3M Highway

Divorce and Alzheimer's

2011-09-16T08:04:00.004-04:00

It's been a long time, friends, since I've posted here. For that, I am truly sorry. I have been busy with many other things, but 3M is always in the back of my mind. Prepare to have more come your way. Dad is working on a new "life lessons" series that I'm sure all will enjoy. For today, I came across this article and felt it important to share. For me, personally, my grandfather died of Alzheimer's and divorce never crossed my grandmother's mind. Why would it? God is sovereign and God is good!

A Statement by Joni Eareckson Tada on Pat Robertson's comment on Divorce and Alzheimer's
“Any marriage has its challenges, but add a serious disability and they can, at times, seem overwhelming. This is why God instituted marriage as a lifelong commitment – Heaven knows it requires vows, solemn and serious, to weather a couple through the demands of disability."
“I was dismayed when this week Pat Robertson said to a nationwide audience that Alzheimer's disease is a kind of death that makes divorce justifiable. When a Christian leader views marriage on a sliding scale, what does this say to the millions of couples who must deal daily with catastrophic injuries and illnesses?"
“At the Joni and Friends International Disability Center, we encounter thousands of couples who, despite living with serious disabling conditions, showcase the grace of God in their weakness every day. Marriage is designed to be a picture of God’s sacrificial love for us. Alzheimer’s disease is never an ‘accident’ in a marriage; it falls under the purview of God’s sovereignty. In the case of someone with Alzheimer's, this means God's unconditional and sacrificial love has an opportunity to be even more gloriously displayed in a life together!”

Idolatry

2011-07-15T14:14:00.003-04:00

The idolatrous heart assumes that God is other than He is - in itself a monstrous sin - and substitutes for the true God one made after its own likeness. Always this God will conform to the image of the one who created it and will be base or pure, cruel or kind according to the moral state of the mind from which it emerges.

A.W. Tozer The Knowledge of the Holy

But Christ...

2011-05-10T22:27:00.004-04:00

To the choirmaster. Of David, the servant of the LORD. Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated. The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good. He plots trouble while on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject evil. Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O LORD. How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart! Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away. There the evildoers lie fallen; they are thrust down, unable to rise. (Psalms 36:1-12)

Do you read this and think of the enemies of God? Others; not you?

Here is what Robert Hawker had to say about this passage:

How striking is this scripture, and how true! Yes, my soul; thou needest not to look abroad into another's heart to see iniquity; for at home, in thine own, a voice may be heard continually proclaiming it. Renewed as thou art by grace, still thou feelest the workings of corrupt nature: and though, as the apostle said, "with thy mind thou thyself servest the law of God, yet with thy flesh the law of sin," Romans vii. 25. Pause over the solemn subject, and observe the working of a body of sin and death, which is virtually all sin: "the carnal mind, (the apostle saith) is enmity against God," Rom. viii.7.; not only an enemy, but in enmity: so that the very nature is so; it is averse, naturally averse to God, and is everlastingly rising in opposition to his holy law. And this not only (as some have supposed, but all men, if they would confess the truth, find to the contrary) before a work of grace hath passed upon the soul, but after....Let those who know not the plague of their own heart, talk of natural goodness; sure I am , there is nothing of the kind in me. "I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing." And were it not, dearest Lord, for the holiness of thy person, blood, and righteousness, the very sins which mingle up with all I say or do, yea, even in prayer, would seal my condemnation. Lamb of God! it is the everlasting merit of thy atonement and intercession, thy blood sprinkled upon my person and offering, by which alone the justice of God is restrained and satisfied, and that it breaks not forth in devouring fire, as upon the sacrifice of old, to consume me upon my very knees! Blessed, blessed for ever be God for Jesus Christ!

Robert Hawker's The Poor Man's Morning & Evening Portion, May 10, evening.

Sinners. All of us...

2011-05-02T21:53:00.005-04:00

...some saved, some lost. All in the hands of an Almighty God. Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

John Piper had some good words on the recent expiration of Osama bin Laden.

He writes:

In one sense, human death is not God’s pleasure:

Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? . . . For I do not pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live. (Ezekiel 18:23, 32).

In another sense, the death and judgment of the unrepentant is God’s pleasure:

Thus shall my anger spend itself, and I will vent my fury upon them and satisfy myself. (Ezekiel 5:13]
[Wisdom calls out:] Because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you. (Proverbs 1:25–26)

Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her! (Revelation 18:20)

As the Lord took delight in doing you good . . . so the Lord will take delight in bringing ruin upon you and destroying you. (Deuteronomy 28:63)

My suggestion is that the death and misery of the unrepentant is in and of itself not a pleasure to God. God is not a sadist. He is not malicious or bloodthirsty. The death and suffering considered for itself alone is not his delight.

Rather, when a rebellious, wicked, unbelieving person is judged, what God has pleasure in is the exaltation of truth and righteousness, and the vindication of his own honor and glory.

You can read his thoughts in entirety here.

"This is the day...

2011-04-06T08:57:00.004-04:00

...that the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Thou Lovely Source of True Delight
Anne Steele, 1760

Thou lovely Source of true delight,
Whom I unseen adore;
Unveil Thy beauties to my sight,
That I may love Thee more.

Thy glory o’er creation shines;
But in Thy sacred Word,
I read in fairer, brighter lines,
My bleeding, dying Lord.

’Tis here, whene’er my comforts droop,
And sins and sorrows rise,
Thy love with cheerful beams of hope,
My fainting heart supplies.

Jesus, my Lord, my Life, my Light,
O come with blissful ray;
Break radiant through the shades of night,
And chase my fears away.

Then shall my soul with rapture trace
The wonders of Thy love;
But the full glories of Thy face
Are only known above.

Happy Birthday, dear Dad and Brother! Have a blessed day!

Oh, To Glory in Trials

2011-04-04T08:51:00.004-04:00

Self-reliance does not leave room for God-reliance.

God-reliance seeks no room for self-reliance.

Here is a good message preached by Clay Curtis recently. I encourage you to take some quiet time soon to listen to it.
The Glory in Trials

A Mighty Fortress

2011-03-25T16:59:00.003-04:00

In a day of so many uncertainties, there may be difficulties of knowing where to find a solid and firm foundation.

Where can we turn during life's stormy days?
What about those times of ease and calm?

Martin Luther wrote:

"A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper, He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:"

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spoke unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
(Psalms 18:1-2)

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

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How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

Even down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

~John Rippon, 1787

Jesus, I Come

2011-03-02T13:21:00.000-05:00

And he said, Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom. And he said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise. And it was now about the sixth hour, and a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, the sun's light failing: and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said this, he gave up the ghost. And when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.
(Luke 23:42-47)

Jesus, I Come
William T. Sleeper, 1887

1. Out of my bondage, sorrow and night,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy freedom, gladness, and light,
Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of my sickness, into Thy health,
Out of my want and into Thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into Thyself,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

2. Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the glorious gain of Thy cross,
Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of earth’s sorrows, into Thy balm,
Out of life’s storms and into Thy calm,
Out of distress to jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

3. Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into Thy blessed will to abide,
Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,
Out of despair, into raptures above,
Upward for aye on wings like a dove,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

4. Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
Into the joy and light of Thy home,
Jesus, I come to Thee;
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,
Ever Thy glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

Amen.

At the Cross

2011-02-27T14:19:00.006-05:00

Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed
Lyrics by Isaac Watts; Music and Chorus Lyrics by Bob Kauflin

Alas and did my Savior bleed
And did my Sovereign die
Would He devote that sacred head
For such a worm as I
Was it for sins that I had done
He groaned upon the tree
Amazing pity, grace unknown
And love beyond degree

My God why would
You shed Your blood
So pure and undefiled
To make a sinful one like me
Your chosen precious child

Well might the sun in darkness hide
And shut His glories in
When Christ the mighty Maker died
For man the creature’s sin
Thus might I hide my blushing face
While His dear Cross appears
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness
And melt my eyes to tears

Listen here. (Click on the song to hear a sample. All Sovereign Grace Music on sale for $6 or less through tomorrow, February 28.)

Homeward Bound

2011-02-22T09:15:00.002-05:00

Today is the 2 year anniversary of 3m Highway! (Thank you for your readership.) I thought a post on character and a tribute would be fitting. I think Dad would agree that the character of his sister is a great lesson for our life.

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"If at least one person has been brought to know Christ through my suffering over the past 21 years, then it has all been worth it." A quote (as I heard it) from a Godly woman, my dear Aunt Debbie.

Is there some character trait in you that stands out? Is this trait of worth? You see, there is a dominant character trait (among others) that everyone sees in Aunt Debbie and it is of a righteous worth. It is a trait of humility. It is a trait of service. It lacks self. It is, well...love.

Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth: (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

Of those who know my Aunt Debbie, if you take each part of the above scripture, does it not describe the mission of her life; the grace of God woven throughout her being? She has suffered long. She is so very kind and giving of herself. As far as I've known her, she has never seemed to be an envious person. She does not praise herself, nor is prideful, but she serves others quietly and humbly. She does not behave in such a way that would bring her heavenly Father, nor her earthly family, dishonor. She does not seek her own; she has always done for others and has always been genuinely interested in the lives of others. She is not easily provoked (except maybe the time that I spent with them in the summer and I refused to eat my brussel sprouts). She does not keep account of evil of others, but forgives a wrong done. However, she does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rather encourages others in holiness. Above all, she rejoices in the truth of the gospel, of Jesus Christ. She has beared much in her years of earthly suffering, all the while believing in all things, hoping in all things and enduring all things. All because she is love and has been made love by a loving and gracious God.

As I quoted in a recent post of a sermon by Don Fortner, we have all led a checkered life. It's been full of pain, disappointment, heavy burden, but it has all been meant for good. The past 20 plus years of pain, treatment, blood transfusions, elation at remission and devastation of recurrence has every single bit been meant for good. How can there be any good in such things as these? Is the good something that we can see immediately? No, not necessarily. We know that to God, a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years is as one day. We do not know the fruits of this joyful woman's plight, but I know there are some. Why do I know this? Because of God's promise. Because of God's promise of good. Because it is said in scripture that love never fails. Never means forever, even after this earthly journey comes to an end.

We do not know how many days are left for Aunt Debbie on her earthly pilgrimage. We do know that as the tears burn our cheeks at the thought of continuing on our journey without her daily encouragement, service and love, we will join her again. Afterall, all who are in Christ are homeward bound...and what a rejoicing there will be on that day.

I am so thankful to you, dear servant, wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend, for blessing me (all of us) with your love that will never fail. You are amazing and we love you! I am so thankful to our precious Savior, for bestowing His righteousness on you. I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit working through you and giving you endurance on your earthly ministry. May we all have a character trait that is of worth, that brings God glory and others good, as you have.

Being therefore always of good courage, and knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord (for we walk by faith, not by sight); we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord. Wherefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto him. (2 Corinthians 5:6-9)

And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

But by the grace of God I am what I am: (1 Corinthians 15:10)

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

When I Survey

2011-02-20T13:57:00.003-05:00

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Issac Watts, 1707

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Only Good

2011-02-15T14:31:00.005-05:00

We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to his purpose.

I look at you and see the checkered lives that God has given you... and that which lies before me.

Here is the sweetest, softest pillow I know for my soul.. my God rules the universe for me...for me...for me...for my everlasting good.

I just read the 105th Psalm: God would allow the heathen to do Israel no wrong.

What? No wrong? They tried to destroy them everywhere they went. Yet, He allowed the heathen to do his people no wrong.

You see, what God brings to pass all your days on this earth does you no wrong, but only good...only good...only good.

It's often painful. It's often difficult. It's often a heavy burden. But it's only good.

Our God rules the universe and overrules all evil for our good and even overrules the evil of our own nature, the evil of our own behavior, the evil of our own rebellion and makes it good for us.

Thank you, blessed God for your good providence. We see something of the wonder of God's amazing grace. By grace are you saved.

~Snippets from a recent sermon by Don Fortner. Click Judah, Tamar & the Purpose of God to listen to the sermon in its entirety.

Oh give thanks unto Jehovah, call upon his name; Make known among the peoples his doings. Sing unto him, sing praises unto him; Talk ye of all his marvelous works. Glory ye in his holy name: Let the heart of them rejoice that seek Jehovah. Seek ye Jehovah and his strength; Seek his face evermore. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth, O ye seed of Abraham his servant, Ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. He is Jehovah our God: His judgments are in all the earth. He hath remembered his covenant for ever, The word which he commanded to a thousand generations, The covenant which he made with Abraham, And his oath unto Isaac, And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a statute, To Israel for an everlasting covenant, Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, The lot of your inheritance; When they were but a few men in number, Yea, very few, and sojourners in it. And they went about from nation to nation, From one kingdom to another people. He suffered no man to do them wrong; Yea, he reproved kings for their sakes, Saying, Touch not mine anointed ones, And do my prophets no harm. (Psalms 105:1-15)

Lead Me in Thy Way

2011-02-07T10:18:00.003-05:00

"Thou shall not kill" is the sixth commandment.

