A conversation last night got me to thinking about my past. About how things have happened to me that seemed so terrible at the time, but that I am grateful for them now, because of what I have learned.
I think it's too easy to wallow in a past or present situation. To be so mired in it, because the realization of hindsight is, well, impossible. Let me play devil's advocate for a second. Say it were really possible to go back in time and avoid certain mistakes or mishaps. Would that make the person you are today happier, or "better?" I don't think so. It would just make you different. Sorry to break it to you, but different doesn't equal better. And being that the past is a fixed, concrete thing, then there really isn't any use in thinking about how things "might have been." More like "might have been but never-even-in-an-alternate-universe can be."
To dwell on the past just doesn't make any sense. What does make sense is to see how God's hand was in those situations; in every minute detail. Seriously, just try it out. Even in the most dire of circumstances, I can see God's hand it every second; and I mean every-single-second. I think it's a great exercise, but really, I know that I prayed for it long before it was shown to me (and in one situation, reading the Bible revealed it to me!). I am so grateful to have the Gospel in my life.
As for me, I'm really beginning to like the person I am today. And if that took going through things that people couldn't imagine being grateful for, well then I just pray some day that God will reveal it to them too, in their own lives.
P.S. One cool thing to add here. Back in October I went for a jog, and realized that it was almost a year to the day that I had finished the marathon. I started to think of my friends who were running it again, and how proud I was of them. How absurd it seemed for me to have done it to almost everyone I know. How no one believed that I was actually training for a marathon; least of all myself! And then I remember thinking that God wasn't surprised that I was doing it at the time. God knew before I was born that I would finish a marathon on October 21, 2007. Then I realized that He knew that before time began! He knew every second of that 6.5 HOURS of my life! How at around mile 13 my feet would start to hurt, or that around 22 I would be in so much pain that I wouldn't believe that I could finish at all. He knew of every tear before it fell. Praise God! He is simply Amazing.
Addendum 01/22/2009: Check out John Piper's, The President, the Passengers, and the Patience of God.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Daily Dose of Spurgeon : Blessed Among Women
(a little late posting this...)
December 15, Morning
Ruth 1:14
Orpah kissed her mother-in-law; but Ruth clave unto her.
Both of them had an affection for Naomi, and therefore set out with her upon her return to the land of Judah. But the hour of test came; Naomi most unselfishly set before each of them the trials which awaited them, and bade them if they cared for ease and comfort to return to their Moabitish friends. At first both of them declared that they would cast in their lot with the Lord's people; but upon still further consideration Orpah with much grief and a respectful kiss left her mother in law, and her people, and her God, and went back to her idolatrous friends, while Ruth with all her heart gave herself up to the God of her mother in law. It is one thing to love the ways of the Lord when all is fair, and quite another to cleave to them under all discouragements and difficulties. The kiss of outward profession is very cheap and easy, but the practical cleaving to the Lord, which must show itself in holy decision for truth and holiness, is not so small a matter.
How stands the case with us, is our heart fixed upon Jesus, is the sacrifice bound with cords to the horns of the altar? Have we counted the cost, and are we solemnly ready to suffer all worldly loss for the Master's sake? The after gain will be an abundant recompense, for Egypt's treasures are not to be compared with the glory to be revealed. Orpah is heard of no more; in glorious ease and idolatrous pleasure her life melts into the gloom of death; but Ruth lives in history and in heaven, for grace has placed her in the noble line whence sprung the King of kings. Blessed among women shall those be who for Christ's sake can renounce all; but forgotten and worse than forgotten shall those be who in the hour of temptation do violence to conscience and turn back unto the world. O that this morning we may not be content with the form of devotion, which may be no better than Orpah's kiss, but may the Holy Spirit work in us a cleaving of our whole heart to our Lord Jesus.
C.H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Hendrickson Publishers, 1997.
December 15, Morning
Ruth 1:14
Orpah kissed her mother-in-law; but Ruth clave unto her.
Both of them had an affection for Naomi, and therefore set out with her upon her return to the land of Judah. But the hour of test came; Naomi most unselfishly set before each of them the trials which awaited them, and bade them if they cared for ease and comfort to return to their Moabitish friends. At first both of them declared that they would cast in their lot with the Lord's people; but upon still further consideration Orpah with much grief and a respectful kiss left her mother in law, and her people, and her God, and went back to her idolatrous friends, while Ruth with all her heart gave herself up to the God of her mother in law. It is one thing to love the ways of the Lord when all is fair, and quite another to cleave to them under all discouragements and difficulties. The kiss of outward profession is very cheap and easy, but the practical cleaving to the Lord, which must show itself in holy decision for truth and holiness, is not so small a matter.
How stands the case with us, is our heart fixed upon Jesus, is the sacrifice bound with cords to the horns of the altar? Have we counted the cost, and are we solemnly ready to suffer all worldly loss for the Master's sake? The after gain will be an abundant recompense, for Egypt's treasures are not to be compared with the glory to be revealed. Orpah is heard of no more; in glorious ease and idolatrous pleasure her life melts into the gloom of death; but Ruth lives in history and in heaven, for grace has placed her in the noble line whence sprung the King of kings. Blessed among women shall those be who for Christ's sake can renounce all; but forgotten and worse than forgotten shall those be who in the hour of temptation do violence to conscience and turn back unto the world. O that this morning we may not be content with the form of devotion, which may be no better than Orpah's kiss, but may the Holy Spirit work in us a cleaving of our whole heart to our Lord Jesus.
C.H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Hendrickson Publishers, 1997.
Friday, December 05, 2008
Quiet Time : God spoke, Job repented
Job 39:13-17 (KJV)
13Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?
14Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust,
15And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.
16She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not her's: her labour is in vain without fear;
17Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.
Ryrie Study Bible:
It appears to man that the ostrich is unconcerned about her young, leaving some of her eggs uncovered (though only by day when the heat of the sand helps incubate them) and unhatched (thereby serving as food for her young). Her seeming lack of wisdom is not apart from God's plan, just as behind the trials of the godly, which seem so unreasonable to Job, lies the wise purpose of God.
Job 40:6-14 (KJV)
6Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
7Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
8Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
9Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
10Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.
11Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him.
12Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
13Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret.
14Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.
Ryrie Study Bible:
When Job criticized God's ways, he was in effect trying to usurp God's position as governor of the world. In this paragraph full of irony, God asks if Job can really perform those things that only God can do.
Job 42:1-6 (KJV)
1Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
2I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
3Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
4Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
5I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
6Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
Ryrie Study Bible:
Job repents of his pride and rebellion and finds contentment in the knowledge that he has God's fellowship. This is the great lesson of the book: If we know God, we do not need to know why He allows us to experience what we do. He is not only in control of the universe and all its facets but also of our lives, and He loves us. Though His ways are sometimes beyond our comprehension, we should not criticize Him for His dealings with us or with others. God is always in control of all things, even when He appears not to be.
Click here for info on the Ryrie Study Bible on Amazon.
13Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?
14Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust,
15And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.
16She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not her's: her labour is in vain without fear;
17Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.
Ryrie Study Bible:
It appears to man that the ostrich is unconcerned about her young, leaving some of her eggs uncovered (though only by day when the heat of the sand helps incubate them) and unhatched (thereby serving as food for her young). Her seeming lack of wisdom is not apart from God's plan, just as behind the trials of the godly, which seem so unreasonable to Job, lies the wise purpose of God.
Job 40:6-14 (KJV)
6Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
7Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
8Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
9Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
10Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.
11Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him.
12Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
13Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret.
14Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.
Ryrie Study Bible:
When Job criticized God's ways, he was in effect trying to usurp God's position as governor of the world. In this paragraph full of irony, God asks if Job can really perform those things that only God can do.
Job 42:1-6 (KJV)
1Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
2I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
3Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
4Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
5I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
6Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
Ryrie Study Bible:
Job repents of his pride and rebellion and finds contentment in the knowledge that he has God's fellowship. This is the great lesson of the book: If we know God, we do not need to know why He allows us to experience what we do. He is not only in control of the universe and all its facets but also of our lives, and He loves us. Though His ways are sometimes beyond our comprehension, we should not criticize Him for His dealings with us or with others. God is always in control of all things, even when He appears not to be.
Click here for info on the Ryrie Study Bible on Amazon.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Quiet Time : Attitudes
Job 19:25-27
25For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
27Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
The note in my Ryrie Study Bible said, "This great expression of hope marks the turning point in Job's attitude. He has seen his sufferings in the perspective of certain future vindication of his case. Reins = heart"
Job 21:14-15
14Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
15What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
Unbelief.
Job 22:15-19
15Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden?
16Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood:
17Which said unto God, Depart from us: and what can the Almighty do for them?
18Yet he filled their houses with good things: but the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
19The righteous see it, and are glad: and the innocent laugh them to scorn.
Unbelief, again (note the reference to the flood).
Job 28:28
28And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
Knowledge.
25For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
27Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
The note in my Ryrie Study Bible said, "This great expression of hope marks the turning point in Job's attitude. He has seen his sufferings in the perspective of certain future vindication of his case. Reins = heart"
Job 21:14-15
14Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
15What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
Unbelief.
Job 22:15-19
15Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden?
16Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood:
17Which said unto God, Depart from us: and what can the Almighty do for them?
18Yet he filled their houses with good things: but the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
19The righteous see it, and are glad: and the innocent laugh them to scorn.
Unbelief, again (note the reference to the flood).
Job 28:28
28And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
Knowledge.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Quiet Time : Friend and Intercessor
Job 16:19-21 (KJV)
19Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.
20My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.
21O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!
Job 16:19-21 (NIV)
19 Even now my witness is in heaven;
my advocate is on high.
20 My intercessor is my friend
as my eyes pour out tears to God;
21 on behalf of a man he pleads with God
as a man pleads for his friend.
19Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.
20My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.
21O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!
Job 16:19-21 (NIV)
19 Even now my witness is in heaven;
my advocate is on high.
20 My intercessor is my friend
as my eyes pour out tears to God;
21 on behalf of a man he pleads with God
as a man pleads for his friend.
Friday, November 07, 2008
If you are ever afraid...
This is for anyone who is fearing for the future. If you have given your life to Christ, then you have nothing to fear! No financial crisis, war, poverty, illness, rampant immorality, unemployment, fill-in-the-blank with anything you can think of ... nothing.
November 7, Morning
Isaiah 49:16
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.
No doubt a part of the wonder which is concentrated in the word "Behold," is excited by the unbelieving lamentation of the preceding sentence. Zion said, "The Lord hath forsaken me, and my God hath forgotten me." How amazed the divine mind seems to be at this wicked unbelief! What can be more astounding than the unfounded doubts and fears of God's favoured people? The Lord's loving word of rebuke should make us blush; He cries, "How can I have forgotten thee, when I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands? How darest thou doubt my constant remembrance, when the memorial is set upon my very flesh?" O unbelief, how strange a marvel thou art! We know not which most to wonder at, the faithfulness of God or the unbelief of His people. He keeps His promise a thousand times, and yet the next trial makes us doubt Him. He never faileth; He is never a dry well; He is never as a setting sun, a passing meteor, or a melting vapour; and yet we are as continually vexed with anxieties, molested with suspicions, and distu rbed with fears, as if our God were the mirage of the desert. "Behold," is a word intended to excite admiration. Here, indeed, we have a theme for marvelling. Heaven and earth may well be astonished that rebels should obtain so great a nearness to the heart of infinite love as to be written upon the palms of His hands. "I have graven thee. "It does not say, "Thy name." The name is there, but that is not all: "I have graven thee." See the fulness of this! I have graven thy person, thine image, thy case, thy circumstances, thy sins, thy temptations, thy weaknesses, thy wants, thy works; I have graven thee, everything about thee, all that concerns thee; I have put thee altogether there. Wilt thou ever say again that thy God hath forsaken thee when He has graven thee upon His own palms?
C.H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Hendrickson Publishers, 1997.
November 7, Morning
Isaiah 49:16
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.
No doubt a part of the wonder which is concentrated in the word "Behold," is excited by the unbelieving lamentation of the preceding sentence. Zion said, "The Lord hath forsaken me, and my God hath forgotten me." How amazed the divine mind seems to be at this wicked unbelief! What can be more astounding than the unfounded doubts and fears of God's favoured people? The Lord's loving word of rebuke should make us blush; He cries, "How can I have forgotten thee, when I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands? How darest thou doubt my constant remembrance, when the memorial is set upon my very flesh?" O unbelief, how strange a marvel thou art! We know not which most to wonder at, the faithfulness of God or the unbelief of His people. He keeps His promise a thousand times, and yet the next trial makes us doubt Him. He never faileth; He is never a dry well; He is never as a setting sun, a passing meteor, or a melting vapour; and yet we are as continually vexed with anxieties, molested with suspicions, and distu rbed with fears, as if our God were the mirage of the desert. "Behold," is a word intended to excite admiration. Here, indeed, we have a theme for marvelling. Heaven and earth may well be astonished that rebels should obtain so great a nearness to the heart of infinite love as to be written upon the palms of His hands. "I have graven thee. "It does not say, "Thy name." The name is there, but that is not all: "I have graven thee." See the fulness of this! I have graven thy person, thine image, thy case, thy circumstances, thy sins, thy temptations, thy weaknesses, thy wants, thy works; I have graven thee, everything about thee, all that concerns thee; I have put thee altogether there. Wilt thou ever say again that thy God hath forsaken thee when He has graven thee upon His own palms?
C.H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Hendrickson Publishers, 1997.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
follow up to 'election'
Okay, so I just posted something that could undoubtably hurt some feelings. Maybe, maybe not. Maybe it's just in my nature to 'not hurt your feelings,' that I feel as though I need to write this follow up this. No, scratch that. That's not why I'm writing this.
I am basically providing links to some very good blogs, sermons, etc that people with much more knowledge than I have written. I guess they gave me the courage to post the previous entry that I wrote and so cowardly saved for later.
