bekahcubed

Categories Love Month

Do you believe in fairy tales?

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A little girl puts on her dress up clothes and dreams of fairy tales come true. She’s Cinderella dancing at the ball with her Prince. She’s Rapunzel letting down her golden locks. She’s Sleeping Beauty awakened at last by true love’s kiss.

A pre-teen tosses her head at the immaturity of the boys around her. She’s old enough now to see that there are many more frogs than princes–but she dreams of her own knight in shining armor.

A high school senior still dreams of fairy tales, but she knows they’re only a dream. Life doesn’t even come close. She’s been groped by a hundred frogs, propositioned by a dozen clods. But nobody’s coming to whisk her from this world. She escapes into romance novels and chick flicks.

A thirty year old woman scorns her childish fantasies. Fairy tales. Figments of her imagination. They’re not worth believing in. There are no fairies for her, just like there’s been no Prince Charming. She’s done with fairy tales. She’ll make her own way now.

From our earliest childhood, fairy tales awakened in us universal longings. The longing for love, the longing for pursuit, the longing for rescue from the world that’s turned against us. At least, those are some of the longings fairy tales awake in me. But more than just awakening longings, fairy tales promised the fulfillment of those longing. A prince who loves me, who pursues me, who rescues me from the world turned against me.

Dreaming of this prince, we wait for our fairy tale–only to be disappointed when we find that life–well, life isn’t a fairy tale.

Disillusioned adults decry the fairy tale. It only sets girls up for disappointment. They replace the tales with feminist fables, stories of daring girls who need no man. But little girls still love their fairy tales.

Fairy tales are found in every culture–some of them surprisingly similar. Think of the thousands of variations on Cinderella you’ve heard or seen, in stories and movies. Fairy tales, despite seeming far from reality, are somehow an integral part of the human psyche.

Why do you think this is? Why do we continue to fall for the fairy tale when we see it so rarely in “real life”?

I’ve got a guess. I think we love fairy tales because, ultimately, fairy tales tell the story of God’s pursuit of us. The problem comes, the disillusionment begins when we seek the fulfillment of our fairy tales in man.

You’re skeptical. I can see it. Well, let me tell you a story–a Cinderella story if you will.

Once upon a time, there was a girl who was enslaved inside her own father’s house. When the king issued an invitation to a ball He was holding for His Son, the girl wanted to go. But even her best efforts to produce a suitable ball gown resulted only in filthy rags. The girl cried in frustration–but even while she was still crying, who should appear but God-the-Father, who clothed her in a beautiful garment and presented her to His Son.

Too far-fetched, you say?

Well, how about the one about the innocent girl who disobeyed her guardians’ instructions and took an apple from a stranger? It looked good, but when the girl bit into the apple, it only brought her death. For years, she lay there, under the shadow of death, sleeping under the apple’s curse. But then one day, a prince came and saw the girl and loved her. He kissed her, freeing her from the curse.

Still sounds a bit outlandish?

What about the one where a beautiful maiden is locked in a high tower at the beck and call of a wicked witch. The witch uses the maiden’s beauty against her. But a Prince sees the beautiful maiden and falls in love with her. He purposes to destroy the witch and to release the maiden. At first, it appears that He had lost His quest, that the witch had gained power over Him–but in the end, He defeats the witch and takes the maiden to be His bride.

Do you begin to see the picture–the universal themes found in fairy tales? They echo a far greater tale, a tale that is no fairy tale. A God-tale.

For we, all of humanity, you and I, had an enemy who took us into slavery, partly by cunning, partly by our own foolishness and rebellion. Since that day, we have been enslaved, as dead, trapped under a curse, helpless to deliver ourselves. Yet, at just the right time, a Prince, the Son of the King, saw us and desired us. He saw beauty in us, despite our fallen state–and He resolved to break the curse.

At great cost to Himself, the Prince took on our captor, came face to face with our curse, and delivered us from slavery and certain death. Having done so, He betrothed us to Himself–and now eagerly awaits the consummation of that marriage.

I believe in fairy tales because I’m living one. My Prince has found me, has freed me, has betrothed Himself to me. I’m living a fairy tale–a fairy tale halfway between here and heaven.

Categories Love Month

Only Human

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A reminder for all the ladies out there: Even the most amazing man on earth is still only human. He can’t meet all your needs. He can’t fill all your holes. He can’t love you like you desire. It’s not necessarily that he doesn’t want to. It’s that he CAN’T. He’s only human.

