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Spring Fever

February 16, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 19 Comments

You might assume that all I did this weekend was quote Loretta Lynn. You would almost be right. However, while Stevie had a real fever and cough (so sorry honey…that I gave you all my germs) I had a touch of Spring Fever. And found myself longing for birds and nests and eggs. And this post from my friend The Nester only made my fever worse. I’ve had ‘make sticks and feather’ arrangement on my to-do list for 6 months. When I saw her arrangement, I knew I needed to steal the idea and make it my own. She encourages such thievery. If you consider doing this type of spring project this week, I would encourage you to put on some flip flops and listen to this. It helps to ‘spring’ you right up.

So I gathered my supplies: some sticks, some feathers, a bird, some eggs, and a real life nest (although slightly damaged by my tree climbing children) and began my creating. The industrious bird who made that nest…..used a pipe cleaner. Ummm, I’m a little impressed by that.

This is my first project in an attempt to redo my bathroom without replacing the sink, the cabinet, the floor, etc. Which I would like to do. I want to paint it, but that may have to wait until the kitchen is done.

I add some shells and lotus pods and some starfish….

and a little glass bowl and shells and eggs.

I love this little ‘arrangement’. When I folded the towels, I took them one by one into the bathroom…..so I could keep enjoying this little box of sticks and feathers. More to come on the bathroom soon.

I also discovered tumblr this weekend. I think I’m gonna love it. It’s also a Nester idea. It’s a place to store all your links, favorite ideas, favorite audio, etc. And if you add it to your bookmarks bar, when you come across a link you wanna save, you simply add it to your tumblr list by one click. Just thought you’d like to know!

"Doo’s done thowed me out, Momma"

February 15, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 12 Comments

Steve would probably like to throw me out. I’ve been quotin’ Lorettee all weekend. You gotta love a man who’ll watch Coal Miner’s Daughter with you….and laugh just as much as you do. Coal Miner’s Daughter does something good for me way down deep in my soul. I don’t think it’s just a southern thing either. So, now it’s your turn…to pick your favorite line. Some of you have already started and I am touched by your enthusiasm. To repay you for your sincere devotion to my Appalachian upbringing, I’ve found a couple treats for ya.

My first mullet: notice my cute little sister Gina to the far right who would later have that Coca-cola poured into her bottle.

And my first perm: I’m proud to say that I was already accessorizin’ way back when.

Now, to leave your quotes, go to this post. To make fun of me and my mullet, just stay right here.

Thanks for playing. I took three pages of notes while I watched and I’m not sure if I can narrow it down to one. One of my 236 favorite quotes:

“If youns knock sissy off ‘at porch one more tiiime, I’m ona wup youns both”

The Feminization of the Church

February 14, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 23 Comments

Pay attention when you go to church this Sunday. Your likely to see significantly more women than men. Men are apparently leaving ‘the church’. And just to make our discussion easier, when I say ‘the church’, I am not speaking of any one denomination. I mean to refer to the church as Christ’s bride; those who claim to be christians. So why are men leaving? And what effect does their leaving have on families, on the church, and on our culture.

The statistics are clear and sad. There has been a steady decline in church attendance by men for the past hundred years. And there is no sign that this trend is slowing down or reversing. The numbers vary based on who you read, but I’ve seen an overall average of 60/40 women/men that attend church regularly. There are many ways to analyze this data, but I will focus on possible reasons why men are leaving and the detrimental effects their leaving has had on families and culture.

Men, as a rule, don’t like the modern church. They have in general found a very feminine culture there; an atmosphere where emotion is glorified and the ‘meek and mild’/turn the other cheek philosophy is king. True biblical masculinity has been lost and men are left feeling out of place: like the burly guy wondering around in Victoria’s Secret holding a tiny piece of lingerie. This is especially true in more contemporary worship where the music often has the overtones of “Jesus as my boyfriend”. The sometimes sensual, often emotionally driven music makes most men uncomfortable. Combine that with a few songs in which they feel compelled to clap their hands and you’ve just made most men wish they were required to work on Sunday. I don’t think there’s anything inherently wrong with contemporary music but it can be weak on doctrine and theology and can leave us tangled up in a web of emotion where the focus has now shifted from the true message of the gospel of Christ.

The music hasn’t been the only culprit either. Most pastors seem to be watering down their message of redemption and salvation and spiritual warfare to another list of 7 things the poor guy needs to do to be a better husband/father/leader. He came to church fully aware of his growing list of sins and shortcomings and will likely leave with a sick feeling of guilt and shame to which no real solution has been presented. Men want meat…..for supper and from the pulpit. They crave serious doctrine and truth and need to hear, over and over again, that Christ has come in the flesh to slay our enemies and to bear our overwhelming burdens. Then they would be free to slay the dragons that breathe fire down the backs of their families. Maybe this shift in preaching toward a ‘pop-psychology/therapy’ session has been in part to address the audience that has shown up at church…..the women. But if we want men to come and to keep coming, our churches are going to have to meet the needs of men. Men need a clear, harsh presentation of God’s law followed by the sweet saving word of the gospel.

If you think about it, almost everything at church is geered toward women and children. And men notice…..and figure there’s not much there for them. So they leave, often never to return. And the statistics show that when they leave, that’s a death sentence for the children. Despite the overwhelming influence that mothers have on children, when it comes to faith, children follow their father. The statistical evidence is staggering; there is little chance that children will become people of faith if their father is not a man of faith. That’s makes the fact that fathers and men are leaving the church a big deal. In two or three generations, the effect is devastating…..to families and to culture.

Is your church a place where men can be men? Where they are fed by Christ’s body and blood and by His nourishing word? Does it have the feel of an 1980’s pop concert followed by a therapy session where “Jesus can be your lifecoach” ? Or are men engaged and challenged to join the battle of the church militant? To fight for their families and their children and to wage war against the world, the flesh, and the devil. Some churches recognize this ‘loss’ and try things like Superbowl parties and fishing excursions. These may delay the inevitable but it doesn’t address the core problem: the church has been feminized and men are increasingly making the decision to abandon ship. If this trend continues, the church will continue to lose men, and therefore, continue eventually to lose children.

In Leon Podles’ book The Church Impotent; the Feminization of the Church, Podles makes some interesting points. He states that part of the reason for this emasculation is a shift from focusing on the objective doctrines and work of Christ to the more subjective emotional ‘personal relationship’ with Christ. In religions that have clung closely to tradition such as Eastern Orthodoxy and Judaism, this feminization process has not been nearly as pervasive; and men don’t seem to be leaving. Muslims also have a higher percentage of men than women because it’s a very masculine religion that focuses on personal discipline and often ‘jihad’. It’s too bad that this shift has taken place in Christianity and we have been largely unaware. It’s conceivable that the very men leaving the christian church could be drawn in to such religions as Judaism and Islam; where tradition and masculinity are alive and well. And encouraged.

If you’re husband will attend church with you on Sunday, give him a big hug and smooch and then pay attention. Is the church you’re attending highly feminized? Does he go there ‘for you’? Does he feel like a fish out of water? If so, get somewhere where true doctrine is taught and masculinity is cherished and celebrated. Where he can be a man……..full of rough edges and irreverence and strength. Your children will thank you.

And if he will not be attending with you, ask yourself why? Could it be that your church has become too feminized? Will he be asked to embrace a more emotionally driven worship experience where he is left with little to ‘chew on’? And pray for him. That he would answer his God-given call and responsibility to lead his children to faith. For that is the essence of biblical masculinity; the giving up of oneself for another. The very willingness to die so that others might live.

We need a few good men. To lead our children to the saving faith that only Christ can give. And we ask our churches to stop catering to women and children. Trust me, we’re never more content than when our men are by our side…..at church.

For some informative talk radio on the subject, go here.

In which I confess my tiny obsession with Loretta Lynn…….

February 13, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 24 Comments

This is where the rubber meets the road. This is how you tell who your true friends are. I’ve let you in to my little private space in the world. I haven’t held back. At least not much. You’ve been with me when I fished disgusting things out of my drain. You’ve watched me lament the loss of my former job/life/etc. I’ve told you all my deepest ADD secrets. And I even let you in on my King Tut dance and how my heart is breaking that Taylor is graduating. Now I need you. JamieKnoxville called me yesterday and begged me to watch Coal Miner’s Daughter again. And then call her with my favorite quote. I feel that if you and I are going to continue this relationship, then you might as well know now about my obsession with Coal Miner’s Daughter and Loretta Lynn. It was probably because of my sordid childhood, surrounded by really funny drunk people from Appalachia….that I like it so much. And JamieKnoxville can never let anything die. But if you want to go to the next level with me, then don’t ask questions. Just rent it and keep a notepad handy . And report back to me on Sunday….for I will be posting my favorite quote and a few other funnies. So are you in? Okay, we can still be friends if you’ll at least watch this video and give me your favorite line from it. K? Love ya!

P.S. And you can also watch video clips on You Tube. But if you really love me, you’ll watch the whole thing.

P.S.S. Valentine’s Day advice from Coal Miner’s Daughter:

“A wohman needs perty thangs”

P.S.S.S. JK’s facebook page says “Ima puttin’ up 17 quarts a apple butter….and I’m bout da die” I know that’s not her favorite quote but Caiti and I are crying we laughed so hard.

What we’re growing………

February 12, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 16 Comments

1. The cutest little english golden retriever puppy that you ever saw.

who now towers over Scooter (the 3yo maltese)

and who I repeatedly find standing on the patio furniture. He’s hilarious. And he’s growing…so fast.

2. A little girl who loves to be outside. So we take our books outdoors….and read on the trampoline.

3. Tomatoes, chives, and basil. Our little indoor seed garden has sprouted. Life pokes through from the dark cold dirt. We watch and are hopeful.

4. Magnolia trees and flying acrobats and daffodils. All of which, I simply adore.

5. Teenagers who like broccoli. And your teens would like broccoli too if you’d add a teeny bit of maple syrup as it finishes sauteing. Do it for the young ones. Real maple only please. Broccoli helps ’em grow, ya know.

6. Teeth. We’re growing teeth.

7. We’re growing germs too. Plenty of little creepy crawly bugs that have us coughing and waking up at all manner of unsightly hours. With fever. And sniffles. And little red noses.

No matter what you do , the growth goes on. The trees, the kids, the grays, the flowers, the wrinkles . Time marches on. Even in February. Even without my permission or my noticing. I purpose to notice. The growth. The grace. The life that springs up all around me.

Emme says, “Mom, are you watching?”

Oh, I’m watching……. like I’ve never watched before.

When wishes come true….

February 11, 2009 by Edie Wadsworth 17 Comments

I’m joining Kristen’s Valentine’s Party…..’cause I really love to talk about this guy! This is also a repost….from October 22. Regular posting to resume when my children aren’t up all night sick and the intervals between my coughs are longer than 10 seconds!

If he were a rock star, he’d be Eddie Vedder.
If he were a drink, he’d be scotch.

If he were a restaurant, he’d be a sports bar.
If he were a animal, he’d be a lion.
If he were a state, he’d be Montana.

If he were an article of clothing, he’d be a leather jacket.

If he were a book of the Bible, he’d be Isaiah.
If he were a politician…..he’d never be a politician.
If he were a car, he’d be a Ford F150.
If he were a superhero, he’d be Spiderman.
If he were an apostle, he’d be Peter.

If he were a food, he’d be a filet.
If he were a color, he’d be black.
If he were a football player, he’d be Brett Favre.
If he were an actor, he’d be Jack Bauer.
If he were a bird, he’d be an eagle.
If he were a tree, he’d be a oak.
He is the real deal. Authentic. Strong. Fierce. Tender. Rugged. Wise. Mysterious. Reflective. Hilarious. Cautious. A man with convictions. Unafraid to be himself. Unable to be false. Ready to learn. Quick to apologize. Taking the road less travelled. And okay with it. Faithful. To. The. End.
If he were a dessert, he’d be chocolate cake. With buttercream icing. Cause that’s my favorite.
He is like fresh cool water. He is like reading Mere Christianity for the 10th time and finding new insight and truth over and over again. His hands are pleasantly calloused and his body hard and strong.
His insight is keen and his intellect sharp.
He always smiles when he sees babies. And tears up easier than you’d think.
He is the first person I need to talk to when life isn’t fair. And the first person I think of when
joy is unspeakable.
And today is his birthday.
I hope you get everything on your “wishlist” Stevie.

Pearl Jam performing “Wishlist”

Isa. 61:3 “That they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.”