"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies"

"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."

"Her children rise up and call her blessed..."

"Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."

Modesty

Dan Phillips (of the Pyromaniac team) this week issued an invitation to hot controversy when he blogged about women's dress - or the lack thereof - and the offense/stumbling block that it is to our brothers in Christ. I'm glad he brought the subject up, as it needs to be stated that s do have a responsibility when it comes to helping our brothers fight sin; however, you really can't find a subject that's going to push the "legalism" button more than this one will. I think the comments on his post were even more interesting than the post itself. It was appalling to see people actually defending women who blatantly, inexcusably dress immodestly. I'm sorry, but I believe (and no one has to take me seriously on this - I'm only myself a female!) that anyone who says that a woman doesn't know what she's doing when she wears immodest clothing really needs to have their head examined. Women are born with that knowledge. We don't need anyone telling us that shorts that cut off right beneath our bottom are gonna cause a guy to look twice. In order not to be too hard on my fellow sisters, I do honestly believe that there are some women out there who really don't have a clue as to the extent that a man's imagination may go when he sees an immodest woman. It's true that there are some men with a problem so big that they really could lust after a women in a potato sack, however, I think that those people are an exception to the rule and not relevant to a discussion on men in general. It is not legalism or puritanical to say that women have a responsibility in our clothing choices. I think that the women at girltalk did a fabulous job on their recent modesty discussion, so if anyone really wants a good, thought provoking, non-legalistic if you will, discussion on fashion and modesty, I suggest you take the time to read their Fashion and Following the Savior series. Although I won't repeat too much what's already been said by women more experienced and more qualified to speak on this subject than I am, I will post some of my thoughts regarding this controversial topic.

1. Women need to be told that their dressing is important, and they need to be told this by men as well as by women. Older women need to encourage younger women. They shouldn't be afraid to take someone aside who is inappropiately dressed, and if they do, they need to do this in private. No public remonstraces and no gossiping about it later. Men need to speak more openly about their problems with lust so that no one can say that they were unaware of this problem. Also, I think that this is even more effective than any kind of preaching about it, because the real reason that women dress as they do is because they believe that this is what men want. In truth, this is what men want, but it shouldn't be so for Christian men. If a guy praises a girl for her chaste attire, this tells her that she is appreciated for her character and not for her body or clothing. This is really, really, important because women just want to be admired. If we can be admired for our character then why would we seek any other admiration? This is an example of the horrible effects feminism has had on our society. Women, in being "liberated" to do or dress as they see fit, have only become sex symbols and are not valued for who they are. This is tragic. Women really don't believe that a man will love them for who they are, only for how they look. Only men can help reverse this terrible assumption by encouraging their believing sisters and affirming their character traits, not their clothing choices.

2. Women are sinners, too. We need as much preaching to about our dressing motives/choices as men need about keeping their minds pure. Women know what they are doing when they choose a tight fitting t-shirt or strapless dress. Please don't just automatically assume that women are innocent little creatures who have no idea that men have a problem. It's a jungle out there, and women are the cats who prowl it. It's a contest to see who's the hottest, the prettiest, the most fashionable, and women are constantly fighting for first place in any, if not all, of those categories. Just as men struggle with purity of mind, women struggle with purity of heart and motive. It really is hard to let someone else get all of the attention. It makes you feel as though you're not good enough or pretty enough or fashionable enough. Again, men can help women with this by affirming their character and spiritual beauty.

3. Women are afraid that they will look frumpy and matronly if they are modest. And indeed, there is no reason to look like that if you are trying to be modest. It really is a matter of knowing how to dress. Also, having a male who will be honest and tell you if something is too tight, sheer, low, or whatever is absolutely essential. Sometimes I really do believe that something is modest until someone in my family informs me otherwise. This is what Christians are to do: exhort and encourage their fellow believers to holiness and purity. So sisters, don't be afraid to seek out someone who will help you determine what sorts of clothing are a problem for guys and what isn't (and some goes without saying, like bikinis. :-) ). It's not shameful or any kind of admission of immodesty if you do. It only says that you are concerned for the spiritual welfare of your brothers in Christ, and that is admirable.

And that's all I'll say. Any thoughts on this are welcome.

My two younger siblings have only been taking piano for about a year now, but they both went before a competition judge two weeks ago to be graded on their playing. They were each given the highest scoring and invited to play in an Honors recital with other students who excelled in the competition. This was Parker's and Lexi's first time to play before an audience. Here Parker wows us with his performance and his debonair presence at the piano. 

Lexi playing "Classic Sonatina, movements I, II and III". She performed it beautifully and looked so at ease and lovely at the piano. 

