Wait Quietly

"It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."
"Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in His anger shut up His compassion?"
"I said in my alarm, "I am cut off from Your sight." But You heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to You for help."
"Will not God give justice to His elect, who cry to Him day and night? Will He delay long over them? I tell you, He will give justice to them speedily."
"Wait for the Lord, and He will deliver you."
"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!"
"You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and you will see the salvation of the Lord."
"Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
"See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and late rains."

Lam. 3:26, Ps. 77:9, Ps. 32:22, Luke 18:7, 8, Prov. 20:22, Ps. 37:7, 2 Chron. 20:17, Gal. 6:9, Jas. 5:7

This was in my Daily Light yesterday morning. I thought it was too good not to share with everyone. These verses can speak to people in many seasons of life, and I hope God gives you hope and guidance in whatever place you are through His living and restoring Word.

The Change We Really Need

Tonight my family spent most of tonight watching the news and political chatter. And let me say that I think this election is very crucial, and it is important for everyone to get out and vote on Tuesday. Make sure you pray over the candidates - asking God for mercy and prevailing truth. These are important times, and the Christians must stand up or we will be silenced. (ok, stepping off my soapbox...)

Now, I get a little annoyed at all the talk about "change". Listening to all the politician's promises would have you believe they can supply, solve and/or save you for every problem in the nation, all by creating this miraculous "change" they will graciously provide if elected. (which we all know is humanly impossible) But I believe they are mooching off a basic, fundamental reality in America - and every nation for that matter. Every human desires change, because every life has difficulty. If there is some way to get out of that, well then let's change it.

While I think that is some of the issue, I also believe that biblically, inwardly, and emotionally our hearts desire a redemptive change, a transformation that can only come from Christ's salvation and presence in our lives.

For unbelievers, the change is an urgent one. Sinful hearts must be forgiven, minds must be renewed, and lives need transformation. This cannot be provided by a presidential candidate. This real change only comes from Jesus Christ. We must be campaigning for this gospel year-round. This is the change most are looking for. And it starts with repentance and belief in Jesus. (Mark 1:15)

For the Christians, we must remember that when you loose your job or struggle to put food on the table, the politicians can't fix that. "My God shall supply all your needs..." (Phil. 4:19) As the economy starts to fray at the ends and we begin to loose our financial "peace", "In Him [Christ] all things hold together..." (Col. 1:17), "He Himself is our peace..." (Eph. 2:14). In these shaky times, we fear for our safety and the future, but no President holds our security in his hands. "When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You..." (Ps. 56:3), "For I know the plans I have for you ... to give you a future and a hope..." (Jer. 29:11)

Our need for change is real and urgent. But we must focus on the real need. Politics and government are all good and useful in their proper places (and important to learn and participate in), but the soul's change is truly a matter of life or death. We must never loose focus of this. Because it is the change we all really need.

Guard Your Heart, Don't Suffocate It

That title was enough to convict me deeply. In light of my last post about silencing my heart's communication with God, when I checked the Desiring God blog this morning, I knew God had a message for me in this post. As will be explained below, another motive for this harmful silencing (hardening) of the heart is for selfish protection. We hold back out of fear and greed, which snuffs out our heart's vitality. I believe this goes back to idolatry again, because our focus is off of Christ and on ourselves.

I will copy Tyler Kenney's wonderful post here for you:

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“Guard your heart” is a good command. That’s because it’s biblical:

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

In its context, this verse suggests that keeping—or guarding—your heart means to retain wise words and resist wicked desires. But I’m afraid some people—ahem, me, too often—use it to justify being cowardly or cold instead of loving others, because we think that “guard your heart” means “don’t get hurt.”

C. S. Lewis provides the necessary rebuke:

Of all arguments against love none makes so strong an appeal to my nature as “Careful! This might lead you to suffering.”

To my nature, my temperament, yes. Not to my conscience. When I respond to that appeal I seem to myself to be a thousand miles away from Christ. If I am sure of anything I am sure that His teaching was never meant to confirm my congenital preference for safe investments and limited liabilities.…

There is no safe investment. To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket—safe, dark, motionless, airless—it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. The alternative to tragedy, or at least to the risk of tragedy, is damnation. The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell. (From The Four Loves, as found in The Inspirational Writings of C.S. Lewis, 278-279.)

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What are your thoughts about this? Does anyone else face this struggle?

