Are our Pets in Heaven?
June 4, 2007
Yesterday we made the decision to put our dear dog Mashie "to sleep". A wonderful euphemism for her death. Mashie has been a special part of our family for the last 12 years. She had been declining in health the last couple of months and yesterday she took a dramatic turn for the worst. We still went to church (although we skipped Sunday School), when we came home she was still ailing, and still dying. We took her to the Vet for an emergency visit. It turned out she had a tumor in her abdomen and it was hemorrhaging - she would not make it through the night.
My son (15 years old) spoke to Mashie by cellphone and told her he loved her. We kissed and hugged her and said our goodbyes. Then we wondered whether we would see her and her brother (Niblick - gone 2 years now) in heaven.
Today I saw this quote from N.T. Wright (HT: JOLLYBLOGGER)
This brings me to 'heaven'. Yes, in the New Testament of course there is the hope for being 'with Christ, which is far better' (Philippians 1.26). But have you not noticed that the New Testament hardly ever talks about 'going to heaven', and certainly never as the ultimate destiny of God's people. The ultimate destiny, as Revelation 21 makes abundantly clear, is the 'new heavens and new earth', for which we will need resurrection bodies. Please, please, study what the Bible actually says. When Jesus talks in John 14 of going to prepare a place for us, the word he uses is the Greek word mone, which isn't a final dwelling place but a temporary place where you stay and are refreshed before continuing on your journey. The point about Jesus being our hope is that he will come again from heaven to change this world, and our bodies, so that the prayer he taught us to pray will come true at last: thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as in heaven. That is God's will; that is why Jesus came; that is our final hope. Of course, Christians who die before that time go to be with him in heaven until the time when the whole creation is redeemed (Romans 8.18-27 — have you studied that recently?). That isn't a 'symbolic meaning', and I confess I don't know why you should think it does.
The problem is, I think, that there are some Christians who have not been taught what the Bible actually teaches about the redemption of the whole creation. The Bible doesn't say that the creation — including earth — is wicked and that we have to be rescued from it. What is wicked, and what we need rescuing from, is sin, which brings death, which is the denial of the good creation. When we say the creation is wicked we are colluding with death. Sadly, some Christians seem to think they have to say that.
I gain hope from thinking on the new heaven and the new earth. A physical place with our incarnate Lord. In this physical place, where the whole of creation is redeemed, surely there must be redeemed animals - and than surely redeemed pets?
Won't that be the greatest joy - to see all our loved ones, including our pets? Of course, we will not be married, nor will be masters of our pets - but maybe, just maybe we will see them romping in fields of green - as the whole creation worships God.
Nos Sobrii: What Does It Mean?
December 1, 2005
A great blog post - Nos Sobrii: What Does It Mean?
In my Nos Sobrii column: Systematic Theology, Apple Computers, Church, Cooking, Hiking, Blogging. Maybe that is why all these things are hidden in my virtual drawer - I wish I could be be Nos Sobrii about less - so I could be Nos Sobrii in the first sense about one. But Kevin is right - "sobriety has the power to make us humble."
Read the post and ye shall understand. What is in your Nos Sobrii column?
Paul as Blogger
November 16, 2005
Michael Haykin has an interesting post on Paul as a blogger. I'm sure others have thought of this - but it was a revelation to me. I think that's one reason I like to blog. It is kind of a letter, a reply to all, a collection of thoughts, and a way to work out difficult matters (i.e. Romans). Of course, Paul's writing in inspired in the "God-breathed" sense. My blogging is hardly inspired in any sense.
Intervention for a Problem Thinker
November 4, 2005
This hits home!! Are you a Problem Thinker? I'm about to go away for a weekend with some girlfriends to a Spa. It is a nice annual gift our husbands give us. I am really fearing the weekend. I can't think! Thinking is not allowed. Reading deeply is forbidden. Our talk is of the latest Desperate Housewives show (saw my first episode last year on this trip, will get to see my second episode this year), why Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are not married, who cut their hair in a cute style, how much weight we want to lose this year etc., etc., etc.,. My husband says it's good for me. My girlfriends say it's good for me. The Spa insists it's good for me.
Between a massage, yoga (where I try to think of nothing - less I think about some inner-power), Tai-Chai meditative walks my mind gets empty and gets increasingly desperate.