Jesus taught during his ministry that hatred toward an individual is the same as killing.

Killing implies more than just physical death. In human relationships, we can kill another's hopes, dreams and spirit by discouragement and destruction of their character.

The value of human being is continually being reduced today. Americans are growing towards total acceptance of killing. Abortions are received without any sorrow. Now our society is accepting mercy killing of the elderly.

Life is too precious to destroy.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night," even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 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 were 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. Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain! Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalms 139:1-24)

Commandment for Parents and Children

2011-02-04T16:47:00.008-05:00

The first commandment of God dealing with relationships among people has to do with the home; that institution first made by God! The first three chapters of the Bible deal with creation. The ultimate of God's creation is man. He then made woman from man and thus started the first home.

"Honor thy father and mother."

There is much that relates to this command. As children, we are to love, respect and obey our parents. That of course is a difficult task! Also implied is that the parents perform in a fashion that merits the honor. As parents, we have an obligation to meet the needs of our children. Those needs are not limited only to physical, but also emotionally, socially and spiritually.

Far too often I have not been understanding of your needs and for that, I'm sorry.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise), "that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land." Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1-4)

Oh, how true it is and easy it is to provoke our children to anger. Oh, Holy Spirit. help us to watch our tongues for Christ's sake! Amen.

Sabbath Rest

2011-01-27T09:27:00.004-05:00

Commandment 4:
"Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy."

There is the need to continually remind us of this. We are so busy in life that it does us good to follow this commandment.

The children of Israel were not permitted to do any work whatsoever, travel any great distance, or perform any physical activities on the sabbath day.

Besides being a time to relax and refresh, it is a day of recharging! I want to encourage you to follow the habit of attempting to always attend church.

Church is a place where you will hear the truth. It is a place of comfort and genuine direction. Also, it is a place where true friends are.

Don't get too busy to worship God!

Have a great day!
Love,
Dad

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The law is bondage, suitable for slaves. The gospel is freedom, such as children enjoy. The legalist tithes, because he is afraid not to. The believer gives generously, because he has Christ. The legalist strictly observe what he calls the Sabbath day, because he is afraid God will punish him if he breaks it. The believer has ceased from his own works and comes to rest in Christ, the true Sabbath. The difference is, indeed a matter of principle. The principle motivating the legalist and ruling his life is fear and works, hoping to gain acceptance with God either for justification or sanctification, on the basis of his obedience to the law. The believer's principle of life is faith in Christ. His rule of life is love. And his motivation in life is the glory of Christ. -Don Fortner

What Proceedeth Out of the Mouth

2011-01-12T11:25:00.003-05:00

"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain."

Respect towards others is noticed by others. We are in need of continual reminding to hold up others.

Much more important is our attitude toward God. This third commandment deals not only with our tongues in disrespect towards Him, but also what our true feelings are about Him.

Whatever proceeds out of the mouth is an indication of what we have in our heart.

God is to be honored and glorified with our very being. He only is worthy!

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

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My children do not have a complete understanding of the reasoning behind the rule in our house of "watching your tongue." This is particularly the case when every time they go outside to play, the neighbor kids are using the words that we do not use. It is so important to be "different" from the world; to be aware of what proceeds from our mouth (not just taking the Lord's name in vain), but more importantly what captures the affections of our heart. Is it the things of this world or an heavenward focus? Praying for the latter for our children is paramount to life!

The New Year 2011

2011-01-01T00:01:00.001-05:00

I Asked the Lord
(Words by John Newton, 1725-1807)

I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith and love and every grace
Might more of His salvation know
And seek more earnestly His face

'Twas He who taught me thus to pray
And He I trust has answered prayer
But it has been in such a way
As almost drove me to despair

I hoped that in some favored hour
At once He's answer my request
And by His love's constraining power
Subdue my sins and give me rest

Instead of this He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart
And let the angry powers of Hell
Assault my soul in every part

Yea more with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed
Cast out my feelings, laid me low

Lord why is this, I trembling cried
Wilt thou pursue thy worm to death?
"Tis in this way" The Lord replied
"I answer prayer for grace and faith"

"These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free
And break thy schemes of earthly joy
That thou mayest seek thy all in me"

~~~~~~

"Help me not to shrink from any cup of suffering you might have prepared for me." -Paul Miller

