Who Says What's Christian Music?

I was so happy to see Square Peg Jeremy Casella quoted in this article. It speaks of what some artists call "The Jesus Factor," which has driven many talented artists out of the "mainstream" CCM market. A quote:

We must understand that we have created our own sub-culture which runs by its own rules. Just because something may be purchased at a Christian bookstore does not mean it may be trusted. Conversely, just because something may not be purchased at the same store does not mean the people behind it are not glorifying God in what they do.... We must gently teach Christian truth that not only affects the heart, but also the head. We must teach discernment, something sorely lacking in our day and age.

The timing of this article is perfect to me...this morning in the shower David was singing (sorry to out you, honey) a song from Natalie Merchant's Ophelia album, which was released about ten years ago. The album contains two songs that more vividly and artistically describe the fallen state of man and the crucifixion of Christ than any Christian artist I've ever heard.

HT: Challies

Your Opinion/Input Needed. Snide Remarks/Sarcasm you may keep to yourself.

So here's a brief outline of something we're pondering right now.

In the spirit of true American consumerism, David and I have a GIANT master suite in our house. It's big. And the bathroom has a garden tub, two sinks, a water closet, and a huge walk-in closet.

(side note...maybe someday I will blog on the teeny common areas versus the giant bedrooms in new homes today and what that says about people wanting to be together)

In addition to that, we have three other bedrooms upstairs: two are dedicated to the boys right now (two sets of bunks, one in each room), and one is a guest room.

We have pondered adding a room upstairs, over our living room (which if you haven't been in our house is a little hard to picture, but take my word for it), but now it appears that doing that may entail more than we were originally up for, time wise and money wise. We haven't officially decided against that yet -- we have one more contractor to talk with first -- but it seems like it might be more trouble than we originally thought.

Now, you must know something about me. I am incredibly attached to the idea of a guest room. I love being able to say to people, "hey, if you don't mind sharing a bathroom with little boys, we have a spot for you." Just two weeks ago, we were able to host a young lady who's dating one of David's coworkers and needed a place to crash. It was sweet to be able to get to know both of them better over muffins and tea in the mornings. It's also nice to say to babysitters that they can stay here if we're going to be late. And we have a lot of family that comes in and out for visits.

So getting rid of the guest room is a last resort for me. Even when we were in a tiny two-bedroom apartment in Northern California, we had a double bed set up in the boys' room with them. It's pretty important to us.

But we have a little girl coming at the end of the summer, and eventually we'd like her to not have to share a room with her brothers.

So we're thinking about putting all the boys in the master bedroom. Four in a big room, dormitory-style. Two sets of bunk beds in one room, and they'd have lots of room to spare.

Pros, as I see them: hanging on to the guest room. A bigger bathroom for them all to crowd into at bedtime, so it's not four people clamoring for a single sink in a tiny bathroom (they already shower and bathe in our bathroom the majority of the time). Setting up a laundry-sorting system in their closet, because there's enough room for a sorter in the big closet. And it just seems to make more sense, number-wise...two people in a smaller room, four people in a bigger room. And we could probably put some of the current toy nightmare that occupies the schoolroom in the bedroom, leaving more room for school.

Cons, as I see them: I would miss the closet. Potential for extreme rowdiness at bedtime with the number of children in the room doubled. Possible claustrophobia in a smaller bedroom and bathroom for us. (though we don't really spend that much time in our bedroom)

The other option would be converting the guest room into our little girl's room, and eventually having her sleep in a double bed when she gets out of her crib. Although, at first blush, that smacks so much of "princess" it makes me cringe.

What am I not thinking of? What have I left out? Will we regret this if we try it?

More Biltmore Pictures

On Tuesday we took off for Asheville with Laura and Roy, David's sister and brother-in-law, and their children, Kellie and Neil. The Biltmore House is something that we've been told since we moved here that we MUST go see, but this was our first time!


The stairway is illuminated by a giant iron chandelier that weighs almost a ton. Indoor pictures are not allowed, so you'll have to go to the website to see more. The house took six years to build, and was finished when George Vanderbilt was 33 years old. The gardens and landscaping were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (designer of NYC's Central Park and Elm Park in Worcester, MA). :-)

The cousins (l-r) Neil, Cameron, Ben, Jonathan, Kellie, and Andrew

Roy and Laura, and Jonathan, who is apparently so delusional from not napping that he's throwing himself into the frigid fountain waters for a swim.

Hooray!

