Quote On Spiritual Growth

"As a man, looking steadfastly on a dial, cannot perceive the shadow move at all, yet viewing it after a while, he shall perceive that it hath moved; so, in hearing of the Word, but especially in the receiving of the Lord's Supper, a man may judge even his own faith, and other graces of God, to be little or nothing increased, neither can he perceive the motion of God's Spirit in him at that time; yet by the fruits and effects thereof, he shall afterward perceive that God's Spirit has little by little wrought greater faith and other graces in him." --William Gurnall

MEN And Their Role To Women

I recently saw these two posts on a pastor's wall on Facebook. I found it fascinating. Also, I'll start by saying that this is not just me bashing on men *at all*! I will be posting soon on women and their roles to men.

Post 1 "Men, you are not entitled to be served by your wife, the Bible makes it clear, you are to serve them even to the point of death. We are to love our wives as Christ loves the church, and He gave His life. Nor should you control what they spend, how they spend their time, what they wear, how they act or any part of their life. Accept them for who they are not make them into who you want them to be. Love is about freedom not control."

Post 2 "Recently I posted a statement that men should not control woman and should love them as Christ loves the church. My wife and I have been reading the comments and we are shocked by the number of men (mainly) and some woman who find issue with my statement. We believe this is one of the most serious issues facing woman and men today, that men feel the right to treat woman as a possession to be cont

rolled. As Christian leaders we feel led by God to change how many men treat woman. 

Controlling woman is not Biblical, actually it is the opposite. Over the next month or so we will share more from the Word on why men should choose freedom and not control. Men we have to trust the woman in our lives. They are not possessions or objects we own, they have not been created to do our will, they are free and amazing creations of God - just like us. If we control woman, we are going against God's will, plain and simple."

Picture of God's Beautiful Fall

Books Vs. Movies

So tonight...er...this morning...my random brain was musing over the thought of books vs. movies. Just got to thinking about how...books are longer and take more time to read. A movie you can consume within ...say 2 hours. A book? Well...okay, for me a typical book takes about 2 hours as well...but I speed read...and I also take a bit longer for books...because I think, "Oh, it's the end of a chapter...I can finish some other time". Or if it's a fascinating book then I always get interrupted by chores or work or music or school or something!

So I got to thinking: why are books more time-consuming than movies? Well...for one obvious reason it's because movies play on and on and on...as opposed to books which can get closed, set aside, or bookmarked for another time...anytime. Which is a bit sad, but handy a lot of times.
Another reason (which was my main point through all of this) is that the books tell the thoughts of the characters...or at least most books. They tell what the character is feeling...thinking...experiencing. Now, a movie can show these emotions as played out on the actors/actresses faces...but it doesn't take the time to TELL us what they are thinking (unless they have that creepy echoing voice that indicates that the person is actually thinking).

Anyways...maybe that seems a bit crazy...but it was just an interesting thought that popped into my head tonight. Probably because I'm watching the Harry Potter series on my computer and each movie is about 2 1/2 hours long...and the books are just huge!! I wish I could read the books...I've heard they're better than the movies...but I just don't have that kind of time to each these massive books! I did, however, read the book The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks before I watched the movie. I do NOT recommend the movie. I disliked it a lot and was completely bored/grossed out by it. But that was one instance where the book was far better than the movie and I approved.

So...you could completely ignore this whole post...because it was the craziness of a teenager on coffee in the wee hours of the morning. Now I'm going to hop on Pinterest until I fall asleep! :D Have a great night!..er..morning.

Loved or Appreciated? and Daily Christian Lives

So here's a question that came to mind last night: Is it better to be liked/loved or appreciated/respected/looked up to? Which is better? Which do you prefer? I thought of this because I've always struggled with being seen in orchestra. Many people who know me would describe me as bold and outgoing, but when it comes to "showing off" with my viola I tend to be toned down (no pun intended). I've been in Senior Orchestra for (our top orchestra) for about 5 years now. Ever since I started in this orchestra I've been for the majority of the time anything but first chair...I say majority because we are not supposed to have assigned seats (but we always end up in some kind of "assigned" seating). We all switch around and as such everyone gets a chance at first chair. But even with that kind of system you all know who is the bold, talented, creative player with flare. And for as long as I've been in orchestra that hasn't been me.

This year is the first year that I'm the oldest and "most talented" violist. I've been here the longest...the others have been in this orchestra 1 year, 6 months, and one just came in (3 other violists obviously). So I thought this would be my year to shine...to take center stage. It thrilled and scared me. I love being seen as "the best" (Okay, maybe the "better one"). Who doesn't? In past years I worked hard and tried to be that but it seemed like there was always someone better. Isn't that usually the case? You are good at something but never quite the best. In past years I never asked or pushed to get attention or first chair simply because I was a little bit of a pushover...maybe that's the vain side of me talking, but I came across that word last night and thought, 'Yeah, that kind of applies to what I'm trying to say.'