But I do want to make this point. If you are a woman who has had an abortion; I do not judge you. My heart aches for the pain that I know you must feel. Although I have never had to even consider having one myself, I know how it feels to carry the heavy burden of guilt. And I also know how it feels for that guilt to be lifted and redeemed. You too can be redeemed. That is my hope and prayer for you.
I want to preface the following links by saying that none of these people endorse a particular candidate. Thanks! ;)
"Don't Waste Your Vote," sermon by Robin Boisvert at Covenant Life. One great thing he said, "patriotism must be moderated by sound theology." If you are a Christian, your vote must be moderated by sound theology.
Carolyn McCulley made a great point in her latest blog post, in that we must not vote for our pocket book (among others). Also, that is where I found the above sermon.
And my favorite find of the month, John Piper's Let Christians Vote As Though They Were Not Voting. As a Christian, I must show the world that I am not concerned by what any leader of any country can do to me or cannot do for me. That is not where my ultimate hope lies.
I am basically providing links to some very good blogs, sermons, etc that people with much more knowledge than I have written. I guess they gave me the courage to post the previous entry that I wrote and so cowardly saved for later.
But I do want to make this point. If you are a woman who has had an abortion; I do not judge you. My heart aches for the pain that I know you must feel. Although I have never had to even consider having one myself, I know how it feels to carry the heavy burden of guilt. And I also know how it feels for that guilt to be lifted and redeemed. You too can be redeemed. That is my hope and prayer for you.
I want to preface the following links by saying that none of these people endorse a particular candidate. Thanks! ;)
"Don't Waste Your Vote," sermon by Robin Boisvert at Covenant Life. One great thing he said, "patriotism must be moderated by sound theology." If you are a Christian, your vote must be moderated by sound theology.
Carolyn McCulley made a great point in her latest blog post, in that we must not vote for our pocket book (among others). Also, that is where I found the above sermon.
And my favorite find of the month, John Piper's Let Christians Vote As Though They Were Not Voting. As a Christian, I must show the world that I am not concerned by what any leader of any country can do to me or cannot do for me. That is not where my ultimate hope lies.
thoughts on this crazy election
Wrote this on Sunday, October 19, 2008, but didn't post it until now ... must be my fear of man.
I worry more about the murdering of innocent, unborn children than I do about wolves being shot from helicopters. I don't care who you vote for. I really don't care who wins. I have no doubt whatsoever that my job will be okay; regardless of the next President's party affiliation.
I'm just tired of the hate. I'm tired of hearing 'feminists' write about how Sarah Palin isn't a woman; that she doesn't care about women. So sorry that she cares more about unborn children than your right to kill them. Even more sad that women think that if this right is taken away from them, then it's just a matter of time before they will become second class citizens. 'We will be set back 70 years!' Oh boo hoo.
It's unbelievable to me that losing one's right to end LIFE; even those tiny little cells (conception, people), means the end for women everywhere. I gotta tell you, when I heard that Sarah Palin would probably be the VP pick, I didn't have any particular reaction. The main thing on my mind was paying attention to the news, because my boss is from Alaska, and of course would want to know right away. That is part of my job; paying attention to Alaska.However, when I saw John McCain announce her, and heard her accept, it was a pretty powerful moment for me. Wow, can you imagine, a conservative woman being nominated for Vice President of the United States? Since when is it okay to be pro-life and a woman? I'm serious, I got a little teary-eyed and even had goose bumps.
Fast forward to the hate. Absolute vitriol. It is amazing to me. People absolutely HATE her. She's not the first politician to be pro-life, pro-gun, yada yada yada; HELLO she's a REPUBLICAN! And yet, so much crap has been said about her. She's also not the first governor of a small state to make it on the national political scene. And yes, I did vote for one of those 12 years ago. Oh yeah, and as for her forcing rape victims to pay for their rape kits; do some research. Oh, and I guess it's obvious who I'm not voting for. Sarah Palin has nothing to do with my decision. I really can't vote for someone who is so incredibly liberal. And I'm not trying to tell you who to vote for. As long as you do your research, and vote on the issues that are important to you, than you will get my respect. And I guess it's obvious what issues are important to me. The stance of someone's heart outweighs everything else. It is just amazing to me that someone can value the lives of their own children, yet be so cold-hearted to the reality of abortion.
You won't find me boasting for any candidate; maybe beyond a campaign button or posting an article on facebook. On the flip side, you won't hear me tell you not to vote for 'so and so,' because of 'such and such.' The reason I wrote this is just to vent my frustration over the whole "if you don't agree with me, you must be wrong" assumption that runs rampant in this world. As a Christian woman, the area I feel this most is in the feminist movement. I guess a 'thanks but not thanks' sums up how I feel about feminists who are lauded in our time. Thankfully, there are women such as Carolyn Mahaney, who speaks truth about Biblical Femininity, and Carolyn McCulley, who speaks and writes about 'Radical Womanhood.' Also, men such as John Piper and Wayne Grudem, who wrote Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: A Response to Evangelical Femininism. And finally, that there are women like Sarah Palin who aren't afraid to tell how they truly feel about this issue, without fear of losing votes.
I worry more about the murdering of innocent, unborn children than I do about wolves being shot from helicopters. I don't care who you vote for. I really don't care who wins. I have no doubt whatsoever that my job will be okay; regardless of the next President's party affiliation.
I'm just tired of the hate. I'm tired of hearing 'feminists' write about how Sarah Palin isn't a woman; that she doesn't care about women. So sorry that she cares more about unborn children than your right to kill them. Even more sad that women think that if this right is taken away from them, then it's just a matter of time before they will become second class citizens. 'We will be set back 70 years!' Oh boo hoo.
It's unbelievable to me that losing one's right to end LIFE; even those tiny little cells (conception, people), means the end for women everywhere. I gotta tell you, when I heard that Sarah Palin would probably be the VP pick, I didn't have any particular reaction. The main thing on my mind was paying attention to the news, because my boss is from Alaska, and of course would want to know right away. That is part of my job; paying attention to Alaska.However, when I saw John McCain announce her, and heard her accept, it was a pretty powerful moment for me. Wow, can you imagine, a conservative woman being nominated for Vice President of the United States? Since when is it okay to be pro-life and a woman? I'm serious, I got a little teary-eyed and even had goose bumps.
Fast forward to the hate. Absolute vitriol. It is amazing to me. People absolutely HATE her. She's not the first politician to be pro-life, pro-gun, yada yada yada; HELLO she's a REPUBLICAN! And yet, so much crap has been said about her. She's also not the first governor of a small state to make it on the national political scene. And yes, I did vote for one of those 12 years ago. Oh yeah, and as for her forcing rape victims to pay for their rape kits; do some research. Oh, and I guess it's obvious who I'm not voting for. Sarah Palin has nothing to do with my decision. I really can't vote for someone who is so incredibly liberal. And I'm not trying to tell you who to vote for. As long as you do your research, and vote on the issues that are important to you, than you will get my respect. And I guess it's obvious what issues are important to me. The stance of someone's heart outweighs everything else. It is just amazing to me that someone can value the lives of their own children, yet be so cold-hearted to the reality of abortion.
You won't find me boasting for any candidate; maybe beyond a campaign button or posting an article on facebook. On the flip side, you won't hear me tell you not to vote for 'so and so,' because of 'such and such.' The reason I wrote this is just to vent my frustration over the whole "if you don't agree with me, you must be wrong" assumption that runs rampant in this world. As a Christian woman, the area I feel this most is in the feminist movement. I guess a 'thanks but not thanks' sums up how I feel about feminists who are lauded in our time. Thankfully, there are women such as Carolyn Mahaney, who speaks truth about Biblical Femininity, and Carolyn McCulley, who speaks and writes about 'Radical Womanhood.' Also, men such as John Piper and Wayne Grudem, who wrote Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: A Response to Evangelical Femininism. And finally, that there are women like Sarah Palin who aren't afraid to tell how they truly feel about this issue, without fear of losing votes.
Quiet Time : For Such A Time As This?
Sorry to all 3 of my readers for not posting anything lately. My migraines are back with a vengeance; and while I haven't totally neglected my time with the Word, it has taken a hit again. Still, no excuse, and I'm trying to get back on track. However, I did finish Esther awhile back, and I'm now on Job. I will quickly post some verses from Esther below. Such a great story, really, GO READ IT!
Esther 4:13-14
13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.
14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverence arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
This was after Mordecai found out that Haman had the king sign off on the decree for the destruction of the Jews. Through a series of corrospondence, Mordecai asked Esther to intercede. Now, even as queen, she could not enter the king's court without his permission, to do so meant certain death, unless he held out his golden sceptre (and really, who knew if he would do that! It really depended on his mood, I guess. And remember, this is a man who had his first queen banished because she wouldn't let him show her off!). The above verses are Mordecai's reply to Esther's fear. I love how he says "who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Mordecai felt as though this could be God's calling for her. Have you ever thought about what God's calling could be for you?
Okay, now I am so tempted to post more, but really, you should go read it. It is truly an amazing story. Esther hesitates to tell the king, which opens up even more possibilities (God sovereignty), then that pesky law where no decree's can be overturned. Just goes to show what trusting in God can do.
Esther 4:13-14
13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.
14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverence arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
This was after Mordecai found out that Haman had the king sign off on the decree for the destruction of the Jews. Through a series of corrospondence, Mordecai asked Esther to intercede. Now, even as queen, she could not enter the king's court without his permission, to do so meant certain death, unless he held out his golden sceptre (and really, who knew if he would do that! It really depended on his mood, I guess. And remember, this is a man who had his first queen banished because she wouldn't let him show her off!). The above verses are Mordecai's reply to Esther's fear. I love how he says "who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Mordecai felt as though this could be God's calling for her. Have you ever thought about what God's calling could be for you?
Okay, now I am so tempted to post more, but really, you should go read it. It is truly an amazing story. Esther hesitates to tell the king, which opens up even more possibilities (God sovereignty), then that pesky law where no decree's can be overturned. Just goes to show what trusting in God can do.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Daily Dose of Spurgeon
October 14, Morning
Philippians 3:8
I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.
Spiritual knowledge of Christ will be a personal knowledge. I cannot know Jesus through another person's acquaintance with Him. No, I must know Him myself; I must know Him on my own account. It will be an intelligent knowledge-I must know Him, not as the visionary dreams of Him, but as the Word reveals Him. I must know His natures, divine and human. I must know His offices-His attributes-His works-His shame-His glory. I must meditate upon Him until I "comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge." It will be an affectionate knowledge of Him; indeed, if I know Him at all, I must love Him. An ounce of heart knowledge is worth a ton of head learning. Our knowledge of Him will be a satisfying knowledge. When I know my Saviour, my mind will be full to the brim-I shall feel that I have that which my spirit panted after. "This is that bread whereof if a man eat he shall never hunger." At the same time it will be an exciting knowledge; the more I know of my Beloved, the more I shall want to know. The higher I climb the loftier will be the summits which invite my eager footsteps. I shall want the more as I get the more. Like the miser's treasure, my gold will make me covet more. To conclude; this knowledge of Christ Jesus will be a most happy one; in fact, so elevating, that sometimes it will completely bear me up above all trials, and doubts, and sorrows; and it will, while I enjoy it, make me something more than "Man that is born of woman, who is of few days, and full of trouble"; for it will fling about me the immortality of the everliving Saviour, and gird me with the golden girdle of His eternal joy. Come, my soul, sit at Jesus's feet and learn of Him all this day.
C.H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Hendrickson Publishers, 1997.
Philippians 3:8
I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.
Spiritual knowledge of Christ will be a personal knowledge. I cannot know Jesus through another person's acquaintance with Him. No, I must know Him myself; I must know Him on my own account. It will be an intelligent knowledge-I must know Him, not as the visionary dreams of Him, but as the Word reveals Him. I must know His natures, divine and human. I must know His offices-His attributes-His works-His shame-His glory. I must meditate upon Him until I "comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge." It will be an affectionate knowledge of Him; indeed, if I know Him at all, I must love Him. An ounce of heart knowledge is worth a ton of head learning. Our knowledge of Him will be a satisfying knowledge. When I know my Saviour, my mind will be full to the brim-I shall feel that I have that which my spirit panted after. "This is that bread whereof if a man eat he shall never hunger." At the same time it will be an exciting knowledge; the more I know of my Beloved, the more I shall want to know. The higher I climb the loftier will be the summits which invite my eager footsteps. I shall want the more as I get the more. Like the miser's treasure, my gold will make me covet more. To conclude; this knowledge of Christ Jesus will be a most happy one; in fact, so elevating, that sometimes it will completely bear me up above all trials, and doubts, and sorrows; and it will, while I enjoy it, make me something more than "Man that is born of woman, who is of few days, and full of trouble"; for it will fling about me the immortality of the everliving Saviour, and gird me with the golden girdle of His eternal joy. Come, my soul, sit at Jesus's feet and learn of Him all this day.
C.H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Hendrickson Publishers, 1997.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Quiet Time : Mordecai's Faithfulness
Esther 3:4
Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.
Just a little context here. Esther has already been chosen as queen. King Ahasuerus has promoted Haman (mentioned in yesterdays post, in the comments, by Mark), and decreed that all should bow to him. According to my Study Bible; Mordecai refused to bow, because this would be acknowledging Haman as divine; and as Jew, he knew he wasn't to bow to anyone but God (he is avoiding idolatry).
So, in verse 4, we see Mordecai's faithfulness to God. He doesn't seem worried about his life or position in this instance. He is definitely fearing God above any man.
Now, on to:
Esther 3:6
And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
Haman is so angered by this, that he thinks ALL Jews should be killed. How insane is this! The saddest part is that he is able to talk the king into decreeing this. So, all Jews are to be killed on one day, which was chosen by lots (just shows you how superstitious Haman was ... and if you don't know how this story ends ... well, let's just say it didn't bring him much luck).
Keep in mind, the king has no idea that his wife, his queen, is Jewish.