And for the guys? Even the most amazing woman out there is still only human. She can’t supply what’s lacking in you. She can’t respect you like you desire. She can’t meet all your needs. It’s not necessarily that she doesn’t want to. It’s that she CAN’T. She’s only human.

It’s sad news for those of us who have bought into the romantic notion that satisfaction can be found in the perfect love relationship. We think that if only we had the right guy (or gal), we’d be content, we’d be happy, we’d be satisfied.

But contentment can’t be found in any man on earth. Happiness can’t be found in any man on earth. Satisfaction can’t be found in any man on earth. Because any man on earth is only human.

The good news is, there is a man who is more than just human. There is a man who can perfectly satisfy our every need and desire. There is a man who can fill your every longing. There is such a man, a man who is more than just human–but He can’t be found on this earth.

John 1 speaks of this man saying “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God….And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1,14)

Jesus Christ is fully human, but not only human. He is also fully God. (And the Word WAS God.)

While any man (or woman) on this earth will disappoint, Jesus Christ never will. He promises to “never leave you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) Nothing can separate you from His love (Romans 8:38-39). He will “supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) And, He “who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23)

Fully God and fully man, Jesus Christ is the only one who will never disappoint.

As we begin our discussion of relationships, I’d like to start with a discussion of the MOST important relationship we can have–the relationship that puts everything else in perspective. I’d like to ground our whole discussion in relationship with Christ.

Because if you are looking for satisfaction in any other human, you will be disappointed. Today, and throughout this “Love Month”, I encourage you to seek satisfaction in the only man who is NOT only human–seek and find your satisfaction in Christ. He will never disappoint.

Categories Love Month

Talking Back: Love Month

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I’ve written before of my distaste for youth group “Love Month” and all that implies. When February rolls around, I generally find myself in a high dudgeon about something or the other–and spurting out bits and pieces of my thoughts to various and sundry.

But despite a dozen years or so’s experience with “Love Month”, I’ve never undertaken to organize my own thoughts on the matter in any comprehensive sense.

Well, no longer. Presenting…

Love Month Banner

This month in addition to some regular posts (about life, learning, and my Lord), I’ll be posting a whole glut of “Love Month” posts on such topics as:

  • The “gift” of singleness
  • Guarding our hearts
  • Female porn and the “M” word
  • No regret dating
  • Modesty
  • Myths about marriage
  • and much more

My goal in this “Love Month” is three-fold. First, I want to organize and share some of the things I’ve learned about male/female relationships and about singleness in my quarter century of experience as a single woman (okay, so I spent the first 6 years or so of my life oblivious to boys–still…) Second, I want to “talk back” at some of the well-meaning (or not so well meaning) myths that were promoted in the “love months” of my youth. And third, I want to encourage thought and dialogue about the various issues that affect us as we consider singleness, dating, marriage, and all the opposite sex relationships in between.

I invite you to join me on this journey as I take a look at what I think (and more importantly, what God thinks) about those “lovey-dovey” topics. And as you join me, I encourage you to do more than just read along. I encourage you to think along with me, to explore Scripture and experience along with me, to dialogue with your friends and family members (I love to discuss my theories on relationships with my mom), and to join the conversation by posting comments.

Undoubtedly, you’ll find yourself frustrated at some of the things I say–just like I have often found myself frustrated at the contents of youth group “love months.” But, here I offer you an opportunity to do more than just listen–I offer you an opportunity to talk back, to raise your objections, to discuss your thoughts. Please take the opportunity. Let’s make this a “love month” like no other–a love month that draws us closer into relationship with Christ and leads us towards a better understanding of how to live holy lives in whatever state we find ourselves.

**A note for married folk, men, and others unlike me: Please do us all a favor, and join in the discussion as well, adding your thoughts and perspectives. While I have plenty of experience with singleness, I have no experience with marriage ;-) And while I have lots of experience with being a girl, I am completely devoid of experience with boys (Wait. That’s not what I meant. I have plenty of experience with boys. Except that’s not what I meant either. I meant to say that I have no experience being a boy.) You can help me (and other readers) out by sharing what you know and have learned from your unique perspective(s).**

Categories Recap

Recap (Jan 24-Jan 30)

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I’ve decided to start a new little thing to get everyone up to speed on what’s been happening on my website (and online in general) over the course of the week. So, look forward to seeing a recap arriving at 11:59 pm each Saturday night–a recap of new pages on my general website (book reviews, recipes, Bible studies, etc.) and a recap of some of the best articles I’ve read in the last week.

On bekahcubed:

Book Reviews:

Recipes:

On the web:

Don’t forget to come back and comment a lot on LOVE MONTH…
First post February 1, 2010 at 6:00 am.

