i am sorry for the messy article- new to using 'print screen' so think it'll improve with practice. Time (and patience!) will not allow me to type this out and didn't want to skip an article either because of it's length.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
1991 March/April issue Part 2
Women: The Road Ahead
That was the theme of Time's special issue last fall. There were
pictures of women with babies in prison, an inconsolable “crack” baby with a
tangle of tubes connected to machines, crying his little heart out, a mother
charged with a felony: delivery of drugs to her newborn child, women in
politics “sharing real rather than cosmetic power,” a veiled Muslim woman, ten
tough-minded women who “create individual rules for success,” e.g. a police
chief, a bishop, a rock climber, a baseball club owner, a rap artist, a fashion
tycoon, an Indian chief and others (not much femininity showed in their
pictures). There were single mothers, lesbian mothers, divorced mothers,
working (outside the home) mothers. There was a twelve-year-old who fixes
supper for her sisters when Mom works late and there was a man who is a house
husband. But there was not one picture of a father and mother and their
children. Not one.
Friday, August 10, 2012
1991 March/April issue Part 1
Small Things
When i want to do only great things for You,
Make me willing to do small, unnoticed things, too.
When i want to do what the world will acclaim,
Make me willing to do what will lift up your name.
B.J. Hoff
"Well done, my good and trusty servant!" said the master. "You have proved trustworthy in a small way; i will now put you in charge of somethings big. Come and share your master's delight" (Matthew 25:23, NEB).
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
1991 January/February issue Part 2
The Angel in the Cell
My brother David Howard does a lot of travelling and comes back with wonderful stories. Last June when the six of us Howards with our spouses got together for a reunion Dave told us this one, heard from the son of the man in the story.
My brother David Howard does a lot of travelling and comes back with wonderful stories. Last June when the six of us Howards with our spouses got together for a reunion Dave told us this one, heard from the son of the man in the story.
A man we’ll call Ivan, prisoner in an unnamed country, was
taken from his cell, interrogated, tortured and beaten nearly to a pulp. The one
comfort in his life was a blanket. As he staggered back to his cell, ready to collapse
into that meager comfort, he saw to his dismay that somebody was wrapped up in
it- an informer, he supposed. He fell on the filthy floor, crying out, “I can’t
take it any more!” whereupon a voice came from the blanket, “Ivan, what do you
mean you can’t take it any more?” Thinking the man was trying to get
information to be used against him, he didn’t explain. He merely repeated what
he had said.
“Ivan,” came the voice, “have you forgotten that Jesus is
with you?”
Then the figure in the blanket was gone. Ivan, unable to
walk a minute ago, now leaped to his feat danced round the cell praising the
Lord. In the morning the guard who had starved and beaten him asked who had
given him food. No one, said Ivan.
“But why do you look so different?”
“Because my Lord was with me last night.”
“Because my Lord was with me last night.”
“Oh, is that so? And where is your Lord now?”
Ivan opened his shirt, pointed to his heart- “Here.”
“O.K. I’m going to shoot you and your Lord right now,” said
the guard, pointing a pistol at Ivan’s chest.
“Shoot me if you wish. I’ll go to be with the Lord.”
The guard returned his pistol to his holster, shaking his
head in bewilderment.
Later Ivan learned that his wife and children had been
praying for him on that same night as they read Isaiah 15:14, “the cowering
prisoner will soon be set free; they will not die in their dungeon, nor will
they lack bread.”
Ivan was released shortly thereafter, and continued faithfully to preach the Gospel until he died in his eighties.
