Redress

redress |riˈdres; ˈrēˌdres|verb [ trans. ]remedy or set right (an undesirable or unfair situation) : the power to redress the grievances of our citizens.• archaic set upright again : some ambitious architect being called to redress a leaning wall.nounremedy or compensation for a wrong or grievance : those seeking redress for an infringement of public law rights.PHRASESredress the balance take action to restore equality in a situation.
Summer breezes are here at last.  My beloved and I went out for dinner last night with our son who is springing from the coop next week.  It was a 'celebration' of sorts.  I have to say this tongue in cheek because that yucky moment of reckoning with an empty nest and the cavernous hollow that is now our home - is unavoidably near.  Yes, yes.  I eagerly anticipate his wedding day and am thankful for the gift entrusted to him and his beloved to establish their new home together...but... yeah.  Just ignore me please. 
Entering the restaurant, we were forced to wade through a sea of what appeared to be high-school students dressed for a grad party or a prom night.  Dressed for prom night? she writes ruefully.  No. Decidedly undressed for prom night is more like it. Dressed to kill is most apt.  What we were forced to take in with our eyes crossed the line of decency at least three miles ago.  With a sorry mixture of sadness and anger, I resign myself to yet another cycle of angst over the way our world increasingly abandons all restraint in the arena of modesty and decency.Innocent and naive about their provocation?   Baloney.
And not just our world "out there".  No, sadly enough.  Let's be honest.Our community, our church family, our moms and our daughters....And here's the killer:  the silence on the subject is so - deafening.  When did we raise that white flag of surrender? Why?

Something has to change.We have to.For our children's sake.  For our husbands, our sons, for our witness, for God's glory.
Here's a link that might dispel any notion of this being a non-issue:Sisters, Show Mercy!

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

Peeps of the Heart

The call this morning went out sudden and urgent ....
Cousinfest today ALL day - issued by grandparental decree - to commence as fast as your mums and daddy's can get you here.
      *******
It was sheer Delight.
Behold,
a Smilebox Slideshow to commemorate and demonstrate -
put to the strains of Here's to Song from CCS' first album:  The Music Within.
The Chorus:
Here's to Song, here's to Time.
Here's to both with friends of mine.
Here's to friends who raise their voices high.... 
Kings have riches widely lain
Lords have land - but then again, 
We have friends and song no wealth can buy.

By the way, the kids sport an eclectic array of clothing, requiring some clarification:  
A teensy inconsequential spill on the front of Rachie's shirt caused a break-neck charge to my cupboard of 'spare' clothing --- which is code for 'dress-up' --- which is a highly revered past-time here.  LOL.

Free photo slideshow made with Smilebox

Faith Without Illusions

Feeling Derailed?  Torn and thread-bare?  A little - off the edge?

Do yourself a HUGE favour....
Faith Without Illusions
If every one in my church family would read through this article thoughtfully and prayerfully, I think we'd reap a heap of blessing!
Yes.  It will demand some self-examination.  Do not be afraid  :)
No pain? No gain! ... a truism that actually finds its' root in scripture.
Holy Spirit, bring it on.