~~~~~~

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
(Philippians 3:12-21)

~~~~~~~

I will try to pray in the new year that it will be one in which each of us finds our all in Him. May our Lord richly bless you and shine His face upon you in 2011.

Blessings to You on Christmas Day!

2010-12-25T00:01:00.000-05:00

"I, Jesus, .... I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."

The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen.

Come, Lord Jesus!

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

(Revelation 22:16,17, 20, 21)

2010-12-24T05:44:00.001-05:00

"Come unto me." --Matthew 11:28

The cry of the Christian religion is the gentle word, "Come." The Jewish law harshly said, "Go, take heed unto thy steps as to the path in which thou shalt walk. Break the commandments, and thou shalt perish; keep them, and thou shalt live." The law was a dispensation of terror, which drove men before it as with a scourge; the gospel draws with bands of love. Jesus is the good Shepherd going before His sheep, bidding them follow Him, and ever leading them onwards with the sweet word, "Come." The law repels, the gospel attracts. The law shows the distance which there is between God and man; the gospel bridges that awful chasm, and brings the sinner across it.

From the first moment of your spiritual life until you are ushered into glory, the language of Christ to you will be, "Come, come unto me." As a mother puts out her finger to her little child and woos it to walk by saying, "Come," even so does Jesus. He will always be ahead of you, bidding you follow Him as the soldier follows his captain. He will always go before you to pave your way, and clear your path, and you shall hear His animating voice calling you after Him all through life; while in the solemn hour of death, His sweet words with which He shall usher you into the heavenly world shall be--"Come, ye blessed of my Father."

Nay, further, this is not only Christ's cry to you, but, if you be a believer, this is your cry to Christ--"Come! come!" You will be longing for His second advent; you will be saying, "Come quickly, even so come Lord Jesus." You will be panting for nearer and closer communion with Him. As His voice to you is "Come," your response to Him will be, "Come, Lord, and abide with me. Come, and occupy alone the throne of my heart; reign there without a rival, and consecrate me entirely to Thy service."

Morning and Evening, Charles H. Spurgeon, December 16.

December 23

2010-12-23T05:33:00.000-05:00

Behold the Lamb of God
Words by Andrew Peterson
Music by Andrew Peterson & Laura Story

Behold, the Lamb of God
Who takes away our sin
Behold the Lamb of God
The life and light of men
Behold the Lamb of God
Who died and rose again
Behold the Lamb of God who comes
To take away our sin

Broken hearts--behold our broken hearts
Fallen far--we need you
Behold the Lamb of God

Chorus

Son of God--Emmanuel
Son of Man--we need you
Behold the Lamb
The hope of man
Behold the Lamb of God

You can listen to the entire performance here. Click on "Behold the Lamb of God" to just listen to this song.

December 22

2010-12-22T06:18:00.001-05:00

Hebrews 1:1-4

(1) Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,
(2) but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
(3) He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
(4) having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

December 21

2010-12-21T05:44:00.004-05:00

In a Protestant upbringing, I think sometimes we try so hard to remove all things Catholic from our doctrine that we can ere too far to the other extreme. In particular, consider Mary, the mother of Christ. She, being a daughter of the first Adam, was a sinner. She was not holy. Yet, the Lord God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, chose her upon whom to bestow His grace.

-----------
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
(Luke 1:26-35)
---------------

The all-knowing God chose Mary to be full of grace. He gave her the strength to endure the position He would lay upon her shoulders. Think about it in human terms, she was a young, unwed virgin. What would become of her when word got out that she was pregnant? Her fiancee, Joseph, was ready to leave her until an Angel of the Lord visited him in a dream to tell him that she would give birth to the Messiah! Through it all, Mary remained humble and continued to find favor with God.

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
(Luke 1:46-49)

I have been hesitant to post the following song because of the anti-"Mary-worship" inside of me. However, I do not think there is anything in this song that worships her. Rather, it does a superb job, in my opinion, of showing the grace of God upon a woman named Mary. Andrew Peterson vividly juxtaposes the human side of Christ's birth with the revelation of the Incarnate Deity, for the sole purpose of saving His people from their sin.

Read the words carefully, try to think on the human side of Mary and Joseph as they anticipated and experienced the birth of their first son, but not any ordinary son. At the same time, read it carefully and try to grasp the magnitude of the truth of the coming of Christ (the gospel), God's only-begotten Son. Christ, the God-man, the son of Mary, was, is and shall forever be "the Maker of the moon, the Author of the faith that can make the mountains move."

(Disclaimer: We do not know the actual events of Christ's birth. Was there pain? According to Genesis, God said that there would always be pain in childbirth because of the sin of Eve. But this Child was different; He was holy. I do not want to error in adding anything to scripture. For me, this song merely depicts God made man, the condescension of an Almighty God to a servant, the Word made flesh.)

I trust this will be a blessing to you today.

Labor of Love
Words and music by Andrew Peterson
vocals by Jill Phillips

It was not a silent night
There was blood on the ground
You could hear a woman cry
In the alleyways that night
On the streets of David's town

And the stable was not clean
And the cobblestones were cold
And little Mary full of grace
With the tears upon her face
Had no mother's hand to hold

It was a labor of pain
It was a cold sky above
But for the girl on the ground in the dark
With every beat of her beautiful heart
It was a labor of love

Noble Joseph at her side
Callused hands and weary eyes
There were no midwives to be found
In the streets of David's town
In the middle of the night

So he held her and he prayed
Shafts of moonlight on his face
But the baby in her womb
He was the maker of the moon
He was the Author of the faith
That could make the mountains move

It was a labor of pain
It was a cold sky above
But for the girl on the ground in the dark
With every beat of her beautiful heart
It was a labor of love
For little Mary full of grace
With the tears upon her face
It was a labor of love

As usual, you can listen to this song here. Click on "Labor of Love."

December 20

2010-12-20T06:33:00.002-05:00

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, (Colossians 1:13-22)

December 19

2010-12-19T05:44:00.001-05:00

A story of redemption, of God's irresistible grace...

I Will Find A Way
JGray & Andrew Gullahorn

At the end of this run down tenement hall
Is the room of a girl I know
She cowers behind all the dead bolt locks
Afraid of the outside world

So how should I come to the one I love
I will find a way

Many thieves and collectors have used that door
But they only brought her shame
So she won’t even open it anymore
Still I will find a way

I could call out her name with love through the walls
But condemnation is all she hears
I could break down the door and take her into my arms
But she might die from the fear

So how should I come to the one I love
I will find a way, I will find a way
How should I come to the one I love
I will find a way

No hiding place ever kept her safe
So she hides inside herself
Now to reach her heart the only way
Is to hide in there as well
I will hide in there as well

She gave up on love waiting for a change
But a change is coming soon
Cause how could she not love the helpless babe
Who is waking in her womb

I found a way

She’ll know I am coming before I am here
When she hangs her head she’ll see me there
And then when I come she won’t turn away
All the beauty and joy will return to her face
And what of the loneliness? Now it is gone
Lost in the bond of the mother and son
Every sin that she suffered at the hands of men
Every single disgrace will be washed clean again
I will love her completely and when I am grown
I will carry her out of that tenement room
I am doing a new thing and soon you will see
I am coming among you and my name shall be
Emmanuel, Emmanuel

You can hear a live performance of this song here.

December 18

2010-12-18T05:56:00.000-05:00

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Charles Wesley, 1745.

December 17

2010-12-17T06:07:00.000-05:00

Of the Father's Love Begotten
Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, 5th century

Of the Father’s love begotten, ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see, evermore and evermore!

At His Word the worlds were framèd; He commanded; it was done:
Heaven and earth and depths of ocean in their threefold order one;
All that grows beneath the shining
Of the moon and burning sun, evermore and evermore!

He is found in human fashion, death and sorrow here to know,
That the race of Adam’s children doomed by law to endless woe,
May not henceforth die and perish
In the dreadful gulf below, evermore and evermore!

O that birth forever blessèd, when the virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving, bare the Savior of our race;
And the Babe, the world’s Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face, evermore and evermore!

This is He Whom seers in old time chanted of with one accord;
Whom the voices of the prophets promised in their faithful word;
Now He shines, the long expected,
Let creation praise its Lord, evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heaven adore Him; angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him, and extol our God and King!
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert sing, evermore and evermore!

Righteous judge of souls departed, righteous King of them that live,
On the Father’s throne exalted none in might with Thee may strive;
Who at last in vengeance coming
Sinners from Thy face shalt drive, evermore and evermore!

Thee let old men, thee let young men, thee let boys in chorus sing;
Matrons, virgins, little maidens, with glad voices answering:
Let their guileless songs re-echo,
And the heart its music bring, evermore and evermore!

Christ, to Thee with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
Hymn and chant with high thanksgiving, and unwearied praises be:
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory, evermore and evermore!

December 16

2010-12-16T06:54:00.001-05:00

Nine Lessons, continued...

Fifth Lesson: In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy--the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God." And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:26-38)

Sixth Lesson: In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1-7)

Seventh Lesson: And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. (Luke 2:8-16)

Eighth Lesson: Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: "'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'" Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:1-11)

Ninth Lesson: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. 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. (John 1:1-14)

Thanks be to God.

December 15

2010-12-15T09:46:00.001-05:00

Nine Lessons

First Lesson: And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, "Where are you?" And he said, "I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself." He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate." Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." The LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."
(Genesis 3:8-15)

Second Lesson: And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, "By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice."
(Genesis 22:15-18)

Third Lesson: The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
(Isaiah 9:2-7)

Fourth Lesson: But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.
(Micah 5:2-4)

to be continued...

December 14

2010-12-14T09:29:00.001-05:00

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." A voice says, "Cry!" And I said, "What shall I cry?" All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!" Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD, or what man shows him his counsel? Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust. Lebanon would not suffice for fuel, nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering. All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness. To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him? An idol! A craftsman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and casts for it silver chains. He who is too impoverished for an offering chooses wood that will not rot; he seeks out a skillful craftsman to set up an idol that will not move. Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness. Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble. To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God"? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:1-31)

December 13

2010-12-13T12:03:00.003-05:00

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. (Colossians 1:18)

The Pre-Eminence of Christ
(Read Philippians 1:1-11; Acts 2:22-36)

Why must Christ have the pre-emincence? Why must all things be put under his feet? Why should he have no rival? Christ must have the pre-eminence in all things, because God the Father said that he must (Ps.89:27). Why was Joseph made the prime minister of Egypt? Because Pharaoh wanted it that way. Why did Mordecai ride through the city in pomp and pageantry, while Haman led the horse? Because King Ahasureus said that he must. It is only right for Christ to be pre-eminent, simply because the sovereign God has so ordained it!

Christ was born unto the place of pre-eminence (Isa. 9:6-7). He is the Firstborn in the family of God. As such he has a right to the Father's inheritance. He is the only begotten of the Father. Therefore he has rightful possession of all the Father's property.

Christ must have the pre-eminence because he has paid for it (Isa. 53:9-12). Any man who buys and holds the title to an estate is lord of that estate. And Christ both bought and holds title to God's creation. Therefore, he is Lord of all.

Christ alone deserves the pre-eminence. He has earned the right of pre-eminence by his obedience to the Father's will, having fulfilled all that was required of him as the Surety of the covenant (John 17:1-4). And he has earned the right of pre-eminence in the hearts of his people (Ps. 116:12). Who else has loved us so freely? Who other than Christ has done so much for us? Who but Christ has given us so much? Who else but Christ has been a faithful Friend to our souls?

Let every redeemed, justified, forgiven sinner say, with God our Father, "Christ alone must have the pre-eminence!" As John Gill puts it, "Christ ought to have the pre-eminence and first place in the affections of our hearts, in the contemplations of our minds, in the desires of our souls, and in the highest praises of our lips." He who loved us, bought us with his blood and saved us by his grace has a rightful claim to pre-eminence in our hearts!

Grace for Today, Don Fortner,December 12.

December 12

2010-12-12T14:44:00.002-05:00

And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.' "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know-- this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David says concerning him, "'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.' "Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, "'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.' Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." (Acts 2:21-36)

December 11

2010-12-11T18:24:00.002-05:00

So Long, Moses
(Deuteronomy 32:48-52, Joshua 1:1-3, Judges 17:6, 1 Samuel 8:1-5, 19-22; 10:1; 16:1; 18:7, 2 Samuel 2:10, 5:4, 5:9, 10, I Kings 8:17; 12:21, Isaiah 11:12, Isaiah 53:2-5, Micah 5:2)

So long, Moses
Hello, Promised Land
It was a long, long road
But your people are home
So long, Moses

Hello, Joshua
Goodbye, Canaanites
We're coming to town
Twelve tribes and no crown
No crown, Oh Lord

We want a king on a throne
Full of power, with a sword in his fist
Will there ever be, ever be a king like this?

Hello, Saul
First king of Israel
You were foolish and strong
So you didn't last long
Goodbye, Saul

Hail, King David
Shepherd from Bethlehem
Set the temple of God
In mighty Jerusalem

You were a king on a throne
Full of power, with a sword in his fist
Has there ever been, ever been a king like this?
Full of wisdom, full of strength, the hearts of the people are his
Hear, O Israel, was ever there a king like this?

Hello, prophets
The kingdom is broken now
The people of God
Have been scattered abroad
How long, O Lord?

So speak, Isaiah
Prophet of Judah
Can you tell of the One
This king who's going to come

Will he be a king on a throne
Full of power with a sword in his fist?
Prophet, tell us will there be another king like this?
Full of wisdom, full of strength,
The hearts of the people are his
Prophet, tell us will there be
another king like this?

"He'll bear no beauty or glory
Rejected, despised
A man of such sorrow
We'll cover our eyes

He'll take up our sickness
Carry our tears
For his people
He will be pierced

He'll be crushed for our evils
Our punishment feel
By his wounds
We will be healed."

"From you, O Bethlehem
Small among Judah
A ruler will come
Ancient and strong."

Words and Music by Andrew Peterson, Behold the Lamb of God (click highlight to listen to sample), 2004.

December 10

2010-12-10T14:23:00.003-05:00

"'Tis not that I did choose Thee,
For Lord, that could not be;
This heart would still refuse Thee,
Hadst Thou not chosen me...

My heart owns none before Thee,
For thy rich grace I thirst;
This knowing, if I love Thee,
Thou must have loved me first."

Josiah Conder, 1836

