Like the Children of Hamelin

It was my turn to post at Out of the Ordinary today, so I posted on a couple of the implications for parent (and grandparents, too) that our children are “by nature children of wrath.”

We enter the world spiritually dead… . Remember the story of the children of Hamelin who were led away by the magic sound of the Pied Piper’s flute? Someone spiritually dead is a little like that. They are marching along to the music of evil inner powers. They march willingly, but at the same time, the attraction is so strong that they cannot turn away

Read more.

Linked Together: Bible Study

by women for women. 

These are two of the best things I’ve read lately. I wish there were more women doing studies like this. Go see.

Ruth
Diane Bucknell at Theology for Girls started a series of studies in Ruth. These are the first three posts:

1. The Book of Ruth: Introduction
2. Ruth 1:1-5: God in the Darkest Night
3. Ruth 1:6-18: Irresistible Resolve

And don’t forget to check back at later for more posts!

Nehemiah
Kim Shay is posting through the book of Nehemiah at Out of the Ordinary. 

1. Lessons from Nehemiah 1
2. God’s good hand
3. Our God will fight for us
4. Opposition within and without

There will be more in this series, too.

Thankful Thursday

My days have been filled with simple fun: coffee on the front porch, impromptu blow-up baby pool parties, trips to the park, and more. I’m thankful for a few joyful summer days with my family. Several families I know are suffering right now, reminding me of God’s present and future mercies to me and mine. I’m thankful 

• for near perfect summer weather, and a long spell of it.
• for my front porch and what’s left of my May Day tree after the big winds a week ago.
• for the son who sawed the tree up by hand and removed it from the lawn. I’m thankful for his willingness to do the mowing and weedwacking, too.
• for my growing grandchildren—one learning to talk, one learning to walk, and one learning to sit. 
• for the wildflowers in the bush and the lilacs on the bush in the yard. Does anything smell better than lilacs?
• for what all this good weather is doing for my vegetable garden. I’ve already picked a little kale, and there are radishes ready, too. 
• for my faith, such as it is. All faith, you know, even the “such as it is” kind, is the gift of God. I’m also thankful that “Help my unbelief!” is a prayer God answers. 

 What are you thankful for?