Fear Ye Not

Last evening at dinner my husband said, "One week from now, we'll know who the next president will be." Kinda scary. And sobering.

I read these verses recently, and decided they could help me pray for our country and the election. I often feel like our country is a mere shadow of her former self, and I fear that it will only get worse. But I figure these verses apply to me, too, and that gives me hope.

I'm going to remind myself to be strong, to remember that God is with me, and not to fear.

3Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?

4Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:

5According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not.
Haggai 2: 3-5 (KJV)

(The photo of the ruins are from this free website.)

What Jesus Has Done

I cannot save and sanctify myself; I cannot atone for sin; I cannot redeem the world; I cannot make right what is wrong, pure what is impure, holy what is unholy. This is all the sovereign work of God.

I am not saved by believing; I realize I am saved by believing. It is not repentance that saves me, repentance is the sign that I realize what God has done in Christ Jesus.

I stand justified, not because I am sorry for my sin, not because I have repented, but because of what Jesus has done.

My Utmost For His Highest - Oswald Chambers

Seriously

On the way home from ballet, our daughter and I have our usual, predictable conversations. She tells me about her class(es) and how her friends are. We discuss the merits of various songs on the radio, and we comment on the construction of the fast food places where there used to be an open field.

Last week she surprised me with, "When I grow up I want to marry a rich man so he can buy me those orange trash bags with pumpkins on them, and we can have lots of kids."

I wanted to chuckle, but I could tell she was serious.

I thought to myself, "We are really frugal if she equates purchasing pumpkin trash bags with being wealthy! Do I say 'no' (aka: we can't afford it) that often?" Then I thought how my heart is always happy when she mentions that she wants lots of children. I would love to have lots of grandchildren in due time. Next, I thought how her comment was so twelve-year-oldish. She's straddling two worlds, and will for some time. One foot in childhood, and one foot leading into adulthood. And finally, I was reminded how I pray often that she chooses a husband wisely; a loving, patient, godly, strong Christian, who will be able to provide for her and those "lots of children."

Maybe I'll splurge on those trash bags after all. Sometimes, when you're twelve, a few of your dreams need to come true.

And don't you chuckle now. I can be serious, too.

"A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"

“I would allow no man to preach or teach God’s people without a proper knowledge of the use and power of sacred song.”
Martin Luther (1483-1546)


A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing;
Our helper He amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe-
His craft and power are great, And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not His equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing,
Were not the right man on our side, The man of God's own choosing.
Doth ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He-
Lord Sabaoth His name, From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world with devils filled, Should threaten to unto us.
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim, We tremble not for him-
His rage we can endure, For lo, his doom is sure:
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers, No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours Through Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also-
They body they may kill; God's truth abideth still:
His kingdom is forever.

(photo of Wartburg Castle, where Luther was safely ensconced for a time)

He Who Knew No Sin

21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)






Sin is a fundamental relationship; it is not wrong doing, it is wrong
being, deliberate and emphatic independence of God. The Christian religion bases everything on the positive, radical nature of sin. Other religions deal with sins; the Bible alone deals with sin.

The revelation of the Bible is not that Jesus Christ took upon Himself our fleshly sins, but that He took upon Himself the heredity of sin which no man can touch.

A man cannot redeem himself; Redemption is God's "bit," it is absolutely finished and complete...

Excerpts from My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
October 7 entry

(detail from Gutenberg Bible)

Happy Birthday!

There is a woman, near thirty now,
Halfway around the world.

Does she wonder how you are?
You, her babe, her girl.

I tuck you in, and soothe your tears
I pray for you each day.

And yet, another gave you life
Twelve years ago today.

There is a woman, near thirty now,
Halfway around the world.

May she know how loved you are,
You, her babe, her girl.



God bless our daughter's birth mother. May He comfort her in the knowledge that her little girl is loved beyond measure. And may He give me strength, wisdom, and patience to nurture our precious daughter in the love and admonition of the Lord.

(This is our daughter at our friends' ranch a few months ago.)

The Imitation of Christ - Part 5

Book 1
Chapter 5
Of the Reading of Holy Scriptures

Our house holds lots of books. We haven't been able to buy like what we used to when I was working full time, but nonetheless, we still have tons of books. In addition, I give my library card a work out, so we manage to have new titles rotating around here all the time.

