The Focus of Faith

And there will come a time, you'll see, with no more tears

And love will not break your heart, but dismiss your fears

Get over your hill and see what you find there,

With grace in your heart and flowers in your hair

c. Mumford and Sons

Dave Harvey, in Rescuing Ambition:

As we cooperate with God's work, what delights us is no longer indulged ambition, or even ambitions for God, but God himself (p. 79).

What's the focus of faith? (p.83) . . . Faith starts with God and fixes on God. . . . The focus of true faith is not hills to be taken, battles to be won, or trials to be endured. The focus of true faith is God - and not just God in the abstract, theological sense. It's the God who's made known in the person of Jesus Christ. (p. 85) . . . Drawing near to God is a life of intimate fellowship with a Person, a life of overwhelming wonder that puts everything else into perspective. . . .

Paradoxically, when faith focuses on its main objective - drawing near to God - we don't become religiously obsessed or "too heavenly minded to be any earthly good." We actually get perspective, and we can deal with the complexities and curveballs of life in a balanced way. . . . 'With God's help, I realized that the only thing I could count on was God himself.' (p. 86-87)

How precious to know, and find continually to be true, that the only thing or person I can count on is God himself. And how steadying to know that whatever comes to pass, God is my rock, my foundation, my anchor, my all in all. Men and rulers will fail, even "good" Christian ones; I will never find one who does not. But my Lord abides forever, steadfast and true. There is no one higher than he. There is therefore nothing more worthy of my focus, joy, and pursuit than he. All else falls into place beneath him, and the joy of knowing God is the source of my joy in every lesser thing. Knowing God grants perspective on, and indeed is the fulfillment of, every ambition or desire.

Knowing You

All I once held dear, built my life upon

All this world reveres, and wars to own

All I once thought gain, I have counted loss

Spent and worthless now, compared to this

Knowing you, Jesus, knowing you

There is no greater thing

You're my all, you're the best

You're my joy, my righteousness

And I love you, Lord

Now my heart's desire is to know you more

To be found in you, and known as yours

To possess by faith what I could not earn

All surpassing gift of righteousness

Oh to know the power of your risen life

And to know you in your suffering

To become like you in your death my Lord

So with You to live, and never die

Knowing you, Jesus, knowing you

There is no greater thing

You're my all, you're the best

You're my joy, my righteousness

And I love you, Lord

by Graham Kendrick

c. 1993 Make Way Music

photo: St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, Germany 2007

The Word Became Flesh

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.... And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

- John 1:14-17

From A.W. Tozer's chapter on "The Love of God" in The Knowledge of the Holy:

God is love and God is sovereign. His love disposes Him to desire our everlasting welfare and His sovereignty enables Him to secure it.

The Humility of Christ

Why lies He in such mean estate,

Where ox and lambs are feeding?

Good Christians, fear, for sinners here

The silent Word is pleading.

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,

The cross be borne for me, for you.

Hail, hail, the Word made flesh,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. - Philippians 2:4-8

Does my heart melt when I think of Christ coming to earth as a man? Am I floored by the humility displayed? Do I take heart when called to give of myself for others, because of the empowering example and salvation of my Lord? Am I reduced to tears when considering my sin and how far he stooped to save me?

Come, Lord Jesus, come!

photo: 2/4/2009

The Goodness of God

The Knowledge of the Holy, pages 83-84:

The whole outlook of mankind might be changed if we could all believe that we dwell under a friendly sky and that the God of heaven, though exalted in power and majesty, is eager to be friends with us. 

But sin has made us timid and self-conscious, as well it might. Years of rebellion against God have bred in us a fear that cannot be overcome in a day. The captured rebel does not enter willingly the presence of the king he has so long fought unsuccessfully to overthrow. But if he is truly penitent he may come, trusting only in the loving-kindness of his Lord, and the past will not be held against him. . . .

From [Jesus] we learn how God acts toward people. The hypocritical, the basically insincere, will find Him cold and aloof, as they once found Jesus; but the penitent will find Him merciful; the self-condemned will find Him generous and kind. To the frightened He is friendly, to the poor in spirit He is forgiving, to the ignorant, considerate; to the weak, gentle; to the stranger, hospitable. . . .