Ivan was released shortly thereafter, and continued faithfully to preach the Gospel until he died in his eighties.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
1991 January/February issue Part 1
The childless man or woman
Children, God tells us, are a heritage from the Him. Is the man or woman to whom He gives no children therefore disinherited? Surely not. the Lord gave portions of land to each tribe of Israel except one. “The tribe of Levi... received no holding; the Lord God of Israel is their portion, as He promised them” (Joshua 3:14, REB). Withholding what He granted to the rest, He gave to Levi a higher privilege. May we not see childlessness in the same light? I believe there is a special gift for those to whom God does not give the gift of physical fatherhood or motherhood.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
1990 November/December issue Part 3
Men, Women and Biblical Equality. Part 3
Men have disobeyed by misusing their authority, and women have disobeyed by refusing it. We are not therefore at liberty to drain the word headship of its oblivious hierarchical meaning. Let’s be careful not to overlook the all-important word as: “Wives, be subject to your husbands as to the Lord, for the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church” (Eph 5:22, 23). In what sense is Christ the head of the church? It’s a physical metaphor Paul is using. Is it not the head of the human body the part from which all other parts take orders? Yes, iv’e read pages and pages of arguments about that Greek word Kephale. Some would insist that it means only source, and carries no thought of authority. But I insist that metaphors are metaphors and they mean more, not less, than the mere words could mean in another context. One wonders if these humourless, nearsighted, nit-picking, theological pendants have ever read a book in their lives!
Men have disobeyed by misusing their authority, and women have disobeyed by refusing it. We are not therefore at liberty to drain the word headship of its oblivious hierarchical meaning. Let’s be careful not to overlook the all-important word as: “Wives, be subject to your husbands as to the Lord, for the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church” (Eph 5:22, 23). In what sense is Christ the head of the church? It’s a physical metaphor Paul is using. Is it not the head of the human body the part from which all other parts take orders? Yes, iv’e read pages and pages of arguments about that Greek word Kephale. Some would insist that it means only source, and carries no thought of authority. But I insist that metaphors are metaphors and they mean more, not less, than the mere words could mean in another context. One wonders if these humourless, nearsighted, nit-picking, theological pendants have ever read a book in their lives!
Monday, July 23, 2012
1990 November/December issue Part 2
Men, Women, and Biblical Equality. Part 2
Most of what the MWBE’s advertisements say I think most Christians would accept. It is what they have chosen not to say that disturbs me deeply. The section on Community deals with the Holy Spirit's coming on both men and women; both have spiritual gifts. True enough, but were there not certain restrictions (for both men and women) placed on the use of these gifts? Is there no such thing as church order which manifests a church hierarchy?
Most of what the MWBE’s advertisements say I think most Christians would accept. It is what they have chosen not to say that disturbs me deeply. The section on Community deals with the Holy Spirit's coming on both men and women; both have spiritual gifts. True enough, but were there not certain restrictions (for both men and women) placed on the use of these gifts? Is there no such thing as church order which manifests a church hierarchy?
Thursday, July 19, 2012
1990 November/December issue Part 1
Men, Women, and Biblical Equality.
Part 1
A few months ago a double-paged advertisement with the above heading appeared in Christian magazine, containing a statement drawn up by seven Christian leaders, and signed by (if I counted correctly) 164 others. It appeared to be a direct rebuttal to The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood which was formed several years ago.
A few months ago a double-paged advertisement with the above heading appeared in Christian magazine, containing a statement drawn up by seven Christian leaders, and signed by (if I counted correctly) 164 others. It appeared to be a direct rebuttal to The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood which was formed several years ago.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
1990 September/October issue Part 3
Lord, Please remove this dilemma
(...) Some of you face serious dilemmas. We want to pray, “Lord, please remove the dilemma.” Usually the answer is “No, not right away.” We must face it, pray over it, think about it, wait on the Lord, make a choice. Sometimes it is an excruciating choice.
(...) Some of you face serious dilemmas. We want to pray, “Lord, please remove the dilemma.” Usually the answer is “No, not right away.” We must face it, pray over it, think about it, wait on the Lord, make a choice. Sometimes it is an excruciating choice.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
1990 September/October issue Part 2
Prayer
- For the greatest need for today's children; holy parents. Pray for them, that God will give them holy wisdom in teaching children to pray, to love God, to set their aims far above transitory things; wisdom in helping children decide about education and extra-curricular things which sometimes become too great a burden
- For the greatest need of today's churches: holy pastors.
- For Christian men in the business world, that they may be shielded from strong pressure to gain the whole world and thus lose their souls.