Sometimes when you're about to push the shutter, an obstruction gets in your shot

Happy Birthday Andrew!

When will the cake be ready?

The almost-four-year-old at the Biltmore

Please Come Visit Us at Our New Summer Home

From Tuesday's visit to the Biltmore House...more pictures later...

Resurrection Sunday

I always enjoy redecorating the mantle for the season...it's so much lighter compared to my usual fall/winter display.

Eagerly waiting to open his gifts

You can't tell, but he has chocolate in his mouth

This is how the boys' gardens looked when they came downstairs Sunday morning

All-natural snacks were consumed

Look at the handsome men I went to church with!! (and be sure to look closely at Jonathan's face...it cracks me up)

Flowers for the hostess...we usually have a houseful on Easter Sunday, but since we were expecting family later in the day, we kept it to just us and our brother Tom, who brought me these pretty sunflowers

You Will Excuse Me while I Live-blog Masterpiece Theatre

Oh, I do love Emma. And I am just a tad excited that The Complete Jane Austen has returned to Sunday nights.

So if you find this boring, just come back tomorrow. Those of you who are mildly obsessed like me -- and I know you're out there -- read on, and comment as needed.

Starting with the chicken theft was a little weird (am I watching the right movie??!!), but I like the connection to the departure of Miss Taylor.

"Marriage is very upsetting to one's social circle." Not there. I missed it a little.

*sigh* Mr. Knightley is not Jeremy Northam. Trying to get over this.

Kate Beckinsale makes a pretty, youthful Emma to the more mature Mr. Knightley (truer to the book than the Hollywood version).

They're singing a hymn!! Fun!!!

The older set (Miss Bates, Mrs. Bates, and Mr. Woodhouse) is wonderful so far. You really get the feeling that they're mildly crazy and entertaining to the younger set.

I like how Harriet is slightly disheveled in contrast to the polished Emma. Harriet is cute and wide-eyed in a very believable way.

Emma and Mr. Knightley arguing about Harriet's refusal of Robert Martin: he seems a little too angry...he's actually raising his voice...that seems a bit over-the-top.... Oh, but a good make-up scene, with the baby and the warmness.

Am I the only one that thinks that this actor portraying Mr. Elton looks a little like Colin Firth in P&P?

I like Mrs. Weston and Mr. Knightley talking about Emma behind her back. "You know she is an excellent creature." :-)

ACK! The picture's talking!! At this point I have a flashback to Colin Firth talking out of Jennifer Ehle's mirror: "You must allow me to declare how ardently I admire and love you." Apparently Andrew Davies is a fan of the extra-terrestrial disembodied-head suitor.

HA! She's so freaked out by Mr. Elton's declaration!!! Great job, Kate!!

I don't think Jane is pretty enough to be a threat to Emma. They have her hair so plainly done.

Wow, this Miss Bates is really good at the prattling on. I didn't think anyone could do it as well as the other lady, but wow. I was completely bored.

The explanation of the tenant farmer system with Mr. Knightley's estate was a helpful addition. I didn't really grasp that the first time I read the book.

Wow, Frank Churchill. He's so pretty, he must be bad news. Never trust a man with better hair than you, that's what I say.

OK...phone call...so I have no comment on the ball-planning scene. Or the two scenes following. Or the one after that.

OK...party scene with all the pianoforte playing. Mr. Knightley is portrayed as more blunt in this version; he minces no words with Emma or anyone else. He also intervenes directly on behalf of Jane Fairfax's poor voice instead of cuing Miss Bates to do so.

Is Mrs. Elton the same lady as Mrs. Hurst in P&P? (yes) Well done with all the gaudy jewelry.

I miss the scenes from the other movie showing Emma being benevolent to their poorer neighbors.

Ball scene...well done all around. No comment there, really, except it's nice to see Mr. Knightley smile. Sadly, smiling did not turn him into Jeremy Northam.

The romantic fantasies are cute. They're getting a little tiresome though.

Strawberry picking at Donwell Abbey...Sweet that Mr. Knightley talks about his future wife inviting people to his home. And I'm always up for seeing Mrs. Elton put in her place.

Box Hill...goodness, what a production with all the tents and tables. And the pivotal Emma blunder in humiliating Miss Bates. Great exchange with the bawling out of Emma by Knightley.

Anything that Knightley can bring to John and Isabella? "...besides the laugh which no one carries." Darling. Sweet.

Oh, I do love the scene with him leaving. He's so happy that she went to the Bates' to apologize, and she's so sad that he's leaving with things so awkward between them.

