tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23044807028118952192024-03-12T19:52:33.828-04:00Steadfast LoveYellerDaisieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536530926244010074noreply@blogger.comBlogger543125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304480702811895219.post-26672725836571000412009-08-29T22:38:00.000-04:002009-08-29T22:38:58.437-04:00I'm MovingNo, I'm not physically moving...this blog is moving. After great deliberation, I have decided to move my blog over to WordPress. I will keep this blog up, just in case...but I doubt I'll be back. :D You can check out my new blog (and continue to follow God's faithfulness in my life as I journey towards Heaven) at: <a href="http://journeyoffaithfulness.wordpress.com/">http://journeyoffaithfulness.wordpress.com/</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpBBWsT5P30ZJXXw-UV0cTlBXHTnO_pdPh7xb6QRjdxnqmk0I4EGwM2HGnZw3_OtVeZ_XOVc5riGOXJAr7D5zV7UkXnYOcIlVMGAYHgtbYKrRfjqfUZA59IrSpczAyeO29HDWnzaKQnpL/s1600-h/Steadfast+Love+-+Mozilla+Firefox+8292009+103403+PM.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 412px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 285px; CLEAR: both" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpBBWsT5P30ZJXXw-UV0cTlBXHTnO_pdPh7xb6QRjdxnqmk0I4EGwM2HGnZw3_OtVeZ_XOVc5riGOXJAr7D5zV7UkXnYOcIlVMGAYHgtbYKrRfjqfUZA59IrSpczAyeO29HDWnzaKQnpL/s320/Steadfast+Love+-+Mozilla+Firefox+8292009+103403+PM.jpg" width="455" height="323" /></a><div style='clear:both; text-align:LEFT'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>YellerDaisieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536530926244010074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304480702811895219.post-72947357875608171812009-08-27T14:36:00.001-04:002009-08-27T14:36:18.517-04:00Chick-fil-A…FB???<p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_2nUphb64uuk/SpbSH5y1y_I/AAAAAAAAAEE/dWe5OUU7EVI/s1600-h/IMAGE_402%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMAGE_402" border="0" alt="IMAGE_402" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_2nUphb64uuk/SpbSIaGb_lI/AAAAAAAAAEI/Gpr32LYR_ok/IMAGE_402_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="303" /></a></p> <p>This just made me laugh…what is this world coming to???</p> YellerDaisieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536530926244010074noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304480702811895219.post-4134762264604150482009-08-27T08:24:00.001-04:002009-08-27T08:25:16.388-04:00Power to the Powerless<p><big><font size="2">The loss of all confidence in ones self, is the first essential in the believer's growth in grace! The Christian, conscious of his own frailty, will turn unto the Lord for strength.  "That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For <i>when I am weak--then I am strong</i>." 2 Corinthians 12:10</font></big></p> <p><big><font size="2">There must be consciousness of our weakness, before we shall turn to the Lord for help. While the Christian imagines that he is sufficient in himself; while he imagines that by the mere force of his will, that he shall resist temptation; while he has any confidence in the flesh--then, like 'boasting Peter'--so we shall certainly fail and fall. The plain fact is--that of ourselves we are utterly unable to practice a single precept, or obey a single command that is set before us in the Scriptures! Apart from Christ--we can do nothing! (John 15:5). The promise of God is, </font><font size="2"><strong><em>"He gives power to the faint; and strengthens the powerless!" Isaiah 40:29 <br /></em></strong> <br />The secret of development of Christian character, is the realization of our own powerlessness, and the consequent turning unto the Lord for help. A consciousness of our powerlessness, should cast us upon Him who has all power.</font></big></p> <p><strong><font size="2"><big>"</big>God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble!" Psalm 46:1</font></strong></p> <p><font size="2">-Arthur Pink</font></p> YellerDaisieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536530926244010074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304480702811895219.post-7760224913877019482009-08-26T08:22:00.001-04:002009-08-26T08:24:59.364-04:00Your Grace Is Enough<p><a href="http://www.christomlin.com/"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_2nUphb64uuk/SpUpIz6dJ1I/AAAAAAAAAEA/7eFKXO29ak4/image%5B4%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="174" height="174" /></a> </p> <p>Have you ever bought a cd and then somehow it gets buried and you never really listen to it? That is what I did with <em>Arriving</em> by Chris Tomlin. Last week I “discovered” a song that I has quickly risen to my <em>Top 20 Favorite Worship Songs. </em>This song has been very encouraging and truth focusing…</p> <p> </p> <p>Great is Your faithfulness oh God <br />You wrestle with the sinner's heart <br />You lead us by still waters into mercy <br />And nothing can keep us apart</p> <p>So remember Your people <br />Remember Your children <br />Remember Your promise <br />Oh God</p> <p>Your grace is enough <br />Your grace is enough <br />Your grace is enough for me</p> <p>Great is Your love and justice God <br />You use the weak to lead the strong <br />You lead us in the song of Your salvation <br />And all Your people sing along</p> <p>So remember Your people <br />Remember Your children <br />Remember Your promise <br />Oh God</p> <p>Your grace is enough <br />Your grace is enough <br />Your grace is enough for me [x2]</p> <p>Heaven reaching down to us <br />Your grace is enough for me <br />God I see your grace is enough <br />I'm covered in your love <br />Your grace is enough for me <br />For me</p> <p>Words & Music by Chris Tomlin. Copyright 2003. All rights reserved.