Even when they asked if I wanted first chair I would say no because I knew that they desperately wanted it and I would rather them like me then for me to take "their chair". Now I'm faced with this problem this year again...I thought it was all over, but it never really left. I don't want to seem prideful or selfish by always taking the first chair because I know I'm the more experienced one...but at the same time I know that this is my last year so they will need to learn to be leaders in their own time for next year. How do I balance that? Well I developed this system where I would just be the last one to sit down and as such I would just sit in the empty chair. As scared as these young violists are and how cautious they have appeared the past two months you would think that they would just leave me the first chair...but it has only happened one week so far.

What do I do? Do I take it like I've been told by my friends who know I have more experience? Do I risk losing the "love" of these young violists? Or do I continue to stay in their good graces? So now, I'll ask my first question again: is it better to be loved or looked up to? Would you prefer people like you for letting them have their way? Or would you rather have people who look up to you in awe? Both of these are a little out of way (rather silly huh?). But I guess what I'm saying is would you prefer fame or love? Often fame comes with a price...people look up to you and respect you so much that they don't dare talk to you. Have I been seeking fame too desperately? Do I expect too much attention?

Ultimately our end goal is to praise and glorify God. So now...how can we do that? One of the hardest parts of life is finding a balance in life. We can't be too this...but we can't be too much that. When do we let go? When do we hold on? I've come to see this with conversion. Well, maybe not even calling it conversion but speaking Christ into someone's life. When is the point where I back off and trust the Holy Spirit to open their eyes? I have friends who say that you speak the truth once and then leave...but then you hear of the many stories of the worst sorts of heretics who so many have given up on but there are those few (usually siblings, mother, or close friend) who just don't give up...they persist...and eventually the person receives a dramatic change and then goes on to be a famous and heroic Christian impacting the lives of thousands.

This doesn't even apply solely to orchestra. This could apply to family life or even our careers. So where do you find the balance of not being a weak spineless pushover but not being a know-it-all and proud jerk? Well, there is no set answer...there isn't any easy answer that will answer each situation like this. It depends on the individual, the situation, and the details of the situation. How important is it? Is it something that will impact the rest of your life? We are called to be selfless...but not to the extreme that we suffer from it. Yes, we are called to do missions and help those in need...but that doesn't mean pushing yourself to do it all and without any breaks. You are called to tend your body since it is a precious treasure of God's...you must care for it...food, water, sleep, and many other things are not just good, but they are needed and required for complete health.

I keep straying from the main subject. Yes, it isn't good to "hog" the main chair all to myself. That is an extreme. But at the same time it's not right to be that wimpy spineless pushover and just let them always have it. We are called to switch around and that can easily done. We have no set leader in course right now and until that time we can equally use that chair to grow and advance...to learn how to play boldly and confidently while growing in not only our leadership skills but also our servant and follower skills. Wherever we are placed it can always be used for the glory of God...depending on your own attitude and response. How do you respond to God and His will? When you find yourself at a cross road and not sure which way to take, find a happy medium.

Spend quality time in prayer. I said quality for a reason. You can't just throw out a prayer and expect it to happen. You have to actively seek God and seek to have a blossoming relationship with Him. It's not just a one time "asking God into my heart" time. It's a life...a life of *actively* searching for Him. Searching for truth. Searching for that which is good, true, and beautiful. God does not laugh when we bring small things like these to Him. That fact alone draws me to the throne of God. He doesn't care if we think it's small. If we bring it to Him then it is a big thing to Him. He cares about the tiniest details of our lives. And if we are ever confused or at a loss of what to do about a situation (even one so silly as wondering where to sit in orchestra) then there is no better remedy than to search out our Heavenly Father and seek advice and help.

Prayer and reading of our Bibles should be a natural thing...as normal as blinking or breathing. It should be a daily...several times daily thing that we do. We are truly lost without guidance. We are weak and frail creatures...incapable of strength or intelligence apart from Christ. Why is that when we do pray or seek our Father out that we are looked at so strangely...like we had another head or something. It's not odd! It's not weird! It's habit...it's normal...it's needed. I pray that you would be guided and lifted up to our Father...He cares for you tenderly. Never forget it. I feel so sorry for those who are apart from God...who have strayed or been in denial of Him. Even more so for those who were born and raised Christians but then left the faith. How can they live with feeling of emptiness? They were entirely filled up and loved...and then lost it. God grant that we remain faithful and dedicated heart, mind, and soul to Him for our whole lives.

On "Finding Yourself"

I've come across a number of songs lately that are (mainly guys singing) about how their significant other (usually a girl) is out "looking for herself" and they hope she'll come back soon and that she'll be able to better find herself. Now...I understand that women are generally more led by emotion, but really? Going off to find yourself?

I think the main reason for this, if it really does happen (which I'm sure it probably does), is the fact that we don't "know ourselves" because we don't have a foundation. We are made in the image of God and as such have a mind grafted from the very mind of God. That is not to say much all the time...we are corrupt...sinful...evil. We can do nothing of good and are wholly evil apart from God.

