Christmas, New Years, and Monumental

     Okay, I missed two holidays and want to post about Kirk Cameron's "Monumental", so I figured I'd do it in all one post.

     First, Christmas.
     During Christmas, there's always a lot of talk about having "the Christmas spirit". But when you take God out of Christmas, there isn't much of a good spirit to have. Christmas, of course, is the time of year that is set aside to celebrate Jesus' birth. But why is it so important to celebrate His birth? Because Christ didn't just come to be born of a virgin. He came to save the world from their sins. He came to shine light into the darkness, to "seek and to save that which was lost". That means that He came to die on the cross. But that wasn't the end. Christ ultimately came to defeat death and sin. His resurrection from the dead was just that. So, first, he was born of a virgin. Then, after his ministry, he took on the burden of all of mankind's sins on the cross. And finally, He rose again in victory over that death and sin! And that is where the true Christmas spirit comes from - the ultimate gift, God's own Son!
     The first thing my family did for Christmas was go to Sight and Sound's play "Jonah" with our grandparents. It was really amazing! I don't really know how to describe it... it had a really good - and strong - theme, too. It was about being freed from chains of your own making. And for a book of the Bible that ends with the main character being so selfish, they wrapped up the play really well. If you can possibly go see it, I definitely recommend.
     Also for Christmas, my family stayed at my Grandmother's. We were planning on having a big party at her house, but that party was pretty much cut in half because of the snow. But I didn't mind so much. I was so thrilled that the snow came just in time for Christmas! For the whole week before Christmas, I wasn't too sure it would snow. And I absolutely hate so-called "green" Christmases. I don't know how they are in places, like, say, Florida. But in Pennsylvania, a "green" Christmas is really a grey Christmas. So when the snow fell, my sisters and I all went outside - some of us even in our bare feet - to enjoy it. Some of us made snow angels, and we all just plain "romped" in it.
     Other than snow, we also went bowling, decorated, and, of course, wrapped and opened gifts. One thing every member of my family received was gift cards to Barnes and Noble. So, on New Years Day...

     Second, New Years Day.
     My family spent New Years Day in going to Barnes and Noble. Since I recently got my permit on my 16th birthday, Dad let me drive. Mom wasn't too impressed, but I think she is a little more settled about it all after my older sister's turn at learning to drive.
     So, we got to spend a few hours at Barnes and Noble. At first I was a little discouraged because the books that I was really looking for weren't in stock. But then I found Johnny Tremain. And then all of a sudden, all of these books I've wanted to read started popping in my head :D. After a bit of searching, I ended up leaving with "Johnny Tremain", three books by Elizabeth Gaskell, "King Solomon's Mines", "Boy Meets Girl" by Joshua Harris, "Oliver Twist", "When God Writes Your Life Story" by Eric and Leslie Ludy, and Monumental (the DVD).
     When we got home, we played a game that Dad had got (Would You Rather...), and then had dinner and watched...

     Thirdly and Lastly, Monumental.
     So, after going to Barnes and Noble, we all watched Kirk Cameron's Monumental. It was really good. Growing up with a Dad who's really into history, especially American, I have had access to a lot of good history books and other things. But I still learned from Monumental. For instance, I did not know that when the Pilgrims left for Holland, the men were separated from their wives and children. I didn't know about the storm the men were caught in, or about its miraculous stop. And the monument they went to see in Plymouth that Congress built... it was all amazing. It was sobering, encouraging, and challenging. It was sobering to see how far from the principles of our founding America has come, and where other nations in history - such as Rome - have ended up after becoming much the same as our own society has. But it was encouraging that we have such rich history that we can point to, and that our God is a God of mercy. If we will only look back, perhaps we will move forward. That's the challenging part. To not just sit back or be involved in the blame game. To instead see how this country was made, realize the Providence of God in our history, and then move forward with that knowledge. And then, to cry out with the Pilgrims "You can save us even now!"
     If you haven't seen it already, I recommend this to you, too. It was just incredible.

