The Tree!

This is the "beautiful crabapple tree" mentioned in the December 2, 2007 post, "The Love of God." It blooms for a week-and-a-half every Spring. We captured it today - May 24th!

10:30 PM | 0 comments | Read More

A Friend's Tragedy

Steven and Mary Beth Chapman's precious little girl Maria was killed last night in a terrible accident. And as the news travels across the country and the world, Christians will accept the shock in different ways - some with great sorrow as if it were our own family or neighbor. Some less personally, but with just as much sadness. But we will all collectively mourn. Most of us from a distance - with only our own precious children surrounding us to hold and have and love for today.

An accident like this truly is -- in every sense of the word -- a tragedy for this family. The Chapmans are a family that loves family. The family was in fact celebrating family when the accident happened - an engagement and a graduation. And because they are such a remarkable family, and becuase Steven's music and spirit are so loved thoughout the Christian-Music world, there are countless other families grieving today. Grieving as if this tragedy were thier own. I am one.

If you've heard the story of how Steven and Mary Beth met, then you know that "You've Got Mail" was not just a 1998 romantic comedy. Steven Curtis Chapman and Mary Beth Chapman shared a mailbox at Anderson College in Anderson, Indiana. I was the mailbox neighbor on their right who watched the romance unfold. I knew them both and we were friends - so I feel a certain kinship to them. I will mourn with them . . . from a distance. As is the case with so many people who come and go in our lives, we've lost touch over the years. So I watch this tragedy afar like most of you. I watch it as a friend. I watch with great sorrow. I watch it as a parent. I watch it as a Christian. Many Christians -- and non-Christians alike -- will be watching - watching to see how Christians deal with tragedy, and . . .

I cannot help but think of a song that Steven wrote several years ago in the midst of grieving the loss of another child - the child of a dear friend.

With Hope

This is not at all how

We thought it was supposed to be

We had so many plans for you

We had so many dreams

And now you've gone away

And left us with the memories of your smile

And nothing we can say

And nothing we can do

Can take away the pain

The pain of losing you, but ...

We can cry with hope

We can say goodbye with hope

'Cause we know our goodbye is not the end, oh no

And we can grieve with hope

'Cause we believe with hope

(There's a place by God's grace)

There's a place where we'll see your face again

We'll see your face again

And never have I known

Anything so hard to understand

And never have I questioned more

The wisdom of God's plan

But through the cloud of tearsI see the

Father's smile and say well done

And I imagine you

Where you wanted most to be

Seeing all your dreams come true

'Cause now you're home

And now you're free, and ...

We have this hope as an anchor

'Cause we believe that everything

God promised us is true, so ...

So we can cry with hope

And say goodbye with hope

We wait with hope

And we ache with hope

We hold on with hope

We let go with hope

In Deuteronomy 31:7-8, God promises to be with those whom He gives a difficult trial. Romans 14:8 tells us that life and death are in the Lord's hands and that He is gracious and fair and doesn't do anything without reason. Psalm 115:16 reminds us that the death of God's children is precious to Him.... that He loves them far more than we could ever imagine, and His grief is much deeper.

God mourns today. . .

11:39 AM | 1 comments | Read More

In Other Words. . . What Did This Atheist Really Mean?

"The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

. . beautiful thought isn’t it? Extending Emerson’s reflection into Christian thought, we might consider the following:

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
-I Peter 4:9-10

Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
-Titus 1:8

Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach. . . .
- I Timothy 3:2

. . . and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.
- 1 Timothy 5:10

Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.

- Titus 1:8

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

- Hebrews 13:2

When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us.

- Acts 16:15

The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.

- Acts 16:34

Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven.

- Acts 21:8

The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. . . . There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably.

- Acts 28:2 & 7

I wonder if Emerson’s contemplative mind was wrapped around these verses when he wrote so eloquently of friends adorning our homes. Much of Emerson's poetry has been highly esteemed. His poems display tenderness, affection and a love for nature. But, when he penned the beautiful words about ornamenting one’s home, his thoughts were not wrapped around Christian hospitality!

Emerson has been described by biographers as “a poet by nature,” “a spiritual philosopher.” Emerson was in fact a “minister,” but admitted that he never relished the contact with people (i.e., the "calling" he was expected to do every afternoon – sometimes referred to as “hospitality”), though he claims he did love to “preach.” But what exactly was Emerson preaching? Many Christians of Emerson’s day criticized his use of biblical texts to illustrate his sermons, as opposed to actually preaching from the texts. (Sounds a lot like some liberal churches of our day: afraid to open the Bible for fear of offending someone.) It has been said that Emerson’s congregation was charmed with his non-typical sermons because he spoke to people’s emotions and dealt with things of the spiritual realm with an enlightened elevation – separating them from overused biblical guidelines. Sounds to me like the [false] gospel according to Oprah.

