Witty Wednesday

Household Principles: Lamentations of a Father: Part 4

Complaints and Lamentations
O my children, you are disobedient. For when I tell you what you must do, you argue and dispute hotly even to the littlest detail; and when I do not accede, you cry out, and hit and kick. Yes, and even sometime do you spit, and shout "stupid-head" and other blasphemies, and hit and kick the wall and the molding thereof when you are sent to the corner. And though the law teaches that no one shall be sent to the corner for more minutes than he has years of age, yet I would leave you there all day, so might am I in anger. But upon being sent to the corner you ask straightaway, "Can I come out?" and I reply "No, you may not come out." And again you ask, and again I give the same reply. But when you ask me again a third time, then you may come out. Here me, O my children for the bills they kill me. I pay and pay again, even to the twelfth time in a year, and yet again they mount higher than before. For our health, that we may be covered, I give six hundred and twenty talents twelve times in a year; but even this covers not the fifteen hundred deductible for each member of the family within a calendar year. And yet for ordinary visits we are still not covered, nor for many medicines, nor for the teeth within our mouths. Guess not at what rage is in my mind, for surely you cannot know. For I will come to you at the first of the month and at the fifteenth of the month with the bills and a great whining and moan. And when the month of taxes comes, I will decry the wrong and unfairness of it, and mourn with wine and ashtrays, and rend my receipts. And you shall remember that I am that I am; before, after, and until you are twenty-one. Here me then, and avoid me in my wrath, O children of me.

(by Ian Frazier, Copyright 1997 by The Atlantic Monthly Company.)

Raising Gospel Centered Givers

The last few weeks as a church we have been looking at what biblical, gospel-motivated generosity is. This is not something new to my family and me. We have read books, listened to sermons, and made changes and seem to always see a need for growth in this area.

I have tasted the kindness of my God and savior and received His mercy and that motivates me to desire to see His work on earth be done. I know that money is a part of that and that God enriches us in order to be generous. As was pointed out in the sermons; how we spend our money is a good indicator of how we are doing spiritually. I want to store my treasures in heaven, and remembering that what we don't give is what we lose and not the other way around, should be obvious, but it isn't always, at least in practice.

This time around when discussing and evaluating our hearts and how we live in this area, we have realized that in many ways we have neglected putting gospel-giving into practice with our children. By this, I mean, we have desired to train them to store their treasures in heaven and train them to be a generous people and so far have fallen short. Though we speak about it and to a try to exemplify it, we haven't truly given them many opportunities to experience it. We haven't given them much to invest and see what happens when you give to God's work. Sure, when they have a little money we encourage them to give it, but at ages 9, 8, 6 and 3, they rarely have anything to give. In some ways perhaps that is reasonable. But how will they experience the reality that where you put your money, you take great interest. You truly think, love and treasure the things you invest in. We haven't given them the opportunity to "practice" being generous children. Frankly, we have been lazy! My husband has had some good practical ideas how to practically train our children in this area, and we are only now beginning to do so.

We are going to start by showing some financial generosity to our own kids by giving them an allowance. That way they have money (they are enriched), for the purpose of giving back to God and loving God's people with what they are enriched with. Such basic stuff, we just haven't done it yet. This too will give us the opportunity to see their hearts in action as well. We are making banks with 3 separate compartments. One for spending, one for saving, and one for giving. They will get to put a portion into each compartment. This will give them something to give and an opportunity to learn how to handle finances.

My husband and are certainly looking to be more generous in all aspect of our lives: money, time, and possessions. We want to "seek first His Kingdom and righteousness," and we see some lack in our own lives, and we see one thing as a lack in raising gospel givers.

Oh Lord help us to be gospel motivated givers and raise our children up to experience your tender mercies; and as benefactors of Your great generosity, Lord, may we be generous together.

This book may be a helpful resource for some that are looking for practical ways to train your children to handle money God's way.

Chapter 7 of The Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney, reminds us that we need to keep the Gospel as the center of our lives. Everything we do, say or think should be done with the cross of Christ in mind.

First of all, we are Christians because God showed mercy, period. We weren't worthy or special. We didn't earn it. It is all of God. When I think about this, I am filled with awe and thankfulness. Mr. Mahaney says that the message of the cross is the Christian's hope, confidence, and assurance. No matter what life brings us, if we stay focused on the cross, we will be able to persevere and have victory.

Mr. Mahaney also says that we have been saved to grow, to serve in a local church, to do good works, and to glorify God. We need to be about spreading the love of Jesus and the Gospel to our communities. I know that it often takes "guts" to do these things. But, if we are truly thankful for God's mercy in saving us from eternity in Hell, we should have no fear. We should want to tell others about the free gift of salvation by faith in Jesus. Especially to the people we love. Even if someone "doesn't want to hear it", you have still planted a seed and someday they may remember something you said and take it to heart. Remember the old saying, "there are no atheists in a foxhole". Even if they never respond to Christ, by witnessing, we are doing good in God's eyes and if you think about it, His eyes are the only ones that matter when its all said and done.