Friday, June 29, 2012
1990 September/October issue Part 1
Training a child to self-control
Shall I brace myself for the inevitable charge of ancestor-worship which is bound to come? This is not the first I’ve quoted my forebears, and probably won’t be the last, but it’s worth the risk of a taunt or two! Henry Clay Trumbull, a chaplain in the Civil War, was my great-grandfather, and only recently I found that his book, Hints on Child Training, has been brought back into print. His reason for writing it was His friend’s having asked for his theory of child training. “Theory?” he responded, “I have no theory in that matter. I had lots of theories before I had any children [he had eight] but now I do, with fear and trembling, in every case just that which seems to be the better thing for the hour, whether it agrees with any of my old theories or not.”
A book written one hundred years ago which a publisher now deems worthy of reprint must be good. The publisher is Wolgemuth and Hyatt, Brentwood TN; price $8.95. Here’s an excerpt from chapter 10:
Shall I brace myself for the inevitable charge of ancestor-worship which is bound to come? This is not the first I’ve quoted my forebears, and probably won’t be the last, but it’s worth the risk of a taunt or two! Henry Clay Trumbull, a chaplain in the Civil War, was my great-grandfather, and only recently I found that his book, Hints on Child Training, has been brought back into print. His reason for writing it was His friend’s having asked for his theory of child training. “Theory?” he responded, “I have no theory in that matter. I had lots of theories before I had any children [he had eight] but now I do, with fear and trembling, in every case just that which seems to be the better thing for the hour, whether it agrees with any of my old theories or not.”
A book written one hundred years ago which a publisher now deems worthy of reprint must be good. The publisher is Wolgemuth and Hyatt, Brentwood TN; price $8.95. Here’s an excerpt from chapter 10:
Friday, June 22, 2012
1990 July/August issue Part 4
A "Hard Time"
Following a talk I gave on what older women are to teach younger, according to Titus 2:3-5, someone raised this objection during the question period:
“I have a hard time with that verse about staying home!”
It’s an expression we often hear-“I have a hard time with that.” Usually the tone is one of argument, and the words are a euphemism for “I don’t like that,” or “surely that doesn’t apply to my case.” If the speaker were convinced that the verse did not apply to is case, he would not be having a hard time with it. He could dismiss it at once. But if the person really means he or she is having difficulty, what is the exact nature of the difficulty? I can think of four possibilities:
3. I ought to do it but I don’t want to.
Following a talk I gave on what older women are to teach younger, according to Titus 2:3-5, someone raised this objection during the question period:
“I have a hard time with that verse about staying home!”
It’s an expression we often hear-“I have a hard time with that.” Usually the tone is one of argument, and the words are a euphemism for “I don’t like that,” or “surely that doesn’t apply to my case.” If the speaker were convinced that the verse did not apply to is case, he would not be having a hard time with it. He could dismiss it at once. But if the person really means he or she is having difficulty, what is the exact nature of the difficulty? I can think of four possibilities:
1. Does this apply to me?
2. I want to do it but I can’t.3. I ought to do it but I don’t want to.
4. I wish God hadn’t said it.
What shall we do with the difficulties? To the first I would
say that if we come to God with an empty cup, asking Him to reveal His will and
help us to do the right thing, no matter what it costs, He will certainly show
us. For the second we have the promise, “I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me.” God never gave a command for which He will not supply the
power to obey. For the third we know we have been created with the will to
choose. We may choose to do what we ought to do, and God will help us. If the
last describes our “hard time” let’s be straightforward with God, confess the
truth, and submit to His Word as an obedient servant. Obedience always finally
leads to joy. Thursday, June 21, 2012
1990 July/August issue Part 3
Spiritual opposition
When Lars and I returned from a fortnight in Scotland and England there was the expected pile-up of work awaiting us, and the usual temptation to feel overwhelmed by it. The suitcase had to be unpacked, clothes washed, mail opened, read and answered. The house had been partially cleaned by the students living with us, but up stairs I had to deal with the dust. There were phone messages waiting, and phone calls we needed to make to family members. Do you know the feeling of utter inadequacy to cope? I’m sure you do. But I believe the enemy of our souls is specially alert at such times, seeking to use them to turn us in ourselves rather than upwards to the One who stands ready to be our Refuge and Helper.
