Stories within The Story

This old post of mine came to my mind today.

It's so true. Relationships are such a privilege. Loving is costly, but so worth it. God weaves some quite astounding stories into his one grand story of redemption. What a kind grace of him to grant perspective and vision for the high calling of a rough road - and what freedom and joy to know he's making something beautiful out of his children that we cannot always see in the moment. He is faithful. His promises will stand. 

"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:12-13

Oh Father, use my ransomed life in any way You choose, 

and let my song forever be: my only boast is You!

Carry Your Cross

"Take up the cross, and follow me." — Mark 10:21
You have not the making of your own cross,... but your cross is prepared and appointed for you by divine love, and you are cheerfully to accept it; you are to take up the cross as your chosen badge and burden, and not to stand cavilling at it. This night Jesus bids you submit your shoulder to his easy yoke. Do not kick at it in petulance, or trample on it in vain-glory, or fall under it in despair, or run away from it in fear, but take it up like a true follower of Jesus. Jesus was a cross-bearer; he leads the way in the path of sorrow. Surely you could not desire a better guide!...
Take up your cross, and by the power of the Spirit of God you will soon be so in love with it, that like Moses, you would not exchange the reproach of Christ for all the treasures of Egypt. Remember that Jesus carried it, and it will smell sweetly; remember that it will soon be followed by the crown, and the thought of the coming weight of glory will greatly lighten the present heaviness of trouble. The Lord help you to bow your spirit in submission to the divine will ere you fall asleep this night, that waking with to-morrow's sun, you may go forth to the day's cross with the holy and submissive spirit which becomes a follower of the Crucified. - C.H. Spurgeon

What a natural little expert my heart is at childish tantrums and inward focused despair. What a patiently loving Father, who persists in both requiring obedience and persuading with the sweet mercies of surrender - of which the utmost is relationship with himself.

"Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art."

photo: Longwood Gardens 9.15.12

Ghosts Upon the Earth

I've been enjoying Michael Gungor's new album, Ghosts Upon the Earth. I love when I come across an album that I like both the musicality and lyric content. Here are lyrics to "Ezekiel" - beautiful picture of Christ redeeming his bride.

I found you naked

I found you lying there in blood

Your mother left you

Your father threw you out unloved

I clothed your body

I washed the blood and earth from your hair

I gave you jewelry

I gave you everything I had

I gave my heart - my heart, my love - I gave my heart - my heart, my love

You became mine

You were a stunning bride

The world they saw you and how you loved their eyes, my bride

You broke my heart - my heart, my love - you broke my heart - my heart, my love

You sold your body exposed yourself to all, my love

You slept with strangers; you gave them everything we had

Come back my love

My love come back

Come back my love

My love come back

And below is their acoustic performance of "When Death Dies." I don't know about you, but I say that beat boxing cellist is pretty amazing.

prayer and love

C.H. Spurgeon from Morning and Evening for today:

Beautiful in God's sight is tearful, agonizing, unconquerable importunity. It means praying humbly, for the Holy Spirit never puffs us up with pride. It is his office to convince of sin, and so to bow us down in contrition and brokenness of spirit. We shall never sing Gloria in excelsis except we pray to God De profundis: out of the depths must we cry, or we shall never behold glory in the highest. It is loving prayer. Prayer should be perfumed with love, saturated with love - love to our fellow saints, and love to Christ.

Elizabeth P. Prentiss, 1818-1878:

More love to thee, O Christ, more love to thee!

Hear thou the prayer I make on bended knee.

This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ, to thee;

more love to thee, more love to thee!

Dear Father, as fears and all flavors of anxieties arise, as you bring persons to mind, as I consider past, present, and future, may my heart and thoughts turn quickly to praying in love and for love. More love to thee, oh precious Lord!

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. 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 minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:4-7

photo: April 23, 2011 - tree on hill at church farm 

(now gone, as the building is going up!)

A way to find thankfulness

I wrote most of this back on September 26th, but didn't quite finish. I updated it and am posting it now.