"No, the Bible isn't a book of rules, or a book of heroes. The Bible is most of all a Story. It's an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It's a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne - everything - to rescue the one he loves. It's like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life! You see, the best thing about this Story is - it's true. There are lots of stories in the Bible, but all the stories are telling one Big Story. The Story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them. It takes the whole Bible to tell this Story. And at the center of the Story, there is a baby. Every Story in the Bible whispers his name. He is like the missing piece in a puzzle - the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together, and suddenly you can see a beautiful picture."

excerpt from The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones, 2007.

December 9

2010-12-09T12:47:00.003-05:00

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins. The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples--of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:1-10)

December 8

2010-12-08T21:44:00.004-05:00

Nations that Long in Darkness Walked

Nations that long in darkness walked
Have now beheld a glorious light;
On them who dwelt in shades of death
The light hath shinèd heav’nly bright.

For lo! the virgin’s Child is born;
To us the Son of God is giv’n.
Upon His shoulders shall be laid
The government of earth and Heav’n.

His Name is callèd Wonderful,
The Counselor, the mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace,
Peace dearly purchased with His blood.

His government shall know no bounds,
But far and wide o’er all extend;
And happy peace, the glorious fruits
Of His just reign, shall know no end.

O’er David’s kingdom, on His throne
To rule, and ’stablish it secure
With judgment clear, and justice right;
His reign forever shall endure.

Words by John Barnard, 1752.
Recently released on Christmas by Andy Gullahorn and Jill Phillips (great album!).

December 7

2010-12-07T09:05:00.002-05:00

His estate of humiliation [Philippians 2:5-11]. He not only took upon him

the likeness and fashion of a man,

but the form of a servant, that is, a man of mean estate. He was not only God's servant whom he had chosen, but he came to minister to men, and was among them as one who serveth in a mean and servile state. One would think that the Lord Jesus, if he would be a man,

should have been a prince, and appeared in splendour.

But quite the contrary: He took upon him the form of a servant. He was brought up meanly, probably working with his supposed father at his trade. His whole life was a life of humiliation, meanness, poverty, and disgrace; he had nowhere to lay his head, lived upon alms, was

a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief,

did not appear with external pomp, or any marks of distinction from other men. This was the humiliation of his life. But the lowest step of his humiliation was his dying the death of the cross. He became obedient to death,

even the death of the cross.

He not only suffered, but was actually and voluntarily obedient; he obeyed the law which he brought himself under as Mediator, and by which he was obliged to die....There is an emphasis laid upon the manner of his dying, which had in it all the circumstances possible which are humbling: Even the death of the cross, a cursed, painful, and shameful death, - a death accursed by the law

(Cursed is he that hangeth on a tree)

- full of pain, the body nailed through the nervous parts (the hands and feet) and hanging with all its weight upon the cross, - and the death of a malefactor and a slave, not of a free-man, - exposed as a public spectacle.

Such was the condescension of the blessed Jesus.

~Matthew Henry

December 6

2010-12-06T17:32:00.004-05:00

Passover Us
(Exodus 7-12; 12:21,22; 16:2,3, Leviticus 14:13)

Well, we all remember Moses on the banks of the river
He said "Pharaoh, you've got to let my people go.
You don't want me to tell you this ten times over
Denial ain't just a river, you know."

And we all remember Pharaoh, he just wouldn't do it
So the plagues they came on Egypt one by one
His heart was hard and the other nine just couldn't move it
So the last was the worst the death of the firstborn son.

But the Lord, He gave to Moses a word for the people
He said their firstborn sons would live to see another day
"Put the blood of a lamb on the doorway and death will pass right over"
That night all of the children of Israel prayed.

Chorus
"Lord, let your judgment Passover us Lord,
let your love hover near
Don't let your sweet mercy Passover us
Let this blood cover over us here"

So the years went by and the people they whined and they wandered
And only sacrifice atoned for the sins of the land
So you see the priest he placed open the holy altar
The body of a spotless lamb
And he prayed.

Chorus
"Lord, let your judgment Passover us
Lord, let your love hover near
Don't let your sweet mercy Passover us
Let this blood cover over us here"

Words and Music by Andrew Peterson, 2004
Behold the Lamb of God album

December 5

2010-12-04T22:42:00.000-05:00

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. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11)

December 4

2010-12-04T10:09:00.002-05:00

Sermon preached by Spurgeon, entitled "Mary's Song," based on Luke 1:46-47.

Observe, this morning, the sacred joy of Mary that you may imitate it. This is a season when all men expect us to be joyous. We compliment each other with the desire that we may have a "Merry Christmas." Some Christians who are a little squeamish, do not like the word "merry." It is a right good old Saxon word, having the joy of childhood and the mirth of manhood in it, it brings before one's mind the old song of the waits, and the midnight peal of bells, the holly and the blazing log. I love it for its place in that most tender of all parables, where it is written, that, when the long-lost prodigal returned to his father safe and sound, "They began to be merry." This is the season when we are expected to be happy; and my heart's desire is, that in the highest and best sense, you who are believers may be "merry." Mary's heart was merry within her; but here was the mark of her joy, it was all holy merriment, it was every drop of it sacred mirth. It was not such merriment as worldlings will revel in to-day and to-morrow, but such merriment as the angels have around the throne, where they sing, "Glory to God in the highest," while we sing "On earth peace, goodwill towards men." Such merry hearts have a continual feast. I want you, ye children of the bride-chamber, to possess to-day and to-morrow, yea, all your days, the high and consecrated bliss of Mary, that you may not only read her words, but use them for yourselves, ever experiencing their meaning: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior."

December 3

2010-12-03T00:12:00.000-05:00

"Thou hast made summer and winter." --Psalm 74:17

My soul begin this wintry month with thy God. The cold snows and the piercing winds all remind thee that He keeps His covenant with day and night, and tend to assure thee that He will also keep that glorious covenant which He has made with thee in the person of Christ Jesus. He who is true to His Word in the revolutions of the seasons of this poor sin-polluted world, will not prove unfaithful in His dealings with His own well-beloved Son.

Winter in the soul is by no means a comfortable season, and if it be upon thee just now it will be very painful to thee: but there is this comfort, namely, that the Lord makes it. He sends the sharp blasts of adversity to nip the buds of expectation: He scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes over the once verdant meadows of our joy: He casteth forth His ice like morsels freezing the streams of our delight. He does it all, He is the great Winter King, and rules in the realms of frost, and therefore thou canst not murmur. Losses, crosses, heaviness, sickness, poverty, and a thousand other ills, are of the Lord's sending, and come to us with wise design. Frosts kill noxious insects, and put a bound to raging diseases; they break up the clods, and sweeten the soul. O that such good results would always follow our winters of affliction!

How we prize the fire just now! how pleasant is its cheerful glow! Let us in the same manner prize our Lord, who is the constant source of warmth and comfort in every time of trouble. Let us draw nigh to Him, and in Him find joy and peace in believing. Let us wrap ourselves in the warm garments of His promises, and go forth to labours which befit the season, for it were ill to be as the sluggard who will not plough by reason of the cold; for he shall beg in summer and have nothing.

Spurgeon's Morning and Evening for December 1.

December 2

2010-12-02T00:12:00.001-05:00

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 He was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Joh 1:4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
Joh 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Joh 1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
Joh 1:7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.
Joh 1:8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
Joh 1:9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
Joh 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.
Joh 1:11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.
Joh 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
Joh 1:13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Joh 1:14 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.

Advent Calendar

2010-12-01T00:12:00.001-05:00

I love Advent Calendars. I don't really have a good reason for liking them. There is not really anything significant or meaningful about them; they are just a countdown to Christmas. Some have placed a religious meaning behind them, but that is not the actual history. They originated in the 19th century by German Lutherans, but not for religious reasons. The main purpose was to simply count down the days until December 25.

The first advent calendar coming to my attention and creating an interest in me was from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Do you recall the calm countdown to Christmas Day (a door or window opening) amongst all the chaos?

Since I don't have an extravagant Advent Calendar (actually, I only have a $1 cardboard cut out with chocolates that I bought my daughter), I thought I would create my own Advent here on the blog with a daily countdown to Christmas.

December 1:

Genesis 1:1-4
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.
And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness.

I Cannot but Rejoice!

2010-11-25T08:15:00.004-05:00

Sometimes a light surprises,
The Christian while he sings
It is the Lord who rises,
With healing in His wings
When comforts are declining,
He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining,
To cheer it after rain

In holy contemplation,
We sweetly then pursue
The theme of God's salvation,
And find it ever new
Set free from present sorrow,
We cheerfully can say
Let the unknown tomorrow,
Bring with it what it may

Tomorrow can bring us nothing,
But He will bear us through
Who gives the lilies clothing,
Will clothe His people too
Beneath the spreading heavens,
No creature but is fed
And He who feeds the ravens,
Will give His children bread

Though vine nor fig-tree neither,
Their wonted fruit should bear
Though all the fields should wither,
or flocks or herds be there
Yet God the same abiding,
His praise shall tune my voice
For while in Him confiding,
I cannot but rejoice!

William Cowper (1731-1800)

True Worship is by Faith

2010-11-23T08:41:00.003-05:00

"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is in earth below. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them."

The second commandment that God gave is closely connected with the first. Since we are told not to have any other gods, we are commanded not to make or submit to anything that could give the appearance of a god.

True worship is by faith and not by sight!

Serve Him!

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

------------

2 Samuel 22:1-51
(1) And David spoke unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:
(2) And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
(3) The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my savior; thou savest me from violence.
(4) I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
(5) When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;
(6) The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;
(7) In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.
(8) Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.
(9) There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
(10) He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.
(11) And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
(12) And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.
(13) Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
(14) The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.
(15) And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them.
(16) And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
(17) He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;
(18) He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
(19) They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
(20) He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
(21) The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
(22) For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
(23) For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.
(24) I was also upright before him and have kept myself from mine iniquity.
(25) Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
(26) With the merciful thou wilt show thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt show thyself upright.
(27) With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt show thyself unsavory.
(28) And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.
(29) For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.
(30) For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.
(31) As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
(32) For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a rock, save our God?
(33) God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.
(34) He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: and setteth me upon my high places.
(35) He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
(36) Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.
(37) Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.
(38) I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.
(39) And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet.
(40) For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.
(41) Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.
(42) They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.
(43) Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad.
(44) Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me.
(45) Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.
(46) Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.
(47) The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.
(48) It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me,
(49) And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
(50) Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.
(51) He is the tower of salvation for his king: and showeth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed forevermore.

Our Single Desire

2010-11-18T21:47:00.003-05:00

"To whom be glory for ever. Amen" --Romans 11:36

"To whom be glory for ever." This should be the single desire of the Christian. All other wishes must be subservient and tributary to this one. The Christian may wish for prosperity in his business, but only so far as it may help him to promote this--"To Him be glory for ever." He may desire to attain more gifts and more graces, but it should only be that "To Him may be glory for ever." You are not acting as you ought to do when you are moved by any other motive than a single eye to your Lord's glory. As a Christian, you are "of God, and through God," then live "to God." Let nothing ever set your heart beating so mightily as love to Him. Let this ambition fire your soul; be this the foundation of every enterprise upon which you enter, and this your sustaining motive whenever your zeal would grow chill; make God your only object. Depend upon it, where self begins sorrow begins; but if God be my supreme delight and only object,

"To me 'tis equal whether love ordain
My life or death--appoint me ease or pain."

Let your desire for God's glory be a growing desire. You blessed Him in your youth, do not be content with such praises as you gave Him then. Has God prospered you in business? Give Him more as He has given you more. Has God given you experience? Praise Him by stronger faith than you exercised at first. Does your knowledge grow? Then sing more sweetly. Do you enjoy happier times than you once had? Have you been restored from sickness, and has your sorrow been turned into peace and joy? Then give Him more music; put more coals and more sweet frankincense into the censer of your praise. Practically in your life give Him honour, putting the "Amen" to this doxology to your great and gracious Lord, by your own individual service and increasing holiness.

Charles Spurgeon Morning and Evening, November 17.

What is the object of your life?

2010-11-12T08:14:00.006-05:00

The first four commandments deal with the relationship between man and God. The remaining six deal with relationships between men.

What is to be the object of our life?

"To give our all to the glory of God, to love Him with all our soul, mind, and strength, and to love one another as we love ourself."

Examine yourself!

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

---------------------

My Lord, I did not choose You
For that could never be
My heart would still refuse You
Had You not chosen me
You took the sin that stained me
You cleansed me, made me new
Of old You have ordained me
That I should live in You

Chorus
Jesus, You have saved me
And taken all my sin, all my sins away
Jesus, You have called me
Before the world began, to glorify Your name
I was without hope and dead inside
But You chose to save my life