The keyboard champs and their Mom 

The Love of God

"There are many today who talk about the love of God, who are total strangers to the God of love. The Divine love is commonly regarded as a species of amiable weakness, a sort of good-natured indulgence; it is reduced to a mere sickly sentiment, patterned after human emotion. Now the truth is that on this, as on everything else, our thoughts need to be formed and regulated by what is revealed thereon in Holy Scripture.That there is urgent need for this is apparent not only from the ignorance which so generally prevails, but also the low state of spirituality which is now so sadly evident everywhere among professing Christians. How little real love there is for God. One chief reason for this is because our hearts are so little occupied with His wondrous love for His people. The better we are acquainted with His love-its character, fulness, blessedness-the more our hearts will be drawn out in love to Him."
-A.W. Pink

Together for the Gospel

I haven't had too much time to read all of the wonderful blog posts that have come out of the Together for the Gospel Conference in Louisville this week, but what I have been able to read I have already been enriched by it. I know that this conference was for pastors, but there is still so much that was said that can most definitely be applied to the rest of us.

Visit Tim Challies' blog for detailed live blogging from the event. Visit Provocations and Pantings for photos from the conference and a blog-roll of attendees (none of whose blogs I have visited, but if you want more conference details and pics, you're sure to find it on at least one of those blogs). Also, the TFTG blog where some of the speakers have participated in lively, enlightening discussions over the past couple of months has been a lot of fun to read and I hope it doesn't end with the conference.

Reading all about the conference has reminded me that I never did finish putting up my notes from the Ligonier conference, so I shall attempt to post more on that next week.

The Grace of God

"Grace is a provision for men who are so fallen that they cannot lift the axe of justice, so corrupt that they cannot change their own natures, so averse to God that they cannot turn to Him, so blind that they cannot see Him, so deaf that they cannot hear Him, and so that He Himself must open their graves and lift them into resurrection."
-G.S. Bishop

Water drops clinging to an opening rosebud. 

This is one of my favorite roses. Double Delight not only has beautiful pink and yellow blooms but also one of the best scents in the garden.

Pippin "checking" on the pond koi. 

Red on white. Good color combo. :-)

More bluebonnets. 

Vibrant flower whose name escapes me. 

Bee gathering nectar.  

I'm not sure what this plant is called, but it's profusion of white flowers is very lovely. 

Bluebonnet 

I know it's hard to believe this, but we really do have a spring season in Texas. For the short length of time that Spring visits us we enjoy gorgeous weather, verdant foliage and blooming flowers. After another thirty days, however, we will return to the perpetual, everlasting summer season when the weather turns hot , the earth dries up and there won't be a flower alive and blooming within 100 miles. It is no wonder then that I often find myself outside, enjoying every cool breeze that blows over me and sniffing every flower that exudes an inviting scent, all the time wishing that it could last longer than it does.

I am so glad that my younger brother, Landon, has been taking pictures of my Mom's garden as it will be such a pleasure to look at the pictures in the middle of July, and be reminded that the summer doesn't last forever... That after all of the heat, there is at least one, maybe two, months of pure, enjoyable Spring.

I'm not sure if I have any readers who knit or crochet, but if there is anyone out there reading this who does, then you'll want to know about a yarn sale that my LYS is having. If you're like me and enjoy buying sale yarn for your projects (I think it's because I feel less-guilty when self-splurging if I'm doing it at a discount), then here's a link to the store's website where you can purchase some. A quick note about the store: I truly love to visit Yarn Heaven, perhaps it's because that's where I went to get my first skein of yarn and a pair of knitting needles. I remember that the store was packed that day of my first visit, but Tarie (the owner) made sure to greet her customers as they came in, and then to say good-by as they walked out. The kind lady who helped me with my needle selection (and started me on my love for circular needles) was a Scot with a brogue so thick I could barely undertsand her. The cheerful atmosphere and the huge yarn selection impressed me, and I have returned countless times to YH since. Tarie is such a giving person (look at Vogue's KnitSimple winter '05 issue for an article about Tarie and her Hurricane Katrina relief efforts) and she always knows the books and yarn that will excite me to a new project. :-) She still maintains the best yarn inventory in my area (no competiton for her in this county!) and has just added even more to it. Take a look at her website to see the yarns for yourself. Here's a quick list of the yarns on sale:
$2
Eroica
Smart Cotton
$2.50
Utopia
$3
Bubble FX
Charm
Flag
Glace
Perla
Raffinesse
Rio (Aurora)
Sprite
Tenerife
TS Eyelash
$4
Chincilla
Davos
Fruit
Glace (variegated)
Glitz
Jolina
Maratona
Merino King
Puntolinea
Rasta
Rio (Cascade)
Shepherd Sport
Sketch
Suede
Tweed GGH
Uxbridge Tweed
Velour
$5
Capri
Cliche'
Denim Silk
Dynasty
Evita
Firenze Boucle
Flirt
Lynx
Maulbeerside Schwolle
Nimbus
Quest (solids)
Safari
Salsa
Sonetto
Spot
Stars
Tessin
Track
$6
Angora Supreme
Capri (colors)
Cliche' (colors)
Safari (variegated)
Sombrero
Sunshine
$7
Furore
Sir Galli
Trikolore
$10
Fee
Gala
$25
Showstopper
%25 off all Kollage yarns