When the tears stop

Life can have a hardening effect on me at times. Things that once moved my heart or even created a tear become callous expected moments that I can thoughtlessly handle. No surprises. No weakness. No problems. Call me capable. While on the outside I may appear to handle life gracefully, inside my heart grows dead, breaking into infertile pieces of dry crust. And the Spirit struggles to penetrate.

I can always tell when I slip into this rut. The symptoms are familiar. My compassion wearies, I smother my emotions, and I stop crying out (desperate dependence) to God. The last reason is the most detrimental, because the reverse is one of the remedies to this soul-deadening syndrome.

Living life in this withered valley slowly suffocates the abundant life Christ died to give us. Our inner lives which God created to flourish and glorify are the target of this disease. And I have seen this battlefield in more hearts than my own. Is there help? What can we do to cure our dead hearts? The advice I give is tested and found to be true. We must first cry out to the Living God - the great Heart Healer - to save us from this destruction.

Like I said earlier, one of the effects of a hardened heart is silence before God. We just don't say anything to God. Life rolls on as normal and our quiet times continue but with little results, and a sad heart.

One must consider the "roots" of this problem to find the solution. If the remedy is to cry out for mercy and help, then the problem begins when we stop crying out. I read something this morning that brought all these thoughts around full circle:

"For I am a jealous God, saith Jehovah, and I will not share My glory with another. Yea, I will pour out My goodness without restraint upon every open heart, and to all who cry unto Me, and I will be gracious. But My people have not cried: they have not called. Lo, they have been satisfied with the husks of this present world, and in an hour of indifference, they have allowed the pleasures of this life to fill that place which only belongs to Me. Yea, it hath displaced My Spirit, but it satisfieth not. O that they might return to Me..."

The seeds of this hardness results from idolatry. Running to something or someone else beside the Lord, embracing the world as a guide and friend, trusting in ourselves instead trusting in Christ. This is adultery of the heart. And participating in this will cause a heart to slowly harden.

This calls for deep repentance - crying out for mercy and help from our Father above. He sees what we've done. He knows our hearts are numbing Him out. He sees our sin. But He wants us to return. "O that they might return to Me..." Can you hear Him call? He wants your heart - your awakened heart - fully in His hands. I speak out of experience and struggle, when the Spirit is snuffed, our hearts harden. Let us return and open our mouths and cry to the listening Father, who is waiting for the prodigal to come back home.

Raindrops of Grace

A few mornings ago I awoke to the familiar sounds of raindrops spattering on the window above my bed. I love waking up to rain's music. It's very reflective. I stared up into the foggy window decorated by beads of water falling in a rhythmic pattern, thinking to myself how gentle the rain is. Now I know storms can be extremely ferocious and devastating at times, but normally rain is considerate to the tender needs below.

Which brought me to my next reflection, why does it rain? Because there is a need. The land gets dry. Rivers and lakes go down. Animals and humans suffer thirst. Trees and fields faint from dehydration. The world needs rain.

This same need transfers to our spiritual thirst as well. Souls can become just as dry as a desert. Hearts grow faint without nourishment. What can quench the thirst of the heart? What can satisfy the soul? It is something that falls from a Father's arms: grace.

Like a spring rain, grace is showered upon God's children in gentle amounts that nourish and sustain our livelihood. He gives grace for every need. 
"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Heb. 4:16)

If your heart is parched, and if your soul is weary, draw near to the Father for a downpour of grace to sustain your every need.

Blessings from the Word

Here are a few notes that I took in my quiet time this morning from Psalm 19:

"The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul."
God's Word is undisputedly perfect in word and purpose. It speaks to every need, rebukes every lie, strengthens every weakness, and most wonderfully revives the human soul with faithful grace for every deficiency. When my soul is weary and needy, I must go to no other place than the Word for the restoration.

"The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple."
Timeless in it's truth, the testimony of the Word is solid in foundation. It can and must be leaned upon. In every generation seeking wisdom, no greater resource can be found for lasting, applicable knowledge than the Scriptures. Our minds begin in the world as empty but eager storehouses waiting to be filled with truth and wisdom.

"The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart."
God's Word is right in all things, and it maintains the absolute standard for deciding what is right and wrong. The Word can be trusted and built upon. This causes the ultimate rejoicing for the heart, knowing that our greatest joy can be found in God's truth and perfect authority.

"The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes."
His holiness is refining, which causes every Word to be pure and righteous. He does not use His commands as weapons for wounds, but His commands are pure, causing the refining of the heart in obedience. It brings light and revelation to our eyes of understanding making us see firsthand the glory of God.

