God In a Box

This week I set aside the series of post of things every Christian woman should know and posted at Out of the Ordinary on the God-in-a-box argument.

You’ve read or heard it, I’m sure.

One person makes an assertion about God and another responds, “You can’t put God in a box!” 

And that’s right. We can’t put God in a box. But is any definitive statement about God an attempt to limit him? What about statements saying God can’t or must do something? Are they always wrong?

I try to answer those question in the post.

Thankful Thursday

Today I’m thankful for

• my sons. I’m not sure I could stay in my home without them to take care of the chores I can’t do for myself. Right now my youngest son is out cutting up the big tree branch that fell over the fence into the neighbor’s yard during this week’s storm.
  
  
• fresh carrots from the garden, enough for me and enough to give away.
  
  
• a warm house and a warm bed during these chilly fall (or is it early winter?) days.
  
  
• my dentist. The news was not all good during my visit this week, and that make me more thankful than ever that I can trust my dentist.
  
  
• God’s revelation of himself, his unchanging nature, and his faithfulness.

Also thankful today:

• Kim Shay

What are you thankful for? Leave a comment with your thanksgiving, post your thanksgiving on your blog, or tweet it. Give me the link by email or in a comment and I’ll add your thanksgiving to the list in the post.

Status Report: October

Sitting…on the couch in the living room.

Drinking…an after supper cup of Earl Grey tea.

Watching…the sun get lower and the days get shorter.

Waiting…for bedtime. I had a full day with the grandchildren after a night with insufficient sleep. I am tired. 

Feeling…sad that yesterday’s snowstorm and winds took down a big section of my May day tree. My son says it’s time to take down the whole tree and I agree—reluctantly. Last summer another big section came down, and I don’t want to live my life waiting for the next branch to fall. Still, I can’t bear to think of my front yard without that beautiful tree.

(Yes, we really did have snow. Four or five inches of heavy wet stuff. It was very hard on the trees that still have leaves.)

Also feeling…happy to have all the garden carrots harvested. I scraped the snow away and dug the rest this morning while the grandkids played in the back yard. 

Laughing…at this: Two-year-old granddaughter to three-year-old granddaughter, “Let’s go have privacy in the bathroom.”

And this, too: Three-year-old to two-year-old (who had just had a potty accident): “That happens to me, too … (long pause) … when I was really little.”

Thanking…God for my oldest granddaughter, who turned three today. This time three years ago she was on a medevac plane to a children’s hospital, so I am especially thankful that she is here and healthy and bringing me joy.

Still reading…Taking God Seriously: Vital Things We Need to Know by J. I. Packer, but almost finished.

Finished reading…The House of Wittgenstein: A Family at War by Alexander Waugh. I loved this history of the family of philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein. Strange story (suicides, world wars, wealth), compellingly written.

Thinking…I need another historical book to read. Any suggestions?

Complaining…that I need more quiet in my life. Still, I know that my life, with people in and out daily, interrupting my plans and muddling my focus, is the life I’ve been given, and most of the time, I love it. I never get bored or lonely, and that’s a blessing, isn’t it?

Wishing…you an October filled with service to God and the people you love.