Because we are not solidly built upon Christ we cannot know ourselves. Christians are known for their great strength and wisdom...their sense of groundedness...their great calm and peace even through adversities...all of this cannot happen if you are not secure within yourself. You cannot have any of that if you do not truly know yourself which can only happen if you know your Maker.

Anyways...that was just a random thought. It kinda came to me when I heard this gorgeous song...but it was about this guy who was wishing this girl all the best on her trip to "find herself". If you're interesting in the song, it's Wish You Well by Thousand Foot Krutch.

Have a loverly night, faithful readers!

Passing on the Faith - Sermon Notes dedicated to my mother

These are sermon notes from Mother's Day...a bit late, yes, but my mum's birthday was last Saturday and I thought I would write these up in relation to that.


Passing on the Faith
2 Timothy 1:1-7
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 3:14-15

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Paul sees the instrumentation of the lineage in Timothy's faith. He understand the true impact and influence that a family has in passing on faith and a correct understanding of Biblical Christianity. In verse 3, he draws a clear relating line between him and his fathers. He serves the God of his fathers' faith. He believes what his forefathers believed. Each person has a special and personal belief, but the majority is what has been passed on. We are who we are because of the families we have been given. 

Paul thanks Timothy for his true and genuine faith, most likely because he has seen a lot of false and imitated faith. He connects it with a direct line to his lineage, his mother and grandmother. It is clear these women raised and hammered him with the Gospel and true faith. He was a child of the covenant, handed down the faith of God by two believing mothers. Timothy was who he was by how he was raised.

Paul tells Timothy to not only know where his faith came from, but from whom the faith came from. Too often we want to abstract God from our family life. But Paul make an emphasis on how vital family is, how God is connected to family, and by how the faith is passed down. To give up the faith now, would mean Timothy turns his back on his godly ancestors...and visa versa. If a child were to abandon his parents and/or their teachings, he is also abandoning his faith.

Christianity is the life of the mind, and as such it must be taught from infancy...that is when the mind begins its growth and forming. Lois and Eunice are spoken to have raised Timothy in a Godly way from the early years of childhood. It is our responsibility to take our faith that is passed down to us and to pass it down to our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. It is our Godly duty to praise and glorify God through our children and the passing along of our faith. 

Marriage and the Body - Sermon Notes

These are sermon notes from Sunday, October 7 from Pastor Brian Dunn who was our visiting pastor:


Marriage and the Body - Romans 12:3-8
What do you think of when someone says the word "unity"? Unity...it can be complete strangers bonding together for a common purpose, helping each other, cheering each other along. The only thing that we see like that today is a football game or maybe some big music concert. Unity within the church walls are also common, not only all Christians splitting into denominations. 

Looking at out past...we see our forefathers dying just for the sake of peace and harmony. Fighting through the difficulties and winning the victory (even through death) for ultimate unity. One role of harmony that we see is the work of appealing to someone as opposed to commanding them based off of your power. When you are nicely asked to do something as opposed to being ordered to do it, you feel more willing to do it. We could use this, but there are other methods as well. As Paul starts this passage it isn't a nice appeal so that they will obey. Rather, it is an encouragement to be built up and use our gifts from God. 

One way we are built up is by helping one another. We have each been generously blessed with special talents for each of us to benefit from. So it should be only right to help one another so we can grow and cultivate all manner of talents. But even more important than growing in many gifts is the need to focus on our ow talents o strengthen and grow those ..using them to glorify God, our Creator. 

This will not only point accurately to Christ, our greatest example, but also it will display the perfect example of unity. The metaphor of the Church being the body is acutely correct. When we as a church do not function properly according to Scripture, then we destroy and hold back what the body of Christ could be. When you receive a serious injury you could bear that damage for the rest of your life. Even f it isn't consistently painful, it could still ache and cause you to be sore. In the same way, if one of us isn't functioning properly, then the rest will be affected.

Christ is the leader of this Body...He leads us but with tender love. In the same way, the husband is to gently and tenderly lead his wife and children. God has given him an example in Christ of how to lead with strength and courage. One of the common myths of today is equality...both sexes must be even and perfectly equal. Because of this, many of the men today do not feel it is their duty to step up and take leadership, authority, and dominion over his own household.

If a man leads his home properly, then his wife would most likely have no problem in submitting and obeying him. If we say this today though, we are shunned and hated...the call for today is for equality. As a wife, you are called to submit to Christ first, but your husband second. Submit to your husband as the Church submits to Christ. Wouldn't it be a beautiful thing to see couples, completely devoted and committed to one another? What could that possibly look like?

If we properly place authority where it belongs in our lives, then we will have much less trouble submitting to those authorities: first Christ, always Him first...Christ and His holy Word. We must initiate our proper role in marriage. Wives, don't wait for him to lead. Men, don't wait for her to respect, honor, and obey you. Christ initiated His love and salvation for us when we least deserved it so we are called to instigate that which is called for in the covenant of marriage. Look to Christ for his will in your lives and He as an ever faithful Bridegroom will lead you without fail.  