So, obviously Mordecai wanted Esther to keep her heritage to herself, but when he was faced with it, he had no fear in proclaiming his true God. And as far as I know of the story, she is never asked.
Good stuff! :)
Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.
Just a little context here. Esther has already been chosen as queen. King Ahasuerus has promoted Haman (mentioned in yesterdays post, in the comments, by Mark), and decreed that all should bow to him. According to my Study Bible; Mordecai refused to bow, because this would be acknowledging Haman as divine; and as Jew, he knew he wasn't to bow to anyone but God (he is avoiding idolatry).
So, in verse 4, we see Mordecai's faithfulness to God. He doesn't seem worried about his life or position in this instance. He is definitely fearing God above any man.
Now, on to:
Esther 3:6
And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
Haman is so angered by this, that he thinks ALL Jews should be killed. How insane is this! The saddest part is that he is able to talk the king into decreeing this. So, all Jews are to be killed on one day, which was chosen by lots (just shows you how superstitious Haman was ... and if you don't know how this story ends ... well, let's just say it didn't bring him much luck).
Keep in mind, the king has no idea that his wife, his queen, is Jewish.
So, obviously Mordecai wanted Esther to keep her heritage to herself, but when he was faced with it, he had no fear in proclaiming his true God. And as far as I know of the story, she is never asked.
Good stuff! :)
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Quiet Time : Daily Dose of Spurgeon (2 in 1!)
Yay! I'm up to Esther; such a great illustration of God's providence.
Esther 2:10
Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.
In my Ryrie Study Bible (KJV), it states that Mordecai may have had two reasons for telling Esther to not share her Jewish heritage.
1. He feared for her life.
2. He wanted to protect his position in the king's court.
This is what struck me: would this be considered fear of man? Just throwing that out there.
Although one could argue that having Esther hide the truth about herself was beneficial; because maybe she reveals it at the right time.
+++
Okay, check it out, your Daily Dose of Spurgeon; which I read this morning, and made me think, 'this is the total opposite of fear of man!'
Just an excerpt:
"Few run too far in neglecting the creature's arm; but very many sin greatly in making too much of it. Learn, dear reader, to glorify the Lord by leaving means untried, if by using them thou wouldst dishonour the name of the Lord."
+++
Now I get that in reading the book of Ezra, it is apparent that he understood God:
Ezra 7:6
This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.
And that we get no indication about the strength of Mordecai's faith (at least not yet, but maybe later in the book? It seems that what I've heard of this story; he is a faithful Jew, and wants to save his people). And yes, this is Old Testament, pre-Pentecost; a concept that I need to study up on more ...
Okay, I hope to have more on this later. Welcome to my brain! ;)
Esther 2:10
Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.
In my Ryrie Study Bible (KJV), it states that Mordecai may have had two reasons for telling Esther to not share her Jewish heritage.
1. He feared for her life.
2. He wanted to protect his position in the king's court.
This is what struck me: would this be considered fear of man? Just throwing that out there.
Although one could argue that having Esther hide the truth about herself was beneficial; because maybe she reveals it at the right time.
+++
Okay, check it out, your Daily Dose of Spurgeon; which I read this morning, and made me think, 'this is the total opposite of fear of man!'
Just an excerpt:
"Few run too far in neglecting the creature's arm; but very many sin greatly in making too much of it. Learn, dear reader, to glorify the Lord by leaving means untried, if by using them thou wouldst dishonour the name of the Lord."
+++
Now I get that in reading the book of Ezra, it is apparent that he understood God:
Ezra 7:6
This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.
And that we get no indication about the strength of Mordecai's faith (at least not yet, but maybe later in the book? It seems that what I've heard of this story; he is a faithful Jew, and wants to save his people). And yes, this is Old Testament, pre-Pentecost; a concept that I need to study up on more ...
Okay, I hope to have more on this later. Welcome to my brain! ;)
Friday, September 19, 2008
Daily Dose of Spurgeon
September 19, Morning
Galatians 5:1
The liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.
This "liberty" makes us free to heaven's charter-the Bible. Here is a choice passage, believer, "When thou passest through the rivers, I will be with thee." You are free to that. Here is another: "The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee"; you are free to that. You are a welcome guest at the table of the promises. Scripture is a never-failing treasury filled with boundless stores of grace. It is the bank of heaven; you may draw from it as much as you please, without let or hindrance. Come in faith and you are welcome to all covenant blessings. There is not a promise in the Word which shall be withheld. In the depths of tribulations let this freedom comfort you; amidst waves of distress let it cheer you; when sorrows surround thee let it be thy solace. This is thy Father's love-token; thou art free to it at all times.
Thou art also free to the throne of grace. It is the believer's privilege to have access at all times to His heavenly Father. Whatever our desires, our difficulties, our wants, we are at liberty to spread all before Him. It matters not how much we may have sinned, we may ask and expect pardon. It signifies nothing how poor we are, we may plead His promise that He will provide all things needful. We have permission to approach His throne at all times-in midnight's darkest hour, or in noontide's most burning heat. Exercise thy right, O believer, and live up to thy privilege. Thou art free to all that is treasured up in Christ-wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. It matters not what thy need is, for there is fulness of supply in Christ, and it is there for thee. O what a "freedom" is thine! freedom from condemnation, freedom to the promises, freedom to the throne of grace, and at last freedom to enter heaven!
C.H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Hendrickson Publishers, 1997.
Galatians 5:1
The liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.
This "liberty" makes us free to heaven's charter-the Bible. Here is a choice passage, believer, "When thou passest through the rivers, I will be with thee." You are free to that. Here is another: "The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee"; you are free to that. You are a welcome guest at the table of the promises. Scripture is a never-failing treasury filled with boundless stores of grace. It is the bank of heaven; you may draw from it as much as you please, without let or hindrance. Come in faith and you are welcome to all covenant blessings. There is not a promise in the Word which shall be withheld. In the depths of tribulations let this freedom comfort you; amidst waves of distress let it cheer you; when sorrows surround thee let it be thy solace. This is thy Father's love-token; thou art free to it at all times.
Thou art also free to the throne of grace. It is the believer's privilege to have access at all times to His heavenly Father. Whatever our desires, our difficulties, our wants, we are at liberty to spread all before Him. It matters not how much we may have sinned, we may ask and expect pardon. It signifies nothing how poor we are, we may plead His promise that He will provide all things needful. We have permission to approach His throne at all times-in midnight's darkest hour, or in noontide's most burning heat. Exercise thy right, O believer, and live up to thy privilege. Thou art free to all that is treasured up in Christ-wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. It matters not what thy need is, for there is fulness of supply in Christ, and it is there for thee. O what a "freedom" is thine! freedom from condemnation, freedom to the promises, freedom to the throne of grace, and at last freedom to enter heaven!
C.H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Hendrickson Publishers, 1997.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
my heart as of late
God is quick to comfort; sometimes we just need a little patience. ;)
I received this from 'Of First Importance' today:
He loves you as you are
“There never was one who came to him with a broken heart, but he healed him. He never said to one, “You are too bad for me to heal;” but he did say, “Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.” My dear hearer, he will not cast you out. You say, “You do not know me, Mr. Spurgeon.” No, I do not; and you have come here to-night, and you hardly know why you are here; only you are very low and very sad.
The Lord Jesus Christ loves such as you are, you poor, desponding, doubting, desolate, disconsolate one. Daughters of sorrow, sons of grief, look ye here! Jesus Christ has gone on healing broken hearts for thousands of years, and he is well up in the business. He understands it by experience, as well as by education. He is “mighty to save.” Consider him; consider him; and the Lord grant you grace to come and trust him even now!”
- Charles Spurgeon, Christ’s Hospital
This led to a link to the full sermon, click here to read it in full. Below is an excerpt:
The church of God is never so well built up as when it is built up with men of broken hearts. I have prayed to God in secret many a time, of late, that he would be pleased to gather out from among us a people who have a deep experience, who should know the guilt of sin, who should be broken and ground to powder under a sense of their own inability and unworthiness; for I am persuaded that, without a deep experience of sin, there is seldom much belief in the doctrine of grace, and not much enthusiasm in praising the Saviour's name. The church needs to be built up with men who have been pulled down. Unless we know in our hearts our need of a Saviour, we shall never be worth much in preaching him. That preacher who has never been converted, what can he say about it? And he who has never been in the dungeon, who has never been in the abyss, who has never felt as if he were cast out from the sight of God, how can he comfort many who are outcasts, and who are bound with the fetters of despair? May the Lord break many hearts, and then bind them up, that with them he may build up the church, and inhabit it!
ALSO
I found commentary by Matthew Henry on the verses from my quiet time a few days ago. Click here to read.
+++
I have rejoiced in my 'brokeness' for a long time. However, God keeps revealing to me just what that means - and in doing so, continually shows me His character, how MORE and MORE I can trust Him, that His patience is never-ending.
God is so faithful when we read His Word - I am amazed every day! :)
I received this from 'Of First Importance' today:
He loves you as you are
“There never was one who came to him with a broken heart, but he healed him. He never said to one, “You are too bad for me to heal;” but he did say, “Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.” My dear hearer, he will not cast you out. You say, “You do not know me, Mr. Spurgeon.” No, I do not; and you have come here to-night, and you hardly know why you are here; only you are very low and very sad.
The Lord Jesus Christ loves such as you are, you poor, desponding, doubting, desolate, disconsolate one. Daughters of sorrow, sons of grief, look ye here! Jesus Christ has gone on healing broken hearts for thousands of years, and he is well up in the business. He understands it by experience, as well as by education. He is “mighty to save.” Consider him; consider him; and the Lord grant you grace to come and trust him even now!”
- Charles Spurgeon, Christ’s Hospital
This led to a link to the full sermon, click here to read it in full. Below is an excerpt:
The church of God is never so well built up as when it is built up with men of broken hearts. I have prayed to God in secret many a time, of late, that he would be pleased to gather out from among us a people who have a deep experience, who should know the guilt of sin, who should be broken and ground to powder under a sense of their own inability and unworthiness; for I am persuaded that, without a deep experience of sin, there is seldom much belief in the doctrine of grace, and not much enthusiasm in praising the Saviour's name. The church needs to be built up with men who have been pulled down. Unless we know in our hearts our need of a Saviour, we shall never be worth much in preaching him. That preacher who has never been converted, what can he say about it? And he who has never been in the dungeon, who has never been in the abyss, who has never felt as if he were cast out from the sight of God, how can he comfort many who are outcasts, and who are bound with the fetters of despair? May the Lord break many hearts, and then bind them up, that with them he may build up the church, and inhabit it!
ALSO
I found commentary by Matthew Henry on the verses from my quiet time a few days ago. Click here to read.
+++
I have rejoiced in my 'brokeness' for a long time. However, God keeps revealing to me just what that means - and in doing so, continually shows me His character, how MORE and MORE I can trust Him, that His patience is never-ending.
God is so faithful when we read His Word - I am amazed every day! :)
Quiet Time : Pray for Strength
Nehemiah 6:9
For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.
For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Quiet Time : The Body
Nehemiah 4:19-21 (KJV)
19And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.
20In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.
21So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.
This reminded me of the work of the Church (as in the Body); that everyone has their purpose within the Body. That because we are a broken people, sometimes we might be separated (due to any number of reasons - I seriously blame Satan - seriously), but are fighting the same fight. Therefore we should work hard to ensure communication lines are open, and to fight our own misguided perceptions (I have found that mine can be attributed to FEAR OF MAN).
19And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.
20In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.
21So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.
This reminded me of the work of the Church (as in the Body); that everyone has their purpose within the Body. That because we are a broken people, sometimes we might be separated (due to any number of reasons - I seriously blame Satan - seriously), but are fighting the same fight. Therefore we should work hard to ensure communication lines are open, and to fight our own misguided perceptions (I have found that mine can be attributed to FEAR OF MAN).
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Daily Dose of Spurgeon
September 3 - Evening
Psalm 11:5 - The Lord trieth the righteous.
All events are under the control of Providence; consequently all the trials of our outward life are traceable at once to the great First Cause. Out of the golden gate of God's ordinance the armies of trial march forth in array, clad in their iron armour, and armed with weapons of war. All providences are doors to trial. Even our mercies, like roses, have their thorns. Men may be drowned in seas of prosperity as well as in rivers of affliction. Our mountains are not too high, and our valleys are not too low for temptations: trials lurk on all roads. Everywhere, above and beneath, we are beset and surrounded with dangers. Yet no shower falls unpermitted from the threatening cloud; every drop has its order ere it hastens to the earth. The trials which come from God are sent to prove and strengthen our graces, and so at once to illustrate the power of divine grace, to test the genuineness of our virtues, and to add to their energy.
Our Lord in His infinite wisdom and superabundant love, sets so high a value upon His people's faith that He will not screen them from those trials by which faith is strengthened. You would never have possessed the precious faith which now supports you if the trial of your faith had not been like unto fire. You are a tree that never would have rooted so well if the wind had not rocked you to and fro, and made you take firm hold upon the precious truths of the covenant grace. Worldly ease is a great foe to faith; it loosens the joints of holy valour, and snaps the sinews of sacred courage. The balloon never rises until the cords are cut; affliction doth this sharp service for believing souls. While the wheat sleeps comfortably in the husk it is useless to man, it must be threshed out of its resting place before its value can be known. Thus it is well that Jehovah trieth the righteous, for it causeth them to grow rich towards God.
Charles H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Hendrickson Publishing, 1997.
Psalm 11:5 - The Lord trieth the righteous.
All events are under the control of Providence; consequently all the trials of our outward life are traceable at once to the great First Cause. Out of the golden gate of God's ordinance the armies of trial march forth in array, clad in their iron armour, and armed with weapons of war. All providences are doors to trial. Even our mercies, like roses, have their thorns. Men may be drowned in seas of prosperity as well as in rivers of affliction. Our mountains are not too high, and our valleys are not too low for temptations: trials lurk on all roads. Everywhere, above and beneath, we are beset and surrounded with dangers. Yet no shower falls unpermitted from the threatening cloud; every drop has its order ere it hastens to the earth. The trials which come from God are sent to prove and strengthen our graces, and so at once to illustrate the power of divine grace, to test the genuineness of our virtues, and to add to their energy.
