Thriving with Arnie

"They shall sing in the ways of the Lord."

2012-02-01T09:44:00.002-08:00

"They shall sing in the ways of the Lord."

— Psalm 138:5

The time when Christians begin to sing in the ways of the Lord is when they first lose their burden at the foot of the Cross. Not even the songs of the angels seem so sweet as the first song of rapture which gushes from the inmost soul of the forgiven child of God. You know how John Bunyan describes it. He says when poor Pilgrim lost his burden at the Cross, he gave three great leaps, and went on his way singing-- "Blest Cross! blest Sepulchre! blest rather be The Man that there was put to shame for me!"
Believer, do you recollect the day when your fetters fell off? Do you remember the place when Jesus met you, and said, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love; I have blotted out as a cloud thy transgressions, and as a thick cloud thy sins; they shall not be mentioned against thee any more for ever." Oh! what a sweet season is that when Jesus takes away the pain of sin. When the Lord first pardoned my sin, I was so joyous that I could scarce refrain from dancing. I thought on my road home from the house where I had been set at liberty, that I must tell the stones in the street the story of my deliverance. So full was my soul of joy, that I wanted to tell every snow-flake that was falling from heaven of the wondrous love of Jesus, who had blotted out the sins of one of the chief of rebels. But it is not only at the commencement of the Christian life that believers have reason for song; as long as they live they discover cause to sing in the ways of the Lord, and their experience of His constant lovingkindness leads them to say, "I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth." See to it, brother, that thou magnifiest the Lord this day.
"Long as we tread this desert land, New mercies shall new songs demand."

C.H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening

Gospel + safety + time

2012-01-28T13:45:00.000-08:00

"It’s what everyone needs. Everyone. Gospel + safety + time. A lot of gospel + a lot of safety + a lot of time.

Gospel: good news for bad people through the finished work of Christ on the cross and the present power of the Holy Spirit. Multiple exposures. Constant immersion. Wave upon wave of grace and truth, according to the Bible.

Safety: a non-accusing environment. No finger-pointing. No embarrassing anyone. No manipulation. No oppression. No condescension. But respect and sympathy and understanding, where sinners can confess and unburden their souls.

Time: no pressure. Not even self-imposed pressure. No deadlines on growth. No rush. No hurry. But a lot of space for complicated people to rethink their lives at a deep level. If we relax, trusting in God’s patience, we actually get going.

This is what our churches must be: gentle environments of gospel + safety + time. It’s the only way anyone can ever change.

Who doesn’t need that?"

Gospel + safety + time

is a post from: Ray Ortlund

"And of his fulness have all we received." — John 1:16

2012-01-26T22:11:00.002-08:00

These words tell us that there is a fulness in Christ. There is a fulness of essential Deity, for "in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead." There is a fulness of perfect manhood, for in Him, bodily, that Godhead was revealed. There is a fulness of atoning efficacy in His blood, for "the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin." There is a fulness of justifying righteousness in His life, for "there is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus." There is a fulness of divine prevalence in His plea, for "He is able to save to the uttermost them that come unto God by Him; seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." There is a fulness of victory in His death, for through death He destroyed him that had the power of death, that is the devil. There is a fulness of efficacy in His resurrection from the dead, for by it "we are begotten again unto a lively hope." There is a fuIness of triumph in His ascension, for "when He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and received gifts for men." There is a fulness of blessings of every sort and shape; a fulness of grace to pardon, of grace to regenerate, of grace to sanctify, of grace to preserve, and of grace to perfect. There is a fulness at all times; a fulness of comfort in affliction; a fulness of guidance in prosperity. A fulness of every divine attribute, of wisdom, of power, of love; a fulness which it were impossible to survey, much less to explore. "It pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell." Oh, what a fulness must this be of which all receive! Fulness, indeed, must there be when the stream is always flowing, and yet the well springs up as free, as rich, as full as ever. Come, believer, and get all thy need supplied; ask largely, and thou shalt receive largely, for this "fulness" is inexhaustible, and is treasured up where all the needy may reach it, even in Jesus, Immanuel--God with us.

C.H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening

Victory in Chronic Pain

2012-01-22T12:15:00.002-08:00

This morning begins a hard day. I have a chest cold which magnifies the chronic pain and fatigue already in my frail little frame. So I am home alone again waiting for church service to be over in hopes someone can come hang out with me.

So I am home alone doing the last thing I probably should be - looking at Fibromyalgia sites. This past week I have been researching doctors as my last Fibromyalgia doctor doesn't believe FMS is debilitating. He clearly doesn't have it. FMS is so tricky because no one can see the disability - and there is no diagnostic test that will prove it on paper. I need a doctor that will believe me, then progress can be made. Anyway, I stumbled onto a couple websites that intrigued me. The first, Living With Fibromyalgia, is a great explanation of what FMS feels like and the repercussions on one's life. The other, What Your Doctor Doesn't Know About Fibromyalgia, by Linda Melenk MD.

Both are great descriptions of the suffering that goes on beyond the physical pain itself. The first was accurate but pretty depressing. Line after line I heard in my heart, "But there is Hope! Living Hope amidst the pain!" The second one ended like this,

"FMS isn’t listed on a death certificate as a cause of death, but it can be deadly. FMS patients die from drug overdoses, lethal combinations of drugs, heart attacks and strokes caused by unendurable pain, withdrawal from drugs, and other causes linked to FMS. Sure, it would be easier for me to write that we are all going to recover completely immediately. Too many times, the helpful books I read (and there are some that were not) didn’t seem to address the panic, helplessness, despair, and severity of pain I was feeling. “If we can just keep our patients alive long enough to find a treatment,” my pain doctor said once, sighing as she handed me a prescription for Percocet. This is the story of staying alive."

My heart aches to hear this. Here, hope is placed in the treatment. Yes, finding someone to believe you is helpful. Yes, finding treatment that works is helpful. However, if we are relying on that next treatment, that next person to believe and understand, we are again trapped. We are chasing yet another carrot. I understand and will not deny the importance of an understanding support system and medical treatment. However, I want to scream on a mountain top, There is Hope for joy! This pain isn't for not! There is victory through the pain! There is One who will always understand, Who will never grow weary of you, Who is never overwhelmed by the length and breadth of your need, Who is the Great Physician, Who always wants to hear you cry out to Him! A doctor says, “If we can just keep our patients alive long enough to find a treatment,”, I say, Hear me and I will show you to the One and Only who will give you life long after treatment is found and He will give you life abundant even if treatment is never found.

The Great Physician promises: our present sufferings cannot be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us; we are more than conquerors in Him; though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day; He will give us a spirit not of fear but a spirit of power, love and self-control; your perseverance in pain will result in praise and glory and honor; you will have inexpressible and glorious joy! Why can He promise these things? Because He has overcome this world. He has conquered death. These, and everything in heaven and earth are all His to give. He is pleased to do so. Who? The Father, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Son, Jesus the Christ. The Holy Spirit, comforter and guide. The Most High God can address your panic, helplessness, despair and carry you through the most severe pain. His is not a story of simply staying alive or bearing down in pain. His is a story of abundant life in perseverance and eternal (pain and sorrow free) life beyond this one. Call out to Him and He will answer.

The Overcomer

2012-01-20T11:53:00.003-08:00

"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the Tree Of Life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God"

— Revelation 2:7

No man may turn his back in the day of battle or refuse to go to the holy war. We must fight if we would reign, and we must carry on the warfare till we overcome every enemy, or else this promise is not for us, since it is only for "him that overcometh." We are to overcome the false prophets who have come into the world and all the evils which accompany their teaching. We are to overcome our own faintness of heart and tendency to decline from our first love. Read the whole of the Spirit's word to the church at Ephesus. If by grace we win the day, as we shall if we truly follow our conquering Leader, then we shall be admitted to the very center of the paradise of God and shall be permitted to pass by the cherub and his flaming sword and come to that guarded tree, whereof if a man eat, he shall live forever. We shall thus escape that endless death which is the doom of sin and gain that everlasting life which is the seal of innocence, the outgrowth of immortal principles of Godlike holiness. Come, my heart, pluck up courage! To flee the conflict will be to lose the joys of the new and better Eden; to fight unto victory is to walk with God in paradise.

C.H. Spurgeon

Not Afraid to Die

2011-12-09T14:58:00.001-08:00

John Wesley came to realize how little he really knew of Jesus in the middle of the Atlantic, on board the Simmonds, when a storm broke out. A group of Moravian missionaries happened to be having a worship service on deck at the time. Wesley records that, when the storm became intense, “a terrible screaming began among the English.” But “the Germans looked up, and without intermission calmly sang on. I asked one of them afterwards, ‘Were you not afraid?’ He answered, ‘I thank God, no.’ I asked, ‘But were not your women and children afraid?’ He replied mildly, ‘No; our women and children are not afraid to die.’” Wesley then saw that something was missing from his life. He found it in Christ.
When – alas, probably not “If” – the next 9/11 hits us, may we serve and help in every way we can. But through it all, may we not yield to hysteria. May we calmly sing on. It will make an everlasting difference to others.
The Wesley episode narrated in A. Skevington Wood, The Inextinguishable Blaze: Spiritual Renewal and Advance in the Eighteenth Century (Grand Rapids, 1968), pages 105-106.

“. . . not afraid to die”

is a post from: Ray Ortlund

“Open Thou mine eyes "

2011-11-28T10:59:00.001-08:00

In Psalm 119, we have a lot of beautiful statements. Let’s just highlight a few. Verse 18 here’s a prayer: “Open Thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.” The Hebrew word for wondrous is incomprehensible, meaning too difficult to understand. Now class, let’s be honest. There are things difficult to understand in this Bible. Lots of it—very hard to understand! Then what’s the secret? Go to the Lord and depend upon Him. “Open mine eyes that I may behold difficult, incomprehensible things out of Thy law.”
There’s a prayer to understand. Look at verses 26 and 27. “I have declared my ways and Thou heardest me. Teach me Thy statutes. Make me to understand the way of Thy precepts. So shall I talk of Thy wondrous works.”
Do you ask God, “Teach me Your statutes?” Do you say, “Make me understand?” To say, “Make me understand”—and it’s because of a grammatical form of the word that it’s translated “make me to understand”—it suggests that there’s a natural tendency on our part not to do this. Somehow God needs to give us these gentle nudgings and proddings to make us understand. The psalmist was recognizing his own depravity and resistance when he says “make me to understand.”
Psalm 119:33-34. “Teach me [again the prayer] Teach me O Lord, the way of Thy statutes.” Notice back in verse 26 he said, “Teach me Thy statutes” and here he says, “Teach me the way of Thy statutes.” See when you come to study the Bible and find out the interpretation, some times it’s not just the content that you get down, but it’s the point of the content. It’s the direction in which God wants you to go by what you have learned. And sometimes we see people who are very intelligent in the Bible, but they don’t know what it means. They don’t know how to apply it. They don’t know the direction they should walk because of it. And that comes as a result of dependency upon God as well.

“Open Thou mine eyes "

is a post from Blue Letter Bible Blog

For how long?

2011-11-26T13:44:00.001-08:00

“My last sentence is simply this: The world is lost, the God of the Bible does exist; the world is lost, but truth is truth, keep on! And for how long? I’ll tell you. Keep on, keep on, keep on, keep on, and then keep on!”

Francis A. Schaeffer, Death in the City (Chicago, 1969), page 76. Italics original.

For how long?

is a post from: Ray Ortlund

"Fellowship with Him."

2011-11-23T13:29:00.001-08:00

"Fellowship with Him."