I always think to myself, "If only I could actually READ all of these books." Or better yet, "If only I could REMEMBER what I have already read!" And then there's my ultimate goal, "If only I could SYNTHESIZE all that's held in these books."

Ponder what Kempis has to say about reading:

~ We ought to read books which are devotional and simple, as well as those which are deep and difficult.

~ ...let the love of the pure Truth draw thee to read.

~ Men pass away, but the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.

~ If thou wouldst profit by thy reading, read humbly, simply, honestly, and not desiring to win a character for learning.

Another translation for this last sentence reads,

"...read with humility, simplicity, and faith..."

I like that.

My Redeemer Lives

Just when I feel myself slouching into pessimism, God makes sure I read this (spoken by Job):

For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!
Job 19: 25, 27 NKJV

(stained glass window from St. Oswald's Church in England)

Valleys - Part 2

The height of the mountain top is measured by the drab drudgery of the valley; but it is in the valley that we have to live for the glory of God. We see His glory on the mount, but we never live for His glory there. It is in the sphere of humiliation that we find our true worth to God, that is where our faithfulness is revealed.

My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
October 2 entry

This photo is of Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Now, I love Colorado, and I'm not too fond of excessive humidity (or the bugs that come with it). But there is something about this valley that feels like home to me. It doesn't have the closed in feeling of the hollows in West Virginia. The valley in Cades Cove is broad and boasts flat farm land, surrounded by tree-covered hills. In fact, being in Cades Cove almost makes me believe myself capable of homesteading there in the 1800s. Almost.

Sometimes the word "valley" has a negative connotation. We say we're going through a valley in our life, or we think of the valley of the shadow of death. We tend to forget that valleys can be fruitful places that offer stability and abundance. The valley is where we live and do our work.

Lord, help us to see that our time in the valley is not merely drab drudgery. Help us to be humble. Help us to live for the glory of God.

Valleys

We are built for the valley, for the ordinary stuff we are in, and that is where we have to prove our mettle. Spiritual selfishness always wants repeated moments on the mount.
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
October 1 entry

When our son climbed Mt. Elbert in August, he sent a picture of his looking down on the clouds. Coupled with this one from the summit, it almost seemed as if he took an airplane ride rather than a hike.

The quote from Chambers reminds me of this picture. The mountaintop is indeed spectacular, and getting there is quite an accomplishment. But, notice how the top is so barren and desolate. It's almost like being on the moon. It is actually in the valleys where vegetation flourishes.

Valleys may look pretty from afar, but being in them is usually not glamorous. It's where the work of life goes on. And the work of life is often messy and tiring. We make mistakes in the valleys. We don't see God's big picture. We look wistfully at the mountaintop and sigh. We want to think of life's valleys as temporary glitches in our mountaintop lives. Chambers reminds us it is the other way around.

Our son's mountaintop view was amazingly beautiful and awe inspiring. But just as he didn't stay long at the summit, we all must come back down to the valley. It is in the valley where our lives are lived.

Chocolate and Books

It just doesn't get much better than this!

This is our daughter, enjoying some hot chocolate at a coffee shop this evening. She and I were reading and chatting while we waited for her big brother at Scouts. She didn't know I took this picture and I love her look of concentration.

It was just a very nice and simple evening that I wanted to remember.

Sabbath Rest

On the Jewish calendar, this evening at sundown began the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur. After a large meal before sundown, the next 25 hours are to be a day of fasting and a sabbath day of rest for the people of Israel.

Lately, I have been trying to grasp the concept of sabbath rest. Even though I feel like a little minnow heading up the churning river of our times, I feel a nudging in my soul. God is placing stepping stones before me and He expects me to follow His path. (I know, I know. I morphed from the minnow analogy to walking on land. This is not a subtle plug for evolution!)

Consider this scripture I "happened" to read this evening:

Do no work on that day, because it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the Lord your God.
Leviticus 23:28 NIV

Yom Kippur was/is the only day all year that the high priest was/is allowed to enter the Most Holy Place. One reason God wants us to rest on the sabbath is to remind us that it is His work that gives us access to the Most Holy Place. We can labor until our fingers are raw. It is nothing we have done. Jesus, our high priest, is our scapegoat. He is our perfect sacrifice.

