The Renewed Mind

The renewed mind is the key to the power that we need. The world is gonna see that it's Christ in me!

But don't take my word for it. Add a keyboard and a few snazzy moves and you get this shiny gem of truth:

*video no longer available due to copyright issues, apparently. New Way International wanted to protect this impressive work of art. Joel and I might be able to re-create this for you ourselves, if bribed with the right combination of persuasive techniques.



Don't give up before the 1:50 mark, when dude takes the moves up a notch. You don't want to miss it!

Lest I seem ungrateful, many thanks to Adam Tisdale for bringing us this tasty morsel today!

Quotables

This week's quotable was actually printed in our bulletin this morning. Our pastors have been preaching through the Ten Commandments and teaching about the heart issues that underlie them. It amazes me how closely the commandments are all interwoven, mainly reflecting issues of idolatry but also incorporating themes of thievery and adultery. Paul Tripp says it beautifully in this quote from Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands:

"At its core, sin is moral thievery. It steals the worship that rightly belongs to God and gives it to someone or something else. It robs the Trinity to purchase the creation. Every sinner is in some way a worship thief.

At its center, sin is also spiritual adultery. It takes the love that belongs to God alone and gives it to someone or something else. It is a life shaped by the satisfaction of cravings, rather than by heartfelt commitment and faithfulness. Every sinner is in some way a spiritual adulterer.

The deepest issues of life are issues of worship. Worship is more fundamental to our essential nature than the pain, pressures, or pleasures of our experiences. What we worship determines our responses to all our experiences. Sin is much more than doing the wrong thing. It begins with loving, worshiping, and serving the wrong thing."

I pray that, by God's grace, He alone will occupy the throne of my heart all the days of my life. May I never give the worship due Him to something less or else than my God.

Now In Fall Colors!

Like any relevant must-read, Musings is hip, trendy, and up-to-the-minute with the latest in fall fashion. Check out our new harvest hues, complete with rich mahogany, deep sienna, and burnt orange.

Brew some hot tea and curl up with a cozy blanket as you peruse old posts and stay current on fresh issues. Snuggle up to autumn in your favorite corner of the interweb!

*if you don't see the makeover magic, hit your brower's refresh button!

Unhelpful Classifications

It's like my mama always said, Christian music is like a box of chocolates - you never know what you're gonna get.

Ok, so she never said that, but the fact is that the "Christian" genre of music is about the least helpful classification I've ever heard of. I was thinking about this on my way home from school today. You know, right after class, when my head ought to be full of important thoughts about how to apply lofty theoretical knowledge to challenging clinical situations.

But instead I was listening to "Wow 1996" and reflecting a bit on Christian music: its roots, its quality, how far it has come since 1996 (amen?).

Seriously? Do we think it's helpful to label something as Christian music? Since when do we label a genre of music based on its content rather than on qualities of beat, melody, and style? Do you ever sit down and think to yourself "boy, I could go for some Christian music"....I sure don't. I think to myself, hmm, how about something bluesy, or funky, or poppy (is that a word?). If I want something that's bluesy and Christian, well, let me know if you've got a good search engine for that.

On a more thoughtful note (no pun intended), it's interesting to reflect on why we label Christian music as such. Obviously we want to denote music that has a certain content to its lyrics, music that adheres to certain moral and (at times) theological standards. This music reflects a distinctively Christian worldview, right? So in an attempt to help Christians find music appropriate for their homeschoolers and to warn non-Christians away from music that might accidentally convert them, we label it all as 'Christian' or, more laughably, 'Gospel'. I love when Chris Rice is labeled as 'Gospel', (hello white boy) which is actually a real genre of music but whose label is often given to any music that mentions Jesus. But I digress...

This Christian label is a problem, and one that has at least two logically following questions: what would happen if we labeled all music according to its content and the worldview expressed therein, and what would happen if we scrutinized 'Christian' music for explicit statements of a gospel-centered worldview?