"The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever."
Fearing the Lord brings more blessing than one might first assume. The fear of the Lord is wisdom - for He is much to be feared. All power, control, good, and evil rest in His hands motivated by a gracious heart. Our fear is clean and holy, enabling us to endure.

"The rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether."
God's Word, His rules, and commands are proven to be true and righteous by the authority of God Himself and by hundreds of generations before us. "The word of the Lord proves true..." (Ps. 18:30) Anyone who casts herself (or himself) on the foundation of the Word will not be ashamed of doing so. Every time the Word proves true.

"More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; in keeping them is great reward." Psalms 19:7-11

Amen.

Ode to Tea

I'm sorry, but I am really enjoying my tea this morning. And I had to write about it.

Tea is one of those special delights that makes me happy just thinking about it. Every realm of it's features inspire me. I love the smell. The taste. The color. The accessories. The photos. The effects. The gatherings. The tearooms. The teacups. The teapots. The history. So everything about it really!

Just for fun, I will include some of my favorite tea quotes:

Strange how a teapot can represent at the same time the comforts of solitude and the pleasures of company.  ~Author Unknown

If you are cold, tea will warm you.  If you are too heated, it will cool you.  If you are depressed, it will cheer you.  If you are excited, it will calm you.  ~Gladstone, 1865

All true tea lovers not only like their tea strong, but like it a little stronger with each year that passes.  ~George Orwell

Remember the tea kettle - it is always up to its neck in hot water, yet it still sings!  ~Author Unknown

Never trust a man who, when left alone in a room with a tea cozy, doesn't try it on.  ~Billy Connolly

You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.  ~C.S. Lewis

Oh, I am starting to see the bottom of my cup. Time to put the kettle on! :)

How Did Jesus Witness?

It's a rainy day. Mary's driving home from a long day of hectic social interaction. Looking out her window she sees the familiar sign glowing through the fog: Starbucks. She walks in, shakes the water off of her coat, and grabs a latte. Finding a cozy seat by the window, she begins to quietly enjoy her beverage. A young woman comes in and sits in the booth next to her. With hardly a glance in her direction, Mary stares at the cars splashing by on the highway.
"We surely needed the rain today, didn't we?" comes from the young woman in the next booth.
"Sure did." Mary quickly responds, hoping this will silence her.
"Do you like rainy days?" 
Oh boy. Can't I just watch the rain and drink my coffee in peace?
Mary let's out a little sigh. "In moderation."

All gets quiet again. Yes, finally. Mary takes another sip of her quickly cooling latte. Leaning back in the chair, she tries to relax. Without warning, her heart feels a deep prick. And she knows what this means. The beat in her heart speeds up (and it's not the caffeine). Oh no Lord... do I have to do this right now, with her? Can't I just enjoy the rain. I'm tired. You've seen how busy my day was. Can't you use someone else? I'm no good at this anyway...

The prodding doesn't stop. Mary's heart wrestles within her. Her palms get sweaty. As her mind leans toward obeying God's calling, she almost panics. What do I say? How do I begin? What if I say something wrong? How will she respond? How do I do this?!

How do I do this?

Witnessing is looked upon widely as a seemingly confusing and stressful task for the Christian. Every person is different, with different backgrounds and fears, different ways of understanding and communicating. How do we go about sharing the most important news in the world with someone we have never met or don't understand? Jesus shows us how.

While reading in John 4 a few days ago, God began showing me some basic, helpful guidelines for witnessing that Jesus used while talking to the woman from Samaria.

Jesus talked with the outcasts. (4:9)
We shouldn't avoid those we don't understand or who our culture ignores. Jesus opened a conversation with 1) and Samaritan, and 2) a woman. Both of these qualities where despised among the Jews. But Jesus didn't let that stop Him from sharing the truth. Everyone needs the gospel, especially the outcasts.

Jesus used earthly instruments to explain heavenly precepts. (4:13)
The well of water was an excellent tool for explaining the gospel to this thirsty woman. We also can use physical objects around us to help illustrate the spiritual truths of Christ. Everything can be used to point to Christ.

Jesus was patient with her ignorance. (4:15, 16)
After Jesus presents a simply beautiful illustration about the Living Water, which Christians completely understand, the Samaritan woman responds by asking, "Give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water." (4:15) She kinda missed the point. The water Jesus was offering wasn't physical water, but eternal spiritual water. But it didn't discourage Him. He just went deeper.

