Tried With Fire

My thankful list for this week: ~ The mocking bird who perches on the chimney and sings his heart out to his Creator. ~ Rain after a dry spell. ~The sweet scent of the gardenia bushes. ~ My daughter is home!  It's so nice to talk, laugh, and fellowship together. ~ The evening of worship on Sunday.  I'm thankful for the freedom to gather and praise the Lord through song. It was wonderful to hear the saints joining together in harmony.   ~ The next generation in the church.  I'm blessed to know brothers and sisters 20-30 years younger than myself.  I'm encouraged by their zeal and energy and their serious desire to follow Christ. ~ Grace and strength for trials and that same grace and strength when every day seems so mundane. ~ Finally this quote from The Gospel Primer : The gospel also reminds me that my righteous standing with God always holds firm regardless of my performance, because my standing is based solely on the work of Jesus and n...

On Sunday, Pastor Ryan spoke on James 1:1-4.  Here's the  link to the full sermon, and a few thoughts from my notes: The testing of our faith produces steadfastness. It's not a test where we don't know the outcome.  Will we fail?  Will God ultimately reject us because of that failure?  No.  God allows trials to test a believer not to see if He will ultimately accept or reject, because we are already His.  The purpose is refining. Steadfastness - endurance or perseverance.  So don't short change the endurance process.  Let it have it's full effect which is looking more like Jesus, specifically increased hatred of sin and increased love for the holiness of God. Points to remember: 1. An overarching biblical assumption is that the goal for the Christian is to be complete in Christ. 2. We are to experience trials if we are to grow. 3. When we experience trials we can look through the lens of joy and know the outcome. 4. God sends us tri...

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  James 1:2-4 "Inspired by words of John Piper: God is doing a thousand things in every thing He does...and by the people who have moved me with testimonies of God's faithfulness in the midst of deep loss."   Lyrics here .

Jesus, at thy command I launch into the deep; And leave my native land, Where sin lulls all asleep; For thee I would the world resign. And sail to heaven with thee and thine. Thou art my Pilot wise; My compass is thy word; My soul each storm defies, While I have such a Lord; I trust thy faithfulness and power, To save me in the trying hour. Though rocks and quicksands deep Through all my passage lie; Yet Christ shall safely keep, And guide me with his eye; My anchor, hope, shall firm abide, And I each boisterous storm outride. By faith I see the land -  The port of endless rest; My soul, thy sails expand, And fly to Jesus' breast! O may I reach the heavenly shore Where winds and waves distress no more. Whene'er becalmed I lie, And storms forbear to toss; Be thou, dear Lord, still nigh, Lest should I suffer loss; For more the treacherous calm I dread, Than tempests bursting o'er my head. Come, Holy Ghost, and blow A prosperous gale of grace; Waft me from all below To he...

Our church has been reaching out to several families over the past few years through a food pantry, free yard sales, and  other events.  This morning we held another new-to-you giveaway.  It was nice to see the same faces again and meet some practical needs in our community. Towards the end, one sister arrived looking for clothing for family who had lost everything when tornados tore through Gloucester.  We loaded her car with everything that was left for her to give to those in need in that community. I'm heading back to the church this afternoon for a rehearsal. The worship team will be leading an evening of worship tomorrow night. The songs will be a tad"livelier" than a typical Sunday morning. This is one of the songs.  I don't know if we will rock out quite as much as the original, but you never know. ;-)  Although my personal listening preference is more towards hymns and Indelible Grace, I like it.  I'll be cranking this in the car (as much ...

This week's list: My daughter is away for one of the summer weeks with her dad, so I'm thankful for the technology to stay in touch.  She's having a good time, but she said, "I miss you, and I miss Grace (our church)."  Naturally I'm glad she misses me, but I'm blessed to hear she misses her faith family too. I met my best friend for lunch yesterday.  Due to the busyness of life, we aren't able to get together as often, so every chance is very precious. We enjoyed our burrito bowls at Chipolte and had a wonderful time encouraging one another in the Lord.   I was blessed to hear of the hunger she and her husband have for sound preaching of the word and her desire to bring the gospel to bear in their family.  Very often we find we're on the same page in our Christian journeys.  I gave her a copy of The Organized Heart , and she surprised me with a copy of A Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent. I'm looking forward to reading this. I'm thank...

Check these out: What kind of theologian are you?  at  Nathan Bingham 's blog. Certainly, not mine   at the New Calvinist Gadfly . Theology does matter.   Rebecca  posts on 2 faulty views of the atonement  here  and  here . Through a glass darkly , a beautiful post by Whitestone  on living with cancer and yet anticipating heaven.