Wouldn't that be a trip? To generalize the Christian music idea, music should really be labeled based on the worldview of the artist/composer, right? You could walk down the 'Christian' aisle until you got to the 'Muslim' section, and then hang a right at 'Post-modern'. All carefully labeled for the thoughtful consumer. No longer would Jesus music be the only genre hailed as promoting a religion. Finally the truth would be known, that values and worldviews are inherent in all music, indeed in all that man creates as art (and science, but that's another soapbox altogether). Nothing is really secular, if by secular one means free of values...free of beneficial values, maybe, or of true ones, but there is no such thing as neutral. (And to emphasize my earlier point, we would still have no idea what the music actually sounds like!)

But what about the second question - what if we were to examine 'Christian' music to see if it really holds up to the litmus test of Christianity? I can't tell you how many songs I've heard on K-Love or even in passing on "secular" radio stations, songs released by Christian artists, songs which never mention Jesus and some which don't even allude to God. Case in point: Point of Grace's newish song called "How You Live". This song could not be further. from. the. gospel.

This gem exhorts the listener to use the good dishes, wear the red dress, turn up the music and suck the very marrow out of life (Dead Poet's Society, anyone?). It's a carpe diem kind of message. My favorite line: Don't run from the truth 'cause you can't get away, no/ Face it and you'll be okay".

I'm sorry, which truth is that?

This is the gospel of Joel Osteen and others like him. But it is not the gospel of Jesus Christ! It is tragic to me that the Christian genre of music (and books, churches, teachers...) has become so diluted that it is sometimes impossible to distinguish the Christian from the non-Christian. And when that happens, I would suggest that there is no distinction because it is all, in fact, non-Christian.

I don't know what my point is in all this, at least with regard to the music. But I do challenge you to be discerning and not swallow something simply because it says "Christian" on the bottle. The "Christian Living" section of Barnes & Noble, even Christian bookstores sell A LOT of garbage these days. If it is not full of the truth of your sin and God's grace, then it is not Christian. That's a wide-sweeping statement, I know. There are lots of things written for many different purposes. But don't believe anything that tries to convince you that you'll be ok with anything short of Christ's atoning work on the cross.

There is so much I could say on the subject, but this is long enough already and I'm grateful you've read even this far. Just consider this: is your Christianity the real deal, or is it Christianity Lite - half the real truth, half the real joy (and none of the salvation)? More importantly, when you face the truth, will you be ok?

On Brokenness and Healing

I think I am finally recovered enough to write about my ride-along on an overnight Medical Transport shift Sunday night.

Recovered from staying up all night, that is. It wasn't really very traumatic or emergency-ish. The worst that happened was watching Trish start an IV on a lady who was in bad shape and needed transport from her nursing home to an ER. Mostly the partners on my truck were moving people from dialysis to home, or from an ER to a bed or ER in another hospital. No emergencies for me to witness, which is actually ok with me. And here's a picture of where the magic happened:















During my 13 hours with Mitch and Trish, however, I had plenty of time for introspection regarding the medical/emergency field and the vastly differing perspectives one can have, from hospital staff to medical transport to patient to family member. Being in and out of hospitals, ERs, and dialysis centers allowed me to catch a glimpse of each of these kinds of people, and since I am not a "seasoned" medical professional my heart and mind remained open enough to consider each perspective and observe them in relation to one another.

From the perspective of medical personnel, each patient who comes through is viewed very objectively - and necessarily so. Of course there is the (hopefully) compassionate bedside manner to be managed, but the doctor, nurse, or EMT views the patient as a case and quickly analyzes the series of goals to be met and the steps required to move the patient along through each of these. Wes, a friend's husband who arranged the ride-along for his wife and me, explained that this is a vital part of their training (he is trained as an EMT and works for the medical transport company we rode along with). Too much emotion would be debilitating for the medical worker who must remain objective enough to function quickly and effectively and be able to cope with both success and failure. To one trained as a psychologist, these medical personnel sometimes came across as brusque or detached, but Wes emphasized that the role of medical staff is not to provide counseling. While they aim to provide compassionate care, their primary objective is to provide physical, not emotional, help.

