This world is not my home

Lately I've been reading A Passion for God by Ray Ortlund, Jr., during my quiet time. It's a book of prayers and meditations on the book of Romans; and since our pastor is preaching through Romans right now, I thought it'd be a good companion to that. At the rate I'm going, with my quiet time being very limited these days, we're on the same track, as it will probably take us both a few years to finish the book! He's been preaching on Romans 12:1,2 for a few months now, but it's been great!

I've been wanting to blog for a while on this last passage I read because it was so good. It's from Romans 8:18-21.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

I love the poem that Ortlund put with this passage. It's written by Henry Francis Lyte, 1793-1847, (don't know him, but I like what he wrote). It's from a book called Hymns as Poetry by Tom Ingram and Douglas Newton.

My rest is in heaven; my rest is not here.

Then why should I murmur when trials are near?

Be hushed, my dark spirit! The worst that can come

But shortens thy journey and hastens thee home.

It is not for me to be seeking my bliss

And building my hopes in a region like this.

I look for a city which hands have not piled,

I pant for a country by sin undefiled.

Let doubt then and danger my progress oppose;

They only make heaven more sweet at the close.

Come joy or come sorrow, what'er may befall,

An hour with my God will make up for it all.

I struggle with rejoicing in trials, but for me, this poem has really put a tangible meaning on it. The writer is saying that suffering only makes heaven seem sweeter and nearer, so let it come! I confess, I am too weak in my faith to ask for trials, but reading this passage has given me a peace, and yes, even a joy in suffering.

Happy girl at six months!

This is one of those smiles that makes me love being a mom!

Why I love Halloween Reformation Day!

Costumes at 75% off!

Here's Anna doing her impression of Ralphie.

What we're not reading.

A recent trip to the library yielded an interesting treasure. Usually I look at all of the books that my kids pick before we check them out. All kids books are not created equally!! I want my kids to read what is interesting to them, but I don't like for them to get books that have characters who are disrespectful to parents, siblings, and friends; or a storyline that encourages or promotes sinful behavior. But I digress.

Like I said, I usually I o.k. everything before we check out, but this time I didn't, and we made it home with this book:

YES! THIS IS A KIDS' BOOK!! Here's a description of it from Amazon:

It's a fabulous floating palace, and everybody on it is having the time of their life until a mysterious and terrible odor begins to permeate the splendid ship. What can this awful odor be? All signs point to Walter, and so he is banished down below, with the stinky cheeses. Walter doesn't mind at least he has something to snack on. But not even the cheese room can contain Walter's powerful farts. So they lower him onto a lifeboat, and he is forced to travel alone behind the ocean liner. Then catastrophe strikes! The liner loses its power. How long will the great cruise ship and its frightened passengers be marooned on the high seas? About as long as it takes Walter to digest that cheese...

Okay, I have to be honest...from the little bit of Jr. High mentality that's still left in me-it's really kinda funny. I can't help but giggle everytime I read the title. I giggle out of humor, and out of disbelief at the same time. I can't believe there is a children's book in the library with the word fart in it... I can't believe I just typed the word 'fart' in my blog!!

So the day after going to the library, I discovered the book. I secretly read it to see what it was about, giggled to myself, and then hid it on a bookshelf until we could return it. But what really cracked me up (pardon the pun) was my son's reaction. He noticed the change.

He got up early the next morning and I told him that he could lay on the couch and read his library books. He looked at the stack of books and said

"Hey! I had four books here yesterday, and now there are only three! And by the way...what's a fart?"

I gave him a brief definition (which he giggled at too-but he's six, not 31) and told him that it really wasn't a nice word to say, and then I quickly changed the subject so that I wouldn't have to explain the missing book!

I would really like some input here. Am I being too uptight? I don't want to be a prude, but it seemed kinda crude for a kids' book. I dunno....what do you all think?

Oh, by the way, there are more Walter books if that one wasn't enough! There's the original "Walter the Farting Dog" and "Walter the Farting Dog: Trouble at the Yard Sale."

Well, I'll wrap this up with some reviews here. Here's a quote from ALA Booklist

"All in all, it's a gas." (hehehe)

And, one that's more for my liking, from Publishers Weekly,

"Yes, this lowbrow endeavor could be a crowd-pleaser but, like its topic, its disruptive effects will tend to linger."

Excuse me now :)