The greatness of God rouses fear within us, but His goodness encourages us not to be afraid of Him. To fear and not be afraid - that is the paradox of faith. 

photo: Adam & Linda's wedding 5/17/09 

(sorry - small file)

The Passion of the Holy Spirit

John Piper in Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus, edited by Nancy Guthrie (p. 34):

Mary responds by saying, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word" (v. 38). Can you say: "Let the Holy Spirit do with me as he pleases"? Do you trust the Spirit enough to say: "I am your slave; take me; use your omnipotent power to put me where you want me, when you want me there, doing what you want me to do"? Do you know why we can entrust ourselves to the Holy Spirit? Because he exists to exalt the glory of Jesus Christ. Therefore, if the heartbeat of your life is the glory of Jesus Christ, the Spirit will empower and help you with all of his might.

Let's live and speak so that men and women might know that Jesus Christ is a great Savior, the Son of the Most High, and the never-ending King of kings. That's the passion of the Holy Spirit. To be full of that is to be full of him.

photo: Bavaria, Germany 2007

(looks much like Lancaster County, PA!)

Praise the Lord, for He is Good!

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;

make known his deeds among the peoples!

Sing to him; sing praises to him;

tell of all his wondrous works!

Glory in his holy name;

let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!

Seek the LORD and his strength;

seek his presence continually!

Remember the wondrous works that he has done,

his miracles and the judgments he uttered,

O offspring of Israel his servant,

sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!

. . .

Sing to the LORD, all the earth!

Tell of his salvation from day to day.

Declare his glory among the nations,

his marvelous works among all the peoples!

For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,

and he is to be held in awe above all gods.

For all the gods of the peoples are idols,

but the LORD made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before him;

strength and joy are in his place.

Ascribe to the LORD, O clans of the peoples,

ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;

bring an offering and come before him!

Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;

tremble before him, all the earth;

yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,

and let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!"

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

let the field exult, and everything in it!

Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy

before the LORD for he comes to judge the earth.

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;

for his steadfast love endures forever!

- 1 Chronicles 16:8-34

Why do we praise the Lord? Because of who he is and what he has done. Not because of how I feel or what my current circumstances look like. When I apply my mind to know, remember, and learn more of my God, then feelings most likely follow. And emotion that springs from truth, the truth of who God is and how he relates to me because of his Son, well that is the very best kind. :) I pray that I grow in recounting God's goodness in his character, in my life, in the lives of others, and that we may ever increasingly point out evidences of his graces to each other. For oh so quick we are to forget.

Our God is good! Let us rejoice.

photo: New Attitude 2008

Wait, and Know Me

Wait
c. 1980 Russell Kelfer
HT: Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;

Quietly, patiently, lovinging, God replied.

I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate...

And the Master so gently said, "Wait."

"Wait? You say wait?" my indignant reply.

"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!

Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?

By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.

"My future and all to which I relate

hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait?"
I'm needing a 'yes,' a go-ahead sign,

or even a 'no' to which I can resign.

"You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,

we need but to ask, and we shall receive.

And Lord I've been asking, and this is my cry:

I'm wearly of asking! I need a reply."

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate,

as my Master replied again, "Wait."

So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,

and grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting for what?"

He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine...

and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.

I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.

I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.

"I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.

You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.

You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint.

You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.

"You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;

You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.

You'd not know the joy of resting in Me

when darkness and silence are all you can see.

"You'd never experience the fullness of love

when the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.

You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,

but you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

"The glow of my comfort late into the night,

the faith that I give when you walk without sight.

The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask

from an infinite God who makes what you have last.

"You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,

what it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.

Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,

but, oh the loss, if you missed what I'm doing in you.

"So, be silient, my child, and in time you will see

that the greatest of gifts is to truly know Me.

And though oft My answers seem terribly late,

my most precious answer of all is still . . . Wait."

photo: Conestoga House and Gardens, 2010

Thankful in the Little Things

Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is around the corner. If the Thanksgiving holiday were a person, I think I might feel sorry for him. He is quickly forgotten in the shadow of Christmas, sometimes even before his big day and most definitely as soon as Thursday is gone and the clock strikes midnight to usher in Friday with all it's shopping glory. Thanksgiving has become more of a reminder or notification that Christmas is almost here. But in reality, what a great honor Thanksgiving has in preparing our hearts for Christmas. It's only right that he would be overshadowed by the day we remember that Christ was born. Why not let Thanksgiving herald in the Christmas season and heed his proclamation to be intentional in cultivating a thankful heart? Afterall, the only way I can be thankful is because God sent his Son into the world to be my Savior.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil - this is God's gift to man. - Ecclesiastes 3:11-13

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels

Door bells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes

Silver white winters that melt into springs

These are a few of my favorite things

So, in seeking to learn from the Sound of Music, Thanksgiving and not to mention God's Word, I want to make a practice of recounting God's blessings on my days, especially in the little things.

