"Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find. Knock and the door shall be opened unto you...how much more does your Father in Heaven give good gifts to them that ask him?"
God, as my caring Father, loves to give me good things. Perhaps this is comparable to Ps. 84:11 that says, "No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."
Of course, it doesn't say that He will alays give me what I want, when I want it. I must be asking for the right thing. If my heart is in tune with God's then we will be on the same wavelength in the asking-receiving department.
I'm so glad God knows exactly what is good for me, and that He delights in giving what is good for me to me!
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Monday, September 11, 2006
Psalm 18:28-30
For it is you who light my lamp; the lORD my God lightens my darkness. For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God--his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shielf for all those who take refuge in him.
The other day in my devotions, the Lord really blessed my heart with these three verses. I was kind of getting discouraged, and I was looking through the Psalms because I knew it's packed full of stuff about my God and that's always uplifting.
Here's what I learned/was reminded of:
*It is God Who lights my lamp/candle. I need not fear the dark or the dark times of life; He is my Light, showing the way and providing comfort.
*He enlightens my darkness. In those dark times of deep water, I must rest in the Lord; in the midst of that, He is my Light. His presence casts out darkness.
*By Him I can run against a troop. Though the odds may be stacked against me, I can go up against anything in the power of my God! I can do nothing outside Him, but once I resort in HIm, I can run against a troop!
*By Him I can leap over a wall. When an "impossible" circumstance blocks my way, when I am overwhelmed, when I'm bogged down in defeat, I CAN rise above the temporal circumstances and finish the race. Notice it doesn't say He will tear the wall down, or make a way around it. I can conquer nothing in my own strength, but "by the LORD by God I can leap over a wall," no matter how insurmountable it seems. It is through His strength that He enables me to overcome difficulties, trials, and temptations.
*This God--Who enables me and lights my way--His way is perfect. "Perfect"--blameless, good, righteous...Thought I don't understand the darkness, the troop rising against me, or the wall in the middle of my path, I rest in the fact that His way is perfect. There is only good for me--He will be righteous toward me.
*His word proves true--or is tried (refined). When I look around me and discouragement begins to settle in, I must remember the word of the Lord--what has He promised me? what is His character like?
*He is a Shield for all those who take refuge in Him. He is a shield, a "buckler," my strong tower. A shield protects a warrior in battle. In the midst of heartache and hurt, He is my Protector/Protection. This promise is for ALL who place their trust--dependence--on Him. "Who take refuge"--this is active voice--I must take refuge, because He won't force me to run to Him.
He will provide refuge if I choose to partake of it.
Thank You, my holy, sovereign Lord!
The other day in my devotions, the Lord really blessed my heart with these three verses. I was kind of getting discouraged, and I was looking through the Psalms because I knew it's packed full of stuff about my God and that's always uplifting.
Here's what I learned/was reminded of:
*It is God Who lights my lamp/candle. I need not fear the dark or the dark times of life; He is my Light, showing the way and providing comfort.
*He enlightens my darkness. In those dark times of deep water, I must rest in the Lord; in the midst of that, He is my Light. His presence casts out darkness.
*By Him I can run against a troop. Though the odds may be stacked against me, I can go up against anything in the power of my God! I can do nothing outside Him, but once I resort in HIm, I can run against a troop!
*By Him I can leap over a wall. When an "impossible" circumstance blocks my way, when I am overwhelmed, when I'm bogged down in defeat, I CAN rise above the temporal circumstances and finish the race. Notice it doesn't say He will tear the wall down, or make a way around it. I can conquer nothing in my own strength, but "by the LORD by God I can leap over a wall," no matter how insurmountable it seems. It is through His strength that He enables me to overcome difficulties, trials, and temptations.
*This God--Who enables me and lights my way--His way is perfect. "Perfect"--blameless, good, righteous...Thought I don't understand the darkness, the troop rising against me, or the wall in the middle of my path, I rest in the fact that His way is perfect. There is only good for me--He will be righteous toward me.