So what am I doing? I'm sneaking in my Ipod filled with John Piper's talks from the Sovereignty of God Conference, I'm bringing Bruce Ware's book on the Trinity and Grudem's, Systematic Theology, and I plan on working on my 4-6th Shorter Catechism questions for memorization. For fun - I'm also taking my new camera and hope to get some great autumn shots of New England.
I'll also try to not obsess about not thinking. I'm sure I'll do less thinking and reading than planned. I'm sure on some level this is good for me. But it is bitter medicine! I'll survive until next year's intervention.
FIOS beats cable any day!
October 22, 2005
Fios came about 2 weeks ago. It is Verizon's new Fiber Optic high speed network. I now have 15 mps download and a 2 mps upload. It has been fun playing with video - an area I never explored before. There is a ton of legal Bittorrent stuff out there that is of interest to me (for a geekete). FIOS Rocks!
The install took 2 days and about 9 hours - but, it was free. Works seamlessly. We have a mixed Mac/PC environment - didn't matter - worked beautifully. When FIOS comes to your town - get on the waiting list!
Technorati Tags: FIOS
Iphoto Web Gallery tool
October 6, 2005
I'm working on a website for the Women in the Church. I found that I'm very limited in posting photos with IPhoto. I just came across this terrific free application that has lots of web galleries to chose from - and real flexibility when it comes to comments. Try out Galerie, you won't be disappointed.
On Vacation
July 27, 2005
Summer.... what a wonderful time. I've been taking a break from blogging and many other interests while being a full-time summer mom.
One short deviation has been an experiment with Yahoo 360. It allows me to blog only for friends and family - I need no great thoughts. You can also post Flckr feeds or Yahoo photos, create Blast entries, write local reviews and other fun things. Check it out... and if you are friend or family I'll be happy to send you an invite to my Yahoo 360.
I'll return to blogging when summertime Mom duties die down.
Fascinating laundry, Part II
May 13, 2005
To follow up with one of my most popular and accessed posts, I present today's addition: How to fold a fitted sheet.
Blogging is light - I've been busy folding shirts and sheets!
Voice of the Shepherd
May 9, 2005
I'm playing with Flickr today and came across this great picture. It reminded me of John 10:4
"When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice."
National Day of Prayer
May 5, 2005
National Day of Prayer - Pray for our soldiers and the suffering:
Is the Pope Italian?
May 4, 2005
No, this is not another Pope post. Actually it is a post about political correctness. Last week Pope Benedict XVI said, "I'm already very Italian." This was in response to his being late for an audience with a group of fellow Germans.
In America some would take the Pope's comment as an ethnic insult. At the same time, I find I'm becoming overly politically correct to avoid the chance of insult.
Yesterday I found myself trying to describe a police arrest I witnessed without mentioning that it was a black man. Why? Then at sign language class I was describing an Asian friend without saying she was Asian (black hair, dark skinned, dark eyes etc.) Why? And of course, I never chronicle my husband's love of wine as a part of his being Italian!
It's tough to keep my politically correct speech relevant. I'm relearning the word Indian for Native American (formerly Indian) and Deaf for Hearing Impaired (formerly Deaf). Too many changes to keep up with. I need to learn to stop worrying about my word choice and just concentrate on what I'm saying.
Why did Adam have to eat the apple?
April 20, 2005
My son Matthew said today upon discovering a pimple, "Why did Adam have to eat the apple?" He asks this question every time he suffers. (And a 13 year old suffers when he has a pimple!). My response is to remind him that we would have all eaten from that tree, just as the first Adam did. But the good news is Christ is the 2nd Adam and in heaven there will be no pimples.
Theology enters into the strangest of conversations.
P.S. To my very tiny readership - long break from blogging, family duties were pressing. I need to learn to blog quickly if I going to keep this up.
Folding shirts
March 28, 2005
The world's most fascinating video of shirt folding (HT The Corner) I was told. I clicked on it - and all of the sudden my laundry folding has become FUN!
The Interview Game - Come play!
February 24, 2005
I volunteered to be interviewed by Tod Bolsinger of It Takes a Church. After posting here I will turn around and interview some other blog writers, look for details below.
Here are my answers:
1. What's your favorite Shakespeare writing, or, what inspired the quote for the name of your blog?
Well, I'll answer both. My favorite Shakespeare writing is MacBeth - but there are no quotes from MacBeth that would be blog friendly. I came up with Mine and Thine for three reasons.
1) I love Latin, and Latin phrases, Meum et Tuum is from Cicero, and is translated mine and thine, a phrase I've loved.