</p> YellerDaisieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536530926244010074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304480702811895219.post-3501491692882365992009-08-25T10:51:00.001-04:002009-08-25T10:51:40.519-04:00Trials & Idols<p>I recently heard someone say that God fashions our trials according to our greatest idols. Sometimes what I want the most, I want more than God. God doesn’t always say no, but wait. And in that waiting we find that our desires are much stronger than our love for God. It’s a great opportunity to find our satisfaction in Him. Not in our marital status. How accomplished we are. How amazing and “successful” our job is. We dream and desire, but ultimately our rest isn’t in life, but in Him and glorifying Him. </p> YellerDaisieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536530926244010074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304480702811895219.post-73440976532009643142009-08-24T22:39:00.001-04:002009-08-24T22:39:16.052-04:00Popcorn<p></p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_2nUphb64uuk/SpNO0GpWYrI/AAAAAAAAAD4/2PXzZxu21SY/s1600-h/IMAGE_401%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMAGE_401" border="0" alt="IMAGE_401" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_2nUphb64uuk/SpNO06FtmGI/AAAAAAAAAD8/cvjj9klMyRQ/IMAGE_401_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="355" /></a> <h5>Chica loves popcorn. Every time we pop it, she stands by the counter and waits for popcorn to fall to the floor. She recognizes the machine when I bring it out...it's very funny.</h5> YellerDaisieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536530926244010074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304480702811895219.post-30188489101133101792009-08-23T08:45:00.001-04:002009-08-23T08:45:07.547-04:00A Most Sovereign Antidote<p>Then Moses said to Him, "If <b><i>Your Presence</i></b> does not go with us, do not send us up from here!" Exodus 33:15 <br /><b>God's presence </b>is infinitely better than the presence of all outward comforts. God is with His people to <i>counsel</i> them in all doubtful and difficult cases, and to <i>defend</i> and secure them against all their enemies and opposers. <br />A sound sincere Christian can never have enough . . . <br />  power against sin, nor <br />  strength against temptation, nor <br />  weanedness from this world, nor <br />  ripeness for heaven, nor <br />  of the presence of the Lord. <br /><i>The special presence of God with His people</i>, is <b>a most sovereign antidote</b>. <br />Troubles will be no troubles, <br />distresses will be no distresses, <br />dangers will be no dangers-- <br />if <i>God's presence</i> is with you. <br />Mountains--will be molehills; stabs at the heart--will be as scratches upon the hand; if <i>God's presence</i> is with you. <br />God's special presence will turn . . . <br />  storms into calms, <br />  winter nights into summer days, <br />  prisons into palaces, <br />  weakness into strength, <br />  poverty into plenty, <br />  death into life. <br />Just so, while a Christian enjoys the singular presence of God with him, he will make nothing of this <i>affliction </i>and that affliction, of this <i>trouble </i>and that trouble, of this <i>loss </i>and that loss.<b> God's presence </b>makes . . . <br />  heavy afflictions--light, and <br />  long afflictions--short, and <br />  bitter afflictions--sweet. <br />A man in misery, without this gracious presence of God, is in a very hell on this side hell. God's gracious presence makes every condition--to be <b>a little heaven</b> to the believing soul. There is nothing, there can be nothing, but heaven--where God is specially present.</p> <p>"God is our refuge and strength, <b>an ever-present help</b> in times of trouble." Psalm 46:1 <br />"The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress!" Psalm 46:7</p> <p>- Thomas Brooks</p> YellerDaisieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536530926244010074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304480702811895219.post-36878716424370753232009-08-22T08:16:00.001-04:002009-08-22T08:16:05.879-04:00Beautiful!<p><a href="http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/imageviewer.cfm?mediaid=42565&mr=m&w=756&h=517&fn=2009-4406&sn=KSC-2009-4406"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_2nUphb64uuk/So_hhPy2aNI/AAAAAAAAADk/tIk1iH2GQhc/image%5B4%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="448" height="305" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/detail.cfm?mediaid=42565">CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.</a> – Space shuttle Discovery is silhouetted against the dawn sky as it rolls out to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.