— 1 John 1:6

"When we were united by faith to Christ, we were brought into such complete fellowship with Him, that we were made one with Him, and His interests and ours became mutual and identical. We have fellowship with Christ in His love. What He loves we love. He loves the saints--so do we. He loves sinners--so do we. He loves the poor perishing race of man, and pants to see earth's deserts transformed into the garden of the Lord--so do we. We have fellowship with Him in His desires. He desires the glory of God--we also labour for the same. He desires that the saints may be with Him where He is--we desire to be with Him there too. He desires to drive out sin--behold we fight under His banner. He desires that His Father's name may be loved and adored by all His creatures--we pray daily, "Let Thy kingdom come and Thy will be done on earth, even as it is in heaven." We have fellowship with Christ in His sufferings. We are not nailed to the cross, nor do we die a cruel death, but when He is reproached, we are reproached; and a very sweet thing it is to be blamed for His sake, to be despised for following the Master, to have the world against us. The disciple should not be above His Lord. In our measure we commune with Him in His labours, ministering to men by the word of truth and by deeds of love. Our meat and our drink, like His, is to do the will of Him who hath sent us and to finish His work. We have also fellowship with Christ in His joys. We are happy in His happiness, we rejoice in His exaltation. Have you ever tasted that joy, believer? There is no purer or more thrilling delight to be known this side heaven than that of having Christ's joy fulfilled in us, that our joy may be full. His glory awaits us to complete our fellowship, for His Church shall sit with him upon His throne, as His well-beloved bride and queen."

-Charles Hadden Spurgeon

The Attributes of God: Love | Blue Letter Bible: The Blog

2011-11-18T12:45:00.000-08:00

The Attributes of God: Love | Blue Letter Bible: The Blog

Better positioned to withstand attack

2011-11-09T22:30:00.002-08:00

“Persecution doesn’t always . . . sow the seeds of revival. When the persecution is sufficiently systematic, severe, and sustained, as it was centuries ago in places such as modern-day Libya and Saudi Arabia, the church disperses and disappears. The persecution in Kenya and Uganda, however, failed to stamp out the flames of faith fanned by revival. A church already broken by its own sin and desperate need for a Savior is better positioned to withstand attack. Revival reaches Christians who recognize and admit that God is their only hope.”
Collin Hansen and John Woodbridge, A God-Sized Vision: Revival Stories that Stretch and Stir (Grand Rapids, 2010), page 133. Italics added.

Better positioned to withstand attack

is a post from: Ray Ortlund

Have You Been Set Free From Shame?

2011-11-02T22:09:00.000-07:00

From Resurgence.
Have you been set free from shame?

Can Anyone See That I am Hurting?

2011-10-09T21:04:00.001-07:00

13th Floor: Sexual Abuse - Janette...ikz from Pure Path on Vimeo.

Acres of Hope (Hosea 2:14-16)

2011-09-20T15:25:00.001-07:00

He will allure her
He will pursue her
And call her out
To wilderness with flowers in His hand
She is responding
Beat up and hurting
Deserving death
But offerings of life are found instead

Proverbs 31:10... again.

2011-08-17T23:31:00.001-07:00

I have found myself lately massaging these truths into lives around me. Also something I am reminding myself of as well. Too good not to re-post.

An excellent wife who can find?

She is far more precious than jewels.

אשת־חיל מי ימצא ורחק מפנינים מכרה׃

Proverbs 31:10

I will set aside the word "wife" for now as I know a lot of single women struggle with that part - but please read Isaiah 54:5-6 while you meditate on it. The words I want to focus on are "excellent" and "precious". The word "excellent" comes from the Hebrew word chayil which means strength, might (especially warlike), to show oneself strong, to display valor. This chayil woman is not a damsel in distress. This is a woman who listens to God and obeys His commands. A woman who does not give in to temptation but fights spiritual battles. This is a Titus 2 woman who teaches younger women. A woman of tested faith like that of Hannah (1 Samuel 1-2), Abigail (1 Samuel 25), Esther and Ruth.
In war, the victors take away the captive’s weapons and sheath their own - just as Christ takes away Satan's weapons and absorbs God's wrath. Victors have the capability to use their weapons and the discernment of when to use them. This virtuous woman is equipt with spiritual strength and discernment. She knows when to wield the sword of the Spirit and when to listen, know, and/or speak with love and compassion. This is an excellent woman.

Before we get on a Joan of Arc testosterone rush, I'd like to talk about the word "precious". In some translations it says, "of more worth than jewels," or "precious stones." It speaks of her value. Now, this passage is talking about a woman who, as we see later, works out her faith. However, I do not want to miss this opportunity to speak to all daughters of the Most High God. No matter if you were reborn yesterday, if you have strayed from the Good Shepherd, or if you have dedicated your life to Him for decades - to Him, you are lovely and precious. Do you see yourself as valuable to God? You are. In Psalm 84, the sons of Korah exclaim, "How lovely is Your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty!" You are that dwelling place. You are lovely.

Paul urges the Corinthians three times (1 Corin 3:16; 6:19; 2 Corin 6:16) and again to the Ephesians (2:21) that we, children of God, are the dwelling place of the LORD! We together are a holy temple of the living God! You were bought at a price! Do you know that price was the by nature pure blood of Christ?! Do you know of how much more worth that is than jewels? You were bought with blood that is, by its very nature, pure! Hagnos, meaning venerable, pure from carnality, sacred... you were bought with the most valuable thing ever and ever will be in existence! This preciousness, this value not deserved or earned but given to you freely by Christ Himself! Preciousness that He alone can give because He alone is, by His very nature, precious.

This is a value that I don't think we can fully understand this side of heaven. It is so wonderful I can't help but cry every time I think of it. If this were a hand written letter, as in the time of Paul instead of a blog post, it would be warped through and through with tears. Tears of love as I desperately desire all my sisters to know this truth. Probably also tears of disbelief. This is how my Abba Father sees me?! The great I AM that I AM?! The magnitude of this astounds me. It fans into flame an urge for excellence that will please my Father. Lord, I believe, help my unbelief! Help me to fight the good fight of faith, and make me to look like Your precious Son.

JJ Heller - What Love Really Means (Official Music Video)

2011-06-07T11:19:00.000-07:00

Taking My Own Medicine

2011-06-07T11:16:00.001-07:00

As much as I proclaim God's word to captives and those covered in ashes, I fail to proclaim it to myself. I don't read God's word to myself in a way that it touches the deepest hurts of my heart. I am Much-Afraid. The abundant life given by Christ is good beyond measure. I want so desperately for it to be true yet the circumstances of my past continue to whisper in my ear, "Not true! This is too good for you. Okay, you can have salvation but you cannot have abundant life."

While immersed in Romans 8; 2 Corinthians 4-5 and Joel 2:25, I am remembering my own words spoken to the needy set in front of me. Now I hope to speak to the needy in me. What is a prophet that proclaims God's saving Word, yet doesn't hide in her heart the Word pouring from her lips?
God offers to fill my cup with living hope. He desires to pour to the measure and I keep saying, that is enough.
The following I posted two months ago. Time to really hear it.

In Psalm 84, the sons of Korah exclaim, "How lovely is Your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty!" You are that dwelling place. You are lovely.

Paul urges the Corinthians three times (1 Corin 3:16; 6:19; 2 Corin 6:16) and again to the Ephesians (2:21) that we, children of God, are the dwelling place of the LORD! We together are a holy temple of the living God! You were bought at a price! Do you know that price was the by nature pure blood of Christ?! Do you know of how much more worth that is than jewels? You were bought with blood that is, by its very nature, pure! Hagnos, meaning venerable, pure from carnality, sacred... you were bought with the most valuable thing ever and ever will be in existence! This preciousness, this value not deserved or earned but given to you freely by Christ Himself! Preciousness that He alone can give because He alone is, by His very nature, precious.

Pride, not just summer comes before the fall.

2011-05-04T11:34:00.000-07:00

If its You that's getting bigger, I don't mind being small.

God is Angrier

2011-04-27T17:44:00.002-07:00

“Sexual assault creates anger at what has been done to victims. While anger can be a natural and healthy response to the unquestionable evil of sexual assault, most victims express it poorly or feel they have to suppress it. They have probably been discouraged from expressing their anger, but suppressed anger holds them hostage and leaves them vindictive, addicted, embittered, and unbelieving.
We want to tell victims that God is angrier over the sin committed against you than you are. He is angry because what happened to you was evil and it harmed you. Godly anger is participating in God’s anger against injustice and sin, crying out to him to do what he promised: destroy evil and demolish everything that harms others and defames God’s name.
Anger expressed to God is the cry of the weak one who trusts the strong One, the hurting person who trusts the One who will make it all better. Because vengeance is God’s, you can be free from the exhaustive cycle of vindictive anger.”

Interview with Justin and Lindsey Holcomb at the Mockingbird blog.

God is angrier is a post from: Ray Ortlund

Think it through

2011-04-23T16:10:00.000-07:00

Think it through

Chasing Eden - All I'm Asking

2011-04-16T14:07:00.000-07:00

This is the hundredth time,
I've come here,
This is not the last time,
I'll say this,
When You leave me in the dark,
I'll trust that You know the way,
When You take it all away,
I'll look at all thats left.

I've been tricked and I've been abused,
I'll get the blame and I'll feel the shame,
So all I'm asking is,
when You leave me in the dark,
I'll trust that You know the way,
And when You take it all away,
I'll look at all thats left.
Even when You kill me.
Even when You kill me.
Even when You kill me.
Even when You kill me.
Even when You kill me.

When You leave me in the dark,
I'll trust that You know the way,
When You take it all away,
I'll look at all thats left.

Among the Saints

2011-04-16T13:46:00.000-07:00

“May a merciful God preserve me from a Christian Church in which everyone is a saint! I want to be and remain in the church and little flock of the fainthearted, the feeble and the ailing, who feel and recognize the wretchedness of their sins, who sigh and cry to God incessantly for comfort and help, who believe in the forgiveness of sins.”

Martin Luther, in Luther’s Works (St. Louis, 1957), XXII:55.

Among the saints is a post from: Ray Ortlund

Matt Chandler on Suffering

2011-04-07T10:12:00.002-07:00

"I will wait for you" by Official P4CM Poet JANETTE...IKZ

2011-04-05T18:06:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 31:10

2011-03-28T17:33:00.003-07:00

An excellent wife who can find?

She is far more precious than jewels.

אשת־חיל מי ימצא ורחק מפנינים מכרה׃

Proverbs 31:10

Even in the first verse I struggle. I will set aside the word "wife" for now as I know a lot of single women struggle with that part - but please read Isaiah 54:5-6 while you meditate on it. The words I want to focus on are "excellent" and "precious". The word "excellent" comes from the Hebrew word chayil which means strength, might (especially warlike), to show oneself strong, to display valor. This chayil woman is not a damsel in distress. This is a woman who listens to God and obeys His commands. A woman who does not give in to temptation but fights spiritual battles. This is a Titus 2 woman who teaches younger women. A woman of tested faith like that of Hannah (1 Samuel 1-2), Abigail (1 Samuel 25), Esther and Ruth.
In war, the victors take away the captive’s weapons and sheath their own - just as Christ takes away Satan's weapons and absorbs God's wrath. Victors have the capability to use their weapons and the discernment of when to use them. This virtuous woman is equipt with spiritual strength and discernment. She knows when to wield the sword of the Spirit and when to listen, know, and/or speak with love and compassion. This is an excellent woman.

Power, Love and Self-control

2011-03-21T22:15:00.000-07:00

God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7

“We must think of suffering in a new way, we must face everything in a new way. And the way in which we face it all is by reminding ourselves that the Holy Spirit is in us. There is the future, there is the high calling, there is the persecution, there is the opposition, there is the enemy. I see it all. I must admit also that I am weak, that I lack the necessary powers and propensities. But instead of stopping there . . . I say, ‘But the Spirit of God is in me. God has given me his Holy Spirit.’ . . . What matters . . . is not what is true of us but what is true of Him.”
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression (Grand Rapids, 1965), page 100.