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. - Colossians 3:17

photo: December 5, 2009 (Exactly one year ago! Little detail that I delight in :) )

Do You Trust Me, My Child?

In his book Heaven, Randy Alcorn addresses the question, "Will we be reunited with infants who have died?" He thinks most likely the answer is yes, and on page 356 he says (emphases added):

Perhaps in Heaven many people will meet their children who were aborted or their children who died in miscarriages (even some miscarriages their mothers weren't aware of). Many parents will be reunited with children who died at an early age. Perhaps these children will grab our hands and show us around the present Heaven. Then one day, after the final resurrection, we'll enjoy each other's company on the New Earth - and experience its wonders together.

If children do go to Heaven when they die, why doesn't God tell us that directly? It may be that he anticipates the twisted logic and rationalization it might foster in us. It might take from us the sense of urgency to see our children come to faith in Christ. It might cause us to be less concerned about the sacred God-given task of extending physical and financial help to the underprivileged and getting the gospel to children around the world. We must do what God has called us to do, which includes protecting, rescuing, feeding, evangelizing, and discipling children.

Whatever God's reasons may be, I have struggled with not knowing the answer to this question beyond a shadow of a doubt. I have not forgotten about the brother or sister I never had the chance to meet, often remembering in tears and sometimes wondering what our family would be like had he lived.
Why is this something that God would leave as a mystery to us? Why would he not lay it out plain and simple, so that we might be confidently comforted or at least know the difficult truth? I don't know. I do know he is good, and his holiness and glory matter most. He will use whatever he wills to strengthen my faith in him, even if it hurts. He would that I love him even if I am stripped of all others and every good thing. When questions are unanswered, doubts remain, or fears for the future threaten to crowd in my heart, I hear my Savior say, "Do you trust me? I love you dear child. Trust me. I am enough for you." And I find that he is more than enough.

O God of love, I come to you again

Knowing I'll find mercy

I can't explain all the things I see

But I'll trust in you

In every moment you are there

Watching over, you hear my prayer

You go before me

You're behind me

Nothing's hidden from you

O God of strength, your hand is on my life

Bringing peace to me

You know my frame, you know how I am made

You planned all my days

Hand of mercy, hand of love

Giving power to overcome

If all beneath me falls away

I know that you are God

How good it is to be loved by you

How good it is

How good it is to be loved by you

How good it is

c. 2000 Kingsway's Thankyou Music

photo: May 27, 2010

Behold Christ

Warren Boettcher spoke at our church this past Sunday. I listened to his sermon (The Fruit of Justification) again this week and quote him below. I'm so glad God keeps reminding me of this in fresh ways, and I know he will be faithful to continue to strengthen my faith by drawing my gaze up to him.

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. - 2 Corinthians 3:18

How do we grow now?...We talk about mortification of sin: there are things we need to die to, that need to be put to death, absolutely. And then there are things we need to put on, right. We put off things of the flesh; we put on things of the Spirit. So there are these "put offs" and "put ons" that we do.

Here's a key way that you grow beyond the "put ons" and "put offs:" look at Him! Behold his glory! Be enamored by him. Don't be so down in the trenches of "I've got to stop sinning here. How do I kill this sin in my life? Oh, and I've got to be good over here. How do I put these things in my life, and if I can only kill this and put on this I'd be good." And meanwhile, I'm just looking down here. Look up! Look up! You want to grow in sanctification? Study Christ! Look at his face. When we behold him, we're going to change from one degree of glory to another.

Where do you go when you sin? And when you seek to change? Do you go to the throne of grace? Is that your comfort and your confidence? Or do you look to self-atonement and self-improvement? "If I can just pay a little bit for my sin, it'll get a little bit better." Self-atonement = if I feel bad. Self-improvement = if I do good. Or do I go to the throne of grace? Where am I going when I want to grow and change? Who am I looking at? Myself? Or am I beholding Him?