Emerson’s career in ministry ended when he resigned over an issue with communion – claiming he differed in convictions over the purpose of it. In 1833 Emerson began a new career as a lecturer. At first he lectured mostly on scientific subjects, in a poetic spirit, but over time he began speaking in protest against a stale, “inherited” Christianity and called for fresh religious inspiration. Sadly, Emerson considered his ideas consistent with the teachings of Jesus and was truly surprised when he was denounced in a storm of controversy.Emerson immersed himself in reading and becoming “enlightened.” He even became a vegetarian. (Not that that’s a bad thing.) It’s been written that for many months all Emerson did was read and read and read (although I doubt at this point he was reading God’s Word). He read hundreds of books and scientific publications in several languages. He also took a zealous interest in the newly translated sacred texts of Eastern religions. The influence of Hindu scriptures and Persian poetry were fully incorporated in his thought and work after 1845.

Was Emerson an 1800’s forerunner of the post-modern, anti-Christian movement? Or was he just a plain old atheist? You decide. Here are some more famous quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson:

We must get rid of that Christ, we must get rid of that Christ!
-Ralph Waldo Emerson, from John E Remsberg, The Christ (1909)

Other world? There is no other world; here or nowhere is the whole fact.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson, Emerson: The Mind On Fire, p. 382

To aim to convert a man by miracles is a profanation of the soul.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson, "DivinitySchool Address"

The word Miracle, as pronounced by Christian churches, gives a false impression; it is Monster. It is not one with the blowing clover and the falling rain.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Divinity School Address"

To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart, is true for all men -- that is genius.... Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist.... What I must do, is all that concerns me; not what the people think.... Nothing can bring you peace but ourself; nothing, but the triumph of principles.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson, oft quoted by Charles Bradlaugh, quoted from Jim Herrick, "Bradlaugh and Secularism: 'The Province of the Real'"

If a man fasten his attention of a single aspect of truth and apply himself to that alone for a long time, the truth becomes distorted and not itself but falsehood.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson, Essays (First Series, 1841), thanks to Laird Wilcox, ed, "The Degeneration of Belief"

Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of our own mind.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters
compared to what lies within us.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson, Quote found at The Atheist BlogRoll.

Quite contrasts to the idea of hospitality in the “ornaments of a house” quote, huh? I don't disagree with Emerson's thought about the ornament of one's house. But you do have to wonder what kind of "friends" he entertained. The friends we keep say much about who we are. So much that - yes - they can be seen as the "ornaments" of our homes. But the true ornament of a house is not necessarily the friends who frequent it, but the atmosphere in which those friends are welcomed. The ornament of a Christian house is God's Word.

And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

- Deuteronomy 6:9

Meaning: #1 Meditate on God's Words so that our thoughts are employed about them - including (tada!) hospitality. #2 Train our children in God's Word. #3 Frequent reading of God's Word - so we are familiar with it and have it ready to use upon all occasions - including being able to tell the difference between a secular, atheistic, postmodern, spiritually-enlightened, Ralph Waldo Emerson-view of things . . . and God's Word.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

- Joshua 24:15

(And, yes - that is the Goossen home right there in the picture!)

-Esthermay Bentley-Goossen

This week, Heather is hosting "In 'Other' Words." Visit her at, Mommy Monk and see what others are blogging about Emerson's quote . . . "In Other Words."

12:30 AM | 3 comments | Read More

My Mom Signed my Autograph Book!

"What is the greatest lesson you learned from your mother?"

(In response to the Internet Cafe's Weekly Question)When I was in fourth-grade, autograph books were really cool, in vogue, modish, all the rage. I wanted one so badly. All my girlfriends had one. But my mom was not exactly a trendy mom of the times. My mom was a "so if all your friends jumped off a bridge, would you jump too?" kind-of mom. I didn't get my autograph book right quick; and when she finally did buy me one, she wanted to be the first to sign it. Of course it was not very cool, in vogue, modish, all the rage to have your mother sign your autograph book. But what could I say? Here's what she wrote:

All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. - II Timothy 3:16-17 Love, Mom

My mother was a straightforward, uncomplicated theologian who was not ashamed of anything the Bible had to say. She was an astute student of God's Word. And I don't use the word "theologian" just to add panache here. Theology is simply the knowledge of God. It is not the result of organized higher education and study or exercising reason. My mom was simple. She loved Jesus and she read her Bible. And the older I get the more I look just like her I mean. . . the more I am beginning to #1 appreciate this; and #2 live it.

A quick summary of this doctrine is this:

The Bible is the absolute final authority on all things.

And this is the greatest lesson I learned from My Mom.

Of course, my mom was not without advice for the less consequential things in life. Secondary to doctrine (but no less important), I learned the following things from My Mom:

► Always carry kleenex in your purse. And if you're not carrying a purse, stick a kleenex in your sleeve.

