Translations of former posts in Spanish (Traducciones de algunas de mis entradas anteriores en español)

Estimados amigos:
Para mi los lectores hispanos, he añadido algunas traducciones de algunas de mis entradas anteriores - Espero que disfruten de ellos! Sírvanse comentar si desea más traducciones!
Wendy
Muchas gracias!

Friendship and Marriage

Continuing on the subject of marriage, my sister once commented to me quite casually, "Well, you know, the kind of person you are friends with is the kind of person you will marry!" This, at the time, while so obvious, was extremely profound to me! I still remember exactly where we were when she said this: sitting on our respective beds in our shared bedroom. I had thought, at the time, that I could associate with one kind of person while I was still young, and then when I got older and wanted to "get serious," I would suddenly attract a person of much higher and more excellent character to marry me. I was around 14 or 15, while she was the wise old age of 19 or 20! I was obviously not only young, but naíve (and much more importantly, not saved yet).

Today I read from a wonderful old book on our bookshelf called How to be a Lady, Useful Hints on the Formation of Womanly Character*, and chanced upon some valuable "nuggets of wisdom" that seem to my mind to apply. (I love this book for its wisdom and practicality! An easy read, though written in the style of the 1850's--the time in which it was originally written, it's made up of many short chapters.) Chapter 21 deals with the influence of friendships on our character. Summarizing: Every association and event in our life affects our character in some small way. The author speaks of two kinds of society: "general" society and "particular" society. "General society" is that which we have no choice in--people we cannot escape being with on a day-to-day basis. "Particular society" refers to the close friends we choose for ourselves. Though we cannot avoid some influence from bad associations (in "general society,") we can and must choose our closest friends (our "particular society") wisely. This is in perfect agreement with Scripture, as it says in Proverbs 13:20, "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." The word "companion" in the Bible refers to someone you keep company with: a good friend, not just an acquaintance.

Now, I am an outgoing person. When I was young, I would become "best friends" instantly with every new person I met. I wasn't very discerning of character, I'm afraid. (and I wasn't in possession of greatness in it myself!) But my mother tried to help me. You see, I come from a long line of "outgoing" people. My mother told me stories from her past of bad experiences she'd had because of "becoming too thick too fast" and not choosing friendships wisely--the same undiscerning behaviour I displayed. She warned me (from her own experience), "It's easier to warm up than to cool down. You can always become better friends, but it's hard to back off in a relationship without someone getting hurt. Take your time and get to know the person." Newcomb sounds just like my mother: "But everyone needs intimate friends; and it is necessary that these should be well chosen. A bad friend may prove your ruin. You should therefore be slow and cautious in the formation of intimacies and friendships. Do not be suddenly taken with anyone, and so enter into a hasty friendship; for you may be mistaken, and soon repent of it. There is much force in the old adage, 'All is not gold that shines.'"

He doesn't stop there, though. He adds this instruction on how to accomplish this, "You may be courteous and polite to all, wherever and whenever you meet them, and yet maintain such a prudent reserve, and cautious deportment as not to be much exposed to contamination, if they should not prove suitable companions." (p. 173)

In wisdom, the author warns not to pick up any friend who disregards the Lord's commandments, but even if they seem a good choice for a friend, find out what your parents think of them before you let your guard down and become really close. You can still be polite in the meantime. Also, give them a chance to decide if they want you for a friend. They may have valid objections to something in your character, so don't force your friendship on them, but take it slow, (as my mother used to tell me). But don't be snobbish or cliquish. When groups gather, be kind and polite, but be careful not to open yourself up to bad influences.

Quoting again: "Character is formed under a great variety of influences. Sometimes a very trifling circumstance gives direction to the whole course of one's life. (ed.: Such as resulting in a marriage!) And every incident that occurs, from day to day, is exerting a silent, gradual influence, in the formation of your character. Among these influences, none are more direct and powerful than that exerted upon us by the companions with whom we associate; for we insensibly fall into their habits." And so I would propose that who one spends much time with will become their close friend, and who is one's close friend, they will become like. And who one becomes like, they will be attracted to, and they will attract, and who they attract, they will marry! So, the kind of person we choose to be a close friend is serious business. I believe my sister was right: the kind of person you are friends with is the kind of person you will marry.