Mr. Mahaney goes on to say that any and all topics should be studied through the lens of the Gospel. Take the Old Testament for example, many people believe that they are good stories but not really pertinent for our "modern" lives. However, if you think about it, through the symbolism of the sacrificial system, the strictness of the Law, the faithfulness of God and the failures of man all show us how amazing the cross really is. God showed us in the Old Testament that He is Holy and in order to have a relationship with Him, we must be holy too. And that's why Jesus' blood was the only acceptable sacrifice for our sin.

Many people today are very interested in the End Times. I admit that with all that's going on in the world today, it is exciting to watch and see things happening that seem to coincide with the prophecies of the end. But, we still need to keep the cross as our central truth. Jesus told the disciples to watch and pray concerning His return but told them that their main focus should be telling others about the gospel. Because of the cross, the future is already written. God wins!!! Satan loses.

Concerning prayer, without the blood of Jesus, we couldn't even approach God. Jesus died so we could have access to the Father through Him. Remember how the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom when Jesus died. That symbolized that we no longer needed a priest or sacrifices to come to God. The veil, as I understand it, was not just a curtain like we have on our windows today. It was a very thick tapestry that couldn't be torn at all by human hands. That's why it is so significant.

The cross also comes into play in our relationships on earth. Whenever someone makes you mad or hurts you in some way, remember what you have been forgiven of by God. Since God forgave you all of your sins, which are great, how could you not forgive someone of a snide remark or for hurting your feelings? No one can sin against you as much as you have sinned against God.

The last area Mr. Mahaney covered is suffering and trials. None of us are immune to them. But, how we react when times are tough really shows us our hearts. Some people blame God and get mad at Him. But others cling to God and look to the gospel for their hope and comfort. The bible says that God has a purpose for our suffering. If we are believers, God would never send a trial into your life just for His amusement. I admit I used to to think this way sometimes when I was younger. I think God sends trials our way to help us to become more like Jesus. When I think back over my life, my trials and suffering have always taught me something.

I have noticed that when people are in the midst of suffering or a trial, they often wonder "why me"? or "I didn't deserve this". But in actuality, all we deserve is God's wrath. Mr. Mahaney says that when people ask him how he is, his reply is "better than I deserve". I think that is a good way to think about our circumstances. We deserve death but, through the cross, Jesus has paid the penalty for us and now we live because of grace.

I urge you to take some time every day to meditate on the gospel. Think about the cross and remember that Jesus died a horrible death to pay the penalty for our sins. God loves us so much, He willingly sent His Son to die in our place so that we could have a relationship with Him. That is so amazing! Because of the cross, we should never doubt His love for us. For me, if I keep my eyes on the Lord, I know that He is always there with me no matter what and because of His love I can persevere to the end.

Sufficiency in the Gospel

"The gospel serves as the means by which God daily constructs me into what He wants me to be and also serves as the channel through which He gives me my inheritance every day of my Christian life. Hence it could be said that the gospel contains all I need "for life and godliness." It is for this reason that God tells me to be steadfastly entrenched in the gospel at all times and never to allow myself to be moved from there. The mere fact that God tells me to stay inside the gospel at all times must mean that He intends to supply all of my needs as long as I am abiding in that place of luxury." Milton Vincent - A Gospel Primer for Christians

How easy it is for me to become so focused on spiritual growth or the destruction of sin or the daily business of being alive that I forget that all of it must be done in and through the gospel? Very easily! This is so sad for many reasons:

1. Apart from the gospel, spiritual growth is useless
2. Apart from the gospel, spiritual growth is HARD
3. Apart from the gospel, spiritual growth is slow and our failures are discouraging
4. Apart from the gospel, sin wins
5. Apart from the gospel, sin is stronger than we are
6. Apart from the gospel, daily life has no purpose
7. Apart from the gospel, daily life has no goal
8. Apart from the gospel, daily life has no joy
9. Apart from the gospel, daily life is hard, boring, monotonous

The gospel is God's ultimate expression of love. And only in the gospel can we find a purpose in life and a lasting joy. The moment we take our eyes off the gospel, disaster strikes, sin creeps in, depression takes hold, and God is no longer glorified in us. Sisters, let us continually fix our eyes on the Lord, on the work of Christ on the cross and on the position we now hold with God because of it!

Witty Wednesday

Household Principles: Lamentations of a Father - Part 3

Concerning Face and Hands
Cast your countenance upward to the light, and lift your eyes to the hills, that I may more easily wash you off. For the stains are upon you; even to the very back of your head, there is rice thereon. And in the breast pocket of your garmet, and upon the tie of your shoe, rice and other fragments are distributed in a manner wonderful to see.
Only hold yourself still; hold still, I say.
Give each finger in its turn for my examination thereof, and also each thumb. Lo, how iniquitous they appear. What I do is as it must be; and you shall not go hence until I have done.

Various Other Laws, Statues, and Ordinances
Bite not, lest you be cast into quiet time. Neither drink of your own bath water, nor of bath water of any kind; nor rub your feet on bread, even if it be in the package; not rub yourself against cars, nor against any building; nor eat sand
Leave the cat alone, for what has the cat done, that you should so afflict it with tape? And hum not that humming in your nose as I read, nor stand between the light and the book. Indeed, you will drive me to madness. Nor forget what I said about the tape.