All the labors of my hands

Could not meet Thy law's demands

Could my zeal no respite know

Could my tears forever flow

All for sin could not atone

Thou must save, and Thou alone

-Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me

photo: Lübeck, Germany 2007

Vision for Plodding

Someone asked me today if there is anything new or exciting going on in my life recently. Hmmm, not really. I'm just plodding along indefinitely.
Well, what is exciting to me? What am I looking forward to? Paradoxical and practical as it may be, I look forward to more of the same old same old...but to being renewed in my joy and zeal for the things God has called me to in my days. I want to not just be a plodder, even a faithful one. No, I want to be a plodding visionary. Another way to say it is that I don't just want to obey God, but I want to enjoy and desire more of Him in the moments of my days.
The vision is what fuels the plodding. Which word sounds more exciting, "plodding" or "visionary?" I suggest the latter, but they come as a package. Do I find myself to be simply a plodder without a vision? How do I know when that is the case? It's probably when I check my pulse and find discontentment, weariness, selfishness, boredom, complaining, etc.
So, how do I become envisioned? I can be spurred on in my plodding by many different visions, but there is just one vision that I want to catch and keep. It is the vision of Christ. Christ as my goal for eternity and Christ as my joy in this moment.
I want to make God my study and delight, and in so doing all the other little (or big) things will fall into place and serve to glorify God and deepen my enjoyment of him. Then guess what? Without thinking about it, look at that, life is fresh and exciting!

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.

Thou my best thought, by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

High King of heaven, my victory won,

May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heav'ns Son!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

Still be my vision, O ruler of all.

And how blessed am I that I get to (and indeed need to) live out a vision for Christ as part of his church. Check out Kevin DeYoung's message from Next 2010 on the church, and be refreshed in your role as a plodding visionary.

photo: part of the Italian Alps, 2007

I'm With Him

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, 

which cannot be moved, but abides forever. 

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, 

so the LORD surrounds his people, 

from this time forth and forevermore.

Psalm 125:1-2

If we're not constantly asking God to fill us with his Spirit, then we're going into a war zone with no gun and no protection. - Matt

The greatest blessing God gives is His presence. . . . When God is with us, there is no difference between Nebuchadnezzar's fiery furnace and a comfortable bed. It does not matter! We will be happy in either. If God is with us, if His divine love surrounds us, then we carry our own atmosphere and residence wherever we travel. - C.H. Spurgeon

And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. - Matthew 28:20

photo: Bolzano, Italy 2007

Thankful In Suffering

Even as Thanksgiving approaches, today my heart was heavy with the suffering of others. The Lord gently reminded me and firmly grounded me through these words of A.W. Tozer (pg. 61-62):

But there is hope in all our tears. When the hour of Christ's triumph arrives, the suffering world will be brought out into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. . . . In the meantime we rest our hope in the only wise God, our Saviour, and wait with patience the slow development of His benign purposes. In spite of tears and pain and death we believe that the God who made us all is infinitely wise and good. . . . We rest in what God is. 

Come seizures, cancer, or old age, nothing can take away our sure hope in Christ. Even if our worse fear is realized, we can be thankful to the God who is infinitely wise and good in his dealings with us.

photo: Crossway Church property, November 7, 2010

He Knows All

From Tozer's chapter on "The Divine Omniscience", pg 57:

And to us who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope that is set before us in the gospel, how unutterably sweet is the knowledge that our Heavenly Father knows us completely. No talebearer can inform on us, no enemy can make an accusation stick; no forgotten skeleton can come tumbling out of some hidden closet to abash us and expose our past; no unsuspected weakness in our characters can come to light to turn God away from us, since He knew us utterly before we knew Him and called us to Himself in the full knowledge of everything that was against us. "For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee."

Our Father in heaven knows our frame and remembers that we are dust. He knew our inborn treachery, and for His own sake engaged to save us (Isa. 48:8-11). His only begotten Son, when He walked among us, felt our pains in their naked intensity of anguish. His knowledge of our afflictions and adversities is more than theoretic; it is personal, warm, and compassionate. Whatever may befall us, God knows and cares as no one else can.

Oh how wonderful! God knows the depths of my sin even more than I might ever know, and he still chose to love me. Knowing God more makes the gospel more and more precious and strengthens my faith for life.
I really appreciate that about reading this little book of Tozer's. He leads you in studying God and then often uncovers such rich gospel connections.

Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died - more than that, who was raised - who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? - Romans 8:33-35

photo: Sensenig Grandparents home, Thanksgiving 2007

Little Women

I picked up Little Women and started reading it these past few days. It's so delightful! And I want to use words like "delightful," "handkerchief," "dear," and so on because of it. I think there is something to be said for rubbing shoulders with people who help you enjoy and be thankful for the little things in life and throughout the day. That is the effect this book has for me so far. Alcott portrays the daily joys and sorrows of her characters with genuineness and care. It has been a very long time since I've read a novel, but that's mostly because I haven't seen a use for doing so. I look forward to walking through a bit of life with Little Women and letting them teach me to embrace and cultivate a thankful, contented, and joyful spirit in the moments of my days.
A plus is the fact that the copy I have is worn and aged, which adds a lovely quaintness to the reading experience. My grandma's name, Rhoda, is written in cursive with a pencil on the title page.

photo: Jared & Rebekah's wedding, January 2010

He Never Changes

A.W. Tozer on the Immutability of God, (pages 53-54 of The Knowledge of the Holy):

What peace it brings to the Christian's heart to realize that our Heavenly Father never differs from Himself. In coming to Him at any time we need not wonder whether we shall find Him in a receptive mood. He is always receptive to misery and need, as well as to love and faith. He does not keep office hours nor set aside periods when He will see no one. Neither does He change His mind about anything. Today, this moment, He feels toward His creatures, toward babies, toward the sick. the fallen, the sinful, exactly as He did when He sent His only-begotten Son into the world to die for mankind. 