(* How to Be a Lady, Written by Harvey Newcomb, originally written in 1850, Boston, Gould, Kendall and Lincoln and reprinted in 2005 by Crown Rights Book Company: for a catalogue listing of other available titles, go here http://www.crownrights.com/ )

Marriage (Matrimonio)

(Para leer en español pasará a la página.)
"Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards."

"Never take a wife till thou hast a house (and a fire) to put her in."
(Benjamin Franklin on Marriage)

"If a loving husband is willing to sacrifice his life for his wife, he is certainly willing to make lesser sacrifices for her. He puts his own likes, desires, opinions, preferences, and welfare aside if that is required to please her and meet her needs. He dies to self in order to live for his wife, because that is what Christ's kind of love demands." John MacArthur, Ephesians (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1986), 298.

"... the woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved."
(Matthew Henry)

"Marriage.....is not so much finding the right person as being the right person."
(Charles Shedd)

"Mantenga sus ojos abiertos de par en par antes de la unión, medio cerrado después.¨
"Nunca tome a esposa hasta como minimo debe tener una casa (y un fuego) para le pone." (Benjamin Franklin en la unión)

"Si un marido cariñoso está dispuesto a sacrificar su vida para su esposa, él está ciertamente dispuesto a hacer pocos sacrificios para ella. Él pone aparte sus propios gustos, deseos, opiniones, preferencias, y bienestar si ése se requiere para satisfacerla y para encontrarla las necesidades. Él muere al uno mismo para vivir para su esposa, porque eso es lo que de la clase del amor de Cristo demands."
Juan MacArthur, Ephesians (Chicago, Illinois: Prensa cambiante, 1986), 298.

" … hicieron la mujer de una costilla fuera del lado de Adán; no hecho fuera de su cabeza para gobernar sobre él, ni fuera de sus pies que se pisotearán sobre por él, pero fuera de su lado para ser igual con él, debajo de su brazo que se protegerá, y para acercar a su corazón para ser amada." (Matthew Henry)

"La unión ..... tanto no está acerca de encontrar a la persona adecuada como ser la persona adecuada." (Charles Shedd)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Years ago I heard this story told and I have never forgotten it.