Kate Beckinsale is a good cryer. She also cries a lot in "Much Ado About Nothing." I wonder if she cries in that vampire flick.

Knightley's back...his anger at Frank is excellent. Her puzzled expression at his declaration is perfect. A bit creepy with the "I held you in my arms when you were six weeks old..." thing. That's cradle robbing for ya.

Cute scene with them telling Mr. Woodhouse.

I like the harvest dinner scene. It shows that Knightley does not think of himself as above his tenants...and what an honor to be toasted by an entire room of your fiance's friends!

Happy Ending.

And...we're back to the chickens. Another woman stolen away.

And a teaser for the new S&S...oh my!!! SWORDFIGHTING!! That's quite exciting!!

The Fruit of Atonement

Augustus Toplady on "Christ Our Passover":

This subject plainly points out the great end which our Lord had in view, in suffering and dying for His people, namely, that He might put away sin, by the sacrifice of Himself. He gave Himself for us, says the Apostle, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, that is, from the whole punishment due to our iniquities, by dying for us, and causing us, in return, to show our gratitude, by a life of devotedness to God. Hence you see that obedience, which flows from love on our side, as well as forgiveness on God’s, is a fruit of our Lord’s atonement; and to hope for one, without being careful to maintain the other, is to put asunder what God has joined together. But this can never be; the blessings of pardon and sanctification always go hand in hand: all the people of Christ are, for His sake, in a state of favour, and those who are really so, are careful to excel in all the works of practical and Undefiled religion.

Bracketology

Yesterday at lunch I worked through the NCAA tournament bracket four times, asking the boys what their chosen teams were. The logic they use is always entertaining.

For example:

• Xavier sounds like "Savior."
• San Diego sounds like "Andy Osenga."
• Georgetown sounds like "George Washington." (this one served Jonathan well...he has them going deep)

Ben's South region (upper right) boggles the mind. He consistently picked the lower-ranked team in each first-round game. Eventually, in Ben's world, Temple upsets Cornell to advance to the final four.

Austin Peay (#16 in the South region) was a very popular choice, as was Siena (#13 in the Midwest). I think that might have something to do with the fact that our van is a Toyota Sienna.

The Final results:

• Cameron has USC beating Duke 95-76
• Ben has Temple beating George Mason 85-70
• Andrew has Indiana beating Pitt 19-15
• Jonathan has Stanford beating Washington State with no final score, because no matter how hard I tried I could only get him to say, "They play basketball like DIS (slams the table)."

You heard it here first!

Resurrection Gardens

This is a fun activity we did a couple of years ago during Holy Week. My friend Shawnda emailed me to ask for the specifics, and she has inspired me to do it again this year.

Here's the list of stuff you'll need for each garden:

1 square foil (disposable) baking pan (usually they're 8x8 or 9x9)
potting soil (enough to fill the pan)
some sort of seedlings...we used pansies, I think, and some green plants. Just get stuff that you can replant outside so you don't waste :-)
modeling clay (or make your own) that hardens, either overnight or in the oven
grey paint, if your clay isn't grey
little stones/natural objects you might find around the house that the kids would want in their "gardens"

We formed and baked our tombs (make a tomb shape and then a separate stone to seal it) on Thursday, and then painted them Friday and planted the gardens that night, arranging the flowers and greenery around the (closed) tombs. Then on Saturday night, before we went to bed, I opened the tombs so they could see it was empty when they woke up.

As Promised...

Swimming lesson pictures.

They all smile the whole time they're in the water

This is pretty big news, that Cameron was able to relax enough to lay flat on his back. He usually curls up in a ball and sinks. :-)

Neighborhood Ruffians

I thought it would be a few more years until I saw my son on a motorcycle with a girl on the back...


And his sidekick:

Slainte

Some Irish toasts and wishes for your day:

May you live to be a hundred years, with one extra year to repent.

May you be in heaven one half hour before the devil knows you're dead.

Here's to your coffin...
May it be built of 100 year old oaks which I will plant tomorrow.

Here's to you as good as you are,

Here's to me as bad as I am,
As good as you are,
And as bad as I am,
I'm as good as you are,
As bad as I am.

An old Irish recipe for longevity:
Leave the table hungry.
Leave the bed sleepy.
Leave the bar thirsty.

May you have warm words on a cold evening,
A full moon on a dark night,
And the road downhill all the way to your door.