More intriguing than the medical professionals themselves was the interaction between them and the patients. Perhaps the most memorable was a girl being wheeled into an ER on a stretcher, head and neck immobilized by a neck brace and strap across her forehead. Her male counterpart (husband? boyfriend?) was trotting beside the stretcher, holding her and and attempting to reassure her. They both seemed relatively calm considering the apparent situation, but I thought about the very different reactions between these lay people and the staff who assisted them. To the ER personnel, this was just another case....not in a cold or harsh way, but there was no panic or anxiety or realization that life might be drastically different from now on.

And that's what it comes down to, isn't it? For the ER staff, this is business as usual. To the girl lying on a stretcher, this is a huge, life-altering experience. Her life will never be the same, either because of lasting medical issues or due simply (simply?) to the emotional and potentially traumatizing effects of an emergency hospital visit. I couldn't imagine being in her shoes...or neck brace, as it were. To be lying flat on my back, unable to move, alone with my thoughts but for the attempted comforts of my husband. Would his words soothe my heart or calm my mind? Or would my insides be racing, crashing all over each other at the panic of possible paralysis?

A hospital is a place of great healing, but also often a place of great tragedy. The ER is the beginning of a very different life for some people. My heart broke for those I saw waiting in hospital beds for doctors to deliver a prognosis - for some, full of hope; for others, carrying the weight of an altered way of life. I hope I never harden to the great drama that happens in people's lives every single day...I am grateful for the opportunity to witness firsthand what goes on behind the scenes, even the small taste that it was. It was so helpful to watch and listen, to observe people's demeanors and reactions, to imagine the psychological effects of such an experience and to reflect on how I might be able to help these people approach emotional healing when I see them in my office one day.

We live in a fallen world, and life doesn't always give you good news. I thank the Lord for calling me to a profession in which I am privileged to come alongside people who are often experiencing the very brokenness of human existence. I pray that I will be strong enough to share the burden of pain, and wise enough to guide toward hope. I am only one person, but by God's grace I will call upon Him to help me help His children.

Our Burgeoning Family

Attention, one and all! I'd like to direct your attention to the latest addition to my blogroll: Our Burgeoning Family, the blog dedicated to chronicling the growth of Baby Harold. Congratulations to Scott and Becca on their marvelous news - it is amazing that something the size of a lentil bean (or is it a grape by now? a lemon?) can have such a huge impact on the lives of everyone who awaits it. Their burgeoning family is my burgeoning family!

Praise God for the miracle of life. We lift prayers every day for the life and health of this tiny one and the mother who carries it, and for the physical, emotional, and spiritual preparations that are even now being undertaken by Scott and Becca (and so many others) in anticipation of its arrival! As for the Joel Pearces, we cannot wait to meet our first nephew/niece and to assist the Ron Pearces (etc.) in its immediate and continuous spoilage. Er, nurture and admonition of the Lord, I mean. Right-oh. Straight and narrow, I always say.

Also, it's weird to keep calling it "it", but "him/her" seems unwieldy to keep typing. Such issues we bloggers face!

Anyhoodle, stop by the Burgeoning Blog and pass along your well-wishes to the happy, gestating family!

Quotables

In the tradition of my blogger husband, I would like to share something quotable with you on this particular Lord's Day. My citation takes the form not of a quote, per se, but of a link to a great blog post from our church's blog. Ladies and gentleman, Ken Shomo's "Marriage Top Ten".

This insightful post inspires me to think about ways in which the Ten Commandments apply to other areas of life, not just marriage. Following this line of thought brings into sharp focus my tendency to exalt things, tasks, and people to the highest priority rather than viewing them, and myself, in rightful submission to God. He alone occupies the throne as King of kings and Lord of my life. From a right view of His sovereign position flow the rest of His commandments as they relate to all aspects of life - to bear God's name fully and appropriately, to love and honor others, to be content with the portion He has given, to be a vessel of life and healing, to find sabbath rest in Him.

God's commandments reveal His character and His intent for the ordering of our lives. Far from being one-dimensional decrees prohibiting things like fornication and deception, these edicts emanate from the heart of God as beautiful streams of water. They do not limit my life; rather, they cast light upon the way to life abundant! The fullest life is not focused inwardly on my feelings and inclinations, but outwardly on the straight edge of the Lord's holiness.

