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!