Tried With Fire

(click to read the fine print) ht: Reformed Humor on FB 

I'm thankful for: ~ God's handiwork in creation. If it's so beautiful now, what will the new heaven and earth be like? ~ Backyard visitors. Every morning I hear the squirrels land on the roof and scamper off to get their breakfast. ~ Books that make me think.  ~ Sermons that make me think and cause me to dig deeper in the Word. ~ Answered prayer and Ebenezers. 1 Sam. 7:12 ~ Opportunities to be more transparent with my brothers and sisters. ~ Hope for what we do not see. Romans 8:24-25

I was printing my daughter's research papers on Monday, and then I realized it. We were done homeschooling. Thirteen years were over in what seemed like a blink of the eye. I believe educational methods fall under Christian liberty and should be decided by each family, but I'm thankful I was able to homeschool. It suited my daughter's temperament and learning style. She thrived intellectually and emotionally. She's grown into a smart, funny, sweet-tempered, talented, and lovely young woman. But the homeschooling road wasn't always smooth. We're very different people from when we started 13 years ago. My now-ex husband and I decided to homeschool from the time we were pregnant. I remember sitting at a baby shower, great with child, and discussing homeschooling with a couple we respected. The mom told us that sometimes those late night conversations over heart issues are more important than parsing a verb or solving an equation the next day. I filed that bit o...

I posted this two years ago in honor of Memorial Day: When my dad was a boy, his family immigrated from southern China to the Philippines. My grandfather was led to preach the gospel and plant a church in the Manila/Quezon City area on Luzon Island. World War II broke out, and the Philippines was ultimately invaded by the Japanese. An airstrip was hidden near their house, and my dad and his younger siblings would watch the planes take off in the morning. They could gauge the state of the war by how many took off and how many returned. It was a difficult and dangerous time. Meanwhile a top Chinese nationalist spy had been sent to the Philippines to gather information for the Allies. The Japanese knew he was there, so he was a hunted man in daily fear of capture and death. Somehow he knew about my grandfather. (But being a spy, he would know these things.) This man was not a Christian, but whenever he could, he would sneak into my grandparent's home and ask my grandpa t...

But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1 In the office of advocate, one man is empowered to plead for another before a judicial court when he has been accused by an enemy. Christ exercises the office of advocate when his child is found guilty before God of some heinous sin in his life and conversation. This is the time for Christ to stand up and plead for David. Can David's sin stand with grace? Is it possible that a man that has done as he has, should yet be found a saint, and in a saved state? Can God forgive him and yet be holy and just? Can the merits of the Lord Jesus reach a man in this condition? Here is the case of a man whose salvation, by his foul offences, was made doubtful. But now let Christ stand up and plead. David was afraid that God would cast him away, and the devil hoped he would. Satan charged him before God's face that he might get the sentence of damnation to pass upon his soul. But this was Da...

Volunteer raspberry This week's list: ~ Warmer weather. The roses and iris are blooming, and I found a volunteer raspberry by the shed. I had been cutting it back thinking it was a bramble when lo and behold! there were flowers one day. ~ Bittersweet good-byes. A family in our church will be heading to the mission field tomorrow. I will miss them like crazy, but I am thrilled that God has opened the door for them. Nicolette is the most outgoing, friendly, extroverted person I have ever met. As her husband described her, "God made her to share the gospel", and here's an opportunity for her to do that. I am thankful that if I cannot go, I can send and pray. ~ Wise friends who have helped me put social media/blogging in its proper place. ~ The Holy Spirit who convicts and turns my worry into trust and fear into faith. ~ Grace for each step of the way.

I've been having trouble blogging lately. It was a lot easier when I first started. No one read what I wrote except for a few folks wandering over from Calvinist Cartoons . I wrote what I felt like writing and didn't care what people thought. But it's different now. Lisa put her finger on it when she posted on the unspoken rules  of blogging. And with those rules comes pressure. Pressure to write well, pressure to be meaningful/deep/profound. Pressure to find your niche in the blogsphere. I don't like the pressure. But who says I have to abide by the rules that aren't really there? And as for fear of man, that needs to take a long hike. In the end, the only thing that should motivate me is pleasing the Lord. So in that spirit, I am turning over a new blogging leaf. No pressure. No feeling like I need to live up to a nonexistent standard. My daughter told me, "Don't feel like you have to maintain an image. Just be yourself." Wise girl, no? I don...