God never changes moods or cools off in His affections or loses enthusiasm. His attitude toward sin is now the same as it was when He drove out the sinful man from the eastward garden, and His attitude toward the sinner the same as when He stretched forth His hands and cried, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."   

Fountain of being! Source of Good!

Immutable Thou dost remain!

Nor can the shadow of a change

Obscure the glories of Thy reign.

Earth may with all her powers dissolve,

If such the great Creator will;

But Thou for ever art the same,

I AM is Thy memorial still.

From Walker's Collection

photo: the sky right after I got home from work today - 

these fall colors are amazing, but they elude the camera

Come Awake!

I heard this song today, and it reminded me of Igniter Media's video below. It stirs me in my love for the gospel, both in my own life and in my desire for it in other's lives.

How wonderful to witness the baptism of four individuals last evening as well. Here are some photos my dad took.

God's Infinitude

Last night I read the following in a chapter called "God's Infinitude" in A.W. Tozer's The Knowledge of the Holy.

Because God's nature is infinite, everything that flows out of it is infinite also. We poor human creatures are constantly being frustrated by limitations imposed upon us from without and within. The days of the years of our lives are few, and swifter than a weaver's shuttle. Life is a short and fevered rehearsal for a concert we cannot stay to give. Just when we appear to have attained some proficiency we are forced to lay our instruments down. There is simply not time enough to think, to become, to perform what the constitution of our nature indicates we are capable of.
How completely satisfying to turn from our limitations to a God who has none.
. . .His love is measureless. It is more; it is boundless. It has no bounds because it is not a thing but a facet of the essential nature of God. His love is something he is, and because He is infinite that love can enfold the whole created world in itself and have room for ten thousand times ten thousand worlds beside.

This, this is the God we adore,

Our faithful, unchangeable Friend,

Whose love is as great as His power,

And neither knows measure nor end.

'Tis Jesus, the first and the last,

Whose Spirit shall guide us safe home;

We'll praise Him for all that is past,

And trust Him for all that's to come.

-Joseph Hart

Then this morning, I read the following in Philippians 4:5-7:

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

These are familiar verses, but the first five words really jumped out at me. They make all the difference! "The Lord is at hand!" The infinite God, who is beyond comprehension or measurement and has infinite love for me as well, he is at hand. He is the answer to the question, "why not be anxious?" The following sentences about not being anxious, praying, thanksgiving, peace beyond understanding, a heart and mind guarded in Christ, these are all the more powerful and encouraging precisely because "the Lord is at hand." What wonderful truth to be grounded in at the beginning of the day. Thank you, Father.

photo: Baltic Sea near Hamburg, Germany 2007

Come Lord Jesus, Come!

This song was on my heart and lips this morning. It is my prayer now, and oh Lord would that it always might be!

Our Savior pierced on the cross, all for mercy to us

Broke the power of sin and rose again

Now He sits enthroned, His coming hour unknown

And we long to see Jesus come to His own

And with full hearts, we cry:

Come Lord Jesus, come!

Split the heavens with Your glory

Come Lord Jesus, come!

Fill our eyes with Your majesty

Then we'll bow down and then we'll confess

That You are Lord, Jesus come!

We await Your return, You promise in Your Word

That at trumpet's sound You will come down

Our King upon a cloud, every knew will bow

And we'll worship then as we worship now

And with full hearts, we cry:

You can read about how my pastor, Doug Plank, wrote this song and listen to a demo here.

photo: between Seattle and George, Washington 2007

patience, meekness, unity

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. . . . Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians: 4:1-3, 15-16)

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:12-17)

God's Word is not like any other written word. God's words are life!

photo: Elya on Crossway Church farm, 11/7/10

Inexpressible Hope and Joy

John Piper, in When I Don't Desire God (pages 60-61):

The reason we hope for the revelation of God's glory is because we have indeed seen so much of it in Christ and in nature that our hearts are captured by it forever. The apostle Peter admits that in one sense we do not now see Christ. But listen to how he says it: "Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory" (1 Pet. 1:8). We may groan at times because our seeing is so incomplete (Rom. 8:23). But for Peter the joy of what we have seen and the hope of what we will see are inexpressible and full of glory.

photo: Crossway Church Farm, 11/7/2010

Providential Care

So sweet. God's providential care is so sweet. How mysteriously and paradoxically wonderful is his work of sanctification, that he chooses to grow us through experiences and circumstances that deepen and ground us in more depth to the truths we may already know in our minds, but of which we have not yet even scuffed the surface.