Categories Reading My Library

Not quite nursery rhymes (I like Allan Ahlberg)

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How do children learn nursery rhymes?

I certainly don’t know how I learned them–but learn them I did. Whether I was taught them by my parents, read them in books, or heard them from an audio cassette tape doesn’t really matter. I learned them any way.

Allan Ahlberg’s books Each Peach Pear Plum and Previously aren’t nursery rhymes–but they draw upon the grand store of English nursery rhymes to tell their tales.

Each Peach Pear Plum

Each Peach Pear Plum is an “I spy” book in which readers are given opportunity to find nursery rhyme characters in the illustrations.

Each Peach Pear Plum
I spy Tom Thumb

Every layout builds upon the previous layout–so Tom Thumb is easily seen in the second page, but Mother Hubbard is hidden.

This is a fun, not too difficult book/activity to do with young children who are already familiar with a decent collection of nursery rhymes and children’s fairy tales. (And if they’re not, you should remedy that post-haste!)

Previously by Allan Ahlberg

Previously turns the nursery rhymes and fairy tales backwards, starting with Goldilocks arriving at home “all bothered and hot.”

Previously she had been running like mad in the dark woods.

Previously she had been climbing out of somebody else’s window.

It turns out that previously Goldilocks had run into Jack (of Beanstock fame), who had previously tumbled down the hill with his little sister Jill, who had previously met a frog-prince, who had previously…

I think you get the picture.

Reading My Library

This is a fun, if somewhat inside-out romp through the repertoire of English fairy tales and nursery rhymes.

I’m enjoying Allan Ahlberg in my trip through my local library’s picture book section. Check out Reading My Library to read about Carrie’s trip through HER local library with her two sons.

Categories Family & Friends, Reflections

LPs. Records. Memories.

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I was born in the 80s, a child of the 90s, coming of age in the millennium. But my heart belongs to an earlier day–or more like many earlier days.

Nothing takes me back to my childhood (and beyond) like the sound of the earliest Christian rock, 70s rock–the likes of Larry Norman and Randy Stonehill.

My mom and dad’s LPs that we listened to endlessly.

Larry Norman’s “In Another Land” (1975):

Turning back the table once again to enjoy our favorites.

“He’s a rock that doesn’t roll
He’s a rock that doesn’t roll
Well He’s good for the body
and great for the soul
He’s a rock that doesn’t roll!”

“He’s an unidentified flyin’ object
You will see Him in the air…
And if there’s life on other planets
Then I’m sure that He must know
and He’s been there once already
and has died to save their souls.”

And of course, trying our hand at the glorious harmonies of “Righteous Rocker #3” while Mom tells us stories of her college buddies who would break out into harmony while walking through campus.

“You can be a righteous rocker
Or a holy roller
You can be most anything
You could be a child of a slum
Or a skidrow bum
You can be an earthly king
But without love
you ain’t nothing
Without love
Without love you ain’t nothin’
Without love.”

Chuck Girard’s “Chuck Girard” (1975):

Crying for the girl from Tinagera. Crying in worship to “Sometimes Alleluia”. Walkin’ by the Sea, the Sea of Galilee. Rockin’ out to “Rock’n’Roll Preacher.”

Randy Stonehill’s “Welcome to Paradise” (1976):

Already a budding health activist, belting out the lyrics to “Lung Cancer”.

“She went down to the corner store
And bought a pack of filter kings
Don’t you know tomorrow she’ll be back for more
Cause she really likes to smoke those things
And every time that she inhales a cloud of that cigarette smoke
She’s just one step closer to the man in black
And 60 cents closer to broke
She’s been working on lung cancer,
Emphysema, a cardiac arrest…
She’s been smokin’ that C-I-G-A-R-E-T-T-E”

Meanwhile, Anna and Josh enjoyed the much more beautiful and poetic “Puppet Strings”.

“We are all foolish puppets
Who, desiring to be king,
Now lie pitifully crippled
after cutting all our strings.
But God said I’ll forgive you
and face you man to man
And win your love again.
O how can there be possibly
a greater gift of love
Than dying for a friend?”

2nd Chapter of Acts’ “Mansion Builder” (1978):

Joshua singing Matthew to Anna’s Annie, harmonizing beautifully to “Mansion Builder”.

“So why should I worry?
Why should I fret?
‘Cause I’ve got a mansion-builder
Who ain’t through with me yet.”

