Tried With Fire

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, for he said, "Till now the Lord has helped us."  1 Samuel 7:12 2010 was a very full year.  At the end of '09, there was a certain amount of trepidation not knowing what the coming year would hold.  But there was no reason to fear.  In each circumstance, I had another opportunity to trust God rather than resort to the fear and anxiety that had been my default. To testify to His faithfulness, here are a few of my Ebenezer's for 2010: Our old house went on sale in January in a market with an 8-month glut of homes.  God gave us a contract towards the end of March.  This was without a doubt His kindness, because there are several homes in both our old and new neighborhoods that are still for sale.  We found our new home in less than a week,  moved in by the end of April, and are loving living here. My last court date was in July.  Even though ...

Tim Hawkins on prayer...

Not for my righteousness For I have none, But for his mercy's sake, Jesus, God's Son, Suffered on Calvary's tree -  Crucified with thieves was he -  Great was his grace to me, His wayward one. The two charges leveled against Jesus were blasphemy (that he had made Himself equal with God) and  treason (that He had rejected lawfully constituted authority). Why were these two charges so significant?  It was because these are the charges each of us faces before the judgment seat of God. In that court, I am guilty of blasphemy, because I have made myself rather than God the center of the universe. I am also guilty of treason, since I have sought to overturn His lawfully and graciously constituted authority over my life. Blasphemy and treason were also the crimes of Adam.  These are the age-old crimes of which every one of us - old and young, rich and poor, wise and simple, famous and infamous - stands accused.  We are on the same charge sheet.  We are all ...

I'm thankful for safe travel on Monday to bring my daughter home.  She's under the weather with the all-to-common cold, so I'm am very grateful we live in an era of Puffs, not in the era of handkerchiefs.  I'm so glad to have her home that it's a joy to take care of her in her sneezy and coughing state. I'm thankful for time to pray and consider the coming year.  There are areas in my life in need of discipline and prioritizing.  But I'm looking forward to tackling these issues and seeing what God's enabling grace will do.

My God has chosen me,  Though one of nought, To sit beside my King In heaven's court. Hear what my Lord has done O, the love that made him run To meet his erring son! This has God wrought. Until you have come to the end of the journey home to faith in Jesus Christ, it is likely that all you expect deep down from Christ is punishment.  But when the prodigal makes the journey, he discovers a family party.   The Gospels contain a number of references to celebrations and parties.  This is wonderfully expressive of Jesus' view of what it means to belong to the kingdom of God, to the fellowship of His people, and to the church that He was beginning to build.  We are invited to a celebration.  Yes, there is another side to the Christian life, and it is expressed here - deep sorrow for sin, repentance, and costly grace.  But joy in forgiveness is always there. The Christian life may appear form the outside to be a very sober way.  It is, in many respects...

(I stayed up quite late Christmas Eve so I could finish this book.   By Grace Alone is a warm, doctrinally rich book that clearly explains the facets of the grace of God as seen in the Gospel.  Dr. Ferguson's inspiration is a hymn, O How the Grace of God Amazes Me , written by Emmanuel T. Sibomana, an African pastor.  There was so much here that encouraged my soul.  Therefore, I'll be posting a brief excerpt from the 7 chapters, each based on a stanza of this hymn.) O how the grace of God Amazes me! It loosed me from my bonds And set me free! What made it happen so? His own will, this much I know, Set me, as now I show, At liberty How, then, does Christ set us free? John had answered that question earlier, in the most famous verse in his Gospel.  This God, this Father, so loved the world, this world in its sinfulness and bondage, that He sent His only Son into it.  He had only one Son, but He sent Him to die on a cross in order to save everyone who beli...

10 inches of snow After nearly 24 hours of snowing, I'm finally digging out.  We had a total of 10 inches by the front door, higher in other spots with drifting.  This may be small potatoes for other parts of the country, but this storm may have set a record in our neck of the woods.  After clearing off the car this morning, I drove very very slowly to the closest main roads.  Our street is 2-3 inches of packed slush, ice, and snow, but in 2nd gear I was able to safely navigate the few blocks out of the neighborhood.  The main roads are mostly clear, and the highway should be fine, thanks to a report from a neighborly police officer. Therefore, I will be venturing out this afternoon to get my daughter!  She is starting to come down with something, so I will glad to have her home to give her some TLC.  The sun is shining right now which will help to melt the ice. But we should enjoy the snow while we can as this week-end will be in the 50's! Yeste...

