De Profundis

Oh why is heaven built so far,
     Oh why is earth set so remote?
I cannot reach the nearest star
     That hangs afloat.

I would not care to reach the moon,
     One round monotonous of change;
Yet even she repeats her tune
     Beyond my range.

I never watch the scatter’d fire
     Of stars, or sun’s far-trailing train,
But all my heart is one desire,
     And all in vain:

For I am bound with fleshly bands,
     Joy, beauty, lie beyond my scope;
I strain my heart, I stretch my hands,
     And catch at hope. 

—Christina Rossetti

Thankful Thursday

I’m thankful for my oldest son, whose birthday is tomorrow. In related  thanksgiving, I’m also thanking God for a lovely future daughter-in-law.

On Thursdays throughout this year, I plan to post a few thoughts of thanksgiving along with Kim at the Upward Call and others.

Round the Sphere Again

Lessons of church history.

A Caution
Sometimes church history can teach us what not to do: The Message Behind the Method (Challies.com)

An Example
Sometimes church history can give us an example to follow: Hermeneutics, Puritan-style (The Upward Call)

An Illustration
The more things change…: Travelling with the Crusaders (The Sacred Sandwich)