We rest in Him and get to be the unworthy, yet very grateful, partakers of His forgiveness.

Sign of the Times

Did this make you kind of sick?

I took our daughter to a ballet performance yesterday afternoon. She loves to dance and wants to be at the studio as much as possible. The next best thing to being able to dance herself, is watching others dance. We were in a good mood, and looking forward to the afternoon.

On the way to the theater, we passed a church that has one of those signs with letters you change to make new sayings every week. I couldn't believe what they put up. I think I gasped, I was so taken aback.

Now, incorrect usage of apostrophes and the letter s really bugs me. But that pales in comparison to the message. It's so flippant and denegrating. You read the sign and are more apt to think of a beer commercial rather than our Savior on the cross.

Judging by the attire we spotted, many people were traveling that road to go to the Denver Bronco football game, or to a bar or friend's house to watch the game. Maybe the church thought they'd catch the eye of that captive audience with their "clever" quip. Instead, I thought it cheapened the gospel. It made a mockery of our Lord's sacrifice.

It was another example of Christians copying the culture and not doing it very well.

(I don't know the name of the church we passed. I made this sign up at churchsigngenerator.com to closely approximate the type of sign I saw. Unfortunately, I copied the words exactly as they were on the real sign.)

"When I Survey the Wondrous Cross"

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
Paul, in his letter to the Philippians 3:7 (NIV)

"When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" is based upon this verse from one of today's scripture readings on the liturgical calendar. Today's broadcast of Sing for Joy, has two versions of this hymn. First, is the traditional melody, which is followed by one written by John Rutter, and performed by King's College Choir. (King's College Chapel pictured above.) I love almost everything by Rutter and King's College Choir, and this hymn doesn't disappoint. The Rutter version is about 2/3 of the way across the listening band on the Sing for Joy website if you're so inclined.

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God;
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

(words by Isaac Watts)

Mountaintops

We have all had times on the mount, when we have seen things from God's standpoint and have wanted to stay there; but God will never allow us to stay there.

My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers
(October 1 entry)


In August our son climbed to the top of Mt. Elbert (14,433 feet) with the die hard hikers in his Scout troop. From the highest point in Colorado, he sent me this photo of himself at the summit.

Amazing things happen atop mountains. The ark rests on the mountains of Ararat, Moses receives the Ten Commandments atop Mount Sinai, and Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John, on yet another mountain. Mountain tops are fun places to be. You have that exhilarating feeling of being on top of the world. You have a well deserved sense of accomplishment. And the sheer distance from civilization helps you put your life in perspective.

But God never tells us to stay on top of the mountain. Noah and his family were told to increase in number and fill the earth. Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the tablets, and the second time, the Lord told him to leave that place with the whole nation of Israel. After the transfiguration, not only do Jesus and the three others come down from the mountain, but Jesus instructs them not to tell anyone what they saw "until the Son of Man has risen from the dead."

My son didn't need any encouragement to return after the respite atop Mount Elbert. He didn't want to get caught by lightning in an afternoon thunderstorm. And I don't think his stomach would ever let him stay away from the campsite too awful long!

God will find a way to get us off the mountain and into the valley.

Our Call Has To Do...

"...with being made broken bread and poured-out wine.

If ever we are going to be made into wine, we will have to be crushed; you cannot drink grapes. Grapes become wine only when they have been squeezed."

My Utmost For His Highest
Oswald Chambers
September 30 entry


Every sentence in yesterday's reading was a gem. Chambers makes the potent analogy that we have to be crushed to be made into wine. That alone is powerful. But, he takes it one step further, and makes us wonder if we can stand to be crushed in a manner which we don't like.

"God can never make us wine if we object to the fingers He uses to crush us with. But when He uses someone whom we dislike, or some set of circumstances to which we said we would never submit, and makes those the crushers, we object."

Lord, give us strength to withstand life's crushing with grace.

(Photo: This is the closest thing to grapes which we have growing in our yard: hops. What would Laura Ingalls have thought? Here I am blogging and posting photos taken by my camera phone!)