Tried With Fire

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 It is a pleasing thing to walk with God. The wisest of men has told us in Proverbs 3:17, "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." I have been listed under Jesus' banner only for a few years, but I have enjoyed more solid pleasure in one moment's communion with God, than I could have enjoyed in the ways of sin, even if I had continued to go on in them for thousands of years. And may I not appeal to all you that fear and walk with God, for the truth of this? Has not one day in the Lord's courts been better to you than a thousand? In keeping God's commandments, have you not found a present, and very great reward? Has not his word been sweeter to you than the honey, or the honeycomb? O what have you felt, when, Jacob-like, you have been wrestling with God! Has not Jesus often met you when meditating...

ht: Reformed Memes Daily

Source I'm thankful for: - Strength and alertness today after a late night. A word of advice: Don't do calculus before bed especially if you haven't done it in decades. - Punchiness which takes the edge off of being tired. - Ice cream to celebrate making it through the day. - Intense ethical discussions with my daughter. I'm thankful she is thinking through some deep issues. - Coming to terms with some aspects of who I am. Nothing like waiting until the fifties to find myself. - Finding my identity in Christ. I don't cease to be a unique individual, but all the things about me find their proper place and meaning in Him. This makes me all the more grateful for my salvation.

I'm posting at Out of the Ordinary today: When reading Titus 2:3-4 , it's easy to assume that "younger" only refers to single women, new wives, and young moms in the 20 to 40 age bracket. But we middle-agers still have much to learn and need the example of older women, too. As I considered who were the older women in my life, these three sisters came to mind. So let me introduce you to my role models... Read more here .

We learned this retuned hymn on Sunday. The original verses are from a communion hymn by Horatius Bonar. edited: incorrect wording in title

“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Luke 22:42 In the story of Abraham traveling up Mount Moriah to offer his son, Isaac, do you read of Isaac carrying the wood upon his shoulders up the mountain? Let this lead you to Mount Calvary (this very mountain of Moriah where Isaac was offered, as some think) and take a view of the anti-type, Jesus the Son of God, bearing and ready to sink under the weight of the cross on which he was to hang for us. Do you admire Issac for so freely consenting to die, though a creature, and therefore obliged to go when God called? Do not forget to admire infinitely more the dear Lord Jesus, who willingly said, "Behold, I have come," though under no obligation to do so, "to do your will," to obey and die for men, "Oh God," (Heb. 107)! … Isaac is saved, but Jesus, the God of Isaac, dies. A ram is offered up in Isaac's place, but Jesus has no substitute. J...

The temperatures are going to dip again next week, so I wanted to capture the daffodils while they were still in their prime. I was concerned they wouldn't survive the crazy yo-yo weather this winter, but they weathered the storms rather well and put on a quite show for the first day of spring. Enjoy!

ht:  The Awkward Yeti

Manhattan sky line I'm thankful for: - The opportunity to attend my nephew's wedding. It was a beautiful, God-glorifying ceremony. - A mini-family reunion since many relatives attended the wedding. I'm thankful for family that is family in Christ. - While we were in the area, we had a breakfast date with Christina L. We met a few years ago for 5 minutes right before our bus left NYC, which was just enough time to hug and exchange gifts. I'm so thankful we could have an extended time of fellowship with her. - Even though the city is an exciting place to visit, I am definitely a small town mouse. There's no place like home.

John Knox by Simonetta Carr, illustrated by Matt Abraxos, Reformation Heritage Books, 2014, 64 pages. John Knox is the newest addition to the Christian Biographies for Young Reader s series written by Simonetta Carr. Before reading this, I knew very little about Knox's life other than "Give me Scotland, or I die!", his rather controversial pamphlet about women rulers, and the caricatures of this fiery Scottish reformer. Well my lack of knowledge has been well remedied. Having lived in a time of religious persecution and political upheaval, Knox's story is quite exciting. He acted as bodyguard for a minister who was eventually martyred for his faith. Knox then reluctantly agreed to take on the weighty task of preaching the Word of God after his gift became evident. He was imprisoned and forced to be a galley slave for the French, and eventually rose to prominence, preaching before kings and queens. After the successful Scottish revolution against France, Knox wa...

And an encore…

My God, my Portion, and my Love, My everlasting All; I've none but you in Heav'n above, Or on this Earthly Ball. What empty Things are all the Skies, And this inferior Clod! There's nothing here deserves my Joys, There's nothing like my God. In vain the bright, the burning Sun, Scatters his feeble Light; 'Tis your sweet Beams create my Noon, If you withdraw, 'tis Night. And while upon by restless Bed, Amidst the Shades I roll; If my Redeemer shows his Head, 'Tis Morning with my Soul. To you we owe our Wealth and Friends, And Health, and safe Abode; We Praise your Name for all these Things, But they are not my God. George Whitefield Daily Readings , Randall J. Pederson, ed., Christian Focus Publications, 2010, from the reading for March 15.