Jesus cut straight to the heart. (4:16)
Picking up on the signs about her lifestyle, (and being God, He knew all things) He asked her a question which would reveal what she lived to hide. A few years ago, I read something by John Piper that I will never forget, "The quickest way to the heart is through a wound." Jesus uses this knowledge to strip away the crust of lies and lay bare the inner self. This is a valuable tool for witnessing. Every person has wounds of the heart. If we can lovingly and honestly uncover these hurts, we can offer the healing balm of the gospel to fill the holes of pain caused by sin.

Jesus gets to the heart, then reveals Himself. (4:26)
After much dialogue and discussion with this woman, He gets to her heart and then reveals Himself. If He would have simply walked up to her in the beginning and declared, "I am the Messiah!", I don't think she would have listened to Him. In the same way, we cannot approach strangers and announce that they need Jesus without getting to their heart, showing them their heart, and then offering the remedy for their heart.

Jesus answered her questions with the truth. (4:20, 22)
This lady obviously had real questions about religion and worship. And Jesus let her talk and ask questions. I noticed though in every answer, Jesus held out an invitation for her to step into. Our answers to people's questions should always offer hope and truth, with an open invitation to join and change.

Jesus creates a worshipper. (4:23)
Out of an obviously carnal woman, in whom I would have probably regarded as beyond hopeless, Christ transformed her into a true worshipper that would bear witness to her entire town. She wasn't just a number to Him. He wanted and created a worshipper.

What about when I don't feel like witnessing to people? Look to Jesus. In the verses leading up to this passage, it says, "So Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well." (4:6) Jesus was weary. He was tired from a long journey. But He was faithful in His compassion. Everyone needs Him, and to everyone (even in His weariness) He made Himself available. What an example...

All this considered, we must again come to the realization that it is not us making a Christian, it is Christ at work. Take the burden off of your shoulders and rest in the power of the gospel.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes." Romans 1:16

The gospel is what holds the power. Not us.
We are just the witnesses who sit by the wells of life offering the Water for life.

[polldaddy poll=1020306]

If you answered in the above poll, please feel free to elaborate in the comment section.

6 things I have learned this year...

Surprise, surprise! Julia has tagged me to write 6 things I have learned this year. It was actually hard for me to nailed down only six... maybe if the number had been near 200 I would have an easier time? Anyway, here are my *only* six things:

1. In the Christian's life, surrender is victory.

2. God is faithful. Really, He is.

3. Darkness is for a moment. Dawn always comes.

4. Don't give up on people. With God, people do and can change.

5. Loneliness is not a sin. God cares how you handle it.

6. That there is always more to learn. About people, about God, about me.

... and this is by no means an exhaustive list! God has taught me so much this year, and attempting to put words to it would fill a blog, book, and mind. But stay tuned - as I process and learn, I always love to share.

Here are the rules for this tag:

State six things you have learned this year.
Tag at least six people.
Leave comments on their blogs letting them know they've been tagged.

I tag:

Erin
Olivia
Maria Pauline
Ella
Phylicia
Stephanie

What about you? What has God shown you this year?

Speaking Skies

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat. (Psalms 19:1-6)

I have adored this passage of Scripture for years. It serves as a very poetic reminder to recognize the glory of God in all areas of my life, especially through nature. How often I get in a hurry, running out to my car for an appointment without stopping to look up at the sky and hear what it is proclaiming. The birds outside my window desire to remind me of God's amazing glory, but I don't open the window. An evening breeze plays with my hair but I can't stop to listen.

I was reading something John Piper taught on this passage today, and God used these words to penetrate my heart about listening to His silent voice in His creation.

"God means for there to be communication from his mind and heart to our mind and heart, but the medium of communication—the thing that carries the reality from his heart to my heart—is not written words; it's not spoken words. Instead it's light and color and contrast and shape and proportion and design and motion and magnitude, etc. ... Wordless words, speechless speech, voiceless voice. The point is clear: God is pouring forth communication to us through the sky; he is telling and proclaiming and speaking and writing lines and declaring knowledge to everyone who will stop and listen."

Friendly Forum #10

Welcome to Friendly Forum #10! 

Again, I will just remind you all that Friendly Forum is for you and by you, so comment as often as you like, interacting with other commentors or adding additional thoughts. I will be reading over each response; thank you for sharing your thoughts.