Spring days are good days...

Today:
1. I finally got gauge for my lace sweater that is supposed to be finished in time for Easter. I found the yarn by accident after a long search for similar yarns, and stumbled onto this website where the yarn that the pattern called for and the color that I thought was out of circulation was on clearance! I'm only about five rows into the project, but Rowan 4-ply knits up beautifully and quickly, even on size 6 needles.
2. My Mom, three younger brothers and my younger sister and I went for a hike in a nature preserve not too far from here. We hiked a trail that we hadn't explored yet, and it took us to an island in the middle of a lake. It was very peaceful, with only the occasional hum of airplanes to remind us that we were still smack dap in the middle of suburbia, even on a nature preserve. :-) There were insects galore and it was very hot (the trees did give us some cooling relief from the sun, though) so we were all heated, tired and bug-bitten when we made it back to the start of the trail. However, despite all of the heat and bugs, it was just so wonderful to simply meander along in a peaceful setting with birds and beautiful, huge butterflies flapping all around us. There were turtles, ducks, egrets and a boating couple on the lake. We intend to rent a canoe or kayak the next time we go.
3. After that, we went to a beautiful gardening store and I did some herb shopping. I didn't purchase any as I wanted to see what I could fit and where in my garden first. While pondering what I could afford to buy when I make it back, I realized that for the same price as a mocha at Starbucks (my bad habit) I could have a new herb in my garden. In fact, in one week I could probably have 10 new herb plants in my garden, and maybe a cute garden sign, too. With that thought in mind, I decided to not have a mocha today, and instead save the money for a plant. So when my mom pulled through the Sbux drive-through, I declined a drink. Then we got to the window and the barista had made a mistake and gave my mom a venti instead of the ordered tall mocha. She didn't even charge Mom the venti price since it was her mistake, so I ended up sharing the monstrous drink and getting my mocha anyway. :-)
4. Then I got home and found my $100 Visa gift card that I won from Blingo early this month waiting in the mailbox (my sister-in-law received one as well when I did)!
5. After a great dinner, prepared by my younger siblings (grilled hamburgers&onions, homemade guacamole, fries) and a cute movie, I am now ready to hit bed so that I can get up for an early morning run.

I like a good day...

Here is more from Ligonier's National Conference...

Bought With A Price: Ligonier Ministries National Conference 2006
Sessions from Thursday, March 9
Dr. John MacArthur and Dr. R.C. Sproul, speakers

Jesus, The Head of The Church
Dr. John MacArthur

Dr. MacArthur started his session with the powerful story of Bohemian (pre)Reformer, John Hus and the price paid by Christians throughout the ages for the belief that there is only one head of the church: Jesus Christ. I am so amazed at how much believers have suffered over the centuries for holding to a doctrine that in their time was revolutionary and in our time we take for granted. Dr. MacArthur used his remaining time to discuss how today there is a disdain for faithful mediators, and also how the seeker movement (including the Emergent Chruch) strips Christ of His dominion by using the culture to dictate their ministry and not the Bible, and labels such-quoting John Piper-"Evangelical slapstick". He also explained that the original Greek word for "head" (and as it is used in Scripture) never means anything other than ruling/governing.

One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church
Dr. R.C. Sproul

This was a wonderful session in which Dr. Sproul laid out for the audience the ways in which the church is (or should be) one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. He gave the etymological root of "church" which was from Late Greek "kyriakos" from which we also get the word "curious"; thus church is for the curious. He went to explain the ways in which Christ has set apart His church to be one (there is a union in Christ which is real, substantive, and cannot be destroyed; it transcends all differences), holy (second meaning of holiness is purity), catholic and apostolic. Dr. Sproul elaborated on the ways that the church today mirrors the world, how it is not what the Bible teaches as we are called to mirror Christ, and how we have done everything we can to disguise the "otherness" of the church.

