Can You See Why.....

she keeps us smiling? Yes, she keeps us on our toes, too, (see previous posts about razor-eating and toilet adventures), but our Little Bit is such a ham, and God uses her to bring smiles our way just when we need them. Whether she's attempting to carry heavy loads in her backpack (remember that one?) or playing the role of an "It Ain't Easy Bein' Me" star, as seen above, Little Bit has lots of character, and we're so glad she's ours!

Perhaps We'll Take a "Snow Day"

Isn't it lovely? This is what I woke up to this morning. The house is quiet now, except for the humming of the dishwasher, and everyone except me is still asleep. That's how life goes when you eat dinner at 9:15, do your Advent readings at 10:30 at night, and the children don't get to bed until 11:30.

After being gone yesterday for doctor's appointments and getting out of our routine, the house is a wreck and lesson plans still need to be finished. My to-do list keeps growing, and my dread of Friday's appointment to have my stitches removed looms over me just a bit too much.

Speaking of appointments, yesterday's visit to the dermatologist to have my bandage changed was....well...painful. The nurse did a thorough cleaning (I don't think she's ever had a MOHS procedure done) and instructed me on how to change the bandage myself. The doctor said everything looks like it's healing great, (Praise God!), but they still seemed a bit perplexed that my nose HURT when they touched it. ( I'm thinking it might be nice if doctors could experience some kind of virtual reality that was truly reality by having the very procedures done on themselves that they frequently do on their patients. It might improve that compassion quotient just a bit more...just a random thought. ) I'm supposed to do this tedious bandage changing twice a day until Friday.

Enter my Beloved to the rescue. He changed the bandage last night while all of the curious children looked on. The comments ranged from "It's not bad at all, Mommy," to "Yes, it is bad," with Mommy trying not to cry and pass out in between.:) Mountain Man was as gentle as he could be and did such a great job. And God, in His infinite compassion, worked it out that my Beloved would be home to today if the weather was bad (see the snow above in case you're wondering if he'll be staying home). If I can make it through this week without looking at my incision, which, by the way, the doctor and staff think is necessary for my emotional well-being--looking at their beautiful work, that is--then, that's what I'm going to do. After hearing Reaches Up describe my nose as "having a bunch of needles sticking out of it," I'm simply not inclined to examine my nose and all eleven stitches so I can praise the handiwork of my doctor.

Okay....I think the title of this post was something about the snow...anyway, I think it's wonderful that today's Advent activity for the children is to make those fascinating paper snowflakes and decorate the windows. What can put us more in the mood than watching the real snowflakes fall outside our window as we thank the One who made them?

So, I'll just grab my cup of tea and delight in the riches of God's Word while everything is still quiet, knowing that He'll give me the right perspective on this messy house, my painful nose, the things I still haven't done, and whether or not we should call it a "Snow Day."

Love,

Queen Mom

Christmas Traditions and THE WINNER.....

Thanks to everyone who left their wonderful memories of Christmas traditions and activities! We had twelve of you participate and decided to post a summary of your ideas for all of us to enjoy!

~Listen to Christmas music while decorating the house and setting up nativity displays
~Enjoy Advent stories and readings
~Spend time with your children and grandchildren, making wonderful memories
~Delight in the beautiful lights of Christmas
~Read the Christmas Story on Christmas morning
~Visit relatives on Christmas Day, especially those you don't see very much during the year
~Make gingerbread and sugar cookies while eating much of the dough!
~Play carols together with your family and reread great books in front of the fire
~Have a snowball fight and play a long game of Monopoly when you come in from the cold!
~Enjoy a shopping spree with the whole family for last minute stocking stuffers--try to hide your carts from each other and keep everything a secret
~Watch "It's A Wonderful Life" on Christmas Eve
~Re-cap the past year on New Year's Day, reflecting on new people in your lives, books you've read, and goals for the New Year--write it all down!
~Make yummy warm/wintry foods and enjoy decorating the holiday table with read and green
~Shop on Christmas Eve and do a little impulse shopping
~Enjoy Applesauce Cake and Eggnog
~Chop down your very own Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving Day, talking and singing along the way
~Play Christmas music on your instruments and look for new arrangements to enjoy
~Listen to the "12 Voices of Christmas" at www.backtothebible.org/index/php/The-Twelve-Voices-of-Christmas.html
~Have an "appetizer meal" on Christmas Eve, enjoying everyone's favorites while eating on special Christmas paper plates

We'll be adding a few of these to our own celebrations. Thank you for the wonderful ideas! And now, what you've been patiently waiting for.........