The Story of The Eight-Cow Wife

My trip to the Kiniwata Island in the Pacific was a memorable one. Although the island was beautiful and I had an enjoyable time, the thing I remember most about my trip was the fact "Johnny Lingo gave eight cows for his wife." I’m reminded of it every time I see a woman belittle her husband or a wife wither under her husband’s scorn. I want to say to them, "You should know why Johnny Lingo gave eight cows for his wife."
Johnny Lingo is known throughout the islands for his skills, intelligence, and savvy. If you hire him as a guide, he will show you the best fishing spots and the best places to get pearls. Johnny is also one of the sharpest traders in the islands. He can get you the best possible deals. The people of Kiniwata all speak highly of Johnny Lingo. Yet, when they speak of him, they always smile just a little mockingly.
A couple days after my arrival to Kiniwata, I went to the manager of the guesthouse to see who he thought would be a good fishing guide. "Johnny Lingo," said the manager. "He’s the best around. When you go shopping, let him do the bargaining. Johnny knows how to make a deal."
"Johnny Lingo!" hooted a nearby boy. The boy rocked with laughter as he said, "Yea, Johnny can make a deal alright!"
"What’s going on?" I demanded.
"Everybody tells me to get in touch with Johnny Lingo and then they start laughing. Please, let me in on the joke."
"Oh, the people like to laugh," the manager said, shrugging. "Johnny’s the brightest and strongest young man in the islands. He’s also the richest for his age."
"But …" I protested. "… if he’s all you say he is, why does everyone laugh at him behind his back?"
"Well, there is one thing. Five months ago, at fall festival, Johnny came to Kiniwata and found himself a wife. He gave her father eight cows!"
I knew enough about island customs to be impressed. A dowry of two or three cows would net a fair wife and four or five cows would net a very nice wife.
"Wow!" I said. "Eight cows! She must have beauty that takes your breath away."
"She’s not ugly, …" he conceded with a little smile, "… but calling her ‘plain’ would definitely be a compliment. Sam Karoo, her father, was afraid he wouldn’t be able to marry her off. Instead of being stuck with her, he got eight cows for her. Isn’t that extraordinary? This price has never been paid before."
"Yet, you called Johnny’s wife ‘plain?’ "
"I said it would be a compliment to call her plain. She was skinny and she walked with her shoulders hunched and her head ducked. She was scared of her own shadow."
"Well," I said, "I guess there’s just no accounting for love."
"True enough." agreed the man. "That’s why the villagers grin when they talk about Johnny. They get special satisfaction from the fact the sharpest trader in the islands was bested by dull old Sam Karoo."
"But how?"
"No one knows and everyone wonders. All of the cousins urged Sam to ask for three cows and hold out for two until he was sure Johnny would pay only one. To their surprise Johnny came to Sam Karoo and said, ‘Father of Sarita, I offer eight cows for your daughter.’ "
"Eight cows." I murmured. "I’d like to meet this Johnny Lingo."
I wanted fish and pearls, so the next afternoon I went to the island of Nurabandi. As I asked directions to Johnny’s house, I noticed Johnny’s neighbors were also amused at the mention of his name. When I met the slim, serious young man I could see immediately why everyone respected his skills. However, this only reinforced my confusion over him.
As we sat in his house, he asked me, "You come here from Kiniwata?"
"Yes."
"They speak of me on that island?"
"Yes. They say you can provide me anything I need. They say you’re intelligent, resourceful, and the sharpest trader in the islands."
He smiled gently. "My wife is from Kiniwata."
"Yes, I know."
"They speak of her?"
"A little."
"What do they say?"
"Why, just … ." The question caught me off balance. "They told me you were married at festival time."
"Nothing more?" The curve of his eyebrows told me he knew there had to be more.
"They also say the marriage settlement was eight cows." I paused. "They wonder why."
"They ask that?" His eyes lighted with pleasure. "Everyone in Kiniwata knows about the eight cows?"
I nodded.
"And in Nurabandi, everyone knows it too!" His chest expanded with satisfaction. "Always and forever, when they speak of marriage settlements, it will be remembered that Johnny Lingo paid eight cows for Sarita."
So that’s the answer, I thought: Vanity.
Just then Sarita entered the room to place flowers on the table. She stood still for a moment to smile at her husband and then left. She was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. The lift of her shoulders, the tilt of her chin, and the sparkle in her eyes all spelled self-confidence and pride. Not an arrogant and haughty pride, but a confident inner beauty that radiated in her every movement.
I turned back to Johnny and found him looking at me.
"You admire her?" he murmured.
"She … she’s gorgeous." I said. "Obviously, this is not the one everyone is talking about. She can’t be the Sarita you married on Kiniwata."
"There’s only one Sarita. Perhaps, she doesn’t look the way you expected."
"She doesn’t. I heard she was homely. They all make fun of you because you let yourself be cheated by Sam Karoo."
"You think eight cows was too many?" A smile slid over his lips.
"No, but how can she be so different from the way they described her?"
Johnny said, "Think about how it must make a girl feel to know her husband paid a very low dowry for her? It must be insulting to her to know he places such little value on her. Think about how she must feel when the other women boast about the high prices their husbands paid for them. It must be embarrassing for her. I would not let this happen to my Sarita."
"So, you paid eight cows just to make your wife happy?"
"Well, of course I wanted Sarita to be happy, but there’s more to it than that. You say she is different from what you expected. This is true. Many things can change a woman. There are things that happen on the inside and things that happen on the outside. However, the thing that matters most is how she views herself. In Kiniwata, Sarita believed she was worth nothing. As a result, that’s the value she projected. Now, she knows she is worth more than any other woman in the islands. It shows, doesn’t it?"
"Then you wanted …"
"I wanted to marry Sarita. She is the only woman I love."
"But …" I was close to understanding.
"But," he finished softly, "I wanted an eight-cow wife."

Hace años que escuché esta historia que se cuenta y nunca he olvidado.

La historia de ¨La Vaca-de-ocho-Esposa¨

Mi viaje a la Isla Kiniwata en el Pacífico fue memorable. A pesar de que la isla era hermosa y yo tuvimos un agradable momento, la cosa que más recuerdo de mi viaje fue el hecho de "Johnny Lingo dio ocho vacas para su wife." Me recuerdan ella cada vez que veo que una mujer belittle a su marido o una esposa marchita bajo desprecio de su marido. Quiero decir a ellas, "Usted debe saber porqué Johnny Lingo dio ocho vacas para su wife."