Oops, my pictures didn't post in the right order. Start at the bottom picture and work your way up...

There was a lot of good worship with music provided by The Westminster Brass and congregational singing led by James Brown. 

The conference was packed with people of all kinds and ages who had traveled from all over the US (and some from around the world) to attend the three day event. 

...and filled with books galore! The Soli Deo Gloria Publishing table stretched along that back wall and was packed with all kinds of reprinted Puritan classics. 

The conference bookstore was huge... 

I loved the light-wrapped palm trees. :-) 

We went to Legal Seafoods (second level, above the Ahava store) for a cup of chowder, which is not available fresh for us landlocked Texans, and some salad (I had a magnificent blue cheese and walnut salad with raspberry vinaigrette dressing -yum!). We felt a little out of place not ordering from the entree' side of the menu, but we really just wanted some of Legal's famous chowder, which we had first tasted in Boston a couple of years ago, and love to get anytime we get a chance (which is not often)! :-) Posted by Picasa

We strolled around a small shopping center before eating dinner, and spotted this man with his parrots.

It was a beautiful day of sun and surf! These pictures just didn't adequately catch the beautiful colors of the sand and ocean. I didn't want to leave... 

West Palm Beach, Florida 

I couldn't get Hello to upload my pictures to this blog, so I'll have to work out the problem and load them later. Here are the session topics, overviews, and my favorite quotes from the pre-conference (with summaries from the conference proper to follow later).

Bought With A Price: 2006 Ligonier National Conference
Pre-conference Seminar: The Intimate Marriage
Dr. R.C. Sproul, Jr., Rev. Ken Jones, Dr. R.C. Sproul, Sr, speakers

The Biblical Foundations of Intimate Marriage
Dr. R.C. Sproul, Jr.

This was not your typical, basic "why God instituted marriage" seminar. Instead, R.C. gave the basic a good twist, and instead of rehashing the old, old subject he turned it into a discourse on evil, our crafty enemy (the serpent), reflecting God's image and glory, and the role a husband plays in sanctifying his wife.
Good quote: "The redefining of the family in our age will be the defining character in our age."

The Nature and Function of Intimate Marriage
Rev. Kenneth Jones

Rev. Jones did a great job exploring the ways that the culture and commercialism has defined our views of intimacy, emotions and marital expectations. He suggests that couples need to "detox" from Biblically opposing views of marriage, and said that intimate marriage is a redundancy because marriage, by definition, is intimate.
Good quote: "It is at the point we recognize our deficiencies that we can embrace grace."

Challenges to Intimate Marriage
Dr. R.C. Sproul, Sr.

A fascinating talk on ness and it's instant link between sin and shame, and the attempt we make to cover our shame and hide who we are. Dr. Sproul covered a lot of ground in this seminar with his discourse on the correlation between physical ness (the only place where there is no shame and hiding is in marriage) and spiritual ness (people by nature don't want God looking at them but over them). He also explained that the Hebrew word for "knew" does not merely mean marital consummation, but also means an unveiling/disclosing of the mind as well as the body.
Good quote: "God loves you because He knows you" (emphasis mine; see Hebrew explanantion above).

More to follow soon...

Back home

After a tiresome flight back and an even more tiresome wait for baggage when we arrived at DFW, we finally made it home around 10 pm last night. As much as I enjoyed the trip, I'm glad to be back home and in my familiar surroundings.

I'm still processing three days' worth of teaching from the conference. It's a lot to listen to and each session in itself merits a lot of thought, but when you pack them into three days it all starts to blur together after awhile. I'll be bringing my notebook out of the suitcase today and reviewing my notes from the sessions and refreshing my memory. I may get out the cd's of my favorite sessions and listen to them as well. I will be posting later some thoughts and reviews of the conference and my thoughts regarding Dr. R.C. Sproul, Jr.'s presence and teaching at the event. I understand that this was a problem for many people, although I didn't give it too much thought until he started speaking and it then occurred to me that some people might object to his being there. No one walked out on his session (that I could see) and I think that if anything, the controversy surrounding him made his talk that much more interesting for those of us aware of what is going on. For the most part, however, it is my opinion that very few people are aware of what has happened, judging by the amount of his materials purchased after his session and by the fact that his session cd was completely sold out by the last day, and by the amount of people talking to him afterward (all of this I was privy to as I worked in the bookstore the entire conference). But, more on it all later. Right now I'm going to post a few pictures and then run off to unpack and get some laundry washed. :-)

Conference Update: Last Day

Just so you know, the post below this one was written yesterday morning but didn't get posted until this morning.

