Bondage of the Will-Part 2

Here is the last installment of the Bondage of the Will series on Issues, Etc. It is a really good one-I plan to listen to it again! What stands out to me after listening to it is that God, perfectly righteous and having every reason to condemn us, is so merciful. He does not require us to contribute in any way to our salvation, nor do we have to fear that He does not desire to give us His salvation. He loves to show us His mercy in Christ. Thanks be to God!

Happy Birthday John!

We celebrated John's 12th birthday twice-once with a peanut butter cake at a church meal, and once with our friends who came over and had supper with us (this time it was chocolate cake!). John even got another chocolate cake from his Aunt Jean when we recently went to Kansas City! Lots of food for a growing boy, what more can you ask for?

Waiting

Today marks the new year in the church calendar: Advent. It is the only time that I actually enjoy waiting for something, or in this case, Someone. During Advent, we not only wait for the remembrance of His coming that first Christmas, but look forward to His second coming.

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. Luke 21:28

Lo! He comes with clouds descending,
Once for every sinner slain;
Thousand thousand saints attending
Swell the triumph of His train:
Alleluia,alleluia, alleluia!
Christ the Lord returns to reign.
-verse 1, Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending, LSB 336

Bondage of the Will, Part 1

This an Issues, Etc. program that goes more in depth about Luther's book, "The Bondage of the Will". Specifically, this show discusses Luther's comments in his book regarding predestination and God's foreknowledge, and Luther's later expressed concern that his writings in this book would be misunderstood. Very interesting.

Creation Museum

We recently had the privilege of going to the Creation Museum in Kentucky during their "Homeschool Days" (they offered a special rate). John's description: "Awesome!" Other kids' reactions: "Thank you, Mom, for taking us here!" The exhibits were very well done and informative. I highly recommend it!

We were also able to spend the night with our dear friends we met at the seminary last year, and now are living in Kentucky. I managed to keep this a secret from the younger two until we were done looking around the museum. Squeals of delight followed, and a wonderful time was had by all!

He Builds

This quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer is a timely comment for the modern church that so often looks to the world for ideas on how to grow the church, rather than looking to Christ, who promised to build His church.

It is not we who build. [Christ] builds the church. No man builds the church but Christ alone. Whoever is minded to build the church is surely well on the way to destroying it; for he will build a temple to idols without wishing or knowing it. We must confess-he builds. We must proclaim-he builds. We must pray to him-that he may build.
We do not know his plan. We cannot see whether he is building or pulling down. It may be that the times which by human standards are times of collapse are for him the great times of construction. It may be that the times which from a human point of view are great times for the church are times when it is pulled down.
It is a great comfort which Christ gives to his church: you confess, preach, bear witness to me and I alone will build where it pleases me. Do not meddle in what is my province. Do what is given to you to do well and you have done enough. But do it well. Pay no heed to views and opinions. Don’t ask for judgments. Don’t always be calculating what will happen. Don’t always be on the lookout for another refuge! Church, stay a church! But church, confess, confess, confess! Christ alone is your Lord; from his grace alone can you live as you are. Christ builds.

Why I Enjoy Being Homeschooled

It's hard to believe that I have been homeschooled for ten years. The years have flown by and I can't believe that I will be starting college in three years. Since I have been homeschooled all my life, I have found plenty of reasons that explain why I like being homeschooled so much.

1. I am with my family a lot more than I would if I went to school. I have learned lots of things about my family because I have spent so much time with them.

2. I don't have very much peer pressure about acting a certain way, dressing a certain way, having certain things, etc. to be accepted in the “in-crowd.” I’m not saying that I never feel this way, but I am saying that I don’t think I worry as much about these things as others might.

3. Because I am with people of different ages so much, I feel comfortable being around them and being able to talk with them in the same way I would to someone my own age. I always get the urge to laugh if I hear about people complaining that homeschoolers are unsocialized because they obviously haven’t been around any.

4. I love getting together with other homeschoolers. I find events like this very enjoyable. Yes, we homeschoolers actually do have social lives.

5. I get great opportunities to read really wonderful literature!