News Round-Up

This was an uneventful but pleasant week. Tuesday I worked at the Ryans, then Wednesday headed for Martyanne's in order to go to school with Anna for Grandparents' Day...As it turned out, Anna was sick, so I spent the afternoon with the children after kicking Maryanne out for a medical appointment with Tim Ryan, Tom's twin brother...I was feeling rather odd myself - I think because after ten years I have (recently) completely weaned myself off the small amount of amitryptilene I have taken nightly to help me sleep...Have felt light-headed and spacey to some degree...I'm suspecting because my blood pressure has fallen as a result...In any case, I snoozed as the kids watched a movie, them played Baby Birdie with Joshie. This is a game we devised together which he absolutely adores, to Pat's great chagrin...But don't worry, Pat - every game there are vicious hawks that attack Baby Birdie and he spends most of the game killing them...Nothing too effeminate about that boy!...

Thursday Dad had a landscaping appointment in out old neighborhood in East Cobb, so I went along and spent a few hours at the Avenue...trudging through stores, spending absolutely nothing, but marveling at how beautiful the people are, and how well-stocked and diverse the stores....After our year in Adairsville, I felt like a country bumpkin on a first trip into the big city. Even more astounding was our shopping trip to Costco. Because of the distance, I go very seldom and again was overwhelmed at the sheer quantity of goods there...

Yesterday I worked at Tom and Jeannette's again...arrived early so she could get to her ultrasound appointment and verify baby's health and sex. She found out they are having another girl. Timmy had a small breakdown when he heard - very much wanted to even out the numbers with another boy. I told him his four sisters will marry one day and the numbers WILL then be even...Seemed to comfort him. He is a very interesting and deep boy - reminds me so much of Nick...I came home, then we headed right back for the dinner, Bible Study and prayer time they have Friday evenings...A pleasant way to end the work week....

They are studying Jerry Bridges' book on acceptable sins. He advises, obviously, recognizing those and rooting them out of your life. It has made me think about my own attitude to introspection in the Christian life. This is my thought process right now: First, my a priori assumption about myself is that I am full of sin. I believe with all my heart that, if I were to go prodding, I would find layer upon unending layer of every type of sin and hypocrisy. This is what brought me to Christ and after 36 years of Christian living I can say there has been substantial change in my character but, still, there has been a "mere beginning" at holiness from any absolute standard. 2)I think there is limited value at investigating this sin too often or too deeply. God certainly brings things to my consciousness on a regular basis as I read His word and pray. I try to take every thought captive regarding this sin as I live before Him. But I do not go actively looking for garbage. He will show me what I have to see when I have to see it. 3)Rather, I read the Bible, trying to see and understand Him more and more fully. I am firmly convinced that one day "we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." This same principle holds as we are on this side of Heaven. The more I study and ponder Him, understanding more and more about Him and His ways, the more His Holy Spirit somehow conforms me to His image. RC Sproule is the only person I have heard of who echoes what I myself have found in Christian life. For me, reading the Bible seems more important in my growth in Christ than prayer. Obviously, they are both integral means of grace, but the 'seeing" via Scripture, is to me, the motor of my Christian life. 4) I do not preclude Christians challenging one another, etc., nor do I never introspect...Just have found what I have set forth my normal way of conducting my Christian life...I was talking with Flora today, and she reminded of Robert Murray McCheyne's words that, for every look at self there should be ten looks at Christ...Beautiful. He is the only One worth looking at!

At this, I take my leave!