*His word proves true--or is tried (refined). When I look around me and discouragement begins to settle in, I must remember the word of the Lord--what has He promised me? what is His character like?
*He is a Shield for all those who take refuge in Him. He is a shield, a "buckler," my strong tower. A shield protects a warrior in battle. In the midst of heartache and hurt, He is my Protector/Protection. This promise is for ALL who place their trust--dependence--on Him. "Who take refuge"--this is active voice--I must take refuge, because He won't force me to run to Him.
He will provide refuge if I choose to partake of it.
Thank You, my holy, sovereign Lord!
Saturday, August 19, 2006
It's Through the Blood
While I was at camp, I was really moved by the music we sang during the services. The spirit of the staff was really focused on the cross and it was really sweet to dwell on. While driving somewhere, probably to church, my friend that was driving had a CD with a song that he really liked on it, so we searched and searched for the right song and we finally found it. Here it is.
When I think of Heaven, and all the sights I'll see:
The walls of jasper, gates of pearl, the clear and golden street.
Why should I be present? Why should I enter in?
After all the sinful living, and the wicked one I've been.
In the presence of Jehovah, as I stand before the throne,
The accuser of the brethren starts to read the things I've done
As I hear the awful charges, the question fills my mind:
Why should I not be put in Hell to suffer for all time?
It's through the blood, that's all I have to cling;
It's through the blood that Jesus shed for me.
Not by works of my own righteousness,
For filthy rags are they.
But because of that old rugged tree,
Hanging on dark Calvary,
That is my only plea;
It's through the blood!
When I'm walking through a valley, and I feel there's no way out.
When the winds of sorrow threaten me, and they turn my world around.
That's when I look to Jesus and the price He paid for me;
I can lift my hands in praise to Him and shout the victory!
It's through the blood, that's all I have to cling;
It's through the blood that Jesus shed for me.
Not by works of my own righteousness,
For filthy rags are they.
But because of that old rugged tree,
Hanging on dark Calvary,
That is my only plea;
It's through the blood!
Oh precious is the flow that makes me white as snow!
No other fount I know! It's through the blood.
It's through the blood.
You can listen to it here: http://www.victoriousvalleyhomes.com/wm/throughtheblood.wma
When I think of Heaven, and all the sights I'll see:
The walls of jasper, gates of pearl, the clear and golden street.
Why should I be present? Why should I enter in?
After all the sinful living, and the wicked one I've been.
In the presence of Jehovah, as I stand before the throne,
The accuser of the brethren starts to read the things I've done
As I hear the awful charges, the question fills my mind:
Why should I not be put in Hell to suffer for all time?
It's through the blood, that's all I have to cling;
It's through the blood that Jesus shed for me.
Not by works of my own righteousness,
For filthy rags are they.
But because of that old rugged tree,
Hanging on dark Calvary,
That is my only plea;
It's through the blood!
When I'm walking through a valley, and I feel there's no way out.
When the winds of sorrow threaten me, and they turn my world around.
That's when I look to Jesus and the price He paid for me;
I can lift my hands in praise to Him and shout the victory!
It's through the blood, that's all I have to cling;
It's through the blood that Jesus shed for me.
Not by works of my own righteousness,
For filthy rags are they.
But because of that old rugged tree,
Hanging on dark Calvary,
That is my only plea;
It's through the blood!
Oh precious is the flow that makes me white as snow!
No other fount I know! It's through the blood.
It's through the blood.
You can listen to it here: http://www.victoriousvalleyhomes.com/wm/throughtheblood.wma
Well, I've tried to put pictures up from camp, but it hasn't worked yet. Maybe now it will...
Anyway, camp was great. I had a blast. I was able to see about 5 of my campers saved and one from a different cabin. That was totally awesome! I still keep in touch with some of them. This little girl from my church in LA wrote me a letter today. It was really cute, addressed to "Miss Alyssa" or should she have said "Missa Lyssa!" "Because it rhymes! Get it? Missa Lyssa! It rhymes!" This is all said in a deep Southern accent. Soo cute on a ten year old.