Harry Potter Quotes

Recently I've gotten to start watching the Harry Potter series...we had never been allowed to as children and then when we were allowed to I just wasn't interested. But I decided to see what the fuss was all about and found that I rather like them as a whole...I love looking at them theologically. I also found some lovely quotes in them...I'm only done with the first two movies so there may be more quotes on the way! :)


"Back again, Harry? I see that you, like so many before you, have discovered the delights of the mirror of  Erised. I trust by now you realize what it does. Let me give you a clue: the happiest man on earth would look into the mirror and see only himself exactly as he is."

"So then it shows us what we want? Whatever we want?" 

"Mh yes, and no. It shows us nothing more or less than the deepest and most desperate desires of our hearts. Now you, Harry, you've never known a family...you see them standing beside you. But remember this, Harry, this mirror gives us neither knowledge or truth. Men have wasted away in front of it, even gone mad. That is why tomorrow it will be moved o a new home, and I must not ask you not to go looking for it again. It does not do to dwell on dreams, Harry, and forget today."



"Harry, do you know why Professor Quirrell couldn't bear to have you touch him? It was because of your mother. She sacrificed herself for you and that kind of act leaves a mark. No no no, this kind of mark cannot be seen. It lives in your very skin."

"What is it?"

"Love, Harry...love. 

On Books, Reading, Libraries, and Intelligence

Well, I'm not quite sure what to say tonight...I guess a little on history...and respect...and intelligence. I know those seem a bit unrelated...but when you take into mind that I am a librarian, then it makes maybe a little more sense. Even if it doesn't, please read on. To begin with...some quotes:

The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it.  ~James Bryce

A good book should leave you... slightly exhausted at the end.  You live several lives while reading it.  ~William Styron

There is a great deal of difference between an eager man who wants to read a book and a tired man who wants a book to read.  ~G.K. Chesterton

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.  ~Charles W. Eliot

Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.  ~P.J. O'Rourke

The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them.  ~Mark Twain

A book is like a garden carried in the pocket.  ~Chinese Proverb

My test of a good novel is dreading to begin the last chapter.  ~Thomas Helm

TV.  If kids are entertained by two letters, imagine the fun they'll have with twenty-six.  Open your child's imagination.  Open a book.  ~Author Unknown

You can't get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.  ~C. S. Lewis 

 I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library. ~Jorge Luis Borges

There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all. ~Jacqueline Kennedy

Cutting libraries during a recession is like cutting hospitals during a plague. ~ Eleanor Crumblehulme

Books educate us about art and politics and people and ideas.  This happens in non-fiction and fiction.  And in poetry, of course.  So many of us have been moved to a deeper understanding of things -- or many things -- by taking in a few dark lines on the page. ~Author Elizabeth Berg

It's funny that we think of libraries as quiet demure places where we are shushed by dusty, bun-balancing, bespectacled women.  The truth is libraries are raucous clubhouses for free speech, controversy and community.  Librarians have stood up to the Patriot Act, sat down with noisy toddlers and reached out to illiterate adults.  Libraries can never be shushed. ~Comedian and author Paula Poundstone

Okay, I think I've made a small point - haha. I love books. I am fascinated by the fact that you can learn SO much simply by sitting down for a couple hours and just focusing on the words that you are reading. And once you've learned how to read properly then it's not hard at all to read pretty much any book! There can be challenging books out there, but that's where growth appears. When you can pick up a difficult book, be able to pursue it to its darkest corners, and conquer the challenges of the pages...that is when you have truly won the "war" of learning.

Whenever I go into work, one of my favorite parts is getting to interact with the patrons there. Getting to watch kids as they eagerly search the shelves for books...helping older ladies as they look for books to pass the time or read with friends...finding wedding books for young couples...poetry, non-fic, fiction, DVDs  reference...there is just SO much at the library! Isn't it amazing that we can go somewhere and check out music, movies, books, audio-books and so much more for free?? Libraries are a huge blessing and I'm not just saying that because I work there! 

Since I've begun work there it's opened my eyes to see that there is so much "background" work that goes on behind many things...one of which is the library. Our patrons have no idea how much work goes into what we do. But it cannot possibly be just the library...we take so many things and so many people for granted. Work is hard...and some is harder then others. Especially when we remodeled the library this summer I came to see that a lot of hours of work can go into something and people could completely breeze over it...never even notice or could care less.

But each time I go to work I am consistently seeing that pretty much any teenager could care less. They come in and are really disrespectful. Now are there exceptions? Of course! I'm not saying that every teenager who steps into the library is a punk. I'm not saying that at all. I do, however, feel that a lot of our generation has lost the great reverence and awe that should be associated with books and knowledge like that. 