Cross Centered Life: Chapter 6

In chapter six of The Cross Centered Life, C.J Mahaney gives 5 practical and simple ways to draw us near to the cross each day. Because as he said, "A cross centered life is made up of cross centered days."

1. Memorize the Gospel. We cannot preach the gospel to ourselves everyday if we do not know the gospel well. To do this, we can simply meditate on and memorize passage that speak the gospel plainly, such as: Romans 831-34, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Isaiah 53:3-6, and Romans 8:32-39. Those are just a few that Mahaney lists, and it is a good place to start.

2.Pray the Gospel. We come boldly to the throne room of God because of the cross. The cross is what drives our praise, and our petitions and dependence upon God in prayer.

3. Sing the Gospel. There are so many resources out there for us. Many scripture saturated, God-centered songs. I love singing the old hymns because of the richness of the words. Some of the newer music from the Getty's and from Sovereign Grace are helpful gospel centered songs. This has helped me tremendously in keeping the gospel before as I can sing throughout the day.

4. Review How The Gospel Has Changed You. Take time to remember who you were apart from Christ, and all that He has done on your behalf. I know that my heart soars with thanksgiving and am moved to obedience and worship when I do this. There is no room for pride when I think on how God has changed me.

5. Study The Gospel. We must remember that we cannot be satisfied with our knowledge of the gospel. It is as Mahaney puts it: "a life-permeating, world-altering, universe-changing truth." We should be always grasp the depth of the gospel and grow in our passion about the gospel. Mahaney gave some practical suggestions, including some good books to read:

The Cross of Christ by John Stott

The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges

The Power of the Cross of Christ by Charles Spurgeon

The Cross and Christian Ministry by D.A. Carson

I would also add C.J. Mahaney's book, Cross Centered Life (of course)
The Gospel Primer for Christians by Milton Vincent

and God is The Gospel by John Piper

There are commentaries by godly men to use as you read through the Bible that will help you better understand the gospel.
He also recommends listening to sermons if commuting that are about the cross of Christ. And of course, he says that as we do our daily reading, to keep your eyes peeled to seeing the gospel.

May we build a cross centered life one day at a time.

Yesterday I read a saying: "The really happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery while on a detour."

I thought about that statement and realized that it is actually very true. I used to allow myself to get frustrated and angry whenever things didn't work out the way I thought they should. I used to say that if anything can go wrong in any situation, it would certainly happen to me. And often times it did.

One day a long time ago, I heard the song by Amy Grant: Angels Watching Over Me. The song says that we are protected by angels at times in our lives such as when a reckless car runs out of gas before it could cause an accident. I have heard stories about how people had to stop for a red light when they were late and being all upset about it until they see that some kind of accident has happened ahead and realized that if they had made the light, it would have been their car that would have been involved in an accident.

I have personally had times where the phone rang just as I was heading out the door and if I had not taken the time to answer it, I would have been hurt or killed. My husband had a situation where a slow car was ahead of him on his way to work and had he passed the car, he would have been involved in a deer vs. car incident.

So, my point is; don't be so uptight when your life is put on a "detour". It could be God intervening to save you from something. Nothing happens by chance. God is in charge and on His throne. If nothing else, it will lessen the stress in our already overstressed lives.

What is Good?

He has told you, O man, what is good;
And ^B)">(what does the LORD require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8

Wonderful Merciful Savior

Wonderful, Merciful Savior

Wonderful, Merciful Savior,
Precious redeemer and friend!
Who would have thought that a Lamb could
Rescue the souls of men
Oh, you rescue the souls of men.

Counselor, comforter, keeper
Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts have
Hopelessly lost their way
Oh, we've hopelessly lost our way.

You are the one that we praise
You are the one we adore
You give the healing and grace
Our hearts always hunger for
Oh, our hearts always hunger for.

Almighty infinite Father,
Faithfully loving Your own
Here in our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne,
Oh, we're falling before your throne.

A Cure for Distrust

"Every time I deliberately disobey a command of God, it is because I am in that moment doubtful as to God's true intentions in giving me that command. Does He really have my best interests at heart? Or is He withholding something from me that I would be better off having? Such questions, whether consciously asked or not, lie under every act of disobedience.
However, the gospel changes my view of God's commandments, in that it helps me to see the heart of the Person from whom those commandments come. When I begin my train of thought with the gospel, I realize that if God loved me enough to sacrifice His Son's life for me, then He must be guided by that same love when He speaks His commandments to me. Viewing God's commands and prohibitions in this light, I can see them for what they really are: friendly signposts from a Heavenly Father who is seeking to love me through each directive so that I might experience His very fullness forever.
When controlling my thoughts as described above, the gospel cures me of my suspicion of God, thereby disposing me to walk more trustingly on the path of obedience to His commands" Milton Vincent, A Gospel Primer for Christians

The first time I read this passage I had to stop and read it over again, and then again, and then pray over it, and then read it again. What an odd idea, that when I disobey God I am in fact saying that I do not trust Him. If anyone was to ask me, even on my worst day I would say that I trusted God completely! And yet my actions often prove otherwise.