Give me Jesus

2011-03-06T17:27:00.004-08:00

Over the past five and a half years I have endured the great chronic pain of God healing my heart, tearing idols out of my grasp and purifying my faith. I want Him too... I ask Him to; yet when I actually feel the rod, I beg Him to stop.
In the four years that I was undiagnosed, I prayed my illness would be something I could die from. I know that sounds morbid but I had such faith that heaven with Christ was far better than this place that... well in the words of Paul, "to live is Christ and to die is gain". Better to go sooner rather than later. No more pain, no more tears, no more watching my friends enjoy the fullness of this life while I stay confined to my bed. My Abba Father would finally rescue me from this world and wipe away my tears.
Today, while I still have chronic physical pain, it is not completely debilitating. Today I feel the rod lashing into my heart and wish to trade it for the physical pain I once had. Today I am tempted to pray for cancer that would eat up my flesh and put me face to face with my Savior. Today I read this post from Ray Ortland and was comforted and corrected. The fullness of life is not health and opportunity to do stuff. The fullness of this life is to experience fellowship with Christ and take refuge in the shadow of His wings when I just can't take it anymore. The greater depths of sorrow give opportunity for even greater inexpressible joy. One day, should I persevere, I may look deep upon the bloodied face of the Lamb that was slain looking just like Him and say, "I believed You. You told me it was worth it and now I see it is true".

“Ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold trials.” 1 Peter 1:6, AV

"I was lying upon my couch during this last week, and my spirits were sunken so low that I could weep by the hour like a child, and yet I knew not what I wept for—but a very slight thing will move me to tears just now—and a kind friend was telling me of some poor old soul living near, who was suffering very great pain, and yet she was full of joy and rejoicing. I was so distressed by the hearing of that story, and felt so ashamed of myself, that I did not know what to do, wondering why I should be in such a state as this, while this poor woman, who had a terrible cancer and was in the most frightful agony, could nevertheless ‘rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory.’ And in a moment this text flashed upon my mind, with its real meaning. I am sure it is its real meaning.

Read it over and over again, and you will see I am not wrong. ‘Though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness.’ It does not say, ‘Though now for a season ye are suffering pain, though now for a season you are poor,’ but ‘you are in heaviness.’ Your spirits are taken away from you; you are made to weep; you cannot bear your pain; you are brought to the very dust of death, and wish that you might die. Your faith itself seems as if it would fail you. That is the thing for which there is a ‘needs be.’ That is what my text declares, that there is an absolute ‘needs be’ that sometimes the Christian should not endure his sufferings with a gallant and a joyous heart; there is a ‘needs be’ that sometimes his spirits should sink within him and that he should become even as a little child smitten beneath the hand of God. Ah! beloved, we sometimes talk about the rod, but it is one thing to see the rod, and it is another thing to feel it. And many a time have we said within ourselves, ‘If I did not feel so low spirited as I now do, I should not mind this affliction.’ And what is that but saying, ‘If I did not feel the rod, I should not mind it?’ It is just how you feel that is, after all, the pith and marrow of your affliction. . . . I think this one idea has been enough to be food for me many a day; and there may be some child of God here to whom it may bring some slight portion of comfort.”

C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, 1950), IV:346-347.

Proverbs 31:10-31

2011-02-22T12:56:00.002-08:00

Yesterday I started writing my first Bible study. I am not exactly sure how this will turn out - or if I even finish it - but this what I feel lead to do.
I wanted to do a study on the Virtuous Woman of Proverbs 31 with a couple friends but to my surprise I could not find a legit study - not even one Beth Moore. I looked at a few but wasn't sold. So here I am trusting that the Holy Spirit will lead me in wisdom to write a good study instead of depending upon the wisdom He has given others. I recognize the value of gleaning wisdom from others older and wiser than I, and I think now God is teaching me to trust Him that the wisdom only comes from Him. That wisdom can be shared through the 50-something, career Christian, ordained teacher and the 30 year-old, 5 1/2 years in Christ ordained encourager.
Lord help me.

On a somewhat other note... this is why I love Beth Moore:

The true grace of God

2011-02-22T12:40:00.000-08:00

“. . . this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.” 1 Peter 5:12

What does the this refer to? What is “the true grace of God”? The basic message of Peter’s letter: first the cross, then the crown. For example, “Rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:13). Suffering now, and glory then — this is the true grace of God.

When you are following Christ and your whole life falls apart, don’t think God has turned against you. It’s the opposite. You’re entering into the true grace of God. Therefore, don’t cut and run. Stand firm.
Whatever life thrusts upon us — not some dreamy ideal life we could wish for, but our real lives as they are — the true grace of God is in that hard place, where we embrace identification with Jesus in his death and resurrection.

The true grace of God is a post from: Ray Ortlund

The Strengthened Becomes the Strengthener

2011-02-11T14:54:00.001-08:00

I love reading about the lives of the apostles Peter and Paul. I love that God brought them through such bleakness into strengthened faith. I love that their 'happy ending' didn't include marriage and babies like Ruth or prosperity like Job and Joseph. Their lives on this earth were much like their Savior's - with much pain, sorrow and joyful faith that their happy ending was waiting for them where rust and moth do not destroy.

When I feel as though I am being sifted like wheat, I turn to these stories. They encourage me to keep going, keep fighting the good fight of faith. They help me to remember that anything short of hell is pure grace, and to encourage others out of my open wounds that bleed joy.

One sermon I love listening to is John Piper's The Sifting of Simon Peter. Piper shares with us God's heart in protecting and strengthening our faith and encourages us to share the strength and joy we receive.

"This is not to lay a burden on you, but only to increase your joy. The joy we have in the promises of God is always doubled when it bubbles up over the brim of our life and spill over onto others. What about the other ten apostles (not counting Judas)? Satan was going to sift them too. Did Jesus pray for them? Yes he did. But he did not ask the Father to guard their faith in the very same way he guarded Peter's. God broke the back of Peter's pride and self-reliance that night in the agony of Satan's sieve. But he did not let him go. He turned him around and forgave him and restored him and strengthened his faith. And now it was Peter's mission to strengthen the other ten. Jesus provided for the ten by providing for Peter. The strengthened becomes the strengthener.

There is a great lesson here for us. Sometimes God will deal with you directly, strengthening your faith alone in the wee hours of the morning. But most of the time (we might say ten-elevenths of the time) God strengthens our faith through another person. God sends us some Simon Peter who brings just the word of grace we need to keep on in the faith: some testimony about how "Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning" (Psalm 30:5). Eternal security is a community project. Whenever God encourages your heart with the promise that in Satan's sifting your faith will not fail, then take that encouragement and double your joy by using it to strengthen your brothers and sisters."

Deeper Grace

2011-02-09T14:44:00.000-08:00

"I asked Justin Holcomb what is the Holcombs’ desire in providing Rid Of My Disgrace. “You want something to happen out there in people’s lives. What is the one impact you long for most of all?” His beautiful answer:
“The disgrace that results from sexual assault has a way of grinding people down and heaping huge burdens on them. Because of it people feel lonely, filthy, worthless, repulsive, hopeless, and unwanted. Our hope is that God will use the clear Gospel message of the book to eliminate that disgrace and its effects. What victims need is for God to be strong when they are weak and to be close to the brokenhearted. We want people to experience God fulfilling his promises to them. We pray that God uses the book to apply the grace from Jesus deeper than the wounds people have experienced.”
With the tsunami of sin, and its abuses of all kinds, slamming us today, may our churches be safe havens where violated people experience the deeper grace of Jesus in the gospel."

Deeper grace is a post from: Ray Ortlund

“Do you want to be healed?”

2011-02-04T13:17:00.000-08:00

“He that . . . wants relief must come to Christ himself. He must not be content with coming to His Church and His ordinances or to the assemblies of His people for prayer and praise. He must not stop short even at His holy table or rest satisfied with privately opening his heart to His ordained ministers. Oh no! . . . He must go higher, further, much further than this. He must have personal dealings with Christ Himself. All else in religion is worthless without Him. The King’s palace, the attendant servants, the richly furnished banqueting house, the very banquet itself — all are nothing, unless we speak with the King. His hand alone can take the burden off our backs and make us feel free. . . . We must deal directly with Christ.”
J. C. Ryle, Holiness (Old Tappan, n.d.), pages 266-267.

If we go to church just to be with one another, one another is all we will get. And it isn’t enough. Eventually, our deepest unmet needs will turn to anger at one another. Putting community first destroys community. We must put Christ himself first and keep him first and treat him as first and come to him first and again and again. He can heal as no other can. Can, and will. If we come to him.

[HT: Ray Ortland]

The Truth Without Photoshop by Official P4CM Poet Janette...ikz

2011-01-24T13:30:00.000-08:00

Resist [Satan], firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 1 Peter 5:9

Starve Satan with Prayer

2011-01-21T14:03:00.000-08:00

"Satan dines on what we withhold from God."
Francis Frangipane, The Three Battlegrounds.

I have noticed that, the things I do not share with God in prayer often become sources of bitterness and anger... pride. Recently I have felt God giving me the desire for something that I never before wanted. In fact, a long time ago I decided that this "good thing" just wasn't for me and I did not want it. Now that I had these conflicting desires, my next move should have been to my knees in prayer. I thought about this new desire. I rationalized about it but I did not bring it to God. I didn't want to talk with Him about it. I said I didn't want this desire, and there is no foreseeable fulfillment of it so there is no sense in discussing it.

My rebellion began to stir up confusion, anxiety and bitterness which then convicted me to believe there is sense in discussing it. Even if it makes no sense to me God has a plan and He wants me to talk to Him. God was giving me a godly desire and in return I was giving Satan a foothold.

I Will Help You

2011-01-19T13:33:00.001-08:00

I will help you. Isaiah 41:10

“Let us hear the Lord Jesus speak to each one of us: ‘I will help you. It is but a small thing for me, your God, to help you. Consider what I have done already. What! not help you? Why, I bought you with my blood. What! not help you? I have died for you; and if I have done the greater, will I not do the less? Help you! It is the least thing I will ever do for you. I have done more, and will do more. Before the world began I chose you. I made the covenant for you. I laid aside my glory and became a man for you, I gave up my life for you; and if I did all this, I will surely help you now. In helping you, I am giving you what I have bought for you already. If you had need of a thousand times as much help, I would give it to you; you require little compared with what I am ready to give. ‘Tis much for you to need, but it is nothing for me to bestow. Help you? Fear not! If there were an ant at the door of your granary asking for help, it would not ruin you to give him a handful of your wheat; and you are nothing but a tiny insect at the door of my all-sufficiency. I will help you.’

O my soul, is not this enough? Do you need more strength than the omnipotence of the United Trinity? Do you want more wisdom than exists in the Father, more love than displays itself in the Son, or more power than is manifest in the influences of the Spirit? Bring here your empty pitcher! Surely this well will fill it. Haste, gather up your needs, and bring them here – your emptiness, your woes, your needs. Behold, this river of God is full for your supply; what can you desire beside? Go forth, my soul, in this your might. The Eternal God is your helper.”

Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Style updated.

“I will help you” is a post from: Ray Ortlund

How May I Pray for You?

2011-01-13T20:41:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks ago, my pastor preached about an old passion. A passion for global missions. In this sermon he reminded us of the command to share the gospel with those different and far off. Our action in this is to: go, send or disobey.

As I thought and prayed over my life - health, wealth, talent, gifts, passions and current calling - I came to the conclusion that I am (at least for now) a "sender". Currently, I am ministering to youth with autism who are very much different and (emotionally/socially) far off. After an out of the blue blessing yesterday, I am even more sure that this is where God has called me to minister; however, I do want to remember my brothers and sisters across the globe.