When Lars and I returned from a fortnight in Scotland and England there was the expected pile-up of work awaiting us, and the usual temptation to feel overwhelmed by it. The suitcase had to be unpacked, clothes washed, mail opened, read and answered. The house had been partially cleaned by the students living with us, but up stairs I had to deal with the dust. There were phone messages waiting, and phone calls we needed to make to family members. Do you know the feeling of utter inadequacy to cope? I’m sure you do. But I believe the enemy of our souls is specially alert at such times, seeking to use them to turn us in ourselves rather than upwards to the One who stands ready to be our Refuge and Helper.
Monday, June 18, 2012
1990 July/August issue Part 2
Prayer
“When Thou rememberest what relates to me, think of me only
in the light of Thy mercy- forget all else, O Thou, my injured and justly
offended God, my unspeakable gracious Benefactor. Put out of sight all that has
severed between me and Thee.” (William Kay’s note on Psalm 25:7)
1990 July/August issue Part 1
Taking Care of my Little Sister
(Reprinted by permission by The Home Sweet Home Newspaper of the Shepherd Family, Vol. I, No.1. The writer is my granddaughter, Christiana, age eight.)
Last night my mother and father were gone and i had to put Evangeline* down for bed. My mom had put on her diapers and i had to put on her pajamas. This is how it started. I put Evangeline on Colleens bed and I said, ‘Evangeline, stay here!’ and of course she went off the bed, crawled down the stairs, and of course I went after her and said, ‘Evangeline, come here!’ Finally I got her and put her on the kitchen table and put her pajamas on and she saw her bottle on the kitchen counter and I gave it to her and took her back upstairs. Then I prayed with her and wound up the ‘Hark, the Herald Angels Sing’ music box and said good night. Whew!”
(Reprinted by permission by The Home Sweet Home Newspaper of the Shepherd Family, Vol. I, No.1. The writer is my granddaughter, Christiana, age eight.)
Last night my mother and father were gone and i had to put Evangeline* down for bed. My mom had put on her diapers and i had to put on her pajamas. This is how it started. I put Evangeline on Colleens bed and I said, ‘Evangeline, stay here!’ and of course she went off the bed, crawled down the stairs, and of course I went after her and said, ‘Evangeline, come here!’ Finally I got her and put her on the kitchen table and put her pajamas on and she saw her bottle on the kitchen counter and I gave it to her and took her back upstairs. Then I prayed with her and wound up the ‘Hark, the Herald Angels Sing’ music box and said good night. Whew!”
*(aged sixteen months when this was written).
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
1990 May/June issue Part 2
Chronicle of a Soul
I kept a five year diary from high school through college, and began spiritual journals during my senior year in college (1848) which I continue to keep. These are chronicles of growth, mental, emotional, and spiritual. It is astounding to go back through them and learn things I had completely forgotten. It is wonderfully faith-strengthening to see that indeed “all the way my Saviour leads me,” hears my prayers, supplies my prayers, teaches me of Himself. As God said to Israel, “Thou shallt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led these forty years in the wilderness.” My memory is poor. A journal is a record of His faithfulness (and my own faithfulness too- which teaches me to value His grace and mercy). If you decide to begin recording your pilgrimage, buy yourself a notebook (one of those pretty flowered clothbound blank books available in gift and stationary stores) and begin to put down (not necessarily everyday):
I kept a five year diary from high school through college, and began spiritual journals during my senior year in college (1848) which I continue to keep. These are chronicles of growth, mental, emotional, and spiritual. It is astounding to go back through them and learn things I had completely forgotten. It is wonderfully faith-strengthening to see that indeed “all the way my Saviour leads me,” hears my prayers, supplies my prayers, teaches me of Himself. As God said to Israel, “Thou shallt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led these forty years in the wilderness.” My memory is poor. A journal is a record of His faithfulness (and my own faithfulness too- which teaches me to value His grace and mercy). If you decide to begin recording your pilgrimage, buy yourself a notebook (one of those pretty flowered clothbound blank books available in gift and stationary stores) and begin to put down (not necessarily everyday):
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
1990 May/June issue Part 1
The Absence of Feeling in the Devotional Life
"I am sporadic in my devotions,” writes a Newsletter reader (who happens to be my daughter!), “though I am up pretty early regularly by 5.30am there are many mornings when my mind and heart are too dull and cold to learn of Him.”