When looked at the commands of scripture through the eyes of logic only, they appear to be good! For what good has ever come to a person by lying or by cheating or by having an affair, or by characterizing laziness? It may seem good for the moment but there are always long-term consequences. God, being the only Person completely holy, separate from sin, realizes this fact in its fullness for although each of these has long-term consequences here on Earth, there are much bigger consequences: death and hell apart from His saving grace. And in love He gives us commands to protect us.

Just as parents will forbid their child from touching the stove or playing in the street, not because they are gleefully keeping a great pleasure from their child but because they are protecting her, so God has given certain commands to His children.

At the humans' most fundamental level, we rebel against any restrictions placed on us. We immediately assume that something is being withheld from us. We become suspicious and curious about what we are "missing." Since this is a natural part of the humans' condition, it becomes necessary for us to fight it with the one thing more powerful - the gospel.

Romans 8:32 "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?"

The amount of love that God showed us in the sacrifice of His Son was so great that we should automatically assume that every act from Him to us after this is done in love and for our best.

John 15:12-13 "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends."

So the next time we are tempted by sin and begin to wonder what that particular sin is like and start to justify experiencing it in our minds, let us immediately call to mind the truth of the gospel. Let us remember the great love shown to us at Calvary and realize that the wisdom of God far outweighs the wisdom of man (for which of us could have looked at the brutal act of Calvary and declared it to be good and beautiful apart from the grace of God?)

Chapter 5: What You Feel vs. What Is Real

"Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself?" - David Martyn Lloyd Jones

Chapter 5 of The Cross Centered Life opens with this quote. I can honestly say that it has been one of the most life-changing quotes in my life to this point, as has this chapter.

We tend to be very focused on our feelings nowadays. It goes along nicely with the postmodernism society that we live in - my reality is not necessarily your reality and visa versa. And how do we define our realities? Based on our feelings. The "only" problem with this is that our feelings change. Constantly.

Another huge problem with this is that the reality of the gospel message has nothing to do with our feelings about it at the moment! One of my favorite quotes is on page 51, "...regardless of how we feel because the gospel exists independently of us." There will be times in every believers life when they are down. Perhaps you are going through a time of depression or perhaps you are sad or angry or have had a really bad day. There will always be times when we don't "feel" loved. There will be times when we wonder if obeying God is even worth it. There will be times when we just want to give into the sin that has been tempting us for so long. There will be times when we feel extreme guilt over past, repented sins.

All these feelings! What can we do against them? To be honest, its not unusual for us to experience most (if not all!) of these feelings in one day! We are women after all. So what do we do?

Talk to yourself!!

Very few of us would feel comfortable saying out loud, "I just don't think that obeying God is worth it," or "I'm having a bad day so I'm just going to scream at you now even though I know there is no reason for it!" But these things are easy to think. Rather than listening to yourself, "My life is so boring, he never listens to me, my kids are going to be the death of me, I really hate her...." talk to yourself!

Ladies, we know the truth. We understand the gospel. We have heard it over and over and have told it to others. We know the Lord (although there is always room to know more!) We know His promises and we know our position as his daughters. We know all of these things, but we need to be reminded of them at times!

The next time you are having a bad or emotional day, choose talking to yourself rather than listening to yourself. The next time you are gossiping in your head, preach the gospel to yourself. The next time you are cursing him in your mind, review memory verses. The next time you are dwelling on bitterness, preach to yourself.

You would never remain silent if a women came up to you and immediately began spouting gossip or bitterness. You would react instantly and warn her away from the sin she is in! Do the same for yourself.

Witty Wednesday

Household Principles: Lamentations of the Father - Part 2

Laws Pertaining to Dessert
For we judge between the plate that is unclean and the plate that is clean, saying first, if the plate is clean, then you shall have dessert. But of the unclean plate, the laws are these: If you have eaten most of your meat, and two bites of your peas with each bite consisting of not less than three peas each, or in total six peas, eaten where I can see, and you have also eaten enough of your potatoes to fill two forks, both forkfuls eaten where I can see, then you shall have dessert. But if you eat a lesser number of peas and yet you eat the potatoes, still you shall not have dessert; and if you eat the peas, yet leave the potatoes uneaten, you shall not have dessert, no, not even a small portion thereof. And if you try to deceive by moving the potatoes or peas around with a fork, that it may appear you have eaten what you have not, you will fall into iniquity. And I will know, and you shall have no dessert.

On Screaming
Do not scream; for it is as if you scream all the time. If you are given a plate on which two foods you do not wish to touch each other are touching each other, your voice rises up even to the ceiling, while you point to the offense with the finger of your right hand; but I say to you, scream not, only remonstrate gently with the server, that he may correct the fault.
Likewise, if you receive a portion of fish from which every piece of herbal seasoning has not bee scraped off, and the herbal seasoning is loathsome to you, and steeped in vileness, again I say, refrain from screaming. Though the vileness overwhelm you, and cause you a faint unto death, make not that sound from within your throught, neither cover your face, nor press your fingers to your nose. For even now I have made the fish as it should be; behold, I eat of it myself, yet do not die.