Today I checked my "Stats" and found that there are people across the globe reading this blog! People in Malaysia, Russia and all over Europe (and the U.S.). So I would like to ask my brothers and sisters that are far off (from me), how may I pray for you? God has given me the gift of encouragement and I would very much like to share that with you.

Are you struggling in a community that is not accepting of Christ? I would like to pray for you.

Are struggling for joy? I would like to pray for and encourage you.

Are you considering Christ? I would like to pray for you and answer any questions you may have.

Seriously.

I would be blessed to pray for you specifically. You can put your request in the comment box below. Or if you prefer, you can e-mail me (click on view my complete profile and then click on e-mail).

Even if you don't contact me, please know that there is a community of believers in West Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. that is praying for you.

May the comfort of Christ overflow into your life.

Unbelief Prayers

2011-01-13T15:09:00.002-08:00

"My Savior Christ, before You healed the blind men who cried out for Your mercy, You asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" After they replied, "Yes, Lord," You touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you." (Matt 9:28-29) Father, clearly my faith impacts what You are willing to perform in my life. Please help me to believe that You are able."

So there is no misunderstanding, let me clarify: just because God has not answered, "yes," to your prayer, does not mean you lack faith. If you are praying in faith, praying with expectation, within God's will and He says, "no," or "not yet," this does not mean you lack faith. The Apostle Paul had great faith, yet when he asked for the thorn in his flesh to be removed God answered, "My grace is sufficient."

Where some pray faithlessly, others pray in faith and God desires for your faith to grow. He is sovereign and knows what is best for each of us. Keep praying my friends and believe He is able.

"Father, Your Word says that if Your disciples believe, they will receive whatever they ask for in prayer. (Matt 21:22) Lord, as You mature my faith, also teach me how to pray and what to ask of You in prayer. I have so much to learn. Keep teaching me, Father."

Prayers from Beth Moore's, Praying God's Word: Breaking Free From Spiritual Strongholds

Impudent Prayer

2011-01-11T15:12:00.001-08:00

“I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.” Luke 11:8

“Impudence” is the key word. Other versions show “importunity,” “persistence,” “boldness,” “shamelessness,” and “brazen insistence.” All good translations.

The word is anaideia. That’s the negative prefix an + aideia (“shame, respect, modesty”). Souter glosses it as “shameless persistence (e.g. in greed).” The ESV translates it “impudence.” More casually, we might call it “nerve.”

Jesus is teaching us to pray impudent, nervy prayers, because that’s when we get serious with God. He likes that, and doors start opening up. Matthew Henry: “We prevail with men by impudence because they are displeased with it, but with God because he is pleased with it.”

As we enter 2011, how are we praying? Do we have the nerve to ask God for what we really long for and what would really display his glory? Let’s not settle for polite prayers that bore us and change nothing.

(HT: Ray Ortlund)

Hello, My Name is Pride

2011-01-06T12:56:00.000-08:00

It gives birth to all other sins. It is Satan's favorite sin. It is not bred by difficult circumstances but revealed by them. It is already in our hearts. It can grow by our own power or be mortified by the power of the Holy Spirit. Introducing, Pride:

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.

I cheat you of your God-given destiny…

because you demand your own way.

I cheat you of contentment…

because you “deserve better than this.”

I cheat you of knowledge…

because you already know it all.

I cheat you of healing…

because you are too full of you to forgive.

I cheat you of holiness…

because you refuse to admit when you are wrong.

I cheat you of vision…

because you’d rather look in the mirror than out a window.

I cheat you of genuine friendship…

because nobody’s going to know the real you.

I cheat you of love…

because real romance demands sacrifice.

I cheat you of greatness in heaven…

because you refuse to wash another’s feet on earth.

I cheat you of God’s glory…

because I convinced you to seek your own.

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.

You like me because you think I’m always looking out for you.

Untrue.

I’m looking to make a fool of you.

God has so much for you, I admit, but don’t worry…

If you stick with me you’ll never know.

<From Praying God’s Word: Breaking Free From Spiritual Strongholds by Beth Moore>

ALMOST (saved) by Official P4CM Poet Ezekiel Azonwu

2010-12-27T11:22:00.000-08:00

Oh my, so good! My favorites... Not righteous but right-ish. So now all God sees is a pile of Ishmaels when He intended for Isaacs....
We have all worked in sin and death was minimum wage, but if it weren't for Christ, we would have almost got paid.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

2010-12-23T22:34:00.000-08:00

It Is Well With My Soul

2010-12-15T14:21:00.000-08:00

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

-Horatio Spafford

Christmas is a Promise

2010-12-11T12:24:00.000-08:00

By Joni Eareckson Tada

   Rummaging through our garage one December afternoon, I sniffed the unmistakable fragrance of new leather. My 7 year old fingers found it behind a box--a new pony bridle.
   From that moment, Santa Claus was dethroned from my childhood. No more leaving 7-up and cookies on the mantelpiece on Christmas Eve. No more bleeding-heart letters to the North Pole. No more sugar or carrots for the reindeer. I was relieved. Something deep down told me it had all been a ploy anyway.
   From then on, December 25 was a special day--a holy day. The candlelight Christmas Eve service at our church had new and deeper meaning. Almost overnight, Christmas Eve became one of those "silent nights" to ponder the miracle of Jesus.
   And ponder I did, long and earnest. But always, as I sat back into the pew, I expected something else to happen--something to fill the longing inside me.
   I know now that I was deep into a Christmas longing. It's a longing each of us senses this time of year--especially when we listen to the child inside of us. It's a desire to be home, to belong, to find fulfillment, complete and eternal. Christmas is an invitation to a celebration yet to happen.
   On this side of eternity, Christmas is still a promise. The Savior brings inner peace to those who receive Him. But the story is not finished until there is peace in our world.
   Every Christmas is still a "turning of the page" until Jesus returns. Every December 25 marks another year that draws us closer to the fulfillment of the ages, that draws us closer to Home.
   Every holiday carol is a beautiful echo of the heavenly choir that will one day fill the universe with joy and singing. Each Christmas gift is a foreshadowing of the gifts of golden crowns to be cast at the feet of the King of Kings.
   Each smile, each embrace beckons onward, calls upward when those who have received the gift of God's Son will see the Lord face to face.
   Angels hovering over treetops may have heralded His birth in the Bethlehem night, but one day they will herald the dawning of a new day.
   This Christmas I pray that God will fill the longing of your heart with the reality of His Son. May the Babe of Bethlehem who gave His life on the Cross of Calvary bring you love and joy and peace throughout the year and on into eternity. Amen.

"Behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior
which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10, 11)

Dearly Loved: Heaven's Favorites

2010-12-03T18:03:00.000-08:00

"When a dealer in precious gems finds a stone of minimum value, little time is spent cutting it. But when a rare diamond is found, that stone will be cut, and cut, and cut again.

When the Lord finds a saint whom He loves much, He may spare others trial and trouble but not this one, His well beloved. The more Jesus loves you, the more of the rod you will feel (Heb 12:5-6). It is painful to be a favorite of heaven, but seek it and rejoice in it.

Being in the King's council-chamber involves such work for faith that flesh and blood might cringe from the painful blessing. If a gardener gets an inferior tree, he lets it grow wild and takes whatever fruit it produces. But if the tree is exceptional, he will want every branch in its proper place, and he will cut here and cut there because this produces more fruit. The gardener leaves nothing on the tree that would be detrimental.

You who are God's favorites must not be astonished when trials appear. Rather keep your door wide open, and when trials come say, "Welcome messenger of the King! The sound of your Master's feet is behind you. You are welcome, for my Master has sent you." - Charles Hadden Spurgeon

My fellow suffering servant, our God loves us dearly! We are bound for the Kingdom!

Give Thanks

2010-11-25T10:01:00.000-08:00

Appropriate for today and everyday.

give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Whether you are in a home feasting with loved ones, struggling with relationships, celebrating alone, sleeping on the street, sick with a burdened heart or grieving a loss, give thanks. Your God sees you. Your Christ lives and, by His blood, is making you new. Though we have nothing, we have much reason for rejoicing.

10 Year-Old Brilliance

2010-11-22T12:12:00.002-08:00

Autism Speaks: How are you going to make friends in your own world?

Forgiven and Loved pt 3

2010-11-17T13:36:00.000-08:00

“Forgiveness transcends finite human reason. The mere thought that one’s entire sin account can be utterly eradicated is staggering. Yet it is quite clear that the forgiveness of sins strikes at the very core of human need and experience. It speaks of guilt gone, remorse removed, depression disappearing and emptiness of life eradicated. What power there is in forgiveness! And it all comes abundantly from the gracious hand of God.”

Lewis A. Drummond, quoted in The Voice from the Cross (Grand Rapids, 1990), page 18.

Forgiveness is a post from: Ray Ortlund

Forgiven and Loved pt 2

2010-11-12T10:52:00.000-08:00

Two days after I had posted Forgiven and Loved, Scott Mehl preached the sermon, It is Finished. Once again God's timing is stellar! For me, it was the perfect Halloween sermon, reaffirming what God had been telling me all month.
I highly recommend you take a listen.
The enemy wishes us to remember our lawless deeds. Our merciful Father remembers them no more. Jesus died once for all!

Autism the Musical and The Miracle Project

2010-11-05T13:44:00.000-07:00

For the past five years I have been met with great frustration. I knew I had talents in acting, dance and music, but with a new illness my body was too weak to perform. I was heart broken and left to wonder why God would give me such passion for the arts without the ability to carry them out.

Two years ago I thought it would be cool to teach arts to underprivileged children. I was constantly looking in at locations for rent (there were so many after the recession) and dreaming of turning one into a studio. Even though I was excited, I knew I was still not well enough.

A year ago, as I was volunteering at a pregnancy clinic I was convicted. Although my help there was good, I was in the wrong place. God wanted me to work with children; children with special needs, who were outcast and undervalued.

This week I have taken the first step toward what I believe God made me for. I see that if He hadn't broken my body, I might be an actress in Hollywood not using the spiritual gifts given to me at my new birth. This epiphany and opportunity come as I am beginning to feel better... in God's perfect timing.

Here is a peek at what I hope to do:

Beautiful Things

2010-11-04T13:03:00.000-07:00

I am SUPER tired, but wanted to share this song with you today.

Beautiful Things by Gungor

All this pain
I wonder if I'll ever find my way?
I wonder if my life could really change

at all?
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found?
Could a garden come up from this ground

at all?

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found

in You

Oh, you make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

You make me new, You are making me new
You make me new, You are making me new
Making me new

Oh, you make beautiful things
(You make me new)
You make beautiful things out of the dust
(You are making me new, making me new)

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust

You make me new, You are making me new
You make me new, You are making me new

Forgiven and Loved

2010-10-29T09:35:00.000-07:00

"Child you are forgiven, and child you are loved.
Child you are forgiven and free!"

This is from one of my favorite Jimmy Needham songs. A song I have been listening to on repeat all week. It was Christ's love that first compelled me to Him. I had been so wounded that it seemed to me impossible that someone could love me. Someone does love me, so much that He died for me. I couldn't believe it, but the Holy Spirit lead me to believe when it was impossible that I would. Since then, there has been this conflicting pull in my heart. The Holy Spirit pulling me up, reassuring me that I am a child of God; and my heart pulling me down retorting that that is too good to be true.

This past week I was given a clearer look at my sin and wounds. It looks pretty bleak. My offenses against God are pretty horrific. The worst of all is disbelieving that the God of the Universe, who sacrificed His only son - Christ the sinless God man - to be a propitiation for my sins so that I may be God's beloved child, loves me. This is the worst insult to God. I know it is, I believe it is, yet I still struggle to believe that the by nature pure blood is for me. Doesn't that seem to good to be true?