It's been snowing since last evening.  When I retrieved the shovel from the shed an hour ago, the snow was 6-7 inches deep on the ground.  The worship service was cancelled this morning, so I am at home reading the word and hymns.  I'm also resisting the temptation to grumble because my daughter won't be coming home today due to the road conditions.  I also pray the roads will be clear enough to get her tomorrow. As I was looking out the window and watching the snow get deeper and deeper, I remembered this verse from Psalm 148: Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy winds fulfilling his word! God is sovereign over this snow storm.  He could have easily sent it tonight rather than last night or not at all, but it's snowing like crazy to fulfill His word. So rather than indulge in a bout of sinful complaining, which won't change the weather, bring her home any sooner, or help my attitude, ...

Jesus, the Lord, my Saviour is, My Shepherd, and my God; My light, my strength, my joy, my bliss; And I his grace record. What e'er I need in Jesus dwells, And there it dwells for me; 'Tis Christ my earthen vessel fills With treasures rich and free. Mercy and truth and righteousness, And peace, most richly meet In Jesus Christ, the King of grace, In whom I stand complete. As through the wilderness I roam, His mercies I'll proclaim; And when safely reach my home, I'll still adore His name, "Worthy the Lamb," shall be my song, "For he for me was slain;" And with me all the heavenly throng Shall join, and say, "Amen." William Gadsby (1773-1884)

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder:  and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God,  The everlasting Father,  The Prince of Peace.   Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.   Isaiah 9:6-7 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days,  and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.     He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.     Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he s...

ht: Inkslinger

I'm thankful for much grace as my daughter is with her father this week.  It's been very quiet - just me, the bunnies, and the extremely large camel crickets seeking shelter from the cold.  (At midnight Lizzy made a huge ruckus in her cage.  I checked and found an untimely visitor in her little house, which I promptly dispatched.  I'd be very upset to find a giant bug in my bed, too.)  I've been able to get caught up with work and have time to read, think, and pray.  I miss my daughter when she's gone, but in one sense she is in her own mission field.  She may be the only real Christian her dad has contact with now.  It comforts me to see the visitation arrangements as God sending my daughter to be a much-needed light, because it's tempting to get a little weepy.  But she needs to have time with her dad as well, and who knows how the Lord may use her?   I won't be spending Christmas alone, because I'm going to Santa's house. Yes, Santa ...

Dear Brother,   Blessed be God for the news of a better world, where there will be no sin, trouble, nor defect forever! What shall it be--when the Lord shall call us up to join with those who are now singing before the eternal throne!  What shall it be--when all the children of God, who in different ages and countries have been scattered abroad--shall be all gathered together, and enter into that glorious and eternal rest provided for them! What shall it be--when there shall not be one trace of sin or sorrow remaining--not one discordant note to be heard, nothing to disturb or defile, or alleviate the never-ceasing joy! Many a weary step we have taken, since the Lord first drew us to Himself; but we shall not have to tread the past way over again. Some difficulties may remain--but we know not how few. Perhaps before we are aware, the Lord may cut short our conflict and say, "Come up hither!" At the most, it cannot be very ...

Regeneration and reformation are inseparable.  This spiritual renovation of nature in regeneration will infallibly produce a moral reformation of life.  This is produced by a creating act of the power of God, and it is applied into the essential faculties of our soul.  In regeneration, the creation does not consist in just a new course of action, but in renewed faculties.  It is thus called the 'divine nature' (2 Pet. 1:4).  Ephesians 4:22-24 describes the work of regeneration with respect both to its foundation and its progress. The Holy Spirit works on men suitably to their natures, even as the faculties of their souls, minds, wills, and affections are able to be affected and wrought upon.  He does not come upon them with involuntary raptures, using their faculties and powers as the evil spirit controls the bodies of those whom he possesses.   The true work of the Spirits is evidenced by a rational belief in the Scripture. The Spirit works by the mea...