I think it worthwhile to recount some of God's providential care in this week.
During the Sovereign Grace pastors conference, Tuesday through today, I have been babysitting the Heitland children. For two evenings, nights, and mornings I "played house" with four precious young souls. In God's gracious way, he highlighted his kind providential care.
He providentially ordained that I would run late with the kids on Tuesday night, fighting for ten minutes to subdue a car seat. He knew that two year old Greta would not stay in Alpha kids childcare but cling to and demand my attention the whole evening. He also ordained that she would nonetheless sit patiently and quietly on my lap, so I could be in just enough of the Theos Vital Life class to be reminded of God's specific involvement in every detail. Listening to Ray speak about God's providence was very applicable and calming as I was dealing with her, feeling haphazard and out of place that evening.
He foreknew that Claudia would be awoken twice that night by a fever and that my overall sleeping hours would be few. He involved himself in the details of healing her body through the night and bringing her new mercies in a healthy body the following morning.
Our Father predestined that yesterday the two eldest would collide on a trampoline, causing Claudia's teeth to cut into Morgan's head and require medical attention in the form of staples. He also provided for this to occur at the home of a nurse and mother who skillfully knew how to proceed, as well as ordained that the timing would be such that I would be finished at work in time to pick up the other three. Even the detail of being stalled at work by shattering a glass in the kitchen was not out of his foresight and care, and neither were the incorrect google map directions.
Our God knew that Morgan would come back to a house with a young and insufficient caretaker, who lacked the expertise to adequately care for her emotional and physical needs as well as tend to the bedtime of two highly distractible younger siblings, one of whom delighted herself by running around butt naked and the other who clung to his indecisive yet strong opinions on his preferred jammie attire for the night. And the same Father had planned from before time that he himself would be her primary caretaker and dramatically turn her heart to his peace and joy. God's kind providence ordained that the last hour of a tumultuous day would be filled with laughter, fellowship, and enjoyment for two big little girls whom he holds dearly in his hand. And in his sweetness, he granted a restful night to the Heitland home.

Our Father knows how to care for his own.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.

Psalm 139:16-18

I'll leave you with a funny. On the way "home" from Vital Life in my noisy car, one sentence stood out from the rest.

Aaron asked Claudia, "If you kill a bear, is it dead?"

photo: Venice, Italy 2007

Trials and the Blessing of God's Presence

Expect Trials to Multiply

Do not think that as you grow in grace your path will become smoother and the sky calmer and clearer. Quite the contrary. As God gives you greater skill as a soldier of the cross, He will send you on more difficult missions. As He more fully equips your ship to sail in storms, He will send you on longer voyages to more boisterous seas, so that you may honor Him and increase in holy confidence.
You would think that in Abraham's old age - after he had come to the land of Beulah, after the birth of Isaac, and especially after the expulsion of Ishmael - he would have had a time of rest. But "it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham" (Gen. 22:1). Let Abraham's story warn us to never plan on a rest from trials this side of the grave.
The trumpet still plays the notes of war. You cannot sit down and put the victory wreath on your head. You do not have a crown. You still must wear the helmet and carry the sword. You must watch, pray, and fight. Expect your last battle to be the most difficult, for the enemy's fiercest charge is reserved for the end of the day.

Lest that lead to discouragement and despair, Spurgeon reminds me that God is with me and so I may rejoice!

Blessed Beyond Measure

The greatest blessing God gives is His presence. If I could choose any of life's blessings, I certainly would not ask for wealth, because wealth cannot bring freedom from pain, concern, or anxiety. I certainly would not ask for popularity, because there is no rest for the world's leaders. My choice, my highest honor, would be to have God with me always.
When God is with us, there is no difference between Nebuchadnezzar's fiery furnace (Dan. 3:19) and a comfortable bed. It does not matter! We will be happy in either. If God is with us, if His divine love surrounds us, then we carry our own atmosphere and residence wherever we travel, and we can say with Moses, "Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations" (Ps. 90:1). The individual who can say this is full of heaven, full of God, and blessed beyond measure. This is the privilege of all who truly believe in Jesus, of all who come out from the world, and of all who, like Abraham, live a life of faith (Gen. 12:4). Bow your head, believer, and let the Lord God pronounce this blessing, "I will bless you."
If you are sorrowing, suffering, weary, or burdened, receive this blessing from God's own mouth, "I will bless you."
If you are poor, despised, or slandered, this blessing is not shortened. Take it with you, and go on your way rejoicing.