Johnny Lingo se sabe en las islas para sus habilidades, inteligencia, y comprensión. Si usted lo contrata como guía, él le demostrará los mejores puntos de la pesca y los mejores lugares para conseguir las perlas. Johnny es también uno de los comerciantes más agudos de las islas. Él puede conseguirle los repartos mejor. La gente de Kiniwata toda habla altamente de Johnny Lingo. Con todo, cuando hablan de él, sonríen siempre apenas poco burlonamente. Un par los días después de mi llegada a Kiniwata, fui al encargado de la casa de huéspedes a ver que quién él pensó sea una buena guía de la pesca. "Johnny Lingo," dijo al encargado. " Él es el mejor alrededor. Cuando usted va a hacer compras, déjelo hacer la negociación. Johnny sabe hacer un deal."

"¡Johnny Lingo! " hooted a un muchacho próximo.

El muchacho osciló con la risa como él dijo, "¡El Yea, Johnny puede hacer un reparto bien! "

"¿Qué se está encendiendo?" Exigí. "Todos me dice que para conseguir en tacto con Johnny Lingo y entonces comienzan a reír. Por favor, déjeme adentro en el joke."

" Oh, la gente tiene gusto de reír," el encargado dijo, encogiendo. "El hombre joven más brillante de Johnny y más fuerte de las islas. Él es también el más rico para su age."

" Pero… " Protesté. " ¿… si él es todo lo que usted dice que él es, por qué cada uno se ríe de él detrás el suyo detrás?"

" Bien, hay una cosa. Hace cinco meses, en el festival de la caída, Johnny vino a Kiniwata y se encontró una esposa. ¡Él dio a su padre ocho vacas!"

Sabía bastantes sobre las aduanas de la isla que se impresionarán. Una dote de dos o tres vacas pescaría a una esposa justa y cuatro o cinco vacas pescarían a una esposa muy agradable.

"¡Guau!" Dije. "¡Ocho vacas! Ella debe tener belleza que tome su respiración away."

" Ella no es fea,… " él concedió con una pequeña sonrisa, " … pero la llamada de su plain del `sería definitivamente un elogio. El Karoo de Sam, su padre, tenía miedo que él no podría casarla apagado. En vez de ser pegado con ella, él consiguió ocho vacas para ella. ¿No es eso extraordinario? Este precio nunca se ha pagado before."

"¿Con todo, usted llamó el llano del `de la esposa de Johnny?'"

" Dije que sería un elogio para llamar su llano. Ella era flaca y ella caminó con sus hombros encorvarse y su cabeza agacharse. Ella fue "miedo de su propia sombra."

"Bien," Dije, "Conjeturo que no hay apenas love" que explican "Enough." Verdadero; convino al hombre.

"Ése es porqué los aldeanos hacen muecas cuando hablan de Johnny. Consiguen la satisfacción especial del hecho que el comerciante más agudo de las islas era bested por viejo Sam embotado Karoo."

"¿Pero cómo?"

"Nadie sabe y cada uno se pregunta. Todos los primos impulsaron a Sam pedir tres vacas y sostenerse hacia fuera para dos hasta que él estuviera seguro Johnny pagaría solamente uno. A su sorpresa Johnny vino al Karoo de Sam y dijo, padre del `de Sarita, yo ofrece ocho vacas para su hija.'"

" Ocho cows." Murmuré.

"Quisiera encontrar a este Johnny Lingo."

Quise pescados y las perlas, así que la tarde próxima que fui a la isla de Nurabandi. Pues pedí direcciones a la casa de Johnny, noté que los vecinos divirtieron de Johnny también en la mención de su nombre. Cuando resolví el delgado, hombre joven serio podría ver inmediatamente porqué cada uno respetó sus habilidades. Sin embargo, esto reforzó solamente mi confusión sobre él. Mientras que nos sentamos en su casa, él me preguntó, "¿Usted viene aquí de Kiniwata? "

" Yes."

"¿Hablan de mí en esa isla?"

"Sí. Dicen que usted puede proporcionarme cualquier cosa que necesito. Dicen que usted es inteligente, inventivo, y el comerciante más agudo del islands."

Él sonrió suavemente. "Mi esposa es de Kiniwata."

" Sí, yo sé."

