Tried With Fire

The cult of celebrity in the modern West has infiltrated the church, so much so that we can seem to be presuming that the Lord is obliged to work or invariably will work when the right person or persons are present: get someone prominent to preach and people are bound to listen! But this is to forget, if not to ignore, that the Lord is not bound in this way... All too often there is mere capitulation at this point, a failure to ask what these men stand for, what they carry with them by way of endorsement or conviction (even if not openly stated in a particular environment) and - sometimes at least as importantly - what they will open the door to by way of association... [I]t is all too easy to suspend our own rational faculties when a word is perceived to have been spoke ex cathedra , wherever that seat of power may be. Christians in any [many?] circles readily go beyond the respect which ought to be legitimately afforded to proven men and become nothing more than children led a...

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Here's a shout-out to the ordinary Christians who have made an impact on my life. They may never write a best-selling book, be big-name conference speakers, or even have a blog that makes the top 150. However, they are faithful in little ways that count in the sight of God. I'm thankful for: My parents - God has kept them into their 80's. They love Him. They love His Word. They shared Christ with me. My sister - It's tough when you live far way from aging parents. I'm thankful for my sister's loving service to them. She's always been there for me, too. My daughter, my closest friend and my sister in Christ. My pastor who faithfully preaches the Word and shepherds the flock. The elders in the church - Their vision for the church is not about numbers and programs but about keeping us centered in the gospel for the glory of God. They've sacrificed their time and energy to serve this faith family, and I thank God for them The sister who coordin...

An accomplished and well-behaved young woman is an amiable object in the sight of her fellow-creatures. She may be sensible and obliging; she may dress and dance genteelly; she may play well upon the harpsichord; she may have much finer work to show than the coats and garments which Dorcas made; and, by her vivacity and good humor, she may become the idol of all her acquaintances; but, if she does not know her state as a sinner; if she admires herself, and is pleased with the admiration of others, while her heart is cold to the love and glory of God our Savior—if she has no taste for prayer or praise; if her mind is engrossed by the pleasures and prospects of this poor world—she is dead while she lives! In the sight of God her Maker, she is insensible and ungrateful, she is poor, blind, and miserable! When you were a child, I could observe in you, not only the sprightliness common to children—but indications of sense and mental powers above the common standard. Your character, I supp...

Like others have observed, in the good old days of blogging, you could write what you wanted to write without worrying about maintaining an image. Of course that was even easier when you were the only reader. I confess that lately I've worried about what other people think instead of just being who I really am in Christ, quirks and all. There's a time to be serious and a time for fun, but I never want to be anything other than myself in either case. If this is the heart of old-school blogging, then I'm going to stick with it. So to continue in that spirit, I am borrowing  Lisa 's idea. Here are seven things about myself that you may not know: 1. My sense of humor was formed (or warped) by Rocky and Bullwinkle and The Muppet Show . 2. My favorite article of clothing is an old UCLA hoodie which I am wearing right now. 3. I am an Anglophile thanks to Agatha Christie, Jane Austen, PBS Masterpiece Theatre, and Doctor Who. BTW, Tom Baker is my favorite Doctor. 4....

ht: Evil Darth Vader via Doctor Darth Baptist on Twitter ht: Kim's hubby via Diane on FB

I am thankful for: ~ Beauty in the ordinary. The last blue mistflower Crepe myrtle leaves Crepe myrtle tree ~ Friends who lend books.  ~ Relief from a lingering headache. ~ The little things in life that show God's grace. ~ A generous and loving God who did not withhold His only Son.

It's my turn at Out of the Ordinary in which I write about a subject that intimidates me - hospitality. I was recently convicted about my hospitality or lack thereof. I find it intimidating because I associate it with having a large home, a big dining room table, a love for decorating and cooking, and being an extrovert. Based on this ideal, which is largely a product of Martha Stewart phobia and Pinterest insecurity, I've failed because I don't fit any of those categories very well...  And this is where my problem lies. I've been focused on the outward and lost sight of what drives hospitality - the heart. Read more here .