</p> YellerDaisieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536530926244010074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304480702811895219.post-80015603096664104572009-08-22T08:08:00.001-04:002009-08-22T08:08:18.002-04:00Groveling Among Baubles<blockquote> <p>"He who overcomes will inherit all things!" Revelation 21:7 <br />He shall have peace and plenty, profit and pleasure, everything desirable--full satisfaction of his most enlarged desires! Let the expectants of heaven, then, lift up their heads with joy. Let them gird up their loins, and so run that they may obtain; trampling on everything that may hinder them in their way to the kingdom. Let them never account any <i>duty </i>too hard, nor any <i>cross </i>too heavy, nor any <i>pains </i>too great--so that they may attain the unfading crown of glory. <br />Christians should behave suitably to their character and dignity--as heirs of the eternal glorious kingdom. Let your <b>heart </b>be in heaven. Let your <b>souls </b>delight in communion with God while you are on earth, since you look for your happiness in communion with Him in heaven. Let your <b>speech </b>and <b>actions </b>savor of heaven; and in your manner of life, look towards the heavenly country to which you are going. <br />Maintain a holy contempt of the <b>world</b>, and of the things of the world. Although others, whose earthly things are their best things, set their <i>hearts </i>upon them; yet it befits you to set your <i>feet </i>on them, since your best things are above. This world is but the alien country through which you must pass through, on your journey to Immanuel's land. Therefore, <b>pass through it as pilgrims and strangers</b>; and do not immerse yourself in its encumbrances, so as to retard you in your journey. <br />It is unworthy of one born to a palace--to set his heart to dwell in a poor hovel. It is unworthy of one running for a prize of gold--to depart from his path to gather pebbles and sticks. How much more is it unworthy of an heir of the kingdom of heaven--to be <b>groveling among the baubles of this world</b>, when he should be traveling on to receive his eternal inheritance! </p> <p>-Thomas Boston</p></blockquote> YellerDaisieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536530926244010074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304480702811895219.post-6231822213378739192009-08-21T07:53:00.001-04:002009-08-21T07:53:03.345-04:00Joy In Everything<p>Despair does not lie in being weary of suffering but in being weary of joy.  <strong>-G. K. Chesterton</strong></p> <p>When ours are interrupted, his are not. His plans are proceeding exactly as scheduled, moving us always (<u>including those minutes or hours or years which seem most useless or wasted or unendurable</u>) "toward the goal of true maturity" (Rom 12:2).   E. Elliott <br />When you and I hurt deeply, what we really need is not an explanation from God but a revelation of God. We need to see <b>how great God is</b>; we need to recover our lost perspective on life., Things get out of proportion when we are suffering, and it takes <u>a vision of something bigger than ourselves</u> to get life's dimensions adjusted again.  -<strong>W. Wiersbe</strong></p> <p>The “Why?” becomes unimportant when we believe that God can and will redeem the pain for our good and his glory.... <b>When I put the sovereignty of God beside his unfailing love, my heart can rest. </b> <strong>-Verdell Davis</strong></p> <p>Where does your security lie? Is God your refuge, your hiding place, your stronghold, your shepherd, your counselor, your friend, your redeemer, your saviour, your guide? If He is, you don't need to search any further for security.  <strong>-E. Elliott</strong> </p> <p>In a way I wish I could take to heaven my old, tattered Everest and Jennings wheelchair. I would point to the empty seat and say, "Lord, for decades I was paralyzed in this chair. But it showed me how paralyzed You must have felt to be nailed to Your Cross. My limitations taught me something about the limitations You endured when You laid aside your robes of state and put on the indignity of human flesh." At that point, <u>with my strong and glorified body</u>, I might sit in it, rub the armrests with my hands, look up at Jesus, and add, "The weaker I felt in this chair<u>, the harder I leaned on You</u>. And the harder I leaned, the more I discovered how strong You are. Thank you, Jesus for learning obedience in your suffering...You gave me grace to learn obedience in mine." <strong>-Joni Eareckson Tada</strong></p> <p>Joy is not the absence of suffering. It is the presence of God. <strong>-Robert Schuller</strong></p> <p>The fact that disabled people hang in there does something for Christians. It's not about being an inspiration for others, it more than that.... it's a mystery. <u>God somehow strengthens others by their faithfulness. They may feel like a burden to others, but God thinks the opposite.</u> He thinks its necessary for others to take care of the disabled... they do more for one's spiritual well being than can be imagined. What's more is that it's all being credited to the disabled person's account, per Phillipians 1:25-26.  <strong>-Joni Eareckson Tada</strong></p> YellerDaisieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536530926244010074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304480702811895219.post-43106894768087612122009-08-20T16:46:00.001-04:002009-08-20T16:46:46.173-04:00A Leaning Trust<p><i>Let your mind be renewed by this: God cannot lie.  God is love…. “The steadfast love of the Lord endures forever.”  Do you know why the Bible tells us things like that?  its because we’re tempted to think that it hasn’t endured… that it doesn’t reach me in 2009 in this situation.  So God keeps speaking to us and telling us “no! it does!  it endures forever. It lasts forever.  It is for you…  God gave up His own Son to death to save you from sin.  And He points to that to show you how deeply he cares for you.  </i></p> <p><i></i></p> <p><i>He asks you to measure His faithfulness and His love by the cross.  If He would do that for me, <b>how much more will he meet me when I’m growing weary in my sickness, when I’m wishing I had that relationship, when I don’t know what tomorrow holds.  </b>How much more is God going to care for me.  God’s Word tells us that His arm is not too short to save.  He is able to meet us in any circumstance… Look back on your life.  <b>Not ONE of God’s promises has failed.</b>  That doesn’t mean you haven’t faced disappointment.  But look back.  All of God’s promises to be with you and to be faithful… not one has failed.  Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart. Not a partial trust.  </i></p> <p><i></i></p> <p><i>SO here’s the idea I want you to think about … this kind of leaning (lean not on your own understanding) leaves us vulnerable.  If this thing I’m leaning on were to go away I would fall flat on my face.  And that leaves me off balance…  this is a little scary. I’m trusting in something else.  Leaning on the Lord leaves us off balance and we don’t like to feel off balance.  A lot of us spend our entire Christian lives running away from the feeling of being off balance.  That feeling of being vulnerable… of being held up by God…  this is exactly where God created us to live…and that is exactly where we are the most secure than we’ve ever been.”  Exceprt by Joshua Harris from sermon at CovLife on 8/9/09: Total Trust. </i></p> YellerDaisieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536530926244010074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304480702811895219.post-41634615807476141992009-08-20T08:24:00.001-04:002009-08-20T08:26:06.968-04:00God Loves To Be A Slave, Do I?<p>There are things I just do not like to do. There is no good reason for my dislike, but please don’t ask me to do them. Logic doesn’t enter into the picture when it comes to jobs and serving (but should it?). I do not like to take out the trash. I do not like to prepare coffee the night before. I DO NOT like to weed. I’ll do pretty much anything, serve however you ask, but don’t ask me to do those…</p> <p>Some parents teach their kids to be passionate about sports. Others, reading or the arts. (All perfectly good and fun things to be passionate about!) My parents taught their children to be passionate about serving the body of Christ. I cannot remember a time when my parents didn’t serve. Long before dad became a pastor, I remember him showing up early on Sunday mornings. He ran the transparency machine (back in the day before PowerPoint) and set-up chairs. He and mom led a care group and we always had people in our house. Serving in our house was akin to breathing. As Christ’s redeemed sinners, it’s supposed to be our joy and delight to pour out our lives for others (& the Savior). Dad & Mom taught us this very early on. I love to serve, I feel weird when I can’t. There’s few things I enjoy more than gettin’ r’ done and making things run smooth so people can meet and experience God. But, I was convicted by Sunday’s sermon…very convicted. </p> <blockquote> <p>“We should never settle for where we are.” – Jim Britt</p> </blockquote> <p>On Sunday, I wrote in my notes, “I will never be like Jesus so I always have room to do better. You will never be fully sanctified, so there is always room for change, room to do better, and countless ways to reflect my Savior even more.”</p> <p>I serve, but am I a slave? Do I wear myself out serving or do I serve when it’s convenient? Granted, we’re responsible for our bodies and we should be mindful of what we can and cannot/should and shouldn’t do. But, is itmy desire to serve with everything I have? Or to serve in the ways I prefer? Do I cheerfully take out the trash? Or do I just clean the kitchen? Do I serve in every way possible or do I only serve in ways I like? Do I serve when I’m tired and need some “me” time? Do I serve when I don’t feel good? </p> <p>What’s my goal in serving? To do my duty (good thing)? Or is it fueled by a passionate desire to be like my Savior? To model Him and serve as much like Him as I can. A couple of things that dad said in his sermon which made me think:</p> <blockquote> <p>“Stop being in charge (of your life), it’s a fool’s errand.</p> <p>“We can risk all, look who He (God) is.”</p> </blockquote> <p>I have a lot of room to grow. I often serve because it has become rote, not because I passionately want to serve Christ and His bride. I serve because I’m proud. And there are so many times I do not serve (especially at home), when I should.</p> <p>Apart from God’s grace in the gospel (Ro. 1:16), I do not have the power to change or to serve at all. But, thankfully, I do not change or serve by myself. He is with me. All I need to do is repent and ask for help. God gives me the grace, power, and strength to be like Him. I try and He gives me the power and ability. I love my Savior!!!</p> <blockquote> <p>“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13</p> </blockquote> <p>You can download the sermon, sermon notes, and application questions <a href="http://blogs.sgcsc.org">HERE</a>.</p> YellerDaisieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536530926244010074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304480702811895219.post-79207179649081065192009-08-19T07:21:00.001-04:002009-08-19T07:21:28.002-04:00God CAN Open<p><font size="2">We never consider that God can open the eyes of the blind with clay and spittle, he can work above, beyond, and even contrary to means…’Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain, yet the valley shall be filled with water’ (2 Kings 3.17).  