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
1990 March/April issue Part 4
Child-Parent Relations
(Dan Tompkins, fourteen-year-old son of my dear friend Barb of Tuscan, Arizona, wrote this for his school paper:)
One of the problems that i and many of the students come across is child-parent relations. God has told us to honor and obey our parents (Eph 6:1-3). Here are some things to keep in mind:
1. Remember that you're the child and they're the parent.
2. Realize that parents know what you are going through. They've been there.
3. Understand their side and their imperfection.
4. Cooperate (they're trying to help you!)
5. Communicate without yelling and be open and truthful.
6. Be determined to clear things up.
7. Say you love them. Accept their decision- it's for the better!
"How i hated discipline... i would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors. I have come to the brink of utter ruin in the midst of the whole assembly" (Proverbs 5:12-14).
(Dan Tompkins, fourteen-year-old son of my dear friend Barb of Tuscan, Arizona, wrote this for his school paper:)
One of the problems that i and many of the students come across is child-parent relations. God has told us to honor and obey our parents (Eph 6:1-3). Here are some things to keep in mind:
1. Remember that you're the child and they're the parent.
2. Realize that parents know what you are going through. They've been there.
3. Understand their side and their imperfection.
4. Cooperate (they're trying to help you!)
5. Communicate without yelling and be open and truthful.
6. Be determined to clear things up.
7. Say you love them. Accept their decision- it's for the better!
"How i hated discipline... i would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors. I have come to the brink of utter ruin in the midst of the whole assembly" (Proverbs 5:12-14).
1990 March/April issue Part 3
Virginity part 3
“How can a Christian single woman enter into the mystery of
Christ and the church if she never experiences marriage?” is the question of a
very thoughtful young woman.
The gift of virginity, given to everyone to offer back to
God for His use, is a priceless and irreplaceable gift. It can be offered in
the pure sacrifice of marriage, or it can be offered in the sacrifice of life’s
celibacy. Does this sound just too, too high and holy? But think for a moment-
because the virgin has never known a man, she is free to concern herself wholly
with the Lord’s affairs, as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 7, “and her aim in life
is to make herself holy, in body and spirit.” She keeps her heart as the Bride
of Christ in a very special sense, and offers to the Heavenly Bridegroom alone
all that she is and has. When she gives herself willingly to Him in love she
has no need to justify herself to the world or to Christians who plague her
with questions and suggestions. In a way not open to the married woman her
daily “living sacrifices” is a powerful and humble witness, radiating love. I believe
she may enter into the “mystery” more deeply than the rest of us.
Monday, May 28, 2012
1990 March/April issue Part 2
Virginity Part 2
But what shall I say to the women who write to me in such
sorrow and perplexity? First of all, it is not our job to set about trying to
coerce the men. They must answer to God, who made them the initiators. But a
woman must answer to God about her acceptance of singleness, seeking to know
Him in it and converting it into good by a peaceful YES, LORD! Rather than into
real evil by a rebellious NO!
At lunch today Lars said, “I’ll tell you what would change things fast- if all woman decided they would not ‘give out,’ I mean give men what they’re looking for but are unwilling to make a commitment for.”
One young woman wrote in desperation, agreeing with what I believe is God’s order, “YEAH! That’s the way is should be!! Unfortunately, that’s not the way it is!”
At lunch today Lars said, “I’ll tell you what would change things fast- if all woman decided they would not ‘give out,’ I mean give men what they’re looking for but are unwilling to make a commitment for.”
One young woman wrote in desperation, agreeing with what I believe is God’s order, “YEAH! That’s the way is should be!! Unfortunately, that’s not the way it is!”
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