Which then takes me into my next subject area: intelligence and knowledge. It's so true that what you surround yourself is what you will be shaped by. Whether it's friends, books, music, movies, or media in general...it will form you either for the best or the worst. So what is shaping you? The wisest and most successful men and women of our country have said that the base of their knowledge has come from the reading of books (majority also included the Bible). 

So there you have it...I could spend hours and hours writing about books and the great influence that they have upon us...but I'll wrap up now. Just the thought that what our country reads shapes us...well, first of all we don't read pretty much anything now and when we do it's hardly anything that is even remotely decent. I suppose it can be no surprise the way that our country has become so "dumbed down". 

What a world it would be if we returned to reading such good books like the lovely classics...or even the best book of all time: the Scriptures. How wonderful and intelligent we could be! Anyways...those are just some random thoughts from today...you can probably tell that yes, I did go to work today :) Hope you all have a lovely night!

Enchanted Lives/Loves...Small Moments...Hope

"Love isn't like some enchanted evening. It isn't a fairy tale or even love at first sight. That isn't real life."

How true is that? I believe it can be both enchanted and not quite easily. Love for others stems from our love towards our love of God. Once we love God purely then we can love others purely. If our love for God is tainted, then it will display itself in how we relate and "love" others in our lives. How do we love? How are we called to love? Well, Scripture says that God chastens those He loves (Isaiah 53). Parents are called to discipline the child...to bring him back to the paths of righteousness when he/she strays. Life isn't easy...and love is doing what is best for a person...even when they don't believe it's their best. 

Best can be standardized by Scripture...best is not to be determined by what we call best for someone. What we might call best might not be what someone else calls best. So it is the Bible which we must turn to in order to see what is considered best for a person. Sometimes it calls for harsh words or actions...sometimes it calls for gentle correction...sometimes it means just leaving them alone yet praying for them. 

Anyways, I am straying from my original thoughts. Love can be enchanted...I've seen couples and just watching them interact *I* get starry eyed. It can be so beautiful...so enchanting...so absolutely breathtaking just to see love in action in these lovely Christian couples. It can be a fairy tale...but maybe not quite the fairy tale that we see splayed out in the pages of books. Those stories don't tell quite everything. I mean, who wants to read a fairy tale where they actually do fight and have bad times and just rotten days?

But that's life. Life is accepting the good times *and* the bad times. Life is knowing that even when you fight with someone you can make up...you can forgive...you can move on knowing that God has greater plans and that fights with people can either break or make you. It can break you apart for good if one or both of you are foolish enough to let it, or it can give you a stronger bond than ever before. 

So while life can be amazing...it can be hard. It can be a challenge. It can feel like dying would be easier then facing tomorrow. But it is so worth it. I've often told people that kids remind me of living a life. They make messes, they cry, they yell and scream at you, they disobey, they are rebellious, they are a pain in the butt...but then...for five minutes they snuggle up to you and lay their little head on your shoulder and say "I love you, Seeah (Sarah)" and then...then it is all worth it. Just those few beautiful moments fill your eyes with tears and make it completely worth it.

That is life all summed up. The days get rotten...you get stressed, busy, unproductive, unhealthy, easily depressed and overwhelmed. You feel like you can't close your eyes for fear that the darkness will overwhelm you...you can't keep your eyes open because if you do you'll cry from the craziness and sick humor of the world. But then...then there is this one beautiful moment where the world turns the right way and the sun peeks out from the clouds and the rainbow appears and then you know why you are the way you are and how you are and where you are in life. You understand everything. You understand your purpose and destiny in life as God has chosen it. 

Then of course it goes back to being all crazy life before...but those few moments every once in a while...when we need it most...those are what we live for. Those moments are what we strive and fight for every day of our lives. Just to have those few seconds of absolute joy and peace. And as we find Christ in our lives more and more...so those moments of joy and peace grow more and more often. 

So let us look for that...let us see those beautiful moments. I've found that they happen more often when you break away from daily life...when you step out of routine...when there is quiet and nothing going on. When you seek God earnestly and seek to clear your mind from everything that is happening in your life. Most of the time it is the small things...the tiny things (like a child saying they love you...or hugging you...not wanting to say goodbye). But the little things really are far more important than any big thing ever was. 

Those small things are what forms us...what gives us hope. Hope is so valuable...if you've ever seen any person without hope then you've seen a living corpse. A dead person who walks around but really in a coffin. They have created their own hell and live it every day. They have nothing to live for...nothing to fight for...nothing to strive for. They have no end...they have no goal...they have no purpose. So look for those small things...seek them out! Pray for hope...pray for small moments...pray for rainbows and sunshine. No thing is too small to pray for...God loves to hear our "small" requests...after all it is those small things that comprise our lives!

Child-like Trust

Today, I was amazed again at how trusting children can be. As I was babysitting, I was holding Caleb and watching him as he watched me. He fully trusted me and knew I was the one who could take care of him best. They are born full of love and trust for those around them...they don't judge or criticize or drag us down. 