(Thanks to my friend Teresa for giving me a copy of these.)

photo: home - November, 2007

The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength

For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved." And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them. - Nehemiah 8:9-12

This is the day that the LORD has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24

photo: Conestoga Gardens, 2010

Identity

My identity is not found in anything other than Christ. God is my Father, and I belong to him. My roles and relationships do not define me, so when I struggle with them I can still be secure and unwavering in my faith. I am God's daughter. I belong to Him. And there is great comfort in that.

I need to own my identity in Christ and let my lesser associations fall into place far beneath. What will this look like? It looks like having peace in situations when I am misunderstood, because God understands me more than I understand myself - and still loves me despite my great sin! It looks like not being paralyzed with fear of man or seeking after an idol of approval. It looks like being faithful to what God is clearly calling me to in each moment, trusting him to enable me and trusting him for everything outside of the moment. It looks like forsaking anxiety by handing him my future, no matter if it holds more difficulty. It looks like embracing him as my treasure, delight, and ultimate center of everything. When I look to him and then see my identity as his child, I have hope for my circumstances and relationships. Why? Because I already have everything I need in Christ.

This realization that my identity is "child of God" makes me want to commune with him in prayer. When I have desires, it pleases him that I should bring them to him. When I see God as the loving Father that he is, I cannot help but want to talk with him and "bring him into my day." Even though he already knows everything, I delight to open my heart to him, and he delights in me!

What a sweet thing it is to be called a child of God!

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" - Romans 8:15

photo: Mya R. - May, 2010

Hope for Communication

God graciously made a connection for me on the way home from Theos (a Vital Life course at church) tonight. The class was on the communicable attributes of God.

If God condescends so much to communicate himself to lowly humans, is he not also able to help those lowly humans communicate with one another?

See also Romans 8:32.

photo: Grand Canal in Venice, Italy 2007

Father, I Know That All My Life

Father, I know that all my life is portioned out for me,

And the changes that are sure to come I do not fear to see;

But I ask Thee for a present mind intent on pleasing Thee.

I ask Thee for a thoughtful love, through constant watching wise,

To meet the glad with joyful smiles, and to wipe the weeping eyes;

And a heart at leisure from itself, to soothe and sympathize.

I would not have the restless will that hurries to and fro,

Seeking for some great thing to do or secret thing to know;

I would be treated as a child, and guided where I go.

Wherever in the world I am, in whatsoe'er estate,

I have a fellowship with hearts to keep and cultivate;

And a work of lowly love to do for the Lord on Whom I wait.

So I ask Thee for daily strength, to none that ask denied,

And a mind to blend with outward life, while keeping at Thy side;

Content to fill a little space, if Thou be glorified.

And if some things I do not ask in my cup of blessing be,

I would have my spirit filled the more with grateful love to Thee,

More careful, not to serve Thee much, but to please Thee perfectly.

There are briers besetting every path that call for patient care;

There is a cross in every lot, and an earnest need for prayer;

But a lowly heart that leans on Thee is happy anywhere.

In a service which Thy will appoints there are no bonds for me;

For my inmost heart is taught "the truth" that makes thy children "free."

And a life of self renouncing love is a life of liberty.

-Anna L. Waring

photo: St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, Germany

2007 (Johann Sebastian Bach)

Motivation for Living

When we're only scraping by, we work for shelter, heat, and a good cheesesteak. But if we're a multimillionaire, we work for pleasure. With all financial needs resolved, work isn't something we have to do, but something we get to do.

It's the same with our ambitions. As the great theologian B.B. Warfield said, "The one antithesis of all the ages is that between the rival fromulae: Do this and live, and Live and do this; Do and be saved, and be saved and do." In Christ we live - therefore we do, and do gladly. . . .

Much as I'd like to, I'll probably never shoot close to par in my life again. More importantly, there are many other things I want to do and should do that will never get done. And there are things I'll do that I may regret. But I don't struggle with fear or guilt over that, and I certainly know better than to try to atone for my failure - on the golf course or anywhere else.

My confidence is in the completed round of another - the Perfect Man, Jesus Christ, my Savior. Like J. Gresham Machen, I know my hope is in his perfect obedience, both for this life of spotty performance and the next life of eternal glory (emphasis added).