Ethical Dilemma

Is it wrong to park in the "expectant mothers" parking space if you buy beer at the grocery store? Do you have to turn in your pregnant-lady card if you purchase alcohol?

I'm not planning to drink it, but I thought my husband might like a beer on St. Patrick's Day....

Some Girl-Related Blog Notes

Thank you all for your kind wishes and congratulations as regards our shocking announcement on Wednesday. I know some of you must have had to really pull it together before leaving a comment, so the fact that so many of you did causes me to be exceedingly grateful.

Now, on to the Q&A.

1. What did you think when you heard?

Shock. Mostly shock. I've seen enough ultrasounds of boys that I realized as I was lying there that I was actually looking for boy parts...as in, I just expected to see them. I didn't think we could have a girl. But apparently I do not have a hostile uterus to the female gender. Comforting thought, isn't it? But after the shock wore off, we felt happy, excited, and grateful.


2. What did the boys think?

They are excited. Cameron keeps saying (he hasn't stopped yet), "I've never had a baby sister before!" Andrew said he expected it to be a boy but "he didn't cry" when he found out it was a girl. This comment has to do with the fact that we watched America's Funniest Home Videos on Sunday night, and one of the winning videos was a clip of parents telling their son and daughter that the next baby is a girl, and the sister throws grateful kisses to God and rejoices whilst the brother completely melts down and starts screaming. Naturally this was a good opportunity for me to say, "We're not going to do THAT on Wednesday, are we? We're going to be thankful for whatever God has given us, RIGHT?!"


3. What are you going to name her?

We don't know yet. The naming discussion is very fun this time around because we haven't used up any girl names yet.

Until we decide on/announce a name, which may not be until the baby's birth, for blog purposes I will refer to her using the boys' name suggestion, which is Violet Tulip.

Yes, Violet Tulip. Let no one suggest that they aren't sensitive men.

What is it?

GIRL

Everyone pick yourselves up off the floor now. :-)

What Can Wash Away My Sin?

For the past week or so at lunchtime, we've been learning a new "passion hymn." I'm using the book and CD linked here.

So far we've learned "All Glory, Laud and Honor," "What Can Wash Away My Sins?," "Man of Sorrows," and "The Old Rugged Cross."

The favorite -- by a long shot -- so far has been "What Can Wash Away My Sins?". It's the most repetitive, so even Jonathan is getting the hang of it, and it contains a lot of visual lyrics, which appeals to the older boys.

Here's a picture I came across this morning as I was tidying up the schoolroom:

That's Cameron pouring Jesus' blood on the fiery sin. And he's saying "yep" while he's doing it.

Overheard

Annoyed noises coming from Ben upstairs. Cameron is doing something to bug him. At this point he starts saying, "I'm going to tell Mom!". If I overhear this I usually respond, "no, you're not," because they are old enough to start talking to each other about this stuff.

Ben: I'm going to tell Mom!

(annoying noises persist)

Ben: I'm going to tell Mom!

(annoyances persist, reaching levels that annoy me on a different floor of the house)

Ben: I'm going to tell Mom OR PRAY TO JESUS!!!

Maybe that will work better than telling Mom...

A Question Worth Asking

An excerpt from "What is Repentance?" by William S. Plumer (1802-1880)

He who truly repents is chiefly sorry for his sins; he whose repentance is spurious is chiefly concerned for their consequences. The former chiefly regrets that he has done evil, the latter that he has incurred evil. One sorely laments that he deserves punishment, the other that he must suffer punishment. One approves of the Law that condemns him; the other thinks he is [harshly] treated and that the Law is rigorous. To the sincere penitent, sin appears exceeding sinful. To him who sorrows after a worldly sort, sin in some form appears pleasant. He regrets that it is forbidden. One says it is an evil and bitter thing to sin against God, even if no punishment followed; the other sees little evil in transgression if there were no painful consequences sure to follow. If there were no hell, the one would still wish to be delivered from sin; if there were no retribution, the other would sin with increased greediness. The true penitent is chiefly averse to sin as it is an offence against God. This embraces all sins of every description.

The Vacation Story I Haven't Told Yet

Usually when we travel up to New England, we stop off in Pennsylvania as a halfway point. It makes it a more pleasant trip for everyone if the 14-hour drive is broken into an 8-hour day and a 6-hour day. So we usually bunk near my alma mater in Mechanicsburg, PA.

And on one leg of the trip or the other, we dart down the road to Carlisle to visit two little bookstore gems: Cumberland Valley Bible Book Service and the US headquarters of Banner of Truth.