What struck me this week is, in light of this great offense, God still loves me. There is nothing I can do, nothing I can say (short of blaspheming the Holy Spirit) that will cause Him to love me any less. Nothing I can do, nothing I can say will cause Him to love me any less. Nothing you can do, nothing you can say will cause Him to love you any less. Nothing anyone can do to us, nothing anyone can say to us will cause Him to love us any less.

In a world where father will forsake his child, a mother has no compassion on the child she bore, a trusted friend withdraws, a spouse betrays... our God will not. Our God will not forsake us. Our God has compassion. Our God will be with us even to the end of the age. It is easier for the king sitting at the head of the table to believe this, but oh, the reverence of the dog under the table, accustomed to being kicked when underfoot!

My Dear Sisters

2010-10-26T14:49:00.000-07:00

You

are

lovely.

The scriptures declare in grace,
"How lovely is the Lord's dwelling place."
So I say in the presence of His face,
my sisters, you are lovely.
But when you forget,
the one who paid your debt,
marred to death in blood and sweat,
who counted it joy with no regret,
my sisters, you begin to drift.

You run with the crowd,
wayward and loud.
you say, indignant and proud
"I'm only a little flirt,
just a small hike of my skirt,
one more button down of my shirt,"
until you are in full revert,
dressed like a prostitute.
Your feet never stay at home,
now in the street, now in the square
in every corner you roam.
All while praising His name,
and worshiping His fame?
Thinking you are the queen,
screaming, "Listen to me sing,"
Girl that action must be forsaken,
or your crown will be taken.

Soon you are inert,
no way to avert,
stained and hurt,
like an ox being lead to the slaughter,
and you lead your brothers there too.

Do not deny it,
I am a woman too,
I've been there too,
maybe not exactly the same as you,
but I've been there too.
The sting of rejection,
the strain of comparison,
billboards, music videos, reality TV and celebrity.
And sometimes closer to home,
the worship singer,
community group leader,
the 'it' girl, male attention feeder.
Yes, we even do it to each other.

Do not trip another woman's insecurity switch
with your own finger digging in to pull out a stitch
keep walking that road my sister, and there will be silence.

Do you know you do it out of fear?
Fear of what you'll lose...
adoration, confirmation, exultation,
they are Satan's ruse.
My sister, why cling to what you can loose?
Pursue a heart changed by the only One you cannot.

So I will say to those with a fearful heart,
Fear not!
Behold your God will come
with vengeance He won't stop 'till its done,
O, yes, you are forgiven in Love.
He will come,
and save you,
deliver you,
care for you.
He will wipe every tear from your face,
taking away your disgrace,
that cannot be hidden in make-up and lace,
for the Lord has spoken!

Do not be jealous, deceived or reprieved
remember the day you first believed!
Do not forget Christ's righteousness has been given to you!
You are clothed with strength and dignity!
Please do not give that away,
a little flirting for play,
a pet sin promised to save,
to the guy that is willing to pay,
my sister, that is prostitution.
Remember your restitution,
in the constitution of Christ!

© Jennifer Lynn - 2010

What are You Afraid of?

2010-10-24T00:48:00.000-07:00

If I truly believe that Christ died, was buried and rose again, breathing into me life with the guarantee of the Holy Spirit, proving that all surpassing power belongs to God, what am I afraid of? In light of this truth - these promises - what could possibly shake me?

The Maker of heaven and earth, will:

perfect everything that concerns you (Psalm 138:8)
work all things together for your good (Rom 8:28)
contend with those who contend with you (Is 49:25)
fight this battle for you (2 Chron 20:15)
equip you with divine power (2 Corin 10:4)
delight to show you mercy (Micah 7:18)
meet all your needs according to the glorious riches in Jesus Christ (Philip 4:19)
give you grace that is perfectly sufficient (2 Corin 12:9)
be your power in weakness (2 Corin 12:9)
do immeasurably more than all you could ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within you (Eph 3:20)
He who began a good work in you and will bring it to completion (Phil 1:6)

Christ is our intercessor who will live forever. The only priest who will not die. He has conquered death. What makes me think I should fear anything/anyone but God? "I believe, Lord, help my unbelief," comes to mind. Clearly, I am in need of a deeper understanding of peace in Christ. A deeper trust of God. Release the white knuckle grip I have on my life and circumstances and just laugh at the days to come because I have this treasure. The Maker of the universe is protecting me. Of what shall I be afraid?

You Just Lost One...

2010-10-20T09:16:00.000-07:00

Armor of God

2010-10-15T10:06:00.000-07:00

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹²For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

You have two choices; one of them is Jesus.

Nothing Can Separate Us!

2010-10-07T08:23:00.000-07:00

Romans 8:37-39:

³⁷No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

October Security

2010-10-06T11:34:00.000-07:00

I really dislike October. Every year I forget, and every year it rolls in like a fog. Once again, I feel like I am standing on top of a totem pole and someone is at the bottom chopping away.

Earlier this year, a good friend suggested I read, So Long Insecurity by Beth Moore. It turned out to be one of the most encouraging and helpful books I have ever read. It met me right where I was and showed me how I was giving away my strength, dignity, security in Christ, and Christ's righteousness that has been credited to me. I was giving away the gifts that God had given me!

I realize my past life has made me susceptible to these feelings and actions; but now I have Christ to cover me!

To my sisters in Christ who are struggling, I would like to pass on these words from Beth Moore (and highly recommend you read her book). I remind myself with these words daily. They have been a wonderful help in keeping the gifts of my Father and protecting from the enemy's flaming arrows.

In Jesus' name, I am clothed with strength and dignity!

You can hurt my feelings, but you cannot have my security. I won't let you. It's mine to keep. You cannot have it. You can criticize me and even be right about what i did wrong, but you do not get to damage my security. It's mine to keep. You cannot have it.

You might have embarrassed me, but I refuse to let it fall on me so heavily that it smothers my security. It's mine to keep. You cannot have it.

You may be so intimidating and threatening that I feel I have to hand a lot of things to you, but I refuse to hand over my security. Who you are doesn't get to dwarf who I am. My security is mine to keep. You cannot have it.
You do not get to go that deep. I refuse to let your words to go all the way from my ears to the core of who I am. Nope, I'm not doing it.

You may have broken my heart and shaken me up, but you cannot have my security. I will not give it up to you or anyone else. I am a woman of God, clothed in strength and dignity, and no one gets to take those things from me.

In Jesus' name, I am clothed with strength and dignity!

Beautiful Garden

2010-10-06T10:31:00.000-07:00

This garden is so beautiful,

it leads me to rejoicing.

I am sewing in tears,

I will reap with shouts of joy.

Oh Lord it is dark,

I cannot see,

This hurts so much,

won't let me be.

I am so scared,

let me see Your face,

I want to be like You,

Your lines may I trace?

Please remind me, Lord,

this fog please destroy,

You have done great things for me,

and I was filled with joy.

This garden is so beautiful,

it leads me to rejoicing.

I am sewing in tears,

I will reap with shouts of joy.

Deep, Deep Down Worship

2010-09-30T08:39:00.000-07:00

When all you had were ashes, how did you rejoice when God turned it to beauty?

When you mourned, how did you rejoice when God turned it to inexpressible joy?

When you were engulfed in a spirit of heaviness, how did you rejoice when the Lord covered you in a garment of praise?

How can the people that are suffering have the most joy?

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,

to give unto them beauty for ashes,

the oil of joy for mourning,

the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

that they might be called trees of righteousness,

the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

Isaiah 61:3

You have turned for me my wailing into dancing;
you have removed my sackcloth
and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
Psalm 30:11-12

"I'm not sure we will ever be fully released to "dance" before the Lord until we've learned to wail. You'll never know the experience of being clothed with joy until you've allowed Him to remove your sackcloth."
Tell it Beth Moore!

How Mark Driscoll Says Men Should Treat Women

2010-09-28T17:38:00.000-07:00

For Jesus' Sake, Given Over to Death and Swallowed Up By Life

2010-09-22T11:36:00.001-07:00

2 Corinthians 4:5-7; 5:4, 5, 8-10

⁵For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. ⁶For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

⁷But we have this treasure [!] in jars of clay, to show that the [all] surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. ⁸We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; ⁹persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰ always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. ¹¹For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh...

^5:4For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. ⁵He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee... ⁸Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at HOME with the Lord. ⁹So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him. ¹⁰For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

(emphasis added)

Prayer of the Month

2010-09-15T15:55:00.000-07:00

Please be my Strength, 'cause I don't have anymore.

JESUS WANTS THE ROSE!

2010-09-10T10:12:00.000-07:00

Feeling Icky

2010-09-07T22:42:00.000-07:00

A lot of pressure as of late has left my body weakened and my heart feeling icky. Time for some truth and encouragement. Praying you feel strengthened along with me.

"Inviting even the worst and most unfair circumstances out into the spotlight sets the stage for a miracle. In the meantime, never forget that God still reserves the right to favor the suffering."
- Beth Moore

"The Lord gives His people strength; the Lord grants His people security." Psalm 29:11

In Jesus' name, I am clothed with strength and dignity!

"Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised." Heb 10:35-36

The Maker of all, the God Most High dwells within us.
"How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty!" Psalm 84:1

A Kinsman Redeemer

2010-08-27T11:03:00.001-07:00

This whole kinsman redeemer thing is blowing my mind wide open! Unchallenged!

The book of Ruth is a foreshadowing of the Christ to come in that, Ruth comes from a defiled nation and we are a defiled nation. Boaz redeems her. Christ redeems us. Christ is our Redeemer and -as Spurgeon says- our glorious Boaz.

The thing that has me in awe right now is the idea of Boaz, an earthly redeemer and what that says about Christ. An earthly man can be an earthly redeemer (thus modeling Christ) to a woman who is fatherless, disabled, been raped, abused or defiled in some way, abandoned, a single mother or a widow. The idea of marriage being a picture of Christ and the church is so beautiful, and to think more on the depth of redemption that can come with it is staggering! Jesus alone can save as Redeemer, however an earthly man can model Christ to be an earthly redeemer. When a man sees something in a woman that is undesirable (we ALL have something) and chooses to love her anyway, he becomes an earthly redeemer.

The fore mentioned women have an opportunity to understand their savior and His redemption in a way that others cannot. These women undergo sufferings as well as being given a proverbial scarlet letter by society. To secular men, these women are prey. Another man has done the work of hurting her, taking her dignity and strength, leaving opportunity for other predators to move in, take what they want and leave.

To the religious man these women are trash. She didn't grow up in a Christian home: she isn't good enough for him. She was involved in some sort of sexual sin: she is defiled and not good enough for him. She doesn't have parents: she hasn't been taught in the ways of righteousness therefore not good enough for him. She is disabled: she isn't good enough for him. She has a child from another man: she isn't good enough for him.

Let me pause here and say that the religious man is missing a gem. James tells us that suffering is counted as joy. Psalm 32 and Romans 4:7 tell us that those whose transgressions are forgiven are blessed. From my own life let me make this observation: there is abundantly more joy in the life of someone who is aware of the depth of their sin and knows God's forgiveness. There is abundantly more joy in the life of someone who leans on Christ in the midst of suffering. The more repentant sin, the more forgiveness given. The more suffering, the more comfort given. I am going to go out on a limb here and say that the more covered by grace -whether comfort in suffering or forgiveness in sin- the more sanctified, purified faith, thankful, and joyful the receiver. This could very well be the making of the woman talked about in Psalm 128:3 and Proverbs 12:4; 11:16 and 31. Put that in your pocket and I'll move on.

