believe,
 ... that's what the promise is for ...

...  We bear the light of the Son of Man
     so there's nothing left to fear.
     So I'll walk with you in the Shadowlands,
     till the shadows disappear.
     'cause He promised not to leave us
     and His promises are true,
     so in the face of all this chaos,
     maybe I can dance with you...
     Let's go Dancing in the minefields
     Let's go sailing in the storms
     this is harder than we dreamed,
     but I believe -- that's what the promise is for.

(psst!... it is a great privilege, this growin' old with you.  Just sayin').

Get the scoop on yet another songwriter/singer with GOOD stuff to tell:  Andrew Peterson

A word from the Pyro's

Humiliated and humbled: sadly, not synonyms

by Dan Phillips 

Once there was a man with much to boast of; and boy, did he.
The man was builder/conqueror/despotNebuchadnezzar. A dream, brought home by a genuine prophet, had warned him of the consequences of his arrogance and called him to humble himself before God (Dan. 4:2-27). Nebuchadnezzar shrugged off the prophet's pleas and doubled down (Dan. 4:28-33). The king was instantly humiliated by a word from Heaven, and spent seven periods of time (?; don't ask) living like an animal (Dan. 4:32-33), until he saw himself in true proportion to God (Dan. 4:34-36). Now Nebuchadnezzar wasn't so big, but God was.

In this case, Nebuchadnezzar was both (outwardly) humiliated, and (inwardly) humbled. That is, God undid him, and he received the message. It's actually a pretty happy story. Many believe ol' Nabu-kudurri-usur was saved through the encounter. Possible. Only God knows.


Most of the similar stories I know, first-hand and second-, do not yet have such happy endings.

I know of a number of folks who have been massively and/or repeatedlyhumiliated, but never humbled. I could name politicians past and present, preachers past and present, and people past or present. I could name a name leading the news recently. Some of these folks I've never met; some I knew (or thought I knew) as well as I will ever know anyone who isn't me.

In each case, the natural process of following (sinful) choice A led to (foolish) choice B, which then led to disaster. Anyone with two functional neurons to fire in sequence, observing the situation, could make the connection: A led to B; A is the root-problem. Humble yourself. "Own," then disown A.

But, see, children, here's a crucial axiom of fallen humanity. It should probably be added to the 25 Things I've Learned (which seem more timely than ever)... though that would mess up the title. But here it is:

Everyone caught in a sin will either repent, or double down

There's only one way to be rid of a sin, and that way lies through repentance. Repentance is the way of humility. Repentance loves God, so it hates the sin. Repentance sees God as big, so it sees the sin as despicable. Repentance admits culpability, because it craves forgiveness — and only guilty people can be forgiven. Hence the need for "owning" — for confession — and for "disowning" through repentance.

By contrast, refusal to be rid of the sin inexorably takes one in the other direction. All defenses go up, and all assailants must be repulsed. Rationalization, blame-shifting, evasion, equivocation, lies, excuses... all these and many other baleful tools lie in the arsenal of the unrepentant.

Solomon's words, however, stand as true today as they were when first spoken and written:

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy
(Proverbs 28:13)

...and its companion warning:

One who becomes stiff-necked, after many reprimands
will be shattered instantly— beyond recovery
(Proverbs 29:1 CSB)

The lesson to us is clear: we should humble ourselves, lest we be humiliated. "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you," Peter admonishes (1 Pet. 5:6).

Refuse to do so, and we will learn Nebuchadnezzar's lesson: that "those who walk in pride he is able to humble" (Dan. 4:37).

The fall back lesson is no less clear: if it comes to humiliation, take the message to heart. Don't be the last to know. Don't wait until the saddest two words in the English language become your epitaph:

"Too late"

---

Dear Refuge of my Weary Soul

Indelible Grace

This exquisite rendering (by Sandra McCracken of Indelible Grace) of an old hymn written by one who suffered much, is just one more reason the Chicago conference proved such blessing and balm for our hearts.
Some hymns of long ago are simply heads and shoulders above the rest - this is one of them!
I'd write the words out for you - but she sings them so clearly, I think it would only distract you.
Please enjoy....quietly.

p.s. I have so many new (old) favourites again - I fear the Great Hymns of Faith Project may have to be trumped.

p.p.s......my beloved may not know that I've uttered such a thing.

Yet.

:)

Conferencing in Chicago

Well.  We're here.
Strolling around the city block of the Palmer House in wide-eyed wonder as only a bonafide pair of country bumpkins could possibly do.
I've decided to wear my camera and take you along where-ever and when-ever I can.  The conference schedule dictates that I will have to be highly selective and quick fingered in the reporting end of things if it's to happen at all.
I don't live here - in this lovely, windy city perched on the shores of Lake Michigan - brand new US territory for these two Canucks.  The camera, lack of winter wear and croc sandals are a dead giveaway.
We've both agreed this is an exciting departure from our daily routine - and we eagerly anticipate many good things this week here at the Gospel Coalition Conference with the likes of Tim Keller, Alistair Begg and (be still(er), my wildly beating heart) Keith and Kristyn Getty leading times of corporate worship!

The Palmer House is an iconic, historic hotel with more than 1600 rooms.  We are on the 17th floor and can attest to the power of wind running thru these many skyline buildings.
Time is too short for me to recap the particulars of the fascinating history of this Hotel but here's a clip from Wikipedia....


There have been three Palmer House Hotels at the corner of State and Monroe Streets in Chicago.The first (known as "The Palmer") was built as a wedding present from Potter Palmer to his bride Bertha Honoré. It opened on September 26, 1871, but burned down just thirteen days later October 9, 1871 in theGreat Chicago Fire. Palmer immediately set to work rebuilding, and with a $1.7 million signature loan(believed to be the largest individual loan ever secured at the time) constructed one of the fanciest hotels in post-fire Chicago.

There are train tracks running over our heads and below our feet.   And pedestrians everywhere.

 My beloved is eyeing the bulbs with incredulous envy.

 

 More about the significance of the intricate fold-away staircases when I get back tonight.  But think

Great Chicago Fire and you'll get the gist of it soon enough.

                                                             An important discovery.

The architecture in this city is a major visual delight.  There's a 90-minute boat cruise of the shoreline that is fully narrated by those in the Chicago hysterical historical society that is calling my our name.  :)