Thank You

Dear Church Family,

We are known as Christians by our love for one another and when my grandfather passed away recently, your great out-pouring of love was abundantly evident. We received phone calls, cards, and meals. Some of you came to visit my grandma and encourage her, weep with her, and pray with her. And I have been living with the result of that. Grandma Bev is doing so well. As deep as her grief is in missing her husband, she has felt the comfort and peace of God through all of you; we all have.

The weekend Gramps passed away, we had my Aunts and Uncles and their families, my brothers and sisters and their families or significant others and I didn't cook a single meal! Four people brought food over for dinner Friday night, enough to feed all these people for the entire weekend. And then, we received meals all week long. Sometimes, two or three people would show up with food. This food fed many guests in our home that week, family and friends in Christ and not in Christ.

You spoke the gospel through your love for us. Much of my family was taken aback at your generosity throughout the week and in preparation for the memorial service. None of us in the family made a single thing or spent a dime on food for the memorial service. The luncheon after the service was abundant and completely provided for us.

Not only did you give us as a family more opportunities to speak of Jesus Christ to our unbelieving family members, but you encouraged us in our walks with the Lord. You were spurring us on to love and good deeds as we received comfort and relief from God through your hands. You truly were the hands and feet of Christ.

Thank you, we love you deeply.

I also want to thank our physical family from different churches but are part of the true Body of Christ, even from other states. Rick's family made food and expressed much love to us during this time. His youngest brother and his family even came home for the weekend from Kentucky and came to Gramp's memorial service.

This is what God does in and through His people. He loved us through you all and we are truly grateful.

Prayer and trusting in the Lord

 

My oldest son and his family were here for a visit recently.  They were in the process of moving from California to North Carolina.  By the time we saw them, they had been on the road for a month.  That is a long time on the road for anybody but especially my grandson, Austin, who is 3 years old.    When they got here, I showed Austin his "very own room".  He was so happy to have a place to call his and he enjoyed playing in his room with the toys we had put in there.  He told me that he hadn't had his very own room in a long time.  I think he really missed having a "home".  He had been staying at hotels and my son and daughter-in-laws friend's homes for the past month.   Later that evening, I heard him saying his prayers with my son.  He prayed for a new home.  He apparently had been praying for a new home for a while.  It must have been hard for him to pray every night for a new home for so long and not getting one.  But, what he didn't realize was that they had already found a great house in North Carolina and they were going to be able to move in a week later.  They showed him pictures of it but, to him, it was just pictures of a house.   I thought about how the answer to his prayer was "in the works" but he just didn't realize it.  I think that sometimes we pray and pray for things but it seems like God isn't hearing us.  When in actuality, He has heard our prayer and is bringing the answer in His timing, not always our timing.    The Bible says that God will provide for the needs of His children.  We have to have faith in Him and keep on praying even when the answer is nowhere in sight.  He promised never to leave us nor forsake us and we can take that to the "bank"!   I think about how happy Austin will be when he can actually go into the new home he prayed for for so long.  It will be a day of rejoicing in the Lord!!  I'm not sure if he will remember this time when he gets older or not, but if he does, it will be good for him to remember how God answered his prayers.   Whenever we find ourselves waiting on the Lord to answer our prayers, it would be good to remember how God has been faithful in the past.  I think it helps to grow our faith.  I recommend recording God's answers to your prayers or blessings so that you have something concrete to look back on.  I know for me when the going gets tough, I tend to forget God's past faithfulness.  Looking at my list helps me to hang on and keep praying and watching for God's answer.  Give it a try.

God's Everlasting Love

Romans 8:31-39 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Completely Done

What reason have I to doubt
Why would I dwell in fear
When all I have known is grace
My future in Christ is clear

My sins have been paid in full
There's no condemnation here
I live in the good of this
My Father has brought me near
I'm leaving my fears behind me now

Chorus
The old is gone, the new has come
What You complete is completely done
We're heirs with Christ, the victory won
What You complete is completely done

I don't know what lies ahead
What if I fail again
You are my confidence
You'll keep me to the end
I'm leaving my fears behind me now

By Jonathan Baird, Ryan Baird, and Rich Gunderlock as recorded on the album Sons & Daughters.

Chapter 4 of The Cross Centered Life

This week we are contemplating the 4th Chapter of "The Cross Centered Life". The Chapter is about condemnation or rather "Unloading Condemnation: How the cross removes guilt and shame". Some highlights from the chapter are:
1. Most Christians (at one time or another) feel guilt/shame over sins of the past.
2. Because of the power of the gospel we can be completely free of all condemnation!
3. God is glorified when we believe with all our hearts that those who trust in Jesus can never be condemned.
4. Christians will regularly face the reality of their own depravity and the seriousness of their own sin, but the reality of Jesus' death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sin is greater.
5. The forgiveness that God freely gives to His children through Jesus' sacrifice should move us from guilt/shame to love and joy in the good news of the cross.