The wise, godly Christian brother redeemer is aware of her past and sees that Christ's blood is more than sufficient to cover and cleanse her, making her pure and holy. When a man becomes an earthly redeemer and marries a woman like this, he tells everyone around them, "It doesn't matter where she came from, what she has done or been involved with, she loves Jesus, He has saved her, He has cleansed her, He has redeemed her and I love her. I recognize God's work in her and now choose to be a part of redeeming her legacy." I venture to guess that redemption with joy will be a constant part of this couple's life. That is super cool... super-natural too. ;-)

In doing this, men are also acting like Christ. They are taking part as Boaz did:

Boaz was a near kinsman redeemer (a brother in Christ if you will).

Christ became flesh to identify with us and become our near kinsman.

Boaz was able to redeem Ruth.

Christ alone is able to redeem us.

Boaz was not obligated to redeem Ruth but he was willing - he loved her.

Christ is not obligated to redeem us but He is willing - He loves us.

Boaz payed the price of the land to redeem Ruth with his wealth.

Christ payed the price of our sin to redeem us with His life.

Boaz redeems Ruth as a gift.

Christ's redemption is a gift, we do nothing but accept it.

Boaz takes Ruth as his bride, he loves her and has an unbroken on going relationship with her. Christ takes the church, His beloved bride and has an unbroken continual relationship with her.

Boaz not only redeemed Ruth but he also redeemed the land.

Christ will return to redeem us and His earth.

My beloved sisters, if God was able and willing to redeem Ruth, He is willing and able to redeem you. In Matthew chapter one, the genealogy includes five women. First is Tamar, a widow who deceived her father-in-law by dressing as a prostitute to conceive with him (Gen 38). Second is Rahab who was a prostitute (Josh 2, 6). Third is Ruth, a widow and Moabite of whom were forbidden to enter the assembly of the Lord (Deut 23:3). Fourth we have Bathsheba who was an adulteress with King David (2 Sam 12). Lastly we have Mary, mother of Jesus who was thought to be defiled before marriage (Matt 1:18-20). These women were redeemed, either by their husbands or their children but ultimately by God Himself. I am not saying you need a husband and children to be redeemed, I am saying Christ redeems and God in His gracious love has given us an earthly picture of that redemption. In the book of Ruth we are given hope that God may be preparing a Boaz for us and He has already given us our glorious Boaz.

Redeeming Ruth

2010-08-26T11:18:00.001-07:00

I have been listening to the sermon series, Redeeming Ruth by Mark Driscoll at Mars Hill Church. It has been super helpful as I encourage my single sisters -and myself- to wait on the Lord. He is at work and His timing is perfect.

One 'parable' I have been using to encourage is this:

There is a young woman who is protected and loved by her family. She has some trials but overall lives a quiet life. In college she meets a wise and godly man and after graduation, they are married. This woman loves and appreciates her husband.

There is a second woman -a Moabite if you will- who grows up in a perverse community. No father protecting her, no mother teaching her. She is used and abused for the majority of her life until she meets Jesus and flees from that life. She waits years "past her prime" as the Lord is growing and sanctifying her. Finally, past the age of "normal" cultural Christian marriage, she is married to a wise and godly man. How much more will this woman love her husband? How much more will she appreciate and rejoice over this gift from her Father? In eternity, how much more will this woman rejoice over no more tears in heaven and communion with her Redeemer?!

God has a hand in our suffering.

God has a hand in our 'luck' (His sovereignty).

God has a hand in our blessing.

God has a hand in our risks.

God has a hand in our redemption.

Seek patience my dear sisters. God is working in you and also in your future husband -you may not want him yet! ;-)

Do not let impatience lead you to initiating and thus emasculating a man. You do not want to mess with God's design.

Godly men seek godly women, so seek first the Kingdom wholeheartedly. Ultimately, we are daughters of the Most High God. We serve Him and in the end, WE GET JESUS! The perfect man. The perfect Redeemer. The perfect Bridegroom.

Wait for the Lord;

be strong, and let your heart take courage;

wait for the Lord!

Psalm 27:14

My Cup, His Glory

2010-08-11T14:00:00.000-07:00

As some of you may now know, recently my neurologists have added Fibromyalgia to my long list of diagnoses.
In everything else I had been diagnosed with, there was still a glimmer of hope that I'd be cured. Though none of them had a clear fix -there was no, "take two and call me in the morning"- I did see healing. I knew that God could bind up my wounds and thus heal PTSD and possibly reverse Psychosomatization as He had already been replacing depression and anxiety with hope. The nerve pain and headaches that had previously rendered me bed ridden had, for the most part, healed. I still struggled with both but on a vastly lower level. And now chronic muscle pain and spasms were my biggest complaints.

I visited my general doctor and asked if we could try massage therapy and muscle relaxers to help with muscle pain and fatigue I was still having. I assumed this was just a plateau for a time before I got better. I wasn't seeking any answers because it seemed to me that my God was healing me and this season of pain was soon to be over. So when I had two neurologists telling me "Fibromyalgia", I was a bit surprised. To be more accurate, I was in disbelief. I checked their notes, went home and Googled it, looked over my pain journal and began looking for second opinions.

I went through the stages of grief quite quickly and very aware of every step. I had been through it so much that it was pretty routine. Ultimately, I came to realize that nothing has changed and I have lost nothing. The pain and weakness in my body did not change. God did not change. He is still the living God of the Universe and I am still going to Him... but when I get there I'll be carrying in my body more of the death of Jesus than I had thought.

I believe that God can heal this syndrome even if man cannot. However, I also believe that God's glory is revealed to man more in longsuffering. Think about it. If God miraculously heals someone, how often, how quickly will that one act be forgotten? I can't promise that every breath would be a breath of thankfulness for what He had done. Yet, in longsuffering man will be continually perplexed by supernatural hope, supernatural joy, supernatural peace. Chronic pain is a chronic reminder of Christ - you can't get away from either if you tried. God can show His glory in one act and He can show His glory for a lifetime. I welcome God's glory for my lifetime with tears of pain overshadowed by supernatural hope, supernatural joy, and supernatural peace. No contest.

Community Matters More Than...

2010-08-06T16:38:00.000-07:00

My community group has been having worship/testimony night once a month. It is a really exciting time to come together and worship God and hear stories of how He has been working in the lives of the people around me. That being said, these nights have come with anxiety for me. It was leaked to my community group leader that I used to sing opera and I was asked to contribute my voice. Now let me just say, I love music and played for 15 years in some sort of band or musical theatre... as a drummer. I have missed being part of a band something aweful but I would not have never volunteered myself to be the sole voice of an ensemble. I sang in choir and in the chorus ensemble of the opera or musical theatre, but I was never brave enough to sing solo. There is just something about the voice that is far more intimate and personal than any other instrument.

Today I read this post from Ray Ortlund and was totally convicted about my motivations to not sing. I have been more worried about how I feel about singing and not even seeing what God is doing with it. This seems to be a theme as of late - God asking me to do things that I do not believe I am qualified for and then realizing that by being shy I am cursing His blessing and not doing His will. Whether or not I am good at what He is asking me to do matters not. He will use it for His glory and make it perfect. As I help lead worship, God is using me to facilitate community... no matter how pitchy I may be.

My Heart Today

2010-08-05T13:34:00.000-07:00

I've been studying through the book of Matthew with my community group and next week we will be looking at chapter 24. Verse 12 puts a healthy fear in me, "because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold". I want to go Home to be with Jesus so fervently that sometimes it is hard to be patient and I am tempted not to endure this life with joy. But in Christ we have been made free. He can make anything beautiful. Though I have not yet entered into heaven nor seen my savior face to face; I miss Him.

i miss You

by shane barnard and will hunt

put down your paper plate
come to the table made
deep blue china
found on the table by the wine
so fine

it brings out flavor
like You bring out color in life

oh, i miss You so
the feel of forever
oh, that taste i know
it hurts to remember

unfortunately high
ironically dissatisfied
i miss You
i miss You
i miss You

oh, i miss You so
the feel of forever
oh, that taste i know
it hurts to remember

i had a fleeting thought this morning
and i mentioned you today
it breaks my heart just to know You in part
and not to be with You where You are

oh, i miss You so
the feel of forever
oh, that taste i know

Followers Lead

2010-07-23T13:33:00.000-07:00

This is amazing! How to turn a lone nut into a leader. Check it:

Followers Lead

Blessed be the name of the Lord

2010-07-14T18:56:00.000-07:00

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21

Job did not say, “Blessed be the Lord” but “Blessed be the name of the Lord.” At issue in his life was not only his own reverence for God but also the name of the Lord in the world, how God would be thought about and spoken about and felt about. Job was expressing his own trust and also instructing and admonishing all others, including us, who watch him suffer at the Lord’s hand.

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb.” I came into the world with nothing. I’m not entitled to anything. Everything I’ve received has been of grace.

“Naked shall I return.” When I die, I’ll take nothing with me except what’s in my soul. I will cling to nothing in this life except what prepares me to die.

“The Lord gave.” He has been so good to me, so generous. I am astounded at his bounty toward me.

“The Lord has taken away.” Why not? When he gives, he doesn’t give away. He gives on trust. I am a steward, not an owner. And I don’t need to understand more than that. He doesn’t have to consult with me about what he does with his own property.

“Blessed be the name of the Lord.” God has done nothing wrong. He has been good in his giving and in his taking. Self-pity is an uncomprehending response. What’s happening here is, God’s name is being made more obvious in my life. I’m part of a drama, displaying who God really is here in this world of false appearances. That’s the true meaning of my life, and it’s a privilege to be involved. So I don’t want merely to acquiesce to God; I want to praise God, and I want you to praise him too.

Blessed be the name of the Lord is a post from: Ray Ortlund

Brave Enough

2010-07-08T21:19:00.000-07:00

So I've gotten in this terrible habit of not hoping or dwelling on good that is to come. Terrible habit. My fear is that what I hope for will not come, or if I dwell on Heaven, I will despise this world further. Terrible habit. I realize that it is most likely a product of my circumstances lying to me. Terrible habit. I hoped to be a performer but had terrible pain in my body and had to change route. Terrible habit x 2. A year and a half later, I thought I was getting better and began to hope again. Then last Tuesday I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia - which explains why I hit a 'plateau' in healing. Terrible habit x 3.
I was reminded today that when we fear there is room for little else. I'm not sure if I am ready to hope for things not promised, but I am feeling just brave enough to dwell on the "party in Heaven" as my friend puts it. The greatest thing I hope for, and it has already been given.

One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. – Revelation 21:9-10

"What began in a garden will end in a city. God’s glory will be shown as a place where diversity, density, and culture will meet. There is a city coming that we are called to live in. A place where relationships will not be burdensome but a joyful experience. A place that will redefine our views of what city living is like. Once again, God is calling us to Himself, for in that final day we will be gathered together in an urban environment that goes beyond all comprehension!"

Today’s commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

Deep Down Worship

2010-07-06T21:34:00.000-07:00

Tuesday Ponderings

2010-07-06T19:11:00.000-07:00

So I really love the series Joan of Arcadia. It is super witty, touching and deals with some super hard questions. It's a favorite.
Today I was watching the second episode of season one and God comes to Joan's house as a mail lady. Mail Lady God delivers a package to Joan and charges her $12...

Joan: What are You going to do with $12?
Mail Lady God: It's not what I am going to do with it. It's what you are going to do without it.

Isn't that how God reveals His glory in us? He gives and takes away. When He takes away, it gives us the opportunity to either glorify Him (by His grace) or ourselves (by our own strength). So substitute the $12 for something that God has taken (keeping in mind that everything you have is His and given by Him). What are you going to do without it.