From yesterday's sermon: John the Baptist did not declare, "See how great is your sin!".  No he declares, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"

Let us all with grateful praises, celebrate the happy day, When the lovely, loving Jesus first partook of human clay; When the heavenly host, assembled gazed with wonder from the sky; Angels joyed and devils trembled neither fully knowing why. Long had Satan reigned imperious, till the woman's promised Seed, Born a babe, by birth mysterious, came to bruise the serpent's head. Crush, dear Babe, his power within us, break our chains and set us free; Pull down all the bars between us, till we fly and cleave to thee. Shepherds on their flocks attending, shepherds, that in night-time watched, Saw the messenger descending, from the court of heaven dispatched. Beams of glory decked his mission, bursting through the veil of night; Fear possessed them at the vision; sinners tremble at the light. Dove-like meekness graced his visage; joy and love shone round his head; Soon he cheered them with his message; comfort flowed from all he said; "Fear not, favourites of th...

My daughter and I had a very interesting discussion yesterday about objections to unconditional election and limited atonement because they violated man's "free" will.  This is a paraphrase of her a few of her comments: The Biblical (and Calvinist) view of love is if you love someone that you want what is best for them, which is Christ, not necessarily what they think they need or want.  You told me when I was little that you won't give me whatever I want because you love me.   People say that God loves them so much He won't violate their free will.  But when you think about it, a "God" who won't violate your free will is not very loving.  "He" lets us have our own way, not what's best for us.  Is that really love?  Do we really know what is best for ourselves? Sure in the garden, Adam had the will to choose but he chose wrong before sin came in.  Do we really think with sin in us that we would be able to choose better than Adam? 

Nearly every reformed blogger and his/her brother has posted this video, but here it is again...

My "thankful Thursday" is late because I forgot it was Thursday in the busyness of life. I'm thankful for safe driving today.  We only had 1-2 inches before the snow switched to freezing rain, but it was no fun driving.  We saw several fender benders while we were out.  Thankfully the other drivers were crawling along, so we crawled along with them safely home.    I'm thankful for a quiet evening at home.  We decided to forego the small group Christmas party because of the road conditions.  I've been working more hours every day to catch up with my dictation, so it's nice to take a break this evening from the endless typing.  Curling up on the couch on a chilly night with a good theology book (Joel Beeke's  Living for God's Glory)  seems like the ideal way to end a busy day.  

Regeneration makes a new head for knowledge, a new heart and new affections for holiness ( 2 Cor. 5:17 ). This change cannot be made by human industry, but by the mighty power of the Spirit of God ( John 3:5 ).  Remember dear saints, the day the Lord took you by the hand.  O what moved him to take you and command your chains to fall off?  Admire the matchless love that brought you out of wrath.  He brought you into his palace on the day you might have been led forth to execution.  Be wholly his and do not think lightly of sin. Thomas Boston (1676-1732), Human Nature In Its Forefold State , pp. 59-181, from Voices from the Past , Banner of Truth, page 351.

Issued by The National Weather Service Wakefield, VA 4:01 am EST, Thu., Dec. 16, 2010 ... WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 PM EST THIS EVENING... A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 PM EST THIS EVENING. * ACCUMULATION... 3 TO 6 INCHES OF SNOW. * ICE AMOUNTS... A TRACE TO ONE TENTH OF AN INCH OF ICE IS POSSIBLE... MAINLY LATE THIS AFTERNOON INTO EVENING. * TIMING: SNOW WILL BEGIN BY MID MORNING WEST OF I-95... PUSHING INTO EASTERN VIRGINIA BY MID TO LATE MORNING... AND CONTINUING INTO EARLY THIS EVENING. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW... SLEET... AND ICE ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE. We'll see if this occurs today.  We are snow wimps here in VA, so this forecast is a big deal for us.  Many school systems have already closed even though there hasn't been a single flake from the sky.  Most groce...

Congratulations, Inkslinger!  You've providentially won the Messiah CD set. I just sent you an email (via your mom). Thanks to everyone who entered.  Stay tuned for more giveaways in the new year.

