Tried With Fire

Fact:  Happy Reformation Day! ht: Justin Taylor Fact: The Women of the Reformation  series starts today. Be sure to check it out! Fact: Yesterday was quite full with Sunday school and worship in the morning. We did Zumba for 2 hours in the afternoon to raise money for breast cancer research. The evening ended with a church fellowship at our pastor's house including hot dogs, 'smores, and singing around the fire pit. In honor of reformation day, we sang A Mighty Fortress is our God . Fact: We had a great time at the costume party this past Saturday. The Queen of Hearts' tart was beautiful and delicious. But you can't go wrong with Nutella and mascarpone mousse. I must  get that recipe as well as her pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Fact: The elves have discovered a new substance called polyester with which to make their cloaks. It's a derivative from Treebeard's ancestors and the long dead trees of Fangorn. Mr. Underhill Fact: It takes one skein of ...

For us the dear Redeemer died; Why are we then ashamed? We stand for ever justified. And cannot be condemned. Though we believe not, he is true; The work is in his hand; His gracious purpose he will do, And all his word shall stand. If once the love of Christ we feel Upon our hearts impressed, The mark of that celestial seal Can never be erased. The Lord will scourge us if we stay. And wound us with distress; But he will never take away  His covenant of peace. The peace which Jesus' blood secures, And fixes in our hearts, To all eternity endures, Nor finally departs. William Hammond (1719-1783)

In honor of my recent letter...

This is my 1000th post. So with this milestone, here's a little blogging history and thankful list rolled into one: I'm thankful for the internet and Google which led me to... The Spurgeon Archive in 2007. This was perhaps the hardest time in my life, and a friend (nonreformed, too) suggested I read some Spurgeon. His sermons and devotionals were nourishment to my spiritually starved soul. This site in turn led me to... Pyromaniacs which was the 1st Christian blog I ever read. Their posts were eye-opening and showed me how little I understood what I believed but spurred me to want to know more. I then started checking out their blog roll and ended up at... Timmy Brister's blog, Provocations and Pantings , at the start of the 2008 Puritan Reading Challenge, which shows the amazing providence of God. It would be an understatement to say that God used those dead guys to revolutionize my theology. I then started Tried With Fire mainly to record quotes from the books ...

Template  here .  Now go get a pumpkin. ht: Pastor Ryan

As when things are cold we bring them to the fire to heat and melt, so bring we our cold hearts to the fire of the love of Christ ; consider we of our sins against Christ, and of Christ's love towards us; dwell upon this meditation. Think what great love Christ hath showed unto us, and how little we have deserved , and this will make our hearts as pliable as wax before the sun. Josiah's Reformation , Richard Sibbes, Banner of Truth Trust, pg. 35.

We just came home from a Scentsy party. It was a very fragrant time, and now my nose is full of different smells. This reminded me of an old post I wrote after attending a candle party, and here it is. I went to a candle party on Saturday. This is one of those Tupperware-like product parties where someone opens their home to a salesperson to showcase their wares. Fragrance is a highly personal thing. One scent may appeal to one person but be disliked by someone else, so to accommodate those varied tastes, there were at least 100 different candle scents. There were fragrance lines that were devoted to a particular type of food such as coffee or baked goods. There were floral scents, seasonal scents, fruity scents, you name it. As I was thinking of all those candle scents, I began to think of some fragrance lines that you would never see in a candle. The Butcher Shop : T-bone Steak, Costco Rotisserie Chicken, Crisp Morning Bacon. The Fishmonger : Shrimp Scampi, Calamari with Marinar...

Please join my friend, Christina at Heavenly Springs , and other like-minded sisters as we look into the lives of the women of the Reformation . The series begins October 31, Reformation Day. Hope to see you there.

Fact: Our friends are throwing a costume party this week-end. Fact: Some adults enjoy dressing up as much as kids. Maybe even more. Fact: The hobbit in the house will need an elven cloak by Saturday. As Lady Galadriel and the elves of Lothlorien are busy this week, Mom and Jo-Ann Fabrics will have to suffice. Fact: For the LOTR obsessed, here's a collection of Middle-earth recipes . Instead of Frodo fingers (short, stubby bread sticks with a sliced almond on one end and a pepperocini ring on the other), we will probably bring a cheese ball with crackers to the party. Fact: These were a few possibilities for myself which were vetoed: The 95 theses/walking scroll, Arthur Dent from Hitch Hiker's Guide, and the 4th Doctor Who . Fact: But I have settled on: Jane Austen, but of course. Fact: I only need to figure out her headgear and work on my British accent. Have a blessed Monday! Visit Larri at  Seams Inspired , to join in the Monday Facts fun.