Our Lord in His infinite wisdom and superabundant love, sets so high a value upon His people's faith that He will not screen them from those trials by which faith is strengthened. You would never have possessed the precious faith which now supports you if the trial of your faith had not been like unto fire. You are a tree that never would have rooted so well if the wind had not rocked you to and fro, and made you take firm hold upon the precious truths of the covenant grace. Worldly ease is a great foe to faith; it loosens the joints of holy valour, and snaps the sinews of sacred courage. The balloon never rises until the cords are cut; affliction doth this sharp service for believing souls. While the wheat sleeps comfortably in the husk it is useless to man, it must be threshed out of its resting place before its value can be known. Thus it is well that Jehovah trieth the righteous, for it causeth them to grow rich towards God.
Charles H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Hendrickson Publishing, 1997.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Psalm 116:15
Rest in peace - dear old friend - you were such a great witness to me; starting from the church nursery and continuing on. I can only imagine what a wonderful homecoming you experienced just a few days ago - as you were finally united with your Heavenly Father. Although your passing has countless others in mourning; I can't help but tearfully rejoice in the great joy you are living in now and will be for eternity.
Psalm 116 (KJV)
1I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
2Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
3The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
4Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
5Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
6The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
7Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.
8For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
9I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
10I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:
11I said in my haste, All men are liars.
12What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
13I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
14I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
15Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
16O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
17I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
18I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
19In the courts of the LORD's house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Going Home
by Sara Groves
I’ve been feeling kind of restless
I’ve been feeling out of placeI can hear a distant singing
A song that I can’t write
And it echoes of what I’m always trying to say
There’s a feeling I can’t capture
It’s always just a prayer away
I want to know the ending
Things hoped for but not seen
But I guess that’s the point of hoping anyway
Going home, I’ll meet you at the table
Going home, I’ll meet you in the air
And you are never too young to think about it
Oh, I cannot wait to be home
I’m confined by my senses
To really know what you are like
You are more than I can fathom
And more than I can guess
And more than I can see with you in sight
But I have felt you with my spirit
I have felt you fill this room
And this is just an invitation
Just a sample of the whole
And I cannot wait to be going home
Going home, I’ll meet you at the table
Going home, I’ll meet you in the air
And you are never too young to think about it
Oh, I cannot wait to be going, to be going home
Face to face, how can it be
Face to face, how can it be
Face to face, how can it be
Cause this is just an invitation
Just a sample of the whole
And I cannot wait to be going home
***As of 8/27/08, you can hear this song on my MySpace page***
Psalm 116 (KJV)
1I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
2Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
3The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
4Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
5Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
6The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
7Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.
8For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
9I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
10I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:
11I said in my haste, All men are liars.
12What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
13I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.
14I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
15Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
16O LORD, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
17I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
18I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people.
19In the courts of the LORD's house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Going Home
by Sara Groves
I’ve been feeling kind of restless
I’ve been feeling out of placeI can hear a distant singing
A song that I can’t write
And it echoes of what I’m always trying to say
There’s a feeling I can’t capture
It’s always just a prayer away
I want to know the ending
Things hoped for but not seen
But I guess that’s the point of hoping anyway
Going home, I’ll meet you at the table
Going home, I’ll meet you in the air
And you are never too young to think about it
Oh, I cannot wait to be home
I’m confined by my senses
To really know what you are like
You are more than I can fathom
And more than I can guess
And more than I can see with you in sight
But I have felt you with my spirit
I have felt you fill this room
And this is just an invitation
Just a sample of the whole
And I cannot wait to be going home
Going home, I’ll meet you at the table
Going home, I’ll meet you in the air
And you are never too young to think about it
Oh, I cannot wait to be going, to be going home
Face to face, how can it be
Face to face, how can it be
Face to face, how can it be
Cause this is just an invitation
Just a sample of the whole
And I cannot wait to be going home
***As of 8/27/08, you can hear this song on my MySpace page***
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Quiet Time : Grace to Escape from Bondage
Ezra 9:8 (KJV)
And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.
And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.
Daily Dose of Spurgeon
August 17, Evening
John 11:4
This sickness is not unto death.
From our Lord's words we learn that there is a limit to sickness. Here is an "unto" within which its ultimate end is restrained, and beyond which it cannot go. Lazarus might pass through death, but death was not to be the ultimatum of his sickness. In all sickness, the Lord saith to the waves of pain, "Hitherto shall ye go, but no further." His fixed purpose is not the destruction, but the instruction of His people. Wisdom hangs up the thermometer at the furnace mouth, and regulates the heat.
1. The limit is encouragingly comprehensive. The God of providence has limited the time, manner, intensity, repetition, and effects of all our sicknesses; each throb is decreed, each sleepless hour predestinated, each relapse ordained, each depression of spirit foreknown, and each sanctifying result eternally purposed. Nothing great or small escapes the ordaining hand of Him who numbers the hairs of our head.
2. This limit is wisely adjusted to our strength, to the end designed, and to the grace apportioned. Affliction comes not at haphazard-the weight of every stroke of the rod is accurately measured. He who made no mistakes in balancing the clouds and meting out the heavens, commits no errors in measuring out the ingredients which compose the medicine of souls. We cannot suffer too much nor be relieved too late.
3. The limit is tenderly appointed. The knife of the heavenly Surgeon never cuts deeper than is absolutely necessary. "He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men." A mother's heart cries, "Spare my child"; but no mother is more compassionate than our gracious God. When we consider how hard-mouthed we are, it is a wonder that we are not driven with a sharper bit. The thought is full of consolation, that He who has fixed the bounds of our habitation, has also fixed the bounds of our tribulation.
Charles H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Hendrickson Publishers, 1997
John 11:4
This sickness is not unto death.
From our Lord's words we learn that there is a limit to sickness. Here is an "unto" within which its ultimate end is restrained, and beyond which it cannot go. Lazarus might pass through death, but death was not to be the ultimatum of his sickness. In all sickness, the Lord saith to the waves of pain, "Hitherto shall ye go, but no further." His fixed purpose is not the destruction, but the instruction of His people. Wisdom hangs up the thermometer at the furnace mouth, and regulates the heat.
1. The limit is encouragingly comprehensive. The God of providence has limited the time, manner, intensity, repetition, and effects of all our sicknesses; each throb is decreed, each sleepless hour predestinated, each relapse ordained, each depression of spirit foreknown, and each sanctifying result eternally purposed. Nothing great or small escapes the ordaining hand of Him who numbers the hairs of our head.
2. This limit is wisely adjusted to our strength, to the end designed, and to the grace apportioned. Affliction comes not at haphazard-the weight of every stroke of the rod is accurately measured. He who made no mistakes in balancing the clouds and meting out the heavens, commits no errors in measuring out the ingredients which compose the medicine of souls. We cannot suffer too much nor be relieved too late.
3. The limit is tenderly appointed. The knife of the heavenly Surgeon never cuts deeper than is absolutely necessary. "He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men." A mother's heart cries, "Spare my child"; but no mother is more compassionate than our gracious God. When we consider how hard-mouthed we are, it is a wonder that we are not driven with a sharper bit. The thought is full of consolation, that He who has fixed the bounds of our habitation, has also fixed the bounds of our tribulation.
Charles H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Hendrickson Publishers, 1997
Monday, August 18, 2008
gumby-like : entrusted with a heart
Just call me Stretchy McStretcherson. Yes, I'm a dork, but I own it.
Anyway, I had a great conversation with my dear friend Abbie last week. Actually it was more of a counseling session. I needed advice about something that, to tell you the truth, I'm still not sure how to handle. She was very encouraging, as she always is, and told me this: 'God is stretching you.'
Yes indeed, God is stretching me; and I mean yowza-stretching me. Not to go into to much detail, but this situation has definitely taken me out of myself. I really have to consider someone else's feelings in such a way --- I don't know --- I am absolutely dumbfounded at the level/many-levels that engulf this situation. And it has nothing to do with me! Although I will say, it is affecting me. I've been praying about that big time.
Another thing Abbie said, which was extra sweet, is that 'God entrusts you with so many people's hearts.' Now, I feel as though He entrusts EVERYONE with EVERYBODY'S hearts, but that statement helped me realize the magnitude of this thing He's entrusted me with. And how I should look at situations with everyone that I know or come in contact with. Entrusted with a heart. Have you ever thought of it that way? Thought of life that way, I mean? That is a beautiful thing.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Quiet Time.
Almost a month to this day I wrote about my quiet times. In that post, I stated that I will be posting about those more often. Well, in case you haven't noticed, that was the first and only post of that type. I feel as though I have to confess it here on the world-wide-web: my quiet times have taken a hit. Big time. And I could blame it on my moving to a new place, and having been just plain exhausted. But there is no excuse. I have been convicted of my need to read the Word every day, and that just hasn't been happening as regularly as it should be.
So I apologize for that, and will be getting back on track, ASAP!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Devotionals:
Being a Chooser ~ Philippians 3:20-21 ~ Making Wise Choices
Anyway, I had a great conversation with my dear friend Abbie last week. Actually it was more of a counseling session. I needed advice about something that, to tell you the truth, I'm still not sure how to handle. She was very encouraging, as she always is, and told me this: 'God is stretching you.'
Yes indeed, God is stretching me; and I mean yowza-stretching me. Not to go into to much detail, but this situation has definitely taken me out of myself. I really have to consider someone else's feelings in such a way --- I don't know --- I am absolutely dumbfounded at the level/many-levels that engulf this situation. And it has nothing to do with me! Although I will say, it is affecting me. I've been praying about that big time.
Another thing Abbie said, which was extra sweet, is that 'God entrusts you with so many people's hearts.' Now, I feel as though He entrusts EVERYONE with EVERYBODY'S hearts, but that statement helped me realize the magnitude of this thing He's entrusted me with. And how I should look at situations with everyone that I know or come in contact with. Entrusted with a heart. Have you ever thought of it that way? Thought of life that way, I mean? That is a beautiful thing.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Quiet Time.
Almost a month to this day I wrote about my quiet times. In that post, I stated that I will be posting about those more often. Well, in case you haven't noticed, that was the first and only post of that type. I feel as though I have to confess it here on the world-wide-web: my quiet times have taken a hit. Big time. And I could blame it on my moving to a new place, and having been just plain exhausted. But there is no excuse. I have been convicted of my need to read the Word every day, and that just hasn't been happening as regularly as it should be.
So I apologize for that, and will be getting back on track, ASAP!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Devotionals:
Being a Chooser ~ Philippians 3:20-21 ~ Making Wise Choices
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
beautifully broken
Have you ever felt absolutely broken? I'm not talking about 'heartbroken' in the teeny-bopper sense; but broken.
I often wonder about this with other Christians, because let me tell you, I've felt as though I've been put through the ringer. As my hometown pastor Paul would say; 'taken to the woodshed.' And maybe it's all because of the life I've led; which to be honest has been full of out-of-control confusion.
Let me explain ...
This is all stemming from something I've noticed in some Christians that has taken me aback. What I've taken as a lack of empathy (and I realize this is just my perception of things - I could be totally wrong)... It seems as though there are just certain situations that can't be comprehended, so they are just swept under the rug. 'Well, I just have no idea what that's like, can we go on to something else, please?' And I just want to scream, 'This is reality! Maybe not to you, but to a lot of people; this is life or death - spiritually speaking - therefore it is a deadly serious matter.'
And I totally get it; I do have a different perspective from other folks. I really do. And that makes it easier for me to feel more empathetic than uncomfortable. God has blessed me with this gift. It makes me want to delve into the lies that people believe when coming out of a situation of victimization. I'm not excusing the resulting sin; but I want to understand it.
And I want to help. I've posted before about how I want to help, but I still feel at a loss for how to make it happen. I've bought t-shirts, so what, right? Well, here's one thing I'm being more and more convicted to do:
Be more welcoming to new people at my church. Because I can tell you right now, when I first stepped foot in my new church, I was unbelievably broken. Happily broken, but broken still. And it was a struggle to meet people. I know I'm not alone in this; and I truly believe God has shown me this for a reason. So maybe this is my start. I need your prayers in this, because I'm not a naturally outgoing person. But I will be more intentional. And I'm not the only one, I do have friends at my church who feel the same conviction, so please pray for them, too.
I just don't want to leave anyone behind.
Devotionals: Set an Example ~ The Sacrificial Kingdom ~ Pray, then Decide
(below was written back in May; my original 'beautifully broken' post that was never finished or published)
Shallow vs. deep truth; love the 'ugly.'
*************
Thoughts on obvious, public sin and willful sin.
Like the boy who called wolf - when they really need help, will you be there for them?
++++++++++++++
If you depend on someone like you're supposed to depend on God... you will drive that person crazy!!! Yes, I have been driven crazy a lot lately...
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"This signature on each soul may be a product of heredity and environment, but that only means that heredity and environment are among the instruments whereby God creates a soul. I am considering not how, but why, He makes each soul unique. If He had no use for all these differences, I do not see why He should have created more souls than one. Be sure that the ins and outs of your individuality are no mystery to Him; and one day they will no longer be a mystery to you. The mould in which a key is made would be strange thing, if you had never seen a key: and the key itself a strange thing if you had never seen a lock. Your soul has a curious shape because it is a hollow made to fit a particular swelling in the infinite contours of the Divine substance, or a key to unlock one of the doors in the house with many mansions. For it is not humanity in the abstract that is to be saved, but you- you, the individual reader, John Stubbs or Janet Smith...... Your place in heaven will seem to be made for you and you alone, because you were made for it- made for it stitch by stitch as a glove is made for a hand." C.S. Lewis - The Problem of Pain.