There is so much I have to be thankful for. And by God's kind grace, my heart has been giving thankfulness some exercise - it needs to be whipped into shape! One particular practice that has given fuel to thanks is prayer: praying not just for myself but for specific things for other people. Carolyn McCulley encouraged in a blog post to pray not just for yourself but for others, and "then open your eyes to the many, many prayers He is answering." When you pray for others, you can "typically find it very easy to 'rejoice with those who rejoice.'"

I have found this to be true. It has helped me have more of a thankful and joyful heart as I see God doing good and exciting things in people's lives. For instance, I was delighted to find my heart took much easier than anticipated to joy during my cousin Jeannette's wedding a few weekends ago, remembering how we had prayed for her future husband together as young teenage girls. And it has been easier to rejoice with my good friend Angela getting an internship with Sovereign Grace Ministries because I joined in praying for her during the interview process. Even though I will feel a huge loss when she leaves our office (gah, I know it will really hit me!), I'm thankful God has allowed me to join in her excitement. Plus, I can look forward to one or more visits down to Gaithersburg to visit her. :)

I've found a wonderful sort of progression happens: from prayer, to thankfulness, to happiness and joy. And my heart is hungry for love - to know the love of God and to pour it out to others.

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning

It's time to sing Your song again

Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me

Let me be singing when the evening comes

Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger

Your name is great, and Your heart is kind

For all Your goodness I will keep on singing

Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

(c) Matt Redman

photo: August 13, 2011 sisters at hunting cabin

I Come by the Blood

Jerry Bridges, in The Discipline of Grace, page 54:

To live by the gospel, then, means that we firmly grasp the fact that Christ's life and death are ours by virtue of our union with Him. What He did, we did. This is the only sense in which we can understand Paul's bold statements in Romans 8: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (verse 1); "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (verse 31); and "Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies" (verse 33). 

These statements by Paul are objective truths; that is, they are true whether we grasp them or not. So often, however, we find it difficult to believe them. Because of our frequent failures before God, we do feel under condemnation, we do not feel God is for us but rather must surely be against us, we do think He is bringing charges against us. At such times we must preach the gospel to ourselves. We must review what God has declared to be true about our justification in Christ. 

You are the perfect and righteous God 

Whose presence bears no sin

You bid me come to Your holy place 

How can I enter in

When Your presence bears no sin?

Through Him, who poured out HIs life for me

The atoning Lamb of God

Through Him, and His work alone

I boldly come

I come by the blood, I come by the cross

Where Your mercy flows

From hands pierced for me

For I dare not stand on my righteousness

My every hope rests on what Christ has done

And I come by the blood

You are the high and exalted King

The One the angels fear

So far above me in every way

Lord, how can I draw near

To the One the angels fear?

Through Him who laid down His life for me

And ascended to Your side

Through Him, through Jesus alone

I boldly come

(c) 1994 Sovereign Grace Worship

What a lavishingly kind God!

I sing because I'm happy

I sing because I'm free

for His eye is on the sparrow

and I know he watches me

ahh, ahh, ahhh...

Jesus is my portion

he sets me free!

(c) Page CXVI

stream this and other songs on their SoundCloud. 

This is a particularly pretty one. :)

photo: sky at Jeannette's outdoor wedding 9/17/11

Free to be Glad

C.H. Spurgeon for Aug. 25:

When Jesus comes into the heart, he issues a general licence to be glad in the Lord. No chains are worn in the court of King Jesus. . . . Loose the chains of thy neck, O captive daughter, for Jesus makes thee free.

God is so good

He took my sin

Now I am free

He's so good to me

"God is so good" by unknown author

The Power of God

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence - 2 Peter 1:3

Outside of heaven, the power of God in its highest density is found inside the gospel. . . Nothing else in all of Scripture is ever described in this way, except for the Person of Jesus Christ. - Milton Vincent in A Gospel Primer

I want to make the gospel of Jesus Christ my go to place and camp out there. He has all I need for life and godliness. He will help me battle my sin, humble my proud heart, walk in obedience, love others, and find great joy in learning to know him more in my days. I have the very power of God to take with me into my day - how incredible is that?!