Well, the Lord did a lot of construction on my heart this summer. He saw fit to take my sister through a dark valley mid-summer. She had a stroke one Sunday morning in July and was in the hospital for about a week and a half. That week I actually didn't have campers, but I didn't get to go up to NC and see her. The Lord was working though. I've always kind of felt bad because I never really had to trust Him for anything big. I mean, my school bill is paid off, and you always hear of people who have no idea how they are going to make it, but the Lord works and they come back semester after semester. Well, the valleys in life teach trust, and He works all things together for good. The spirit at camp was so encouraging, and it was not uncommon for fellow staff members to ask me how my sister was doing, or for them to stop what they were doing to pray with me. Amen!
Well, I don't like long blogs, so I'll split it up!
Anyway, camp was great. I had a blast. I was able to see about 5 of my campers saved and one from a different cabin. That was totally awesome! I still keep in touch with some of them. This little girl from my church in LA wrote me a letter today. It was really cute, addressed to "Miss Alyssa" or should she have said "Missa Lyssa!" "Because it rhymes! Get it? Missa Lyssa! It rhymes!" This is all said in a deep Southern accent. Soo cute on a ten year old.
Well, the Lord did a lot of construction on my heart this summer. He saw fit to take my sister through a dark valley mid-summer. She had a stroke one Sunday morning in July and was in the hospital for about a week and a half. That week I actually didn't have campers, but I didn't get to go up to NC and see her. The Lord was working though. I've always kind of felt bad because I never really had to trust Him for anything big. I mean, my school bill is paid off, and you always hear of people who have no idea how they are going to make it, but the Lord works and they come back semester after semester. Well, the valleys in life teach trust, and He works all things together for good. The spirit at camp was so encouraging, and it was not uncommon for fellow staff members to ask me how my sister was doing, or for them to stop what they were doing to pray with me. Amen!
Well, I don't like long blogs, so I'll split it up!
Monday, May 22, 2006
My cute little nephew!
Okay, here's some pictures of the cutest little kid on the planet! His name is William James Fortenberry. He was born on Tuesday, May 9, 2006, weighing in at 8 lbs., 12 oz., measuring 22 inches long. Pretty big baby for such a little mommy! (Those of you who don't know my sister, she is smaller than I am!)
These were all taken during his first week. The last picture was at the hospital; that's Jessica holding him.
This will be my last blog for probably the summer, becuase I'm working at camp. I'll get it back up and running when I get home in August.
Enjoy the pictures!
Monday, May 08, 2006
Starfish!
I think the title says it all... 
This is me holding my "Starfish Kid," AJ Dolittle. AJ and I bonded in the nursery at Faith Baptist Church when I was a student at Northland. He is the cutest little kid. When it was wintertime, his mommy bundled him up in a snowsuit that was almost too small for him (I think it used to be his big brother's suit) to keep him warm. It was blue and red and yellow, and when you zipped it all the way up, he couldn't even roll around on the floor. It had the squishy stuff for padding, and all he could do was simply exist on the floor until someone took pity on the poor child and picked him up. I thought he looked like a starfish, all bundled up, because his hands and feet stuck out (it was a footy-suit) and the hat part kind of had a cone-head look to it. So there's my SF buddy!
This is me holding my "Starfish Kid," AJ Dolittle. AJ and I bonded in the nursery at Faith Baptist Church when I was a student at Northland. He is the cutest little kid. When it was wintertime, his mommy bundled him up in a snowsuit that was almost too small for him (I think it used to be his big brother's suit) to keep him warm. It was blue and red and yellow, and when you zipped it all the way up, he couldn't even roll around on the floor. It had the squishy stuff for padding, and all he could do was simply exist on the floor until someone took pity on the poor child and picked him up. I thought he looked like a starfish, all bundled up, because his hands and feet stuck out (it was a footy-suit) and the hat part kind of had a cone-head look to it. So there's my SF buddy!