So, I hope all of you had a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

In Christ Alone,

 

Well With My Soul

Hi, everyone! It's been a while... I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I entered Vision Forum's Essay Contest for the year 2012 and decided to post my entry here. Tell me what you think!


Well With My Soul

“Tell us a story, Grandpa!” Andrew and Agnes excitedly begged. Grandpa and Grandma had come for baby Rose's first birthday, and the children loved it when their grandfather told them stories – even if they were old ones. But today, Grandpa had a new story in mind. “Sure, kids! This time, my story is about something that happened sixty years ago. My story takes place in April of 1912 – when I was about your age, Andrew. But first, let's all go to the living room and get comfy.” Grandpa took his story-telling position in the great big armchair, and the eager listeners gathered around on the floor.

“It was April of 1912. My family had been visiting my Grandparents in England. When it was time to go home, my Father paid for our passage back to America on the Titanic. I was so excited; the ship was gigantic! Your Great-Aunt Lily and I had a lovely time exploring it.

“Unfortunately, on the second day into the voyage, Mother became sea sick, so Father spent all his time in our cabin taking care of her. Because we wanted to be a blessing to our parents, we made sure not to go anywhere that they could not hear us, and stayed out of mischief and out of the crew's way.

“On the third day, Lily and I had an especially good time. By the end of the day, we were very exhausted, so we went to bed early. At about 11:40 p.m., I woke up as I was jolted out of my bed. Lily awoke as well, and Father went to find out what was going on. Lily started to cry. I went over to comfort her the best I knew how. She, Mother and I all prayed that His will would be done. Just as we finished praying, Father came back down. He said, 'The ship's hit a glacier. Get dressed, children. I believe we will have to evacuate the ship.' Lily and I were very nervous, and dressed quickly. Soon our family made our way on deck, with Father carrying Mother.

“We prepared to board the lifeboats. However, foolishly, the ship had not been equipped with nearly enough lifeboats. The cry of 'Women and children first!' was echoed over and over all around the ship. The crew members and noble men were holding back those men who were trying to sneak a passage on a lifeboat.

“Lily clung to me then, weeping. As Father gently laid Mother in a lifeboat and helped Lily and I on board, he said his final fare-wells. His last words to me were these: 'Son, you are the man of the family now. Take good care of your Mother and sister. Above all, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding; in all thy ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” And remember, son, that God has given men the responsibility to protect women, and that women and children are the future of the nation. Never act in cowardice and fail that responsibility.'

“I started to cry as well. We pushed off, and Father stood, waving on the deck. Behind him, we could see people scurrying about. Then I heard Wallace Hartley and his musicians begin the familiar tune of the hymn 'It is Well with my Soul.' I heard my father singing. I began to sing as well.

When peace like a river attendeth my way,

“I saw the ship sinking, sinking, sinking. The sensation of profound peace mixed with utter confusion and despair made my whole body tingle.

When sorrows like sea billows role;

“The Titanic was being swallowed by the sea, the lights brilliantly lighting up the wee hours of the morning.

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

“I thought of my father and the other men on the ship. They were willingly giving up their lives for those of their women and children. I knew that many of those men understood all too well what this song really meant. It was well with their souls; they were right with God, and had done their duty. But it was more than just a sense of duty that had compelled them to do this thing. They had done this out of love for God. They were fulfilling the command in Ephesians 5:2 - 'And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.'

“As I sang the rest of the chorus, I watched as the ship sank bellow the surface of the water. There was not a dry eye left on the lifeboat. Just about every one had lost someone - a father, a brother, a son. I prayed for all of them, and us, too. What would we do?

“'Trust God,' answered a still small voice. 'Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not on thine own understanding; in all thy ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.' I knew that God was talking to me. I prayed that He would help me to just trust him.

“I learned many lessons from that fateful day. They were summed up in my father's last words. Part of obeying the command in Proverbs 3:5-6 is to read and obey God's Word. And in His Word, I find that men are to treat women as precious gems. They are the weaker vessels, and need to be protected. I also find that if someone harm a child, it were better for him that he were drowned.”

After a moment, Agnes said, “That's an awfully sad story, Grandpa.”

“In a way it is, sweetie. But did you know what happened after that?”

