New L&B Website

Miss Deanna redesigned the L&B website and we couldn't be more pleased. She really out did herself. Now all we have to worry about is taking pictures that match the quality of the website, which will be no small thing.

Thanks Deanna!!!

Tanner Picks Up 200th Win

This is a very nice article that ran in the Platte City paper about Coach Tanner (Lisa's brother). They won their 6th district title in a row and are playing today in Warrensburg for the chance to go to the State Finals in Columbia.

Ready for Spring Already

More Wilberforce

I hope nobody rearranged their day to watch Wilberforce on Sunday because he wasn't on! Not sure why I had bad information. The best I can tell, the documentary will next be shown on Friday, March 7 at 7:00pm, KCPT. See the pbs site for other show times.

I think most people who know a little bit about Wilberforce know that he stressed the "peculiar doctrines" of Christianity. Prior to reading the book, I wasn't exactly sure which particular peculiar doctrines he is referring to. This quote from page 176 is, I think, the best summary for what he is thinking:

"But the grand radical defect in the practical system of the nominal Christians, is their forgetfulness of all the peculiar doctrines of the Religion which they profess - the corruption of human nature - the atonement of the Savior - and the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit."

Chapter Two is called Corruption of Human Nature and in this chapter he says that the depravity of man "is eminently the basis and groundwork of Christianity" Page 13. This theme he hits over and over and this is one of the main things I took away from the book. I may post some additional thoughts about this later.

The quotes which follow below are another main theme of the book and I think it can be described as an exhortation to be in the world but not of it. Again, I was amazed at how relevant and really how little things have changed.

Speaking on the erroneous notion that prevails in the church, that instead of Religion governing all areas of life, it is fenced to a small portion and in the rest we can do, it is believed, as we like. What a powerful phrase is decent selfishness.

"The instructive admonitions, "give an account of thy stewardship" Luk_16:2, - "Occupy till I come" Luk_19:13; are forgotten. ...

Accordingly, we find in fact, that the generality of mankind among the higher order, in the formation of their schemes, in the selection of their studies, in the choice of their place of residence, in the employment and distribution of their time, in their thoughts, conversation and amusements, are considered as being at liberty, if there be no actual vice, to consult in the main their own gratification.

Thus the generous and wakeful spirit of Christian benevolence, seeking and finding, every where occasions for its exercise, is exploded, and a system of decent selfishness is avowedly established in its stead; a system scarcely more to be abjured for its impiety, than to be abhorred for its cold insensibility to the opportunities of diffusing happiness. ...

Yet thus life rolls away with too many of us in a course of "shapeless idleness." Its recreations constitute its chief business. Watering places - the sports of the field - cards! never failing cards! - the assembly - the theatre - all contribute their aid - amusements are multiplied, and combined and varied, "to fill the void of a listless and languid life;" and by the judicious use of these different resources, there is often a kind of sober settled plan of domestic dissipation, in which with all imaginable decency year after year wears away in unprofitable vacancy. Even old age often finds us pacing in the same round of amusements which our early youth had tracked out. Meanwhile, being conscious that we are not giving into any flagrant vice, perhaps that we are guilty of no irregularity, and it may be that we are not neglecting the offices of Religion, we persuade ourselves that we need not be uneasy. In the main we do not fall below the general standard of morals, of the class and station to which we belong, we may therefore allow ourselves to glide down the stream without apprehension of consequences." Pages 97-99

The next quote I know all too well. My mind is alive in the morning but by evening I am dead; dead physically and all too often dead spiritually. Lord Jesus may our rest ever be taken in you.

"The seducing considerations of diligence in our callings, of success in our profession, of making handsome provisions for our children, beguile our better judgments. 'We rise early, and late take rest, and eat the bread of carefulness.' In our few intervals of leisure, our exhausted spirits require refreshment; the serious concerns of our immortal souls, are matters of speculation too grave and gloomy to answer the purpose, and we fly to something that may better deserve the name of relaxation, til we are again summoned to the daily labors of our employment." Page 101

The next two quotes are an encouragement to me as I think upon being in the world but not of it.

"The Christian's path is beset with dangers - On the one hand, he justly dreads an inactive and unprofitable life; on the other, he no less justly trembles for the loss of spiritual-mindedness. ...

But to resume my subject, let us when engaged in this important scrutiny, impartially examine ourselves whether the worldly objects which engross us, are all of them such as properly belonged to our profession, or station, or circumstances in life; which therefore we could not neglect with a good conscience. If they be, let us consider whether they do not consume a larger share of our time than they really require; and whether, by not trifling over our work, by deducting somewhat which might be spared from our hearts of relaxation, or by some other little management, we might not fully satisfied their just claims, and yet have an increased over plus of leisure, to be devoted to the offices of Religion.

But if we deliberately and honestly conclude that we ought not to give these worldly objects less of our time, let us endeavor at least to give them less of our hearts; striving that the settled frame of our desires and actions may be more spiritual, and that in the motley intercourses of life, we may constantly retain a more lively sense of the Divine presence, and a stronger impression of the reality of unseen things; thus corresponding with Scripture description of true Christians, "walking by faith and not by sight" 2Co_5:7, and "having our conversation in Heaven" Phi_3:20." Page 155

"In the case even of those objects, which may more justly claim the attention of reasonable and immortal beings, in our family arrangements, in our plans of life, in our schemes of business, we become, without relinquishing the path of duty, more moderate in pursuit and more indifferent about the issue." Page 185-186

Lastly, this gem on marriage. It took several years for Wilberforce to write this book. It was finally published in 1797 the same year he married Barbara. That's a neat little nugget to consider as you read this.