Who has felt the nails upon His hands

Bearing all the guilt of sinful man

God eternal humbled to the grave

Jesus, Savior risen now to reign!

Behold our God seated on His throne

Come let us adore Him

Behold our King nothing can compare

Come let us adore Him!

Behold Our God

(c) Sovereign Grace Worship 2011

one war, many battles: Stand Still

Angela's new favorite song in the office is this one, and it's one of mine as well.

Kneeling on this battle ground

Seeing just how much You've done

Knowing every victory

Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

Yes, our hearts can say...

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Never Once by Matt Redman

I may be brought to my knees on the battlefield by a painful blow, and the healing process may be slow. But even while suffering injury in lonely shadows, unable to pick myself up, God is with me and at work. It matters not if my senses be numb to feel him near, nor if my eyes be temporarily blinded and thrown into confusion from wartime shrapnel. The General who gave my marching orders to the very place where I received my wound is also the great battlefield Surgeon, and I need not understand the working of his hand but simply trust his sovereign skill. So may I abide by his faint whisper of "peace, be still."
On that final day, we will trade our scars for perfect unity and love found in the scars of Christ.
May I live today in light of that day.


This particular passage keeps coming back to me from Spurgeon's Morning & Evening July 24th (Morning). It speaks directly to where I am, and have been for a while. I am thankful for that.

"Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord." - Exodus 14:3

These words contain God's command to the believer when he is reduced to great straits and brought into extraordinary difficulties. He cannot retreat; he cannot go forward; he is shut up on the right hand and on the left; what is he now to do? The Master's word to him is, "Stand still." It will be well for him if at such times he listens only to his Master's word, for other and evil advisers come with their suggestions. Despair whispers, "Lie down and die; give it all up." But God would have us put on a cheerful courage, and even in our worst times, rejoice in his love and faithfulness. Cowardice says, "Retreat; go back to the worldling's way of action; you cannot play the Christian's part, it is too difficult. Relinquish your principles." But, however much Satan may urge this course upon you, you cannot follow it if you are a child of God. His divine fiat has bid thee go from strength to strength, and so thou shalt, and neither death nor hell shall turn thee from thy course. What, if for a while thou art called to stand still, yet this is but to renew thy strength for some greater advance in due time. Precipitancy cries, "do something. Stir yourself; to stand still and wait, is sheer idleness." We must be doing something at once-we must do it so we think-instead of looking to the Lord, who will not only do something but will do everything. Presumption boasts, "If the sea be before you, march into it and expect a miracle." But Faith listens neither to Presumption, nor to Despair, nor to Cowardice, nor to Precipitancy, but it hears God say, "Stand still," and immovable as a rock it stands. "Stand still;"-keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing voice; and it will not be long ere God shall say to you, as distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, "Go forward."

1st photo: WWII bunker in Cinque Terre, Italy 2007

2nd photo: last family trip to hunting cabin in Tioga County, 8/13/11

Relationship

There is so much and so many who I could give myself to, but...

Outside of Christ there is nothing worth knowing, and all who by faith perceive what he is like have grasped all the immensity of heavenly benefits. - John Calvin in his Institutes of the Christian Religion

I miss out on nothing when I "limit" myself to simply knowing Christ, and in fact gain everything in him.

So even in seasons of isolation from much human interaction, which are particularly trying for this relational gal, I have all I need and more in Christ - let me bury myself in his word. Whether overwhelmed with myriads of places I could focus*, or haunted by shadows of loneliness - in plenty or in want - "hallelujah, all I have is Christ; hallelujah, Jesus is my life." May it be my aim to learn more of this pearl of greatest price, in whatever season I find myself.