It's my turn to post at Out of the Ordinary: It's been a sad week. Two elderly sisters in my church went home to glory. I also learned that a dear friend of my grandparents died last month at the age of 104. These women fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. They loved God and the people He placed in their lives. They will be greatly missed.  As I was thinking about these women, I wondered "What was their secret? How did they endure so well? How did they persevere through the Great Depression, WWII, widowhood, and illness?" This led to another question. "How will I finish the race?" I'm on the plus side of 50 now. I could die today, but I could have another 40 years ahead of me. It would be easy to think, "What do I need to do to make sure I die well?" But that's probably not the right question. A better question would be, "What has the Triune God done to ensure that I will finish the race?" Read mor...

We'll be covering Philippians 4:13 tonight. This is a verse that is yanked out of its context too often - "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." But what are the "all things"? Here's D.A. Carson's take:  This verse is often wrenched out of its context. Paul is not claiming to be a kind of superman because he is a Christian and God is on his side. The "everything"in this verse is certainly not unlimited, as if Paul could be read to mean: "I can raise the dead" or "I can walk on water" or "I can show you how cold fusion is a practical possibility." By the same token, the verse should not be deployed by well-meaning but ill-informed church leaders who are trying to manipulate church members into doing something they really do not think they should do: "But Mrs. Jones, you can't say no to our invitation to teach ten-year-old boys, just because you've never taught a Sunday School class bef...

(This is the reading for May 18. But it seemed very fitting as two sisters in our church have passed through the  waters of Jordan to take possession of that land of delights without end .) We are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 2 Cor. 5:8 When death and hell are viewed in their darkest colours, if we have faith enough to see souls in heaven wearing their white robes, this is comfort enough, to know our souls do not die with the body. The soul's eternity is an indelible principle stamped on the souls of men by the finger of God. It is not surprising that he who has his soul too linked to the body, does not know how to die and hates the thought of the separation of the body and spirit. They hate to part with the body, which is their only blessing. But, regenerate spirits enjoy times of sublime reflections about heaven, and are willing to leave the body. John saw the saints in their safety and rest under Christ's protec...

Justification, moreover, we thus define: The sinner being admitted into communion with Christ is, for his sake, reconciled to God; when purged by his blood he obtains the remission of sins, and clothed with righteousness, just as if it were his own, stands secure before the judgment-seat of heaven. Forgiveness of sins being previously given, the good works which follow have a value different from their merit, because whatever is imperfect in them is covered by the perfection of Christ, and all their blemishes and pollutions are wiped away by his purity, so as never to come under the cognizance of the divine tribunal. The guilt of all transgressions, by which men are prevented from offering God an acceptable service, being thus effaced, and the imperfection which is wont to sully even good works being buried, the good works which are done by believers are deemed righteous, or; which is the same thing, are imputed for righteousness. Institutes of the Christian Religion  3.17.8 J...

We want ... a SHRUBBERY !

It's been a sad week for our church. Two elderly saints in their nineties, Edith and Marie, have crossed over Jordan and are now with their Lord. They were dearly loved by their families. They were dearly loved by the church. We will miss them. But in the sadness, there is much to be thankful for: - The perseverance of the saints as seen in the lives of these two godly women. - An opportunity to declare the gospel. - The love of the church as it surrounds and serves the grieving families. - The hope of heaven and eternity with the Lord. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come ...

Today we said good-bye to a dear member of our congregation. Edith was 90 years old. She loved the Lord. She loved her family. She loved God's people. Our pastor is in Uganda so his wife read a letter from him during the funeral service. There were many tears shed when we heard Pastor Ryan's words describing the love Edith had for his family. We could relate because we were all recipients of her love. When I first began visiting Grace, my daughter and I would sit towards the back in the same pew with Edith and her sister, Carma Lee. They were both widows and very close, so close that sometimes they would wear matching outfits to church. I remember one Sunday when they wore identical suits, a lovely fuchsia color if I remember correctly, but accessorized differently. Edith and Carma Lee looked beautiful. I thought it was the cutest thing when they sat next to me and held up their feet to compare shoes. I will always remember Edith for her commitment to the local church. Ther...