The winner is.........

our only male participant....

CURTIS SPENCER!

(I think Boo expects a hug when you come home for Christmas!)

Ok, Curtis, let us know what you'd like for your prize.....Congratulations!!

Love to all of you,

The Poff Clan

Quoteworthy~"An Argument That None Can Escape"

"I believe that far more is done for Christ's kingdom by the holy living of believers than we are at all aware of. There is a reality about such living which makes men feel, and obliges them to think. It carries a weight and influence with it which nothing else can give. It makes religion beautiful, and draws men to consider it, like a lighthouse afar off. The day of judgment will prove that many besides husbands have been won 'without the word' by a holy life (1 Pet. 3:1). You may talk to persons about the doctrines of the Gospels, and few will listen, and still fewer understand. But your life is an argument that none can escape. There is a meaning about holiness which not even the most unlearned can help taking in. They may not understand justification, but they can understand charity. I believe there is far more harm done by unholy and inconsistent Christians than we are aware of. Such men are among Satan's best allies. They pull down by their lives what ministers build with their lips. They cause the chariot wheels of the gospel to drive heavily...Let us take heed lest the blood of souls should be required at our own hands. From murder of souls by inconsistency and loose walking, good LORD, deliver us!"

~Holiness by J.C. Ryle
(pp. 53-54)
emphasis mine

(note: Ryle is most likely addressing, especially, our influence on those around us in a general sense. However, as a parent, my first thoughts go to the influence I have right here in my own home with my own children. As he mentions, my littlest ones cannot fully understand justification, but they know when Mama is kind or unkind, patient or short-tempered....I do pray that our children will look at their Mama and Daddy and, despite all of our sins, failures, and mistakes, know that we strived to live that holy life that He has called us to and to be a Godly example to them in all things, fighting the fight and running the race.)

Surgery Update and Many Thanks

I'm sorry I didn't get this posted yesterday, especially since I know that so many of you have been praying for me. Here's an update and a list of God's many blessings...

Mountain Man and I left for my appointment around 7:45, and the ride was already becoming stressful. I made sure I ate breakfast, but the closer we got to town, the fainter I felt. As we pulled up to the doctor's office, I told my Beloved I felt like I was going to pass out. He so kindly prayed with me, that God would calm me and give me a sense of peace. (And I know that's what everyone else had been praying, too.) I took a deep breath, and we went inside, did all the paperwork, and waited for the nurse to call me. She soon took me back to the surgery room and said my doctor would be in to talk with me.

As I'm sitting in this freezing room waiting for the doctor to come in, my eyes just start wandering. I see the big overhead light, the surgical instruments on the table, and I immediately clue in to the fact that, unlike their other examining rooms, there is no mirror in this one! That's all it takes for this Queen Mom to start shedding tears. I keep telling myself to calm down, but when the doctor comes in, the tears flow even more. In His kindness, God gives my doctor compassion for me, and instead of the "This is no big deal" talk, I get as much encouragement as one can before having pieces of flesh cut from my nose without any idea how much or how my nose will be put back together.

After an initial mildly painful numbing, the surgery begins. Praise God I didn't feel a thing on that first round, and just a bit later, the doctor came in to tell me that there was only a little of the cancer left. Of course, I have to be numbed again, and the nurse mentioned that she was giving me extra numbing medicine for the suturing that would be done at the end. They finish
the cutting, and I sit there and patiently wait, trying to concentrate on the final pages of Oliver Twist, which by the way is quite depressing....murder, betrayal, etc.

About 30 minutes pass by, and I start to feel burning and stinging, and I'm thinking that there's no way they won't have to numb me again before closing me up! Sure enough, the final numbing was the worst....six injections around my nose, and the initial ones made me want to get off that table. The doctor decides that the best way to close up the wound is to do a skin graft, so she takes skin from the upper area of my nose (can't imagine what kind of puzzle my nose is going to look like!). Things are going fine until I start to feel the pulling of my skin...that is so disturbing...and then the numbing wears off a bit, and I feel one of the cuts. My only thought is, "Please, Lord, let them be done soon!"

Everything is closed up, and now the nurse has to apply a "pressure-point" bandage, which is quite large and bulky. The goal is to make sure the graft takes, and the wound starts to heal. The bandage is put on very tightly, and the nurse gives me a mirror. Surely influenced by the fact that this book is one we're currently listening to on audio, I immediately think I look like Pinocchio.

This bandage will have to stay on until Monday when I return to have them change it out for a new one. I'm still not planning on looking....even then! I'll go back next Friday to have the stitches removed and return the following Friday for another check-up to make sure the graft is doing well.