We are now into the last day here at the conference. We will be hearing from Sinclair Ferguson this morning as well as RC Sproul and there will be a Q&A session sometime this morning, which is always my favorite part.

I have been unable to post due to finicky connections here at the church or dead batteries on the laptop. Something always seems to prevent my getting on here and so I will just have to wait to post session overviews and Florida pictures on Monday. Suffice it to say, the teaching has been wonderful and I have enjoyed the conference overall, despite some difficulties working as a volunteer.

The concert featuring the Westminster Brass and the Atlanta Boy Choir last night was absolutely beautiful, and the Q&A session following with John MacArthur, RC Sproul, Ligon Duncan and Ken Jones was very insightful and entertaining. :-)

I have now missed most of the worship this morning, so I'm going to sign off and head in there...

Quick Update from Ligonier's National Conference

It's hard to believe that today is our third day here. We have been so busy and were without internet connection until yesterday. I had intended to blog last night but was unable to as the laptop was dead. I will post an overview of yesterday's conference sessions later, as well as today's when the day is over. We heard from RC Sproul, Jr., Ken Jones and RC Sproul Sr. yesterday in pre-conference, then John MacArthur and RC Sproul again last night. This morning we have already heard from Ligon Duncan and were treated to some rap by Ligon and his brother John (you would have to be here!) and we are now listening to Ken Jones speak. His session is titled One Body, Many Members. More on it all later...

Quickly, I want to thank Mom for my Starbucks gift card and thanks to Lexi for the goodies and the handmade card. How exciting to open my suitcase Wednesday evening and find treasures and encouraging notes inside. I've been munching my treats and will use my gift card today. I am convinced that I have the best family ever!

And last but certainly not least, I have to wish Lexi a very Happy Birthday! Twelve years ago God sent her as the answer to my prayer for a little sister. I love you, Lexi, and thank God always that you were His perfect answer to my prayers!

More from the conference (including pictures) later...

Just a little more packing to do and I am all set to take off early tomorrow morning for Florida. Be sure to check in frequently for updates and pictures...

Photo by Shelbi

This also was taken in the gardens at Duke. This was such a peaceful spot, and we reached it in late afternoon after a full day on campus. We spent a few moments taking in the peaceful atmosphere here.

Photo by LTS
This colorful picture was taken by my "little" brother in the gardens at Duke University last September.

A Most Special Day

I just want to quickly and publicly wish (before the day is over!) my brother Parker a very Happy Birthday! He was born this day, 1989. It was bitterly cold (for Texas) and there was some white stuff on the ground that people up north call "snow" and "ice". I was staying at a friend's house and my dad came by to ask if I wanted to go with him to the hospital to see my new baby brother. I opted to stay with my friend, and I regretted it the minute my dad pulled out of the driveway, and because it was the dawn before instant communication for the masses, there wasn't any way for me to tell Dad that I had changed my mind, and so I was upset for the whole day. The most memorable moment of the day for me, however, was when I looked out into my friend's backyard in the afternoon and saw a rainbow. For some reason, that made an impression on me (I was very young, if that explains anything). So, on this day of memorable anniversaries such as Martyn Lloyd-Jones' death and Texas Independence Day, etc.,. the one that means the most to me is the anniversary of my brother's grand entrance into this world. I love you, little brother, and will thank God always that He sent you to our family.

Midweek Odds and Ends

One week from today I will be in Florida, gearing up to attend Ligonier's National Conference. I will also be working in the bookstore, and hopefully blogging from the conference every chance I get. I intend to live-blog the sessions, but won't know for sure until I get there and see about internet connection from the conference site. But until then, I will be busy with a variety of things, including seeing this artist tonight. It is not an understatement to say that I am very much looking forward to seeing/hearing Joshua Bell playing some classical pieces on his Stradivarius.

In my knitting news, I finished-at long last!-my Frilly Cardigan. After ripping out probably 1,000 stitches on the ruffles, I grit my teeth Monday evening and just sat working on those stubborn frills until they came out right. The result is far from perfect, but I'm just glad to be done with it. Besides, the yarn couldn't have stood any more ripping, so it just had to be finished, mistakes or no mistakes. I have yet to attach the ties to the cardigan because after basting them on and then trying on the cardigan, I wasn't pleased with the look. It seems to look better without the ties. My sister has suggested a button instead. For now, however, I'm done working on this project until I get my knitting sanity back. I was looking forward to debuting my new cardi, but the weather has turned insanely warm since Monday, wouldn't you know, and it looks as though my cardigan is getting the last laugh.