As I head into another work day, may my God grant the grace to grow my faith so I can come a little closer to saying with Paul (I keenly feel how far I am from this):

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:11-13)

How I continually need the strength of my mighty God and Savior. So aware that I definitely cannot do anything, much less all things, in my frailty and desperate state. But I will cling to the promise that Christ can and will strengthen me or work through my weakness.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. - 2 Cor. 12:9-10

If my weakness serves to highlight my need for a Savior, to myself and perhaps even to others, then I have to count it a privilege to be weak so that the power of Christ may be magnified. To God alone be the glory. He will ensure that it is so. And he will also care for me and show his kindness again. My Savior truly does love me. I have only to look and see him bleed on the tree to know this. And he will come back for me, full of glory and power. Until that day, I hold to his dear promises and seek to know him more.

* Today I mused how I never have lived outside of Lancaster county and yet have particular fondness for people in various long distance locations. In my short 24 years, people in places such as Tijuana, Mexico; Charlotte, North Carolina; Hamburg, Germany; and Chicago Land, Illinois all hold groups, actually whole churches, of people that I care for. Then when I think about how many people are even right here in Lancaster that I can never fully contain in my heart, it is a marvel to me how I can care so much and yet be so limited and separated. Only God can fully know even one human heart. I cannot know even my own, much less one other person's or more. And even if I could, the selfishness and pride in my heart would poison that knowledge of another. But how glorious will that day be, when we are unified together in and with Christ - having perfect fellowship with Him and one another, free from all sin. I'm thankful that any sadness of the limitation of fellowship that we are constrained by here serves to drive me in anticipation for eternity. And then I am free to quiet my soul and occupy myself with the small lot God has allowed for me this day. Knowing that the best is yet to come, I can be content in the present. What a work of grace! May God grant perseverance to his saints. I know I need it.

1st photo: Joy at the hunting cabin 7/9/2008

2nd photo: Bunting family's last Sunday at church 

yesterday, before the Pastors College then Bahamas

Wait on the Lord

A friend of mine shared this with me earlier this week. Lamentations 3:17-33:

my soul is bereft of peace;

I have forgotten what happiness is;

so I say, "My endurance has perished;

so has my hope from the Lord."

Remember my affliction and my wanderings,

the wormwood and the gall!

My soul continually remembers it

and is bowed down within me.

But this I call to mind,

and therefore I have hope:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

"The Lord is my portion," says my soul,

"therefore I will hope in him."

The Lord is good to those who wait for him,

to the soul who seeks him.

It is good that one should wait quietly

for the salvation of the Lord.

It is good for a man that he bear

the yoke in his youth.

Let him sit alone in silence

when it is laid on him;

let him put his mouth in the dust -

there may yet be hope;

let him give his cheek to the one who strikes,

and let him be filled with insults.

For the Lord will not cast off forever,

but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion

according to the abundance of his steadfast love;

for he does not willingly afflict

or grieve the chilren of men.

I know the word of God will not return void. This week I even caught glimpses of true peace and happiness - I felt the truths I have been clinging to a little more. Feelings are not to be trusted or valued above all (thus may I put my "mouth in the dust" when tempted to unbelieving feelings), but God is gracious to allow them to bless when they fall in their proper place. So when I am "bereft of peace" and have "forgotten what happiness is", by the grace of God I will continue to "call to mind" the truths of God and therefore have hope. Looking to God and not myself is my only hope. He is good, according to his steadfast love - He cannot and will not act contrary to his good character. 

There is so much in the above passage that I can identify with and be encouraged by. I am waiting on the Lord, and I know that is a good place to be. Even if tempted to weariness or despair for about seven weeks of hardcore waiting on him in various forms and fashions, God proves faithful to grow me in perseverance in faith. He has done wonderful things and he is still doing great and wonderful things. He will unto the end.  And not only in me, but in all that belong to the kingdom of God.

"How great is our God. Sing with me, how great is our God!"