I know pain. I've been through quite a bit of it with complications from Crohn's, including a surgery for it, and I've had 5 c-sections, several of which had their own complications, including a torn bladder with last one, so I'm really perplexed with why this seemingly "simple" procedure has gotten me so worked up. Yet, it has reminded me of the great compassion that God has on me and my sinful flesh. I've had to cling to Him every moment, and He's blessed me with family and friends who have so faithfully been praying for me and ministering to me in very practical ways. So, let me get on to the wonderful blessings from God!

~My Beloved was with me yesterday, praying with me and for me, and holding my hand. I can't imagine having gone through this without him, and I'm so thankful God has given me a husband who takes care of me so faithfully.

~I had so many family and friends praying for me, and letting me know they were praying for me, either sending me an e-mail or calling me. It is such a comfort and blessing to have others bless you with words of encouragement and kindness!

~My Beloved and another friend take turns preparing the sermons at our church right now. This weekend was My Beloved's turn, but our good friend so kindly offered to take that over this weekend while offering help for anything else we might need. What a priceless gift that is! Thank you!

~Sweet Marissa convinced me to let them bring over dinner last night (it didn't take too much arm twisting), and the Spencer family blessed us with 2 delicious homemade pizzas and even made a coffee cake to enjoy this morning! They have their own large and busy family, and yet, they made time to bless us in a such a big way!

~We came home yesterday to smiling children,who immediately showed compassion for their Mama and presented to us a clean and tidy home as well as love notes for Daddy left on our bed (that was their Advent activity). I'm blessed with so much more than I deserve, and I do think I have the world's greatest children!

I'll end here by asking for prayer for the following:

~that the graft would take and everything would heal nicely

~that I would be able to manage the pain...I never could quite get it under control yesterday and didn't get any relief until early this morning. Of course, it doesn't help that anytime you move any part of your face, your nose is affected! :)

And, please, be sure to praise God for His goodness and mercy, which never cease to amaze me.

Love to you all and many thanks,
Queen Mom

Holiness - Chapter 3 "Holiness" Part 2

In this post on Chapter 3 in J.C. Ryle's Holiness, we will look at "some reasons why practical holiness is so important."

(a) "...we must be holy, because the voice of God in Scripture plainly commands it." Over and over in Scripture, we find that God demands and requires holiness. God is holy, and as His people, we are to follow after Him, even as a child imitates his father. See Matt. 5:20, 48; 1 Pet. 1:15-16

(b) "We must be holy, because this is one grand end and purpose for which Christ came into the world... In short, to talk of men being saved from the guilt of sin, without being at the same time saved from its dominion in their hearts, is to contradict the witness of all Scripture. Are believers said to be elect? - it is 'through sanctification of the Spirit.' Are they predestined? - it is 'to be conformed to the image of God's Son.' Are they chosen? - it is 'that they may be holy.' Are they called? - it is 'with a holy calling.' Are they afflicted? - it is that they may become 'partakers of holiness.' Jesus is a complete Saviour. He does not merely take away the guilt of a believer's sin, He does more - He breaks its power" (1 Pet. 1:2; Rom. 8:29; Eph.1:4; 2 Tim. 1:9; Heb. 12:10).

(c) "We must be holy, because this is the only sound evidence that we have a saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ." As the Apostle James points out in his epistle, faith without works is dead (James 2:17). You cannot have one without the other. A tree will be known by the fruit it yields!

(d) "We must be holy, because this is the only proof that we love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity." If we truly love our Saviour, we will do whatsoever He commands us to do (John 14: 15, 21, 23; 15:14), and strive against sin, following in His holy footsteps. As Ryle states: "Surely that man must be in unhealthy state of soul who can think of all that Jesus suffered, and yet cling to those sins for which that suffering was undergone. It was sin that wove the crown of thorns - it was sin that pierced our Lord's hands, and feet, and side - it was sin that brought him to Gethsemane and Calvary, to the cross and to the grave. Cold must our hearts be of we do not hate sin and labor to get rid of it, though we may have to cut of the right hand and pluck out the right eye in doing it."

(e) "We must be holy, because this is the only sound evidence that we are true children of God." Ryle reminds us that children usually imitate their parents, no doubt some more so, some less so, but nevertheless, it is very rare that you cannot find some family resmblence. So it is with us, the children of the Heavenly Father. If we truly belong to Him, our lives, our words, our actions will bear witness to it. See Rom. 8:14; John 8:39, 42.

