In our home we have books, many of them.  They come in all shapes and sizes, about a variety of topics.  Some of these books teach us to do things like cook, clean, and garden.   Some tell stories of long ago.  Some are testimonial, and tell us what people did and why.  Some are expository, and explain the meaning of that most wonderful book, the Bible.

I want my children to read books.  I want them to understand the purpose of books, to use them wisely, and to see all of them through the lens of Scripture. 

Toward that end, my oldest daughter is beginning a book review section that she will be hosting on her blog.  Her first book review is on a book about Elizabeth Prentiss and can be read here.

Our kitchen windows are full of indoor pots container various herbs, and with the warmer weather, they are growing quickly.   These plants are rosemary, parsley, chives, and basil.

We’re all looking forward to spring flowers and outdoor gardens.  Planting herbs, fruits, and vegetables reminds me of these wonderful verses:

Deuteronomy 32:1-4  Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

Years ago when I was just a young lad of about five or six my parents purchased an old, huge, upright piano.  I was fascinated by this instrument, and I still remember trying to pick out hymn tunes that I had either heard in church or played by my mother at home.

Piano lessons inevitably followed.  My teacher was a gifted musician and instructor, and I was brought up through the Francis Clark method.  I loved every minute of it.

At age eleven (sixth grade) my parents enrolled me in a Christian school, which met in the basement of a local church.  We had chapel services daily, and as there were no pianists on staff, I was asked to play.

Anyone familiar with the Francis Clark piano method will know that it is a classical, somewhat European method of teaching, not particularly compatable with chordal, hymn playing.  My parents informed the school I would play for them, but needless to say, I was in fear and trepidation, having never really played music like this before, and certainly not for congregational singing.

I still remember the first time I played.  I sat down at the piano, a hymn was called out, I turned to the page, and gulped.  It was in 4 flats!  After what seemed forever, I found all the notes of the first chord and played it, and they all started singing.  The only other chord I played for that first verse was the last one, which happened to be the same as the first one.  That was the beginning of my musical service to the school, and later, the church, that service now being in its fortieth year.

When I was around age twelve, I had progressed to about a late-intermediate level, and had become fairly proficient at playing through most hymns.  About that time our church organist left for another church across town, and I was asked by the church to move to the organ for Sunday worship (up until then I was the choir pianist). 

That proved to be rather embarrassing, one reason being that I could barely reach the pedals as I was short for my age.  Another was my age; most pianists and certainly organists were adults with years of practice and experience behind them, and here I was just twelve years old.

Nevertheless, I accepted the request and thus began my relationship with the organ.  

I was privileged to have as a piano teacher at that time a gentlemen who was the musical director of a large Baptist church (our parent church), in which was a very nice pipe organ.  He agreed to give me some lessons to help me in my organ playing duties.

I’ll never forget those times at the console of that magnificent instrument.  There is something about playing the music of Bach on an organ that just cannot duplicated on other instruments.  Playing the great hymns of our faith on an organ is an unparalleled musical experience, and taking that instrument, with the response to God of His people through hymns, and putting that into the context of corporate worship, enters through the gates of the sublime.

It is a sad thing that today the church has cast off these wonderful expressions of beauty and worship for the trite, shallow, and commercial expressions that cater to an entertainment mindset.

It was a delight for us, then, to recently be privileged to attend an organ dedication concert at a local church in Dallas.

The organ.

The external pipes in the front of the sanctuary (there was another set in the balcony, plus more hidden from view).

The music has been prepared.

One of the organists and master of ceremonies for the evening was Colin Howland.  Here he is explaining the various, historical uses of the organ.

Mr. Howland dresses up as J.S. Bach and then plays through Bach’s wonderful organ work, Fuge in G-Dur.

Click here for a short video clip of this piece.

Abigail listening to the concert.

Kimmy and friends enjoying the beautiful music.

One of the wonderful things about this concert was that after finishing all of the musical demonstrations of the historical use of the organ, Mr. Howland made a point to tell the audience that the best use of the organ is when it is used to accompany the people of God in raising songs of praise to our Lord.

I agree.

Here Mr. Howland plays while the audience sings, Holy, Holy, Holy.

Click here to listen to this hymn with voices and organ.  If you listen carefully you will hear two young voices singing along, Abigail and Annie.

A few more resources in the form of articles have been added to the Resources link on the sidebar.  They include:

• Evidences of Salvation
• How to Know God’s Will
• Music Education in the Christian Home
• Characteristics of a Faithful Father

I pray that these will be helpful to others.

Recently we observed Valentine’s Day.  Here is some historical background from George Grant: 

Valentine was likely a third century pastor from the southern Umbrian town of Terni who was imprisoned for his faith during the great persecution of Claudius II. According to a popular legend, he wrote small pastoral notes to members of his congregation on leaves he was able to pluck from a maple tree just outside his cell. These little “Valentine’s cards” expressed his love for the flock, and his desire that they demonstrate like love toward one another. Gradually the tradition grew up for Christians to exchange notes of love and encouragement to one another on this, his birthday.

In our day we have destroyed the spirit of Valentine’s Day by turning into a day of selfishness, self-gratification, licentiousness, and more. 

At our home, we prepared a special dinner and some exchanged some cards of love, affection, and even some humor.

Emily prepares parfaits with strawberries, angel food cake, and whipped cream.

Abigail and Kimmy Joy clean out the bowl of whipped cream.