In the spirit of old-style blogging, I'm linking to some previous posts from the past. Our house was invaded by mysterious intruders. When you were upstairs, it sounded like they were downstairs and vice versa, but there was no trace to be found. It was also no fun waking up in the dead of night and hearing something rummaging inside your house. I called the police on two separate occasions who found nothing. They may have thought I was a crazy woman who was hearing things, but in time, my ears and fears were vindicated. As to the reason why the sound came from below the 2nd floor and above the 1st floor ceiling? Our uninvited guests were between the floors. Here are links to our little raccoon saga because blogging doesn't always have to be serious. Things That Go Bump in the Night It Came From Beneath the Floorboards It's a Trap! The Raccoon Mystery I never found out how the raccoons escaped, and it remains a mystery to this day. We...

This is a slightly modified recipe from Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone by Deborah Madison, Broadway Books, 1997. You can vary the type of fruit depending on what you have on hand. The buttermilk gives the muffins a nice, light texture. Ingredients: 2-1/2 cups all-purposes or whole-wheat pastry flour 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp cinnamon 1 cup peeled and finely chopped apple (I used one small Cortland apple.) 2/3 cup packed brown sugar 2 eggs lightly beaten 1-1/3 cups buttermilk 1/3 cup canola oil or melted butter 1 tsp vanilla Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease muffin tins or use liners. Mix the dry and and wet ingredients in separate bowls. (I included the sugar with the wets. Don't know if that is proper baking etiquette or not. ) Combine dry with wet and mix with a rubber spatula until moistened. The batter will be lumpy. Spoon batter into tins and bake for 20-25 minutes. Makes 12-18 depending on how full you fill the tins. En...

I know not a better  rule of reading the Scripture , than to read it through from beginning to end; and, when we have finished it once, to begin it again. We shall meet with many passages which we can make little improvement of, but not so many in the second reading as in the first, and fewer in the third than in the second—provided we pray to Him who has the keys to open our understandings, and to anoint our eyes with his spiritual eye-salve! The course of  reading  today, will give some light for what we shall read  tomorrow , and throw a farther light upon what we read  yesterday . Experience alone, can prove the advantage of this method, if steadily persevered in. To make a few efforts, and then give up—is like taking a few steps and then standing still, which would do little towards completing a long journey. But, though a person walked  slowly , and but a  little  way in a day—if he walked every day, and with his face always in the same dir...

Seasons of the Heart: A Year of Devotions From One Generation of Women to Another , compiled by Donna Kelderman, Reformation Heritage Books, 2013, 416 pages. Seasons of the Heart  is a year-long devotional containing the wisdom of women from the past for women today. This book includes the writings of Susannah Spurgeon, Mary Winslow, Anne Dutton, Frances Ridley Havergal, Ruth Bryan, Anne Steele, and others. Although these women lived in different times under very different circumstances, they shared a devotion to Christ and a history of suffering, whether bodily or otherwise. Perhaps this commitment in the midst of trials enabled them to write as they did. This isn't a sentimental devotional but a spiritually meaty book. It reminded me of the Puritan devotional Voices from the Past , but with a woman's touch. These ladies weren't afraid to challenge their sisters regarding sin, holiness, and devotion to the Word. At the same time, their writings are full of gospel enc...

ht: Grammarly on FB

Yellow-rumped warbler ( source ) I'm thankful for: Brilliant autumn colors and crisp nights. Winter visitors -  yellow-rumped warblers and dark-eyed juncos. Microwave ovens and leftovers. Time to unwind after a busy day.  Writing just for fun .  Wisdom from my small group. They may not realize it but the sharing last night shed light on one of my  recent struggles. I love these brothers and sisters and how they encourage me in Christ. Grace that is greater than my sin.

"The superiority of a grown-up in Christ to his younger counterparts lies chiefly in the fact that the Lord has blessed his going to church, praying, listening to biblical preaching and receiving the Lord's Supper and has given him a clearer view of the greatness and majesty of Christ… He grasps the great mysteries of redeeming love and cherishes the One who took on human weakness in order to atone for his sin. He marvels at the stability, unity, beauty, and certainty of the Scriptures and frequently meditates on the height, breadth, depth, and length of the love of God in Christ for him. In fact, his greatest joy is to behold the glory of God in Christ, and as he gazes at the Savior, he is gradually changed into the likeness of the one he adores." Sounds a bit contrary to the Christianoid culture that seeks one emotional experience after another to compensate for the current one that has fizzled out. Who would have thought that grasping the gospel and "ordinary...