(f) "We must be holy, because this is the most likely way to do good to others." Whatever we do, whether good or bad, will affect others. If we lead godly lives, our effect upon those around us will havea positive impact, whereas sin will only breed harm and mischief. In fact, we will cause non-believers to shun Christianity if our actions do not live up to the Name by which we are called.

(g) "We must be holy, because our present comfort depends much upon it." God designed it so that there is a connection between sin and grief, holiness and joy. Do you feel good when you break God's commands? If your heart is tender, then no, breaking God's law should not make you feel good. Rather, it should grieve you, and cause you sorrow. On the other hand, there is a certain feeling of peace, joy, and happiness which comes when one does the commands of Jesus fully and well. See 1 John 2:3; 3:19

(h) "We must be holy, because without holiness on earth we shall never be prepared to enjoy Heaven." What joy would a wicked man have in the presence of God's saints? A "Christian" who is not holy, has no mind or heart for the things of God, and does not delight in following Him - this man will have no joy in a place where all is holy and pure and perfect. Rather, he should feel most out of place, like a black sheep among the white ones. No, only those who strive after holiness in this life can expect to enjoy Heaven. See Rev. 21:27

My next post will cover the final part of Chapter 3.

Persevero,

Scribe

BIG numbers,Christmas Traditions, and a FUN giveaway (sounds great, doesn't it?)

In celebration of our reaching 1000 "hits" on our blog (that's the BIG numbers part of it), we have decided to have a contest (that's the giveaway part of it). Yeees, folks, step right up and here what I've got to say! You won't want to miss it! Nooo, sirreee!

What's the contest? you ask. Well, ladies and gents, the contest is this: write a comment on this post, listing your favorite Christmas tradition (that's the Christmas traditions part of it, don't you know). For example, one of my family's favorite traditions is driving around with hot cocoa to see the lights in town or going to the Botanical Gardens to see the River of Lights. Anyhow, just leave a little comment about what you and yours enjoy doing around the Christmas holidays. You'll have until 11:00 PM, Sunday, December 7th, 2008 to leave your comment. (Be sure to leave your name). At the end of the deadline, all the names will be entered in the drawing, and Boo will randomly draw the winner's name, who will then receive his/her choice of either:

1) a selection from I-tunes, up to a $20.00 value. You tell us what you want, and we'll gift you the item. (I-tunes will send the info. to your inbox...) You'll need to tell us the title, artist, and your e-mail address. OR

2) a cd of your choice from Amazon, up to a $20.00 value. We'll have it directly sent to you. Just make sure we have a correct mailing address. We'll even get it there fast....within 2 days of ordering. :)

So, I hope all of you will participate and have a fun time sharing your favorite traditions. I'm sure we'll be able to benefit from them as well! We wish you the best!

-Scribe for the Poff Clan

The Upsized Advent Calendar

One of the projects I wanted to accomplish this year is our having an Advent Calendar. We use the ones you can find at the stores that hide sweet pieces of chocolate, which the children love and think are so much fun, but I wanted another one that would help us be more intentional about what we were doing each day during Advent.

So, I came up with an activity for each day from November 30th thru December 24th. After making my list, I simply put together this large-sized calendar using poster board and sticky notes. Under each sticky note, I wrote the specific activity for that day. Our list is a mix of quite a few different things. Just because we're being intentional doesn't mean we're not having fun and enjoying God's gifts to us. However, I did also want to include activities to help us reflect on our relationship with the Lord and with each other. I know Advent is a season of preparation and that works out differently for each family, so hopefully, as we continue this tradition, it will reflect more and more the work God is doing in our family.

Here's the list of our Advent activities:

1) Discuss Daddy's sermon about Advent during lunch

2) List five activities you enjoy doing this time of year. (I use this to help plan our 12 Days of Chirstmas)

3) Begin memorizing (again) Luke 2:1-21 (have ready by Christmas Day)

4) Enjoy milkshakes for breakfast

5) Pick out a new Christmas CD or make your own Christmas mix on I-Tunes (you must all agree)

6) Write a love note to Daddy.

7) Decorate our Christmas tree, and watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas" together.

8) Consider one sin you're struggling with and commit to pray about it every day during Yuletide. Share with Mommy or Daddy so they can pray for you and help you be accountable.

9) Do a chore for one of your siblings....CHEERFULLY!

10) Make snowflakes and decorate the windows.

11) Write a note to a friend letting him/her know what you appreciate about your friendship.

12) See the River of Lights at the Botanical Gardens.

13) List 3 things you love about each family member and leave the list in his/her mailbox.