► Always carry a purse.

► When shopping for clothes, always go with the one you picked off the rack first.

► The color of your shoes should never be lighter than the hemline of whatever you're wearing.

► If you lose track of time while shopping, blame the very l--o--n--n--n-g train you had to stop for.

► If you're short on funds, take it out of your tithe - because God probably wants you to have it.

► Men can't hear. And they don't listen either.

Esthermay Bentley-Goossen

4:08 PM | 8 comments | Read More

Seek a Fresh Understanding of God's Word...

While I don't always agree with the church market trends that follow George Barna's surveys, I do enjoy looking at the statistics that the group throws at us. One survey showed that, in a typical week, 22% of evangelical Christians (Understand that "evangelical Christians" are an entirely different demographic than "professing Christians") do not read the Bible at all. Another thirty percent read it only once or twice a week. The reason? People say regular Bible reading just doesn't fit into their busy schedules and that they don't have a good "reading plan." And well over 50% say that the Bible is not relevant to today's world!

It's easy to understand why we let others tell us what the Bible has to say. Oh, how sad! When Christians would rather go to a best-selling Christian book or to a blog or to a radio preacher rather than to the Bible itself, we cease to be followers of Christ and commence being followers of Whomever.

Even church members are lacking the skills, confidence, and the incentive to read the Bible as a daily guide for life. A few months ago, I sat in the adult Sunday school class at our church. Those present were discussing some political topics including abortion. While several people made mention of the "Christian" view in support of their particular perspective, no one actually opened God's Word and read what was there. In this case and others like it, Sunday School sessions are simply "Christians discussing" rather than being "Christian discussions."

Here's a challenge: Read the Bible today with a sense of expectancy. Many Christians have let the Bible become too commonplace. We hear Biblical passages all the time: In church, in Sunday school, in Bible-study, over Christian radio. . . we hear Scripture so often that we have a strong tendency to be without reverent ears --- and we do not engage our minds. God's Word disintegrates into merely words. Every time we come to a passage of scripture, or hear a passage of Scripture no matter how familiar, we should sense that a new insight or new idea may be waiting for us. Rather than coming to well-read passages and thinking "I know what this is all about," a Christian who truly wants to grow will come seeking fresh understandings of God's revelation.

"Present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who
. . . correctly handles the word of truth"

- 2 Timothy 2:15

Does God's Word fit into your schedule today? Is God's Word relevant to your life today? Do you have a Bible Reading Plan?

Zondervan's Bible Reading Plans

NavPress Bible Reading Plans

Bible Gateway's Reading Plans

Heartlight's Daily Bible Reading Plans

Helping You Read the Bible

52-Week Bible Reading Plan

Christian Answers.net Reading Plan

Do you have the incentive to see what God -- through His Word - can reveal to you today?

- Esthermay Bentley-Goossen

10:10 AM | 1 comments | Read More

Dinner With C.S. Lewis

"If you could have a conversation over dinner with any one person, dead or alive, with the exception of Jesus, who would it be and why"?

C.S. Lewis. He was a brilliant writer, and as a writer myself, I love Lewis' intellectual and scholarly slant. I love his use of logic and reason to put spiritual matters into a form that logical people cannot help but understand. And because my husband also puts C.S. Lewis at the top of his list of favorite authors/people, we could enjoy the meal and conversation together! (Probably Ribs and Cheesecake.)

Lewis used his writing to direct people 'further up and further in'. His logic carries us to a certain point, then leaves us to ponder and continue upward on our own. I love how he uses sources other than scripture to back up his arguments. He shows that there are little gleams of truth elsewhere, that can be used to strengthen our own faith.

As a writer, I aspire -- like C.S. Lewis -- to get people to look at everyday circumstances and be inspired to think more about their relationship with and position before God.

I want to be the kind of writer who makes people feel like they're banging their head against a brick wall while reading. . . and then have it all suddenly make perfect sense later. And I would of course become become skilled at this sitting under the discipline of C.S. Lewis for the evening over dinner. (Yea, right!) A girl can dream.

-Esthermay

9:32 AM | 4 comments | Read More

Not Google's Fault. . .

I’ve always been a fan of Google! I use it almost everyday to research this, that and the other. It’s invaluable when I’m writing since I can check facts and statistics and pretty well anything I need to know. So you can imagine how let down I was (Fun with the Sitemeter….) when I saw how many people have landed on my blog searching for “how to support my pastor’s wife” and “prayers for a pastor’s wife” knowing that I had nothing on this blog to offer. I did my own Google Search and didn’t come up with much either. I did happen upon a good article at a Focus on the Family site on how to encourage your pastor’s wife.

The shortcomings of the Google Search aren’t Google’s fault. I love Google. We just need more good content on the Internet. So, here’s the poll. The results of the poll will be used wisely here at my end.

7:00 AM | 1 comments | Read More