Two Perspectives

Two perspectives on the Christian's duty at election time, by respected Reformed pastors:

By Rev. Joel Beeke of the HRC--
Why My Conscience Won't Let Me Not Vote for Romney

And by Rev. Nathan Eshelman of the RPCNA--
Why the Word of God Will Not Let Me Vote for Mitt Romney

Can you guess which author I find most persuasive?  As you might have guessed, while I have a great deal of respect for Dr. Beeke, on this point, I agree wholeheartedly with Rev. Eshelman. It seems to me that the argument for voting for Mr. Romney is based in fear and pragmatism, whereas the argument for abstaining (or voting for a third party) is based in faith and confidence.  But what do you think? :)

Sleepy in Church?

Found on the RPCNA's Facebook page.

The Union Question

Have you seen these articles yet?

A moving appeal by Rev. Kenny Stewart of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland:
Reformed Scottish Presbyterianism: Reunion in the 21st Century?

An FP response, by Rev. David Campbell and Matthew Vogan:
Reformed Scottish Presbyterianism: A Response

If you haven't seen them, go and have a read, then come back and tell me what you think.

Two Old Psalm Recordings

A while back I uploaded two new recordings to archive.org, but I'm just now getting around to sharing them with you here. If you'd like to download them to your own computer, you can do so here.

The first is an older recording of FP congregational singing in Santa Fe.  The precentor is Nathanael Smith.

Psalm 40:5-9 to St. Paul

The second was sent to me by a blog reader.  This is a recording of Free Presbyterian congregational singing in Glasgow.  I checked with Evelyn, and she confirmed that the precentor is definitely her husband, Rev. Jett Smith.

Psalm 130 to Martyrdom

Enjoy!

Back Home Again In Indiana

In July, I flew back to my old home state of Indiana to attend the Reformed Presbyterian International Conference.  It was a six-day conference with about 2100 attendees, mostly RPs of course, but also a few (like myself) from other denominations.  The week was full of public worship services, lectures, classes, psalm singing, and fellowship with friends both old and new.

The conference was an encouraging experience for me.  The lectures and classes were edifying, and I appreciated the opportunity, especially given that I come from a small and fairly isolated congregation, to spend some time with like-minded people outside my usual circle.

I got to see some old friends, some of whom I haven't seen in well over a decade, and to make new friends as well.  I met some Facebook friends, and some who read this blog.  I even met someone who used to be an FP!  I was encouraged, challenged, and comforted by the people that I met, and have enjoyed keeping in touch with several of them.

I especially appreciated the opportunity to spend some time with a few other single women around my own age.  I also enjoyed visiting the Crown and Covenant bookshop.  I saw a lot of interesting titles in the bookshop, but managed to limit myself to two.  Oh, and I also picked up a copy of the new RP psalter.  I'm tempted to write a review...but probably won't have the time, at least not any time soon. :)

The main speaker was Dr. Beeke.  I heard Dr. Beeke preach often when I was a child, as he was the moderator of the (pastorless) congregation I attended in Kalamazoo; so it was nice to hear him again.  Here are links to recordings of his lectures at the conference, plus outlines.  I really appreciated these lectures, and look forward to listening to them again.
Dr. Beeke's Lectures

One of my favorite experiences of the week was the Scottish Psalter psalm sing.  It was well attended with 150 or so present.  Here's a video of a few of the selections sung.  (Can you see me there in the front row?)

Perhaps you're thinking "It's been a while since you've had a psalm sing there in Texas, hasn't it?" And if so, you're right.  I'm in the process of trying to arrange something.  Hopefully we'll get to do some psalm singing soon!

It never grows old

It's been four years since we discovered this video, and it's still one of our all-time favorites.  It's a great performance of a great piece, and as a bonus, there are bouncing umbrellas. :)

The William Tell Overture

P.S.  Imagine my surprise to visit my own blog and find that I had posted on Sunday!  I actually wrote this post a few months ago, and scheduled it to post automatically, though I'd intended it to post on Monday the 30th, exactly four years after the post linked above.