-Dave Harvey, Rescuing Ambition, pages 60-61

which will proper

As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.
In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good. - Ecclesiastes 1:5-6

My dad noticed something in these verses. They do not give an option of nothing prospering, only which (this or that) or both. That can be encouraging when you see nothing but failure and fatigue - no fruit, growth, progress, or prospering from your labors in life. But what's even more encouraging to me is that I do not "know the work of God who makes everything."

For my thoughts are not your thoughts; neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. - Isaiah 55:8.

I'm so glad my hope is outside of myself.

photo: fortress in Salzburg, Austria 2007

Sin and Salvation in Serving

Feelings of bitterness or resentment that arise in me in relation to serving are red flags that reveal something even deeper in my heart. Of course bitterness and resentment are sinful, but how can I see that and turn in repentance in the middle of the moments when I'm steeped in my sin? What is my flesh craving when I am not overflowing with joy at the opportunity to humbly and sacrificially serve yet again? My own glory. And nothing urges me to drop the pursuit of my own glory quite like when God replaces my selfish desires for personal glory with something far better: a longing for God's glory. Not only that, but he also gives me a perfect example of what this should look like in Christ.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. - Philippians 2:5-8

I want to be someone who is saturated with thoughts of how great God is and live to know and exalt him more.

photo: fortress in Salzburg, Austria 2007

gospel boldness

Understanding that I am not the ultimate end of the gospel, but rather that God's glory is, actually enables me to embrace my salvation more boldly than I would otherwise dare to do. -Milton Vincent

photo: Venice, Italy 2007

Psalm 63:1-4

Oh God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;

my soul thirsts for you;

my flesh faints for you,

as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,

beholding your power and glory.

Because your steadfast love is better than life,

my lips will praise you.

So I will bless you as long as I live;

in your name I will lift up my hands.

photo: Potter County, PA 2008

the beauty of old age

I thank God for the example I have in my grandparents. I am blessed not only that they are around and involved in my life, but even more by the example they set for me in so many ways. In particular, I have been recently struck by the grace of God I see in old age. His faithfulness shines forth. I'd strongly encourage others to seek out an older saint, no only the ones who are just a few steps ahead of you in years or life seasons, but those who really are near the ending years of their lives.

I am in awe of the work God is doing in my grandparents, my grandpa Landis in particular, as they increasingly experience more limitations and the reality of a deteriorating body. I see my own limitations and struggles, and then I look to see what my grandpa has daily in front of him. I am built in my faith to see that God uses old age not to foster a bitter, resentful, or complaining spirit, but that He instead is faithful to work into him a content dependance on God. I do not know my grandpa as a grumpy, bitter old man, but as one who has a steady persevering spirit (and an incredible sense of humor!). Sure it's hard. My grandpa was blessed with many many years of a healthy body and all-around-fix-it man abilities. He helped and served others in multiple ways. Now his productivity has been significantly hampered. And what a difficult transition that is, to have a heart and desire to do the things you once did but no longer be able to do them. It is different from the struggle to be content with things that have not yet come into your life. This is harder in many ways because you HAVE experienced much and know what you are missing. What gets you through and upholds you then, when you're near the end of life? Well, if you are like my grandparents and have known Jesus Christ as your Savior, old age is a revealing test that your life has been built upon the Unchanging Rock. When it is built on a relationship with God, that cannot be taken from you in your old age. The refining fire of old age, like other trials in life, is a servant of God used to fashion us into the image of his Son and draw our hearts to love him more. Fire may burn, but it refines into beautiful gold. The tugging, stretching, molding, hammering, burning, pruning, chiseling, and hard work of sanctification in this life is creating in us a beauty like Christ's, and will all be completely worth it when we get to see him in glory!

Be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" - Hebrews 13:5-6

The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed by the name of the Lord. - Job 1:21

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light and momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

photo: my 23rd birthday; Feb. 2010

Progress

Yes, Christian, although in your daily course

you seem to struggle in your duty,

and though nothing seems to go on satisfactorily,

be assured of this,

so long as you are really looking to Christ

and relying upon Him -

so long is He working in you by His Spirit -

however difficult may be your tasks,

you will make progress.

You perhaps may never perceive it -

you may not appear to make a step in advance -

but, be not discouraged.

Remember,

'All the promises of God in Christ are yes,

and in him Amen, unto the glory of God;'

and these promises are yours.

-John MacDuff, The Throne of Grace

(thanks to my friend Sara)

photo: Mya R, 2010