My boss, Whitney, volunteers at an organization called CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children, to make sure they don’t get lost in the overburdened legal and social service system or languish in inappropriate group or foster homes. Volunteers stay with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. For many abused children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives. When she comes home and talks about these small young children who are constantly abused by their parents, I am completely confounded. 

These children...born with no grudge against their parents...having never done anything against their parents...are daily abused and/or neglected. They are born loving their parents. Trusting them unconditionally. Isn't that a beautiful image of trust? I wish I had that unconditional trust in my Father. He won't ever neglect or abuse me...and I can consciously know that unlike these small babies. I can know without a doubt that He will tenderly care for me...even more than if I were nothing but a little baby in need of attention. May God grant us all that child-like faithful trust in Him.

Determination, Focus, Motivation = Healthy and Productive

As fall approaches and we all continue to delve into our busy lives filled with school and music and work it's so hard to keep focused! I've come to see this lately in my own life. I have been losing a lot of focus and because of that my priorities get shifted and a lot gets left behind. Isn't it so easy when you are regarded as a mature adult who can take care of everything of your own in your own timing to let it all slide a little when no one is watching you constantly like that? When you're continually running from one place to another with little time to spare you also get so tired and exhausted that you have difficulties literally focusing on tasks at hand.

Several areas in my life that had begun slide as I got busier were getting up earlier, doing school when I needed to...and don't laugh...but getting exercise, taking all my medications and drinking water. So my challenge of becoming more focused and dedicated to being productive began. Nothing big or important...I've found that when you try to incorporated a lot of changes like that it's best to do it over a course of time...gradually and slowly one by one...not all at once or else you'll become overwhelmed and then not get *anything* accomplished.

The number one biggest thing that started this whole new challenge off to a good start was getting up earlier. It is so amazing what a tiny thing can do. And it rarely works if you went to bed at absurd hours of night. Last night I did go to bed at about midnight or so and I got up at 7am and headed to work. I made sure to get breakfast, juice, and coffee. I then sat down and focused on school and I got a few lessons of math done. Then I picked up the house...I was home by 11am.

For the rest of the day I have felt more energized and focused on whatever I was doing...I got a good deal of school accomplished and also got a good workout done with Rachel. Now I'm headed to orchestra and I'm up to date on meds. It is truly amazing what you can do if you simply put your mind to it, become more self-conscious of everything you're doing, and then do it! God gives us incredible strength for anything we request and desire when it is benefiting for us and those around us. May He grant YOU the strength, determination, and motivation to set your mind on goals and then accomplish them beyond what you ever imagined that you could possibly do!

This Depressing World

There was a rather saddening incident at work today: 

This woman came in with her daughter today and had a call number for a book. She asked me where it was and I lead her to the exact spot. It was on pregnancy books. By listening to their conversation I quickly picked up that her daughter (I would say aged at about 16) was the pregnant one. They then proceeded to the baby names section as well. I guess what was most depressing was the fact that they were both so excited and happy when she was not engaged or married (and even on a Saturday [day off of work] there was no guy attending with her) and yet she was very young and pregnant...what has the world come to?? :/

Fall Beauty

As I was babysitting tonight I had to take Caleb out to walk around with him. I think he's teething so he's been extra fussy. But as I was walking around I was reminded of how God has blessed us with each season! Those of you who know me know that I'm an avid hater of fall and winter because it's cold and unfriendly. But tonight I realized that I'm kind of liking these season changes. Granted, I don't enjoy them...or even love them...but I'm really liking the obvious beauty in God's creation. So I looked around for a short fall poem...enjoy!


An Autumn Evening by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Dark hills against a hollow crocus sky
Scarfed with its crimson pennons, and below 
The dome of sunset long, hushed valleys lie
Cradling the twilight, where the lone winds blow 
And wake among the harps of leafless trees 
Fantastic runes and mournful melodies. 

The chilly purple air is threaded through
With silver from the rising moon afar, 
And from a gulf of clear, unfathomed blue
In the southwest glimmers a great gold star 
Above the darkening druid glens of fir 
Where beckoning boughs and elfin voices stir. 

And so I wander through the shadows still,
And look and listen with a rapt delight, 
Pausing again and yet again at will
To drink the elusive beauty of the night, 
Until my soul is filled, as some deep cup, 
That with divine enchantment is brimmed up.

Book Notes

Discipline: The Glad Surrender - by Elizabeth Elliot

"Strive to choose, not that which is easiest, but that which is most difficult. Do not deprive your soul of the agility which it needs to mount up to Him." --Saint John Of The Cross

Chapter One: Created, Cared for, Called - condensed into notes

Everything created is connected, for everything is produced by the same mind, the same love, and is dependent on the same Creator. He who masterminded the universe, the Lord God Omnipotent, is the One who called the stars into being, commanded light, spoke the Word that brought about the existence of time and space and every form of matter: salt and stone, rose and redwoods, feather and fur and fin and flesh. Not only the animals, but we too are created, owned, possessed, known. 