The Bible is the definitive word on heaven. But after God's word, I prefer an old puritan's thoughts on the subject rather than popular speculation. If we take away or separate that from Heaven, which a carnal heart conceives to be heaven, then that which remains is heaven to a godly man.  Carnal men fancy heaven under carnal notions.  They look upon it as a place where there is freedom from misery, and where there is a fulness of all pleasures and happiness. But both these - the pleasures and the happiness, the freedom and enjoyment, - they fancy in a way which complies with the carnality of their natural hearts.   Conceive aright of heaven.  Do not look upon it with a carnal eye, as a place of freedom from the miseries you feel and as a place of enjoyment of the happiness and pleasures you hoped for.  But look upon it as a place where you will have communion with God, enjoyment of Christ, perfection and fulness of grace, freedom from all sin and corruption a...

Several years ago pre-Doctrines of Grace, a book was recommended to me when my ex- first moved out.  At that point, discernment was the last thing on my mind because all I wanted was comfort and hope.  It seemed reputable and a bestseller, which must be worth something.  W ell written and emotionally compelling, the book pulled at my heart strings. I cried buckets, and upon finishing, I was convinced that God was a lovesick Father. Deep down humanity was longing for God and deeply sorry for their sin. The last thing to do is drive someone away by talking about repentance and sin, so the key is to be as nice as possible and not offend in any way.  It certainly made me feel better, but it also gave false hope for reconciliation. In hindsight, I was banking on sentiment not truth. The book gave me what I wanted to hear and feel at the time. I didn't want to face the possibility of God actually ordaining my trial. I didn't want a God who doesn't give happy endings to hi...

From whence this fear and unbelief? Hast thou, O Father, put to grief Thy spotless Son for me? And will the righteous Judge of men Condemn me for that debt of sin Which, Lord, was charged on thee? Complete atonement thou hast made, And to the utmost farthing paid Whate'er thy people owed; How then can wrath on me take place; If sheltered by thy righteousness, And sprinkled with thy blood? If thou hast my discharge procured, And freely in my room endured The whole of wrath divine, Payment God cannot twice demand, First at my bleeding Surety's hand, And then again at mine. Turn, then, my soul, unto thy rest; The merits of thy great High Priest Speak peace and liberty; Trust in his efficacious blood, No fear thy banishment from God, Since Jesus died for thee. Augustus Toplady (1740-1778)  More on Toplady at Banner of Truth Thoughts on this hymn from The Wicket Gate Magazine

I listened to the 3rd chapter of Christianity and Liberalism this week.  Unfortunately these words starting going through my head: With God as our Father , brothers all are we.  Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me blah, blah, blah... Thanks to elementary school music indoctrination, generations upon generations firmly believe the fallacy of the universal fatherhood of God. (Click the link at your own risk or you may this song stuck in your head.)

Congratulations to Eddie and Tommy, providential winners of The Mortification of Sin by John Owen! Thanks to everyone who entered.  Stay tuned for more giveaways in the future.

We had an unexpected blessing this evening.  We got to meet Trisha and her sons, Inkslinger & Jedidiah!   Trisha is as lovely in person as on her blog, and it was like reconnecting with a close friend.    Our 2 hours of full, sweet fellowship flew by before it was time for us to head home.  I am so thankful to the Lord for His kindness in allowing us to meet face to face.  I hope and pray there will be more opportunities in the future.

This week's list: ~ God's handiwork in creation.  This is surprise plant. ~ A respite from the heat.  It was near 100 last week, so days in the low 80's are a welcome relief. ~ God's grace for another year of homeschooling. We finished Astronomy and History this week. All that's left for Algebra is the last chapter on conic sections. Spanish and writing will continue through the summer, Lord willing. ~ It may sound like a broken record, but I'm thankful for our church and specifically our small group.  Last night's meeting was refreshment for the soul in the middle of a busy week.  I'm thankful for brothers and sisters who share each other's joys and sorrows. ~ God's providence. Though plans may change unexpectedly, His ways are good, and we can trust Him. ~ This beautiful description of our heavenly reward from Samuel Bolton: I conceive then, that by eternal rewards is meant whatever ought to be the utmost of the desire of a renewe...