What a great challenge, to consider God's "Top Ten" in relation to my marriage, occupation, relationships, priorities...as someone once said of the gospel (the name escapes me at the moment...help, anyone?), so too is the Law so simple that even a child can understand it, yet so profound that even the most learned scholars will never exhaust its depths.

As we who live on this side of the Cross consider the high standard of the law, we are faced with our insurmountable need for grace. God's law points us forward to the justice and grace of the Cross even as grace illuminates the beauty of the original law. The two are revealed to be inseparably joined in the holiness of God - His perfect standard, and His means of raising us to it. There is no way in which the circle of law and grace is incomplete. Simple, profound, beautiful.

Thank you, Lord, for your law, and for the completeness it finds in your grace. Through your Word and by the Holy Spirit, convict us of sin and convince us of grace.

The Peace That Passes Understanding

Things have been quiet on the blogging front lately, and the reason is that much of what has been on my mind is not fit for public consumption. But there are many things on which I've been pondering, and I will endeavor to share that portion which is share-able.

The Lord is teaching me so much about trust, and about how He has my ultimate good in mind. I recently started back to school for the fall semester, and it is impossible to exaggerate how very overwhelming this has been. My classes (all two of them) are somewhat demanding and although they are both pass/fail as opposed to requiring a standard letter grade, they both involve extensive outside work. In one course, I am required to do field experiences in the area of trauma and crisis work (there will be a post following my ambulance ride-along tomorrow night, I am sure) and lead class discussions and what-not. In the other I will complete a consultation project with an outside business as well as clinical supervision of other students (in my case, second and third-years who are clinicians for the Hope research team).

And that's just the coursework. Add to that the stress of, in the next two months, completing cover letters and applications and essays and my curriculum vitae and sending the right combination of paperwork in the right format to each of 15-20 internship sites who will discard my application the very millisecond one "t" is not flawlessly crossed. Not to mention working feverishly on my dissertation proposal, a draft of which is to be submitted to my chair within the next week or two.

Oh, and then there's Life Outside of Grad School. Housework, finances, marriage, all of which require, at minimum, the normal maintenance and, ideally, the best of my time and energy.

It's enough to induce a panic attack in the most sanguine of personalities.

But the Lord whispers to my soul that He is my Shepherd, and I shall not want for anything I need. He makes me lie down to rest even when my spirit does not immediately yield to quietness. He leads me in the right paths for the sake of His own glory, and walks before and behind me through the darkly shadowed valley of all that looms before me. His rod and staff guide my steps and chasten my heart; they are gentle, yet firm; steady, yet invisible. They direct me where He wills, and I trust His ways. I rejoice in the table He has prepared for me, and the enemy who hovers nearby has no place here. The bounty of His blessings is before me, and my cup runs over with His grace, His peace, His love, and His mercy. He has anointed me as His, one whom He chose before the foundations of the world to submit to His grace and to walk the way He prepared for me. Surely I will dwell in the shelter of the Most High for all eternity! [from Psalm 23]

What are the obstacles I face compared to the greatness of my God? How small are my trials and stresses in the face of His might and power? When I step back and behold my life as God sees it, as something tiny yet perfectly crafted in His hand, my fear necessarily falls away. When I am reminded by the Holy Spirit of His truths, and of the fact that His Word is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable as He is, it becomes evident that my will must conform to His or be utterly thwarted. How much better to trust His plan for me than to strike out on my own!

This is true peace: knowing that the God of all creation holds me securely regardless of what my life may bring [Psalm 139]. He is the rock to which I cling in the darkest of nights, though I cannot see my hand in front of my face, nor even the rock itself. This total surrender of control, this letting go of my own destiny is not of my own doing but the work of His grace. May I become ever less that He may become greater, and that my life would be a sacrifice of praise for His sake.

Lord, You are my strength and my portion [Psalm 73:26]. I will do the things set before me by Your grace and in faith that You will receive all the glory.