Just imagine: Jesus grows up as a carpenter in Galilee.  Then, when he is thirty or so years old, he begins to teach as a Jewish rabbi.  His disciples are all Jews, and they have been taught from childhood that there is only one God, and they should worship God alone.  They should never worship idols, certainly never worship a mere man.  Somehow, during the next three years or so, all these Jewish disciples, and many more people besides, are convinced that Jesus is God and deserves to be worshipped as God.  They have known him intimately as a man, have walked and talked and eaten with him; yet, they have come to worship him.  That is quite an amazing thing. Salvation Belongs to the Lord - An Introduction to Systematic Theology by John M. Frame, P&R Publishing, page 131.

  Snow is so rare that even flurries are exciting.  It's not sticking to the roads, but it's starting to cover the yard.  It will probably be gone by tomorrow, but at least we can enjoy it today.

When we were in Manhattan last week, I noticed a very unusual vehicle that stood out amid the Christmas decorations. It was the Chabad Lubavitch Mitzvah Tank .  This is part of a campaign to seek out American Jews and encourage them to do mitzvah, which means: “commandment”. A mitzvah is one of the 613 divine instructions to the Jew contained in the  Torah . The word also means “connection”: a deed that connects the human being who performs it with  G-d , who commanded it. As a connection between man and G-d, as a bridge between Creator and creation, a mitzvah is a deed of cosmic significance, a deed of infinite value unto itself.   [And] a single person performing a single mitzvah, could be the deed that tips the scales and brings redemption to the entire world and all creation.  The tank also proclaimed "Moshiach is coming now!"  Being curious about what this meant, I found   that Moshiach is a leader who will redeem mankind from me...

From my notes on today's sermon: Can you imagine what it would be like if the very last word from God was the law given through Moses? That was it.  Nothing more.  We would have no other hope than trying to keep the law perfectly. But Moses did not have the last word.  The law was not the end. Grace and truth have come through Jesus Christ, the only One who can make God known to us. 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 bore witness about him, and cried out, "This is he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'")  And from his fullness we have received, grace upon grace.   For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth come through Jesus Christ.  No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.  John 1:14-18

Truth and mercy meet together, Righteousness and peace embrace; Each perfection of Jehovah Meets and shines in Jesus' face; Here the Father can be just and save by grace. What a field of consolation! Here no jarring notes are found; Zion has a full salvation, And shall all her foes confound; Each believer Has for hope a solid ground. Justice has no loss sustained; truth remains in perfect light; Not an attribute is stained; All in one grand cause unite Saved sinners Must and shall in God delight. Here's a cord which can't be broken; O my soul, with wonder tell; God himself the word has spoken. Zion in her Lord shall dwell; And with Jesus Live in spite of earth and hell. William Gadsby (1773-1844)

I will be giving away a 2 CD set of Handel's Messiah.  This work is a wonderful blend of Christ-exalting scripture set to beautiful Baroque music. Leave a comment to enter the giveaway.  The giveaway will be open until Tuesday 12:00 PM EST, and I'll announce the winner that same day. Hopefully I can get this out in the mail on Wednesday so the winner can receive it by Christmas.   Thanks for entering!

1. Do you ever feel guilty about not finishing a book? 2. Do you ever feel guilty starting a book when you have one (or several) unfinished? 3. Do you read only one book at a time?  A few?  More than you should simultaneously? 4. Do you feel guilty about purchasing books?

Religious tinkering: "the joining together of seemingly inconsistent, disparate components.... What first seems like straightforwardly orthodox belief, such as the view that the Bible is inerrant, turns out to be a jumble of orthodoxy and more relativistic assumptions about truth, salvation, and civility." While God cares about our daily concerns, God's action in our lives is not as a butler or a problem solver.  It is much more expansive than that.  Indeed, at times we are called to activities that seem useless to us yet enter into the larger work of God's kingdom.  Ironically, while many Christian leaders helps to cultivate the culture of religious tinkering because it seems relevant and applicable, it is also a significant cause of nominal Christianity.  Self-centered faith quickly becomes small and dull, easy to jettison when another device for problem solving comes along.   If we want to expand the context of our Christian life beyond a narrow preoccupation...