If you have an idea for the next Friendly Forum, leave me a comment on the Friendly Forum page or drop me an e-mail. I hope you are encouraged!

This forum was born out a question that was posed in the previous post.

How can I serve my earthly father and imitate my earthly mother when they are not believers? Mostly my parents provide discouragement rather than encouragement. Any advice?

10 Things I Wish I'd Known When I Was Single

Yes, I am still single... but I saw this over at Jasmine's blog written by a very wise Mrs. Christine. I found these insights extremely helpful and a much needed encouragement to us single gals. May these remind us to make the most of our season of singleness.

Ten Things I Wish I'd Known When I Was Single:

1. Marriage doesn't "develop" the good traits. If you don't cultivate patience, joy, gentleness, kindness, etc. before marriage, they aren't going to miraculously appear when you've wed.

2. If you can't joyfully submit to your parents, you won't joyfully submit to your husband.

3. If you develop a "grass is greener" mentality while single, marriage won't feel as fulfilling as you dream it to be. Contentedness is something you must cultivate while single. If you aren't content as a daughter, you won't be magically become content as a wife.

4. Cultivate a schedule (along with a daily quiet time) before you have to schedule life around children. If you can function on a schedule as a single young lady, then you will flourish as a wife and mother.

5. Learn to play with your siblings. If you can't "enjoy" your brothers and sisters, it will be hard to "delight" in your children. You will love your children, yes... but you will not become a "fun" person through childbirth.

6. Learn to give. Make your life as a single young woman about serving others. (Make sure to do this through the leadership of your father so that you choose wisely and don't overextend yourself.) If you make your single years about "serving self," it is very difficult to "kill off self" once you're married.

7. Learn to please your earthly father. This relationship will give you the vital ability to discern what will bless your future husband. Granted, every man is different... but if you seek to do your father good, it will be easy to seek to do your husband good.

8. Consider your mother your mentor. Learn from her... Study her... Memorize her movements and schedules. One day you will be the "home manager."

9. Learn to enjoy and have fun with "just" your family. If you need friends to make life fun while single, the same will apply when married.

10. Learn to follow a budget and shop wisely. Regardless of your family's "mode" of living, generally marriage is started off on a simple budget. You will be a great blessing to your husband if you manage carefully the money he gives to you.

Any more you would add? Which ones spoke the most to you?

Tea and Books: October

With all the conferences going on in my life lately (praise God for them all), I have slacked up a lot on my book reading - minus the Scriptures. Plus, God has been redeeming areas in my life involving books... but maybe that's another post. So this month all I have managed to read thus far is a transforming and convicting book titled:

War of Words - Paul David Tripp
This is one of those books that I need to read and reread over again. I am closing in on the halfway mark, and already I have found the truths to be desperately needed in my heart and on my tongue. The subtitle truly explains this books purpose: getting to the heart of your communication struggles. If you are seriously interested (or convicted) in finding and solving the problem of our words (which is our hearts... but I won't give it all away...), then get this book. I have found more truth and practical application of those truths in this book than anywhere else besides the Scriptures. I highly recommend this one. (do I always say that?)

In the area of tea, well, let's see. As the weather settles down into a crisp cool wonderland, my tea mug is happily filled more often. This is also a good time to try new types of tea. Last weekend Mom bought some really delicious peach tea. I normally find peach tea to be, well, too peachy, so I was surprised that I liked it. Maybe autumn is inspiring more creativity to my taste buds. :)
 

What have ya'll been reading and sipping?

Windswept

There is something mysterious about a breeze. We can’t see it, but yet it can be felt. It moves the things around us, giving a voice to nature. Storms and sunsets are enhanced by a wind, both gentle or fierce. The wind effects it's target, all while remaining invisible.

Recently I took a walk through a grove of trees effected by a rowdy wind. The great trees bent easily under the mighty wind's power, ripping through the drying leaves and creating such a noise overhead. Looking up into the action, I found it strange that although I could see the trees swaying and the leaves shaking, I could not see the "object" that was stirring such activity. But obviously it was there.

"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear it's sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
John 3:8 ESV

In the Greek, the same word is used for both wind and Spirit. Maybe because their qualities are similar? Both are seemingly invisible, but they are very real. They effect people, but remain unseen. Skeptics can't believe in our God because He is invisible and they don't know where He came from. Sometimes we Christians even begin to assume God is absent from our lives because He appears to be hidden.

