A NEW AVOCATION

June 26, 2019June 26, 2019 | lindamowles

I recognize that I have been somewhat absent in the blogosphere lately. When the Ruminant Scribe came into being in 2015, I was submitting a new post every 3 or 4 days. I then went to submitting a post twice a week, usually on Tuesday and Friday. That schedule continued uninterrupted, for the most part, until 2018 when my postings became more sporadic.

I apologize to my readers for the drop off in submissions, but I have been working on a new avocation. I have posted previously about the surprise Christmas present that my husband gave to me in December of 2017. It is an incredible embroidery/sewing machine. And, I have been enjoying it tremendously ever since it was given (at least after I had taken the classes so that I knew what buttons to push, how to thread the machine, etc.). Then, after somewhat mastering the sewing aspect of the machine, I had several more lessons on how to use the embroidery aspect of the machine. I have had fun!

Several years ago, the women of my church got together to sew dresses for children in Southeast Asia and Africa who are cared for in a ministry called Homes of Love. The children who were orphaned or abandoned are brought into a home where they are loved and cared for by their house mother. [For more information about Homes of Love and the wonderful work that they are doing, see their website at homesoflove.org/] The homes undertake a marvelous work, all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, the Homes of Love motto is “Creating Families for Life”. The ladies in our church wanted to help by creating and sending some much-needed clothing. (See the post “Clothed in … what?” dated February 13, 2018.)

The dresses that I started making in 2018 were known as pillowcase dresses. They are loose and easy to sew, at least they are not too problematic for a beginner sewer like me. (It had been a l-o-n-g time since 7th grade Home Economics sewing class, and, in case you were wondering, sewing is not included, in any way, shape, or form, in the law school curriculum!) So, the pillowcase dress was good for me to use as I began my sewing adventure.

However, now that I have learned (in a rudimentary sense) how not only to sew but also to embroider on this marvelous machine, I have begun making Tee-Shirt Dresses with embroidery on the shirt and, sometimes, on skirt as well. It has become an avocation in which I have been blessed to participate.

These dresses are certainly not professionally sewn. But, they are prepared with love and prayers as I am working on them. And, the Lord had given me much pleasure in making these clothes for children who may not have had a “nice new dress” to wear in a long time. It is not much, but it is something that the Lord can use for His glory.

More recently I began making some shorts and tops for the little girls. This has been a new challenge since I had never made “pants” before. I guess I’m not too old to learn, although, again, they are not as error free as a professional outfit might be. But they, too, are made with love and prayers for the safety and well-being of the children who will receive them.

I then combined the embroidery on the tee shirts with shorts, cut the tee shirts down a bit so the shirt would not hide the shorts, and then added a pocket to the shorts.

I think I have provided at least 25 dresses and 4 shirt/short outfits to be sent to the Homes of Love since the first of the year. All this is simply to say, my posting activity has plummeted, and now you know why. I plan to continue posting on the Ruminant Scribe. I just wanted you to know what has been consuming my time.

Blessings to you and thank you for patience as I try to balance the sewing avocation, posting on the blog, church work that we lovingly offer to our Lord and Savior, and family activities with the loved ones who God has placed in our lives and hearts.

Father, thank You for all the blessings that continually come our way, through your great mercy and love. You are the Father of all mercies, and we praise your name for your steadfast love and kindness to us. Let us be careful to give You the praise and honor that rightly belong to You, our God, our Savior, our Lord, our heavenly Father.

Yes, You Learned Math You’ll Never Use After High School. Here’s Why. — Brandon J. Adams

Quote | June 18, 2019June 13, 2019 | lindamowles

I follow Brandon J. Adams, and his most recent post reminded me, fondly, of physics in high school. My teacher, Mr. Townsend, was a patient man, whose Christian ethic was evidenced in how he taught our class. I was his problem child — not from a disruptive standpoint — I simply could not understand physics. I just did not grasp it. And, since I was going to be a nurse, I didn’t believe that it was anything that I would use in the real world. I passed the class, barely, only because I repeatedly stayed after school with him tutoring me, trying to figure the subject out, to only moderate success.