For Us

C.H. Spurgeon, Evening July 18th:

"When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me." - Psalms 56:9

It is impossible for any human speech to express the full meaning of this delightful phrase, "God is for me." He was "for us" before the worlds were made; he was "for us," or he would not have given his well-beloved son; he was "for us" when he smote the Only-begotten, and laid the full weight of his wrath upon him - he was "for us," though he was against him; he was "for us," when we were ruined in the fall - he loved us notwithstanding all; he was "for us," when we were rebels against him, and with a high hand were bidding him defiance; he was "for us," or he would not have brought us humbly to seek his face. He has been "for us" in many struggles; we have been summoned to encounter hosts of dangers; we have been assailed by temptations from without and within - how could we have remained unharmed to this hour if he had not been "for us"? He is "for us," with all the infinity of his being; with all the omnipotence of his love; with all the infallibility of his wisdom; arrayed in all his divine attributes, he is "for us," - eternally and immutably "for us"; "for us" when yon blue skies shall be rolled up like a worn out vesture; "for us" throughout eternity. And because he is "for us," the voice of prayer will always ensure his help. "When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies be turned back." This is no uncertain hope, but a well grounded assurance - "this I know." I will direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up for the answer, assured that it will come, and that mine enemies shall be defeated, "for God is for me." O believer, how happy art thou with the King of kings on thy side! How safe with such a Protector! How sure thy cause pleaded by such an Advocate! If God be for thee, who can be against thee?

Jesus is my Protector and my Advocate. It is true. He loves me greatly. Only because of this am I able to live and love.

Knowing that the almighty and loving God is for me should give me great comfort and security. And knowing he is for us should compel me by example and empower me by the grace purchased at the cross to also be "for you," my dear brother or sister. Because his great love has been and continues to be for me, my faith should be strong and my love for another should likewise mirror his unconditional, sacrificial, and self-denying love.

Oh that God would open my eyes to see more of how he is for me and for his dear church. And oh that he would give me a persevering love for others in my life that I might boldly be "for them"in my heart, mind, and actions - past, present, and future. He calls me to love, because he first loved me. This requires laying myself aside continually.
But I will never come close to tasting what it would be like to pour myself out in the excruciating way that my dear Christ Jesus did for me.

Behold and see, was there ever sorrow like unto his sorrow that is done unto him? All ye that pass by draw near and look upon this spectacle of grief, unique, unparalleled, a wonder to men and angels, a prodigy unmatched. Behold the Emperor of Woe who had no equal or rival in his agonies! Gaze upon him, ye mourners, for if there be not consolation in a crucified Christ there is no joy in earth or heaven. If in the ransom price of his blood there be not hope, ye harps of heaven, there is no joy in you, and the right hand of God shall know no pleasures for evermore. We have only to sit more continually at the cross foot to be less troubled with our doubts and woes. We have but to see his sorrows, and our sorrows we shall be ashamed to mention. We have but to gaze into his wounds and heal our own (Spurgeon, Morning & Evening, July 22).

Nothing I can know can compare to what Jesus knew on the cross - I will never know the same depth of pain nor height of love. But may I count it all joy whenever I am privileged to reflect, even the most dimly, some of this sweet gospel in my life.

My heart is not there day by day, but dear Lord grant sight to my blind heart and perseverance. "Draw me deeper into the glories of Calvary."

"I believe; help my unbelief!" - Mark 9:24

photo: church farm - November 7, 2010

Look

Spurgeon:

"Behold the man!" - John 19:5

We have only to sit more continually at the cross foot to be less troubled with our doubts and woes. We have but to see his sorrows, and our sorrows we shall be ashamed to mention. We have but to gaze into his wounds and heal our own. If we would live aright it must be by the contemplation of his death; if we would rise to dignity, it must be by considering his humiliation and his sorrow.

(Morning & Evening July 22)

Dear Father, may Christ and his cross fill more of my view. More of you and less of me.

Used yet Secure. And God Glorified.

I just watched the below video for the first time several minutes ago, and the tears came.