I'm thankful for a safe trip home.  We unpacked and are settling back in.  Last year the trunk was filled with boxes of my dad's books that he no longer wanted.  This year we weren't as laden down on our return.  The bunnies weren't too sulky at being left home, the yard was not completely covered in leaves as I had thought, and we only found a few crickets who crept in during our absence for warmth. Even though vacations are nice, I miss the regular routine and responsibility. A perpetual life of leisure would not be my cup of tea.  So I will finish my morning cup and begin a normal day.  Small group is  tonight, and it will be so nice to be with the brothers and sisters again. As Dorothy said, "There's no place like home."

We will be making the drive back to Virginia this morning. Lord willing we will miss the Philadephia traffice and stay ahead of the Norfolk/ HRBT traffic back at home.  We've had a wonderful visit with family and hope to make our visits more frequent.  However, I miss home, too.  I'll have a big stack of work to do, but I won't have a house to put on the market and other complications waiting for me like last year.  So I'm looking forward to a drive through the DelMarVa Eastern shore and going home.  It will be nice to pet the bunnies, rake leaves, set up our tree, be with the brothers and sisters at our church, catch up with work and blogging, and just every day normal life.

This is the definition of predestine from an online dictionary: 1. To fix upon, decide, or decree in advance; foreordain. 2. Theology To foreordain or elect by divine will or decree.   For those whom He foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn of many brothers, and those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.  Romans 8:29-30 If the above definition is correct, and the verse is true (of course it has to be if the Word of God is inerrant and infallible), then is our being conformed to the image of the Son uncertain?  Is the outcome of our sanctification uncertain?  Is it dependent on the degree of our willingness or surrender or dependent upon God's decree? I think you know where I stand on this issue.  The outcome is certain because it is not dependent upon our performance or even our degree of surr...

We celebrated my mom's 80th birthday yesterday.  There were about 80 family and friends crammed into my cousin's restaurant.  My mom knew something was planned and that some family were coming from out of town.  However, she expected a small get together.  She was completely surprised to find her 3 sisters and 1 brother-in-law and a whole host of friends waiting for her.  The food was delicious and plentiful, but the best part were the testimonies from family of the Lord's grace in my mother's life.  Looking back, we can see God's hand of providence.  I am very thankful that she loves the Lord and has wanted her children and grandchildren to follow Him.  I'm also thankful for how God has used her in the lives of others. We sang Great is Thy Faithfulness at the celebration, because God indeed has been faithful to her and our family. Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father There is no shadow of turning with Thee Thou changest not, Thy com...

 Update:  With pics thanks to my sister's USB cable. We had a very full day in New York City.  We took the bus from NJ which brought us right into the middle of Manhattan.  After meeting my nephew, we enjoyed a yummy lunch in Korea town.  From there we went to the Empire State Building and viewed the city from the 86th floor.  The weather was very clear but a very windy 39 degrees.  It was fascinating looking out on the city, across the Hudson to NJ, and to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.  I did not look straight down. We then walked down 5th Avenue to look at the department store windows which were decorated for Christmas.  The Macy's displays were my favorite.  When we reached Rockerfeller Center, the tree was lit, and the skaters were skating in the ice rink. We then walked to Times Square and saw the famous New Year's ball as well as the huge billboards. I must admit that although the city is a fascinating place, ...

I'm thankful for the opportunity to give thanks every day this month.  Not that we should need a reason, but in the busyness of life, I often forget to stop and reflect on the goodness of the Lord.  Many thanks to Rebecca for hosting this 2010 November of Thanksgiving. I'm thankful that we are going to see my family.  My mom will be celebrating her 80th birthday this week-end. We will have a mini-reunion of family and friends.  It was supposed to be a surprise, but the cat was let out of the bag.  What my mom does not know is that her sisters (2 from Canada and 1 from NY) will be coming to the celebration.  My mom is a 2x breast cancer survivor, so we are very thankful for God's mercy to her. Lizzy at one of her favorite past times: shredding cardboard boxes I'm thankful for our friend Becky who will be taking care of Lizzy and Big Bun while we are away.  Small animals care is different from cats and dogs, so it is nice knowing that they are in...