I really enjoyed this chapter. I have been struggling with this very issue of condemnation without realizing it. Sometimes it seems like it's holy to be filled with ongoing guilt and shame over past sin... as if that will make you hate sin more. I was reminded that it isn't holy to try to carry the weight of your sin on your shoulders and walk around trying to punish yourself for it. Jesus already carried the weight of my sin. He was already punished on my behalf. God intends for me to confess my sin to Him, to believe in Him and exercise the gift of faith that God gave me to believe that Jesus died for the sins that I am feeling condemned for. When I walk by this faith, then I will remember that I am forgiven and instead turn to praising God.

Do you think that condemnation will produce godliness? It kind of feels wrong to say "no". God brings conviction over sin and we certainly need to respond to that conviction. We absolutely should be sorrowful over our sin, but that cannot be the end. God means for our sin to lead us to Christ. If we are not confessing our sin and receiving the forgiveness that God has for us in Christ then we are no better off then the unbeliever. Forgiveness in Jesus is glorious. That is God's goal and when we miss that we are not fulfilling God's purpose for our lives: which is glorifying Him. I think that if I spent more time thinking about the joys of being forgiven in Jesus and knowing Him, my life would be dramatically more joyful and holy.

So here are some questions for you to think about:

When you read Scripture does it reveal the boundless love of the Savior or merely intensify your condemnation?
Are you more aware of your sin than you are of God's grace, given you through the cross?
Is it easier for your to think about your sins and struggles than Jesus' manifold wonders and beauties?

I really was challenged to lay my past sins at the foot of the cross and leave them there. In fact, I want to write at least one gospel focused verse/sentence in my journal every day; so that I may purposely focus my thoughts on the forgiveness that I have in Jesus. I want my days to be given in ceaseless praise to Jesus, not living in a past that has been wiped away in the Savior's sacrifice.

My Daily Need

"The Gospel is so foolish (according to my natural wisdom), so scandalous (according to my conscience), and so incredible (according to my timid heart), that it is a daily battle to believe the full scope of it as I should. There is simply no other way to compete with the forebodings of my conscience, the condemnings of my heart, and the lies of the world and of the Devil than to overwhelm such things with daily rehearsings of the gospel." Milton Vincent, A Gospel Primer for Christians.

My conscience works really well. I need only to briefly consider sin and my heart starts to beat faster. When I inevitably fall into sin anyway, be it impatience or pride or rebellion or discontentment, the memory stays in my mind. A small voice continually reminds me of my vast array of failings and when my mind turns towards the Lord and His praise, my heart immediately hurls condemnation at me. And how do I fight back? My heart has no need of slander; it has an unlimited and ever growing storage of ammunition to use against me.

The answer, of course is the gospel. It is true that I am a sinner, and a very good one at that. It is true that there is nothing redeeming about me. It is true that on my own there is nothing good about me. It is true that I cannot save myself. It is true that all of my works are empty. It is true that I cannot even grasp the depravity of my heart.

But...

It is also true that Jesus came to earth and lived a sinless life. It is also true that He willingly died on the cross for my sins. It is also true that He rose again three days later and forever conquered sin and death. It is also true that I have been justified, that I have been covered in the righteousness of Christ and that God has declared me Not Guilty. It is also true that I have been adopted into the family of God and that He loves me as His beloved child. It is also true that God has promised to never leave me and to never forsake me. It is also true that God has promised to remain faithful despite my unfaithfulness. It is also true that God has given me the Holy Spirit.

Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

This then is the way to fight against the truths that condemn me - to daily rehearse the truths of the gospel. To daily remind myself that the truth of the gospel far outweighs the truth of my sin. To daily remind myself that the work has already been done, I will never be less guilty than I am today. The only way to fight against the knowledge of my sin is to dwell in the knowledge of the gospel because the gospel is the only thing more powerful than my sin.

This truth should set us free to live in the joy of our position with Christ. As the chorus of one of my favorite songs puts it:

The old is gone, the new has come
What You complete is completely done
We're heirs with Christ, the victory won
What You complete is completely done

Witty Wednesday

Household Principles: Lamentations of the Father - Part 1

Laws Pertaining to the Living Room
Of the beasts of the field, and of the fishes of the sea, and of all the foods that are acceptable in my sight you may eat, but not in the living room.
Of the cereal grains, of the corn and of the wheat and of the oats, and of all the cereals that are of bright color and unknown provenance you may eat, but not in the living room.
Of the quiescently frozen dessert and of all frozen after-meal treats you may eat, but absolutely not in the living room.
Of the juices and other beverages, yes, even of those in sippy-cups, you may drink, but not in the living room, neither may you carry such therein. Indeed, when you reach the place where the living room carpet begins, of any food or beverage there you may not eat, neither may you drink.
But if you are sick, and are lying down and watching something, then you may eat in the living room.