"¿Hablan de ella? "

" Un poco. "

"¿Qué dicen? "

" Porqué, apenas…. "

La pregunta me cogió de balance.

" Me dijeron que usted estuvo casado en el festival time."

" ¿Nada más? "

La curva de sus cejas me dijo él sabía que tuvo que haber más.

"También dicen que el establecimiento de unión era ocho cows."

Me detuve brevemente.

"Se preguntan porque."

"¿Piden eso?"

Sus ojos se encendieron con placer.

"¿Cada uno en Kiniwata sabe sobre las ocho vacas?"

¨Cabeceé. "

¨¡Y en Nurabandi, cada uno lo sabe también! "

Su pecho se amplió con la satisfacción.

" Siempre y por siempre, cuando hablan de establecimientos de unión, será recordado que Johnny Lingo pagó ocho vacas por Sarita."

De modo que sea la respuesta, pensé: Vanidad.

Apenas entonces Sarita entró en el cuarto de colocar las flores en la tabla. Ella todavía representaba un momento para sonreír en su marido y después se fue. Ella era la mujer más hermosa que he visto nunca. La elevación de sus hombros, la inclinación de su barbilla, y la chispa en sus ojos toda confianza en sí mismo y orgullo deletreados. Orgullo no arrogante y arrogante, pero una belleza interna confidente que irradió en su cada movimiento. Di vuelta de nuevo a Johnny y lo encontré el mirar de mí.

"¿Usted la admira?" él murmuró.

" Ella… ella es guapísima." Dije.

"Obviamente, éste no es el que cada uno está hablando. Ella no puede ser el Sarita que usted se casó en Kiniwata."

"Hay solamente un Sarita. Quizás, ella no mira la manera usted expected."

" Ella no hace. Oí que ella era acogedora. Todos los se ríen de usted porque usted se deja ser engañado por Sam Karoo."

"¿Usted piensa que ocho vacas eran demasiadas?"

Una sonrisa resbaló sobre sus labios.

"¿No, pero cómo puede ella ser así que diferente de la manera que la describieron? "

Johnny dijo, "¿Piense en cómo debe hacer que una muchacha siente para conocer a su marido pagó una dote muy baja ella? Debe insultar a ella para saber que él pone tal poco valor en ella. Piense en cómo ella debe sentir cuando las otras mujeres se jactan de los precios altos que sus maridos pagaron ellos. Debe ser embarazoso para ella. No dejaría esto suceder a mi Sarita."

"¿Así pues, usted acaba de pagar ocho vacas para hacer a su esposa feliz?"

"Bien, por supuesto quisiera que Sarita fuera feliz, pero hay más a él que eso. Usted dice que ella es diferente de lo que usted esperó. Esto es verdad. Muchas cosas pueden cambiar a una mujer. Hay las cosas que suceden en el interior y las cosas que suceden en el exterior. Sin embargo, la cosa que importa es más cómo ella se ve. En Kiniwata, Sarita creyó que ella no valió nada. Consecuentemente, ése es el valor que ella proyectó. Ahora, ella sabe que ella vale más que cualquier otra mujer en las islas. ¿Demuestra, no hace?"

"Entonces usted quiso… el"

"Quise casar Sarita. Ella es la única mujer I love."

" Pero… "

Estaba cercano a la comprensión.

" Pero," él acabó suavemente, "Quise una ocho-vaca wife."

Photos

Here is my attempt to "catch up" on sharing photos with you! So, here are photos from the last couple of months! I'll start with the most recent events: Last night we were in charge of hosting a church shower for bride-to-be Rachel L.! It was a really fun evening!

Rachel's Bridal Shower

Sally, Rachel, Christina & Elisabeth

Rachel Sharing her Courtship story and Missions Plans

Kris did a wonderful job of sharing the "ABC's of being a Godly wife": Be ATTENTIVE to him, Be BEAUTIFUL (inside and out) for him, and be CONTENT with him (and with what God provides through him)

A Hearty Thank You to All of our Helpers! Here are some of them!

One morning last week I heard excited exclaiming coming from Kelsey who was looking out at the lake from the kitchen: What did she see? An Invasion of PELICANS!! What seemed like HUNDREDS of huge birds invading our shoreline!!!