(All I Have Is Christ)

One of the things God has been driving home for me is to instill in my heart more of a treasuring of Christ and thankfulness of his gospel, so that I can say with genuine faith:

Oh Father, use my ransomed life in any way You choose, 

and let my song forever be: my only boast is You.

Recently those lines have really stuck with me. I truly can say that whatever my God ordains is right: whatever path he leads me by, whoever he brings me to, whatever trial or joy he sets before me. It has been a marvel to me that I find not fear but comfort in saying "use my ransomed life in any way You choose." It is a comfort to know that he has chosen to use my ransomed life for his glory in the past and he will in the future. It can only be a comforting thing because Christ's blood has purchased me for the Father, so that he is glorified in me not by crushing me and pouring his wrath out on me but by saving me and drawing me to him as his precious child.

Whatever way he chooses to use my ransomed life, I can know he will give me the grace and faith I need. I am amazed at how he already has. I have faced things I never could by my own strength, and he has been faithful - "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1).

Whatever my God ordains is right

Though now this cup in drinking

Bitter it seems to my faint heart

I take it all unshrinking

My God is true, each morn anew

Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart

And pain and sorrow shall depart

(c) 2007 Sovereign Grace Praise

Whatever My God Ordains Is Right

Speak Truth

But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,

my glory, and the lifter of my head.

- Psalm 3:3

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. - Hebrews 4:14-16

Now unto the King who reigns over all / And never changes or turns

Unfailing justice, unfading grace / Whose promises remain

Yes, Your promises remain

The heavens ring / The saints all sing / "Great is Your faithfulness"

From age to age / We will proclaim / "Great is Your faithfulness / How great is Your faithfulness"

Everything changes, but You stay the same / Your word and kingdom endure

We lean on the promise of all that You are / And trust forevermore

We will trust forevermore

From generation to generation / You never fail us, O God

Yesterday and today and tomorrow / Until the day You return

-Matt Redman

Oh Father, use my ransomed life

In any way You choose

And let my song forever be

My only boast is You

- Jordan Kauflin, All I Have Is Christ

recorded on Looked Upon

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now, faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. - 1 Corinthians 13:12-13

photo: shadows in our kitchen, 9/20/2008

Knowing and Not Knowing

It can be so strange to me what God chooses to do in life. The truth is though, that somehow God intricately designed the exact particulars of this season of my life for my good, for the good of his people, and for his glory. It doesn't make sense how it is best. I don't see the fruit and good that I want to see from all the difficulty and trial. But that is when I need to remember that God is God and I am not. I am not all-knowing. He is. Because I don't see something doesn't mean it's not there and very real and true.

What is God doing? I don't know - at least not to my satisfaction. So that is what has to change - I can be satisfied in the amount I know when I reflect on what it is that I know. I really do have knowledge of what God is doing. He is working to advance his gospel. He is working to conform me into the image of his Son. He is working to conform other Christians to the image of his Son too. He is working for all of our good. He is magnifying himself, so that we might see more of his glory. He is working to exalt Christ and glorify the Father. I really do know enough.

So when I don't understand, I need to trust in the things I do know. I know God. I want to know him more. I want that to be the point and aim of my life: to know God more, to grow in my love of Christ and become like him for the glory of God and the good of his people, both those who are his those who have yet to come to him. God is preparing me for eternity with Christ. And I cannot wait to see him there, along with the rest of his beautiful bride, made spotless by his blood. We are in process. We are not yet spotless. I don't want to resent that. But when I see my end is secure, I know I am secure here and now. And joy will come in the morning. "Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning" (Psalm 30:5).

Do I really believe the good news of the gospel? Do I live in the hope of it each day? Do I view others through the lens of Christ's blood? May it be so, more and more.