Unless Your grace had called me
And taught my darkened mind
The world would have enthralled me
To Your glories I’d be blind
My heart knows none above You
For Your rich grace I thirst
I know that if I love You
You must have loved me first

Jesus, You have saved me
And taken all my sin, all my sins away
Jesus, You have called me
Before the world began, to glorify Your name

Jesus, You have saved me
And taken all my sin, all my sins away
Jesus, You have called me
Before the world began, to glorify Your name
I was without hope and dead inside
But You chose to save
I was without hope and dead inside
But You chose to save my life

Lyrics by Josiah Conder (1836); Chorus and Music by Devon Kauflin
Looked Upon album by Sovereign Grace Music, 2008

Exercising Your Right

2010-11-02T14:34:00.003-04:00

"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost."
-John Quincy Adams (1767-1848; 6th US President, 1825-29; eldest son of John Adams, 2nd president)

"Democrats are the only reason to vote for Republicans."
-Will Rogers (1879-1935)

"If you have been voting for politicians who promise to give you goodies at someone else's expense, then you have no right to complain when they take your money and give it to someone else, including themselves."
-Thomas Sowell (1930-?; American writer and economist)

"In politics we presume that everyone who knows how to get votes knows how to administer a city or a state. When we are ill...we do not ask for the handsomest physician, or the most eloquent one."
-Plato (428BC-348BC; Ancient Greek Philosopher)

"Hell, I never vote for anybody, I always vote against."
-W.C. Fields (1880-1946; American Comic and Actor)

-------------

Did you vote today?

Why worry?

2010-10-26T13:21:00.005-04:00

"Your Father knoweth" (Luke 12:30)

Read Luke 12:13-34

Why do we worry so much? I know that we all live with a great deal of stress. We have families to feed, children to clothe, train and educate, and bills to pay. These are all things about which we are and should be concerned. I do not suggest that we should be careless and irresponsible. That would be contrary to the gospel of Christ. But I do say that we should not worry. Our concern for these things should not make us anxious, fretful and irritable.

Worrying is a fruitless, futile exercise. What did you ever get by worrying, except headaches and ulcers? We only worry about those things that are beyond our control. We worry about things that happened yesterday. We worry about what might happen tomorrow. We worry about what other people may say, or think, or do. We never worry about things that we can control. It is a futile, pointless thing to worry. Not one of us has ever accomplished a single thing by all of our worrying combined.

But what is more important, worrying is a very evil thing that dishonors our God. I speak to you who are believers, to you who seek the glory of God. Our worrying is sinful. It reveals a lack of faith. When I worry about something, it reveals that I do not trust the wisdom and goodness of God's providence. I only worry when I am discontent and dissatisfied with what God is doing for me, or because I do not truly trust him to do what is best. In other words, to worry is to murmur against the Lord my God!

Let us understand the words of our Lord and stop worrying. He is telling us that there is no need for any believer ever to worry. Our heavenly Father will provide for us everything that is needful and protect us from everything that is harmful. Let us not concern ourselves about the affairs of this world, but only about those things that concern the kingdom of God and his righteousness. He is saying, "Don't worry." Trust the Lord, "casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you" (I Peter 5:7)

Don Fortner Grace For Today for October 25.

The Omnipotence of One God

2010-10-13T08:23:00.003-04:00

With the use of radar detectors, many often break the speed limits, but the beeping and lights alert the driver of speed checks ahead.

There are no detectors that protect people from breaking any law from the all-knowing God. He sees each and every action.

The first commandment tells us that we are not to have any other gods before Him.

He wants us to fully submit ourselves to Him. He is Lord!! Anyone or anything that has control of us, our thinking, and our very being is our God!

What or who is your God?

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

----------------

"I have purposed it, I will also do it" (Isaiah 46:11)

(Read also I Kings 18:21-40)

To declare, as many do, that God's plan has been frustrated by the entrance of sin into the world is to dethrone God. Some would have us to believe that God was taken by surprise when Adam sinned in the garden and that he is now trying to remedy and correct this unforeseen calamity in his creation. Such a notion is degrading to the character of God. It brings the Most High God down to the level of erring mortals. We are told that man is a free moral agent, that he is the determiner of his own destiny and that he has the power to resist God and hold the Almighty in check. Such a blasphemous notion would strip God of his attribute of omnipotence. Men would have us to believe that man has burst the bounds originally set by God and that God is now a spectator, more or less without power over the sin and suffering brought into the world by the fall of Adam. But such doctrine is in direct contradiction of Holy Scripture. It is written in the Word of God: "surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain" (Ps. 76:10). To put it very plainly, to deny the sovereignty of God in all things is either to make God what you want him to be, which is idolatry, or it is to enter upon a path which, if logically followed, must bring you to atheism.

My friend, the sovereignty of the God of the Bible is absolute, irresistible and infinite. In declaring God's sovereignty, I am simply affirming his right as God to govern this universe, which he has created for his own glory, just as he pleases. He is the Potter; we are the clay. We have no more power over God than clay has over the potter. God moulds the clay of Adam's race into whatever form he chooses. From the lump of fallen humanity, he makes one vessel unto honor and another into dishonor. This is his right. He is God. He is under no law, rule, or power beyond his own sovereign will and holy nature. He is God.

from Don Fortner's Grace for Today for October 13.

Digest the Manna

2010-10-12T15:21:00.003-04:00

"I will meditate in Thy precepts." --Psalm 119:15

There are times when solitude is better than society, and silence is wiser than speech. We should be better Christians if we were more alone, waiting upon God, and gathering through meditation on His Word spiritual strength for labour in His service. We ought to muse upon the things of God, because we thus get the real nutriment out of them. Truth is something like the cluster of the vine: if we would have wine from it, we must bruise it; we must press and squeeze it many times. The bruiser's feet must come down joyfully upon the bunches, or else the juice will not flow; and they must well tread the grapes, or else much of the precious liquid will be wasted. So we must, by meditation, tread the clusters of truth, if we would get the wine of consolation therefrom. Our bodies are not supported by merely taking food into the mouth, but the process which really supplies the muscle, and the nerve, and the sinew, and the bone, is the process of digestion. It is by digestion that the outward food becomes assimilated with the inner life. Our souls are not nourished merely by listening awhile to this, and then to that, and then to the other part of divine truth. Hearing, reading, marking, and learning, all require inwardly digesting to complete their usefulness, and the inward digesting of the truth lies for the most part in meditating upon it. Why is it that some Christians, although they hear many sermons, make but slow advances in the divine life? Because they neglect their closets, and do not thoughtfully meditate on God's Word. They love the wheat, but they do not grind it; they would have the corn, but they will not go forth into the fields to gather it; the fruit hangs upon the tree, but they will not pluck it; the water flows at their feet, but they will not stoop to drink it. From such folly deliver us, O Lord, and be this our resolve this morning, "I will meditate in Thy precepts."

from Spurgeon's Morning and Evening for October 12.

Whatsoever Things

2010-10-11T10:05:00.004-04:00

(written March 26, 1993)

Time to get away and enjoy a period of rest and relaxation. I hope that you have a good spring break.

It has been said that we are in actions and behavior what we habitually think. The old adage, "garbage in, garbage out" is true. Also true, "success in, success out." If we become what we think, then it would be good to think on good things.

The apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8 says to think on these things:

-whatsoever things are true
-whatsoever things are honest
-whatsoever things are just
-whatsoever things are pure
-whatsoever things are lovely
-whatsoever things are of good report

Remember these things not only next week in Florida, but continually think on these. It will do you good.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

Steering Through Storms

2010-10-05T15:41:00.003-04:00

We should steer safely through every storm which we travel so long as:

-Our heart is right.
-Our intention is fervent.
-Our courage is steadfast.
-Our trust is fixed on God.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

------------

"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." --Mark 16:16

Mr. MacDonald asked the inhabitants of the island of St. Kilda how a man must be saved. An old man replied, "We shall be saved if we repent, and forsake our sins, and turn to God." "Yes," said a middle-aged female, "and with a true heart too." "Ay," rejoined a third, "and with prayer"; and, added a fourth, "It must be the prayer of the heart." "And we must be diligent too," said a fifth, "in keeping the commandments." Thus, each having contributed his mite, feeling that a very decent creed had been made up, they all looked and listened for the preacher's approbation, but they had aroused his deepest pity. The carnal mind always maps out for itself a way in which self can work and become great, but the Lord's way is quite the reverse. Believing and being baptized are no matters of merit to be gloried in--they are so simple that boasting is excluded, and free grace bears the palm. It may be that the reader is unsaved--what is the reason? Do you think the way of salvation as laid down in the text to be dubious? How can that be when God has pledged His own word for its certainty? Do you think it too easy? Why, then, do you not attend to it? Its ease leaves those without excuse who neglect it. To believe is simply to trust, to depend, to rely upon Christ Jesus. To be baptized is to submit to the ordinance which our Lord fulfilled at Jordan, to which the converted ones submitted at Pentecost, to which the jailer yielded obedience the very night of his conversion. The outward sign saves not, but it sets forth to us our death, burial, and resurrection with Jesus, and, like the Lord's Supper, is not to be neglected. Reader, do you believe in Jesus? Then, dear friend, dismiss your fears, you shall be saved. Are you still an unbeliever, then remember there is but one door, and if you will not enter by it you will perish in your sins.

Spurgeon's Morning and Evening for October 5.

Trusting

2010-09-23T21:37:00.004-04:00

It is good advice to have lights on before it gets too dark. Not only for us to see but also to be seen by others.

I would rather walk with God in the dark than to go alone in the light.

"As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried..." (Psalm 18:30)

Trust Him.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

"The natural mind is prone to reason when we ought to believe, to be at work when we ought to be quiet, or to go our own way when we ought to steadily walk in God's ways." George Muller

Faith and Trials

2010-09-12T15:55:00.005-04:00

September 21, 1840. Those who trust in the Lord will never be disappointed. Some who helped us for a while may fall asleep in Jesus, some may grow cold in the service of the Lord, some may be as desirous as ever to help but no longer have the means, and some may have both a willing heart to help and the means but may see it to be the Lord's will to give in another way. If we were to lean upon man, we would surely be disappointed; but in leaning upon the living God alone, we are beyond disappointment and beyond being forsaken for any reason.

December 9, 1840. Our desire, therefore, is not that we may be without trials of faith, but that the Lord wold graciously support us in the trial and that we may not dishonor Him by distrust.

Prove the faithfulness of God by carrying your every want to Him. Only maintain an upright heart. But if you live in sin and if you willfully and habitually do things which you know are contrary to the will of God, then you cannot expect Him to hear you. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me; But verily God hath heard me ; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer" (Psalm 66: 18-19)

from The Autobiography of George Muller

Heed the Warnings!!

2010-09-10T21:09:00.000-04:00

The driver of a new expensive car drove onto a busy highway without being aware that he had entered by the wrong direction. As the cars approached him, his fear and concern did not change because he convinced himself that he was right and the oncoming cars were in the wrong. Several drivers were able to miss hitting him, but the driver of a tractor-trailer could not. Eventually, the self-assured individual died. His death was the result of his failure to follow the warning signs given him.

God gives us several signs of warning! Failure to heed them will result in trouble.

Psalm 25:1-2 "Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee, Let me not be ashamed; Let not mine enemies triumph over me."

Unless there is within us that which is above us, we shall soon yield to that which is about us.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

Jesus therefore said unto them, Yet a little while is the light among you. Walk while ye have the light, that darkness overtake you not: and he that walketh in the darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have the light, believe on the light, that ye may become sons of light. These things spake Jesus, and he departed and hid himself from them. (John 12:35-36)

If you do not heed His warnings to believe while the Light is among you, He will hid himself from you and leave you to your darkness...for eternity.

Actions Speak Louder

2010-09-09T20:51:00.004-04:00

"Action speaks louder than words."

This phrase has been around for many, many years. And it is quite true.

People judge you by your actions, not by your intentions. You may have a heart of gold, but so does a hard boiled egg.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

Talk no more so exceeding proudly; Let not arrogancy come out of your mouth; For Jehovah is a God of knowledge, And by him actions are weighed.
(1 Samuel 2:3)

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord. Servants, be obedient unto them that according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not in the way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as unto the Lord, and not unto men: knowing that whatsoever good thing each one doeth, the same shall he receive again from the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, and forbear threatening: knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no respect of persons with him. Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, and on my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
(Ephesians 6:4-20)

Great Commandment

2010-08-25T13:35:00.004-04:00

When the children of Israel went into the "promised" land, two and one half of the tribes wanted to remain on the east side of the Jordan River. Moses and Joshua, the two leaders, gave permission provided that the warriors went across the river and helped the others conquer the territory. When the task was completed and the work finished, these 2 1/2 tribes were ready to go back to their families. Joshua gave them six commandments to follow:

1. Take diligent heed to do the commandments and the law.
2. To love the Lord your God.
3. To walk in all His ways.
4. To keep His commandments.
5. To cleave unto Him.
6. To serve Him with all your heart and soul.

Good advice for them and also for us today!

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

My oldest child started 3rd grade and my middle child started kindergarten this week. We are truly blessed by the education and sound biblical training and modeling they receive at their school. The teachers don't "preach" the law, they gently teach and model grace, daily. The following two verses (Christ's greatest commandment) have become a central "philosophy" of each classroom and the school as a whole:

and thou shalt love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. (Deuteronomy 6:5)

And he said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (Matthew 22:37)

Christian Course, No.17 (and final)

2010-08-17T13:02:00.002-04:00

"...some directions how to conduct yourself in your Christian course..."
from the pen of Jonathan Edwards
Northampton, New England
June 3, 1741

Pray much for the ministers and the church of God, especially, that he would carry on his glorious work which he has now begun, till the world shall be full of his glory.

Christian Course, No.16

2010-08-16T09:03:00.002-04:00

"...some directions how to conduct yourself in your Christian course..."
from the pen of Jonathan Edwards
Northampton, New England
June 3, 1741

In all your course, walk with God and follow Christ, as a little, poor, helpless child, taking hold of Christ's hand, keeping your eye on the marks of the wounds in his hands and side, whence came the blood that cleanses you from sin, and hiding your nakedness under the skirt of the white shining robes of his righteousness.

Christian Course, No.15

2010-08-13T14:14:00.004-04:00

"...some directions how to conduct yourself in your Christian course..."