I am thankful for unexpected and pleasant surprises. This week we are planning to visit family in NJ.  My sister called last night and asked if we wanted to take a day trip to Manhattan on Thursday to see my nephew.  It's been decades since I visited the city and my daughter has never been there. We are hoping to see the Empire State Building and other tourist attractions. As an added blessing, Lord willing we will meet Christina of Heavenly Springs ! When I learned we would be in NYC, I emailed her to see if we could connect.  We only have enough time for a quick hug and hello at the bus stop before we head back to NJ.  However, it will be wonderful to meet her in person.  To identify ourselves, we will be carrying these:

I am thankful for the reminder in today's sermon that the brightest light this Christmas is "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor. 4:6).  Why is this possible?  Because... 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.  John 1: 1-5

The God I trust is true and just; His mercy has no end; HImself has said my ransom's paid, And I on Him depend. Then why so sad, my soul? though bad, Thou hast a Friend that's good; He brought thee dear (abandon fear); He bought thee with His blood. So rich a cost can ne'er be lost, Though faith be tried by fire; Keep Christ in view; let God be true; And every man a liar. Joseph Hart (1712-1768)

I am thankful for the fellowship of sisters in Christ.  (Not that I'm unthankful for brotherly fellowship, but I think you know what I mean.) I'm thankful for my daughter.  I am grateful that she is my sister in Christ.  Day in and day out, we talk about the Lord, the Bible, and theology.  She is my sounding board, and she also isn't afraid to confront me about things in my life. I'm thankful for the women in my church. I'm thankful to get a glimpse into their lives, their triumphs and struggles.  They have blessed me so much, and I believe God will draw us even closer. I'm thankful for my mom and my sister.  We may not be 100% on the same page doctrinally, but we have Jesus Christ in common.  I'm grateful for the tie that binds us even though we're 250 miles apart. I'm thankful for my friend Sue, who I will be having lunch with today. She has stood with me through thick and thin.  I'm grateful for our closeness which has been forged with...

It's that time of the year again.  It's time to think about updating that long out-of-date family photo as well as pick out our Christmas cards. However this year, I think we will kill 2 birds with one stone, so to speak. Thanks to my friend Erika , I've learned about  Shutterfly 's Holiday Card promotion.  They are inviting bloggers to write a post about their holiday cards, submit it to Shutterfly and the reward is 50 free Christmas cards! Can't beat that deal.  (I have never used Shutterfly in the past but I was very impressed with the photo albums from a friend's wedding. ) It's been fun browsing through their web site and looking at the different styles of Christmas cards available including folded greeting cards  and  flat cards .  You can even make photo calendars to share pictures throughout the year with friends and family. I'm not sure which I like best.  There are so many styles to to choose from but I have narrowed it d...

I'm thankful for a cup of tea on a damp morning.  It's very soothing on a drizzly day.  I'm glad I raked the leaves yesterday even though a new batch has fallen to the ground with the wind and rain. Perhaps I will tackle them tomorrow if they've dried off by then. I'm so thankful that I am not shopping today!  It's not worth the hassle or the crowds.  Since we're celebrating the Incarnation after many years of not doing so, my daughter and I decided to give to others rather than each other.  (Such as here and here .) I have to venture out to take care of Gracie, the chinchilla, but the rest of the day I can be at home.  I need to do some typing for my job, and then I can crank out more words for my NaNoWriMo novel.  Just 12,770 words by the end of Tuesday and then it's done!

Moving in great discernment, it takes the owner of the cats less than 20 seconds to uncover the charismatic in the ranks. (Thanks to Reformation Theology for the video and the caption.)

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 1:15-22 I am thankful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I am thankful although I was once alienate...

Our church had a Thanksgiving service last night.  We gave away food boxes to families in our community and then had a brief service. Pastor Ryan shared from Col 1: 12-14 "giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.  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."  What a reason to give thanks! My daughter goes away this afternoon thru Sunday.  I'm thankful that we can have most of the day together.  I'm thankful for the work God is doing in her life.  She told me that she would not be where she is in her relationship with the Lord if she didn't have to go through this trial.  So I'm praying of grace for her as she is away and for opportunities to share the true gospel with her father. I'm thankful for the families who invited me to join them on Thanksgiving so I won't have to be alon...