2) A.W. Tozer has written A Prayer of a Minor Prophet. In it he says:
My God, I shall not waste time deploring my weakness nor my unfittedness for the work. The responsibility is not MINE, but THINE. Thou has said, "I knew thee - I ordained thee - I sanctified thee," and Thou hast also said, "Thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak." Who am I to argue with Thee or to call in to question Thy sovereign choice? The decision is not MINE but THINE. So be it, Lord. Thy will, not MINE, be done.
3) Shakespeare's Sonnet 38 : How can my Muse want Subject to Invent?
If my slight Muse do please these curious days, The pain be mine, and thine shall be the praise.
The muse/poet was using a young man as inspiration for all he wrote. The poet felt he was running out of new ideas and even said in Sonnet 108 "must each day say o'er the very same." This encapsulates for me the joy and fear of blogging. I look for fresh ideas, and I'm dependent on others for my inspiration. I fear my muse will run out - but Lord willing it continues - the pain be mine and thine be the praise.
If you put Tozer's prayer, Shakespeare's sonnet and a beautiful Latin phrase together - that is how you get to Mine and Thine.
2. What's the short story of how you came to be a Calvinist?
I grew up in a Plymouth Brethren Church. As a teen I attended a conservative Baptist youth group, went on to a charismatic assembly, and than a Presbyterian Church in America church post-college. At the PCA church we studied the Westminster Catechism for Sunday School. This was my first exposure to reformed, Calvinism. I fell in love with the doctrine of justification by faith alone and Jonathan Edwards, Man's total depravity and God's effectual grace became real in R.C. Sproul's writings. I learned to put first things first - the Lord seeking and saving me. This provides even today joy, peace, comfort, mystery and awe - the depths by God's grace I continue to plumb. In Calvinism I found the gospel - the good news. This last Sunday we sang "Amazing Grace" it is wonderful to sing that song and understand what it means.
3. Why did you start a blog?
I have two reasons for starting my blog. My friends say "Ask Chris, she'll know." That is not entirely true - but I do seem to be able to read and absorb a lot of discrete information and than pull it together in ways that are meaningful. Something I've read in a newspaper, than heard mention of on TV, reminds me of a book read 10 years ago, a website that gives more detail, a friend of a friend who knows. I hope to use and practice this information gift with my blog.
The second reason is I hope to connect with other reformed believers. Living in New England often seems like the desert of Christianity. I have a very small church, very limited Christian fellowship that offers meaningful dialogue. I hope my blog can continue meaningful and edifying dialogue among other Christian bloggers - so that we all may benefit and grow - it's a way of being part of a larger Christian community.
4. Describe the church you've always wanted to belong to?
Like I said in a previous post, Tod's church sounds about perfect. But since I don't live in California let me dream... The church would have sound Biblical reformed teaching. Each Sunday I would walk out and know that the Gospel was preached. This is the foundation! From there I would look for a maturing congregation. Evidence of discipleship. I want to be part of a "growing in the knowledge and love of the Lord" congregation. Active church discipline and discipleship are hallmarks. People that pray and care for each other. I could go on and on... but let me also say - I'm looking for community.
I miss being part of a church community. Maybe it is New England, maybe it is our busy lifestyle, maybe it is our church. I dream (and my closest friends dream) of starting a Christian commune. Yes, we are joking. But, we desire a place of safety, love, companionship, shared vision, worship and accountability that is a retreat, but still in our community. A place where we could gain strength and encouragement, but still engage the world. You get the idea.
I'll close with a question... why does it seem that to gain community you have to accept theological looseness? We have churches up here you are big on community - almost mega churches (by New England standards), but they lack theological vitality, it's all about the programs. The church I've always wanted to belong to has both community and affirms sola fide, soli Christo, soli Deo Gloria, and sola gratia.
Here's how you can play the interview game:
1. Leave me a comment saying "interview me." The first five commentators will be the participants.
2. I will respond by asking you five questions.
3. You will update your blog/site with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions. (Write your own questions or borrow some.)
Thanks Tod, this has been fun. I look forward to interviewing other bloggers.
New Design
February 15, 2005
Welcome to my new blog design. Many thanks to Tim Challies at Challies Dot Com for the great design. His blog is one of my favorites and a must watch daily blog!
Check out the cool Reading link on the left. Of course, it will take me about a month to enter ALL the books I'm currently reading. Just don't look to carefully for the change from Reading to Read.