However, God had other ideas. Through a series of avenues, I ultimately found myself in law school, 11 years after graduating from college as an English teacher. I began working in a law firm where my clerking and then my practice centered on product liability litigation. In doing this work, I found myself dealing with experts in mechanical devices, learning how the differential on a vehicle worked, what a limited slip differential was, what the Delta-v of the accident was and why that mattered. In short, I was using physics in my defense of the product at issue.

Each time I used these concepts I envisioned Mr. Townsend, spinning in his grave, but smiling also, knowing that his work was not misguided! In short, God was even then teaching me what I would need to know later in life (much later in life, actually!).

This is rather the subject of Brandon’s post, and I pray that you would enjoy it and ponder how God prepares each of us for the work that He has planned for us to do. I find Brandon’s posts at brandonjadams.com. Please feel free to check out what he has to say here and on his site. I think you will find it enlightening and a wonderful blessing.

I see it all the time – some character on the internet asking why they were taught (fill in the blank algebra) they never used after high school instead of (fill in the blank practical math like budgeting or taxes or mortgage math).

Having served in the teaching profession, this question is really mine to answer. I now oblige.

Beyond the fact that many schools do offer alternative courses in such math (I’ve taught them)…

…or the fact that practical math is far easier for someone to self-teach, so we reserve algebra for professionals…

…or lines like “it’s about problem-solving” or “we could use more trade schools” or “because federal agencies are dictating our content #lessgovernment #murica”…

…the answer is simple.

You learned math you’ll never use after high school – because your teachers believe in you.

You’re welcome.

Contrary to popular opinion, teachers have no crystal ball revealing exactly what each student will grow up to be. We have no way of knowing a future environmental researcher or mechanical engineer from a future office receptionist or restaurant manager.

And since we don’t know, teachers labor to equip students for as many choices as possible. Perhaps for when that space exploration video smacks your eyeballs in junior year and launches your imagination into overdrive, or when you read about that ecological crisis brewing in the Solomons and suddenly feel driven to find solutions. Darned if teachers are about to bar you from those possibilities by not teaching the basics.

Students might think we should know. “Can’t you see the loser I am? Can’t you see I have no capacity for that great stuff?”

No. We don’t. That’s not our job. Teachers believe in every human that sits before them – even when they don’t believe in themselves. How can they do their jobs with any passion otherwise? We will not count you out, even when you count yourself out.

Even if you do become a stay-at-home mom, had you chosen a path of research at Cal Tech, you at least had the option. That is not a waste of your time. For you were not a waste of their time. You may not have understood the lesson then, but it gives you limitless options later.

You could say much the same of God – except he knows exactly where you’ll end up.

Perhaps you’re currently wondering, when on earth am I going to need these heartbreaking lessons I’m learning? Perhaps your current circumstances are stretching you to the breaking point, beyond what you thought you could bear. The fear and depression don’t lift. Money stays suffocatingly tight. The loneliness bears down like a fog. Month in and month out, year in and year out, no matter how many “things are about to change!” sermons you hear, nothing ever does.

Know that it is not in vain. Nothing on God’s ~~blackboard~~ smartboard is ever wasted.

Imagine being admitted to a NASA engineering internship only to find out you haven’t the slightest math skills. It’s the stuff of nightmares.

God is averting you from that fate. He loves you fiercely and is arranging the strength and knowledge, professionally taught, that you will need for your destiny. When it arrives, you will be ready.

IMITATION – the way of learning the Way

August 1, 2017July 24, 2017 | lindamowles

We all know that children learn by imitating their caregivers, whether it be parents, grandparents, day care workers, or anyone else who provides care and input into their lives. Indeed, they even imitate what they see and hear on television, a sobering thought to be sure!