God would have us depend on him though we do not see how the thing may be brought about…  </font></p> <p><font size="2">— Jeremiah Burroughs, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment</font></p> YellerDaisieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536530926244010074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304480702811895219.post-64315667303264513502009-08-18T19:37:00.001-04:002009-08-18T19:37:51.768-04:00Richer Mercies...Higher Service...Greater Glory<p>The Lord empties before He fills. He makes room for Himself, for His love, and for His grace...thus does He bring the soul into great straits, lay it low, but to school and discipline it for richer mercies, higher service, and greater glory. Be sure ...of this, that, when the Lord is about to bless you with some great and peculiar blessing, He may prepare you for it by some great and peculiar trial. </p> <p>-O. Winslow</p> YellerDaisieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536530926244010074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304480702811895219.post-69424392285671938562009-08-18T08:34:00.001-04:002009-08-18T08:34:26.418-04:00Kept By God<p>Thou Creator, Upholder, Proprietor of all things, </p> <p>I cannot escape from thy presence or control, nor do I desire to do so.</p> <p>My privilege is to be under the agency of omnipotence, righteousness, wisdom, patience, mercy, grace.</p> <p>Thou art love with more than parental affection;</p> <p>I admire thy heart, adore thy wisdom, stand in awe of thy power, abase myself before thy purity.</p> <p>It is the discovery of they goodness alone that can banish my fear, allure me into they presence, help me to bewail and confess my sins.</p> <p>When I review my past guilt and am conscious of my present unworthiness</p> <p>   I tremble to come to thee,</p> <p>   I whose foundation is in the dust,</p> <p>   I who have condemned thy goodness,</p> <p>   defied thy power,</p> <p>   trampled upon thy love,</p> <p>   rendered myself worthy of eternal death.</p> <p>But my recovery cannot spring from any cause in me,</p> <p>I can destroy but cannot save myself.</p> <p>Yet thou hast laid help on One that is mighty, for there is mercy with the, and exceeding riches in thy kindness through Jesus.</p> <p>May I always feel my need of him. </p> <p>Let thy restored joy be my strength; </p> <p>May it keep me from lusting after the world, </p> <p>   bear up heart and mind in loss of comforts, </p> <p>   enliven me in the valley of death, </p> <p>   work in me the image of the heavenly, </p> <p>   and give me to enjoy the first fruits of spirituality, </p> <p>  such as angels and departed saints know.</p> <p>-<a href="http://www.wtsbooks.com/product-exec/product_id/888/nm/Valley_of_Vision_A_Collection_of_Puritan_Prayers_and_Devotions_Paperback?utm_source=jbritt&utm_medium=blogpartners">The Valley of Vision</a></p> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304480702811895219.post-25556425291190847112009-08-18T07:46:00.001-04:002009-08-18T07:46:26.204-04:00Are We Trusting God’s Sovereignty?<p>To all these questions, I could add one more: “Are we trusting God’s sovereignty in the gospel?” God causes the deaf to hear and the blind to see. He melts hearts of stone and hardens others. Paul did not always see a favorable response to the gospel. Neither will we. God may send a season of blessing and revival or He may use us, like so many of the prophets to give one last warning of the judgment to come. Some will plant, some will water, and some will reap a harvest. </p> <p>Our part is to do our part…But only God saves. It is right to plan and pray for “results” and plead with others to know Christ, but no one can change the number of God’s elect.</p> <p>Remember that on that “great gettin’ up morning,” God will not reward churchgoers, or His churches for that matter, for being big and influential, or hip and culturally with-it, but for being good and faithful (Matt. 25:23). That’s all God asks of us-be good and faithful, which is right, because that’s the best we can do.</p> <p>-Kevin DeYoung, <em><a href="http://www.wtsbooks.com/product-exec/product_id/6447/nm/Why+We+Love+the+Church%3A+In+Praise+of+Institutions+and+Organized+Religion+(Paperback)?utm_source=jbritt&utm_medium=blogpartners">Why We Love The Church</a></em></p> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304480702811895219.post-26018163443683794462009-08-15T08:04:00.001-04:002009-08-15T08:04:56.558-04:00Why We Love The Church<a href="http://www.wtsbooks.com/product-exec/product_id/6447/nm/Why+We+Love+the+Church%3A+In+Praise+of+Institutions+and+Organized+Religion+(Paperback)?utm_source=jbritt&utm_medium=blogpartners"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="9780802458377m" border="0" alt="9780802458377m" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_wj52LTQE6hg/SoajF-YhP8I/AAAAAAAANps/Z3Zt0X5pwnE/9780802458377m%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="173" height="262" /></a> <p>“Is a head still a head if it doesn’t have a body? Is a basement still a basement if there’s no house on top? Is a friend really your friend if you can’t stand his wife?