from the pen of Jonathan Edwards
Northampton, New England
June 3, 1741

Do not let the adversaries of the cross have occasion to reproach religion on your account. How holily should the children of God, the redeemed and the beloved of the Son of God, behave themselves. Therefore, "walk as children of the light" and of the day and "adorn the doctrine of God your Savior." And especially abound in what are called the Christian virtues and make you like the Lamb of God: be meek and lowly of heart, and full of pure, heavenly, and humble love to all; abound in deeds of love to others, and self-denial for others; and let there be in you a disposition to account others better than yourself.

Christian Course, No.13 and 14

2010-08-11T07:55:00.003-04:00

"...some directions how to conduct yourself in your Christian course..."
from the pen of Jonathan Edwards
Northampton, New England
June 3, 1741

13. If you would set up religious meetings of young women by yourselves, to be attended once in a while, besides the other meetings that you attend, I should think it would be very proper and profitable.

14. Under special difficulties, or when in great need of or great longings after any particular mercy for yourself or others, set apart a day for secret prayer and fasting by yourself alone; and let the day be spent, not only in petitions for the mercies you desire, but in searching your heart, and in looking over your past life, and confessing your sins before God, not as is wont to be done in public prayer, but by a very particular rehearsal before God of the sins of your past life, from your childhood hitherto, before and after conversion, with the circumstances and aggravations attending them, and spreading all the abominations of your heart very particularly, and fully as possible, before him.

Christian Course, No.12

2010-08-10T07:22:00.003-04:00

"...some directions how to conduct yourself in your Christian course..."
from the pen of Jonathan Edwards
Northampton, New England
June 3, 1741

When you counsel and warn others, do it earnestly and affectionately and thoroughly. And when you are speaking to your equals, let your warnings be intermixed with expressions of your sense of your own unworthiness and of the sovereign grace that makes you differ.

Christian Course, No.11

2010-08-05T19:42:00.003-04:00

"...some directions how to conduct yourself in your Christian course..."
from the pen of Jonathan Edwards
Northampton, New England
June 3, 1741

When the exercise of grace is low, and corruption prevails, and by that means fear prevails, do not desire to have fear cast out any other way than by the reviving and prevailing of love in the heart. By this, fear will be effectually expelled, as darkness in a room vanishes away when the pleasant beams of the sun are let into it.

Christian Course, No.10

2010-08-04T21:46:00.002-04:00

"...some directions how to conduct yourself in your Christian course..."
from the pen of Jonathan Edwards
Northampton, New England
June 3, 1741

If at any time you fall into doubts about the state of your soul, in dark and dull frames of mind, it is proper to review your past experience. But do not consume too much time and strength in this way; rather apply yourself, with all your might, to an earnest pursuit after renewed experience, new light, and new lively acts of faith and love. One new discovery of the glory of Christ's face will do more toward scattering clouds of darkness in one minute, than examining old experience, by the best marks that can be given, through a whole year.

Christian Course, No.9

2010-08-03T07:31:00.003-04:00

"...some directions how to conduct yourself in your Christian course..."
from the pen of Jonathan Edwards
Northampton, New England
June 3, 1741

That you may pass a correct judgment concerning yourself, always look upon those as the best discoveries, and the best comforts, that have most of these two effects: those that make you least and lowest, and most like a child; and those that most engage and fix your heart, in a full and firm disposition to deny yourself for God, and to spend and be spent for him.

Christian Course, No.8

2010-07-31T22:11:00.003-04:00

"...some directions how to conduct yourself in your Christian course..."
from the pen of Jonathan Edwards
Northampton, New England
June 3, 1741

Remember that pride is the worst viper that is in the heart, the greatest disturber of the soul's peace and of sweet communion with Christ. It was the first sin committed and lies lowest in the foundation of Satan's whole building, and is with the greatest difficulty rooted out, and is the most hidden, secret, and deceitful of all lusts, and often creeps insensibly into the midst of religion, even, sometimes, under the disguise of humility itself.

Christian Course, No.7

2010-07-28T07:30:00.002-04:00

"...some directions how to conduct yourself in your Christian course..."
from the pen of Jonathan Edwards
Northampton, New England
June 3, 1741

When you engage in the duty of prayer, or come to the Lord's supper, or attend any other duty of divine worship, come to Christ as Mary Magdalen (Luke 7:37-38) did come, and cast yourself at his feet, and kiss them, and pour forth upon him the sweet perfumed ointment of divine love, out of a pure and broken heart, as she poured the precious ointment out of her pure broken alabaster box.

Christian Course, No.6

2010-07-27T07:19:00.004-04:00

...some directions how to conduct yourself in your Christian course..."
from the pen of Jonathan Edwards
Northampton, New England
June 3, 1741

Be always greatly abased for your remaining sin and never think that you lie low enough for it. But yet be not discouraged or disheartened by it, for, though we are exceeding sinful, yet "we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous," (I John 2:2) the preciousness of whose blood, the merit of whose righteousness, and the greatness of whose love and faithfulness, infinitely overtop the highest mountains of our sins.

Christian Course, No.5

2010-07-25T22:19:00.002-04:00

...some directions how to conduct yourself in your Christian course..."
from the pen of Jonathan Edwards
Northampton, New England
June 3, 1741

Remember, that you have more cause, on some accounts a thousand times, to lament and humble yourself for sins that have been committed since conversion than before, because of the infinitely greater obligations that are upon you to live to God, and to look upon the faithfulness of Christ, in unchangeably continuing his loving-kindness, notwithstanding all your great unworthiness since your conversion.

Christian Course, No.4

2010-07-20T21:08:00.003-04:00

...some directions how to conduct yourself in your Christian course..."
from the pen of Jonathan Edwards
Northampton, New England
June 3, 1741

Though God has forgiven and forgotten your past sins, yet do not forget them yourself: often remember, what a wretched bond-slave you were in the land of Egypt. Often bring to mind your particular acts of sin before conversion, as the blessed apostle Paul is often mentioning his old blaspheming, persecuting spirit, and his injuriousness to the renewed, humbling his heart, and acknowledging that he was "the least of the apostles," and not worthy "to be called an apostle," and the "least of all saints," and the "chief of sinners" (I Corinthians 15:9; Ephesians 3:8; I Timothy 1:15). And be often confessing your old sins to God, and let that text be often in your mind, "That thou mayest remember and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more, because of they shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord God" (Ezekiel 16:63).

Christian Course, No.3

2010-07-19T14:13:00.002-04:00

...some directions how to conduct yourself in your Christian course..."
from the pen of Jonathan Edwards
Northampton, New England
June 3, 1741

3. When you hear a sermon, hear for yourself. Though what is spoken may be more especially directed to the unconverted, or to those that, in other respects, are in different circumstances from yourself, yet, let the chief intent of your mind be to consider, "In what respect is this applicable to me? And what improvement ought I to make of this, for my own soul's good?"

Christian Course, No.2

2010-07-15T21:24:00.004-04:00

...some directions how to conduct yourself in your Christian course..."
from the pen of Jonathan Edwards
Northampton, New England
June 3, 1741

2. Do not leave off seeking, striving, and praying for the very same things that we exhort unconverted person to strive for, and a degree of which you have had already in conversion. Pray that your eyes may be opened, that you may receive sight, that you may know yourself, and be brought to God's footstool; and that you may see the glory of God and Christ, and may be raised from the dead, and have the love of Christ shed abroad in your heart. Those who have most of these things, have need still to pray for them; for there is so much blindness and hardness, pride and death remaining that they still need to have that work of God wrought upon them, further to enlighten and enliven them, that shall be bringing them out of darkness into God's marvelous light, and be a kind of new conversion and resurrection from the dead. There are very few requests that are proper for an impenitent man, that are not also, in some sense, proper for the godly.

Christian Course

2010-07-14T22:19:00.005-04:00

...some directions how to conduct yourself in your Christian course..." from the pen of Jonathan Edwards
Northampton, New England
June 3, 1741

1. I would advise you to keep up as great a strife and earnestness in religion as if you knew yourself to be in a state of nature and were seeking conversion. We advise persons under conviction to be earnest and violent for the kingdom of heaven; but when they have attained to conversion, they ought not to be the less watchful, laborious, and earnest in the whole work of religion, but the more so; for they are under infinitely greater obligations. For want of this, many persons, in a few months after their conversion, have begun to lose their sweet and lively sense of spiritual things, and to grow cold and dark, and have "pierced themselves through with many sorrows (I Timothy 6:10)." Whereas, if they had done as the apostle did (Philippians 3:12-14), their path would have been "as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day (Proverbs 4:18)."

George Mueller

2010-06-30T14:05:00.003-04:00

Savory Morsels of George Mueller (1805-1898)

"The last portion of scripture which I read to my precious wife was this: “The Lord God is a sun and shield, the Lord will give grace and glory, no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Now, if we have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, we have received grace, we are partakers of grace, and to all such he will give glory also. I said to myself, with regard to the latter part, “no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly”—I am in myself a poor worthless sinner, but I have been saved by the blood of Christ; and I do not live in sin, I walk uprightly before God. Therefore, if it is really good for me, my darling wife will be raised up again; sick as she is. God will restore her again. But if she is not restored again, then it would not be a good thing for me. And so my heart was at rest. I was satisfied with God. And all this springs, as I have often said before, from taking God at his word, believing what he says."

"The difference between the gift and the grace of faith seems to me this. According to the gift of faith I am able to do a thing, or believe that a thing will come to pass, the not doing of which, or the not believing of which would not be sin; according to the grace of faith I am able to do a thing, or believe that a thing will come to pass, respecting which I have the word of God as the ground to rest upon, and, therefore, the not doing it, or the not believing it would be sin. For instance, the gift of faith would be needed, to believe that a sick person should be restored again though there is no human probability: for there is no promise to that effect; the grace of faith is needed to believe that the Lord will give me the necessaries of life, if I first seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness: for there is a promise to that effect. Matthew 6:33"

"Now in brotherly love and affection I would give a few hints to my younger fellow-believers as to the way in which to keep up spiritual enjoyment. It is absolutely needful in order that happiness in the Lord may continue, that the Scriptures be regularly read. These are God's appointed means for the nourishment of the inner man. . . .Consider it, and ponder over it. . . . Especially we should read regularly through the Scriptures, consecutively, and not pick out here and there a chapter. If we do, we remain spiritual dwarfs. I tell you so affectionately. For the first four years after my conversion I made no progress, because I neglected the Bible. But when I regularly read on through the whole with reference to my own heart and soul, I directly made progress. Then my peace and joy continued more and more. Now I have been doing this for 47 years. I have read through the whole Bible about 100 times and I always find it fresh when I begin again. Thus my peace and joy have increased more and more."

Click here to read the biographical article on George Mueller's life in its entirety. I highly recommend it.

Faith, not sight

2010-06-15T14:48:00.005-04:00

It often gets dangerous to travel on the slick roads when it snows or rains. Even if we travel with caution, there are times when we'll lose control of our car.

Life, at times, can appear to be slippery without any firmness below us.

The Psalmist David said,

"Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not." Psalm 17:5

We are commanded to put our trust in God and not in ourselves [or any other material or non-material possession]. He is so powerful and mighty that nothing can overcome Him.

Put your trust in Him.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad
A severe thunderstorm passed through our region late last night causing the destruction of an area interstate attraction. The "touchdown jesus" (as it is called...notice the small "j") was struck by lightening and burned to the ground. The church maintains that it has never been their intention for the 62-foot statue to be an idol of worship but rather as a reminder as travelers drive along I75 that Jesus loves them and wants a relationship with them. It is my opinion that lightening has never struck a more worthy ornament of blasphemy.

-------

that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. We speak wisdom, however, among them that are fullgrown: yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nought: but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, even the wisdom that hath been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds unto our glory: which none of the rulers of this world hath known: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory: but as it is written, Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, And which entered not into the heart of man, Whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him. But unto us God revealed them through the Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For who among men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? even so the things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God. But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual words. (1 Corinthians 2:5-13)

Being therefore always of good courage, and knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord (for we walk by faith, not by sight); (2 Corinthians 5:6-7)

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:27-28)

But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory: and before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats; and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: (Matthew 25:31-34)

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels: (Matthew 25:41)

You Reap What You Sow

2010-06-02T21:55:00.004-04:00

As we travel through life, it seems that a break or rest area is always a long way off. Some people do not enjoy their journey for they only look forward to their destination. It always pays to go the extra mile or putt forth the extra effort and enjoy life.

People who never do anymore than they get paid for never get paid for any more than they do.

In our age of instant gratification, this principle might seem unfashionable - but it works. In business and in all other areas of life, if you give more than is asked of you, you will reap great rewards.

Have a good day!
Love
Dad

"All mankind is divided into three classes: those that are immovable, those that are movable, and those that move." Benjamin Franklin

"All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work." Calvin Coolidge

Our Roles

2010-05-19T07:03:00.003-04:00

"I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth." --Ecclesiastes 10:7

Upstarts frequently usurp the highest places, while the truly great pine in obscurity. This is a riddle in providence whose solution will one day gladden the hearts of the upright; but it is so common a fact, that none of us should murmur if it should fall to our own lot. When our Lord was upon earth, although He is the Prince of the kings of the earth, yet He walked the footpath of weariness and service as the Servant of servants: what wonder is it if His followers, who are princes of the blood, should also be looked down upon as inferior and contemptible persons? The world is upside down, and therefore, the first are last and the last first. See how the servile sons of Satan lord it in the earth! What a high horse they ride! How they lift up their horn on high! Haman is in the court, while Mordecai sits in the gate; David wanders on the mountains, while Saul reigns in state; Elijah is complaining in the cave while Jezebel is boasting in the palace; yet who would wish to take the places of the proud rebels? and who, on the other hand, might not envy the despised saints? When the wheel turns, those who are lowest rise, and the highest sink. Patience, then, believer, eternity will right the wrongs of time.