We have come to expect and enjoy a vast array of wildlife on our lake, but we have never before (in the 15 years we have lived here) seen anything quite like this. It was a very impressive sight, an armada of immense birds storming the shore! With their orange pointed beaks and incredible whiteness, they moved as one: so closely, so rapidly, so purposefully!
They came so fast that we missed the most dramatic part, but we got a few shots of these beautiful creatures.

In mid-May, our Decorator Crab Tree in all its glory! Tea Party Photos

The God of all Comfort

It is of the LORD's mercies
that we are not consumed, because
his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning:
great is thy faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

These are very precious promises and words we can depend on. For the Lord is faithful to His Word. I have become aware this past year of the great comfort to be found in the Scriptures! I always knew that God would speak to me and direct me through them--that they were His thoughts and Truth.....but I have found in them a deep and abiding peace in the midst of uncertain times and circumstances. God comforts His children through His Word.

I also find great encouragement in singing hymns, especially during my quiet time with the Lord in the morning! I have at home a dilapidated copy of our church hymnal (it will open up and lay flat on the piano, which is very helpful especially for my kids who accompany the hymn-singing at church). I haven't memorized hundreds or thousands of hymns as Elisabeth Elliot says she did as a child, but phrases will repeat in my head through the day, which is very pleasant and helpful to my faith :)

Yesterday, the hymn "Count Your Blessings" kept running through my head! Here are the words:

"Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,

And you will be singing as the days go by.

Count your blessings, Name them one by one;

Count your blessings, see what God hath done;

Count your blessings, Name them one by one;

Count your many blessings,

See what God hath done."

It may not be that "every doubt" will immediately "fly away" or that you will feel like bursting into song, but the combination of applying the Truth of God's Word to the wounds of your heart, and thanking the Lord for His many blessings will eventually work as salve to your soul and healing to your heart.

One of my favorite hymns when I am discouraged is:

How Firm a Foundation ye saints of the Lord,

is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!

What more can He say than to you He hath said,

To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

"Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,

For I am thy God, I will still give thee aid;

I'll strengthen thee, help thee,

and cause thee to stand,

Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand."

"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,

The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow,

For I will be with thee, thy trials to bless,

And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress."

"The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,

I will not, I will not desert to his foes;

That soul,

though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I'll never, no never, no never forsake!"

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

"Blessed be God,

even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of mercies,

and the God of all comfort;

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,

that we may be able to

comfort them which are in any trouble,

by the comfort wherewith we ourselves

are comforted of God."

Quote of the Day

"Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart."

Corrie Ten Boom

"You'd Complain If You Were Hung with a New Rope!"

(Para leer este post en español, ir a la parte inferior de la página.)

The title of this post was a favorite saying of my father's when one of his children would complain! We didn't get very far with a man who'd seen real hardship and deprivation--having lived through the Great Depression left an indelible mark on his life and character. We have it pretty easy these days.

You'll see I've added some links. One is to some of Elisabeth Elliot's messages. Here are some thoughts from one of them I listened to recently.

In our world today "everything's gotta be fun, fun, fun.....and comfort." She says of her experience in the jungle as a missionary with the Auca Indians, "An Auca Indian never complains." They took hard work and suffering for granted.

Am I a complainer?

Jesus learned obedience by the things which He suffered.

Am I a sulker?

How do I respond when someone wrongs me? Do I exchange the garment of love for a suit of mail: to stiffen, bristle, withdraw; to be sullen and withdraw and to retaliate! To be angry: at people and at things.

When we've been wronged, she says we should apply the BALM of Gilead:

1. Confess: My anger, desire for revenge, hatred and self-pity

2. Repent--180 degree turn-around

3. Pray--"Wash me with Your blood, dear Jesus--Cleanse me."

4. Bless the one who hurt you: Follow Christ, Who did this--Bless your enemies, bless those who curse you.

Are you broken today? Are you going to be bitter?

Because God allowed something in your life? God knows what is good for you.

When the disciples came to Jesus with some fish and bread (a boy's lunch), do you think he gave it up willingly?

"If your life is broken when you give it to Jesus,

it may be that pieces will feed a multitude

when a loaf would have only fed a little boy."

May the Mind of Christ My Saviour

May the mind of Christ my Saviour

Live in me from day to day

By His love and pow'r controlling

All I do and say.

May the Word of God dwell richly

In my heart from hour to hour

So that all may see I triumph

Only through His pow'r.