</p> <p>According to 1 Corinthians 3, the church is God’s building, with Jesus Christ as its foundation. To be sure, there can be no superstructure without a solid foundation. That’s obvious. But it should also be obvious that no one lays a foundation unless he plans to build on it. No one drives past a cement foundation in the dirt and thinks, “Looks like they’re about ready to move in.” We know that a foundation exists to be built upon, not lived in all by itself. Who wants to live in a basement without the rest of the house on top? On on I know, except for the Christians who want Jesus but not the Church.”</p> <p>This was the first two paragraphs of the introduction for “Why We Love The Church”. I am hooked. I am screaming through this book at a pace (for me) that is earth shattering. I love it! It is amazing. I heartily recommend that you read it…multiple times. I recently read Josh Harris’ blog where he was talking about this book. He says that he likes it more than the book he wrote on the church (Which is saying something, ‘cause Josh’s book is VERY good.). I am confident many quotes from the book will find it’s way onto this blog. :D In fact, here are a couple:</p> <blockquote> <p>Indeed, being part of a church-and learning to love it-is good for your soul, biblically responsible, and pleasing to God. – Kevin DeYoung</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p>The church we love is as flawed and messed up as we are, but she’s Christ’s bride nonetheless. And I might as well have a basement without a house or a head without a body as despise the wife my Savior loves. –Keving DeYoung</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p>We’re not perfect (far from it) but we love Jesus, we love the gospel, and we try our best to love other Christians. –Ted Kluck</p> </blockquote> <p>You can purchase this incredible book <strong><a href="http://www.wtsbooks.com/product-exec/product_id/6447/nm/Why+We+Love+the+Church%3A+In+Praise+of+Institutions+and+Organized+Religion+(Paperback)?utm_source=jbritt&utm_medium=blogpartners">HERE</a></strong>…the shipping is very cheap and they ship very fast!</p> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304480702811895219.post-10150903849747222712009-08-14T08:12:00.001-04:002009-08-14T08:16:09.401-04:00The Father’s Love<p><a href="By Joel Sczebel. As recorded on Sons & Daughters. © 2009 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP). All Rights Reserved."><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="M4270-00-21_M" border="0" alt="M4270-00-21_M" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wj52LTQE6hg/SoVUpBGuHOI/AAAAAAAANnE/TcHfUYPBOuA/M4270-00-21_M%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="179" height="179" /></a> </p> <p>If you haven’t heard or listened to this cd (<em>Sons & Daughters)</em>, let me strongly encourage you to immediately go to SGM’s store and purchase it. It is the best they have released to date! The theologically rich lyrics are amazing. I’ve listened to nothing else in my devotions, since I bought the cd. This is my favorite song on the cd:</p> <p> </p> <p>How has the sinner been forgiven <br />How has the rebel been made clean <br />Or blinded eyes been made to see <br />How have the orphans been adopted <br />Who hated Your love and ran from grace <br />Despised and rejected all Your ways</p> <p> <br />Chorus <br />How wonderful the Father’s love <br />The Father’s love for us <br />That He would send His only Son <br />To come and rescue us <br />He has saved us, called us blameless <br />Guides us now and will sustain us <br />Oh how wonderful the Father’s love <br /></p> <p>Your mercy floods our lives with kindness <br />Your grace has colored all we see <br />And You have promised not to leave <br />You freely give Your Spirit to us <br />So we can be sure we’re sons of God <br />And rest in the hope of what’s to come</p> <p> <br />Bridge <br />Though sufferings may fill our lives <br />We’re confident we’re heirs with Christ <br />And so we cry, “Abba, Father”</p> <p><font size="1">By Joel Sczebel. As recorded on <i>Sons & Daughters. © 2009 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP). All Rights Reserved.</i></font></p> <p>This is a description of the cd:</p> <blockquote> <p>Do you live with a nagging suspicion of God? <br />Many Christians understand that Jesus died in our place to take our punishment, that our sins have been forgiven, and that one day Christ will return. But inwardly we can be tempted to wonder whether God truly loves us, cares about us, or even thinks about us. <br />The gospel has brought us amazing news, but sometimes we don’t live in the good of it. <br />These songs are meant to direct our attention to the unfathomable love God has shown us in adopting us through Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:5). We are now part of God’s family—in Christ we will forever be the objects of God’s particular and passionate mercy and love. That biblical reality, rather than leaving us focused on ourselves, drives us once again to proclaim the greatness of the God whose grace turns hopeless rebels into precious children. <br />“And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!” (Gal. 4:6)</p> </blockquote> <p>You can purchase the cd or download the MP3 <a href="http://www.sovereigngracestore.