Two providential winners of John Owen's The   Mortification of Sin will be picked on Friday.  Enter the giveaway  here . Set your faith upon Christ for the killing of your sin, His blood is the great sovereign remedy for sin-sick souls.  Live in the light of Christ's great work, and you will die a conqueror.  You will, through the good providence of God, live to see your lust dead at your feet. By faith fill your heart with a right consideration of the provision that God has made in the work of Christ for the mortification of your sins.  By faith ponder this, that though you are in no way able to conquer your own disordered state, and though you are weary of fighting it, and though you are ready to faint, there is enough in Jesus Christ to give your relief! 'I can do all things through him who strengthens me' (Phil. 4:13). This helped the prodigal when he was about to faint; that there was enough bread in his father's house.  Even though he was a gre...

For by grace are we saved, and grace is no way grace if not every way grace. Samuel Bolton, The True Bounds of Christian Freedom , Banner of Truth Trust, page 160.

Here's a tutorial for an easy baby blanket: You will need: 1 yard quilting cotton  1 yard velour dot fabric also known as Minkee 1 pkg Wright's satin blanket binding matching thread 1. Pre-wash the fabric.  If using cotton or cotton blend, be sure to dry to pre-shrink the fabric. 2. Iron the cotton fabric. 3. Trim fabrics to 36 x 36 inch square. 4. Place wrong sides together. 5. Pin blanket binding around the edge.  (I used quilt binding clips rather than pins.) One side of the binding is slightly longer than the other. You'll want to have the longer side on the bottom as you sew so that edge is caught by the top stitching. 6. To miter the corners, unfold the binding at the corner and turn the binding 90 degrees downward.  To make the miter, tuck in the excess fabric to make a 45 degree fold in the corner.  Do the same on the reverse side and pin the folds in place.  (click on the pics for a closer look) 7. Once you have pinned the binding to...

Puritan Samuel Bolton's take on Jiminy Cricket's famous advice: The one type of man performs duty from the convictions of conscience, the other from the necessity of his nature.  With many, obedience is their precept, not their principle; holiness their law, not their nature.  Many men have convictions who are not converted many are convinced they ought to do this and that, for example, that they ought to pray, but they have not got the heart which desires and lays hold of the things they have convictions of, and know they ought to do.  Conviction, without conversion, is a tyrant rather than a king; it constrains, but does not persuade; it forces, but does not move and incline the soul to obedience. It terrifies but does not reform; it puts a man in fear of sin and makes him fear the omission of duty, but it does not enable him either to hate sin or to love duty. All that it does is out of conviction of conscience, not from the necessary act of nature.  Conscience t...

Christians, rejoice, and sing Your Maker's lovely praise; He is your God and King, Ancient of endless days; He lives, he reigns, and sits above, The King of kings, and God of love. No place can him contain; Immensity he fills; He measures with a span, The world with all its hills; In heaven he reigns your God and King, And will you to his glory bring. He saves you by his grace; O matchless grace indeed, That such a rebel race From sin and Satan's freed! His mercy, truth, and justice join, To make you in full glory shine. The time will shortly come, When you, with sweet surprise, Will find yourself at home With Christ, above the skies; With him to live, with him to reign, And never, never part again. William Gadsby (1773-1844)

This recipe is from the Hingham, Massachusetts Historical Society cookbook, Out of the Ordinary .   2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. ground nutmeg 1/2 tsp. salt 3/4 cup butter, softened 2 eggs 8-oz. carton dairy sour cream (full fat version) 3/4 cup brown sugar 1  tsp. cinnamon 1/2 cup chopped nuts of your choice Grease and flour a 13 x 9 2-inch baking pan.  In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg and salt.  In a large bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on high speed 30 seconds.  Add granulated sugar; beat well.  Add eggs and sour cream; beat until combined. Add flour mixture; beat on low speed just until combined.  Spread batter in prepared pan.  Stir together brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts; sprinkle over batter.  Cover and chill overnight. Bake uncovered at 350 F for 30-35 minutes until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Serve warm. Mak...

I think I've posted this before, but I like it.  Enjoy!

For this week: I am soooo thankful my daughter will be home this week-end.  Due to visitation swaps, she was away the last 3 week-ends.  God's grace is sufficient, but I still miss her.  When I picked her up on Sunday, she said "I get to be at Grace next Sunday!"  I'm thankful she misses her faith family and the preaching of the Word.  I'm looking forward to worshipping with her on the Lord's day. Sunday's sermon was on Eph 1:3-14.  We also discussed the text last night in small group.   Who can read these verses and not be thankful to our God? Blessed be  the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing  in the heavenly places,  even as he  chose us in him  before the foundation of the world, that we should be  holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us  for  adoption as sons through Jesus Christ,  according to the purpose o...