Laws When at Table
And if you are seated in your high chair, or in a chair such as a greater person might use, keep your legs and feet below you as they were. Neither raise up your knees, nor place your feet upon the table, for that is an abomination to me. Yes, even when you have an interesting bandage to show, your feet upon the table are an abomination, and worthy of rebuke.
Drink your milk as it is given to you, neither use on it any utensils, nor fork, nor knife, nor spoon, for that is not what they are for; if you will dip your blocks in the milk, and lick it off, you will be sent away. When you have drunk, let the empty cup then remain upon the table, and do not bite it upon its edge and by your teeth hold it to your face in order to make noises in it sounding like a duck; for you will be sent away.
When you chew your food, keep you mouth closed until you have swallowed, and do not open it to show your brother or sister what is within; I say to you, do not so, even if your brother or your sister has done the same to you.
Eat your food only; do not eat that which is not food; neither seize the table between your jaws, nor use the raiment of the table to wipe your lips. I say again to you, do not touch it, but leave it as it is. And though your stick of carrot does indeed resemble a marker, drawn not with it upon the table, even in pretend, for we do not do that, that is why. And though the pieces of broccoli are very like small trees, do not stand them upright to make a forest, because we do not do that, that is why.
Sit just as I have told you, and do not leave to one side or the other, nor slide down until you are nearly slid away. Heed me; for if you sit like that your hair will go into the syrup. And now behold, even as I have said, it has come to pass.

Gramps

Last Friday my grandpa passed away. He was sick - very sick, and we knew that the time was nearing. He had battled cancer and various types of illnesses off and on, for the past 3 years. As I think about that, I am in awe of how gracious our God is. He allowed Gramps to live 79 full years. And, when he was at his worst health-wise, God in His great compassion, gave him more time to know more family members and experience many of God's blessings. He then ended Gramp's pain and suffering quietly and peacefully, laying in his bed here at home with Gram at his side. The Lord did not allow many years of pain and suffering for him. And, Gramps did not have to die alone in a hospital bed, all things that give his family comfort and open our eyes to God's mercies to lowly sinners such as we are.


My Gramps was more then a distant relative thought about only during holidays. He has been an earthly father and caregiver to me. I cannot remember a time when he wasn't part of my life. As children, my siblings and I lived with him, watching him work in his shed, drive his lawn mower to church to mow, and enjoyed walks with him as he named all the different flowers, trees and birds.

Gramps built us a playhouse years ago. That thing was a fortress. Our friends loved to come over and play in it; they had never seen anything like it! Of course, Gramps would watch us play and freak out every single time he thought we were doing something dangerous, like when my brother and his friends rode their bikes down the ramp he built leading up to this fortress. We thought after that, for sure we wouldn't ever be allowed to play in it again.

I remember him spending hours building bird houses, and various things like medicine cabinets and shelves. When I was a teenager and desiring to display some knickknacks, he built a beautiful corner shelf in my room and a matching ones for Kat. There was nothing he couldn't build.

I remember going over to run around church while he fixed things here and there, mowed the lawns, and cleaned, and found whatever projects weren't finished, and finish them. He never asked for anything in return and he never received any acknowledgment or recompense of any sort for it; he just did it, and loved every second of it. I know he has received his reward in Jesus when went to be with Him in eternity.

He was not just an integral part of my childhood, but on into my life with a husband and children. It has been a tremendous blessing that 4 out of my 5 children have had the opportunity to know him and love him and be loved by him. He built a crib - a beautiful , sturdy crib, when I was pregnant with my first child. He built a beautiful cradle as well. He would come over and tend to flowers and mow my lawn and play with the babies before he moved in with my family and me six years ago. Then my husband could barely keep up with the gas in the mower because he completely took over all the yard work, and took my little toddlers out to weed and water the garden.

He would give them access to his paint and give them wood and nails to work alongside him in the garage. Gramps was the main reason we built a garage; I only wish he could have used it more and we could have made it nicer for him. In fact, Calvin has a pair of jeans that he wears all the time now, that have the paint stains that I cannot get out, because Gramps gave him some paint and told him to go to town! Calvin was Gramps' little shadow when it came to yard work and woodworking. All the kids had hoped to build a birdhouse with grandpa this Spring. I guess we will have to build one in his memory now.

I have pictures and many memories of him taking my kids out to play on the swing set he built them. In the last 3 years when he has been weaker and sicker, he would still swing the little ones and sit on a chair by the trampoline and watch them while he sipped on lemonade ---- or Pepsi! All my kids were addicted to Pepsi at a young age because of him. He'd sneak it in their sippy cups, and also give them free sipping access to the Pepsi can he was drinking from. Many a summer day was spent sitting on a bench outside talking about birds, and plants and squirrels with grandpa.

I thank God for all the time we had with Gramps. He was always there when I needed him. He walked me down the aisle on my wedding day, he loved my children, and helped my husband in any way he could. I rejoice that he is in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but I really miss his presence here with us. I am sad that Gabe will not be able to work with him in the garage, or plant flowers with him in the garden. Every time we mow the lawn there will be sweet memories of Gramps--- boy will I miss him when I have to mow the lawn! That grass is actually going to get a chance to grow!

Grandpa Baldy made a difference in my life and the life of my family. I will always feel the pain of his absence, but I am filled with joy at the thought of all the sweet memories I can savor and be able to share with others. Thank you Lord!