One of my favorites is simmering on the stovetop: stuffed mushrooms.

Italian stuffed shells is the main course.  Mmm.

Kimmy and Abigail are ready to eat.

The rest of the family begins to assemble.

Kimmy plays the food critic.   She gave it a thumbs up.

It was good to spend a few days away from home with my son, Matthew, interacting with other like-minded men, and sitting under some great teaching from Marcus Serven and Scott Brown.

One of the themes of the Men’s Advance was God’s Sovereignty.  Understanding the providential working of God is essential for us.

Many times I hear the question, “If God is so loving, why do people suffer?”  Scott Brown answered that question with these points from Romans 8.

Reasons for suffering:

1. To demonstrate hope.
2. To demonstrate eagerness for adoption.
3. To demonstrate eager, persevering hope.
4. To demonstrate the help of the Holy Spirit in weaknesses.
5. To demonstrate that all things work together for good.
6. To conform us to the image of His Son.
7. To demonstrate His faithfulness in our glorification.

Matthew (age 12) asked some good questions based on the meetings on our drive back home.  Hopefully, seeds have been planted that will sprout and grow in both of us.

Matthew is getting some exercise during one of the breaks.

Panoramic view from the back porch of the meeting center.  Click the picture for a high resolution picture.

Another panoramic view of one of the meetings led by Pastor Serven (click the picture for high resolution).

On the Lord’s Day I was privileged to worship at Covenant Family Church, where my hosts attend.   Pastor Marcus Serven led us in a worshipful and reverent service as we brought our worship and praise to God.

I’m not sure who all these young men are, but Matthew enjoyed getting to meet them.

It’s a joy to see young ladies preparing for motherhood.

Back at my host’s home (Bringe family) I was privileged to hear some budding young musicians practice their craft.

Click here for a short video of some fife playing.

The Serven family will be and have been posting some details (see Men’s Advance 2008 entries) on the backroom activities that made the conference a great success.

I’m looking forward to a return visit to all these folks who made my time a blessed one.

God providentially arranged that Matthew and I would travel through a snow and ice storm when returning from St. Louis this past weekend.

While slightly dangerous as far as driving was concerned, it was a beautiful sight.

Even with the defroster on maximum, ice started to form on the windshield.

It looks like snow but it is ice granules.

Every branch is covered with ice. 

A car covered with ice. 

Many trees had limbs that broke from the weight of the ice.  This one survived. 

As I’m pondering the events of the Men’s Advance I’m considering how is it that a father can make his home a Christian home, and be successful in his efforts toward that end?

I’m convinced that the state of the home is largely dependent on the state of the marriage.

Recently I was reading about the sixtieth anniversary of Scott Brown’s parents.  He lists four ingredients of his parents’ successful marriage.

• Seeking the Lord: As they sought Christ, they kept growing closer together.
• Leisure time together: They did not have such high objectives that they could not relax and go places together and just be together.
• Oneness: They loved to be together and had the same hopes and dreams for  their lives.
• Grace: I do not ever remember hearing a cross word spoken between them, and their speech was always seasoned with salt.

Read more here.

More thoughts and quotes on family life from the Puritans…

• 1.  They took the role of a father in family life seriously.
• 2.  The father was the head of the house.
• 3.  Family worship was essential.

Matthew Henry - Why give them [your children] a Christian Name if you will not give them the knowledge of Christ and Christianity?

Matthew Henry - Make a business of your family religion and not a by-business.  Let it be your pleasure and delight, and not a task or drudgery.  Contrive your affairs so as that the most convenient time may be alloted for both morning and evening for your family worship, so as you may not be unfit for it, or disturbed or straitened in it…

Matthew Henry - Houses that do not pray are a sty for swine rather than a dwelling house for rational creatures.

Phillip Dodderidge - [without family worship you give an] example of negligence and so may entail heathenism…on your descendents and theirs in ages to come.

Richard Baxter - [calls the neglect of a Christian education] inhuman negligence.

George Whitefield - To what greater degree of apostasy must he have arrived, who takes no thought to provide for the spiritual welfare of his family.

Thomas Manton - A family is the seminary of the church and state…

Jonathan Edwards - Every Christian family ought to be as it were a little church…

 Scott Browns exhorts us not to neglect our families.

Matthew during one of the breaks.

James McDonald (husband of Stacy) paid us a visit with one of his sons, and gave me some good counsel on a few of my questions.

A few of the ladies that worked behind the scenes take a break to eat.  The food, decor, and service was outstanding.

View from the back porch.  A beautiful facility in a gorgeous location.

The Men’s Advance began on Friday with dinner.   After dinner we heard some inspiring words from Scott Brown and Marcus Serven.  Here are some great quotes…

Marcus Serven - The natural tendency of all children is to follow mother and father and play in the manure of life.

Marcus Serven quoting John Calvin - Let our children be fondly cherished, [and let] them to know that their father and mother love them and the Lord has placed them in a Christian family.

Scott Brown - We have been transformed by the degrading of our minds [instead of the renewing of our minds].

Scott Brown - Our bodies are the battleground for worldliness.

Scott Brown - If one person in the church presents their body to the world, the whole church is affected in some way.

Pictured in the foreground are Christopher Berkompas and Caleb Hayden.  I had some edifying talks with these two outstanding young men.

Pastor Serven addressing the men.

While here Matthew and I stayed with the Bringe family.  What a delight for us to stay with these folks.  God’s blessing is on this home.