Open your eyes and look around you. Watch the people as they sway under His power. Look as souls are redeemed and people change. The Spirit of Jesus is moving among us, transforming us, empowering us to live like Him. It is the great mystery.

You might not be able to "see" the Spirit. But watch the trees. He is here.

Cleansing the Guilty Conscience

“There is no greater burden in this world than the guilt of our sin. Other burdens weary the feet or the back; this burden wearies the soul. People who abhor the idea of a blood-shedding God may write platitudes about the goodness of man. People may say that we are finding our destiny out of a Darwinian soup. Perhaps we are not yet what we might be, but we are certainly not guilty, they insist. But in a moral universe ruled by a holy God, such words will not wash away the reality of the things we have done.

If you come to recognize how your words have torn the hearts of others as knives tear the flesh; if you think for just a moment how your neglect of duty and selfish pursuit of gain have meant sorrow and woe for real people; if you merely ask how many men and women in this world have real cause to resent you, to wish you had never crossed their paths; if you take stock of God’s holy and unyielding law and your incessant violation of it, then your conscience will speak against you about what you really are and deserve. You will crave a cleansing such as Christ alone can give.”

- Richard D. Phillips
HT: First Importance

Come and See

I am beginning to go through the gospel of John in my devotions. Reading through the life of Jesus is one of the most helpful things in my walk with Him; observing how He relates to people, listening to His words, discerning His passion. This morning's reading in John 1 brought all these convictions.

I was touched by Philip's persuasion in Christ's authenticity. When Nathaniel attempted to disregard Jesus on account of his homeland, Philip's earnest reply was "Come and see."

That response sparked some meditation in my heart. The world will always have motivation to disapprove Jesus and His dependability. In fact it is predictable in almost every conversation with an unbeliever to be refuted, "Well what about this?" or "what about that?" They rest on nonexistent "cracks" in the ceiling to justify their opposition or uneasiness about Jesus' reality. Our bold and happy defense against all disregard for our Lord Jesus should be, "Well, come and see..."

Jesus' dependability rests in His hands, not ours. When you have a personal encounter with the Lord, all unbelief and skepticism melts away. His perfect record and the truth of His person speaks for itself. Our purpose is to point to Him and invite people along with us to come and see Jesus for themselves.

Nathaniel's response after Philip convinced him to come along was momentous. Nathaniel proclaimed, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" (John 1:49) Jesus revealed it and he saw it. Philip didn't argue and debate with Nathaniel about Jesus credibility, no, he simply lead him to the real Person.

I want to be like Philip by beckoning people to come and see Jesus.

Transcends Language

A few nights ago, my family invited some missionaries from Columbia to enjoy some outdoor time at our property. Hours of fun and fellowship followed, despite some language barriers. To listen and observe a deep rooted faith in these people fanned the flame in my heart to live wholly surrendered to Jesus. Even though we couldn't discuss in detail the Lord's workings in each of our lives, we could simply smile with gratefulness and express our love for the Lord and our love for them.

It is amazing to see the Spirit at work in another's life, especially in someone who lives outside of America. God's truth and passion extends outside of my little world. I can become so "Americanized" in my Christianity. Seeing these people aflame with God's love was good for my worldview.

When the time came for us to say goodbye and give hugs to all, the man from Columbia asked if he could pray for us. He began to pray in his native language of Spanish, crying out passionately and sincerely to the Lord with thankfulness and godly expectancy that I rarely hear or use.

Although I have no idea exactly what he prayed, I knew the Lord did. During the prayer I opened my eyes and glanced from face to face and saw the marvelous wonder of God's transcending grace. No matter what language, country, or person, God's redemption and truth transcends language.

Gratefully Overwhelmed

Today was one of those days in which God totally overwhelmed me with His goodness... these days happen to me every once in a while. I wish it would happen more, but I treasure them while they last. Moment by moment God has restored my soul with an encouraging word, a gem of truth, and the fellowship of believers. And I am gratefully overwhelmed... God is good.

Without realizing it, my soul was in need of restoration and food. God has abundantly supplied what my heart needed. Again, He is good. Oh He is good.

Tonight I walked outside and peered into the clear sky with the half moon glowing above. I found a place on the grassy lawn and rested my head back to behold the scope of a starry night in all it's glory. God is near. I feel Him. He cares. Really. Such simple truths, but when I really believe them it transforms me deep inside, bringing peace and hope I sometimes ignore. God is good. Yes He is.