I often wonder about this with other Christians, because let me tell you, I've felt as though I've been put through the ringer. As my hometown pastor Paul would say; 'taken to the woodshed.' And maybe it's all because of the life I've led; which to be honest has been full of out-of-control confusion.
Let me explain ...
This is all stemming from something I've noticed in some Christians that has taken me aback. What I've taken as a lack of empathy (and I realize this is just my perception of things - I could be totally wrong)... It seems as though there are just certain situations that can't be comprehended, so they are just swept under the rug. 'Well, I just have no idea what that's like, can we go on to something else, please?' And I just want to scream, 'This is reality! Maybe not to you, but to a lot of people; this is life or death - spiritually speaking - therefore it is a deadly serious matter.'
I just wish there was more 'stepping out of the bubble,' I guess. I mean, I get it, some things are just uncomfortable; I squirm, too. I hear it all over the news; I've been tempted to take cnn.com off of my home screen because of all the horrible things in the news every day. *** (warning; these links are upsetting, but aren't near the worst I could have posted) *** Kidnapping, rape, murder, torture, modern day slavery, stories of children being led into prostitution. It all makes me sick to my stomach. But I don't want to ignore it. I don't want to chalk it up to, 'well, I just couldn't imagine that' or 'that doesn't affect me.' Because it does affect me. And I can't understand how it wouldn't affect others.
Be kind: for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle
And I totally get it; I do have a different perspective from other folks. I really do. And that makes it easier for me to feel more empathetic than uncomfortable. God has blessed me with this gift. It makes me want to delve into the lies that people believe when coming out of a situation of victimization. I'm not excusing the resulting sin; but I want to understand it.
And I want to help. I've posted before about how I want to help, but I still feel at a loss for how to make it happen. I've bought t-shirts, so what, right? Well, here's one thing I'm being more and more convicted to do:
Be more welcoming to new people at my church. Because I can tell you right now, when I first stepped foot in my new church, I was unbelievably broken. Happily broken, but broken still. And it was a struggle to meet people. I know I'm not alone in this; and I truly believe God has shown me this for a reason. So maybe this is my start. I need your prayers in this, because I'm not a naturally outgoing person. But I will be more intentional. And I'm not the only one, I do have friends at my church who feel the same conviction, so please pray for them, too.
I just don't want to leave anyone behind.
Devotionals: Set an Example ~ The Sacrificial Kingdom ~ Pray, then Decide
(below was written back in May; my original 'beautifully broken' post that was never finished or published)
Shallow vs. deep truth; love the 'ugly.'
*************
Thoughts on obvious, public sin and willful sin.
Like the boy who called wolf - when they really need help, will you be there for them?
++++++++++++++
If you depend on someone like you're supposed to depend on God... you will drive that person crazy!!! Yes, I have been driven crazy a lot lately...
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"This signature on each soul may be a product of heredity and environment, but that only means that heredity and environment are among the instruments whereby God creates a soul. I am considering not how, but why, He makes each soul unique. If He had no use for all these differences, I do not see why He should have created more souls than one. Be sure that the ins and outs of your individuality are no mystery to Him; and one day they will no longer be a mystery to you. The mould in which a key is made would be strange thing, if you had never seen a key: and the key itself a strange thing if you had never seen a lock. Your soul has a curious shape because it is a hollow made to fit a particular swelling in the infinite contours of the Divine substance, or a key to unlock one of the doors in the house with many mansions. For it is not humanity in the abstract that is to be saved, but you- you, the individual reader, John Stubbs or Janet Smith...... Your place in heaven will seem to be made for you and you alone, because you were made for it- made for it stitch by stitch as a glove is made for a hand." C.S. Lewis - The Problem of Pain.
Monday, August 11, 2008
"I wish to begin again on a daily basis"
I don't want to ever consider myself a 'mature' Christian.
I don't ever want to think that I've learned all there is to know.
I want be continually challenged by You.
Please help me to remain child-like in my faith; in my belief.
I want to be a sponge that is never fully saturated.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I once found the transcript to Bono's speech given at the National Prayer Breakfast in 2006. I found it quite by accident; but it intrigued me.
Anyway, I saw something I never would have expected out of such a hugely talented and famous rock star - yeah, and I already knew how much he's done for HIV/AIDS in Africa - and about the religious themes in his music (we even deconstructed the lyrics to 'With or Without You' in 8th grade English) - I saw a desire to know God.
So I've spent some time looking up quotes (yes, one of my favorite hobbies, so what?), and felt like pasting them below. I don't know, just a different perspective on Christianity than I am used to; I like to see other people's p.o.v.'s:
................................................................
"If I could put it simply, I would say that I believe there's a force of love and logic in the world, a force of love and logic behind the universe. And I believe in the poetic genius of a creator who would choose to express such unfathomable power as a child born in "straw poverty"; i.e., the story of Christ makes sense to me. ... As an artist, I see the poetry of it. It's so brilliant. That this scale of creation, and the unfathomable universe, should describe itself in such vulnerability, as a child. That is mind-blowing to me. I guess that would make me a Christian. Although I don't use the label, because it is so very hard to live up to. I feel like I'm the worst example of it, so I just kinda keep my mouth shut."
"...this of course is at the heart of the idea of redemption: to begin again. This is at the heart of religious fundamentalism too: to be born again. I wish to begin again on a daily basis. To be born again every day is something that I try to do. And I'm deadly serious about that."
"But with Christ, we have access in a one-to-one relationship, for, as in the Old Testament, it was more one of worship and awe, a vertical relationship. The New Testament, on the other hand, we look across at a Jesus who looks familiar, horizontal. The combination is what makes the Cross."
"It's a mind-blowing concept that the God who created the Universe might be looking for company, a real relationship with people, but the thing that keeps me on my knees is the difference between Grace and Karma. You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics - in physical laws - every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It's clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the Universe. I'm absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that 'As you reap, so will you sow' stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I've done a lot of stupid stuff"
"I'd be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. I'd be in deep _____. It doesn't excuse my mistakes, but I'm holding out for Grace. I'm holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don't have to depend on my own religiosity."
I love the bit when Christ's asked for his greatest hits and he says, "OK, love God, and love your neighbours as yourself." Christianity is not complicated, that's what it is.
So now — cut to 1980. Irish rock group, who've been through the fire of a certain kind of revival, a Christian-type revival, go to America. Turn on the TV the night you arrive, and there's all these people talking from the Scriptures. But they're quite obviously raving lunatics. Suddenly you go, what's this? And you change the channel. There's another one. You change the channel, and there's another secondhand-car salesman. You think, oh, my God. But their words sound so similar . . . to the words out of our mouths. So what happens? You learn to shut up. You say, whoa, what's this going on? You go oddly still and quiet. If you talk like this around here, people will think you're one of those. And you realize that these are the traders — as in t-r-a-d-e-r-s — in the temple.
One SOURCE - the other was Wikiquote.
I don't ever want to think that I've learned all there is to know.
I want be continually challenged by You.
Please help me to remain child-like in my faith; in my belief.
I want to be a sponge that is never fully saturated.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I once found the transcript to Bono's speech given at the National Prayer Breakfast in 2006. I found it quite by accident; but it intrigued me.
Anyway, I saw something I never would have expected out of such a hugely talented and famous rock star - yeah, and I already knew how much he's done for HIV/AIDS in Africa - and about the religious themes in his music (we even deconstructed the lyrics to 'With or Without You' in 8th grade English) - I saw a desire to know God.
So I've spent some time looking up quotes (yes, one of my favorite hobbies, so what?), and felt like pasting them below. I don't know, just a different perspective on Christianity than I am used to; I like to see other people's p.o.v.'s:
................................................................
"If I could put it simply, I would say that I believe there's a force of love and logic in the world, a force of love and logic behind the universe. And I believe in the poetic genius of a creator who would choose to express such unfathomable power as a child born in "straw poverty"; i.e., the story of Christ makes sense to me. ... As an artist, I see the poetry of it. It's so brilliant. That this scale of creation, and the unfathomable universe, should describe itself in such vulnerability, as a child. That is mind-blowing to me. I guess that would make me a Christian. Although I don't use the label, because it is so very hard to live up to. I feel like I'm the worst example of it, so I just kinda keep my mouth shut."
"...this of course is at the heart of the idea of redemption: to begin again. This is at the heart of religious fundamentalism too: to be born again. I wish to begin again on a daily basis. To be born again every day is something that I try to do. And I'm deadly serious about that."
"But with Christ, we have access in a one-to-one relationship, for, as in the Old Testament, it was more one of worship and awe, a vertical relationship. The New Testament, on the other hand, we look across at a Jesus who looks familiar, horizontal. The combination is what makes the Cross."
"It's a mind-blowing concept that the God who created the Universe might be looking for company, a real relationship with people, but the thing that keeps me on my knees is the difference between Grace and Karma. You see, at the center of all religions is the idea of Karma. You know, what you put out comes back to you: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, or in physics - in physical laws - every action is met by an equal or an opposite one. It's clear to me that Karma is at the very heart of the Universe. I'm absolutely sure of it. And yet, along comes this idea called Grace to upend all that 'As you reap, so will you sow' stuff. Grace defies reason and logic. Love interrupts, if you like, the consequences of your actions, which in my case is very good news indeed, because I've done a lot of stupid stuff"
"I'd be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge. I'd be in deep _____. It doesn't excuse my mistakes, but I'm holding out for Grace. I'm holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don't have to depend on my own religiosity."
I love the bit when Christ's asked for his greatest hits and he says, "OK, love God, and love your neighbours as yourself." Christianity is not complicated, that's what it is.
So now — cut to 1980. Irish rock group, who've been through the fire of a certain kind of revival, a Christian-type revival, go to America. Turn on the TV the night you arrive, and there's all these people talking from the Scriptures. But they're quite obviously raving lunatics. Suddenly you go, what's this? And you change the channel. There's another one. You change the channel, and there's another secondhand-car salesman. You think, oh, my God. But their words sound so similar . . . to the words out of our mouths. So what happens? You learn to shut up. You say, whoa, what's this going on? You go oddly still and quiet. If you talk like this around here, people will think you're one of those. And you realize that these are the traders — as in t-r-a-d-e-r-s — in the temple.
One SOURCE - the other was Wikiquote.
Friday, August 08, 2008
Love like He does : without thought for gain
Totally.selfless.Love.
Can you imagine it? Can you picture yourself capable of it? I guess in the end, as fallen beings, we aren't able to achieve this type of love. However, I believe were are to strive for it. Let me try to explain:
Sometimes I have a hard time seeing myself married. I had a near breakdown when I was planning on moving. Lots of circumstances contributed to this, but one thing that made it so hard was this: I'm tired of doing everything alone. And the end I wasn't alone. But it sure felt like I was for a while there, until I reached out for help. But during my emotional-mess, I had the fleeting thought 'if only I had a husband to take care of these piddly details ... do I even need a furniture dolly???'
And it's funny, because when you're younger, you just can't wait to be on your own. To have my own apartment! That always sounded so cool. I remember my Aunt Melanie having an apartment in Little Rock, and was always so excited when I got to spend the night with her.
Fast forward to the present, where I live in a city that I couldn't even begin to afford to live on my own. Funny thing is, I don't really want to anymore. I like having the 'community' of living with other people. I can honestly see myself living where I do now until I get married (a-hem, that all depends on how long I will have to wait on that, I guess, but that is how I see it ... short-term).
But there are times when I just can't see it. Being married to someone. Sharing my LIFE with them. Now don't get me wrong, it's something I'm extremely excited about ... but I just can't see it. Which when you get right down to it, is probably a good thing ... I have no real expectations for what it will be like. In this area, at least for me, the possibilities are endless ...
Marriage and Love. Obviously they go hand in hand. But I don't want to be a selfish with love. I don't want to demand, expect, etc... from someone. I don't want to think of marriage as any gain other than as a blessing bestowed upon me. But I can't help but relax in the knowledge that one day I will, Lord willing, have someone in my life who can help me in things both important and mundane, plus all the in between.
How does one reconcile this? Just another mystery of the heart? Steps toward sanctification? Am I overthinking this? At least I can answer the latter - ABSOLUTELY. Gosh, sometimes I annoy myself.
Anywho, I had a thought pop into my mind last night. I've been dwelling a lot Love. Love for others, offering Love to everyone; especially those whose actions are beyond my comprehension. How does one go about this without somehow seeking something in return? Be it: help, acknowledgement, respect, expected return of feelings of various types under various circumstances?
Then it hit me: Love like He does: without thought for gain. Guess that's all I need to do, hopefully the rest will work itself out.
Can you imagine it? Can you picture yourself capable of it? I guess in the end, as fallen beings, we aren't able to achieve this type of love. However, I believe were are to strive for it. Let me try to explain:
Sometimes I have a hard time seeing myself married. I had a near breakdown when I was planning on moving. Lots of circumstances contributed to this, but one thing that made it so hard was this: I'm tired of doing everything alone. And the end I wasn't alone. But it sure felt like I was for a while there, until I reached out for help. But during my emotional-mess, I had the fleeting thought 'if only I had a husband to take care of these piddly details ... do I even need a furniture dolly???'
And it's funny, because when you're younger, you just can't wait to be on your own. To have my own apartment! That always sounded so cool. I remember my Aunt Melanie having an apartment in Little Rock, and was always so excited when I got to spend the night with her.
Fast forward to the present, where I live in a city that I couldn't even begin to afford to live on my own. Funny thing is, I don't really want to anymore. I like having the 'community' of living with other people. I can honestly see myself living where I do now until I get married (a-hem, that all depends on how long I will have to wait on that, I guess, but that is how I see it ... short-term).
But there are times when I just can't see it. Being married to someone. Sharing my LIFE with them. Now don't get me wrong, it's something I'm extremely excited about ... but I just can't see it. Which when you get right down to it, is probably a good thing ... I have no real expectations for what it will be like. In this area, at least for me, the possibilities are endless ...
