5 Star Links for Friday

Diana B.Leave a comment

 

It’s 5-star Friday! Yay! Time for me to share some links to great online reading and/or listening.

1. Heart Condition (by Kasey Van Norman at Mentoring Moments) explains why the condition of our hearts is of greatest concern to the Lord.

2. Understanding the Unfathomable: God’s Unconditional Love (by Pastor Andreas Custer at Oakwood Community Church) reminds us how deeply God loves and encourages us to love one another.

3. The Most Needed Peer Pressure (by Wendy Alsup at Desiring God) urges us to love unconditionally when bearing with a loved one’s struggles.

4. 8 Tips for Talking to Your Kids about the Sermon (by Pastor Joe Holland) tells how little folks sitting in the pews retain more and understand more than you think they do and how we, as parents, can follow up with them after the sermon. Great tips!

5. Gaining Clarity on Women’s Roles Part 1 and Part 2 (by Leanne Popeko at CBMW) explains some key aspects of God’s lovely design for women in the church.

I pray that these words encourage and inspire you as much as they did me.

Also, may I ask a favor? I recently re-wrote my personal testimony as part of an assignment in the Bible study group I attend. The new version is much shorter and employs a very different format than the earlier version, which I posted years ago. If you would read it and perhaps leave a comment, I’d be ever so grateful to you. Just click here. Thank you!

“March on, my soul; be strong!” -Judges 5:21b

Counting to 1,000 (90-115)

Diana B.1 Comment

Note: I recently read the book One Thousand Gifts, and now I’m making my own list of one thousand gifts. As they accumulate, I post them on Mondays and keep the running list on this tab, titled All is Grace.

90. starry diamonds glittering in the newest blanket of snow

91. snow dolloped like whipped cream on the trees

92. a warm little hand to hold in mine

93. busy fingers dusted with flour

94. pie dough

95. a tiny pink rolling-pin and oilcloth aprons

96. my mama’s homemade chocolate pudding recipe

97. freckles sprinkled across her nose like cinnamon on toast

98. crusts in blue pottery pans, cooling and waiting to be filled

99. their joy in made-from-scratch chocolate pies

100. the mixer’s promising hum as it whirls

101. dollops of whipped cream, freckled with chocolate

102. the first delicious slice of her little pie

103. carnations

104. shadows tangled up in the trees

105. her first batch of brownies

106. lacy piles of powdered sugar, generously sprinkled with zeal

107. the “snow kitchen” they built in our front yard

108. a Friday evening shared with very dear friends

109. his strong hands strumming that acoustic guitar

110. how she fixes my “hilarious hair”

111. the cold little glove-less hand that gets warm sharing my coat pocket 

112. snowball fights in the winter sunshine

113. the little voice that sing-shouts “Do you know what’s in the Bible?” and “I don’t know Hebrew, but if you do, I’d like to meet you.”

114. the dishwasher loader who frets, “Gravity must be really strong today…”

115. bedtime kisses and hugs 

 

Joel Northrup is a Champion

Diana B.1 Comment

Merriam Webster’s definition of CHAMPION: (1) warrior, fighter; (2) a militant advocate or defender; (3) one that does battle for another’s rights or honor; (4) a winner of first prize or first place in competition; also, one who shows marked superiority

I usually avoid discussing highly controversial current events here on Starlight Writer, but sometimes an event merits digging into for spiritual reasons.

Last week in Iowa, Joel Northrup, a high school sophomore, defaulted his first round match in the state wrestling tournament. He had been matched with freshman Cassy Herkelman, a girl, and he defaulted because of his faith. He doesn’t think boys and girls should compete against each other in the sport.

As the mother of two girls, I completely agree with Northrup. Putting high school boys and girls in this situation is entirely inappropriate, especially in a contact sport like wrestling!

I commend Northrup for doing the right thing. He did wrestle that day, though not in the flesh. Let’s not overlook the internal struggle he must have fought between doing what was honorable and biblical and doing what would possibly bring him much fame and glory in the sports world. That’s a character-building match like none other.

While Northrup forfeited the chance to advance and possibly win the state wrestling championship, he is a champion no less. He fought for another’s rights and honor that day: Cassy’s. He looked not only to his interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4) That shows marked superiority.

Two articles on this topic really appalled me. The first was Wrestling with Conviction by Rick Reilly of ESPN, who claims the 112-lb. Cassy is “as dainty as a forklift” and doesn’t need anyone to protect her because she “relishes the violence.” I argue that Cassy most certainly does need someone protecting her, especially when her own father repeatedly calls her his “son.” What a broken world.

Likewise, in Argument for Boy-Girl Wrestling, Caryn Rivadeneira suggests Northrup’s decision has  more to do with his cultural view of girls than his faith. She makes a very weak attempt to relate the boy-girl wrestling situation to how Jesus interacted with women. This piece makes me seriously question the integrity of Christianity Today’s blog for women.

Fortunately, a few other articles buoyed my own position on this issue. The primary one was this John Piper article “Over My Dead Body, Son,” which I read two years ago during a similar boy-girl wrestling scenario here in Minnesota. Albert Mohler’s article “Boys Wrestling Girls: A Clash of Worlds and Worldviews” is another worthwhile read, as is Betsy Hart’s “Men are Meant to Protect Women and Children.”