Looking up into His heavens, I realize how small I am. But this little life I have, it is all His. I surrender it to Jesus with only the simple cry: make me like You, and please use me for Your glory. If heavens can smile, I saw it tonight. My glorious Father is pulling His children closer, close enough to hear His heartbeat and walk in obedience to it's rhythm. Oh my Jesus is good. So so good...

"For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations." Psalms 100:5

Sunshine Above the Weather

Are dark clouds rolling in around your life? Is the sunny disposition you posses slowly turning cold and stormy? Are the shadows growing larger, overtaking your life with deep darkness? Is the rain of pain drowning your joy?

May I encouraged your heart today? Though the forecast predicts reckless storms and sudden darkness, the Lord is a light for us. "If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you." (Psalms 139:11-12) The great Sunshine of the sky never stops shining. His help is ever present.

Last weekend when I was traveling back home from the Desiring God conference, on the day of our departure a storm swept over the city and it began to mist rain. Looking at the sky one could only see the thick dark canopy over our heads. As we boarded the airplane and ascended into the sky, the aircraft pierced through the turbulent rain clouds and darkness. Suddenly, as if entering a new world, we burst through the ugly weather and sunshine flooded into our windows. The light was bright and beautiful.

Life can at times become a city under a dark storm cloud. The weather turns for the worst, and joy is rained out. We think God has forgotten us, that He has hidden His face. In truth His light is ever shining above the weather of life, holding us closer in the darkness, and when His timing is ready, He will break through with His light of grace and understanding. There is always sunshine above the weather. Let us trust Him through the storm.

"The darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining..." (1 John 2:8)

20 Resolutions for the Tongue

Sinclair Ferguson continued to look at James 3:1-12 not only in the context of the verses themselves, but in context of the entire book of James. In case we are wondering where the practical application is for us in this passage of exposing the tongue, the book of James holds a wealth of advice for reigning in this unruly member of our bodies.

Ferguson fleshes out 20 resolutions derived from the book of James:

1. I resolve to ask God for wisdom to speak out of a single-minded devotion to him. (1:5)

2. I resolve to boast only in the exultation I receive in Jesus Christ and also in the humiliation I receive for Jesus Christ. (1:9-10)

3. I resolve to set a watch over my mouth. (1:13)

4. I resolve to be constantly quick to hear and slow to speak. (1:19)

5. I resolve to learn the gospel way of speaking to both rich and poor. (2:1-4)

6. I resolve to speak in the present consciousness of my final judgment. (2:12)

7. I resolve never to stand on anyone’s face with the words I employ. (2:16)

8. I resolve never to claim as reality in my life what I do not truly experience. (3:14)

9. I resolve to resist quarrelsome words as evidence of a bad heart that needs to be mortified. (4:1)

10. I resolve never to speak decided evil against another out of a heart of antagonism. (4:11)

11. I resolve never to boast in anything but what I will accomplish. (4:13)

12. I resolve to speak as one subject to the providences of God. (4:15)

13. I resolve never to grumble. The judge is at the door. (5:9)

14. I resolve never to allow anything but total integrity in everything I say. (5:12)

15. I resolve to speak to God in prayer whenever I suffer. (5:13)

16. I resolve to sing praises to God whenever I’m cheerful. (5:14)

17. I resolve to ask for the prayers of others when I’m in need. (5:14)

18. I resolve to confess it whenever I have failed. (5:15)

19. I resolve to pray with others for one another whenever I am together with them. (5:15)

20. I resolve to speak words of restoration when I see another wander. (5:19)

I have been using these resolutions to help guide my prayers in the morning concerning my tongue. What a great help they have been to me, and I hope they will be of help to you in prayer and sanctification.

An Exposition on James 3:1-12

The opening session of the DG conference was skillfully conducted by Sinclair Ferguson titled, "The Tongue, the Bridle, and the Blessing." (Listen, read or watch here) Ferguson's central text was James 3:1-12, which we all know to be the most convicting passage of Scripture on our tongues. He viewed this passage in three lenses of context: 1) the verses as a whole, 2) the verses in context of the book of James, and 3) in context of the gospel.