What does the Π say?

I'm posting today at Out of the Ordinary : Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't know of anyone who had a crisis of faith when all was going well. But when suffering comes across our paths, then the "Why" questions start. Why did this happen? Where is God in all of this? The suffering could be personal or that of a loved one. It could be the inhumanity of humanity against itself at home or abroad. But when tragedy or injustice strikes, we can't help but ask these questions. Just read the book of Job. It's normal to try to make sense of what has happened. It's normal to try to reconcile this with our understanding of God. But just because it's normal doesn't make the resolution any easier. Read more here.

I was a fan of Dorothy L. Sayers ever since PBS broadcasted the Lord Peter Wimsey series starring Ian Carmichael back in the 70's. I've read and reread her mystery novels, but little did I know that she was also a writer of theology.  Here are a few stellar quotes from A Matter of Eternity , a collection of Sayers' writings: To complain that man measures God by his own experience is a waste of time; man measures everything by his own experience; he has no other yardstick. A loose and sentimental theology begets loose and sentimental art forms. We cannot after all, have it both ways. If all truths are period products, then our own standards offer no secure basis for passing judgement on those of former ages; if any truths have claims on universality, then every claim, old or new, requires to be examined on its merits.  The proper question to be asked about any creed is not, "Is it pleasant?" but, "Is it true?" What is repugnant to every huma...

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  Matthew 4:17 I see you are all silent, and well you may for if you will not be drawn by the cords of infinite and everlasting love, what will draw you?  I could urge many terrors of the Lord to persuade you, but if the love of Jesus Christ will not constrain you, your case is desperate. This day I have invited all, even the worst of sinners, to be married to the Lord Jesus.  If you perish, remember you do not perish for lack of invitation. You yourselves shall stand forth at the Last Day, and I here give you a summons to meet me at the judgment seat of Christ, and to clear both my Maker and me. Would weeping, would tears persuade you, I could wish my head were waters, and my eyes fountains of tears, that I might weep out every argument, and melt you into love. Would anything I could do or suffer, influence your hearts, I think I could bear to pluck out my eyes, or even to la...

ht: Craig on FB

I'm posting a followup at Theology for Girls  with a list of resources on Domestic Abuse. I've also added a tab at the top of my blog with the same list which I will be updating as time goes on. I also want to highlight how we define abuse. We may assume that abuse is conflict that requires compromise or one party acquiescing to the other. However, this is not the case. As I was compiling resources, I came across this concise and clear definition: Domestic abuse is persistent or recurrent behavior by an intimate partner that causes physical, sexual or psychological damage, or causes the victim to live in fear. It is not just marital conflict over particular issues (which can be conflict between equals). Abuse is about power. One party exerting power to control the other . [1]  But even in the face of this sin, God is greater. Here is a word of encouragement: The gospel does miraculously change lives, but this is not a "quick fix" for family violence. ...

Today, I am sharing a post at Theology for Girl s on domestic abuse in the church. It's something we don't like talking about, but it exists. Whether it's a large Christian organization that has made the headlines for its coverup or the heartbreaking story of one victim, abuse brings dishonor to the name of Christ. As I was reading Created in God's Image , the doctrine of imago dei has ramifications on how we treat one another. Even with the presence of sin, we are still God's image-bearers which should engender mutual respect. The more I considered the scriptural basis for imago dei, the more I wondered if we've left out this doctrine when it comes to abuse. We've made it a conflict between two human beings. But when you get to the root, one person is trying to stamp out the image of God in another. Thus abuse is also an attack against God Himself. This post is the result of those ruminations. Diane and I have discussed this subject off line, and I a...

There is a little group of sparrows outside my window. They are scouring the ground for something to eat as the sleet is pelting them. It was 69 degrees yesterday. Today we may get 3-5 inches of snow. I pity the wildlife because they don't get the weather report and have time to rush to the store for bread and milk. Perhaps God gives them instincts to anticipate impending temperature changes. I don't know. But as I'm watching these little birds hop around in search of food, I am reminded that God sees them. People rag on the sentimental nature of "His Eye is on the Sparrow" but His word confirms this. Maybe this is a kindergarten-level lesson, but it's one I will never outgrow. I do not need to fear. God does not forget the sparrows, and He will not forget me. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Luke...

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 1:10 True and undefiled religion does not consist in being of this or that particular sect or communion… perhaps you could say no more for yourselves than this, namely, that you belong to such a church, and worship God in the same way in which your fathers and mothers worshipped God before you; and perhaps, at the same time, you are so narrow in your thoughts, that you think none can worship God but those that worship God just in your way. It is certainly a blessing to be born as you are, in a reformed church; it is certainly a blessing to have the outward government and discipline of the church exercised; but then, if you place religion merely in being of this or that sect - if you contend to monopolize or confine the grace of God to your particular party - if you rest in that...