Newport News Victory Arch To the men and women who have served and are currently serving in the armed forces: God bless you and thank you!

Remember your exalted privilege—you have the Bible in your hands, and are not bound to follow books or preachers any farther than what they teach agrees with the Oracles of Truth. We have great reason to be thankful for the instructions and writings of spiritual men—but they are all fallible—even as ourselves. One is our master, even Christ—what He says, we are to receive implicitly—but we do not owe implicit subjection to the best of our fellow-creatures. The Bereans were commended because they would not implicitly believe even the Apostle Paul—but searched the Scriptures to see whether the things which he taught were true. May the Lord give us a spirit of humility and discernment in all things. A choice excerpt from John Newton

Why Christ Came: 31 Meditations on the Incarnation , Joel R. Beeke & William Boekestein, Reformation Heritage Books, 2013, 108 pages. Why Christ Came: 31 Meditations on the Incarnation is great little devotional that looks at Jesus' mission and ministry beyond what we typically associate with Christmas.  Drawn from both the Old and New Testaments, the authors highlight different reasons why Christ came such as: - to die - to give us the spirit of adoption - to bring a sword - to bring peace - to fulfill the law and the prophets - to bind up broken hearts - to be the second and greater Adam - to reveal God's love for sinners You may think some of these reasons would be better suited for Easter, but our salvation hinges on God becoming man. Thus, the authors do an excellent job expounding these far-reaching implications of Christ's birth. The readings are scripturally based and rich in theology and heart-felt devotion. This would be a wonderful resourc...

More mashups here .

I'm thankful for: - Tea bags. - The freedom to vote. - God's watchful eye over everything from election outcomes and devastating storms to the tiniest sparrow. - Daily strength. The time change wiped me out this week. - Knowing that God never leaves me nor forsakes me even when I feel spiritually dry. - Resting in what Christ has done, not in how I feel.

I'm sharing a quote by John Newton at Out of the Ordinary which I've also posted here. As I consider the years I've been a believer and how much further I have to go, his words perfectly describe what I want to be when I grow up: Much has been forgiven him, therefore he loves much, and therefore he knows how to forgive and pity others. He does not call evil good, or good evil; but his own experiences teach him tenderness and forbearance. He exercises a spirit of meekness towards those who are overtaken in a fault; and his attempts to restore such, are according to the pattern of the Lord's dealings with himself. Read more .

August 17, 1776 My dear friend, It befits every Christian to say—It is not necessary for me to be rich—or what the world accounts wise. It is not necessary for me to be healthy—or admired by my fellow-worms. It is not necessary for me to pass through life in a state of prosperity and outward comfort. These things may be, or they may not be—as the Lord in His wisdom shall appoint them for me. But it is necessary for me to be humble and spiritual, to seek communion with God, to adorn my profession of the Gospel, and to yield submissively to His disposal, in whatever way, whether of service or suffering—that He shall be pleased to call me to glorify Him in this world. It is not necessary for me to live long—but highly expedient that while I do live—I should live unto Him! Here then, I would bound my desires; and here, having His Word for my rule, I am secured from asking amiss. Let me have His presence, wisdom to know my calling, and opportunities and faithfulness to improve them; and ...

The Golden Years: Healthy Aging & the Older Adult by Christopher W. Bogosh, Good Samaritan Books, 2013, 136 pages. The Golden Years is a very practical book that tackles a topic many of us avoid -  aging. Author, Christopher Bogosh, draws from his experience as a nurse and a minister to offer counsel on growing old for the glory of God. He discusses the aging process, tips for healthy living, managing one's health care, and common and chronic health problems. In the section on health care management, Bogosh covers the importance of making decisions about future medical care prior to any emergency. As Christians, we know that death is not the end nor is it to be fear. At the same time, we also believe in the sanctity of life. Hence we need wisdom to consider advance medical directives and such in a God-glorifying manner. The book also discusses financial and insurance issues specific to the elderly living in the United States. I wonder if the author w...

And Luther at the Diet of Worms in LEGOS!