As we looked at the verses in James, four points were derived from the text which I want to look at in this post:

1) The Difficulty of Taming the Tongue

The first warning in this passage is, "not many of you should become teachers..." which opens the door for the rest of the message. Teachers talk when they teach; they use many words to explain, convict, and encourage. But "we all stumble in many ways," and if we use our tongues we will stumble in what we say. In fact, James is so bold as to declare, "he who does not stumble in what he says is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body." In a sense, James is saying it is impossible to tame the tongue. But is this the purpose of James' instruction, to discourage us with the inevitable defeat?

No, all Scripture is "given to us for teaching doctrine, reproving us, correcting us, and training us in righteousness..." (2 Timothy 3:16) Ferguson beautifully explains, "The practical purpose of Scripture is to make us spiritually mature. It unfolds truth for our darkened minds, it touches our consciences in the power of the Holy Spirit and convicts us of our sin till the end of our lives. It’s one of the burdens of James that these Christians to whom he is speaking should be brought to a great spiritual maturity."

While taming the tongue is the most difficult grace to master, the mature man can make strides in this area. But is a moment by moment battle of the heart.

2) The Disproportionate Power of the Tongue:

James describes controlling the tongue as "putting bits in the mouths of horses" and "a small rudder that guides the entire ship". Our boneless tongues clutch the wondrous power of controlling our entire bodies. Why? Because it carries the breath of our souls.

Ferguson used the perfect illustration of getting in an elevator with a smoker. Immediately everyone in the elevator recognizes who the smoker is, because their breath transfers what is on the inside, most of the time unconsciously. The same principle applies to our tongues. Our speech will betray the aroma of our hearts. Our words permeate everything we do and everyone around us.

3) The Destruction Caused by the Tongue:

James tells us where our "tongue issues" derive from: hell. Like a small match can produce a fierce wildfire, so our tongues are a fire that set our lives ablaze with evil. Our tongues are a "world of iniquity", staining every part of our lives, filled with a deadly poison, a restless evil.

Satan produces this "restlessness". Ferguson explains, "The tongue is a tiny instrument that ruins everything, like a stain on a dress. The misuse of the tongue can apparently render every other grace in my life impotent. We know that it takes one single wrong word for everything we have ever done to crumble into hypocrisy. I think, at least in those last three pictures he’s using, James has Genesis 3 in the back of his mind: the poison under the tongue of the serpent, restless in his disobedience to God. Satan goes about like a restless, roaring lion, and he produces restlessness in the heart. He is a beast, and one of his chief instruments is this tiny instrument God has given us to praise his name."

I am sure none of us has to think back very far to recount an instance in which the tongue was used for our destruction. The words were seared upon our memory inflicting a pain greater than any physical wound could create. Our words are easily and quickly used to set people on fire. And we are so careless with this fire.

4) The Deadly Inconsistency of the Tongue:

We bless and we curse, sometimes in the same breath. This word choice "bless" and "curse" holds weightier meaning than we realize. "We should never minimize these words," Ferguson warns, "We should understand that the words “bless” and “curse” have great significance. These are words that describe the serious, covenantal purposes of God to bring judgment that will lead to hell or grace that will lead to heaven. Here we are, blessing God and then cursing those made in his image."

This can be described as being "a double minded man", something I thought I would never be. But I am. My tongue has produced salty water and bad fruit from what should be a redeemed spring and tree. After this session was completed, I had the urge to never speak again. But as I mentioned in the beginning, the Word is meant to expose our sin and train us in righteousness.

The gospel has become increasingly precious in my eyes, seeing the true wretch that I am and the amazing Savior that Jesus is. Only by His grace can I press on to maturity. This restless tongue is receiving it's bridle with joy, knowing and wanting the truth and grace my Lord faithfully spoke through His entire life. Oh to be more like Him...

Randomness

I have been tagged by Kasie to write six random things about me. I think I have done something like this before, but I'm sure I can muster up six more random facts about myself, since I am very, uh, random?

Anyway, here are the rules before I begin:

 

Link to the person who tagged you.

Post the rules on your blog.

Write six random things about yourself.

Tag sixish people at the end of your post.

Let each person know he or she has been tagged.

Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

 

Here is some of my randomness...

1. I have had a cup of tea at 30,000 feet in the air. (in an airplane)

2. My appendix was removed even though I have never had an appendicitis.

3. When I was little, I thought lakes were big bathtubs.

4. As I habit I am trying to break, I pull out my eyelashes when I watch TV.

5. One of my legs is longer than the other, although no one can tell.

6. I am a "bookaholic". Picture to prove below.



I Tag:

Courtney

Carley

Olivia

Allison

Rebekah

Jasmine