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=M4270-00-21"><strong><u>HERE</u></strong></a>. Did I mention you should do it right now??? </p> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304480702811895219.post-23947890010414414732009-08-14T08:00:00.000-04:002009-08-14T08:31:28.643-04:00God The Father<p>The relation between Jesus the Son and God the Father is unique. It is not to be understood on the pattern of human fatherhood. In neither Testament is God sexual, nor does he have a wife or mistress, as did many pagan deities. Human fatherhood derives from God the Father and is to be measured by him, not vice versa (Eph. 3:15). The Father has a unique relation to the incarnate Son within the being of God. God’s revelation as the Father does not refer to his general fatherhood with respect to all his creatures. Moreover, as Toon comments, the <em>Father</em> is not merely a simile (as if God is simply <em>like</em> a father) or even a metaphor (an unusual use of language drawing attention to aspects of God’s nature in surprising terms), but rather a definite personal name. In contrast, the term <em>mother</em>, when used in reference to God in the OT, is a simile, but never a metaphor, and it is completely absent in the NT. <em>Father </em>is the proper name for God and does not merely describe what he is like.</p> <p>- Robert Letham, <a href="http://www.wtsbooks.com/product-exec/product_id/3773/nm/Holy+Trinity%3A+In+Scripture%2C+History%2C+Theology%2C+and+Worship?utm_source=jbritt&utm_medium=blogpartners">The Holy Trinity</a></p> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304480702811895219.post-37675308262349164452009-08-13T08:30:00.001-04:002009-08-13T08:30:55.859-04:00Your Grumbling Is…Against The Lord<blockquote> <p>16:1 They set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. 2 And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, 3 and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”</p> <p>4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.” 6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, “At evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against the Lord. For what are we, that you grumble against us?” 8 And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the Lord has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord.”</p> <p>9 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, ‘Come near before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’” 10 And as soon as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. 11 And the Lord said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’” Exodus 16:1-12</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p>14 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,</p> </blockquote> <p>How often do I think, “I wish I had…” or “Why do I have a headache again?” or “Has God forgotten me?”or “Why am I still fighting this sin?” Why, why, why. It’s clear in Scripture that it is ok to ask God why (Psalms & Job) as long as it comes from a trusting and obedient soul. But, trust is no where in the statements above. Those statements sound like I’m whining. Life isn’t the way I want it. I want a nice, easy life. I want a car that doesn’t break every half hour. I want to have perfect health. I want a husband & children. I want my sanctification process to be over and done, can’t I just be perfect? </p> <p>“Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord.”</p> <p>Ouch. My grumbling & questioning is a direct affront on God’s character. I might as well be looking Him in the face and charge Him with not knowing what He is doing, not being loving, and not doing what is good for me. Every time I complain, grumble, or question His will; that is what I am doing. </p> <p>I find it interesting that Paul draws a direct correlation between not grumbling and being blameless & shining in the world. Grumbling and questioning is equated with the crooked and twisted generation, the world. It’s not a nice extra. Actually, there is no option. Paul (God) commands us in Phil. 2 to do ALL things without grumbling and questioning. And to do that we must have complete trust in our God and Savior. (But, that’s a completely different topic that I’ll get to at some point in another post. For now, let me recommend this sermon: <a href="http://www.covlife.org/resources/2520324-Total_Trust">Total Trust</a>) All things, means all things. <strong>EVERYTHING.</strong> Complaining is a serious thing to God. It is a direct slam of His character.</p> <p>I don’t know if you’re like me, but when I read and contemplate this command, I feel overwhelmed. But, there’s something else that strikes me in these passages. God’s patience and kindness. He should have struck the Israelites dead (or at best leave them to wander in the wilderness alone). And He does gently rebuke their complaining, but He also provides them with bread and meat! He grants their whining requests and reminds them Who He is…all at the same time. In Philippians Paul doesn’t say that if you do not grumble, then you are children of God. No! It is assumed that the people in Philippi are ALREADY children of God, with all the love and rights of being in that family. </p> <p>God is patient and kind. He loves His children, He sent His Son to die for them. He knows our frame (Ps. 103:14). He does not expect us to run the marathon at lightning speed. He knows we are slow. However, He doesn’t expect us to sit and never race. Hence the reason we’re given a command. But, He empowers us to obey that command. We’re adopted heirs. We’re redeemed sinners. He loves us more than we can comprehend. He will finish the work that He began.