“No, what?”

“Your Great-Aunt Lily got saved!”

“Really?”

“Yes. She saw how much her father must have loved her – and me and your Great-Grandma – to die on the sinking ship so that we could have room on the lifeboats. She saw that what He did reflected God's love, and how God truly is a loving Father. So my mother led her to Christ.”

Andrew had been thinking this over. He realized that it is truly God's role for men to protect women. “Grandpa,” he said, “Can you teach me to treat women that way?” “I sure can,” said Grandpa with a
great big smile, “I sure can.”



In Christ Alone,

Lots of Things

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. My family and I have been busy with Christmas and all, then we had to stop our holiday break and start school back up. I guess I coulda found time New Year's day sometime, but I was savoring the time with family, and I decided I could post something soon, anyhow.


And if any of my posts look... weird or something, it's because I couldn't get the blogger to "cooporate." :]

So here is what we've been doing lately:

On Christmas morning, Jess and I woke up to a certain energetic 8-year-old Emma bouncing us awake with shouts of "It's Christmas!!!" Emma's middle name just happens to be "Elizabeth," which we discovered means energetic. So, if anyone ever said that her middle name's energetic, they'd be correct :D. She then went to wake Mom and Dad up, and we all followed her, hoping to watch her bounce them awake. Unfortunately, Emma whispered to them instead... too bad. *sigh*

All five of us then gathered 'round the [fake] Christmas tree to wait for Mom and Dad to get up. I have a few pics from Christmas day, but I'm not able to put them up right now. I'll probably post them in my next post :).

So, finally Mom & Dad got up and we opened up our presents from Jess. I not only had a Christmas present from her, but also a b-day one - because she'd ordered the gift, but it hadn't come in time.

Anyway, Mom got a rubix cube (which we all get to enjoy!), Dad got "the Christmas Sweater" by Glenn Beck, Karissa got a book... I think it's series is the Mandie series or something. Emma, I think, got some Little House paper dolls, while Megan got a cute little book (Mr.Pippins) about a girl and a little racoon. My two gifts were the last to books of the "Shadowcreek Chronicles."

I was beginning to wonder where the presents were from Mom & Dad, as there weren't anymore presents under the Christmas tree for us. It turned out that our present wasn't really something you could wrap. They were tickets to see the Celtic Women!!! I was really surprised. I thought that only Mom & Jess were going to go, but Dad got tickets for all of us! Unfortunately, the "fulfillment" of our Christmas present will have to be in March.

The rest of Christmas day was filled with relatives, a lot of yummy food, and opening presents. We got so many I can only remember a portion of them!

On New Years day, we went to a Family Night at church. First, Pastor gave us a challenge from Ephesians 5:15-17, about redeeming the time. It really made me think about how I need to spend every moment for Christ, and to carefully pray and take time and consideration over things rather than to make a quick decision that I'd likely regret.

After the challenge the families gathered round the different tables to participate in a gingerbread house-making contest. It turned out I put too much water in our icing, so it was a little messy - the house had natural icicles! Then, while we were waiting for the "judges," we started to eat. There were three categories in the gingerbread house contest - I can't remember what they were, though. We didn't win, but the prize was another gingerbread house, which I don't think we would've ended up doing, anyway. I think, if there'd been a category for sloppiness, we probably would've won :D.

After eating, we played games, and then went home.

Yesterday was Dad's b-day. We went to Carabas. The food was absolutely delicious! Of course, being an Italian resturant, there was plenty of garlic all over my food. YUM!!!! The chicken I got had been grilled (I'm asuming) and Daddy thought is was steak, at first. Of course, then he wanted to try it, and everybody else after him :). Thankfully, I wouldn't have been able to finish it all, anyway. Daddy said that I should make chicken like that all the time, but I don't really know how to use a grill...

And, (of course), we had his favorite chocolate bundt cake when we got home. Even though I hadn't eaten all my dinner, I still ate a few bites. I mean, who would want to miss out on a once-a-year rich chocolate cake? Happy (slightly belated) B-day, Daddy!

Sorry if a rambled on a bit...