This month I'll be giving away 2 copies of The Mortification of Sin by John Owen.  This is the Puritan Paperback version which is slightly abridged and edited to help the modern reader. This work was written to encourage Christians to engage in a life-long battle against indwelling sin, even after having been brought to new life in Christ.  However, Owen believed this battle is not won by our own strength but by the power of the Holy Spirit. From the preface: I hope I may truly claim that my heart's desire to God and my main aim in the station in which the good providence of God has placed me is that mortification and universal holiness may be promoted in my heart and the hearts and lives of others, to the glory of God; and that in this way the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ may be adorned in all things.  If this little discourse may be in any way useful to this end to the least of the saints, I will look on this as an answer to the weak prayers with which it is ...

A few years ago, I borrowed a book on courtship.  I don't like criticizing something that tries to be well meaning, but the more I read, the greater my concerns over the attitudes in the book.  The author drives home the point on impurity (extent not specified) by comparing a person to used goods. Basically the argument is, "You've already been used.  Who would want that?" Therefore, stay pure or else. This was so not the gospel that I had my Matt Chandler moment . Inside I was yelling, "Jesus wants the rose!" and nearly chucked the book across the room, but didn't since it was borrowed. I whole-heartedly agree with fleeing youthful lusts and abstaining from sexual immorality, but this can easily turn into phariseeism.  We can become proud and complacent because we're doing it right .  Also how different is this from the prosperity gospel when the simplistic logic is: stay pure = happy Christian marriage, impurity = divorce or difficult marriage...

UPDATE:  Here's the  followup article  from World.  I like how they stress the importance of the local church as a necessary source of help and counsel on this issue. Has anyone read the World magazine article, Boy Meets Girl ? As a mom of a teen girl, the topics of dating, courtship, and marriage have been the subjects of some very healthy conversations. I do not advocate casual dating that's "I find you attractive with no more thought than the moment, so let's get involved, potentially physically, and put ourselves in the way of sexual temptation."  Neither do I endorse "Everyone else is dating, so I should do it or else I will look like a complete loser." Yet reading the article, it seems that the courtship model has it's own drawbacks particularly the pressure of all or nothing -- going from being completely uninvolved to being virtually engaged.  It makes me wonder how much of this paradigm is based on the myth of The One ? Since  I K...

Jesus is a mighty Saviour; Helpless souls have here a Friend; He has borne their misbehaviour, And his mercy knows no end; O ye helpless, Come, and on his grace depend. He, to save your souls from ruin, Shed his blood upon the tree! O ye needy, haste unto him; His salvation's full and free; Vilest sinners Shall his great salvation see. Whatsoe'er your age or case be, None can save you but the Lamb; If in prison, he can set free, And a  full release proclaim; He is mighty. And to save the lost he came. Yes, the very worst of sinners, Who upon his grace rely. Shall of endless bliss be winners; And shall sing beyond the sky. Songs of praises To the Lamb that once did die. William Gadsby (1773-1844)

When one considers what the public schools of America in many places already are--their materialism, their discouragement of any sustained intellectual effort, their encouragement of the dangerous pseudoscientific fads of experimental psychology--one can only be appalled by the thought of a commonwealth in which there is no escape from such a soul-killing system. But the principle of such laws and their ultimate tendency are far worse than the immediate results.  A public school system, in itself, is indeed of enormous benefit to the race. But it is of benefit only if it is kept healthy at every moment by the absolutely free possibility of the competition of private schools. A public school system, if it means the providing of free education for those who desire it, is a noteworthy and beneficent achievement of modern times; but when once it becomes monopolistic it is the most perfect instrument of tyranny which has yet been devised. Freedom of thought in the middle ages was c...

My list for this week: Early morning quiet and coolness. Time to read, write, and think.   The unexpected love and generosity of the body of Christ. Catching up with friends I haven't seen in over a year. Old letters by John Newton An excellent  book by D. A. Carson. Iron sharpening iron - isn't it good we're not all alike?

Trinity College Library, Dublin With the mountain of Christian books available, old and new, plus limited time, I want to invest that time as wisely as possible and read for maximum edification.  Therefore, here's my rough attempt at the book weeding-out-process.  This is still a work-in-progress, but getting it in writing has helped me think about how I choose what to read.   Talk to the pastor/elders and mature saints. Read reputable reviews from sources with sound theology, not just the gushers at Amazon. Identify the bones as best as possible with help from the above. Who's endorsing or raving over it?  If someone with suspect theology gives an endorsement, I am more inclined  not  to read it. Conversely, just because a big name endorses it, doesn't guarantee I will.  To be honest, if the book is wildly popular, I'm wary because I don't have much faith in the discernment of "Christianity" at large.  Who's not selling the book?  Pl...