O what amazing words of grace Are in the gospel found! Suited to every sinner's case Who knows the joyful sound. Come, then, with all your wants and wounds, Your every burden bring; Here love, eternal love, abounds, A deep celestial spring. This spring with living water flows, And living joy imparts; Come, thirsty souls, your wants disclose,  And drink with thankful hearts. To sinners poor, like me and you, He says he'll freely give, Come, thirsty souls, and prove it true, Drink, and for ever live. Samuel Medley (1738-1799) Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Here is John Calvin's take on the clear-as-mud school of theology. Yet another example that there's nothing new under the sun. Do you remember what kind of doctrine candidates for the ministry learned in the schools? You yourself know that it was mere sophistry and sophistry so twisted, involved, tortuous and puzzling that scholastic theology might well be described as a kind of esoteric magic. The denser the darkness in which anyone shrouded a subject and the more he puzzled himself and others with preposterous riddles, the greater his fame for acumen and learning. From Portrait of Calvin , T.H.L. Parker, Desiring God, pg. 29.

I'm thankful for... ~ A beautiful, breezy autumn day. ~ An uneventful visit to the doctor. ~ Being reminded that God's sovereignty extends to every hair that falls or turns gray and every single cell. ~ Taste buds to enjoy sour cream chocolate chip banana bread. ~ Time to read and finish books. ~ Hugs from my girl. ~ A treat this evening. Fellowship over Mexican food followed by Matthew Smith & Indelible grace in concert. Here's song from his latest album: Redeemed, Restored, Forgiven (Sorry for the ads on the pop-up. I can't get the embedded player to work directly from Matthew Smith's site .) I hope your heart rejoices in being redeemed, restored, and forgiven.

Does your brain ever reach overload? Have you ever had too many thoughts so it's hard to concentrate on a single one? Well it feels like it's reaching that point for me, so I'm dumping part of the core. - We finished watching the 1981 BBC version of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy last night. It had it's funny moments but the world view is more depressing than Marvin, the android. The story is from an atheistic/evolutionary point of view so life is basically meaningless. There answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything is 42, which isn't very helpful. In fact, it's impossible to determine what the question is. So you live and die at the mercy of randomness. Or you get sent forward in time to where the universe ends or back in time and realize that rather than being a descendent of neanderthals, you're a descendent of hairdressers, middle management, and telephone sanitizers. I think I prefer the Westminster Catechism...

Fact: It's harder getting out of bed when the weather is cooler. Fact: But I did get up. Before the alarm. Fact: I often hear the squirrels leaping onto the roof from the trees and scurrying across it. Some days it sounds like they're either doing a tap routine or having a roller derby. Fact: I enjoy seeing the backyard birds. Last week we saw mourning doves, starlings, grackles, a brown thrasher, and a male Eastern twohee all within the span of 5 minutes from the kitchen window. We also had a red-bellied woodpecker and a hairy woodpecker at the sunroom window. Fact: We had a wonderful time with our small group last night. Dinner was baked ziti followed by smores and pumpkin ice cream around the fire pit. Thanks, Paul and Erika! Fact: Small group bonding reached a whole new level last night. Fact: I love these brothers and sisters. It is a blessing to be able to have fellowship, pray, cry  and laugh together. Believe me, there was plenty of laughter last night. ...

