A New Bible

Andrew brought home an ESV (English Standard Version) Bible home from school, and I have begun using it for personal reading.

I really like it.

I like it so much that I bought one while we were in Alabama (identical to the one at right, just a darker color--$29.99).

I didn't like reading other translations because they felt like a caveat to modern culture --they didn't "feel" like reading the Bible. This one does. The flyer says:

"Would you believe it took nearly 500 years to translate the ESV Bible? That's because the ESV builds on the great translations of the past--including William Tyndale's New Testament of 1526 and the King James Version (KJV) of 1611.

"But the ESV Bible also builds on the best Christian scholarship of the last 100 years. The result is a fresh and compelling Bible translation with a timeless quality, that's trustworthy and true.

"That's why the ESV "sounds like" the Bible--with the kind of beauty, clarity, and dignity that we love to hear and read. That's also why the ESV retains the Bible's rich imagery and theological words--words like grace and justification and salvation--that are essential to our faith.

"The result is a Bible that conveys the timeless quality of God's Word and that remains trustworthy and true to the original words breathed out by God. As Moses wrote more than 3,000 years ago, the words of God are 'your very life, and by this word you shall live' (Deuteronomy 32:47)."

Old Pics

I'm at my folks' house for Christmas and found these old pics. on Dad's computer.

Andrew and Mike at Community Baptist Church, about 1993.

Mary Lee's first Easter--1992.

Cousins together at Grandma's house, about 1995.

Our wedding 6/29/85.

Christmas jobs

Andrew worked retail for 14 hours today--went in at 4 a.m. to stock.

Mary Lee is making crepes & selling coffee at the crepe shop for 12 hours today.

I feel like a lady of leisure having nothing to do but shop, do laundry, wrap presents, cook, and keep the house presentable!

Christmas party

I've come to the conclusion that you can take a group of teenagers, give them a place to hang out for awhile, sling some food at them, and provide a few simple things to do, and they will be happy.

Today we had about 20 juniors and seniors from school over--just invited any who wanted to come after school was out at noon. It was an interesting mixture of kids, not at all a typical group who hangs out together at school. I asked with trepidation if any of them wanted to paint ornaments, figuring they would think it was "uncool" to do so. The girls immediately said yes, and after awhile even some of the boys decided to paint ornaments too! Meanwhile, some of the others played Scattergories and then Guesstures while an older movie played in the background, and after awhile went out and shot baskets. They grazed on chips and rice krispie bars, with a little fudge thrown in after awhile. They came and went all afternoon, for about five hours.

And they all seemed to have a great time.

Year of Jubilee

Today I start my "year of jubilee."

I asked Mike if he was going to trade me in on two 25-year-olds. He said we're both too old for that.

I wonder if being in a "year of jubilee" means that I can lie fallow for a year?

The Final Product

I don't think I ever posted the final photos of the new porch.










We will enjoy some nice times out there when the weather is warmer! And with the record setting temps. of this December, we ate out there last night--all four of us, around the card table. No furniture yet!

A Christmas Quotation

Our nephew Jonathan wrote his family's Christmas letter last year, and with all due credit to him, I'd like to quote the last paragraph he wrote:

"It seems redundant to say that so often we get caught up in the sales and the parties while missing out on the great reality of what it is we celebrate. Every year I hear that, from either myself or someone else. Unfortunately, though I have heard that reminder over and over, I still find new and inventive ways to keep my mind occupied and away from acknowledging Christ, the gift of God incarnate. So, I pray that during this time, this season, something has made you stop and think. Whether it be a manger scene, a church service, or a conversation, you have given thought to the incomprehensible truth that the creator God gave Himself to us."

Orion and the beauty in the heavens

This year I have a group of students who are very interested at learning the constellations and their positions in the sky. (Some years there is more interest than others.) It's always exciting to have young people come in to class in the mornings and say "I saw it last night!" One night I got a phone call from a student--I had told him it was OK to call--and he said "I'm outside, and I can't find the Great Square--can you show me where it is?" So I went outside and guided him to find it in the overhead sky. They're really getting the picture and seeing the beauty of how the pattern works throughout the night and throughout the seasons.

I always love the first time I see Orion each year. It's like an old friend returning. Of course, when it first comes up in late November and December, it's lying on its "back," as if the picture above was turned 90 degrees counterclockwise. That picture is an overexposure of Orion in the night sky; it's easy to see how Betelgeuse (upper left corner) is a red star, and the Great Nebula of Orion is easily visible in the sword. Those wouldn't be as visible to the naked eye.

Each time I see Orion for the first time in the evening autumn sky, I am reminded of the great and majestic testimony of our universe--how our great God planned and put all this in order, and set the earth spinning and revolving in perfect harmony so that life could thrive. It is an annual and beautiful reminder to me that underneath me are His everlasting arms.

Listening to a Duet

Mike and Andrew are out in the kitchen, playing a violin/guitar duet right now. Andrew came home this afternoon from first semester. What is he going to do for a month!!! Well, anyway, the music sounds nice--especially on today, Mike's (?) birthday. I'll not put the number of years out on the internet.

I Love Our Tree

I love our Christmas tree because its very presence means that we can enjoy beauty in our lives--we are not in a situation that some are in, where merely finding shelter, food, and clothing takes everything they have.

I love our tree because everything on it represents someone or some occasion that has been important in our lives. Ornaments from former students, friends, many (angels and rockinghorses for Andrew and Mary Lee) from my sister, --all bring back memories of people we care about. And others bring back memories of events, such as all the plaster ornaments that Mary Lee and I have painted in past years, and even the felt doll ornaments that I made as a child and that have followed me all these years.

I love our tree because this year we apparently got a fresher one than in the past, as the frazier fir smell really fills the air.

I love our tree because looking at it in the evening or early morning, with all other lights off, makes me feel good.