</p> <p>And the gospel is yet another reason to never complain. I have been saved, snatched from Hell. What else could I want? My eternal residence has been secured. I am loved by the Creator of the Universe. Now that’s a reason to party! :D</p> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304480702811895219.post-2506718547213334832009-08-12T08:28:00.001-04:002009-08-12T08:29:53.382-04:00He Will Not Allow Your Foot To Be Moved<p>"He will not allow your foot to be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber." Psalm 121:3 <br />This is a choice stanza for <i>pilgrims</i> to the celestial city. <br /><i></i></p> <p><i>"He will not allow your foot to be moved." </i>Though the <i>paths of life</i> are dangerous and difficult--yet we shall stand fast, for Jehovah will not permit our feet to slide; and if He will not allow it--we shall never be moved! If our <i>foot </i>will is thus kept--we may be sure that our <i>head </i>and <i>heart </i>will be preserved also! Those who have God for their keeper--shall be safe from all the perils of the way. <br />Among the hills and ravines of Palestine, the keeping of the feet is a great mercy. But in the slippery paths of a tempted, tried and afflicted believer, the blessing of<i> upholding </i>is of priceless value--for a single false step might cause us a fall fraught with awful danger! To stand 'steadfast' and pursue our holy way--is a blessing which only God can give. It is worthy of His divine hand--and worthy also of our perennial gratitude. Our feet shall move in heavenly progress--and we shall never be overthrown! <br /><i>"He who keeps you will not slumber." </i>We could not stand a moment--if our Divine Keeper were to sleep! We need Him by day and by night. Not a single step can be safely taken--except under His guardian eye. God is the convoy and body-guard of His people. When dangers are all around us--we are safe, for our Preserver is awake, and will not permit us to be moved. No fatigue of exhaustion can cast our God into sleep--<i>His watchful eyes are never closed!</i></p> <p><em>- <a href="http://www.gracegems.org/21/Charles_Spurgeon_sermons.htm">Charles Spurgeon</a></em></p> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304480702811895219.post-9846738291075981762009-08-12T07:56:00.004-04:002009-08-12T08:18:48.067-04:00J.C. Ryle Blog<p></p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_wj52LTQE6hg/SoKtz6hcXcI/AAAAAAAANmM/MIxO5vDA554/s1600-h/jc_ryle212%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border: 0px none ; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px;" title="jc_ryle212" alt="jc_ryle212" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wj52LTQE6hg/SoKt0h07gsI/AAAAAAAANmQ/y7Bj4cz4IAA/jc_ryle212_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="146" align="left" border="0" height="186" /></a> <p> There is a new blog in the blogosphere…</p> <p><em><strong><a href="http://jcrylequotes.com/">J.C. Ryle Quotes</a> </strong>- </em><em>Christ. Gospel. Holiness.</em></p> <p>I really like J.C. Ryle and I was excited to find an entire blog dedicated to quotes from his books. Check it out:</p> <p><a title="http://jcrylequotes.com/" href="http://jcrylequotes.com/">http://jcrylequotes.com/</a></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message"><span style="font-size:85%;">“No man ever said, at the end of his days, ‘I have read my Bible too much, I have thought of God too much, I have prayed too much, I have been too careful with my soul.’” - J.C. Ryle</span></h3>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304480702811895219.post-9382710841880421362009-08-10T21:51:00.001-04:002009-08-10T21:52:22.045-04:00Pics from WorshipGod 09 & DC<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="390" height="267" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2FYellerDaisies%2Falbumid%2F5368517230137688689%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCIn9mOPp0OSCDw%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304480702811895219.post-81195867154311158362009-08-04T19:31:00.001-04:002009-08-04T19:31:59.501-04:00Road Trip!<p>In 7 1/2 hours I will be up and getting ready to leave on a 9hr. road trip. :) I’m heading to Gaithersburg, MD. I will be attending the WorshipGod 09 conference and taking a lot of sound related seminars! WooHoo!!! Please pray that we (several folks from my church going) learn a lot, but more importantly, that we meet God and enjoy His presences. </p> <p>I’ll be back next week.</p> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2304480702811895219.post-60579051591045489612009-08-04T07:23:00.001-04:002009-08-04T07:23:28.840-04:00Cords of Kindness<blockquote> <p>Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, <br />and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them. Hosea 11:3-4</p> </blockquote> <p>One of my favorite phrases in Scripture is, <em>steadfast love</em>. This phrase is used much in the Psalms. Steadfast means:</p> <blockquote> <p>1 a<strong>:</strong> firmly fixed in place <strong>:</strong> <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immovable">immovable</a> b<strong>:</strong> not subject to change <the <em>steadfast</em> doctrine of original sin — Ellen Glasgow></p> </blockquote> <p>I love this descriptor of God’s love. It is a love that is firmly fixed in place. It is immovable. It is not subject to change. It is a lavish love that, for the Christian, never ends. Nothing cheers the soul more than the knowledge that the Creator of the universe loves me steadfastly. Trials may come, but He leads me with cords of kindness and bands of love. Often we may not understand why we are where we are. But, “the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness”. Oh the joy and peace in knowing that my Savior leads me with steadfast love!</p> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0