Counting to 1,000 (65-89)

Diana B.Leave a comment

Note: I recently read the book One Thousand Gifts, and now I’m making my own list of one thousand gifts. As they accumulate, I post them on Mondays and keep the running list on this tab, titled All is Grace.

65. the click-clack of little feet wearing my black heels

66. the enchanting smell of fresh roses

67. a foggy morning that melts away to azure afternoon sky

68. flowers lined up in tiny vases

69. dinner with my Valentine

70. vibrant blue eyes that dance as she exclaims, “We watched race cars!”

71. the deep, soft brown eyes of the almost-2-year-old I adore

72. a Valentine from my little “feet-heart” ballerina

73. encouraging words from a brother-in-Christ

74. my daddy’s 65 years

75. her short, round shapes and tall, twisty shapes in dance class

76. jean-jacket weather in February

77. an ice-house rescued from the partly thawing broad waters

78. giggles overflowing from the back of the mini-van 

79. warm snow boots in yet another blizzard

80. little piles of snow high in the gently swaying tree branches

81. the dedicated pastor who perseveres with his preaching despite having a concusion

82. quiet Sunday afternoon naps

83. heavy falling snow blanketing everything in white

84. a warm house in which to hide from the wind and snow

85. news of a nephew’s baptism – Joy!

86. tiny felt dolls tucked into a pocket bed, created and sewn by an 8-year-old

87. a homemade felt slipper that has no match

88. penguins playing on home-grown icebergs

89. tired little legs that still need to be carried up to bed

 

Love Letters to Ethiopia

Diana B.Leave a comment

For a little more than a year now, our family has been sponsoring Dawit, a little boy at Kind Hearts Care Point in Ethiopia.

In giving, we have been blessed beyond measure! What a great honor to play this role in caring for the suffering on the other side of the world. 

We have never met Dawit, but we have been writing to him — mostly by e-mail — through the Lord’s faithful servants at Children’s HopeChest. Last fall, we enjoyed sending him a little care package, and we were ever so delighted to receive pictures of him opening it a few months ago.

Last month we received our first hand-written letter from Dawit! Oh, what joy! He asked us to please pray for his school and wondered if we would be visiting him in Ethiopia someday.

Earlier this month, thanks to the generous work of Little Goody 2 Shoes, Dawit and the other 98 children at Kind Hearts received brand new shoes. Isn’t that fantastic news? You can read more about these kids who are walking a little taller if you jump over to Family from Afar.

Just a day or two after Valentine’s, we received the opportunity to send Dawit a letter and a few other items that would fit in a business-sized envelope. The girls found some Silly Bandz and extra Valentine cards to send, and then they helped me draft the letter. We also enclosed a cute little paper puppet.

If you would like to join us in praying for the ministry of Children’s HopeChest in Ethiopia, here are some specific requests they sent us a few months ago. 

  • Pray that may God expand the ministry of Children’s HopeChest in Ethiopia.
  • Pray that all of the registered children be healthy and successful in their lives.
  • Pray also that the staff at the U.S. office, Ethiopia country office, and at each care point and orphanage will be energetic for the ministry of children and for the wisdom of the Lord while working to serve Him.
  • Pray for the health of all sponsors, donors and all of sponsorship community leaders.
  • Pray for the coming months, that it may be a season of success, strategic expansion and experiencing the hand of God in the ministry.

Also, would you prayerfully consider sponsoring a child like Dawit through Children’s HopeChest? If so, please contact Karen Wistrom, the sponsor coordinator for Kind Hearts and Trees of Glory Care Points, at kjwistrom@yahoo.com.

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.”

-Isaiah 1:17 NLV

5 Star Links for Friday

Diana B.Leave a comment

Today is a 5-Star Friday! Woo-hoo! That means it’s time for me share the links to a few things I’ve been reading here and there online over the past week or two. All are articles that I rank as worthy of five stars. May these words encourage, challenge and bless you also!

1. If you’ve ever just felt insignificant or if you’ve ever been on the receiving end of powerfully encouraging words, don’t miss this article on encouragement by Renee Swope at Proverbs 31 Ministries. I’ll be participating in her Encouraging Words Wednesdays starting March 9 and continuing every second Wednesday of the month.

2. Grace is something I’ve been exploring and pondering more deeply in my Bible reading this year, so I especially appreciate this article on understanding grace, posted over at Mentoring Moments for Christian Women.

3. Speaking of encouraging words and grace, don’t we all need a Holy Spirit Spell Checker?  (It’s yet another great post from Mentoring Moments.)

4. I’m not a coffee drinker, but I love Marybeth Whalen’s idea of leaving Room for Cream — making space for the sweet, light and rich things in life. (Marybeth also writes for Proverbs 31 Ministries.)

5. Earlier this month, my husband was blessed to hear Pastor Joel Beeke speak about prayer at a Desiring God conference here in Minneapolis. Pastor Beeke offers this excellent advice in regard to prayer and busyness — advice we’d all do well to heed!