Lord, take me deeper

Into the glories of Calvary

How Great is Our God

How great is our God, sing with me

How great is our God, and all will see

How great, how great is our God

Age to age He stands

And time is in His hands

Beginning and the end

Beginning and the end

The Godhead Three in One

Father Spirit Son

The Lion and the Lamb

The Lion and the Lamb

Name above all names

Worthy of our praise

My heart will sing

How great is our God

How great is our God, sing with me

How great is our God, and all will see

How great, how great is our God

- Chris Tomlin

photo: fireworks at Creation Saturday night

Strength for the Weary

I could not go this life without God's word and without his church. My Father has given these to me, and sent his Spirit to be my comforter and strength. I cannot face one moment on my own, but God does not require that I do that.

This morning I read Psalm 77.

I said, "Let me remember my song in the night;

let me meditate in my heart."

Then my spirit made a diligent search:

"Will the Lord spurn forever,

and never again be favorable?
Has his steadfast love forever ceased?

Are his promises at an end for all time?
Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has he in anger shut up his compassion?"

Then I said, "I will appeal to this,

to the years of the right hand of the Most High."

I will remember the deeds of the LORD;

yes, I will remember your wonders of old.

I will ponder all your work,

and meditate on your mighty deeds.

Your way, O God, is holy.

What god is great like our God?
You are the God who works wonders;

you have made known your might among the peoples.

You with your arm redeemed your people,

the children of Jacob and Joseph.

Psalm 77:6-15

I need to join the Psalmist in speaking truth to my heart, and pray I will not be lead by emotion but that emotion would follow behind the truth of God's word. "On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."

Sunday Pete spoke on Ruth 4:1-8 (here). I have a determined and sacrificial Redeemer.
And I have a loving daddy, who held my hand and wrapped his arm around me for the entirety of the sermon on Father's day.

And what was the first song we sang during worship yesterday?

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord

We will wait upon the Lord

We will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign forever

Our Hope, our Strong Deliverer

You are the everlasting God

The everlasting God

You do not faint You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak

You comfort those in need

You lift us up on wings like eagles

(c) Chris Tomlin

God's providential kindness and specific care sustain me. In weakness and sadness, how I need to cling to his promises: moment by moment. His mercy is new every morning. Great is his faithfulness. He will never leave me nor forsake me. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

He chose me. I can know that he loves and wants me, because he chose me, dying to get me and keep me forever.

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. - Psalm 42:11

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

Praise to the Lord, who over all things so wondrously reigneth,

Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!

Hast thou not seen how thy desires have been

Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;

Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.

Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,

If with His love He befriend thee

Trust in the LORD

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

- Proverbs 3:5

These verses, which my mom had us kids memorize as little children, come to me when I most need them and bring sobbing tears as they push past the muck to dive into the core of my heart. Where would I be without the word of God hidden in my heart? I shudder to think.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. - Hebrews 4:12

Pain. Why is trusting the Lord hard and painful? Trust must not be settling for a half hearted leaning on the Lord but lodging itself deeper into my heart, and in fact guarding against the alternative of real destructive, long lasting pain that comes from going my own way and leaning on my own understanding. Growing pains exist - they hurt. But without them, we would not grow. As a pre-teen, I do not understand or see any purpose or end of those stretching pains, but they do not last forever and I reap the results as just a few years go by and I become a woman instead of a little girl.

The Gardener prunes. The fire refines. And my Father gives good gifts to his children, never bad ones. And even in the midst of a prune, in the heat of the fire, I can know that the grace of God is enough. He is more than enough for me, and all joy and peace is made available to me, purchased by the blood of Christ, for each and every moment. Not only at the end of the race, but also in the midst of exhausting effort of the run. Not only when the gold is refined, but even as dross is burning off. Why? Because the end has already been sealed. I have already been bought and the victory has been won. I know which team I am on, and his team has already won. So I can run with joy, even through the fog. When I can't see a step ahead on the path, I will trust the one who does and who promises to lead me to the end - to the greatest victory celebration ever to be had. We cannot even conceive.

For this light 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. - 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

God is too wise to be mistaken

God is too good to be unkind

So when you don't understand

When you don't see his plan

When you can't trace his hand

Trust his heart

-Babbie Mason