Amazing how God's truth is a far better rudder than my own emotions. When I am guided by that which does not change, my mercurial feelings are brought subject to His Word as a fussy baby is soothed by the strong embrace of its father.

"...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication make your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." [Philippians 4:7]

And Room for a Carseat, Too

Guess what!!

It's finally happened.

The Beast has been laid to rest, lovingly, and she has been replaced by a beautiful creature with the sweetest purr.

Behold, the New Car:

That is clearly not me in the driver's seat, nor is it a boyfriend of whose existence Joel is ignorant. But it is a stock photo of the '02 Nissan Maxima, and I think it's even the same color that I have. So lovely! She drives like a luxury car and has lots of nice features, including tan cloth interior that does not stick to the back of you in 99 degree weather. Also the CD player works. And there is no record of wheels ever having fallen off mid-drive. Did I mention ice-cold AC? If you're lucky maybe I'll take you for a spin!

Actual photos of the long-awaited New Car coming soon!

God is so good :-)

A Beaver Cleaver Kind of Life

It has been far too long since I blessed you with the inner workings of my brain. Loyal fans, I have heard your cries. I hope you will not be too disappointed as you read on.

Summer break (post-comps, that is - which you know all too well that I passed) has brought with it a steady stream of visitors to our door. We've had the pleasure of hosting the Hardiskys, an Aitken, the Wallins, Steele parents, Pearces (& Jonny the Donut Fiend), Kayes, and soon the Pearce parents. The Lord is, shall we say, increasing the gift of hospitality in our home. And it is upon this topic - and domesticity as a whole - that I wish to elaborate.

So. Here I am commencing my fourth year of a five-year doctoral program, and what is the longing of my heart? Is it for graduation, with a 2' x 3' diploma and full regalia to show for five years and $85,000(ish) (and that's just tuition)? Okay, a little bit. Is it for the launch of a successful career as a psychologist and more than doubling our income so we can pay off this mountain of debt? Well yeah, that too.

But overwhelmingly the actual desire of my true heart is to wash my hands of all this career stuff and devote myself to wifeliness and motherhood. Where do I see myself in ten years? Let's just say the ideal vision involves a frilly apron, dinner in the oven, and at least three orderly, well-behaved little ones quizzing each other on the Catechism for Young Children.

SIGH.

Did I mention, SIGH?

Oh I'm glad that I'm pursuing this higher education stuff. And it's not that I want out because it's so stressful (although it surely is). I fully intend to finish out this grueling ride called graduate school. It will be good to have a vocation post-children, something to fill my time and provide extra income as the children get older. But contrary to most other people, even women, in my program, I cannot convince myself to be as uber-competitive and cutthroat because it's really not the most important thingin my life. I'm so ambivalent about the priority of school - I do want to finish the program in as little time as possible to be done with it, which means I need to be competitive and competent to match for internship, which means school and clinical opportunities need to be a priority...but then, I would SO much rather be done with it now and start a family.

Did I say that?

Something else that didn't help was having a group of ladies over last week to watch Sense and Sensibility while sipping tea and munching on scones and other delectables. Spending several hours surrounded by that much estrogen and immersed in a time when beautiful women kept house, tended garden, and were protected and rescued by gallant men who knew the meaning of chivalry...it has ruined me for the 00's (the current ones) and its expectation for women to aspire to be....men.

We touched on this at our marriage Bible study (as mom would say, "marriage B.S.") last night, which focused on the Biblical role and purpose for women. This was a great study and might be the topic of a future post (since I am on a domesticity kick, after all). But it highlighted what is broken about our view of women today - we have such a low view of femininity that we expect women to aspire to masculinity instead.

But I am realizing that I desire to be a woman. My priority is my home; I love my husband and eagerly anticipate our future children. I am competent and ambitious, but I am learning that those qualities can and should be channeled first toward managing our household. I'll talk more about femininity and womanhood in another post, but suffice it to say that these are what I was created for. Old-fashioned? Perhaps. But it is God who fashioned women so, even if it took me til now to discern His intention and purpose for us. I'm not sure you can really criticize that.