May God grace you with encouraging words, purposeful prayer and room for cream this weekend!

What Holds Us Together

Diana B.3 Comments

Colossians 1:15-20 says, “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

We saw this video in Sunday School a few weeks ago, and all I can say is “Wow, wow, wow,” too!

Counting to 1,000 (44-64)

Diana B.3 Comments

Note: I recently read the book One Thousand Gifts, and now I’m making my own list of one thousand gifts. As they accumulate, I’ll post them on Mondays and keep the running list on this tab, titled All is Grace.

44. books scattered near and far — because we are reading

45. warm clothes on a very cold morning

46. friends to share life’s run and jump and race moments

47. the aroma of pot roast in the slow-cooker

48. candles made ready when the electricity unexpectedly goes off

49. the joy of electricity’s quick return on a dark, sub-zero night

50. mother-daughter snuggles in the rocking chair

51. penguin books that teach us how patient love is

52. words of Scripture set to music

53. little girls who notice the details

54. Legos and K’Nex scattered across the carpet — because we are creating

55. clothes just out of the dryer

56. ponytails and hair bows

57. a trip to the ice cream shop in February

58. a tiny glimpse of grass beneath a melting snow bank

59. a marionette puppet, complete with a hat, made by 8-year-old hands

60. teddy bear love

61. red-hot cinnamon lollipops

62. peaceful sleep

63. mailboxes full of love

64. friends sharing a Valentine picnic

A Snowcabulary Lesson

Diana B.Leave a comment

This is a special service to my friends and family down south, who are evidently buried under 21 inches of fresh snow today.

Drawing on my personal snow experience that has accumulated over 14 Minnesota winters, I’ve compiled this brief snowcabulary list of seven snow-related words — complete with pictures of course!

1. dirty snow: (noun) older snow that has turned any color other than white — usually gray, brown or yellow

Dirty snow is not pleasant to behold, and it often causes Minnesotans to wish for some bright new snow, just to freshen things up again. 

2. black snow: (noun) snow that has been blackened by roadway contaminants; usually found along roadsides

We love snow plows, but they do tend to create heaps of black snow along the highways, not to mention the enormous mountains of black snow they pile up in parking lots.  

3. snow booger: (noun) a large clump of black snow that collects on the bottom of your vehicle as you drive

Hanging down and frozen to the underside of vehicles, snow boogers seem to defy gravity. Heartily kicking snow boogers off your vehicle helps vent any dirty, frustrated feelings you may have collected toward winter weather.

4. clean driveway: (noun) a driveway with at least 40% visible concrete

When it’s mid February, and you haven’t seen the grass since early November, and you’ve worn your snow shovel and snow blower to nubs, you lower your standards. You just accept those especially stubborn sheets of icy, snowy stuff that clutter up an otherwise “clear” driveway. You just pray they’ll melt on their own sometime in May.

5. death trap: (noun) an area where thick, relentlessly stubborn sheets of ice gang up with sharp, pointy icicles overhead and ruthlessly threaten to send innocent bystanders to the emergency room

  

The area in front of our third garage stall is a death trap. Areas like this are the primary reason you can still find Christmas lights up in late March. Nobody wants to climb a ladder here!

6. light-cicles: (noun) Christmas lights that have been vandalized by monstrous icicles

Light-cicles are the secondary reason you can still find Christmas lights up in late March. The intertwining mess begs for a meltdown.

7. snow-verwhelming: (adjective) laden with snow; characteristic of something that has been drastically transformed by accumulated snow 

This snow-verwhelming bush is an excellent tool for elevating young climbers. Never mind what I said about Christmas lights in March; I think my 8-year-old can probably reach to pull them off the house.

And while she’s out there, I think I’ll have her dust the tree tops — just for good measure.

Enjoy your snow-verwhelming weather down south, and don’t drive anywhere!

Counting to 1,000 (28-43)

Diana B.Leave a comment

Note: I recently read the book One Thousand Gifts, and now I’m making my own list of one thousand gifts. As they accumulate, I’ll post them on Mondays and keep the running list on this tab, titled All is Grace.

28. the words of Isaiah 40:31 fresh on my mind as I watch a bald eagle soaring high in the winter sky

29. lively little fingers dancing across the piano keys and filling the house with joyful songs

30. tears that fell when reading page 380 — the last page — in Heidi

31. the innocence of a child who can find something nice to say about — of all creatures — a rat!

32. tiny, delicate snowflakes

33. the youthful thrill of sliding downhill on a powdery course of snow 

34. late winter days growing longer

35. an evening full of Thai food, friends and side-splitting laughter

36. a tea party with handsome and chivalrous young gentlemen  

37. thick fuzzy bath robes

38. a servant-hearted worker who shines in an unexpected place

39. long hugs in the mudroom

40. the little sister in striped pajamas reading Dr. Seuss

41. the big sister in striped pajamas helping her little sister sound out the bigger words

42. making angels in the snow

43. the way Laurel turns up her hands, shakes her hips and says she and her doll want to be “all matchy-matchy” with Heidi