I am thankful to be a debtor to the grace of God. What am I by grace? For all I now am - I once was not. Everything which is in any sense good in me - must be ascribed to the free grace of God.  Yes, with the holy Apostle I must say, "By the grace of God, I am what I am!"   By grace - I am a new creature, created anew in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has ordained, that I should walk in them.   By grace - I am pardoned, justified, and accepted by God.   By grace - I am united to Christ's person, and constituted a joint heir with Him.   By grace - I am God's child, the Holy Spirit's temple, and a part of the Savior's purchase. Grace called me, and grace made me willing to obey the call.  Grace washed away my sins in the blood of the Lamb, and washed my person in the laver of the Word.  All that has been wrought within me, all that has been conferred upon me, and all the good done by me - must be traced to the free and invincible grace of God!...

This may sound strange, but I am thankful for the times I have had to be alone.  I wasn't always thankful for the times my daughter is away - week-ends and split holidays, but I'm glad that the Lord has changed my attitude.  My time isn't always as profitable as I would like it to be, but my enforced solitude gives me a chance to read, listen to sermons, and most importantly to pray and think.  I now have my shuffle loaded with sermons and music for the drives back and forth.  Last night as I was driving to pick up my daughter, I listened to Behold the Lamb of God by Andrew Peterson.  I had a wonderful time of praising God for the Incarnation of the Son on the interstate. So if my solitude gives me time alone with the Lord, it is worth it.

I am thankful that I can be built together with a local body of believers. This morning Pastor Ryan spoke from Hebrews 10: 23-25 to encourage us to not forsake our hearts' commitment to the body of Christ.  This was a fitting end to the series on the Church, because our attitude about it shapes how we live.  If our view of the church is small, it will take a back seat to all the activities that seems to inundate the average American family.  If our view of the church is small, we will view our participation as a duty or even an option and not a vital part of our lives.  If our view of the church is small, what does that say of our attitude towards our Lord Jesus Christ who shed His blood to purchase His Bride? I am paraphrasing this badly, but Pastor Ryan said that we can hold to the Doctrines of Grace all we want, but we need to realize that perseverance of the saints can only happen when we are together.  God did not intend for this process to take place i...

Great God! from thee there's nought concealed, Thou seest my inward frame; To thee I always stand revealed Exactly as I am! Since I can hardly, therefore, bear What in myself I see; How vile and black must I appear, Most holy God to thee! But since my Saviour stands between, In garments dyed in blood, 'Tis he, instead of me, is seen, When I approach to God. Thus, though a sinner, I am safe; He pleads, before the throne, His life and death in my behalf, And calls my sins his own. What wondrous love, what mysteries, In this appointment shine! My breaches of the law are his, And his obedience mine. by John Newton (1802-1886)

I'm thankful for: An early start to Saturday. I need to go to Walmart, which I generally avoid at all costs on a Saturday, and few other places.  I'm glad I can get it over with before the crowds flock in. Time to do some serious writing.  There are so many things brewing in my brain.  It helps to get them out of my head and onto paper. Serious books about serious subjects.  Maybe it's because I have been doctrinally undernourished most of my life, I prefer straight theology over most books.  I am enjoying Salvation Belongs to the Lord by John Frame which is an introduction to systematic theology.  I will leave you with a quote from the book on what is theology and why it is important. What is Theology?  To known God is to know him as Lord and therefore to pursue knowledge of him in a godly way. As we come to know God, we recognize that he initiates our knowledge, that his Word is the ultimate authority for our knowledge, and that in knowing Go...

I'm thankful that we can homeschool. This was something we had decided even before my daughter was born, so we have been doing this from day 1.  Unfortunately homeschooling was a point of dispute during the divorce. However, God intervened on our behalf, so I am aware that this is a blessing not to be taken for granted. I am thankful that homeschooling enables us to deal with issues of personal discipline and character as well as academics.  Sometimes there is pressure to prove that you can provide as good an education as any public school.  But in the long run, who my daughter is as a person and a Christian is more important than an SAT score or acceptance at an Ivy league school.