I sent my mom a card and I'll call her this evening to wish her a happy Mother's Day. But if I know her, she probably forgot that this was Mother's Day. My mom doesn't care about making a big deal of her birthday or anniversary either. She knows we love her. She treasures that we're one in Christ as well as by blood and that's what matters to her. As I've gotten older, I've become more like my mom in this respect. But there was a time when I would be hurt if there weren't cards or presents. I wanted and thought I needed that affirmation. But when things turned south for my marriage, when we were in the courtroom fighting over custody, those things didn't matter quite as much. When I came close to losing my daughter, sharing life with her in all its ordinariness became enough for me. Yes, cards and presents are nice, but I'll take her over them. I also realized that my worth as a person and a mom isn't based on any one's recognitio...

Call to me, and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3 The Most High is a God that hears prayer. Though he is infinitely above all, and stands in no need of creatures, yet he is graciously pleased to take merciful notice of poor worms in the dust. He presents himself as one sitting on a mercy-seat, that men may come to him in prayer. In our need he allows us to come and ask him, and he is ready to hear our prayers. God has given many promises to hear our prayers; the Scripture is full of such examples. He manifests himself to be a God that hears prayer. What is meant by God's hearing our prayers? Two things are implied. 1. He accepts the supplications of those who pray to him. He is pleased with them. He accepts the honour we do him by our praying. 2. He reveals himself to us by special discoveries of his mercy and sufficiency. While we are praying he gives us sweet views of his glorious grace and sovereignty.  He...

[L]et us remember, that the completion of the Divine mercy depends not on the works of believers, but that God himself fulfill the promise of salvation to those who by right conduct correspond to their calling, because he recognizes the true badges of sons in those only who are directed to good by his Spirit. To this we may refer what is said of the members of the Church, “Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart,” &c. (Ps. 15:1, 2). Again, in Isaiah, “Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walketh righteously,” &c. (Isa. 33:14, 15). For the thing described is not the strength with which believers can stand before the Lord, but the manner in which our most merciful Father introduces them into his fellowship, and defends and confirms them therein. For as he detests sin and loves righte...

No shortage of these in the yard... I'm thankful for sound sleep last night and strength for the days when I was running a little low. I'm thankful for help from the saints - a brother sweeping the tree debris off my roof and checking the bathroom ceiling fan so large creepy crawlies will stay outside where they belong.  I'm thankful for books that make me think. I'm still pondering passages from The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert .   I'm also mulling over Gospel Amnesia  - so much I could relate to in this one. I'm thankful for the Bible study on Philippians. I've been fretting in the back of my mind over an issue when lo and behold! - the text this week included "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Phil. 4:6) Anyone have this one all figured out yet? Our discussion helped me rein my thoughts back to the right place and see my...

It's interesting how our experiences cloud our understanding of God. I don't think it's conscious on our part but it happens. Because of the past, I've realized that believing I'm adopted by God sometimes seems to good to be true. So I'm posting about that at Out of the Ordinary today. You can read it here .

These lines have been going through my head. Is this good news or what? We praise the risen Savior who is able to present us Without an ounce of blame, with zero doubt or shame 1 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude 24-25 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 of his will, Ephesians 1:3-5 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 a...

I borrowed Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield on Wednesday and finished it by Saturday. It is the amazing story of the conversion of an atheist lesbian college professor to Christ. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down. She writes candidly about her struggle to come to faith and the complete train wreck it made of her life. She also tells of her transition to becoming a Reformed Presbyterian pastor's wife and their journey to parenthood through adoption and foster care. But I was especially moved by the process of her conversion because God used a means as simple and ordinary as friendship. Butterfield was befriended by a Reformed Presbyterian pastor and his wife. Ken and Floy Smith invited her to their home. They didn't ram the gospel down her throat, even waiting two years before inviting her to church. They were honest about their belief in God, His Word, and what it said about her lesbianism, but that did not d...

