Tried With Fire

O GOD OF MY EXODUS, Great was the joy of Israel’s sons,    when Egypt died upon the shore, Far greater the joy    when the Redeemer’s foe lay crushed in the dust. Jesus strides forth as the victor,    conqueror of death, hell, and all opposing might; He bursts the bands of death,    tramples the powers of darkness down,    and lives for ever. He, my gracious surety,    apprehended for payment of my debt,    comes forth from the prison house of the grave    free, and triumphant over sin, Satan, and death. Show me herein the proof that his vicarious offering is accepted,                                           that the claims of justice are satisfied,                                   ...

Stricken, smitten, and afflicted, see him dying on the tree! ‘Tis the Christ by man rejected; yes, my soul, ’tis he, ’tis he! ‘Tis the long expected Prophet, David’s son, yet David’s Lord; by his Son God now has spoken: ’tis the true and faithful Word. Tell me ye who hear him groaning, was there ever grief like his? Friends thro’ fear his cause disowning, foes insulting his distress; many hands were raised to wound him, none would interpose to save; but the deepest stroke that pierced him was the stroke that Justice gave. Ye who think of sin by lightly nor suppose the evil great here may view its nature rightly, here its guilt may estimate. Mark the sacrifice appointed, see who bears the awful load; ’tis the Word, the Lord’s Anointed, Son of Man and Son of God. Here we have a firm foundation, here the refuge of the lost; Christ’s the Rock of our salvation, his the name of which we boast. Lamb of God, for sinners wounded, sacrifice to cancel guilt! ...

From Jeremiah Burroughs: Question: "How does the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead come to be a means of giving hope?" Answer: The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the cause of true lively hope in the hearts of the saints. By the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, God has declared that He is fully satisfied for the sins of man, and that the work of redemption is fully wrought out... Read the rest here .

I've posted this song before, but it accurately describe my state of mind this week. I've been doing a bit of groaning, and I'm longing for renewal of all things. As this planet falls around the sun trapping us in the orbit  Creation groans in unison like a race of frightened orphans The darkness of this raging storm is covering up our portals  But a yearning for the light is borne in the heart of every mortal And day to day we ache  With the pain that plagues Creation  Night to night we lie awake  And await its restoration Heaven knows our lonely ways, heaven knows our sorrows  And Heaven knows things that we don't know and the joy of eternal tomorrows But through this glass we dimly see this world as it was made  Oh and the good we know must surely flow  From the heart of a kind Creator And day to day we ache  With the pain that plagues Creation  Night to night we lie awake  And await...

O MAKER AND UPHOLDER OF ALL THINGS, Day and night are thine; they are also mine from thee —    the night to rid me of the cares of the day,                   to refresh my weary body,                   to renew my natural strength;    the day to summon me to new activities,                 to give me opportunity to glorify thee,                 to serve my generation,                 to acquire knowledge, holiness, eternal life. But one day above all days is made especially    for thy honour and my improvement; The sabbath reminds me of thy rest from creation,                                         of the resurrection of my Saviour, ...

My kind of superhero... ht: Savage Chickens

I am thankful for: - Sunshine and coffee to burn off the brain fog. - Running into an old friend at Panera's this morning and being able to catch up on our families. - Fellowship midweek with small group and ladies' book discussion. It is both refreshing and strengthening. - Books that are willing to tackle difficult subjects, namely domestic abuse. I am firmly convinced that how things look on the outside is not enough. Behavioral change is not enough. Heart change must occur, and only the Holy Spirit can do that. - Recent sermon series on the 10 commandments. I've been convicted of my lack of reverence and love for God. But this makes me even more thankful for a Savior who kept the law perfectly on my behalf and imputes His righteousness to my account. - Good conversations with my daughter about the Sabbath. Christians have different views, and I am still working through mine. But I am thankful for the rest that only God can give in Christ.