We are just as dependent as the wild animal. We say "free as a bird," but the truth is God meant us to be freer than birds. He made us in His own image, which menas He gave us things He did not give them: reason and will and the power to choose. God calls me. In a deeper sense than any other species of earthbound creature, I am called. And in a deeper sense I am free inwardly. I am free to be totally and completely free without bounds within Christ. My fulfillment as a human is dependent on Christ, for it is a loving Lord who calls me through the world's fog to His island of peace. If I trust Him, I will obey Him gladly.

Music

"Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world" --Martin Luther

"Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy." --Ludwig van Beethoven

Music is much more powerful than any of us could ever realize. It has the ability to change emotion and reaction and influence the subconscious in huge ways. If only we had the language powers that were so easily controlled and swayed. Music is the outward manifestation of a people's inward belief and so...as people become more corrupt and lean farther away from God...so our music then reflects it and music becomes anything but truth, beauty, and goodness. 

9-23-12 Sermon Notes: Hope

The Giver of Hope... The People of Hope
Romans 15:1-13 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me."  For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name." And again it is said, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people." And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him." And again Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope."  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. 

Proverbs 13:12 says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life." Our hope and desire is to see the kingdom flourish and His enemies crushed under His feet. However we don't consistently see that hope before us and so it is deferred (or delayed). 
1 Corinthians 15:24-27 says, "Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For 'God has put all things in subjection under his feet.' But when it says, 'all things are put in subjection,' it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all." He must have everything under His feet. We must always have hope that He reigns even now. 

Our hope is not to be on the short-term but we are to have endurance of hope. We are to always have hope due to the promises of Scripture, the character of God, and the fulfillment of Christ. In practically every area of life we see our hope being deferred: economics, politics, education, family, and even church. We have difficulties keeping up our hope when we see the workers of iniquity who manipulate the world to fit their agenda: against God. They see to corrupt ll minds and they the different areas (church, family, state, education, etc.) to bring about their rule and therefore our hope is continually being delayed. We look out at the overall world and our hope seems vain.

But as we become more and more discouraged we remember why we have hope. If the world was all perfection and nothing was wrong then why would we have any reason to have any hope at all? We would have no reason to have the character of hope within us. We are becoming stronger Christians due to having our hope and through the challenges that give us hope. 
"Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5:2-5.
"For in this hope we were saved. now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." Romans 8:24-25
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12
"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." Romans 15:4
Connected to hope we find joy and peace in believing. We are built up with much character and endurance and that will bring about hope. But along with that we gain patience and wisdom through all of it. We see the idea of hope and endurance repeatedly throughout the book of Romans. 

Our hope is based on the promises of Scripture and God. Matthew 16:18 says, "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell will not overpower it." We can stand to defend and continue to stand through anything because we have God on our side as well as our hope which is rested in Christ. Even though it may appear that we are completely surrounded at times, we are the conquerors as we stand with our God who has been predestined to win any war from before time was made. Psalm 2 says this: "Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, "Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us." He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, "As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill." I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him." They who oppose God can do anything they want...but they are like nothing to Him. 

So while our hope is deferred, it is hope nonetheless. We may not know or understand the chapter or the end of the chapter or where the story is at, but we do know the end of the book. We know how it will all go down and how it will turn out. That alone should give us great hope. Hope is no small thing. Hope is what can flow out all other things in our lives. It influences how we live our lives. It determines how positive or negative we will be towards anything that happens to us. This hope is gifted to us by grace...it is of nothing that we, ourselves, have ever done to gain it. So we can say that it is by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit that we have been grafted with this hope. 

Christ cannot help but to reign and rule over all. He has always, is, and always will reign every single thing. He has already accomplished the victory. 

What is the character of hope? "...so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory,' is how Ephesians 1:12 describes those who live in hope. Those who are without God are therefore without hope of any kind. Without hope all there could be is dreams and wishes in the dark. Hope rests and is solely based on God. Because of this hope we look to and fully trust God in all kinds of circumstances. Despite all clutter there is a God that is reigning and to Him we are to cling to with all trust and hope. Hope is a huge mark that distinguishes the authentic Christian from his pagan neighbor. It sets us apart as God's own. It is not very fitting of Christians to be pessimistic or negative...gloomy and down-trodden. We are to always remember that even when the odds seem against us, the odds are always in our favor (reference to Hunger Games unintentional). "History has never been dominated by majorities, but only be dedicated minorities who stand unconditionally on their faith." -- R.J. Rushdoony 

Even when we are in the middle of sufferings or trials we can be assured that through our hope there is a direct connection between our trials or tribulations and our eventual eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 says, "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

We are to include hope in our prayer life: asking God to grant us hope in Him, endurance to hold fast to it, and forgiveness when we give up our hope. Hope is bound up in trust (they are synonymous) and that is bound up in faith. One things leads to another and if you are built up on solid ground and with one or more steady characteristics, then that will lead to another and another till we are solid and firmly secure in many Christ-like characteristics and virtues. If we are truly dedicated and ready to work hard with endurance then we will succeed and win with Christ. With Christ we always win and will always have hope.