Marriage and Love. Obviously they go hand in hand. But I don't want to be a selfish with love. I don't want to demand, expect, etc... from someone. I don't want to think of marriage as any gain other than as a blessing bestowed upon me. But I can't help but relax in the knowledge that one day I will, Lord willing, have someone in my life who can help me in things both important and mundane, plus all the in between.
How does one reconcile this? Just another mystery of the heart? Steps toward sanctification? Am I overthinking this? At least I can answer the latter - ABSOLUTELY. Gosh, sometimes I annoy myself.
Anywho, I had a thought pop into my mind last night. I've been dwelling a lot Love. Love for others, offering Love to everyone; especially those whose actions are beyond my comprehension. How does one go about this without somehow seeking something in return? Be it: help, acknowledgement, respect, expected return of feelings of various types under various circumstances?
Then it hit me: Love like He does: without thought for gain. Guess that's all I need to do, hopefully the rest will work itself out.
GROWING PAINS
Even the most painful of contortions can result in true beauty.
Kinda like yoga.
Even the most painful of contortions can result in true beauty.
Kinda like yoga.
Everything like you and me.
Learn it from Him.
Learn it from Him.
Deep thoughts to ponder: John Piper - Thoughts on Why Everything Exists.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Daily Dose of Spurgeon
Morning and Evening: July 30 PM
John 6:37 - Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.
No limit is set to the duration of this promise. It does not merely say, "I will not cast out a sinner at his first coming," but, "I will in no wise cast out." The original reads, "I will not, not cast out," or "I will never, never cast out." The text means, that Christ will not at first reject a believer; and that as He will not do it at first, so He will not to the last. But suppose the believer sins after coming? "If any man sin we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." But suppose that believers backslide? "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away from him." But believers may fall under temptation! "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." But the believer may fall into sin as David did! Yes, but He will "Purge them with hyssop, and they shall be clean; He will wash them and they shall be whiter than snow"; "From all their iniquities will I cleanse them."
"Once in Christ, in Christ for ever, Nothing from His love can sever."
"I give unto My sheep," saith He, "eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand." What sayest thou to this, O trembling feeble mind? Is not this a precious mercy, that coming to Christ, thou dost not come to One who will treat thee well for a little while, and then send thee about thy business, but He will receive thee and make thee His bride, and thou shalt be His for ever? Receive no longer the spirit of bondage again to fear, but the spirit of adoption whereby thou shalt cry, Abba, Father! Oh! the grace of these words: "I will in no wise cast out."
C.H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Hendrickson Publishers, 1997
John 6:37 - Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.
No limit is set to the duration of this promise. It does not merely say, "I will not cast out a sinner at his first coming," but, "I will in no wise cast out." The original reads, "I will not, not cast out," or "I will never, never cast out." The text means, that Christ will not at first reject a believer; and that as He will not do it at first, so He will not to the last. But suppose the believer sins after coming? "If any man sin we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." But suppose that believers backslide? "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away from him." But believers may fall under temptation! "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." But the believer may fall into sin as David did! Yes, but He will "Purge them with hyssop, and they shall be clean; He will wash them and they shall be whiter than snow"; "From all their iniquities will I cleanse them."
"Once in Christ, in Christ for ever, Nothing from His love can sever."
"I give unto My sheep," saith He, "eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand." What sayest thou to this, O trembling feeble mind? Is not this a precious mercy, that coming to Christ, thou dost not come to One who will treat thee well for a little while, and then send thee about thy business, but He will receive thee and make thee His bride, and thou shalt be His for ever? Receive no longer the spirit of bondage again to fear, but the spirit of adoption whereby thou shalt cry, Abba, Father! Oh! the grace of these words: "I will in no wise cast out."
C.H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Hendrickson Publishers, 1997
Friday, July 18, 2008
my life feels like one continual line of neutrality
(almost midnight last night; yes, after I wrote the previous post on Trust)
I'm sorry to doubt. I'm sorry to worry. I'm sorry to expect. I'm sorry.
It just gets so old; feeling invisible like this. Just for once I would like to be proven wrong.
I'm tired of being taken for granted. I'm tired of not feeling good enough. I'm tired of being forgettable. I'm tired.
I hate that I get down like this, but I can't see living life - every-single-second - like nothing is ever wrong. That I don't hope. That I don't have any unfulfilled desires. Because I do.
And I feel as though nothing will ever change. My life feels like one continual line of neutrality.
Although I do have something new coming up. I'm moving. In with Christians who are following Jesus, who are walking in the Light, who are living for the Lord. God has blessed me with this opportunity - and really opened my eyes to my need for this.
Baby steps, baby steps, I need to learn more about patience.
*Yep, that lasted about two hours...*
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
So, this morning, I read Spurgeon, and it kinda addressed why I was so down last night, Numbers 2:31 - "They shall go hindmost with their standards. But I know the real problem with my "Debbie Downer" moment; I was frustrated with my circumstances. I felt as though there was no way I could get out of them; that I was stuck. And of course, God quickly and gently reminded me that He has provided the way, but I will have to be patient for just a little while longer.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Also, I just read a devotional, Ephesians 6:18 - I Hate to Burden You, which brought to mind something I wanted to write about a few months ago, but never really went anywhere with. This simple fact: if you are friends with a Christian - even just a co-worker - they more than likely pray for you. Pretty powerful, don't you think? The author has another great post about this, The Power of a Praying Friend.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Finally, I want to throw a quote in here. It's by Tony Snow, Cancer's Unexpected Blessings:
"God relishes surprise. We want lives of simple, predictable ease—smooth, even trails as far as the eye can see—but God likes to go off-road. He provokes us with twists and turns. He places us in predicaments that seem to defy our endurance and comprehension—and yet don't. By his love and grace, we persevere. The challenges that make our hearts leap and stomachs churn invariably strengthen our faith and grant measures of wisdom and joy we would not experience otherwise."
I'm sorry to doubt. I'm sorry to worry. I'm sorry to expect. I'm sorry.
It just gets so old; feeling invisible like this. Just for once I would like to be proven wrong.
I'm tired of being taken for granted. I'm tired of not feeling good enough. I'm tired of being forgettable. I'm tired.
I hate that I get down like this, but I can't see living life - every-single-second - like nothing is ever wrong. That I don't hope. That I don't have any unfulfilled desires. Because I do.
And I feel as though nothing will ever change. My life feels like one continual line of neutrality.
Although I do have something new coming up. I'm moving. In with Christians who are following Jesus, who are walking in the Light, who are living for the Lord. God has blessed me with this opportunity - and really opened my eyes to my need for this.
Baby steps, baby steps, I need to learn more about patience.
*Yep, that lasted about two hours...*
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
So, this morning, I read Spurgeon, and it kinda addressed why I was so down last night, Numbers 2:31 - "They shall go hindmost with their standards. But I know the real problem with my "Debbie Downer" moment; I was frustrated with my circumstances. I felt as though there was no way I could get out of them; that I was stuck. And of course, God quickly and gently reminded me that He has provided the way, but I will have to be patient for just a little while longer.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Also, I just read a devotional, Ephesians 6:18 - I Hate to Burden You, which brought to mind something I wanted to write about a few months ago, but never really went anywhere with. This simple fact: if you are friends with a Christian - even just a co-worker - they more than likely pray for you. Pretty powerful, don't you think? The author has another great post about this, The Power of a Praying Friend.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Finally, I want to throw a quote in here. It's by Tony Snow, Cancer's Unexpected Blessings:
"God relishes surprise. We want lives of simple, predictable ease—smooth, even trails as far as the eye can see—but God likes to go off-road. He provokes us with twists and turns. He places us in predicaments that seem to defy our endurance and comprehension—and yet don't. By his love and grace, we persevere. The challenges that make our hearts leap and stomachs churn invariably strengthen our faith and grant measures of wisdom and joy we would not experience otherwise."
when my imagination runs wild with possibility
Trust.
Easier said than done, the whole TRUST thing. Now let's go a bit further. Trusting GOD. How would you characterize your trust in God. Seriously, ask yourself this. Do you trust that He exists? Do you trust that He provides? Do you trust in His SOVEREIGNTY? Now, I'm well aware that there may be people who read this who are asking themselves - "She wants me to trust in someone/thing/entity that I can't see, I can't just call up? She must be crazy." Well, I may be crazy, but that is a whole other topic. What I want to write about is trusting God.
I can look back on my life and pinpoint specific instances where I haven't trust God. And I mean SPECIFIC. Word-for-word phrases that have gone through my mind or out of my mouth. I can even take myself back to the 'scene of the crime' in some instances. For example, I can remember sitting poolside, in the Arkansas heat and humidity, having a thought that quite literally changed my life - and not for the better. I'm not going to rehash all of that - it's beside the point. You see, the point is --- I wasn't trusting God.
Anyway, my pastor just finished a series on Job. All 3 of my avid readers ;) will be aware of this, because I've been posting links to the sermons. Well, I understand if you don't have time to listen to each hour long sermon, so I will tell you one of the main things I've taken from it. Job didn't trust God. That was Job's sin. He didn't trust God - he misunderstood Him.
Job, you may ask, of all people? Well, who can blame him, after what he went through? Easy answer here, God can. God, his creator, who made him in His image - yes, He can be angry at Job's mistrust. And guess what? When we, you and I, can't trust in God, it makes Him mad - and rightly so. As fallen beings, we are quick to forget His blessings and focus on our sufferings; which in the end are just as temporal as anything else in this world.
I'm not going to go on much more about Job, I would rather leave it to the professionals. Check out these sermons when you have time, I promise you it will be worth it. Job's Trials, Job's Questions, Job's Friends, and Job's God. Also, I listened to a sermon yesterday, The Surprise - The Message of Ruth, another great sermon on trusting God's plans for you.
So, I've been hyper-aware lately. I have been paying attention to the struggle that other people go through. In believers and non-believers. In drug addicts and alcoholics and the painfully shy and just plain sad people (sometimes temporary, sometimes seemingly permanent), even in television show characters! And the effect of those struggles - sin. Now don't worry, I see it in myself, too. Everyone is affected; this is not mutually exclusive to one's faith (or lack thereof). Mistrust in God leads to struggle. And if you really want to break free of those chains, you must turn to Him.
Now, how am I putting this into action? Goooood question. I had a thought yesterday on the way home from work. When my imagination runs wild with possibility, and I suddenly dismiss it as never-going-to-happen-for-me, as I'm wont to do - I have to remind myself - with God all things are possible. Now does this give me free reign to fantasize about a dream life? It most certainly does not. But I have to be able to trust that God can give me a better life than I could ever dream of (which is an effective way to stop silly daydreaming). He gives me glimpses of it every once in awhile - which I think is His way of telling me 'all in good time.'
(thought of one my way home from work yesterday, written when I got home)
Easier said than done, the whole TRUST thing. Now let's go a bit further. Trusting GOD. How would you characterize your trust in God. Seriously, ask yourself this. Do you trust that He exists? Do you trust that He provides? Do you trust in His SOVEREIGNTY? Now, I'm well aware that there may be people who read this who are asking themselves - "She wants me to trust in someone/thing/entity that I can't see, I can't just call up? She must be crazy." Well, I may be crazy, but that is a whole other topic. What I want to write about is trusting God.
I can look back on my life and pinpoint specific instances where I haven't trust God. And I mean SPECIFIC. Word-for-word phrases that have gone through my mind or out of my mouth. I can even take myself back to the 'scene of the crime' in some instances. For example, I can remember sitting poolside, in the Arkansas heat and humidity, having a thought that quite literally changed my life - and not for the better. I'm not going to rehash all of that - it's beside the point. You see, the point is --- I wasn't trusting God.
Anyway, my pastor just finished a series on Job. All 3 of my avid readers ;) will be aware of this, because I've been posting links to the sermons. Well, I understand if you don't have time to listen to each hour long sermon, so I will tell you one of the main things I've taken from it. Job didn't trust God. That was Job's sin. He didn't trust God - he misunderstood Him.
Job, you may ask, of all people? Well, who can blame him, after what he went through? Easy answer here, God can. God, his creator, who made him in His image - yes, He can be angry at Job's mistrust. And guess what? When we, you and I, can't trust in God, it makes Him mad - and rightly so. As fallen beings, we are quick to forget His blessings and focus on our sufferings; which in the end are just as temporal as anything else in this world.
I'm not going to go on much more about Job, I would rather leave it to the professionals. Check out these sermons when you have time, I promise you it will be worth it. Job's Trials, Job's Questions, Job's Friends, and Job's God. Also, I listened to a sermon yesterday, The Surprise - The Message of Ruth, another great sermon on trusting God's plans for you.
So, I've been hyper-aware lately. I have been paying attention to the struggle that other people go through. In believers and non-believers. In drug addicts and alcoholics and the painfully shy and just plain sad people (sometimes temporary, sometimes seemingly permanent), even in television show characters! And the effect of those struggles - sin. Now don't worry, I see it in myself, too. Everyone is affected; this is not mutually exclusive to one's faith (or lack thereof). Mistrust in God leads to struggle. And if you really want to break free of those chains, you must turn to Him.
Now, how am I putting this into action? Goooood question. I had a thought yesterday on the way home from work. When my imagination runs wild with possibility, and I suddenly dismiss it as never-going-to-happen-for-me, as I'm wont to do - I have to remind myself - with God all things are possible. Now does this give me free reign to fantasize about a dream life? It most certainly does not. But I have to be able to trust that God can give me a better life than I could ever dream of (which is an effective way to stop silly daydreaming). He gives me glimpses of it every once in awhile - which I think is His way of telling me 'all in good time.'
(thought of one my way home from work yesterday, written when I got home)
Quiet Time : Thank You
I have taken on the task of reading my Bible straight through, from beginning to end. I'm up to II Chronicles right now. I feel as though God wants me to do it in this way. And I know that people suggest reading it differently; but you see, I can't. I've tried. My dear friend Brooke suggested I read I Corinthians and when I tried ... it's almost like I'm being prodded - nope, back to the OT for you!
So I've decided to start sharing verses that jump out at me. Sometimes I will give an explanation, other times I will simply type in the verse. I plan on linking to the chapter that contains the verse, so that those who feel moved to can go read it in context.
Here we go...
II Chronicles 18:31
"... Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him; and God moved them to depart from him." (emphasis mine)
Thank You.
So I've decided to start sharing verses that jump out at me. Sometimes I will give an explanation, other times I will simply type in the verse. I plan on linking to the chapter that contains the verse, so that those who feel moved to can go read it in context.
Here we go...
II Chronicles 18:31
"... Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him; and God moved them to depart from him." (emphasis mine)
Thank You.
Monday, July 14, 2008
and you think You have problems (part 4 - final sermon)
Here is the fourth and final sermon in the series of Job from my church: Job's God - Job 38-42. Pastor Mark did a great job.
Also, here is an article written by Tony Snow, Cancer's Unexpected Blessings. In case you don't know who he is, Mr. Snow was a Fox News commentator, and was Press Secretary for President Bush. He passed away last Saturday of colon cancer. Mark quotes from this article in the sermon. I was fortunate to have met him twice - he spoke at a fundraiser put on by my boss, and I met him during a West Wing tour in his office. He was a great Christian man, and will be missed by many.
Oh yeah, and here are some notes I took during the sermon. I really hope you take the time to listen to the sermon from the link above.
*God displays Job's powerlessness.
*God mocked Job for "educational purposes," revealing something of His mystery and of His mercy.
*God is under obligation to no one - His goodness is His mercy.
*God speaks to Job BEFORE Job has repented of his sin. God took iniative while he was being opposed/slandered.
*We deserve wrath, He gives us love.
*Job's friends accused him of sin, but when he repents he is not confessing any sin imagined by them. He confessed the sin of misunderstanding God.
*"Closer knowledge of God brings us to fear God more and trust God more."
*Continual repentence marks the Christian life. We learn to mistrust our own self-protection.
*Job's friend's ONLY explanation for suffering was sin. A restricted notion of God. Thinking this way inhibits belief in the Gospel - Jesus was the only one, true innocent sufferer. Job is a great example of innocent suffering.
*Job based his trust not on why but on who. Not on specific events, but on God.
Mark goes on to preach about Job's restoration and has a GREAT conclusion. If you haven't been listening to the sermons I've been posting, I highly recommend you listen to this one! :)
Also, here is an article written by Tony Snow, Cancer's Unexpected Blessings. In case you don't know who he is, Mr. Snow was a Fox News commentator, and was Press Secretary for President Bush. He passed away last Saturday of colon cancer. Mark quotes from this article in the sermon. I was fortunate to have met him twice - he spoke at a fundraiser put on by my boss, and I met him during a West Wing tour in his office. He was a great Christian man, and will be missed by many.
Oh yeah, and here are some notes I took during the sermon. I really hope you take the time to listen to the sermon from the link above.
*God displays Job's powerlessness.
*God mocked Job for "educational purposes," revealing something of His mystery and of His mercy.
*God is under obligation to no one - His goodness is His mercy.
*God speaks to Job BEFORE Job has repented of his sin. God took iniative while he was being opposed/slandered.
*We deserve wrath, He gives us love.
*Job's friends accused him of sin, but when he repents he is not confessing any sin imagined by them. He confessed the sin of misunderstanding God.
*"Closer knowledge of God brings us to fear God more and trust God more."
*Continual repentence marks the Christian life. We learn to mistrust our own self-protection.
*Job's friend's ONLY explanation for suffering was sin. A restricted notion of God. Thinking this way inhibits belief in the Gospel - Jesus was the only one, true innocent sufferer. Job is a great example of innocent suffering.
*Job based his trust not on why but on who. Not on specific events, but on God.
Mark goes on to preach about Job's restoration and has a GREAT conclusion. If you haven't been listening to the sermons I've been posting, I highly recommend you listen to this one! :)
Friday, July 11, 2008
yet another follow up - Who am I?
Here comes another one: BANG! ZOOM!
Everyday Disciples, Mark 4:35-41
Check out the last paragraph, "Who am I Lord, to be chosen for this task?" Now, I'm not saying that I've been chosen for any particular task, but it helps to think of the writer's answer to this question when faced with what I am to do for others.
Everyday Disciples, Mark 4:35-41
Check out the last paragraph, "Who am I Lord, to be chosen for this task?" Now, I'm not saying that I've been chosen for any particular task, but it helps to think of the writer's answer to this question when faced with what I am to do for others.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Daily Dose of Spurgeon
Morning and Evening, July 9 PM
Genesis 1:4
And God divided the light from the darkness.
A believer has two principles at work within him. In his natural estate he was subject to one principle only, which was darkness; now light has entered, and the two principles disagree. Mark the apostle Paul's words in the seventh chapter of Romans: "I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my members." How is this state of things occasioned? "The Lord divided the light from the darkness." Darkness, by itself, is quiet and undisturbed, but when the Lord sends in light, there is a conflict, for the one is in opposition to the other: a conflict which will never cease till the believer is altogether light in the Lord. If there be a division within the individual Christian, there is certain to be a division without. So soon as the Lord gives to any man light, he proceeds to separate himself from the darkness around; he secedes from a merely worldly religion of outward ceremonial, for nothing short of the gospel of Christ will now satisfy him, and he withdraws himself from worldly society and frivolous amusements, and seeks the company of the saints, for "We know we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." The light gathers to itself, and the darkness to itself. What God has divided, let us never try to unite, but as Christ went without the camp, bearing His reproach, so let us come out from the ungodly, and be a peculiar people. He was holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners; and, as He was, so we are to be nonconformists to the world, dissenting from all sin, and distinguished from the rest of mankind by our likeness to our Master.
C.H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Hendrickson Publishers, 1997.
Genesis 1:4
And God divided the light from the darkness.
A believer has two principles at work within him. In his natural estate he was subject to one principle only, which was darkness; now light has entered, and the two principles disagree. Mark the apostle Paul's words in the seventh chapter of Romans: "I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my members." How is this state of things occasioned? "The Lord divided the light from the darkness." Darkness, by itself, is quiet and undisturbed, but when the Lord sends in light, there is a conflict, for the one is in opposition to the other: a conflict which will never cease till the believer is altogether light in the Lord. If there be a division within the individual Christian, there is certain to be a division without. So soon as the Lord gives to any man light, he proceeds to separate himself from the darkness around; he secedes from a merely worldly religion of outward ceremonial, for nothing short of the gospel of Christ will now satisfy him, and he withdraws himself from worldly society and frivolous amusements, and seeks the company of the saints, for "We know we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." The light gathers to itself, and the darkness to itself. What God has divided, let us never try to unite, but as Christ went without the camp, bearing His reproach, so let us come out from the ungodly, and be a peculiar people. He was holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners; and, as He was, so we are to be nonconformists to the world, dissenting from all sin, and distinguished from the rest of mankind by our likeness to our Master.
C.H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Hendrickson Publishers, 1997.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Follow up to yesterday - Who am I?
I just read a great article, thought I'd share it:
Why We're Here: The Call to Serve excerpt from So Close I Can Feel God's Breath, by Dr. Beverly Rose.
It really aids me in my questions from yesterday's post: why me, what about them, what is my role?
God is so good!
Why We're Here: The Call to Serve excerpt from So Close I Can Feel God's Breath, by Dr. Beverly Rose.
It really aids me in my questions from yesterday's post: why me, what about them, what is my role?
God is so good!
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Who am I?
7.7.08 11:27 pm
Who am I?
II Chronicles 17:16-27 (prayer of David)
floating somewhere between being a sinner
and covered by grace.
why me?
what about them?
what is my role?
Teach me, show me, I AM YOURS.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"May the truth that saved you always be the dearest truth of your life."
C.J. Mahaney - A Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
You've taken away my pain; that which I held on to tightly for so long.
You've given it back to me, to use as a tool.
I want to help.
I want to be useful.
I want to be a LIGHT.
And all I know to do is gaze upon the wonderous cross.
That is enough.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I've bought some t-shirts lately. Okay, let me back up.
I've been purging my closet of unnecessary clothes. Too tight, too old; what have you... I'm getting rid of a lot of stuff.
Also, I've bought new t-shirts - from To Write Love On Her Arms and You Are Loved. I also have my eye on one or two from Mercy Ministries.
You see, I want to HELP girls who are in desperate need. Girls who are blinded to their worth. I've been there before...and I want to help.
Gotta start somewhere, eh? So I've bought some t-shirts. I started volunteering for Young Lives DC at my church, right before their summer break (ah, just a little too late, will have to wait until the fall). Oh yeah, when I bought the You Are Loved t-shirt, I had an option to donate a percentage to different charities, Young Lives was one of them. Click here to check it out.
So... watching babies and buying t-shirts...* not sure where to go from here, but it's a start. The beginning of a journey, and I can't wait to see what lies ahead of me.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Crush?
Yeah. I've got one. I feel ridiculous. Really, ridiculous. Feel as though God is showing me that YES! there are Christian men in this world that I can actually LIKE. Weird thing is ... I just don't see it happening...
I've prayed and prayed about this - asking God - "okay, so is this to show me Truth about you, and it could either end up good (he likes me, too!) or bad (he's like, no thanks!), but that with either outcome my faith is to rest solely on You."
Whoa. Pretty much sums up everything.
*************************************************
* Today (7.8.2008) I registered for the To Write Love On Her Arms Street Team. I'm pretty jazzed!
*************************************************
Who Am I (lyrics)
Who am I?
II Chronicles 17:16-27 (prayer of David)
floating somewhere between being a sinner
and covered by grace.
why me?
what about them?
what is my role?
Teach me, show me, I AM YOURS.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"May the truth that saved you always be the dearest truth of your life."
C.J. Mahaney - A Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
You've taken away my pain; that which I held on to tightly for so long.
You've given it back to me, to use as a tool.
I want to help.
I want to be useful.
I want to be a LIGHT.
And all I know to do is gaze upon the wonderous cross.
That is enough.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I've bought some t-shirts lately. Okay, let me back up.
I've been purging my closet of unnecessary clothes. Too tight, too old; what have you... I'm getting rid of a lot of stuff.
Also, I've bought new t-shirts - from To Write Love On Her Arms and You Are Loved. I also have my eye on one or two from Mercy Ministries.
You see, I want to HELP girls who are in desperate need. Girls who are blinded to their worth. I've been there before...and I want to help.
Gotta start somewhere, eh? So I've bought some t-shirts. I started volunteering for Young Lives DC at my church, right before their summer break (ah, just a little too late, will have to wait until the fall). Oh yeah, when I bought the You Are Loved t-shirt, I had an option to donate a percentage to different charities, Young Lives was one of them. Click here to check it out.
So... watching babies and buying t-shirts...* not sure where to go from here, but it's a start. The beginning of a journey, and I can't wait to see what lies ahead of me.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Crush?
Yeah. I've got one. I feel ridiculous. Really, ridiculous. Feel as though God is showing me that YES! there are Christian men in this world that I can actually LIKE. Weird thing is ... I just don't see it happening...
I've prayed and prayed about this - asking God - "okay, so is this to show me Truth about you, and it could either end up good (he likes me, too!) or bad (he's like, no thanks!), but that with either outcome my faith is to rest solely on You."
Whoa. Pretty much sums up everything.
*************************************************
* Today (7.8.2008) I registered for the To Write Love On Her Arms Street Team. I'm pretty jazzed!
*************************************************
Who Am I (lyrics)
and you think YOU have problems (parts 2 and 3)
Part 2: Job's Questions
Click here to listen.
Part 3: Job's Friends
Click here to listen.
Both so so good!
Click here to listen.
Part 3: Job's Friends
Click here to listen.
Both so so good!
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Guarding My Heart
This is the right way to do it:
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the well spring of life."
The wrong way? That would be the way I do it.
I have learned a big lesson lately. It's about fear of man. Whoa, sounds a little intimidating, doesn't it? FEAR OF MAN. But it's not just basic fear. It's not being scared of people. It is putting people above God. It is putting my fear of other's reactions above God's will. It is in every way not fearing the Lord as I should.
Fear of God. I think to a non-Christian that must sound like nonsense. Scare tactic. Uneducated masses of people who want an explanation for natural disasters, death, illness, any-bad-thing. But that is not the case. As I understand it, to fear the Lord it to know that His wrath is just. It's to know that I am a sinner, and that I deserve death; total separation from Him and His Love. It is the realization that as a Christian, a believer in the Gospel, I in no way deserve God's Grace, but HE GIVES IT TO ME ANYWAY. Fear of God is healthy. It is not being scared all of the time. It is a reverential treatment of Him; of His Power, Glory, and Grace. Respecting what He has done, is doing, and will be doing for me. Daily and always.
Just thought I'd attempt to clear that up.
So, back to fear of man, and guarding my heart in the wrong way. My preacher is half way done with a 4 part series on Job. In the first sermon, he said two things that struck me.
1. Do you try to live your life to avoid suffering?
2. Fear of man is a waste of time and an insult to God.
These two statements really narrowed in on something specific I have been battling with for years, and have recently been working on - seeking counsel on - praying about earnestly. Relationships... with men. I have come to realize in the past few months that I just don't trust men. I think that all men are the same, and that there aren't any out there that can see past the exterior; and the one's that are out there - the good ones - wouldn't want anything to do with me.
Now, there are things in my past - relationship, etc., where one might think, "well, I don't blame you for being afraid of being hurt." Actually, people have told me that same thing. The thing is, if I am trusting God, really trusting in His Sovereignty, then I have nothing to fear. Not one thing. Even if it is obvious that something bad will happen to me, I have no room for fear. That is how Christians are called to live.
So, thank God! I have a new mindset when it comes to men and marriage. There will be someone for me if God wills it. Everything is possible with God - even there being a man out there who can deal with my insecurities, my weirdness, my past, my mind, my heart. It is possible, and if I keep trying to guard my heart in the wrong way - I may just miss out one what He has in store for me.
Lessons learned my friends, lessons learned.
CHECK OUT THIS COMMENTARY Scroll down to B - God describes His dealing with His disobedient people.
Isaiah 57:10-12 (NIV)
10 You were wearied by all your ways,
but you would not say, 'It is hopeless.'
You found renewal of your strength,
and so you did not faint.
11 "Whom have you so dreaded and feared
that you have been false to me,
and have neither remembered me
nor pondered this in your hearts?
Is it not because I have long been silent
that you do not fear me?
12 I will expose your righteousness and your works,
and they will not benefit you.
Psalm 2:11 (NIV)
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Hebrews 12:28 (NIV)
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Exodus 20:20 (NIV)
Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning."
Psalm 89:7 (NIV)
In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared;
he is more awesome than all who surround him.
CHECK OUT THIS BOOK, WE’RE READING IT IN SMALL GROUP
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the well spring of life."
The wrong way? That would be the way I do it.
I have learned a big lesson lately. It's about fear of man. Whoa, sounds a little intimidating, doesn't it? FEAR OF MAN. But it's not just basic fear. It's not being scared of people. It is putting people above God. It is putting my fear of other's reactions above God's will. It is in every way not fearing the Lord as I should.
Fear of God. I think to a non-Christian that must sound like nonsense. Scare tactic. Uneducated masses of people who want an explanation for natural disasters, death, illness, any-bad-thing. But that is not the case. As I understand it, to fear the Lord it to know that His wrath is just. It's to know that I am a sinner, and that I deserve death; total separation from Him and His Love. It is the realization that as a Christian, a believer in the Gospel, I in no way deserve God's Grace, but HE GIVES IT TO ME ANYWAY. Fear of God is healthy. It is not being scared all of the time. It is a reverential treatment of Him; of His Power, Glory, and Grace. Respecting what He has done, is doing, and will be doing for me. Daily and always.
Just thought I'd attempt to clear that up.
So, back to fear of man, and guarding my heart in the wrong way. My preacher is half way done with a 4 part series on Job. In the first sermon, he said two things that struck me.
1. Do you try to live your life to avoid suffering?
2. Fear of man is a waste of time and an insult to God.
These two statements really narrowed in on something specific I have been battling with for years, and have recently been working on - seeking counsel on - praying about earnestly. Relationships... with men. I have come to realize in the past few months that I just don't trust men. I think that all men are the same, and that there aren't any out there that can see past the exterior; and the one's that are out there - the good ones - wouldn't want anything to do with me.
Now, there are things in my past - relationship, etc., where one might think, "well, I don't blame you for being afraid of being hurt." Actually, people have told me that same thing. The thing is, if I am trusting God, really trusting in His Sovereignty, then I have nothing to fear. Not one thing. Even if it is obvious that something bad will happen to me, I have no room for fear. That is how Christians are called to live.
So, thank God! I have a new mindset when it comes to men and marriage. There will be someone for me if God wills it. Everything is possible with God - even there being a man out there who can deal with my insecurities, my weirdness, my past, my mind, my heart. It is possible, and if I keep trying to guard my heart in the wrong way - I may just miss out one what He has in store for me.
Lessons learned my friends, lessons learned.
CHECK OUT THIS COMMENTARY Scroll down to B - God describes His dealing with His disobedient people.
Isaiah 57:10-12 (NIV)
10 You were wearied by all your ways,
but you would not say, 'It is hopeless.'
You found renewal of your strength,
and so you did not faint.
11 "Whom have you so dreaded and feared
that you have been false to me,
and have neither remembered me
nor pondered this in your hearts?
Is it not because I have long been silent
that you do not fear me?
12 I will expose your righteousness and your works,
and they will not benefit you.
Psalm 2:11 (NIV)
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Hebrews 12:28 (NIV)
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Exodus 20:20 (NIV)
Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning."
Psalm 89:7 (NIV)
In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared;
he is more awesome than all who surround him.
CHECK OUT THIS BOOK, WE’RE READING IT IN SMALL GROUP
Friday, June 27, 2008
light and dark and flipping the switch
Darkness. Complete and utter blindness. Panic.
I had a memory this morning as I was walking to work. I think it was my sophmore year of college, and I was taking philosophy. Not by choice, mind you; it was required*. It was an interesting class to say the least. It was taught by a graduate student, it was the first class he ever taught. It felt like he was given full reign. There wasn't much teaching of the great philosphers of the past; no sequential history - I'm still not sure what the point of the class was.
It always ended up being discussions about whether or not God exists; with three students taking the lead. One was an atheist, one was a self-professed warlock, and one was a guy who knew the Bible back and forth. Notice I didn't identify him as a Christian; he didn't claim to be one.
Anyway, it would be this rousing (not in a good way) discussion of God every class period. Every time I would try to interject, I would be shot right down. This was the first time in my life that I had heard people denouncing God. It was a very odd spot for me to be in; it just wasn't something I was ever prepared for.
It was something hard for me to grasp. I had never been around people who believed this way (or at least so loudly claimed to). I just couldn't begin to understand how someone couldn't believe in God. I had believed in Him my whole life (and I know that belief in God doesn't make you a Christian). I had never even questioned that He couldn't ... EXIST.
So I undertook an interesting project - disclaimer: I don't recommend this to ANYONE. I tried to feel what it would be like to not believe in God. I can't recall how exactly I did this, but I remember thinking "how would it feel to BE and not believe in God." I tried to imagine reaching out to God (as I was so incredibly comfortable doing), and Him not being there. Do you want to know the result? It was total and utter darkness. That is all I felt. Darkness.
I quickly scrambled my way back to Light, I remember praying "God, that was AWFUL. How can anyone live that way?"
Well, lo these many years later, I had a sort of epiphany. Millions and billions of people live that way every.single.day. People live their whole lives that way. And yes, I have always known that there are people who don't believe in God. I know that there are people that do believe in Him, but not His Son; not the Gospel, just that He simply exists (or just may exist). I have been taught this all before. But as I said; this morning, I saw these things in a different way.
Anyway, back to the darkness. I started thinking of specific people, and how they react to things (life can be a great teacher; mine and others). How their desperate scramblings only lead them to more darkness, more stumbling. How their utter blindness causes them to hit so many obstacles, and how they don't know any other way. It's like the light switch is right in front of them, but they have no way of knowing that it is there. There are others who do know where the switch is, but refuse to flip it - refuse the help - feel as though self-sufficiency is much better than total Lightness. These people just can't trust in a Savior...
Part of me wants to just shake them. "Just turn away from yourself! You have no idea what peace this will give you! Reach out and FLIP THE SWITCH! Total love and mercy awaits you! The Ultimate Gift from God - that is Grace - will Change You for the Better, Forever!" But I also know that it is God who gives this feeling to people. It is God who gives this intense desire to know Him. It is only God. No amount of shaking I could do would help.
So what can I do?
+I can pray for them.
+I can LOVE them.
+I can let my light shine (*sings* this little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine *sings*).
+I can share the Gospel with them.
+I can look at them as totally lost, and undergoing a great battle. (be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle - Philo of Alexandria)
+I can be aware of the struggle they are going through; and not just dismiss it as mere folly. I just can't imagine it being intentional.
+I can stop seeing myself as helpless in this, and start knowing that I can make a difference.
+I can break out of my comfy bubble.
+I can pray for help - for God to lead me in this endeavor.
+I CAN do all of these listed above, but only through the Grace of God.
1 John 1 (NIV)
The Word of Life
1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
2The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
3We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
4We write this to make our joy complete.
Walking in the light
5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
6If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.
7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
II Samuel 22:28-30 (NIV)
28 You save the humble,
but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.
29 You are my lamp, O LORD;
the LORD turns my darkness into light.
30 With your help I can advance against a troop;
with my God I can scale a wall.
Job 24:12-14 (NIV)
12 The groans of the dying rise from the city,
and the souls of the wounded cry out for help.
But God charges no one with wrongdoing.
13 "There are those who rebel against the light,
who do not know its ways
or stay in its paths.
14 When daylight is gone, the murderer rises up
and kills the poor and needy;
in the night he steals forth like a thief.
Psalm 119: 104-106 (NIV)
104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.
Ecclesiastes 2:12-14 (NIV)
Wisdom and Folly Are Meaningless
12 Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom,
and also madness and folly.
What more can the king's successor do
than what has already been done?
13 I saw that wisdom is better than folly,
just as light is better than darkness.
14 The wise man has eyes in his head,
while the fool walks in the darkness;
but I came to realize
that the same fate overtakes them both.
Matthew 5:14-17 (NIV)
14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
The Fulfillment of the Law
17"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
*Oh yeah, I didn't stay in the class very long. I dropped it and took philosophy the next year, from the professor that everyone wanted to take it from. I learned a lot about philosphers of every age, how their teachings changed the ways of thought throughout history ... interesting things, and good to know.
I had a memory this morning as I was walking to work. I think it was my sophmore year of college, and I was taking philosophy. Not by choice, mind you; it was required*. It was an interesting class to say the least. It was taught by a graduate student, it was the first class he ever taught. It felt like he was given full reign. There wasn't much teaching of the great philosphers of the past; no sequential history - I'm still not sure what the point of the class was.
It always ended up being discussions about whether or not God exists; with three students taking the lead. One was an atheist, one was a self-professed warlock, and one was a guy who knew the Bible back and forth. Notice I didn't identify him as a Christian; he didn't claim to be one.
Anyway, it would be this rousing (not in a good way) discussion of God every class period. Every time I would try to interject, I would be shot right down. This was the first time in my life that I had heard people denouncing God. It was a very odd spot for me to be in; it just wasn't something I was ever prepared for.
It was something hard for me to grasp. I had never been around people who believed this way (or at least so loudly claimed to). I just couldn't begin to understand how someone couldn't believe in God. I had believed in Him my whole life (and I know that belief in God doesn't make you a Christian). I had never even questioned that He couldn't ... EXIST.
So I undertook an interesting project - disclaimer: I don't recommend this to ANYONE. I tried to feel what it would be like to not believe in God. I can't recall how exactly I did this, but I remember thinking "how would it feel to BE and not believe in God." I tried to imagine reaching out to God (as I was so incredibly comfortable doing), and Him not being there. Do you want to know the result? It was total and utter darkness. That is all I felt. Darkness.
I quickly scrambled my way back to Light, I remember praying "God, that was AWFUL. How can anyone live that way?"
Well, lo these many years later, I had a sort of epiphany. Millions and billions of people live that way every.single.day. People live their whole lives that way. And yes, I have always known that there are people who don't believe in God. I know that there are people that do believe in Him, but not His Son; not the Gospel, just that He simply exists (or just may exist). I have been taught this all before. But as I said; this morning, I saw these things in a different way.
Anyway, back to the darkness. I started thinking of specific people, and how they react to things (life can be a great teacher; mine and others). How their desperate scramblings only lead them to more darkness, more stumbling. How their utter blindness causes them to hit so many obstacles, and how they don't know any other way. It's like the light switch is right in front of them, but they have no way of knowing that it is there. There are others who do know where the switch is, but refuse to flip it - refuse the help - feel as though self-sufficiency is much better than total Lightness. These people just can't trust in a Savior...
Part of me wants to just shake them. "Just turn away from yourself! You have no idea what peace this will give you! Reach out and FLIP THE SWITCH! Total love and mercy awaits you! The Ultimate Gift from God - that is Grace - will Change You for the Better, Forever!" But I also know that it is God who gives this feeling to people. It is God who gives this intense desire to know Him. It is only God. No amount of shaking I could do would help.
So what can I do?
+I can pray for them.
+I can LOVE them.
+I can let my light shine (*sings* this little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine *sings*).
+I can share the Gospel with them.
+I can look at them as totally lost, and undergoing a great battle. (be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle - Philo of Alexandria)
+I can be aware of the struggle they are going through; and not just dismiss it as mere folly. I just can't imagine it being intentional.
+I can stop seeing myself as helpless in this, and start knowing that I can make a difference.
+I can break out of my comfy bubble.
+I can pray for help - for God to lead me in this endeavor.
+I CAN do all of these listed above, but only through the Grace of God.
1 John 1 (NIV)
The Word of Life
1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
2The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.
3We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
4We write this to make our joy complete.
Walking in the light
5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
6If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.
7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
II Samuel 22:28-30 (NIV)
28 You save the humble,
but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.
29 You are my lamp, O LORD;
the LORD turns my darkness into light.
30 With your help I can advance against a troop;
with my God I can scale a wall.
Job 24:12-14 (NIV)
12 The groans of the dying rise from the city,
and the souls of the wounded cry out for help.
But God charges no one with wrongdoing.
13 "There are those who rebel against the light,
who do not know its ways
or stay in its paths.
14 When daylight is gone, the murderer rises up
and kills the poor and needy;
in the night he steals forth like a thief.
Psalm 119: 104-106 (NIV)
104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.
Ecclesiastes 2:12-14 (NIV)
Wisdom and Folly Are Meaningless
12 Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom,
and also madness and folly.
What more can the king's successor do
than what has already been done?
13 I saw that wisdom is better than folly,
just as light is better than darkness.
14 The wise man has eyes in his head,
while the fool walks in the darkness;
but I came to realize
that the same fate overtakes them both.
Matthew 5:14-17 (NIV)
14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
The Fulfillment of the Law
17"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
*Oh yeah, I didn't stay in the class very long. I dropped it and took philosophy the next year, from the professor that everyone wanted to take it from. I learned a lot about philosphers of every age, how their teachings changed the ways of thought throughout history ... interesting things, and good to know.
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