Let us not fall into the error of letting our passions and carnal appetites ride in triumph, while our nobler powers walk in the dust. Grace must reign as a prince, and make the members of the body instruments of righteousness. The Holy Spirit loves order, and He therefore sets our powers and faculties in due rank and place, giving the highest room to those spiritual faculties which link us with the great King; let us not disturb the divine arrangement, but ask for grace that we may keep under our body and bring it into subjection. We were not new created to allow our passions to rule over us, but that we, as kings, may reign in Christ Jesus over the triple kingdom of spirit, soul, and body, to the glory of God the Father.

Spurgeon's Morning and Evening for May 19.

Our Comfort

2010-05-13T08:50:00.010-04:00

When your soul is heavy, when your life is filled with chaos, when darkness blackens your sky, when everything in your life seems to be turning upside down, and confusion seizes your very soul, lift up your eyes unto the hills and hope in God our Savior, who closes his Book with “The Revelation of Jesus Christ,” “the Lion of the Tribe of Judah,” who has prevailed to fulfil all the good will and purpose of God for your soul. — Behold the Lamb upon his throne and rejoice. Be easy, O my soul: — The Lamb of God who loved me and gave himself for me sits upon the throne of heaven! — “The Lord God omnipotent reigneth!” Let us be glad and rejoice!

Don Fortner, May 16, Grace Baptist Church Bulletin

The Only Way

2010-05-08T23:37:00.003-04:00

Speed seldom is as important as direction. An individual could be traveling at a very high speed but going in the wrong direction and never get to the right destination. Whereas another person traveling at a substantially slower speed, but in the right direction, would eventually reach the correct destination.

Make sure that you're going the right way!

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.
(John 14:6)

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way,".... Our Lord takes the opportunity of this discourse about the place he was going to, and the way unto it, more fully to instruct his disciples concerning himself, saying, "I am the way"; Christ is not merely the way, as he goes before his people as an example; or merely as a prophet, pointing out unto them by his doctrine the way of salvation; but he is the way of salvation itself by his obedience and sacrifice; nor is there any other; he is the way of his Father's appointing, and which is entirely agreeable to the perfections of God, and suitable to the case and condition of sinners; he is the way to all the blessings of the covenant of grace; and he is the right way into a Gospel church state here; no one comes rightly into a church of Christ but by faith in him; and he is the way to heaven: he is entered into it himself by his own blood, and has opened the way to it through himself for his people:

-from John Gill's commentary

The Children's Crumbs

2010-04-25T22:32:00.003-04:00

And from thence he arose, and went away into the borders of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered into a house, and would have no man know it; and he could not be hid. But straightway a woman, whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, having heard of him, came and fell down at his feet. Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. And she besought him that he would cast forth the demon out of her daughter. And he said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread and cast it to the dogs. But she answered and saith unto him, Yea, Lord; even the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs. And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the demon is gone out of thy daughter. And she went away unto her house, and found the child laid upon the bed, and the demon gone out.
(Mark 7:24-30)

See here,
I. How humbly Christ was pleased to conceal himself. Never man was so cried up as he was in Galilee, and therefore, to teach us, though not to decline any opportunity of doing good, yet not to be fond of popular applause, he arose from thence, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, where he was little known; and there he entered, not into a synagogue, or place of concourse, but into a private house, and he would have no man to know it; because it was foretold concerning him, He shall not strive nor cry, neither shall his voice be heard in the streets. Not but that he was willing to preach and heal here as well as in other places, but for this he would be sought unto. Note, As there is a time to appear, so there is a time to retire. Or, he would not be known, because he was upon the borders of Tyre and Sidon, among Gentiles, to whom he would not be so forward to show himself as to the tribes of Israel, whose glory he was to be.

II. How graciously he was pleased to manifest himself, notwithstanding. Though he would not carry a harvest of miraculous cures into those parts, yet, it should seem, he came on purpose to drop a handful, to let fall this one which we have here an account of. He could not be hid; for, though a candle may be put under a bushel, the sun cannot. Christ was too well known to be long incognito - hid, any where; the oil of gladness which he was anointed with, like ointment of the right hand, would betray itself, and fill the house with its odours. Those that had only heard his fame, could not converse with him, but they would soon say, “This must be Jesus.”

Now observe,
1. The application made to him by a poor woman in distress and trouble. She was a Gentile, a Greek, a stranger to the commonwealth of Israel, an alien to the covenant of promise; she was by extraction a Syrophenician, and not in any degree proselyted to the Jewish religion; she had a daughter, a young daughter, that was possessed with the devil. How many and grievous are the calamities that young children are subject to! Her address was, (1.) Very humble, pressing, and importunate; She heard of him, and came, and fell at his feet. Note, Those that would obtain mercy from Christ, must throw themselves at his feet; must refer themselves to him, humble themselves before him, and give up themselves to be ruled by him. Christ never put any from him, that fell at his feet, which a poor trembling soul may do, that has not boldness and confidence to throw itself into his arms. (2.) It was very particular; she tells him what she wanted. Christ gave poor supplicants leave to be thus free with him; she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter, Mar_7:26. Note, The greatest blessing we can ask of Christ for our children is, that he would break the power of Satan, that is, the power of sin, in their souls; and particularly, that he would cast forth the unclean spirit, that they may be temples of the Holy Ghost, and he may dwell in them.

2. The discouragement he gave to this address (Mar_7:27); He said unto her, “Let the children first be filled; let the Jews have all the miracles wrought for them, that they have occasion for, who are in a particular manner God's chosen people; and let not that which was intended for them, be thrown to those who are not of God's family, and who have not that knowledge of him, and interest in him, which they have, and who are as dogs in comparison of them, vile and profane, and who are as dogs to them, snarling at them, spiteful toward them, and ready to worry them.” Note, Where Christ knows the faith of poor supplicants to be strong, he sometimes delights to try it, and put it to the stretch. But his saying, Let the children first be filled, intimates that there was mercy in reserve for the Gentiles, and not far off; for the Jews began already to be surfeited with the gospel of Christ, and some of them had desired him to depart out of their coasts. The children begin to play with their meat, and their leavings, their loathings, would be a feast for the Gentiles. The apostles went by this rule, Let the children first be filled, let the Jews have the first offer; and if their full souls loathe this honeycomb, Lo, we turn to the Gentiles!

3. The turn she gave to this word of Christ, which made against her, and her improvement of it, to make for her, Mar_7:28. She said, “Yes, Lord, I own it is true that the children's bread ought not to be cast to the dogs; but they were never denied the crumbs of that bread, nay it belongs to them, and they are allowed a place under the table, that they may be ready to receive them. I ask not for a loaf, no, nor for a morsel, only for a crumb; do not refuse me that.” This she speaks, not as undervaluing the mercy, or making light of it in itself, but magnifying the abundance or miraculous cures with which she heard the Jews were feasted, in comparison with which a single cure was but as a crumb. Gentiles do not come in crowds, as the Jews do; I come alone. Perhaps she had heard of Christ's feeding five thousand lately at once, after which, even when they had gathered up the fragments, there could not but be some crumbs left for the dogs.

4. The grant Christ thereupon made of her request. Is she thus humble, thus earnest? For this saying, Go thy way, thou shalt have what thou camest for, the devil is gone out of thy daughter, Mar_7:29. This encourages us to pray and not to faint, to continue instant in prayer, not doubting but to prevail at last; the vision at the end shall speak, and not lie. Christ's saying that is was done, did it effectually, as at other times his saying, Let it be done; for (Mar_7:30) she came to her house, depending upon the word of Christ, that her daughter was healed, and so she found it, the devil was gone out. Note, Christ can conquer Satan at a distance; and it was not only when the demoniacs saw him, that they yielded to his power (as Mar_3:11), but when they saw him not, for the Spirit of the Lord is not bound, nor bounded. She found her daughter not in any toss or agitation, but very quietly laid on the bed, and reposing herself; waiting for her mother's return, to rejoice with her, that she was so finely well.

From Matthew Henry's commentary.

Doing Something Worthwhile

2010-04-15T10:55:00.003-04:00

We are often led to believe that we are limited to certain destinations in life. Not so!

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.

Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwhile.

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore, my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him." (Psalm 28:7)

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

The Word of God

2010-04-13T12:48:00.003-04:00

Our faith rests entirely upon the Word of God. If it could ever be proved that the Bible is no the inspired, inerrant Word of God, then the gospel of Christ would be proved false. But the infidel, though he may scoff, cannot ever produce such proof. The fact that the Bible stands today shatters every argument of those skeptics who deny that the Bible is the Word of God.

This blessed book is the greatest standing miracle in the world today. Just think of this: there was never an order given to any man to plan the writing of this volume. Nor was there any concerted effort on the part of men to write it. Under the sovereign direction of the Holy Spirit, the Bible gradually developed over a period of 1600 years. Little by little, part by part, century by century, it came out in parts and fragments. It was written on two continents, in countries hundreds of miles apart. It was written in three languages - Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. And it was written by scores of men, from every possible background variation. Yet it stands as one unified volume.

This is a book with one message. It contains one system of doctrine, one plan of salvation, one principle of conduct and once rule of faith. The one message of the Bible is that of redemption by the shed blood of Christ. Substitution is stamped upon every page. Everything in the Bible points to Christ and his substitutionary work.

There are historical statements in the Bible that could not have been known except by revelation: the account of creation, the decrees of God, the covenant of grace. And there are doctrines taught in the Bible which no human mind ever devised: the character of the triune God, the incarnation of Christ, substitutionary atonement. Add to this the perfect accuracy of the prophecies of the Bible adn their evident fulfillment. I say there can be but one rational explanation for the existence of this divine book: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God." "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." Without question, this is the Word of God!

(From Don Fortner's Grace for Today for April 12.

The Potter

2010-03-30T10:43:00.004-04:00

As we traveled to and from Dayton this past weekend, I noticed how rough I75 was, especially in Ohio. There were numerous potholes and cracks in the road. This condition made it more difficult to drive.

Our life's journey is such that the path of life is not always an easy trip.
Remember however,

Troubles are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

Ye turn things upside down! Shall the potter be esteemed as clay; that the thing made should say of him that made it, He made me not; or the thing formed say of him that formed it, He hath no understanding? (Isaiah 29:16)

I have raised up one from the north, and he is come; from the rising of the sun one that calleth upon my name: and he shall come upon rulers as upon mortar, and as the potter treadeth clay. (Isaiah 41:25)

But now, O Jehovah, thou art our Father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. (Isaiah 64:8)

O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith Jehovah. Behold, as the clay in the potter's hand, so are ye in my hand, O house of Israel. (Jeremiah 18:6)

Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus? Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor? (Romans 9:20-21)

Considering Freedom

2010-03-26T10:41:00.005-04:00

Have we made freedom a god? Or, perhaps, the fight for freedom has become a god?

People have many gods: money, food, power, alcohol, etc.

But what about freedom? What does God's Word say about freedom and gods?

for thou shalt worship no other god: for Jehovah, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:
(Exodus 34:14)

No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
(Matthew 6:24)

For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1)

For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another. (Galatians 5:13)

as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God. (1 Peter 2:16)

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof. If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk. Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:19-26)

Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31-32)

Let thy lovingkindnesses also come unto me, O Jehovah, Even thy salvation, according to thy word. So shall I have an answer for him that reproacheth me; For I trust in thy word. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; For I have hoped in thine ordinances. So shall I observe thy law continually For ever and ever. And I shall walk at liberty; For I have sought thy precepts. I will also speak of thy testimonies before kings, And shall not be put to shame. And I will delight myself in thy commandments, Which I have loved. I will lift up my hands also unto thy commandments, which I have loved; And I will meditate on thy statutes. (Psalms 119:41-48)

Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Corinthians 3:17)

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. (Declaration of Independence)

The unalienable right is to have life, liberty and happiness in Christ, right? Not in a physical/political land. I see nothing in the scriptures above where freedom is found outside of Christ. In fact, scriptures say, " The truth will set you free!" Not ideology, not rallies, not political figures, not money, not power, not anything else. Afterall, God allowed his own people to come into Babylonian bondage and Israel was crushed by the Romans in the first century.

Where does this leave us? Please, I ask you, engage in this discourse with me. This is an issue that I am pondering and would benefit from some of your input.

Eyes on the Road

2010-03-23T10:52:00.003-04:00

The other day, a 30 ton rock slid off the top of a hill into a trailer in Pikeville. A young man was killed under the load. Several places in eastern Kentucky there are warning signs to be careful as you travel down the highway.

Some people would give up and never attempt to reach their destination for fear of possible danger. Others will travel and never give a thought to being careful.

As you travel on your life's journey, keep your eyes on the road. Difficulties usually come when we take a look away from our goals. Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

For His Glory!

2010-03-15T14:58:00.007-04:00

John Piper discusses a subject that you think you might kinda sorta understand, making it more complex in order that you will understand its complexity, to the humility of saved sinners For His Glory!

Do you love being loved because you're loved or do you love being loved in a way that keeps you from making your love for being loved your god?

Do these statements make sense?

Listen here.

(Warning: this sermon is a little more than one hour but is worth your time.)

Snow

2010-03-10T21:17:00.003-05:00

The snow is beautiful as it falls. Traveling home during a snow storm gives me the opportunity to look into the countryside and see the snow on the ground and in the trees. Certain places create a postcard picture.

Snow, if heavy enough, will cover up dirt, mud and trash. Until it melts or is shoveled up, one can not tell of the ugly scene below it.

The prophet Isaiah gave us some very comforting words,

"Come let us reason together, though your sins be as scarlet they shall be white as snow."

Because of the sacrifice of Christ's blood, black sinners can be declared completely righteous if they will but trust in Him.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

Happy Belated Birthday!

2010-03-08T08:13:00.011-05:00

The birthday of 3M Highway came and went and I missed it! On February 22, this blog turned 1! It has been a fun, engaging and encouraging activity in my days. I am always on the hunt for additional material and continue to enjoy reading through the original letters. I hope you have enjoyed this year of blogging.