"Doubtless, this more favorable disposition to Religion in the female sex, was graciously designed also to make women doubly valuable in the wedded state; and it seems to afford to the married man the means of rendering an active share in the business of life more compatible than it would otherwise be with the liveliest devotional feelings: that when the husband should return to his family, worn and harassed by worldy cares or professional labors, the wife, habitually preserving a warmer and more unimpaired spirit of devotion, than is perhaps consistent with being immersed in the bustle of life, might revive his languid piety, and that the religious impressions of both might derive new force and tenderness from the animating sympathies of conjugal affection. Can a more pleasing image be presented to a considerate mind, than that of a couple, happy in each other and in the pledges of their mutual love, uniting in an act of grateful adoration to the Author of all their mercies: recommending each other, and the objects of their common care, to the divine protection; and repressing the solicitude of conjugal and parental tenderness by a confiding hope, that, through all the changes of this uncertain life, the Disposer of all things will assuredly cause all to work together for good of them that love and put their trust in Him; and that, after this uncertain state shall have passed away, they shall be admitted to a joint participation of never-ending happiness. It is surely no mean or ignoble office which we would allot to the female sex, when we would thus commit to them the charge of maintaining in lively exercise whatever emotions most dignify and adorn human nature; when we would make them as it were the medium of our intercourse with the heavenly world, the faithful repositories of the religious principle, for the benefit both of the present and of the rising generation." Page 247

I really most highly recommend the reading of this book. It isn't easy going but it is very beneficial.

The Better Hour

I just finished reading William Wilberforce's book A Practical View of Christianity. It is a remarkable book. I am hoping to excerpt some quotes here in the future. A documentary on Wilberforce is scheduled to be on PBS beginning this weekend. You may have to set your record button for the below KCPT times.

Sunday, March 2, 6:00pm
Monday, March 3, 3:00am
Friday, March 7, 10:00pm

I came to Wilberforce looking for an example of a "Good Confession" in the public realm. What I received in the main from this book was a deep challenge to the nominalism of my own faith. The book is a pounding call to live out your faith in all of life. One can only imagine how moving it must have been to hear Wilberforce speak in Parliament. In the book, his rhetorical skill is constantly on display.

This book is amazingly relevant. His call to the church of his day is also a call to ours.

Here are a couple of quotes from his concluding thoughts.

"Let true Christians then, with becoming earnestness, strive in all things to recommend their profession, and to put to silence the vain scoffs of ignorant objectors. Let them boldly assert the cause of Christ in an age when so many, who bear the name of Christians are ashamed of Him: and let them consider as devolved on them the important duty of suspending for a while the fall of their country, and, perhaps, of performing a still more extensive service to society at large; not by busy interference in politics, in which it cannot but be confessed there is much uncertainty, but rather by that sure and radical benefit of restoring the influence of Religion, and of raising the standard of morality." A Practical View of Christianity, Wilberforce, Page 273

"to the decline of Religion and morality our national difficulties must both directly and indirectly be chiefly ascribed; and that the only solid hopes for the well-being of my country depend not so much on her fleets and armies, not so much on the wisdom of her rulers or the spirit of her people, as on the persuasion that she still contains many, who, in a degenerate age, love and obey the Gospel of Christ, on the humble trust that the intercession of these may still be prevalent, that for the sake of these, Heaven may still look upon us with an eye of favor." Page 274

"And all my work be praise."

That line really struck me from the hymn we sang on Wednesday night. Being good Protestants, we know that we cannot earn God's favor by our works. But our works can be offered as praise that "others may see our good works and give glory to our Father who is in heaven".

Below is the rest of Isaac Watts' Psalm 23 hymn.

1 My Shepherd will supply my need:
Jehovah is His Name;
In pastures fresh He makes me feed,
Beside the living stream.

2 He brings my wandering spirit back
When I forsake His ways,
And leads me, for His mercy's sake,
In paths of truth and grace.

3 When I walk through the shades of death
His presence is my stay;
One word of His supporting grace
Drives all my fears away.

4 His hand, in sight of all my foes,
Doth still my table spread;
My cup with blessings overflows,
His oil anoints my head.

5 The sure provisions of my God
Attend me all my days;
O may Thy house be my abode,
And all my work be praise.

6 There would I find a settled rest,
While others go and come;
No more a stranger, nor a guest,
But like a child at home.

Final

I was more happy than this picture indicates :) There were two other cases and we were the third to go. Once we were in the room with the judge, it only took about 5 minutes. Name, address and other easy type questions were asked of each of us. The main difficulty was that we had to listen fast because our lawyer talks so quickly.

What an amazing blessing. Thank you Miss S for your wonderful gift to us. It is a gift that can never be repaid and we will be forever grateful. Thank you to all who prayed and cared for us during this time. Your love did not go unnoticed. Thank you Lord Jesus for Your condescending care and love. That You intervene in the lives of sinners like us, is simply too much to fathom.