When our grandson was young, he would play the keyboard as if he was playing the piano, something he had seen me do. Then, too, he would imitate his Papa by using the computer in the home-office, keyboarding with the abandon only a young child can muster!

At the office (C)

But, children need to be discriminating in selecting who they imitate. I recall my Mother’s admonition about imitating people “If everyone jumped off a bridge, would you?” In short, we must learn who deserves the high honor of our imitation.

This is as true in our Christian life as it is in our physical life. We are not to imitate someone who preaches something other than the Gospel of Christ as found in Scripture. The Apostle John warns:

Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good.

3 John 1:11a ESV

So who are we to imitate? First and foremost: Jesus.

If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

John 13:14-15 ESV. Another time Jesus spoke of imitation related to loving each other:

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

John 15:12 ESV

Even Jesus’ command that the disciples were to love each other was based on imitating how Jesus had loved them.

In addition to Jesus, Paul says this to the believers in Philippi:

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

Philippians 3:17 ESV.

Just think, Paul’s life was so controlled by the Spirit of God that he could safely encourage the believers in the churches to imitate himself, further telling them that they should only follow those who live by the example that he set for them.

In urging prayer for the leaders in the church, the writer of the book of Hebrews says:

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Hebrews 13:7 ESV

Look at the life that the leader is living; look at the witness, at their honesty, at their integrity, at their fidelity to the Word of God. Look at the entirety of their way of life and then, and only then, imitate their faith.

G. K. Beale said:

Christians are like pilgrims passing through this world. As such they are to commit themselves to the revelation of God in the new order so as progressively to reflect and imitate his image and increasingly live according to the values of the new world, not being conformed to the fallen system, its idolatrous images, and associated values.

G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1999), p. 175.

Some questions to ruminate upon:

Are you imitating someone who is guiding and uplifting you in your Christian pilgrimage through this world?
Are they deserving of your imitation, and if so, are you praying that they remain strong in their faith and witness to you and to others? Are you encouraging them in their walk with the Lord?
What would happen if someone were to imitate you? Would they grow in their understanding of the Christian walk?
Can you say, like Paul, “join in imitating me”? If you cannot say this, what do you need to do to realign your life with Scripture so that you can be the witness that deserves to be imitated by those less mature in the faith?

Father, we know that children learn and imitate us even when we are unaware that they are doing so. I pray that I would be someone whose life would lead children and adults alike into a life with the Lord Jesus and that I would be a consistent witness for Him.

LEARNING – A LIFE-LONG ACTIVITY

February 10, 2017February 9, 2017 | lindamowles

School has been out four days this week due to illness. So many teachers and students were ill with the flu/respiratory difficulties that the county school system was simply shut down.

Although not wanting his friends to be sick, one of our grandsons remarked that it was a good day because the schools were closed. We talked about that concept and he (being on the cusp of his 11^th birthday) said he didn’t really like school. Being the “older generation,” we responded that school was important for many reasons and that learning continued all through your life.

Learning — in our culture, we tend to think of learning as being confined to a strict educational setting such as a primary school for children.

2011-04-england-031-watchfield-primary-school — Watchfield Primary School in England. This is the school our grandchildren attended while living in England.

Some of us consider institutions of higher learning as the place where real education takes place. While education and learning certainly does occur in colleges and universities, this is not the only place learning can take place.

At the time of Jesus’ ministry, His disciples did not sit in classrooms to hear what Jesus was going to teach. They walked the streets and hills with Him and listened as He talked along the way. They sat on the hillside when Jesus taught the thousands of people following Him. They ate meals with Him and, after spending time in Zacchaeus’ house with Jesus, they heard Zacchaeus respond to Him by saying:

“Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.”

Luke 19:8 ESV

They had, what we could certainly call, “hands on” learning. Jesus said that He would make them “fishers of men.”

I am not a fisher[wo]man and my Dad was not a fisherman. In fact I only started eating fish, already cleaned, filleted, prepared and cooked, as an adult. So, it was with interest that I visited Gloucester, Massachusetts where fishing is a thriving industry. In 1925, the town erected this moving, and emotionally charged, monument at the harbor to honor those lost at sea.

glouster-mass-mariner-58 — The Gloucester Fisherman’s Memorial, Gloucester, Massachusetts

According to the National Park Service, The Mariner was created to “commemorate Gloucester’s 300th anniversary and to permanently memorialize the thousands of fishermen lost at sea in the first three centuries of Gloucester’s history. In 1879 alone, 249 fishermen and 29 vessels were lost during a terrible storm.”

A plaque on one side of the base reads, “Memorial To The Gloucester Fisherman, August 23, 1923”. A larger panel on the harbor-facing side of the base reads: “They That Go Down To The Sea In Ships 1623-1923”, in bronze letters, citing Psalm 107:23.

Fishing is still a part of Gloucester’s life. For example, we saw fishermen mending their nets, an activity with which the early disciples would have been intimately familiar inasmuch as they too were fishermen. Just watching this activity reminded us of the disciples Jesus called to walk with Him.

fishermen-tending-nets-53 — Fishermen mending nets in Gloucester, Massachusetts

“While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.”

Matthew 4:18-22 ESV

Fishing – it was their business, their trade, and it was what Jesus used to illustrate how He would use them in His kingdom. He would make them “fishers of men.”

They learned Jesus’ teachings, His way of life, His relationship with God, His desires for them to be witnesses to others, and much more.

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Micah 6:8 ESV

Jesus put the learning issue front and center when He said:

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Matthew 11:29 ESV

How do we learn from Jesus today? He is not here to personally instruct us in what He wants us to do or say on a day-to-day basis. So, how do we know what we are to do in His service?

Scripture tells us exactly what He wants from His disciples.

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

John 14:15 ESV

We are to keep His commandments, and they are found in Scripture. Matthew 5 begins with the verses we call The Beatitudes – verses that describe the blessings in the kingdom of heaven. This chapter continues with numerous verses that set out a portion of Jesus’ teaching on how we are to live. Verses such as:

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Matthew 5:16 ESV

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.”

Matthew 5:21-22 ESV

If you want to know how you are to live as a disciple of Jesus, read His Word, the Holy Bible and you will find your answer. The primary commandment is that we love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind and that we love our neighbor as ourselves. Deuteronomy 6:5 and Luke 10:27. But there are many other commandments that relate to how we are to live and fulfill the primary commandment above.

Learning – we learn in many ways. I pray that you and I would focus our desires to learn that which pleases our Lord and may we actively take steps to learn His commands so that we can obey His words and please him in our life, actions, words and thoughts.

Father, I pray that You would enable me to seek You and learn of Your ways through Your Holy Word. Holy Spirit, I pray that You would enlighten my heart so that I can understand and follow my Lord’s commands always.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO WITH MENTORING?

May 24, 2016 | lindamowles

Mentor. Life coach. Guide.

All these, and more, are terms we hear in our culture today reflecting the need for persons to come alongside younger, more inexperienced, people so that they can be taught and encouraged to persevere in their chosen endeavors.

According to Merriam-Webster, a mentor is someone who teaches or gives help and advice to a less experienced and often younger person; a trusted counselor or guide, a tutor or coach. The term comes from literature of ancient Greece. In The Odyssey, written by Homer, Odysseus had an infant son when he went to war, and he was gone 20 years. During that time, his son, Telemachus, was supervised and taught by an old and trusted friend named Mentor. Thus, today, we use the word mentor to describe anyone who is a positive, guiding influence in another, usually younger, person’s life.

Mentoring is discussed in Scripture as a way of life for the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. In Titus chapter 2, Paul is advising the church about personal relationships within the church, i.e., mentoring:

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

Titus 2:3-5.

In thinking about what mentoring is, I realized that there is much more to it than meets the eye. Yes, there certainly is an aspect of teaching to it, but there is also gentle guidance, attentive listening, and there is attention to the example that I am setting for others. Indeed, mentoring is more “watch me and do as I do” not just “do what I tell you to do”.

So, what are some of the things that we can teach others? Here are a few ideas. I am confident that there are a host of other things, so please give some additional ideas for those who read this post.

At the office (C) — At the office working on the keyboard, just like you do, Dad!

The value of mental exercise and work. When there is a puzzle about something, work it out … stay with it and keep thinking about it until you come up with a solution. If there truly is no solution, then identify the way around the roadblock so that you can continue on toward the goal that you have set.

JDD playing keyboard — Making music and feeling happy with the sounds!

The value of music and of expressing yourself in ways other than speech. Let music speak to you if you are emotionally drained, and let music reflect your feelings when you are elated!

Evans Day 041 — Investigate and ruminate on what you see!

The value of being inquisitive and of exploring the world around us. Think about something new every day.

Go cart with grandpa — Grandfather and grandson having fun together on the go-cart track!

The value of play. Take time to do something fun and if you can share the fun with others, that is even better. Also, take time to be alone and play, read, take part in some hobby, think about your goals and aspirations, learn who you are in the solitude of quiet time.

The value of relationships within the family. Cherish the older generation and listen to the stories they can share about the relatives who no longer are with us, and about you when you were young!

graduation from kindergarten — Kindergarten graduation emphasizes the importance of learning and of doing well in school.

The value of an education. College is not for everyone, but learning most definitely is! Never stop learning and always cherish the opportunity to enlarge your mind without losing your focus! Keep up on the news. Read fiction for fun and non-fiction for fun and to expand your outlook and perspective. Study and learn daily, even if you are not “in school” – there are always lessons to be learned if we keep our spirits attentive!

Garden - Monticello — The vegetable garden at Monticello, Virginia. Beautiful and well maintained, and thus it is productive!

Plant something, even if it is only a few flowers in a pot. Watch God work in His nature as they grow and bloom, providing food and beauty for you. [But, don’t forget to water it! J ]

The value of setting a goal and working hard to reach it. Once you have identified the goal, then go after it, even if it is a tough climb!

Falling off the rock, with the risk managed by the rope!

The value of taking risks, while being responsible in how you do it. Be prepared to fail, but try to minimize the damage if failure does occur. And, remember that failure does not have to be permanent, unless you let it define who you are; it might just be a setback from God which is designed to redirect your focus to get you on the path that He has ordained for you.

Cannon at Jamestown — One of the cannons on the battlefield at Jamestown, Virginia.

The value of restraining your anger and providing a peaceful resolution to difficulties.

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

Proverbs 14:29

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 19:11

The Holy Bible, God’s Word to us for our edification, training and instruction in righteousness.

The value of honoring the Word of God. Read God’s Word every day, think about it and learn it. Study it and learn it so that it is not just in your head but also in your heart.

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:11

A child once told his father that he knew what the Bible was:

Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.

Church with steeple stands as a reminder throughout the week that worship occurs here. “Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.” I Chronicles 16:29.

The value of sharing your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Invite others to church with you. Take your children to Sunday School and church and attend with them, don’t just drop them off for a free babysitter! We cannot give anyone else salvation; that is a work of God through the Holy Spirit. But, we can testify to others about who Jesus Christ is and about our relationship with Him as our Savior.

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

Romans 10:8-11.

Mentoring – a Scriptural activity that is worth our time and attention.

Father, I pray that you would lead me as I contemplate mentoring. I read your Word that this should be done, and I pray that you would guide me as I reach out and seek to honor your Word. Forgive me when I have ignored your prompting to do this in the past, and give me strength and wisdom to move forward in Your strength through the Holy Spirit, for Your honor and glory alone.