Coram Deo!

The Serpent

There was a Serpent who had to sing.
There was. There was.
He simply gave up Serpenting.
Because. Because.

He didn’t like his Kind of Life;
He couldn’t find a proper Wife;
He was a Serpent with a soul;
He got not Pleasure down His hole.
And so, of course, he had to Sing,
And Sing he did, like Anything!
The Birds, they were, they were Astounded;
And various Measures Propounded
To stop the Serpent’s Awful Racket:
They bought a Drum. He Wouldn’t Whack it.
They sent, — you always send,— to Cuba
And got a most commodious Tuba;
They got a Horn, they got a Flute,
But Nothing would suit.
He said, ‘Look, Birds, all this is futile:
I do not like to Bang or Tootle.’
And then he cut loose with a Horrible Note
That practically split the Top of his Throat.
‘You see,’ he said, with a Serpent’s Leer,
‘I’m serious abut my Singing Career!’
And the Woods Resounded with many a shriek
As the Birds flew off to the End of Next Week.

— Theodore Roethke

Laugh a little. It’ll make life better.

Coram Deo!

Life never ceases to be wonderful in all its craziness and overwhelmingness… as a G.K. Chesteron quote says that I recently read on a friend’s blog: The world will never starve for want of wonders, but for want of wonder. We so easily forget the wonder of God’s creation, and the wonder that He sovereignly ordains every moment of our lives, when we throw daily thanksgiving by the wayside for everything He gives and does for us. It’s easier every morning to wake and become weighed down by our ungratefulness and selfishness, than it is to pause in our distractions and see just how many blessings are bound up in the things we can reach out and touch immediately. And sometimes it just takes seeing it through a macro lens to remember that.

Coram Deo~

Coram Deo!

Why am I driving an hour to the airport to catch an early morning flight with my Mom?

Why have I packed sandals AND an umbrella?

Where am I headed where the warm, southern winds blow so sweet next to a gently running river in the middle of a city?

Why am I so excited about bringing my camera and my two absolute favorite lenses… well, the lenses I thought would be best on this trip; I did agonize over it for a while.

Should I be worried about the fact that I seem to have a habit of not being able to fall asleep easily before an airplane flight?

This conference answers most of the questions above… I am looking forward to thought-provoking topics, having good conversations, and walking along the riverwalk in old San Antonio again.

Coram Deo~

Coram Deo!

First: My allegiance and fear always and only belong to one sovereign, King Jesus. Sappy patriotism and Godly fear and righteousness to the King of Kings do not mix, and should not be considered as being on the same level with one another.

Second: While I need to render Godly obedience to those authorities over me, it is only Godly so long as that obedience is not in direct transgression to God’s laws. When and where I can I will peacefully resist and undo such laws that require me to render disobedience, slavery, and state worship.

Third: I will strive to peacefully build up and restore this country, and unshackle the bonds of tyranny that we lay under; and I will raise my children to do the same in Godly obedience and wisdom.

Fourth: Reformation and restoration of the heart of this country will never occur until reformation and restoration occurs first in the hearts of individual men, families, and local churches and communities. Don’t look to the highest courts for serious change in the morality of our country until our own hearts, families, and church governments are found steadfast and faithful in Christ and His law.

Fifth: I despise and abhor the depravity of all the preemptive warfare our country has engaged in over the past 150 years; and I pray that the wars in which we are now engaged in numerous countries around the world, and slaughter of innocent men, women, and children may cease soon. War is rarely, rarely justified, and that is why our Founding Fathers tried all other means of reconciliation before they engaged in war.

Sixth: I take pleasure in the joy and love present in gathering together in cheerful celebration with fellow Christian families in my community. In a culture that is sadly fragmented and individualistic, and where strong, Christian communities are almost nonexistent, it gladdens me to celebrate with a community of Christian brethren that rejoices in God’s grace, and heartily enjoys the good gifts He has given us on this earth. Today is a felicitous opportunity to relish good food, good, thought-provoking conversation, and good fellowship.

Seventh: I celebrate hope on the 4th of July, and trust in the promises of God. His kingdom will grow to fill the earth, and is furthered every day by our common, humble, and faithful living. What He requires is hard work, perseverance, and faith in trials; nevertheless, we according to His promise, look for for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Stand firm in your faith despite the faithlessness that rages around you; blessed are those who put their trust in God.

Coram Deo!

Answer me if you can.

Coram Deo!

Coram Deo!