Because if you know us at all, you know we are bibliophiles.

This time, we went to Cumberland Valley first, and I think escaped for under $100. They have a great collection at wonderful prices, as well as some unique selections for children.

Then we walked down the block and around the corner to the Banner of Truth office (that's a picture of it above).

And there...

from out of the drab wood-paneled surroundings...

smiling from its green and white covers and dripping with theological and practical wisdom...

beckoned to my husband...

The Complete Works of John Owen.

He gasped quietly and politely asked how much it would be. Everything housed on their shelves in Carlisle is 50% off list price, but the total would still be over $200. With great self-control, he said thanks, but no thanks.

A few minutes later, a woman who had been working there emerged from behind her desk and asked, "Sir? Are you interested in the Owen set? I have a reason for asking this, by the way."

David said, essentially, yes, but he wasn't looking to spend that much today.

The woman then reported that a benevolent man in Florida had authorized Banner of Truth to give away six complete Owen sets each year, courtesy of him. She added that every time she saw someone go weak in the knees over the sets on their shelves, she knew that she had found the proper recipient for one of the six sets.

So about a half-hour later, we were on our way to Charlotte with a box in the back containing...



Now, I entertain a fantasy that I know who this generous man is (we got his name and have sent him a gushing thank-you note, by the way).

On one visit to the Cumberland Valley store, I overheard a conversation happening between David and a clerk there. David was in the middle of Overcoming Sin and Temptation by Owen at the time, and he was asking for recommendations on which of Owen's works to dive into next. The clerk was tossing around some ideas, and his coworkers were offering their own suggestions.

Also overhearing this conversation was an unimposing white-haired man with glasses, standing near the shelf laden with ESV Bibles. As the talk about Owen drifted to a close, he looked at the men, and said in a soft Scottish accent, "Just...read...Owen." It was almost a whisper. I don't know if they even heard him, but I did, and it felt like I'd been visited by an angel (Scottish accents can do that to me).

So maybe it was that man or maybe it wasn't. But somewhere in Florida there is a man with a love for theology made practical through the pen of John Owen, and he demonstrates that love by passing it on to others.

English Majors Building a Monkey Alarm

Oh dear. If you are in need of a laugh, please read this. But make sure you're not drinking anything at the time.

"To March"

Dear March, come in!
How glad I am!
I looked for you before.
Put down your hat
You must have walked
How out of breath you are!
Dear March, how are you?
And the rest?
Did you leave Nature well?
Oh, March, come right upstairs with me,
I have so much to tell!

I got your letter, and the birds';
The maples never knew
That you were coming, I declare,
How red their faces grew!
But, March, forgive me
And all those hills
You left for me to hue;
There was no purple suitable,
You took it all with you.

Who knocks? That April!
Lock the door!
I will not be pursued!
He stayed away a year, to call
When I am occupied.
But trifles look so trivial
As soon as you have come,
That blame is just as dear as praise
And praise as mere as blame.

by Emily Dickinson, 1830-1886

With a week to go

...before the ultrasound, the poll is showing 18-15 in favor of a girl, with 11 people who think they're comedians.

Red Head

Here's an interesting fellow who's paid us a visit recently:

Sunday, part II

So after all the running around, the kids were ready for a quick drink and a long rest. In seats in the front row. 'Cause that's how we roll.

Some pictures from the concert...

This is where Andy Osenga lives

And this is where Garrett Buell lives

Derek came out and opened with some of his solo stuff.

Derek + 12-string = a lot


My favorite part was watching the kids watching :-)


Jonathan was either clapping or doing this

This is the first time we've seen Caedmon's with the addition of Andy O. When they sang "Expectations," the four vocalists took it to another level.

Danielle sounded great as always. They sang a ton of OLD stuff, which excited David and I but unfortunately confused most of the young 'uns there. I realized I've been listening to this band for twelve years...almost half my life.

One of the many Osenga guitars


Garrett


Todd


Interesting percussion, the backbone of every Caedmon's song


As the concert was heading into the homestretch, Andy did some of his solo stuff. Unfortunately, at this time, the sound started doing some funky stuff. The house feed would completely give out occasionally. He persevered, but in the middle of his song, "Kara," it happened again, so...


he pulled the plug on himself, came out on the apron of the stage, and finished up unplugged.
It was great!


After the show, we met Cliff and Andy, and the band gave the kids the drumsticks that they'd used during the show. Todd signed them. :-)


And naturally, on the way home, there was more swordfighting.