A refuge for sinners, the gospel makes known 'Tis found in the merits of Jesus alone; The weary, the tempted, and burdened by sin Were never exempted from ent'ring therein. This refuge for sinners his love did ordain, In Jesus the Lamb, from eternity slain; And if God the spirit reveal this to you, Take refuge in Jesus, though hell should pursue. The soul that shall enter in safety shall dwell; There's no peradventure of sinking to hell; The oath of Jehovah secures him from fear, Nor shall the avenger of blood enter there. Here's refuge for sinners, whose guilt shall appear As black as the confines of endless despair; Who, stript of all merit, wherein to rely, Are taught by the Spirit to Jesus to fly. Should conscience accuse us, as oft-times it may, Here's blood that can take its defilement away. In Jesus the Saviour, the sinner shall view A city of refuge and righteousness too. John Kent (1766-1843)

I've been pondering Sunday's sermon on James 4:13-17.  All that happens in our lives is the will of God as ordained by His sovereignty and carried out by His providence.  So our attitude should be "as the Lord wills" not just in our speech but in how we live day to day. But what happens when the providence is bitter? I think this is where James' theme of genuine faith comes in. Genuine faith isn't faith in a situation working out according to my plans. Genuine faith banks on the character of God, no matter what. Very often when we get good news, we acknowledge that God is merciful and good.  And yes, we should praise Him. But He hasn't stopped being good or merciful when it's a bad report. The circumstance may take us to the brink, yet His character hasn't changed. Genuine faith clings to the truth that "He changes not" even when the ground gives way. Here's a beautiful quote from John G. Paton. He became a widower twice and los...

This week's list: The simple, ordinary things of life - like a mug of hot tea and bananas in my cereal. My 17-year-old car. It needs a little paint touchup, but it's still reliable and runs well. I'm also thankful for a new set of tires. Finishing a sewing project last night - covering glider/rocker cushions for a soon-to-be mom. I'm relieved that I finished it before the baby arrives. Time to ponder Sunday's sermon. The privilege of praying for others near and far. Facebook and the Internet can be a time hog, but it can be used for good as an avenue of sharing prayer needs. Small group tonight. We've had great rubber-meets-the road discussions about the book of James. I'm looking forward to the fellowship.

The two randomly providential winners of The World Tilting Gospel are: Dave Erho and Becky Pliego. Congratulations!!!!!!  Thanks to everyone who entered. Also, thanks to Dan for linking from Pyro for the giveaway. For those who didn't win, buy the book. You won't be disappointed. Also stay tuned for future giveaways, God willing.

So I finished Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother . It was a surprisingly interesting and quick read. The author, Amy Chua, relates her struggles and successes with the Chinese parenting method in her quest for excellence. According to the author, high academic, professional, and artistic achievements are the only sources of true happiness. Therefore it's the mother's job to see that this happens through strict discipline and hard work. I found myself cringing at her battles with her youngest over the violin and was shocked that she would deem birthday cards from a 4 and 7 year old unworthy because they were not the result of best effort.  Chua makes no bones about her ambitions for her daughters and firmly believes her parenting approach is best. Even if they hate her for a season, they will ultimately realize she had their best interests and happiness at heart. But she's honest enough to admit she might be jeopardizing their relationship in the long run. In the end, there w...

Fact: I love books.  New, used, old, and falling apart. Fact: Theology takes up the most room in my little library. Fact: I read much less fiction but still enjoy a cozy mystery, preferably British. Tea, crumpets, and Colonel Mustard in the library with the large-print ESV study Bible. Fact: You never know what treasures you might find at the thrift store. The Twain is leather bound. Fact: Library book sales are equally dangerous. Hardbacks for 50¢  and paperbacks for 25¢ are hard to resist.  Yesterday I found Hound of the Baskervilles (not to be confused with this ) and a hardback, wonderfully worn, 1944 edition of  The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins.  This dictionary will also come in handy. Fact: I started reading Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua. Don't worry. I'm not reading this for parenting wisdom. Neither was I raised in this manner. My parents were not "good" Chinese parents according to this book, because the gospel chang...

In darkness born, I went astray, And wandered from the gospel way; And since the Saviour gave me sight, I cannot see without his light. So poor, and blind, and lame I am, My all is bound up in the Lamb; And blessed am I when I see My spirit's inmost poverty. I cannot walk without his might, I cannot see without his light; I can have no access to God, But through the merits of his blood. It makes me feel my ruined state, It lays my soul at mercy's gate; And Jesus smiles at such a guest; And cheers him with a heavenly feast. John Berridge (1716-1793)