14) Help Mommy address Christmas cards.

15) Pick a sibling you have a difficult time getting along with and play a game together.

16) Send a note of gratitude to your grandparents.

17) Have a tea party with tea and scones.

18) Pair up with a younger sibling, and list 5 attributes of God, supported by Scripture. Close your time together by thanking God for who He is.

19) Secretly do something nice for one of your siblings. At the end of the day, each person will guess what was done and who did it.

20) Watch Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."

21) Bake gifts for friends and neighbors.

22) Which sibling do you have the most difficult time being kind to? Be intentional about telling this sibling you love him/her and then commit to pray every day during Yuletide that God would make your heart tender towards this sibling.

23) Have breakfast for dinner...pancakes, eggs, and bacon.

24) Listen to the audio of "A Christmas Carol" while driving through town looking at Christmas lights.

25) Play Phase 10 and open one gift.

P.S. Remember the children haven't seen these, yet, so try not to mention them!:)

Is Christianity Good for the World?: a book review

A week ago, I finished a book called Is Christianity Good for the World? by Christopher Hitchens and Douglas Wilson, which is basically a debate in written form (it was originally hosted by Christianity Today). As you can see in the picture, it is a slim volume, not even a hundred pages in length, and yet I found it one of the most stimulating and interesting books I've ever read. I have it on my list of favorites, and really, I mean it when I say you have got to check this book out for yourself. You'll see what I mean.

For those of you who are perhaps not familiar with the authors, I'll go ahead and do a little intro. Christopher Hitchens is a popular and renowned athiest, journalist, and author, whose works include God Is Not Great. He was also named as one of the "Top 100 Public Intellectuals" by Britain's Prospect, and Foreign Policy. Douglas Wilson is pastor at Christ Church in Moscow, ID, and a Senior Fellow at New Saint Andrews College. He has penned many books, among which is Letter from a Christian Citizen.

So, now that you have some idea of who the authors are, I'll begin the review. First of all, as you can easily deduce, if you put a Christian apologist and an athiest head-to-head in a debate, the result is not gonna be pretty. In fact, the quote on the back of the book says it all: "Put two contrarians together and shake well." - Christianity Today

Secondly, if I had to describe this book in one word, it be: awesome! Wilson masterfully deals with everything Hitchens throws at him, defending the beliefs of Christianity, and trouncing(if I may use that word) every atheistic argument his opponent uses. In fact, Wilson argues so convincingly, scripturally, and with such an engaging style, that you cannot help but say "Amen!" every time he finishes a response. It is really an exciting book, and once you start it, you won't want to put it down. However, I warn you that the way Hitchens talks about God, His precepts, and His Word should be, at the very least, disturbing. It was to me. It is almost amazing to listen to this man blaspheme and deny the One who made him, and gives him his very next breath. Really, I do not know if I could comport myself with such Christian restraint as Wilson displayed. For my part, I felt like socking Hitchens every time he mocked or ridiculed Christianity and God. I know that it would not be Christ-like to do so, and I'm sorry to say I haven't quite mastered self-control, but all the same, that's how I felt.

And really, we should also be sorry for Hitchens, and pray for his salvation (Psa. 130:4). Set as he may be in atheism, nothing is impossible for God, and we must fervently ask the Lord to open this man's eyes to the error of his ways, removing the scales from his eyes as He did from Saul's (Acts 9:17-18).

Another thing to consider is the orgin of true wisdom and true knowledge. Hitchens was named one of the world's "Top 100 Public Intellectuals". I do not deny for a moment that he is extremely smart and capable. Yet are worldy intelligence and wisdom the same thing? According to Scripture, I think not. Look at Job 28:28; Prov. 1:7; 2:1-6; 15:33; 28:7. These passages are just a few of a multitude of Scriptures which speak of true wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. A man may have all the 'knowledge' of the world within his brain, and if he has not the fear of the Lord in his heart, it is nothing. Worldy knowledge and understanding will not open the gate of Heaven, or save you from the depths of Hell. Only Jesus' redeeming blood can do that.

So, to wrap up, I'll just say that debates like this one are really just small battles in the great war which Satan has waged against God and His people since the beginning of time. We must study the Scriptures diligently ourselves, that, when the time comes, we might know how to defend our faith (1 Pet. 3:15-16). The Armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18) is vital, and without it, a Christian cannot survive in the fight against the devil. A Christian who does not wear it is unable to defend himself or his beliefs and will fall prey to the wiles of Satan. So let us study the Bible, pray, and fight the good fight!"

Persevero,

Scribe