the Houses of Healing

With a sigh, you turn away
With a deepening heart,
No more words to say
You will find that the world has changed forever.

And the trees are now
Turning from green to gold
And the sun is now fading
I wish I could hold you closer.

~as sung by Liv Tyler in the extended version of The Return of the King

http://grooveshark.com/s/The+Houses+Of+Healing+Featuring+Liv+Tyler/32mLT9?src=5

I was in Israel a year ago.

A few days ago in 2011 I visited the Dome of the Rock and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, as you can see in my blog archives. Exactly one year ago at this moment, I was sitting in the dining hall of the moshav, downing eggs, salad, and pastries with the others before an 8am field study to -- Samaria? The hill country of Judea? Somewhere wet, most likely!

And I can't help but wonder....

Where will I be a year from now?

Doing what?

With whom?

But the most important question is --

Why?

the God who forgives

A dear friend emailed me last week asking for the Hebrew of "The God-Who-Forgives." She found it in Psalm 99:8, which says,

You answered them, O LORD our God;
You were to them God-Who-Forgives,
Though You took vengeance on their deeds.

Thanks to Logos Bible Software, a handy Bible study tool I would never have bought unless I'd been required to by Intro to Biblical Languages class (thanks, Abner!), I looked up the verse and found that the God-Who-Forgives is, in Hebrew, אֵל נֹשֵׂא; transliterated, El Noseh.

But that's not the real point.

For curiousity's sake, I searched the root of noseh, or "forgives." It's used 65 times in the Old Testament, for such words as bear, carry, lift, forgive, pardon, bear, wear, bring, exalt, carry, lofty, pardoning, honorable (man), forgive, and (believe it or not) armor-bearer and shield-bearer. This list is not in order of most- to least-used.

This was quite a range of meanings, so I narrowed the word search to the specific word used. The only time it was used in the Old Testament was in Psalm 99:8, in the God-Who-Forgives.

A word search is only as helpful as the conclusions you can draw from it. And since this specific word is only used once, we won't get much out of a word study of that word. But a quick study of the root may yield interesting results. So without using too much sanctified imagination (as Dad calls it), here's what I got:

Forgiveness as God gives it is a bearing and a carrying, even a shielding. From the context of Psalm 99, we can see that it was Israel's sins that God shielded them from, even though He punished them for them. So forgiveness does not necessarily give a complete freedom from deserved punishment, but is a shielding from and even a carrying of most of it. It may even be a lifting above it.

So add El Noseh to your list of the "Names of God," and thank Him it belongs there!

marriage at ages 79 and 64

Last Saturday, I attended the wedding of Chuck and Esther Cox.

Yes, the groom is using a walker. He is still recovering from knee surgery. He is 79 years old, and his bride is 64. She had been a widow for 11 years before they were joined in holy matrimony, and he had been a widower 7 months. His first wife, Gladys, with whom he served the Lord for many years, several of them as missionaries in the Philippines, passed away last April when I was in Israel.

The match was made by a mutual friend to whom Chuck, in his own words, "mentioned his desire to marry again," and who was also aware that Esther was "a lively, spunky Filipina widow who is open to marrying again." This friend and his sister put them in phone contact. They met face-to-face in October 2011, and were married on January 7, 2012.

The wedding was packed-full of their children, grandchildren, and maybe a few great-grandchildren. The ceremony was scrupulously traditional until the bride walked in. The groom and bride seemed to be enjoying the process and taking their time. I'm pretty sure that at their first weddings forty years ago, there was a lot more nervousness -- and a lot fewer family members.

Their honeymoon, they hope, will be a trip to the Philippines so Mr. Cox can meet Mrs. Cox's aged mother, and so Mrs. Cox can showcase her aged husband (also in his words).

Sweet, isn't it?

My friends, for however many complaints we post publicly on Facebook or privately in our hearts over whatever trials the Lord sends us, let us never forget that if we are in Christ, every trial is a blessing because it is a means to make us more like Him. It must be a conscious, everyday choice to let it be so, since bitterness constantly tells us that God is unjust to allow what He does.

But He is good -- as the joy on the faces of these two saints testifies.

letter from a sailor

When Michael jokingly asked a fellow sailor if he wanted to write to me, too, this was the result:

Dear Pillitiere's sister,

Heyo/hi/shalom/salutations; greetings from Recruit Training Command. Just a complete stranger, but hopefully I won't freak you out too much. There's quite a bit to do here, but helping a brother out.

Not quite sure what to write about, so I'll write about him. SR Pillitiere seems to be a very solemn and reserved person. There is a number of fellow shipmates who are disrespectful and profane in this division, but to find someone who is self-aware and aware of their surroundings. It is also great to know he actively tries to learn (and ask many questions). At times when it gets rough for us all, he always has his head up and high.

I pray everything is alright with you as well. Keep working hard towards school and never give up. Also, if you may, keep in contact with family and your brother, I am willing to wager that they miss you and/or would love to hear from you too.

From

SR Yang(eebtshee) [Chinese signature]

This was probably written around the time Michael contracted a mild case of pneumonia. He passed his physical notwithstanding, and the rest of his tests, and graduates from boot camp this Friday. We were already proud of him, but it was encouraging to hear from a fellow sailor that he has earned his respect, too.

November news

Yesterday I took the final section of my senior comprehensive exams. 12 essays in 2 hours -- the most intense exam I've ever taken, but it was quite doable and I'm confident about it. I'm looking forward to graduation in May more than ever now.

*Edit* I did pass.

While I was taking the exam, my roommate Sarah was running the 5 kilometer at the GSAC (Golden State Athletic Conference) championships. She's been doing very well all semester, but yesterday was her best race yet, and she made it to Nationals. Her last college race is in two weeks, and she's determined to go out with a bang. I'm quite proud of her.

After the exam was over, I was exhausted and decided to do something crazy. So I helped with a movie shoot. I know a few film majors at Master's, and this is the second project I've been roped into. But who wouldn't mind wearing a cool cape and being an elf for a few hours? Afterwards, some good friends and I watched V for Vendetta to unwind. We did see it on the 5th of November. I didn't do quite as much unwinding as I'd hoped, but it was still worth the time.

The next film project I get to help with is a silent film my up-and-coming film-making friend Shanalyse is directing, set in the 1920's. I've got the costume and she's got most of the other actors and some of the locations lined up. We're planning on shooting the weekend before Thanksgiving. I'm pretty excited about it, since I've only acted on stage, and never with a major role before.

Michael is having an interesting time at bootcamp. He got two wisdom teeth out fairly soon after he got there, and had medication issues for a while afterwards, in addition to getting sick. He is unimpressed by the other "nukes" or sailors going into the nuclear power program with him. He says they look smart on paper, but take forever to learn stuff. He asked for prayer, and letters are appreciated.

Finally, it's raining. In Southern California. And I might get a little chilly today. I've missed this.

Russia, Nigeria, and the US

Last week, Russia passed a law outlawing any "small" unregistered churches. This effectively means any non-Orthodox churches. The state now has the authority to sensor teaching materials used by churches, and jail the pastor if the law is not complied with.

I learned about this through a Russian girl who lives in the International House with me.

Recently more Christians were burnt alive by Sunni Muslims in Nigeria as part of a general uprising as a result of a Christian being elected president of Nigeria. Violence has been going on against Christians for some time, and this is just the latest episode. I'd post a link, but the picture is horrific.

I learned about this on Facebook.

Christians will always experience persecution. Jesus said that if they persecuted Him, they'll persecute us, too, and a disciple is no greater than his Master.

I learned about this in John 15:20.

Christians in the United States are not immune. Persecution is going to come, likely within my generation's lifetime. Is the American church ready to be jailed and even physically assaulted for the sake of Christ? It's a question worth considering. How much is your faith worth to you?

I'm learning this now.

He restores His sheep.

"He restores my soul." Psalm 23:3a

Apparently sheep, like cows, are subject to tipping. However, sheep don't need any help tipping themselves. When sheep's lower halves are uppermost, they can struggle until they are completely exhausted, but they are stuck that way until some beneficent person comes along and rights them.

Not only is this position most undignified, it is dangerous. A sheep left in this position will die unless it is rescued -- from itself. A shepherd needs to be constantly watchful to make sure that he doesn't lose any of his flock through this strange method. Restoration of a sheep is an important matter indeed.

Uncomplimentary though it may be, our souls need restoring, too. Ever feel like your soul's legs are waving helplessly in the air, and feelings of foolishness give way to desperation as time goes on? Don't worry, sheep. The Good Shepherd can put you back on your feet again, if you are His. And if you're not, He wants you, waving legs and all.

For the inspiration for this post, listen to Pastor John Richard's sermon on Psalm 23 on the date of this post: http://www.placeritachurch.org/site/audiodownloads.asp?sec_id=140005082

my tassel

I'm moving back to southern California this Saturday, so I've been packing little by little every day this week. The blue-and-gold tassel with the gold 2008 charm went into a box without my even thinking about it. Then I thought of how odd it was that I still hang onto it and make sure it follows me wherever I move.

When I graduated from high school on June 7th , 2008 I was tempted to think -- and no doubt others did -- that I was crazy to graduate a year early from high school with no specific purpose for all that effort. But I knew the Lord had a plan, so when the speech had been given, the diploma awarded, and the party over, I hung my tassel on my photo board on the wall in my room. I needed a reminder that the Lord wasn't going to abandon me in the middle of my story.

When I moved out to go to Master's a year later, I brought my tassel with me. It's hung on the wall of my dorm room, the various rooms that have been mine in the House, and back on my wall at my family's home this summer. The only room I've stayed in which hasn't been adorned by it was my room in Israel -- but the truth it represented hadn't changed.

Lord willing, in May my high school tassel will be joined by another blue-and-gold tassel, this one with 2012 on it. They'll probably hang together on my board. And though I may move to a part of the world where unnecessary objects are a liability, I won't need them to remind me of how faithful God is.

the pieces are moving

Yesterday I contacted the first agency about teaching English overseas, starting next summer! The application-and-prayer process is beginning.

Three weeks ago, the Lord came through yet again, and I am going back to Master's for my senior year! Not only that, but I don't have to work even one job all semester. That, my friends, is a miracle.

School doesn't start at Master's until August 29th, but I'll be driving down on the 13th to attend two friends' weddings and take my last CLEP test ever.

I say -- it's awfully nice to be almost done with college.