El título de este post diciendo era uno de los favoritos de mi padre cuando uno de sus hijos se quejan! No llegará muy lejos con un hombre que había visto las dificultades y las privaciones reales - que ha vivido a través de la Gran Depresión dejado una marca indeleble en su vida y carácter. Lo tenemos bastante fácil en estos días.

Verás que he añadido algunos enlaces. Una de ellas es a algunos de los mensajes de Elisabeth Elliot. Aquí están algunas ideas de uno de ellos he escuchado recientemente:

En nuestro mundo de hoy "todo tiene que ser diversión, diversión, diversión ..... y comodidad." Ella dice de su experiencia en la selva como misionero con los indios Auca, "Un indio Auca nunca se queja." Se llevaron el trabajo duro y el sufrimiento por sentado.

¿Soy un lamentadora (acerca de todo)?

Jesús aprendió la obediencia por las cosas que Él sufrió.

¿Soy una mohínadora (enojo, disgusto, tristeza)?

¿Cómo respondo cuando alguien me injusticias? Qué debo hacer para el intercambio de la prenda de amor por una demanda de correo: a endurecer, cerdas, retirar, se retiren y hosco y de tomar represalias! Para ser enojado: a las personas y las cosas. Cuando hemos sido tratados injustamente, dice que debe aplicarse el bálsamo de Galaad:

1. Confesar: Mi ira, el deseo de venganza, el odio y la autocompasión

2. Arrepentíos - 180 grados de giro

3. Ore - "me Lavar con su sangre, querido Jesús - Limpiadora mí."

4. Bendice a los que un daño: Seguir a Cristo, ¿Quién hizo esto - Bendice a vuestros enemigos, bendecid a los que os maldicen.

¿Está rota hoy?

¿Vas a ser amarga?

Porque Dios permite algo en tu vida? Dios sabe lo que es bueno para usted.

Cuando los discípulos vinieron a Jesús con algunos peces y el pan (un chico del almuerzo), cree usted que él le dio un buen grado?

"Si tu vida se rompe cuando se le proporciona a Jesús,

es posible que las piezas de alimentar a una multitud

cuando un pan que sólo han alimentado a un niño."

El Himno "Puede ser que la mente de Cristo, mi Salvador vivir en mi"

Puede ser que la mente de Cristo, mi Salvador Vivir en mí día a día

Por Su Amor y Su poder por el control de todo lo que hago y digo.

Puede ser que la Palabra de Dios morará ricamente

En mi corazón de hora por hora

Para que todos puedan ver mi triunfo

Sólo a través de Su pow'r.

Brides, Weddings and Anniversaries!

This has been the most unusual June ever! First, the weather: I am tempted to turn the heat back on, as I sit with two layers of clothing looking out at the cloudy day with temperatures in the last few days in the 40's and 50's! But we finally got rain!! Praise the Lord!!! How can anyone not think of the Creator, when we are so dependent on Him for sun and rain and even the very breath we breathe! The weather is a good reminder to me of my dependence on Him.
Secondly, it's an unusual June and summer, because there are 4 weddings! We have been busy: our friends' daughters marrying means bridal showers happening this summer! We are in charge of Rachel L.'s shower Thursday night! I am happy that there appears to be a good turnout coming, and I think it will be a fun evening! In 2 1/2 weeks will be her wedding and we will be housing the groom-to-be, a completely new experience for us :)
What is a groom-to-be like on the days just before his wedding??? Hmmm. It will be interesting to see and to get to know him a little, as we've only seen him a few times. We count it a privilege.
We celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary last week by going with our children and my mom and sister to the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre to see Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and we thoroughly enjoyed it! The singing, acting and very-athletic-dancing were excellent! (And I was very relieved that the show was modest throughout.) The additional songs not heard in the screen version were beautiful, and I was thrilled with the blending of their voices! What is it called when three people each first sing their own little song, and then they put the three together, each singing different words, but at the same time? Well, I'll have to look that one up, because I don't remember, but it was tremendous to listen to! I will also attempt to add photos or video, but for now I will add a link, so you can see the costumes and cast and even a preview of the show! If you live in the area, you'll have to hurry, though, if you want to see the show, because it ends June 20th!
http://www.chanhassentheatres.com/box-office/show-details.asp?id=57#showvid