The spiritual person judges all things. 1 Cor. 2:15 Since Christ Jesus is the great prophet and teacher of his church, we may, therefore, discern and judge our doctrines by his standard. Christ may serve as a measurement to test them. As Christ is in his person, so are his doctrines. Every error pretends to come from Christ, but Christ was holy, humble, heavenly, meek, and peaceful, yea, he is contrary to the wisdom of this world and all the gratifications of the flesh. Thus, so are the truths he teaches - they have his character and image carved upon them. Would you like to test whether this or that doctrine is from the Spirit of Christ or not? Examine it by this rule: whatever doctrine you find to encourage and countenance sin, to exalt self, to be accommodating to the world's designs, and that bends to the humours and lusts of men, you may safely reject. Whatever doctrine makes those who profess it to be carnal, proud, and sensual, you may safely conclude never came from Jes...

The Lord does not promise any thing except to the perfect observers of the law; and none such are any where to be found. The results therefore is that the whole human race is convicted by the law, and exposed to the wrath and curse of God: to be saved from this they must escape from the power of the law, and be as it were brought out of bondage into freedom — not that carnal freedom which indisposes us for the observance of the law, tends to licentiousness, and allows our passions to wanton unrestrained with loosened reins; but that spiritual freedom which consoles and raises up the alarmed and smitten conscience, proclaiming its freedom from the curse and condemnation under which it was formerly held bound. This freedom from subjection to the law, this manumission, if I may so express it, we obtain when by faith we apprehend the mercy of God in Christ, and are thereby assured of the pardon of sins, with a consciousness of which the law stung and tortured us. For this reason, the p...

Contentment, Prosperity, and God's Glory by Jeremiah Burroughs, edited by Phillip L. Simpson, Reformation Heritage Books, April 2013, 144 pages. Oh, that you would apply your hearts to learn how to abound in what you have. It's a good sign of grace to be more concerned about how to abound than how to get abundance - to be more careful to use what you have for God than to maintain it for yourselves.  1 Jeremiah Burroughs (1599-1646) was an English congregational preacher and member of the Westminster Assembly. He lived during a time of religious and political upheaval. Due to persecution, Burroughs fled England for exile in Holland. He left his earthly goods behind and wondered if he would see his country again. In God's providence, he returned and was appointed minister to three large and prosperous congregations. Having lived through times of extreme want, he believed it was harder for the Christian to be content in abundance than in need. To encourage himself and ...

The problem with internet quote posters: ht: Cake or Death

I'm thankful for: April showers bringing May flowers. It's still cooler than usual, but I'm not complaining. The heat of summer will be here soon enough. New brakes for my old humble car. My daughter finishing her first college class this week. I'm thankful for the mind and talents God has given her. Small group. Each week I am encouraged by my brothers and sisters. Each week I marvel at how God has brought us together. Global connections. This month, my pastor and another brother will be teaching at a seminary in Uganda. A family in our church will be heading to the mission field in Europe. It is a privilege to be able to pray for them, support them, and connect with what God is doing around the world. My gospel identity. Healing from the past can only come from seeing myself in Christ - not in the eyes of any other person or even my own assessment of myself. How God has created me, who He has declared me to be in Christ, and who I am becoming through ...

I was thrilled to learn of the publication of Contentment, Prosperity, and God's Glory by Jeremiah Burroughs, one of my favorite Puritan authors. This was originally intended to be an appendix to The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment , which is on my top 10 list. In The Rare Jewe l, Burroughs taught his flock to be content in times of hardship. In Contentment , he sought to encourage his flock under different circumstances  - material prosperity. There's no question that we need to learn contentment in adversity, but compared to the rest of the world, we are those who carry the "burden that is in a prosperous condition." Here are some gems from this book. A review will be forthcoming on Friday, God willing. [I]t's better to know how to honor God with those good things I have than to know how I can get more. It's better to know how I might behave myself in the enjoyment of those good things God has given me than to know to get more of those good things....