Refiner's Fire

2010-07-02T21:39:00.000-07:00

Look upon my affliction and my distress,
and take away all my sins.
Psalm 25:18

As Peter tells us in his first letter, the fire of trial brings our hidden sin to the surface. It is brought forth and we have the opportunity to either indulge ourselves or repent of this sin brought to light. Verse 18 of Psalm 25 has always been (and by always I mean my five short years with Christ) a special place to me. I readily see how trial brings sin to light. I see how valuable trial can be to our faith. I see why David would ask God not to take away his suffering but to take away his sin. Unfortunately in these fallen bodies our sin is endless and so can our suffering be. In God's sovereignty, He has made a way for one to seek out the other that we may repent and be forgiven.

Up until a week ago I thought my health was getting better. I thought God was in the process of healing my broken body. This of course pleased me but there was a part of me that would miss the pain. Not the pain itself, but the result of the pain. The times that I was in the most pain were the times that I felt closest to God. So many nights all I could do was lie still, breathe and allow God to carry me through. This week I found that I will probably not get better. I will continue to have physical pain. I would never say that it doesn't hurt to hear this news - I am grieving to be sure - but there is so much sweetness to it. This thorn in my flesh will glorify God and keep me close to Him far more abundantly than if it weren't there. The pain shows me where my hope is and, when it is not in Christ, the Holy Spirit tells me (directly or indirectly through my dear friends).

These trials have come so that our faith may be purified and proved genuine to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Since this is the case, Lord purify! Look upon my affliction and distress. Do not take them, but take away my sins.

2010-06-30T19:42:00.000-07:00

I have this taped to my desk for days like these:

"By God's grace, I've weathered many storms just like this, and if you submit to what God is teaching you, he will make you wise and humble and useful."
Thank you Billy Grahm.

[She] will have no fear of bad news; [her] heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. [Her] heart is secure, [she] will have no fear; in the end [she] will look in triumph on [her] foes.
Psalm 112:7-8
Thank you, Jesus!

Ephesians 1:18-19a

2010-06-29T07:32:00.001-07:00

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

Dally No More

2010-06-27T14:19:00.000-07:00

“There is something fascinating in grief; though we feel it hurts our peace, . . . we are apt to indulge it and to brood over sorrow till it gives a tincture to the whole frame of our spirits. . . . Dally no more with grief; try to cut short all recollections that feed the anguish of the mind.”

John Newton, in Grant Gordon, editor, Wise Counsel: John Newton’s Letters to John Ryland Jr. (Edinburgh, 2009), letter 40.

Dally no more is a post from: Ray Ortlund

This is the Good Life

2010-06-20T15:34:00.000-07:00

Stellar sermon by my pastor, Brian Colmery this week.

Had me thinking of this song by Audio Adrenaline. Actually, i was singing the hook everytime Brian said, "the good life"... whilst listening intently of course. ;-)
Anyway, super good sermon, super good song.

"Good Life"

I've watched my dreams all fade away
And blister in the sun
Everything I've ever had is unraveled and undone
I've set upon a worthless stack
Of my ambitious plans
And the people that I've loved the most
Have turned their backs and ran

[CHORUS:]
This is the good life
I've lost everything
I could ever want
And ever dream of
This is the good life
I found everything
I could ever need
Here in Your arms

Loneliness has left me searching
For someone to love
Poverty has changed my view
Of what true riches are
Sorrow's opened up my eyes
To see what real joy is
Pain has been the catalyst
To my heart's happiness

[CHORUS]
What good would it be
If you had everything
But you wouldn't have
The only thing you need

[CHORUS]

Here Again

2010-06-15T10:10:00.000-07:00

How did I get here again? Well, I forgot to practice. I have spent so much time lately encouraging others with Truth that I forgot to tell myself. Funny how that happens. We know the Truth but unless we practice Truth it doesn't really sink into the depths of our hearts... just like doing intense Bible study and stopping before applying it to our lives. Have we then learned anything at all?

"Never give thanks for blessings you can see without remembering the blessings you can’t see. When you give thanks for a clean bill of health, enough money to take a vacation, rain for crops, or the food on the table, be sure to keep going until you get to the spiritual, a.k.a. lasting, benefits we have received in Christ. We are thankful for forgiveness of sins, love that never ceases, the presence of God, and a mission. These are things we can be thankful for even when everything we see with our eyes looks wretched.

Over-practice. Use any excuse to get back to the cross itself and then—do it again.

I can see a style of thought in myself that goes something like this. If my “thankful” list is longer than my “complaint” list, then I am on the right path. The problem is that I can have dozens of items on the thankful list and only one on the complaint list, and the severity of the complaint outweighs everything I am thankful for. Only the blessings we have received in Christ are weighty enough to counterbalance those especially hard events of life. But these blessings in Christ won’t outweigh our difficulties unless we over-practice reciting them."
- Ed Welch, When in Doubt - Over-practice

Singer of Songs

2010-06-11T12:13:00.000-07:00

I’m not a savior, and I’m not a saint.
The man with the answers I certainly ain’t.
I wouldn’t tell you what’s right or what’s wrong.
I’m just a singer of songs.

But I can take you for a walk along a little country stream.
I can make you see through lovers’ eyes and understand their dreams.
I can help you hear a baby’s laugh and feel the joy it brings.
Yes, I can do it with the songs I sing.
I’m not a prophet, and I’m not a priest.
I’m not a wise man who’s come from the East.
I wouldn’t tell you what’s right or what’s wrong.
I’m just a singer of songs.

But I can take you to a city where a man was crucified.
I can tell you how He lived, and I can tell you why He died.
I can help proclaim the glory of this mighty King of kings.
Yes, I can do it with the songs I sing.
I’m not a great man. I don’t claim to be.
But when I meet my Maker and He questions me,
I won’t hang my head. I will stand proud and strong
and say, “I was a singer. Lord, I was a singer.
Yes, I was a singer of songs.”

-Johnny Cash

From Ray Ortland

2010-06-04T18:54:00.000-07:00

“You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” 1 Thessalonians 1:9

You and I are not integrated, unified, whole persons. Our hearts are multi-divided. There is a board room in every heart. Big table. Leather chairs. Coffee. Bottled water. Whiteboard. A committee sits around the table. There is the social self, the private self, the work self, the sexual self, the recreational self, the religious self, and others. The committee is arguing and debating and voting. Constantly agitated and upset. Rarely can they come to a unanimous, wholehearted decision. We tell ourselves we’re this way because we’re so busy with so many responsibilities. The truth is, we’re just divided, unfocused, hesitant, unfree.

That kind of person can “accept Jesus” in either of two ways. One way is to invite him onto the committee. Give him a vote too. But then he becomes just one more complication. The other way to “accept Jesus” is to say to him, “My life isn’t working. Please come in and fire my committee, every last one of them. I hand myself over to you. Please run my whole life for me.” That is not complication; that is salvation.

“Accepting Jesus” is not just adding Jesus. It is also subtracting the idols.

#9: What does it mean to “accept Jesus”? is a post from: Ray Ortlund

Life and Godliness

2010-06-02T10:18:00.000-07:00

Once again in my circles there has been a wave of this question, if God is so loving, why do bad things happen? (And let me clarify, the following does include suffering such as child molestation, rape, financial loss, physical disability, disease, death and the like.) This is something I have been studying for years and when leaning on my own understanding it really doesn't make any sense. But through Scripture, illuminated by the Holy Spirit, it makes perfect sense.

Paul tells us, to keep me from becoming conceited... a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited (2 Corinthians 12:7). Paul says, to keep me from becoming conceited, twice in this passage. Kinda repetitive, right? Apparently the emphasis is not that Paul was given a thorn in his flesh, but that it was given to keep him humble.

So what does Paul do with that? He rejoices. Why? Well he tells us, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, (Romans 5:3-4). And again, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

So he is saying is we suffer and enjoy it? No. He is saying when we suffer (and Peter tells us we will, 1 Peter 4:12) we are to turn to our merciful Savior and rejoice in the work being done in our suffering. Both Peter and James speak on this as well.

1 Peter 1:6-8:
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

If necessary. As God saw it necessary to give Paul a thorn in his flesh; He may find it necessary for us to suffer that we may be purified. However, there are varying degrees of suffering (none more important to God than another) and not all will endure the same suffering.

2 Peter 1:3-4:
[God's] divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence He has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature.
Ultimately, what we need for life and godliness is the knowledge of Christ. Yet for those who are in the wilderness, do not despair. Your God has not forgotten you, there is a divine purpose. What is necessary for life and godliness does include suffering and in that suffering we have the pleasure of vision in saturated colors. Notice Peter says twice this is granted to us - a gift.

1 Peter 5:10
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Peter is telling us that, in the midst of our suffering God is at work in our hearts. He is at work to:
purify (tested genuineness): dokimion - that by which something is tried or proved
perfect: katartizō - mend, complete, equip;
confirm: stērizō - to make stable, to render constant one's mind;
strengthen: sthenoō - make strong of one's soul;
establish: themelioō - to lay the foundation.

Ah, to lay the foundation. I love that. I have seen God tearing down strongholds all the way to the bedrock so He may lay His foundation. It is painful when my teetering tower comes crumbling down, but I am far better off as God places me on His Cornerstone.

James puts this pretty succinctly as well:
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4

Lacking in nothing. We have been granted all things that pertain to life and godliness, and that includes all suffering because God will use it to purify our faith, restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us that we will be lacking nothing for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for us. No matter how gruesome the offense, how devastating the loss, we are given an opportunity to cleave to our Savior as He does the work. I can tell you dear friends that this process of pruning - however painful - produces something more valuable than if the suffering never happened at all. It produces knowledge of, and fellowship with our Savior who suffered more than anyone ever in all eternity. More than that, Christ shows us the hope produced through suffering by the inexpressible glory that resulted in His crucifixion.

...and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Romans 5:5

Wholehearted trust accepts authority

2010-05-29T17:26:00.000-07:00

Wholehearted trust accepts authority

Back to the Basics...

2010-05-24T17:38:00.000-07:00

... and taking a chill pill called, trust.

http://www.youtube.com/user/jennijenlynn#p/a/u/1/tepU3yD2flY

Proverbs 1:7

2010-05-24T15:18:00.000-07:00

I have been studying humility for a few months which has been terribly awesome! You know when you ask God for humility, or patience, or a loving heart and then things become difficult? He gives us an opportunity to be humble, an opportunity to be patient, an opportunity to show someone love... and boy, does He know what buttons to push! He gives us the opportunity, we fail, He picks us up, dusts us off and sends us out again.
Since i find myself in this situation often, i thought to myself, self if this is so hard then why the heck do you keep asking?! I guess i would rather have it hard and be more like my Lord than to have it easy and be more like me. I'm pretty sure i am not masochistic, so there really isn't any other explanation.

Whenever i ask of God, i always think of King Solomon. In 1 Kings chapter 3, God offers King Solomon, "Ask what I shall give thee," and Solomon asked for, "an understanding mind... that I may discern between good and evil" (vv. 5, 9). In remembering this, after i have asked i ask above all for wisdom. And what is wisdom?

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7

In a day when we are trying to see how much we can get away with with the least effort, the kind of knowledge that honors God demands discipline and wisdom. Discipline takes effort and, at times, pain. Wisdom is the proper application of knowledge in a certain situation. When we know that God will ultimately judge all of His creation for how we use the resources that He provides for us, we have the fear of the Lord. That proper reverence is what causes us to tell the truth when no one cares, to act honorably when no one sees. This is the beginning of knowledge (emphasis added).

Today’s commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

Rejoice or Die

2010-05-11T21:59:00.000-07:00

Lately i have been more and more exhorting myself with my mantra/motto, Rejoice or Die. I realize it sounds pretty dramatic but here is my logic (a.k.a. my interpretation of scripture) behind it.

