Tried With Fire

Last night a group from our church took 100 brown-bag dinners to distribute to the homeless in downtown Hampton. Most of the people took the food and left, but there was opportunity for a few discussions.  There were mostly men and a few women.  There was a family with three young children. It was a blessing to help but also a sobering reality check. When I got home, I prayed for forgiveness for the times when I complain and I'm discontented with God's provision.  I have a home, a bed, AC, plumbing, food in the fridge, a job.  I prayed that I wouldn't be presumptuous about these material blessings because there are so many in my own community who have nothing.  But more than the tangible blessings that God provides, He has saved me from His wrath through the work of Christ.  The Holy Spirit is within me sanctifying me to be more like Christ.  God has given joy, hope, grace beyond measure.  I should be overflowing with thanksgiving for His goodnes...

I was awarded the "Versatile Blogger" award more than a month ago by Gregg .  I forgot about the award until I read John's post .  So thank you for the award, Gregg.  I won't pass it on as I'm not into chain letters, but here are 7 things about myself. 1. I grew up in Southern New Jersey - the part that is rightfully named the Garden State.  The entire state of New Jersey does not resemble Newark, East Orange, or Elizabeth, all of which happen to be Northern towns.  My home town was surrounded by acres and acres of farmland.  Every spring we would pick strawberries, blueberries, and cherries.  We would get peaches and apples directly from the orchard and local produce from a family run farm.  There is nothing quite like fresh Silver Queen corn.  But alas, much of the land has been sold to developers.  The cherry orchard is now a strip mall, and soybean fields are now growing houses. 2. I was always an uncool nerd in school.  I r...

The Lord knows what is best for each one of us, and one effect of resting in this truth will be the silencing of our petulant complainings.  God is greatly honored when, under trial and chastening, we have good thoughts of Him, vindicate His wisdom and justice, and recognize his love in His very rebukes. Apprehension of this blessed truth will beget increasing confidence in God.  "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator" (1 Peter 4:19).  When we trustfully resign ourselves, and all our affairs into God's hands, fully persuaded of His love and faithfulness, the sooner shall we be satisfied with His providences and realize that "He doeth all things well." The Attributes of God ~ A.W. Pink, Baker, page 56.

Thanks for your prayers and thanks be to God.  Our case is closed barring any unforeseen glitches.  The judge was probably tired of seeing us in his courtroom again, so the lawyers were strongly encouraged to work out an agreement prior to the start of the hearing. That being the case, a compromise was negotiated, we agreed to the new terms, and we were out of the courtroom in less than an hour. It is a huge relief to have this behind me.  I felt as though every decision I made was under scrutiny particularly my desire to continue homeschooling my daughter.  Her education and socialization were under question.  Even the amount of time I put into her schooling, which should be increased, was trivialized.  I was under pressure to put her in public school, private school, or send her to community college before she was ready for the sole purpose of getting me to work outside the home.  If I had said that a critical reason to be at home and homeschool he...

A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation .  Psalm 68:5 (KJV) I have returned again and again to this verse over the last three years.  It's been a great comfort to me in my widowhood of divorce. I've read this with tears of anguish, not knowing if I could believe this promise, and with tears of joy.  Thank God His faithfulness is not diminished by my unbelief.   This verse comes to mind again because I go back to court for the 4th time tomorrow morning.  An earthly advocate will present my case to an earthly judge.   I will admit that I am a little stressed, mainly because I would like this to be over so we can go on with our lives.  I don't know how the judge will rule, but I need to remind myself that my life, my daughter's life, and our provision is in Someone else's hands.  I have an Advocate in Heaven who pleads my case with His own blood before the ultimate Judge of mankind -  a right...

Because God is holy, acceptance with him on the ground of creature-doings is utterly impossible.  A fallen creature could sooner create a world than produce that which would meet the approval of infinite Purity.  Can darkness dwell with Light?  Can the Immaculate One take pleasure in "filthy rags" (Is. 64:6)?  The best that sinful man brings forth is defiled.  A corrupt tree cannot bear good fruit.  God would deny Himself, vilify His perfections, were He to account as righteous and holy that which is not so in itself; and nothing is so which has the least stain upon it contrary to the nature of God.  But blessed be His name, that which His holiness demands His grace has provided in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Every poor sinner who has fled to Him for refuge stands "accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:6) Hallelujah! The Attributes of God ~ A.W. Pink, Baker, page 45.