Sarahs children

Continuing my thoughts on marriage... in 1 Peter 3:1-6 God tells us wives: "Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external- the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear- but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

I have been thinking about vs. 6 lately... especially how it says that we will be Sarah's children if we do good and don't fear anything frightening. I have heard different versions of this that say things like "don't fear anthing fearful" or "don't fear what the world fears". It was that last phrase that really got me thinking. What is it that the world fears? For my part, I see (and feel!) that the "world" (especially women) fear not being beautiful enough, not being sexy enough, betrayal, unhappiness, having problems with their children, being alone, being unappreciated, being unable to express themselves, being unhonored and disrespected, etc. The list goes on and on. It was pointed out to my discipleship class recently that the author acknowledges that these things are frightening. However Christian women are reminded that we are to chose to not give in to the temptation to fear, but rather we are to be marked by a hope in God that sees beyond the "maybes" and "probablies" and the worldly wisdom, to the great God who is in control and lovingly holding us in His hand. We are to believe His promises for our lives and the truths that God has declared regarding what is beautiful, precious and proper for holy women and then we are to "do good". We are to act out our hope in God by showing our husbands respect ("calling him lord") and living fearlessly in a day and age when women are wearing their fear filled hearts on their "sleeves". I know that my own fears can have a tendency to cause strife, contentions and stress in my own marriage; so this verse really hits home with me and yet is such a blessing to me. It holds such promise for me! God is faithful! God wants me to hope in Him (even with the really scary things like submission and my husband)! He will bless me as I trust in Him!

So what will that fearless living look like in my life? How about in your life? May we walk in fearless hope in God; for "He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32)

Like a Little Boy on Christmas Eve

"A man lying on his deathbed was asked by his son, 'Dad, how do you feel?'

The man replied, 'Son, I feel like a little boy on Christmas Eve."

Wow! I found this little story on a blog a couple month's back and made a note of it. What a powerful statement by a man who knew who his Savior was and who truly viewed eternity with Him as the ultimate event to look forward to.

We all know how little kids are on Christmas Eve. There are presents under the Christmas tree and they've been there for a while. The kids are obsessed, staring at them, picking them up and shaking them, guessing at what is inside. By the time Christmas Eve comes around they are bouncing off the walls with excitement. One more day, one more day!! They wake up ridiculously early Christmas morning, filled with joy that the long awaited day has finally come!

Oh that we would have the faith of little children, that we would have our minds consumed with the prize to come in such a way that when this life finally draws to an end we literally cannot wait to go home! Our God is so big and so beautiful and so wonderful that our sinful minds cannot even come close to comprehending his greatness and majesty, and because of this we are so easily distracted by the trinkets that this world has to offer.

My prayer for myself and for you all is that God would become so great in our minds that the temptations of this world no longer have any power over us. That our understanding of the love God has for us and the immense sacrifice that was made for us would forever grow. And that because of this, our love for others would increase and be manifested by greater patience and kindness shown to all, closer unity with the church, and an urgency in sharing our faith with unbelievers.

Witty Wednesday

Church Bulletin Bloopers Part 3

The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon. -------------------------- This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin. -------------------------- Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM.. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. Is done. -------------------------- The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday. -------------------------- Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door. -------------------------- The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy. -------------------------- Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.

Chapter 3 of the Cross Centered Life is about breaking the rules of legalism. The author, C.J. Mahaney, defines legalism as "seeking to achieve forgiveness from God and acceptance by God through obedience to God." I think it is important to obey the Lord's commands given in the Bible, but our salvation is based on faith alone not our works. We can't earn our way to Heaven.

The chapter goes on to explain that if a person thinks he can earn his way to Heaven then it is equivalent to telling God that Jesus' death on the cross was either unnecessary or insufficient, and that His plan didn't work - that the cross wasn't enough and that he needs to add his own works in order to be saved. This way of thinking must hurt God. He had to give His own Son to die a horrible death so that we could be saved and then we turn around and tell Him it wasn't enough, that I need to help too.

The author gives us the example of a man that he once saw on TV who was spinning plates on top of a flimsy stick. He started out with one plate spinning and then proceeded to increase the number of spinning plates until it seemed that he could not keep up with going back and forth to keep the plates spinning. Have you ever felt like you had so many things going all at once that you didn't know how you were going to accomplish everything without allowing something to crash? That is how many Christians feel. They become so involved in things that it becomes overwhelming.

I know that sometimes I get overwhelmed by trying to do things that I feel God would like me to do. I always end up not being able to handle it all and then I feel like God is disappointed in me. I forget the gospel message and put my trust in my own works.

The moment that a person repents of their sin and trusts in the Lord for his salvation, he is immediately justified in God's eyes. There are no degrees of justification. You are declared just once and for all.

After a person is justified, God works in their lives to make them more like Jesus and that is called sanctification. This is an ongoing process and will continue until the day God brings you home to Heaven. Its not a matter of then earning or maintaining your justification. You are already completely just in God's eyes and that will not change.

I remind myself often that I have been saved by grace. It is all of God and nothing of me. These thoughts cause me to praise and thank God for saving me. The Holy Spirit gives me the desire to study the word, and to tell others about salvation. I do those things because I want to, not because if I don't God will be mad at me.

I urge you to take a look at your life and decide if you are "going through the motions," trying to please God through good works. If you are, please stop and remember that God loves you so much that He gave His Son for you. He made it possible for you to be just in His eyes. Just put your trust in Him and forget about trying to please God with works.


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