Lamb’s “Lamb I” (1972):

Joshua singing along with his favorite band, his child’s voice mingling with Joel Chernoff’s tenor:

“The sacrifice lamb has been slain
His blood on the altar a stain
To wipe away guilt and pain,
To bring hope eternal.
Salvation has come to the world;
God’s only Son to the world;
Jesus the One for the world–
Yeshua is He.”

The songs that take me back, that make me remember the wholehearted enthusiasm of three little children digging through Mom and Dad’s records. The songs that remind me of the days when we spent hours luxuriating in melody and harmony and rhythm. When we pored over the record sleeves, enjoying the long-haired hippyness of the Jesus-music, enjoying the poetry and occasional childishness of the lyrics and tunes.

These artists created Christian music as we know it today. They were decried as singing “devil music” because the music was syncopated–a Gothard anathema. They started their own labels to create a niche for themselves, unwilling to “let the devil have all the good music” (in the words of Larry Norman). And so began Christian rock.

But we have forgotten them along the way, now in our world where Christian music is ordinary, mundane, (in my opinion) boring. It wasn’t always this way. Once upon a day, the idea of Christian rock and roll was revolutionary. These were the pioneers. They dared to think that modern music could be a medium for the Christian artist. And they created true art. The art that fed my child soul.

Categories Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday: Beating the Blues

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My last few weeks have been hard.

I’ve been busy on Wednesdays, blue on Thursdays, and pretty much beat on Fridays.

But today I turned a corner and am beating the Thursday blues.

TODAY, I’m thankful…
…for the mercies of God that are new every morning
…for a wildly productive morning (morning routine, Bible study, zone cleaning, trash out, recycling sorted, car cleaned, and bills paid–all before 7:30 am)
…for salmon pink contrails on my way into work
…for a remarkably smooth lab session (kudos to my first lab group, who did a FANTASTIC job on their presentation)
…for getting my tax return filed (and not having to pay any taxes this year)
…for a lovely lunch with my dad
…for time to ride my the rec center’s bicycle this afternoon
…for a post-poned meeting that meant I had an extra hour to do statistics homework
…for a work assignment that’s just up my alley (creating some study activities for the Nutrition and Metabolism students to use to practice and apply the carbohydrate knowledge they’ll soon be gaining)
…for an ACTUAL STUDENT who showed up at my office hours today
…for getting to the exam I was proctoring on time (even if just barely)
…for a stimulating conversation with Sabine (I am SO thrilled to be working for her!)
…for my sweat pants back (even if I had to dig through Grace’s laundry basket to find them–I’m gonna be warm tonight.)
…for the vegetarian chili that’s still leftover–and still tasting great (I’ve eaten at least one bowl a day for the last five days, and it tastes better with each passing day. How many recipes can YOU say that about?)
…for my little space heater and time to “catch up” on the internet
…for the terrific little web-site ap thingie I just found. With it, you can find songs and let people listen to them on your website. It’s sort of like YouTube except that it has 2nd Chapter of Acts songs.

(which makes me wonder…might it have my other favorite Christian bands from the 70’s? hmmm….)

Ultimately, I’m thankful that God is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Categories Faith

Faith (Hebrews 11)

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“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

And there we have it. A summary of my last few months.

Faith–trust in action.

Believing that God is who He says He is.

Sovereign.
Faithful.
Good.

Believing that God has good things in store for me when I seek Him.

By faith, I recognize the character of God, and by faith I place my life in His hands, even when–no, especially when–I cannot see either Him or His plan. Faith is the substance of what I hoped for–even when my hopes seem dashed. It is the evidence of what I cannot see through the cloud of circumstances (v.1).

Faith is knowing God’s sovereignty (v.3)
Faith is submitting to God whatever He asks of me (v.4)
Faith is being completely taken with God (v.5)
Faith is preparing (v.6)
Faith is obeying (v.8)
Faith is letting God work within me (v.11)
Faith is sacrificing what I thought was a fulfillment of the promise (v.17)
Faith is blessing when I feel like cursing (v.20)
Faith is clinging to the promise to my deathbed (v.21)
Faith is ignoring the world’s way–choosing to take the hard route to follow Christ (v.23-29)

Faith is believing that God is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him when…
…I subdue kingdoms
…I work righteousness
…I obtain promises
…I stop the mouth of lions
…I quench the violence of fire
…I escape the edge of the sword
…I am made strong out of weakness
…I become valiant in battle
…I turn to flight the armies of my enemies
…I receive my dead raised to life again

Faith is believing that God is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him when…
…I am tortured
…I do not accept deliverance
…I have trials of mockings and scourgings
…I am in chains and imprisoned
…I am stoned
…I am sawn in two
…I am tempted
…I am slain with a sword
…I wander about
…I am destitute
…I am afflicted
…I am tormented

Faith is believing that God is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him regardless of my circumstances.

Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!

Categories What's on Your Nightstand?

Nightstand (January 2010)

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What's on Your Nightstand?

It’s time again for 5 Minutes 4 Books’ monthly meme. Here’s what I had on my nightstand last month.

On my nightstand

What I actually read was:
(Links lead to my reviews of the book, never to a site selling you something.)

Fiction

  • Fancy Pants by Cathy Marie Hake
  • The Good Nearby by Nancy Moser
    This one didn’t grab me as much as I had hoped–but I think it might have had more to do with my (rather odd) moods of late than with the book itself.
  • Little Lady, Big Apple by Hester Browne
    Entertaining, not quite as enjoyable as the first book, but better than most chick-lit sequels–main character Melissa doesn’t really PROgress as a character, but at least she doesn’t REgress like many chick lit sequel characters do.
  • Resurrection by Leo Tolstoy
  • When Breaks the Dawn by Janette Oke
  • When Hope Springs New by Janette Oke

Nonfiction

  • Boy Meets Girl by Josh Harris
    I’m holding off on reviewing this one until “Love Month” in February.
  • Dave Barry’s History of the Millennium by Dave Barry
    Amusing, a little too political to be completely enjoyable (by which I mean he makes fun of MY pet topics a bit too much!)
  • Don’t You Dare Get Married Until You Read This by Corey Donaldson
    A collection of thought-provoking questions to get couple to think about the serious issues in their relationship. Some questions are absolute duds, but most of them aren’t bad at all.
  • Finding Answers in U.S. Census Records by Loretto Dennis Szucs & Matthew Wright
    I just noticed the author’s unfortunate last name. Suppose it’s pronounced “sucks”?
  • Healthcare Online for Dummies
    Not in print any longer. I wonder why?
  • How to Find Mr. of Ms. Right by Beverly and Tom Rodgers
  • An Idiot Girl’s Christmas by Laurie Notaro
    Funny, interesting, a quick read. Low levels of “naughty” humour.
  • I Married Adventure by Luci Swindoll
  • I’m More than the Pastor’s Wife by Lorna Dobson
  • The Lord’s Supper: Five Views edited by Gordon T. Smith
  • Rocking the Roles by Lewis and Hendricks
  • What I with I’d Known Before I Got Married by Kay Coles James

Juvenile

  • Four picture books by Jon Agee
  • Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman
  • Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg by Gail Carson Levine
    Bleh. Levine should stick to fairy tale adaptations. This Peter Pan spin off was boring, IMHO.
  • Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan
    I put this on my TBR list after reading a review by Amy @ Hope is the Word. I wasn’t disappointed. This really is a book worth reading!
  • Mystery behind the Wall by Gertrude Chandler Warner
  • Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
  • The Stunning Science of Everything

On my nightstand for next month:

On my nightstand

Fiction

  • Beyond the Gathering Storm by Janette Oke
  • How Do I Love Thee? by Nancy Moser
  • When Tomorrow Comes by Janette Oke

Nonfiction

  • The Best Case Scenario Handbook* by John Tierney
  • The Bombshell Manual of Style* by Laren Stover
  • Cassell Dictionary of Cynical Quotations* by Jonathon Green
  • Dave Barry Hits Below the Belt by Dave Barry
  • The Two-Headed Boy and other medical marvels* by Jan Bondeson
  • When God Writes Your Love Story* by Eric and Leslie Ludy
  • Half a dozen Better Homes and Gardens Holiday Crafts books to do projects out of

Juvenile

  • Bus Station Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
  • Celtic Fairy Tales by Philip and Brent
  • The Complete Fairy Tales of Charles Perrault by Perrault and Holmes
  • Good Enough by Paula Yoo
  • The Illustrated Book of Fairy Tales by Philip and Mistry
  • Inkspell by Cornelia Funke
  • The Mystery of the Broken Blade* by Franklin Dixon
  • Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
  • Children’s picture books AH-?

*The asterisk marks books I’m currently in the middle of.

Drop by 5 Minutes 4 Books to see what others are reading.

Categories Love Month

Getting Excited

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One week until the month of February and I’m getting super-pumped.

‘Cause this year, I’m having my own version of “Love Month.”

Love Month Banner

Get ready for rants, reviews, and (hopefully) a bit of wisdom.

I’m excited–and I’m hoping you’ll be excited to join me too!