-----------

Some "unpublished" thoughts throughout the past year:

(From the pen of C.S. Lewis:)

God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.

A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.

I gave in, and admitted that God was God.

(From Ruth of Gracelaced.com:)

Perhaps there is an area of your life that currently feels overwhelming, unending–too great a task for you to wrap your mind around. (Parenting is a perpetual one for me!) May I encourage you to take time to give thanks, and acknowledge what He has already done. Praise Him for what He has already provided. And keep striving with courage, knowing He will continue to fill you with His love for the labor He has called you to carry on.

(origin unknown:)

Friendship is the comfort, the inexpressable comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring all right out just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful friendly hand will take and sift them - keep what is worth keeping and with a breath of comfort blow the rest away.

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As always, I welcome your comments. It is such an encouragement to me to know that there are readers out there and that you are leaning some life lessons along the way.

So, here's to the next year of traveling along 3M Highway!

Newton's Letters

2010-03-05T12:52:00.006-05:00

...an acquiescence in the Lord's will founded in a persuasion of his wisdom, holiness, sovereignty, and goodness...So far as we attain to this, we are secure from disappointment. Our own limited views, and short-sighted purposes and desires, may be, and will be, often over-ruled; but then our main and leading desire, that the will of the Lord may be done, must be accomplished. How highly does it become us, both as creatures and as sinners, to submit to the appointments of our Maker and how necessary is it to our peace! This great attainment is too often unthought of, and over-looked; we are prone to fix our attention upon the second causes and immediate instruments of events; forgetting that whatever befalls us is according to his purpose, and therefore must be right and seasonable in itself, and shall in the issue be productive of good. From hence arise impatience, resentment, and secret repinings, which are not only sinful, but tormenting; whereas, if all things are in his hand, if the very hairs of our head are numbered; if every event, great and small, is under the direction of his providence and purpose; and if he has a wise, holy, and gracious in view, to which everything happens is subordinate and subservient;-then we have nothing to do, but with patience and humility to follow as he leads, and cheerfully to expect a happy issue...How happy are they who can resign all to him, see his hand in every dispensation, and believe that he chooses better for them than they possibly could for themselves!

~John Newton, 1725-1807

Right Road

2010-03-02T11:50:00.002-05:00

Knowing and doing what is right will take an individual a long way.

The wisest of all men, Soloman, said in Proverbs 16:8:

"Better is a little, with righteousness, than great revenues without right."

Always make it a point to follow the right road.

Have a great day!
Love,
Dad

Listen

2010-02-26T13:04:00.004-05:00

This is a powerful message that I encourage you to take 8 minutes to which to listen.

Jesus Shall Not Fail

Only Believe Saved Me

2010-02-23T09:00:00.005-05:00

"Only believe" Mark 5:36

It [self-righteousness] teaches sinners that in order to have true faith in Christ there are certain conditions that must be met. The doctrine goes like this: "salvation is by grace alone. It is not what you do, but what Christ has done that saves you. But before you can truly trust Christ and be saved, you must be terrified with conviction, you must weep and mourn over your sin, you must desire holiness, you must repent, you must long for Christ, you must come to see yourself as a lost sinner and then earnestly seek the Lord."

This doctrine may sound good on the surface, but it is only a roundabout way of preaching salvation by works. There are no prerequisites, no conditions, qualifications to be met by sinners before they trust Christ. The gospel of Christ is addressed to sinners as sinners, not awakened sinners, not sensible sinners, not convicted sinners, not lost sinners, not repentant sinners - just sinners! God does not command sinners to feel a certain way, experience something or come to realize something about themselves. God commands sinners to "believe on his Son, Jesus Christ." The moment a preacher places any condition or qualification of any kind upon the sinner before he can trust Christ and be saved, he ceases to preach a gospel of pure grace. Repentance, conviction of sin, lamentation and sorrow over sin are not prerequisites for coming to Christ and trusting him. These things do not precede faith. They are the results of faith (Zech. 12:10; John 16:7-14).

Read John 3:11-21

An excerpt from Grace for Today, Don Fortner, February 23.

(bold emphasis mine)

Thoughts

2010-02-22T20:26:00.003-05:00

There are many places where we are not permitted to travel.

Here are some thoughts that we should never experience:

1. A negative thought is a down payment on an obligation to fail.

2. Complaining is the refuge of those who have no self-reliance.

3. People who have not set a worthwhile purpose in life are easy prey for anxiety.

4. The worst bankruptcy is the person who lost enthusiasm.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds), casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience shall be made full.
(2 Corinthians 10:3-6)

To Whom Will You Liken Me?

2010-02-19T08:49:00.002-05:00

Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? Who hath directed the Spirit of Jehovah, or being his counsellor hath taught him? With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed to him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are accounted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing. And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt-offering. All the nations are as nothing before him; they are accounted by him as less than nothing, and vanity. To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him? The image, a workman hath cast it, and the goldsmith overlayeth it with gold, and casteth for it silver chains. He that is too impoverished for such an oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a skilful workman to set up a graven image, that shall not be moved. Have ye not known? have yet not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he that sitteth above the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in; that bringeth princes to nothing; that maketh the judges of the earth as vanity. Yea, they have not been planted; yea, they have not been sown; yea, their stock hath not taken root in the earth: moreover he bloweth upon them, and they wither, and the whirlwind taketh them away as stubble. To whom then will ye liken me, that I should be equal to him? saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and see who hath created these, that bringeth out their host by number; he calleth them all by name; by the greatness of his might, and for that he is strong in power, not one is lacking. Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from Jehovah, and the justice due to me is passed away from my God? Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard? The everlasting God, Jehovah, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary; there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to him that hath no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.
(Isaiah 40:12-31)

True Heart Faith

2010-02-17T10:40:00.003-05:00

"With the heart man believeth" Romans 10:10

Thus saith Jehovah: Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from Jehovah. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed is the man that trusteth in Jehovah, and whose trust Jehovah is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, that spreadeth out its roots by the river, and shall not fear when heat cometh, but its leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it? I, Jehovah, search the mind, I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings. As the partridge that sitteth on eggs which she hath not laid, so is he that getteth riches, and not by right; in the midst of his days they shall leave him, and at his end he shall be a fool. A glorious throne, set on high from the beginning, is the place of our sanctuary. O Jehovah, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be put to shame. They that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken Jehovah, the fountain of living waters. Heal me, O Jehovah, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise. (Jeremiah 17:5-14)

"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus; and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." This is the one thing that is essential: you must believe in thine heart. I urge you to "examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith." I would do nothing to rob any true believer of the joy of confident assurance. But I must warn all men to guard against religious presumption. It is Satan's cheap counterfeit.

False faith can be very deceptive. False faith produces good works. It excites the emotions. It reforms the outward life. It performs deeds of religion. It causes sorrow for sin. It speaks well of Christ. It does works of charity. It trembles under the preaching of the gospel. False faith gains high offices in the church. It secures peace of mind. It walks in the company of great preachers. False faith even holds out to the Day of Judgment (Matt. 7:22-23). My friend, beware of false faith! Remember Lot's wife, Judas, Simon, Demas and Diotrephes. Be not numbered among them.

True faith is the heart knowledge of, trust in and submission to the Lord Jesus Christ. God has revealed Christ to us in the gospel, by which we know our desperate need and his saving power and fairness. Trusting Christ alone as our all-sufficient Savior, we commit ourselves, boy and soul, to him. And where there is true faith, there is the submission of heart to Christ as our sovereign Lord and King. This faith comes not by heredity, nor by the logic and persuasiveness of the preacher. It is the gift of God. Christ is revealed in the heart by the Holy Spirit.

This heart faith can be known by those who possess it. Have we believed? If so, we have firmly, cordially and voluntarily received Christ in all his offices. To them that believe, Christ is precious. Heart faith purifies the heart and weans it from the world. Heart faith works by love, lives in hope and rests in Christ. This is true faith. This is heart faith. Forsaking all I take Him.

Grace for Today by Don Fortner for February 17.

Presidents

2010-02-16T10:55:00.003-05:00

Back to school after a long weekend. Hope that you enjoyed yourself. Monday was President's Day. Was this created only to give federal employees and school children additional time off?

Although the day set aside for Presidents is for all of them, usually we only think of Lincoln and Washington. Both of them had a high regard for God and His Word.

Abraham Lincoln: "I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book."

George Washington: "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible."

Shouldn't our regard for the Bible be as high as these two great leaders?

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

Real Love

2010-02-12T12:50:00.003-05:00

This Sunday we observe Valentine's Day. I wonder if this wasn't created by the florists and card companies? On this day, individuals will usually express some feelings toward another with flowers, cards, and/or gifts. It is a shame that some only express their love on this special day of the year.

In reality, what is love?
-It's more than the exchange of cards and gifts.
-It's more than an occasional verbal "I love you."
-It's more than a physical relationship.

According to Webster's, "love" is:
"a strong affection for or attachment or devotion to a person or persons."

True love has no limits, it only looks for outlets.

I'm afraid that we have been deceived (by TV, books, movies, music, etc.) into thinking that love is strictly physical and emotional attachment.

Love is selfless and not personal gratification.
-It is giving and not taking.
-It is seeking the welfare and betterment of the one(s) loved.

The greatest display of true love is, of course, Christ!
-He willingly gave up His eternal glory to become flesh.
-He subjected Himself willingly to the role of a servant.
-He purposefully and deliberately gave Himself to the pains of suffering and death.

That's real love!

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

Generosity of America

2010-02-10T00:39:00.001-05:00

The authors of Hillsdale College's mission "proclaimed themselves 'grateful to God for the inestimable blessings resulting from the prevalence of civil and religious liberty and intelligent piety in the land, and believing that the diffusion of sound learning is essential to the perpetuity of these blessings.'

...Ransom Dunn did not raise funds for Hillsdale by appealing to donors' guilt, or by urging them to 'give back' to society. Instead, he appealed to their ideals and aspirations, their religious principles, and their desire to create an institution of learning in the upper Midwest.

...the tradition of private generosity in America has always been central to our free society. Voluntary donations from the farm families of the Midwest made it possible for Hillsdale to be independent, which in turn gave Hillsdale the freedom to challenge prevailing cultural and political wisdom. Following another private institution, Oberlin, Hillsdale was the second American college to grant four-year liberal-arts degrees to women. Founded at a time when Michigan public schools were officially segregated by race, Hillsdale was also the first American college to prohibit in its charter any discrimination on the basis of race, religion or sex. Without the indepedence that comes from private support, Hillsdale would not have been able to provide this leadership.

...Private support has continued to sustain Hillsdale's independence by enabling it to forego state and federal government support altogether."

"The Generosity of America" by Adam Meyerson appearing in the January 2010 edition of Imprimis.

Read the article in its entirety here.

We have been the grateful recipients of this monthly publication of Hillsdale College for many years. It is now touted by Rush Limbaugh. I highly recommend you follow the article link above to sign up for your own free subscription. You will not be disappointed.

What Love Is

2010-02-09T09:51:00.003-05:00

Whatever an individual truly is will manifest itself by words and actions. The normal pattern of behavior of a person is the evidence of what is inside.

If there is love within a person, it will display itself by actions:

The apostle Paul says,
"Charity suffereth long" - love is patience.
In any relationship, if it is to remain, there will be patience. Patience in love is that ability to bear with the differences between those involved in that relationship. Each party will be slow in anger and not hasty in revenge.
"Charity is kind" - love is displayed with a liberal desire for good to the one loved. Kindness is not limited only to gifts but also with words and actions.

The matter of love is an ongoing and on-growing relationship.

Have a good day!
Love,
Dad

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And if I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing. Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known. But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:1-13)

Pit of Despair

2010-02-04T10:47:00.006-05:00

Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, And thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall overwhelm me, And the light about me shall be night; Even the darkness hideth not from thee, But the night shineth as the day: The darkness and the light are both alike to thee. (Psalms 139:7-12)

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Over the past few years, I have enjoyed the music of Andrew Peterson, who is an artist after my own taste. (His "Behold the Lamb of God" album is listed on the right margin.) Below you will find a selection of a recent post to his blog that I found particularly rewarding. You can find his blog at The Rabbit Room .

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The Pit of Despair, or, A New Lament
By Andrew Peterson

The oldest song on my new album is also the title track.

I wrote it in Pennsylvania in 2008, after spending a few days at Lancaster Bible College, a fine establishment that flew me in to talk to the students about writing and to put on a concert with the Captains Courageous the next day. (Psst! Lancaster! I had a great time and would love to come back.)

So there I was in Lancaster, feeling as sorry for myself as I ever had, languishing in the hotel room alone, wishing Andy and Ben’s plane would hurry up and arrive. The road is, of all lonely places, one of the loneliest. There’s a certain thrill in the beginning of the trip. I love seeing the sights, exploring new towns, feeling for a while like an observer of life rather than a liver of one. Of course, that’s a dangerous place to be.

Soon the excitement fades, and before you know it every face you see is a reminder of the faces you left behind. Every house looks sad. You start paying attention to the weather in your hometown. My heart literally aches sometimes when I hear my children’s voices on the phone. Along with the homesickness, on this particular trip I was shadowboxing some old familiar demons. I’m susceptible to a particular set of lies, voices that ring in my ears, voices that would have me believe a thousand things of myself and my God other than the truth to which I cling. When my faith falters and I forget my God, when I forget that his undying love now stands guard against all condemnation, I hold myself in contempt. I can hardly look in the mirror because all I see is sin, sin, sin. All I see is a fool. I see a failure.
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Click here to read the rest of this post, including the lyrics to the resulting song.