I believe that Sunday is the Sabbath day as per the fourth commandment.  I try to spend the first day of the week in rest, worship, edifying conversation, and good books.  I don't blog on the Lord's Day, or listen to secular music.  I'm sorry that I gave the impression that I do both, by not double checking the post date.  I've changed the date of this post, and will be more careful in future. :)

Family Photo 2012

As usual, I have quite a backlog of things to post, but no time to post them.  This week has been especially busy, because I am preparing to fly up to Indiana this Saturday to attend the Reformed Presbyterian International Conference.  I expect that the conference will be quite interesting, and am very much looking forward to it.

Anyway, this is just a quick post to share a photo.  Mom and Dad are here visiting from Israel, so on Monday, before Caleb and Leah took off for a month in Canada, we all got together for one last visit.  We thought it would be a nice opportunity to take a family photo.

So here's Mom and Dad, their children and spouses, and grandchildren.  Back row, left to right: Ben, Leah holding Preston, Caleb holding Brooklyn, Jesh holding Shona, and Mark holding Charlotte.  Front row, left to right: Elijah, me, Dad holding Noah, Mom holding Olivia, and Mercy.

I'd like to think that when I get back from the conference, I'll have time to post more, but the reality is, I may not.  But I will try. :)

Independence Day 2012

Last Wednesday was Independence Day.  We went to Mark and Mercy's for lunch, where we spent time both indoors (during the rain showers) and outdoors (between them), eating grilled hot dogs (and other good food) and visiting with one another.

It was almost two years ago that we enjoyed another barbecue in this same back yard, only back then it was Caleb and Leah's house.  A few babies have been added to our church family since then.  Mercy, for instance, was pregnant with Charlotte, last time around.  Now Charlotte is this curly-headed little darling

...and Mercy is pregnant with baby #3.    

Since July 4th was a Wednesday, we had a church service in the evening.  By then the rain clouds had cleared away, and when the service was over, the young people took off to Kemah to see some fireworks.  The boys and I were about to head home when a friend ran up to the car and asked "Do you want to come over, just because?" and of course we did..so we went to their house, where the kids had a great time playing together, and the adults spent some time eating oatmeal bars, drinking iced rooibus tea, and discussing the exciting future ahead of us. :)  No fireworks--but a nice Independence Day just the same.

Last Saturday...

...I got to babysit Mark and Mercy's little girls.  Of course, I had to take pictures!

Sometimes people tell me that Olivia and I look alike, but I think they are just trying to flatter me.

As you can see, Charlotte takes food very seriously.

In this case, I can't blame her.  These are seriously good cookies.  They are chocolate crinkles, also known as Mercy's Morsels, or Merc Bursts, or something like that, because Mercy was the first to discover this recipe.  I get a lot of my best recipes from Mercy.  She's such a nice sister to share them with me, don't you think?

And now, it's my turn to share the recipe with you.

Chocolate Crinkles

Ingredients:
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 3/4 cups white sugar (orig. recipe called for 2 cups but 1 3/4 is plenty)
1 cup veggie oil (I use coconut)
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour (I use at least half whole wheat)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup powdered sugar.
------------------------------
Blend cocoa powder, white sugar, and oil.  Add the eggs, then the vanilla.  Blend the flour, baking powder, and salt, then add to the other ingredients.  Stir in the chocolate chips.  Cover and chill for a while.

When the dough is nice and stiff, scoop out rounded tablespoons and drop them into the powdered sugar.  Nudge the hunk of dough about with the spoon until it is covered with powdered sugar, then pick up and roll between your palms into a ball shape.  Place on a greased baking sheet and bake at 350 F for 10 to 12 minutes.

Enjoy!  I like to chill mine in the freezer before eating them, but I might be weird.

"My name is Charlotte and I approve of these cookies."

Growing Fast

So, Noah lost his first tooth.

Isn't he the cutest thing??

He can also be pretty silly...

With his big brother.  Elijah does not look at all himself here.  This blank polite smile is most unusual for him.  He is usually much more expressive.

(Did you notice Elijah's new glasses?)

 

The boys have grown so much.  They really aren't my babies any more, are they?

Speaking of babies, did you know that my little sister Mercy is expecting her third?  She is due in December.  I can't wait to meet my newest niece or nephew. :)