Status Report: November

Sitting…on the couch in the living room.

Drinking…an after supper cup of Lady Grey tea.

Watching…the Raptors game. When the game is over, I’ll switch over to American election results. You see my priorities.

Thanking…God that the gum surgery I had yesterday went well, that I have no pain or swelling. This was minor surgery to take away a bit of gum tissue so I can have a crown fitted on a tooth that broke off, but still, I expected to feel things more than I have. 

Feeling…pleased that acetaminophen works so well as a painkiller for me. I discovered recently that I’m allergic to ibuprofen, and it’s nice to know that there’s an adequate substitute for me. (My little grandson had a bad reaction to ibuprofen a few weeks ago, too. I just get rash, he got rash and a swollen lip, too. So the Advil allergy might be genetic.) 

Getting...used to snow on the ground. Yes, winter is here and won’t be leaving until April or May.

Sharing…my thanksgiving this month at Out of the Ordinary. Read the details here.

Reading…The Intolerance of Tolerance by D. A. Carson and Seeing Beauty and Saying Beautifully: The Power of Poetic Effort in the Work of George Herbert, George Whitefield, and C. S. Lewis by John Piper. I’m reminded that these are both men that I enjoy more as speakers than writers. 

Anticipating…the birth of my fourth grandchild in one month. I’m thinking it’s time to start freezing dinners for the family to use during the early days with the new baby. But they have to be dairy-free, nut and peanut-free, with no onions, peppers or cooked veggies except spinach, carrots and tomatoes. These limitation make the task much more difficult. Any suggestions? 

Wishing…you a November filled with thanksgiving to our heavenly Father.

Heidleberg Catechism

Question 60. How are you righteous before God?

Answer: Only by a true faith in Jesus Christ. (a) Even though my conscience accuses me of having grieviously sinned against all God’s commandments, and of never having kept any of them, and even though I am still inclined to all evil, (b) nevertheless, without any merit of mine, (c) out of of mere grace, (d) God grants and imputes to me, (e) the perfect satisfaction, (f) righteousness, and holiness of Christ, (g) as if I had never sinned, nor been a sinner, and as if I had been as perfectly obedient as Christ was obedient for me. (h) All I need to do is accept this gift of God with a believing heart. (i) 

(Scriptural proofs after the fold.)

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Sunday's Hymn: Fairest Lord Jesus

Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Thee will I cherish, thee will I honor,
Thou, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown.

Fair are the meadows, fair are the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring:
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Fair is the sunshine, fair is the moonlight,
And all the twinkling, starry host:
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels heav’n can boast.

Beautiful Saviour! Lord of the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
Now and for evermore be thine.

This performance of this beautiful hymn by the St. Olaf Choir is among my favorites. You’ll notice the translation they use and the translation I’ve posted are a little different. Theirs is the translation Lutherans usually use; the one I used came from the Trinity Hymnal.

Piano and Violin

Other hymns, worship songs, prayers, sermons excerpts, or quotes posted today:

• His Robes for Mine at Theology for Girls
• Holy, Holy, Is What the Angels Sing at Graces Daily
• Oceans at The Happy Wonderer
• Accepted, Adopted, and Fitted at Tried With Fire
• Lifting Up Our Hearts - 45 at The Upward Call
• You Built Your Cross as a Bridge Over Death from Trevin Wax
• Lord’s Day 44, 2014 at The Thirsty Theologian
• The promise no one likes to talk about at Blogging Theologically
• Your weekly dose of Spurgeon: How not to be disappointed at Pyromaniacs

Have you posted a hymn (or sermon, sermon notes, prayer, etc.) today and I missed it? Let me know by leaving a link in the comments or by contacting me using the contact form linked above, and I’ll add your post to the list.