Faith, Hope, and Love...the greatest of these is Love. We learn of our salvation and God's love to us and out of that we love Him without limit. And how can we love that which we do not trust and have faith in? Trust and faith can be used interchangeably. So out of love for God then flows out faith, trust, and love. They are all bound up and connected within each other. We can't have one and not another. We are called to be defined as different by having Faith, Hope, and Love. 

"Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy." Psalm 33:18

The Believer's Hope:
"Most people , if they really learned to look into their own hearts, would know that they do want, and want acutely, something that cannot be had in this world. There are all sorts of things in this world that offer to give it to you, but they never quite keep their promise.
At present we are on the outside...the wrong side of the door. We discern the freshness and purity of morning, but they do not make us fresh and pure. We cannot mingle with the pleasure we see. But all the pages of the New Testament are rustling with the rumor that it will not always be so. Some day, God willing, we shall get 'in'... We will put on glory...that greater glory of which Nature is only the first sketch. 
We do not want to merely 'see' beauty - though, God knows, even that is bounty enough. We want something else which can hardly be put into words - to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it." C.S. Lewis

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

End of notes.

A Passage With Volumes

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him. It is good that a man should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord." Lamentations 3:22-26

Wow, what powerful words are these that I read this morning. They really just jumped out from the page to me. They speak volumes! First, it starts by praising God...just truly worshipping Him. How often do we get to do this? Not only get to, but actually do it. Just find special things to praise Him for! His mercies are NEW every single day! Not a day goes by when something is less amazing because it is new and given to us by our Father. How breathtaking is the fact that He can give us something to find every day that is new and different than the day before?? His compassions are without fail...they fail not. And it is only because of the mercy of the Lord that we are where we are today. We are a saved and elected people only because of the mercy of the Lord. He had no reason to reach out and save us...we were the ones in great error and wrongdoing but He still sought us out to bring us out of tribulation and sorrow into His kingdom of light and glory. How merciful...and how great He is.

The Lord is my portion...I am content to rest in Him alone. He satisfies me. He fills me entirely. There is nothing else I could possibly want or need other than just Him forever. My portion...my delight...my desire. How powerful those words really are when you think about them. He fills us up so we hunger and thirst no more! Because of that we can't help but have great hope in Him. The Lord blesses those who seek after Him...He takes care of His own. Not a single of His sheep wants for anything. This is due to being satisfied in Him and also because of His blessings to us, His people who consistently seek Him and hope in Him.
One of the most powerful parts of this passage though, is the last verse. It is good that a man should both hope *and* quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. His timing is precise...perfect...more accurate than Verizon time. So not only are we called to hope in Him (hope meaning to safely and securely trust) but also to quietly wait for Him, His salvation, and His timing (another aspect of trust). Isn't it amazing how a relationship with Him (or really even people) is built out of total and complete trust? Anything that we can establish strong with God is then spread out into our lives here on earth. I've heard it said, "First we have to straighten out the vertical relationship before we can have good horizontal relationships". In other words, we have to get it right with God before we can have anything here on earth that works well.

Trust in God must be established first...a solid trust and a healthy fear of Him. After that can we know what to look for here on earth with those who surround us. Are they good and healthy relationships? Uplifting? Encouraging? Sharpening one another in good ways? Do they benefit and glorify? Is it a solid relationship that is built mutually of trust and genuine Christian love? Or is it comprised of taking advantage of one another for selfish purposes? For selfish ambition and advances? Is there anything that we do with the people around us that would only benefit us? Are we seeking to forward others the best possible?
So that's something to look at in our lives. Do we have a solid vertical relationship? Is it healthy? Is it one of trust...do we hope and quietly wait? Or do we control and brush over God? How does our relationship with God fan out and display itself with our relationship with others? Our family and friends? How do we live? Who do we live for? And why?

Quote on The Law

"[The Law's] cognizance of every thought, imagination, desire, word, and work, and its uncompromising demand of absolute and uninterrupted obedience, upon pain of its everlasting penalty - convince the heart of its guilt, defilement, and wretchedness, and leave the sinner without excuse and without help; under the frown of a holy and angry God; prepared to welcome a Saviour, and lost forever without Him. Thus is the prayer - "God be merciful to me a sinner" - forced even from him, whose external deportment had been, "touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless". He now sees in himself the very character of sinfulness and misery to which the Gospel addresses itself; and, stretching out the hand of desire and faith, he receives the free gift of Christ. And now he feels the advantage of the law too well, to be willing, with the Antinomian, to cast it off, because it has lost its justifying power. For its covenant form enlarges his apprehension of the necessity, character, and excellency of the gospel!" --Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry