Husband and Wife

“Husband and Wife”

Bride and groom

Must give Christ room,

If they want mutual love to grow.

But if they insist,

On keeping insults by lists,

Then their vows will be eaten as crow.

Husband and wife

May suffer much strife,

From their own selfishness each.

But if they want life,

This husband and wife,

Their hearts they must let Jesus teach.

By Bart W. Newton

January 25, 2014

©2014

Manhood

“Manhood”

Manhood isn't poured from a bottle.

Manhood isn’t sprayed from a can.

Manhood comes from being covered

          by the blood of the Son of Man.

Manhood isn’t convenient.

Manhood isn’t a joke.

Manhood is man always wearing

          the Son of Man’s right-fitting yoke.

Manhood isn’t having a wife for ruling.

Manhood isn’t showin’ who’s boss.

Manhood is man loving like Jesus,

          Who made manhood’s standard the Cross.

                   © Bart W. Newton, 1/24/2014

                                   

Early Christmas Shopping

It won't be long before many folks will be doing some Christmas shopping. If you're looking for a "meaty" 365 devotional book, I highly recommend Dietrich Bonhoeffer's I Want to Live These Days With You: A Year of Daily Devotionals. 




From the website of John Knox Press: " This collection of inspirational writings from Dietrich Bonhoeffer is drawn from his many works and presented here as a series of daily meditations to last throughout the year. Organized under monthly themes, these prayers, sermons, meditations, letters, and notes offer readers a new glimpse at how Bonhoeffer understood the meaning of faith and discipleship. Featuring selections from classic works such as The Cost of Discipleship and Letters and Papers from Prison, this set of writings follows the church year, making it ideal for year-long devotional use by readers seeking to be challenged and enlightened by Bonhoeffer's call to find God at the center of their lives." (© 2007 Westminster John Knox Press, www.wjkbooks.com. Used by permission.)


I suppose I appreciate it more because I first read Eric Metaxas' biography,  Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy as well as Bonhoeffer's Cost of Discleship and Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community.

Current Favorite Bottled Fountain Pen Inks

Three inks I find myself using almost daily:

• Lamy Blue-Black (iron-gall) for addressing envelopes, signing documents, prayer journal & book reading journal/quotes
  
• Lamy Blue for underlining, marginalia, jotting notes/to-do lists, sermon prep notes/ideas & book reading journal/quotes
  
• Sheaffer Skrip Black (Slovenia) for daily journal in Rhodia Webnotebook, addressing envelopes

Both the Lamy Blue-Black & Lamy Blue behave extremely well on even lesser-quality paper. The Blue-Black is very water-resistant and the Blue is very NOT water-water resistant. The Skrip Black is water resistant and works great on the smooth Rhodia Webnotebook journal paper flowing from a Montblanc 144 Classique with a custom-ground, fine, cursive italic nib.

Currentlly Reading

Current Fountain Pens & Inks in Rotation

Fountain Pens & Ink in Rotation

• Blue Lamy Safari (F) w/ Lamy Blue ink
• Charcoal Lamy Safar (EF) w/ Lamy Blue-Black ink (bottled/iron-gall)
• Matte Black Cross Century II (EF) w/ Sheaffer Skrip Black ink
• Matte Gray Cross Century Classic (EF) w/ Noodler's Lexington Gray ink
• Pilot 78G (B Stub Italic) w/ Private Reserve Dakota Red. I use this pen/ink combo to write letters to my lovely wife!
  

In addition, I've been thoroughly enjoying these journals & paper:

• Ampad Gold Fibre Planning Pad (graph on one side, lined on the other): Affordable, utilitarian, great for drafting sermon notes, outline thoughts, etc.
  
• Rhodia Webnotebook (large, lined, black cover): Takes fountain pen ink great. Using it for personal "daily" journal.
• Staples Eco-Friendly (bagasse) Composition Notebook: Using it for prayer journal. Very, very fountain pen ink-friendly.
  
• Moleskine Weekly Planner Journal (red, pocket): 2nd year in a row!
  
• Moleskine Cahiers (graph, pocket-size): Daily to-do lists, notes, etc.
  

Spiritually Significant Films

In his Nov. 11 blog post, "100 Spiritually Significant Films," Greg Wilbur aptly writes, "While one could argue about some of the particulars, this list of Spiritually Significant Films offers a guide for viewing and discussing a wide array of movies."

I have by no means viewed all of these films. Of those I have viewed, it's been so long since I watched some of them that I don't know if I'd recommend them or not. But, here are some of my favorites from the list:

• The Mission
• The Hiding Place
• Chariots of Fire (One of my all-time favorites!)
• To End All Wars (Highly recommended.)
• Shadowlands (Both: the one starring Anthony Hopkins & the other: C.S. Lewis: Through the Shadowlands starring Joss Ackland.)
  
• The Passion of the Christ

To this list I would add:

• Tom Brown's School Days
• The Kingdom of Heaven
• Amazing Grace
• Glory