I've been considering my mortality. Maybe it's because I'm older. Maybe it's because I know of saints who are suffering from serious illness. But our lives are a vapor. However long God has given us is just an instant compared to eternity.  Here are some thoughts worth considering by John Flavel: 1. The believer's living time is his laboring time, but his dying time is his harvest time. 2. The believer's living time is his fighting time, but his dying time is his conquering and triumphing time. 3. The believer's living time is his tiresome and weary time, but his dying time is his resting and sleeping time. 4. The believer's living time is his waiting and longing time, but his dying time is his time of enjoying that for which he has wished and waited. Triumphing Over Sinful Fear by John Flavel, Reformation Heritage, pgs. 95-96. Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also The body they may kill, God's truth abideth still His kingdom is for...

ht: A Cluttered Mind  via The Good Steward

This week's thankful list: A working furnace, blankets, and socks. Calmer days. Grace that can take a trying situation and change it to an opportunity for the gospel. God did not give me what I deserved nor what I thought was best for myself. The promise that we were chosen to be "holy and blameless before Him." (Eph. 1:4) These words from John Newton: I am not what I ought to be — ah, how imperfect and deficient! I am not what I wish to be — I abhor what is evil, and I would cleave to what is good! I am not what I hope to be — soon, soon shall I put off mortality, and with mortality all sin and imperfection. Yet, though I am not what I ought to be, nor what I wish to be, nor what I hope to be, I can truly say, I am not what I once was; a slave to sin and Satan; and I can heartily join with the apostle, and acknowledge, "By the grace of God I am what I am. "

From Richard Sibbes: This should teach us to labour for sincerity, to have hearts upright towards God; and then, he will send us men of a direct and right spirit, that shall teach us according to his own heart. But if we be false-hearted, God will give us teachers that shall teach us, not according to his will, but to please our own. We shall light upon belly-gods and epicures, and shall fall into the hands of priests and Jesuits. Where such are, there are the judgments of God upon the people, because they do not desire to know the will of God in truth. We see (Ezek. 14:3,4), the people desired to have a stumbling block for their iniquity. They were naught ['naughty', wicked], and would have idols. Therefore they desired stumbling blocks. They would have false prophets, that so they might go to hell with some authority. Josiah's Reformation , Richard Sibbes, Banner of Truth Trust, 2011 - originally published in 1629, pg. 4. This passage by Sibbes made me want to weep, be...

Having benefited from Dan Phillips' contributions to Pyromaniacs and his own blog, Biblical Christianity , I was eager to read his book The World Tilting Gospel . I was not disappointed. The Gospel turned the world upside down in the days of the early church, and that same Gospel is for us today. But sadly we have lost a right biblical view and reduced it to entry-level Christianity. While the gospel is not complicated, neither is it simplistic. If we don't have a right understanding of God and man, there's a good chance our understanding of the relationship between the two will be off base. So starting from Genesis, Dan examines who we are, who God is, and how we got where we are. He then moves us to the apex of redemptive history, the cross, and how God deals with our bad record and our bad nature. Following that, the book discusses the process of Christian growth, including distortions to the Gospel that plague the church. Finally, we're challenged to bring the tr...

Fact: It feels like fall with the temps dropping into the 40's at night. Fact: We saw our first bright red maple leaf when we left church. Fact: I made applesauce bars in honor of the cooler weather. Fact: Pumpkin pudding will be next. Fact: We had a neighborhood cat on our roof last week. The crow's were squawking like crazy, so I looked out the window. Lo and behold, a small orange tabby with a fat, almost raccoon-like tail was sauntering across the roof. I wondered if I would need to call the fire department, but it shimmied down the sweet gum near the house. The kitty came back yesterday, hopped onto the deck railing, and kept staring at the roof as if it wanted to climb up there again. Fact: It's ragweed time. (achoo!) Fact: I'm slowly finishing my unfinished books. I want to start another one probably by a Puritan dead guy. Fact:  Looking at my modest library, I have more books than I will read in my lifetime. I really need to stop buying anymore, bu...

Lord, we plead with thee for pardon; Who can need it more than we? Make us as a watered garden! Fruitful let thy people be; 'Tis thy pleasure That thy people live to thee. Keep us in a world of sorrow; When we call, O hear our prayer! Let us trust thee for the morrow, Free from boasting, free from care; When we trust thee, Truly happy then we are. Thomas Kelly (1769-1855)

I was mowing the yard today and found some surprises. (Click the pics for a better view.) Wild cyclamen growing in a rather neglected flower bed Moths on the blue mistflower