Tried With Fire

I hope to get a night of uninterrupted sleep. Friday night, I awoke to the sound of something squeaking in the walls. At least I hope it was in the walls. It was too high pitched to be raccoons, and there is no way any raccoon could get in the house again, I hope. Most likely, it was mice. I had visions of waking up like Pa Ingalls with a mouse on my head, biting my hair off for its nest. Thankfully, the mice weren't that bold. These are the times when it would be nice to have a cat to deter these pesky little intruders. Last night or rather this morning, the phone rang at the unearthly hour of 3:45 AM. My first reaction was, "Oh no! Family emergency!" I didn't recognize the number so I let the answering machine take the call. I assumed it was a wrong number, but I was a still little worried. In my groggy state, I began to remind myself of the sovereignty of God even over strange calls in the night to help settle myself down. I did eventually fall back asleep. When I ...

The Painful Discipline of Our Heavenly Father , Hebrews 12: 3-11 - John Piper, August 24, 1997. From the sermon: Will you accept the mystery of God's providence in the pain of your life, and (as verse 11 says) be trained by it for the sake of good and peace and holiness and righteousness and life?

There was less snow than predicted. We got about 6 inches which is still quite bit for this part of Virginia. More might be coming tonight so it's not over yet. I shoveled a path to the car this afternoon. It was starting to sleet so I cleaned off the car to keep it from becoming encased in ice. There is a thick layer of slush under the snow which will be treacherous when it freezes tonight. Sunday service was cancelled due to the weather and driving conditions. I spent the day doing chores and working on my orthopedics test. When I listen to something too much I start hearing things that aren't there. I need to listen to the dictation one more time and send if off to my instructor. I'm on my own this week-end, and it's very quiet. The most talkative thing in the house right now is the guinea pig. There's a pot of improvisational bean soup on the stove and a loaf of bread in the bread machine. I'm looking forward to spending the evening reading some Martyn Lloy...

If we are not our own, but the Lord's, it is plain what error we must flee, and to what purpose all our deeds must be directed. We are not our own, therefore neither our reason nor our will should guide us in our thoughts and actions. We are not our own, therefore we should not seek what is expedient to the flesh. We are not our own, therefore let us forget ourselves and our own interests as far as possible. But we are God's own; to him, therefore, let us live and die. We are God's own; therefore let his wisdom and will dominate all our actions. We are God's own; therefore let every part of our existence be directed towards him as our only legitimate goal. Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life ~ John Calvin, Baker Book House, pages 20-21.

There's a winter storm watch for our area beginning tonight through Saturday evening. We haven't had any significant snow like this in seven years. I'm too old to play in the snow. However, this will be conducive for soup making and bread baking. From the National Weather Service: SNOW IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP FROM SOUTHWEST TO NORTHEAST LATE FRIDAY EVENING. THE SNOW MAY BECOME HEAVY AT TIMES DURING THE EARLY MORNING HOURS SATURDAY... AND WILL CONTINUE INTO THE AFTERNOON... BEFORE TAPERING OFF TO SNOW SHOWERS IN THE EVENING. THIS SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE AN AVERAGE OF 8 AND 12 INCHES OF SNOW ALONG THE VIRGINIA... NORTH CAROLINA BORDER WITH LESSER ACCUMULATION TOWARD THE ALBEMARLE SOUND WHERE SLEET WILL MIX WITH THE SNOW ON SATURDAY.

Often we read history as atheists or deists, rather than as Christians. To read of events, without observing God in them, is to read as atheists; to read, and not observe how all events conduce to carry on the work of redemption, is to read as deists. John Brown of Haddington (1722-1787) From Words Old and New ~ Horatius Bonar, Banner of Truth Trust, page 288.