Paul tells us over and over in the the New Testament to sew to the Spirit and rejoice in all circumstances:

For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:8,9

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
Philippians 3:1

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
Philippians 4:4

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

It seems to me that if Paul was so intent on us rejoicing in all circumstances, there must have been an urgent reason. If i do not rejoice, my proclivity is toward bitterness or self pity which is sinfully thinking i deserve better than what God has given me. This is sinful because God tells us that by His divine power, God has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) which includes any suffering He deems necessary. Rejoice not in the suffering but in the result of the suffering after God has done His work!
Choosing not rejoice may lead to bitterness to which i apply:

Abstain from every form of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:22

Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
James 1:15

These passages - and knowing my heart - bring me to the conclusion that not rejoicing may easily lead to bitterness (desiring 'better' than my portion) which is a form of evil. It is sin and sin fully grown leads to death. So really, it takes only three steps to go from rejoicing to death. I guess that is why i take it so seriously as (i believe) Paul did too.

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

Clip My Wings That I May Fly

2010-05-11T09:11:00.000-07:00

When i cry out, "Lord, let me die,"
please remind me Father,
You clipped my wings so that i could fly.

I don't need legs to dance,
or hips to sway,
nor notes from my lips,
to brighten my day.

Just a song in my heart,
my Lord on my mind,
though a realm apart,
i'm not far behind.

Just a lifetime away.

When i can't hold on any longer,
i fall on my face,
to worship my God in this holy place.
There is no where like it,
i hope you will see,
that Christ carries on,
when there is nothing left of me.
I hide in this place,
though it seems dreary and cold,
curled up with my Master,
yes, Him From of Old.

When i don't know what to do,
what to say or where to go,
i know i'll stand firm,
no matter how the wind may blow.

Still, as my bones are covered with skin,
here is my soul encased therein.
My hair may turn white,
with wrinkles on my face,
but i pray with all my might,
these things will not take place.

My soul has grown wings,
because of my King
yet covered with scales,
a bird on a string.
Sooner rather than later,
i pray to depart,
all of Him for all of me,
to be nearer His heart.

Yet no matter when that day comes;
summer, autumn, winter or the spring of May,
my body will fail,
and i will fly.
Fly, fly away.

© Jennifer Lynn - 2010

My Desires for His Desires

2010-05-06T11:12:00.000-07:00

The barren Hannah, delirious for a child, promised, "O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life," (1 Samuel 1:11).

She cried out to God the desire of her heart and promised that if the LORD should give her the desire of her heart, she would return it to Him. How difficult this must have been, yet how gracious our God to give to us the desires He has put in our hearts and ask us to dedicate them to His kingdom. How painful yet marvelous to give up a desire completely to Him that He should bless us far more without it. Even should you desire legs to walk and His answer is no, wait and see how abundantly He will bless you and those around you without them.

After physically giving her treasured child back to God:

¹And Hannah prayed and said,

"My heart exults in the LORD;
my strength is exalted in the LORD.
My mouth derides my enemies,
because I rejoice in your salvation.

² "There is none holy like the LORD;
there is none besides you;
there is no rock like our God.
³Talk no more so very proudly,
let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the LORD is a God of knowledge,
and by him actions are weighed.
⁴ The bows of the mighty are broken,
but the feeble bind on strength.
⁵Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.
The barren has borne seven,
but she who has many children is forlorn.
⁶ The LORD kills and brings to life;
he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
⁷ The LORD makes poor and makes rich;
he brings low and he exalts.
⁸ He raises up the poor from the dust;
he lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with princes
and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s,
and on them he has set the world.

⁹ "He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness,
for not by might shall a man prevail.
¹⁰ The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces;
against them he will thunder in heaven.
The LORD will judge the ends of the earth;
he will give strength to his king
and exalt the power of his anointed."

1 Samuel 2:1-10

Accept & Store Up, Turn & Apply, Call Out & Cry Aloud, Look & Search, to Find

2010-05-04T10:34:00.000-07:00

My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,

turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding,

and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,

and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,

then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.

- Proverbs 2:1-5

The Scripture portrays wisdom as something that doesn’t come easily. To have wisdom implies many struggles with understanding. It’s when we don’t understand why things are working a certain way that we are faced with the journey toward wisdom. Notice that we need to turn our ear, apply our heart, cry aloud, look and search. These are the skill sets needed to understand the fear of the Lord and knowledge of God. These are the patterns that expand our perspectives.

Today’s commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

Wisdom <=> Humility

2010-05-03T10:52:00.000-07:00

If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you. – Proverbs 1:23

This proverb is referring to the role of wisdom in our lives. It brilliantly captures how we learn: first we don’t know what we don’t know, then we realize that we don’t know, this begins the quest for knowledge, then we actually learn. Responding to correction is the doorway to wisdom pouring it’s heart to us and making it’s thoughts known. To allow correction in our lives is the pathway to wisdom.

Today’s commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

It is pretty awesome that God puts people in our lives to help us to see what we cannot see and correct what needs correction! Lord, please help me to humbly receive correction and give correction in love!

Too Good Not to Re-Post!

2010-04-22T15:07:00.000-07:00

This is a post from Ray Ortland's blog, Christ is Deeper Still. This totally blessed my heart today with such amazing Truth that i couldn't help but share it. Enjoy.

All That Matters is Who God is

The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty. Exodus 34:6-7

“Well, you say, but though God is able to help me, I fear that God is not willing to help me, and therefore I am discouraged. But be of good comfort, says the Lord, for my name is Merciful, and therefore I am willing to help you.

But you say, though the Lord is willing to help me, yet I am a poor unworthy creature and have nothing at all to move God to help me. Yet be of good comfort, for the Lord says again, My name is Gracious. I do not show mercy because you are good, but because I am good.

Oh, you say, but I have been sinning a long time, ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty years. If I had come to you long ago, I might have had mercy. But I have been sinning a long time, and therefore I fear there is no mercy for me. Yet, says the Lord, be of good comfort, for my name is Slow to anger.

Oh, you say, but I have sinned extremely, so many sins that I am never able to reckon up and to humble myself for them, I have broken all my promises to God and all the vows I made to him, and therefore I am discouraged. Yet, says he, be of good comfort, for I am abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Are you abundant in sin? I am abundant in steadfast love. Have you broken faith with me? Yet I am abundant in faithfulness also.

Oh, but though the Lord is all this to his chosen ones like David, Abraham and Moses, yet I fear the Lord will not be this to me. Yes, says the Lord, keeping steadfast love for thousands. I have not spent all my mercy on David or on Abraham or on Paul or on Peter, but I keep mercy for thousands.

Oh, but my sins still recoil on me. I am the greatest sinner in the world, for I have sinned all kinds of sin. I fear there is no hope for me. Yet, says the Lord, be not discouraged, for I forgive iniquity and transgression and sin, even all kinds of sin. This is my name forever.

Oh, but I am afraid to lay hold on this promise, for I think this is a doctrine of license. Do not say that, says the Lord, who will by no means clear the guilty. But if there is ever a poor, drooping, fearing, trembling soul that desires to know my name, here, says the Lord, is my name by which I will be known forever.

The name of God quiets the heart against all discouragements.”

William Bridge, A Lifting Up For The Downcast (London, 1961), pages 270-272. Slightly edited.

“Lord, what about him?”

2010-04-21T10:16:00.000-07:00

"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:31-32

"Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” – John 21:20-22

Peter is the one that I identify with most in the Bible. Quick to speak, quick to ask, "what about me?" Quick to affirm, "I will follow, and I will not fail," and in need of much humility. As Jesus is telling Peter the manner in which he will die, Peter turns back to look over to John and asks, "what about him?" I too struggle with comparing my path with Christ to others. Here, Jesus tells us not to do this. Each of us are challenged to follow Him. We may be given a different path, handed over to be sifted like wheat for some, yet we are to follow Christ. We are called to trust in the Good Shepherd, listen to His voice and follow Him no matter what. As the hymn says,

"I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back."

You may feel like you are on a path alone, that no one can relate to what you are going through, yet even Peter says, "Resist him [Satan], firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world" 1 Peter 5:9. Be reassured that there are believers who have been there as well as our High Priest who has suffered and conquered it all. You will suffer, and God will give you strength through it and call you also to turn again and strengthen your brothers with the comfort you have received (2 Corin 1:4).

In your current trial,
"Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back."

Spugeon Series Part 7

2010-04-19T10:51:00.000-07:00

“Believer, the fountain of your joy is never dried up. If, like Jonah, your plants are withered, your God still lives. If, like Job, your goods have been plundered, the highest good is still yours. Are the rivers dry? The ocean is full. Are the stars hidden? The heavenly sun shines on in eternal brightness. You have a possession that is unfading, a promise that is unfailing, and a Protector who is unchanging. Though you live in a faithless world, you dwell in a faithful God...

"Do not go to friends, at best they are miserable comforters. “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength” (Jer. 17:5). Turn to the strong arm of God. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is in the Lord. For He shall be like a tree planted by the waters, in which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but it's leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit” (Jer. 17:7-8).”
-Charles Spurgeon, Looking to the Lord

See #1

2010-04-06T21:53:00.000-07:00

This makes me smile. So true, so simple. In two steps Dane Ortlund sums up Martin Luther’s approach to life:

1. Trust in Christ.

2. See #1.

Thoughtless

2010-04-05T14:46:00.001-07:00

I've been reading Ray Ortlund's blog which has been such a blessing. Thought i'd share this one with you:

Thoughtless

Posted using ShareThis

Wise and Humble and Useful

2010-03-30T10:01:00.000-07:00

"By God's grace, I've weathered many storms just like this, and if you submit to what God is trying to teach you, He will make you wise, and humble, and useful."

-Billy Grahm

Delirioius?

2010-03-18T15:36:00.000-07:00

"Over the mountains and the sea,
Your river runs with love for me,
and will open up my heart,
and let the healer set me free.

I'm happy to be in the Truth,
and I will daily lift my hands,
for I will always sing of when Your Love came down.
I could sing of Your love forever.

Oh I feel like dancin',
it's foolishness I know,
but when the world has seen the Light,
they will dance with joy like we're dancin' now!"

The Things i Ponder Too

2010-03-13T08:13:00.000-08:00

Though the angels were created before us,
and are with God now;

though the angels saw Christ depart from heaven,
and followed as he grew into a man;

though the angels ministered to Him at Gethsemane
and watched the crucifixion;

Though the angels are with Him now,
and may see everything subject to Him;

though the angels will blow the trumpets,
and proclaim Christ's return;

though day and night the angels sing,
holy, holy, holy is the LORD God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come;

yes, though the angels have never ceased with praise,
we may sing a song that even the angels can not sing;

a song of God's children,
a song of salvation.

For surely it is not angels that he helps,
but he helps the offspring of Abraham (Hebrews 2:16).

The Things i Ponder

2010-03-10T20:49:00.000-08:00

When people ask, how are you doing, i try so very hard not to reply, fine. My hope is to give an accurate answer because i wonder how much Christ is served by being just fine.
When i am overcome with joy and bursting at the seams, i say so without much effort or second thought. When my heart aches and i am fighting the mist that seems to surround me without an end in sight... well that is when honesty becomes difficult. Some of my go to answers in these cases would be, i'm fighting for joy, or hanging in and hanging on.

The one that i use most often - the one that has got me pondering - is, i am cleaving to Christ with all i've got. So... i know God is pleased and glorified when we walk faithfully the path He has given us; yet in my head i envisioned Indiana Jones in The Last Crusade, clinging on to the edge of the cliff for dear life. I imagined him clawing into the earth with his fingers, collecting dirt under his nails, scratching his boots along the side groping for a foothold and tugging on plant roots to support his weight.
And i came to wonder... if i am cleaving to Christ like that, does it hurt Him?