Thursday, May 04, 2006
cold toes
yep, it's pretty much summer, but my toes are cold. what in the world! The fingers on my right hand are cold too, but that's because my right hand has been on the mouse for a while, and it always gets cold when I'm on the computer.
Anyway, I just thought I'd stop by my blog and write some thing. Not much to say on this, the second day of Summer Break! I should go pack for camp...I hate packing. My room hates it too. The floor is not visible at the moment because it's covered with various boxes filled with clothes and towes, assorted yea and nay clothes for camp, about three or four pairs of shoes, oh yeah, some books (like five or six) a pile of papers and such, a shoebox full of stuff from last summer, envelopes--the big manila kind, hmm...oh, the tops to the boxes, more clothes, another box that is empty because all the clothes that were in it are now on the floor or in another box, two duffle bags, a plethora of pens, pencils, stationary set, etc...
Yeah I would take a picture so you could see it, but...the camera battery is pretty much dead. DEAD! (Tim, are you laughing??? Like Ann Judson was DEAD! :) lol)
So, now that I have enumerated by bedroom's alarming state of disarray, I think I'll go pack some more, then there will be more boxes and less clutter on the floor. No more Terainas! (That one's for Leah...)
Anyway, I just thought I'd stop by my blog and write some thing. Not much to say on this, the second day of Summer Break! I should go pack for camp...I hate packing. My room hates it too. The floor is not visible at the moment because it's covered with various boxes filled with clothes and towes, assorted yea and nay clothes for camp, about three or four pairs of shoes, oh yeah, some books (like five or six) a pile of papers and such, a shoebox full of stuff from last summer, envelopes--the big manila kind, hmm...oh, the tops to the boxes, more clothes, another box that is empty because all the clothes that were in it are now on the floor or in another box, two duffle bags, a plethora of pens, pencils, stationary set, etc...
Yeah I would take a picture so you could see it, but...the camera battery is pretty much dead. DEAD! (Tim, are you laughing??? Like Ann Judson was DEAD! :) lol)
So, now that I have enumerated by bedroom's alarming state of disarray, I think I'll go pack some more, then there will be more boxes and less clutter on the floor. No more Terainas! (That one's for Leah...)
Friday, April 21, 2006
Pray for Brazil
Wow, today's chapel speaker was pretty neat! The ministry he has in Brazil has sent my "heart afire" for world-wide missions...once again.
I'm ready to pack up and leave and not come back! It was so encouraging to hear that he and his wife are not planning on retiring in the US. Today's missionaries have often lost the sense of dedication and commitment this family possesses.
So, I'm really thinking about visiting Brazil and getting involved in that ministry! So pray for me to know if it's God's will or if He has something else for me. I sure don't know...but I wouldn't complain if He wanted me there in Brazil--even as a single missionary! Since that's been my most recent struggle, I was actually kind of surprized when I realized that if God called me to Brazil to work with Dr. Tom and his wife, it really wouldn't bother me so bad to be single. Oh sure, it'd still be nice to get married and have a family someday, but when God calls, nothing else matters, huh? Not when you're in tune with Him. So pray...
1. For Brazil--wide open door of opportunity to spread the gospel!
2. Dr. Tom and his wife Penny--they need fellowlaborers to join them in the harvest
3. Me--to know if I should pursue this or not, and if so that God will provide
4. The rest of the world--it's a needy place, and so ready to receive the gospel, if only people would go. I will do my part, but I am only one person and I can only be in one place at a time...
Thursday, April 20, 2006
My Band Nerds
Well, it's an accepted fact now. The students that went on band tour last spring are officially nerds. Me included. This is not just a "I-lost-my-3-page-paper" nerd. This is a full-blown, comb-over, buck-teeth nerd. Enjoy the pictures!
Here I am, the biggest nerd of them all...proctoring tests!
Joal and Andy, playing cards...looks like they have quite the handful, and not such a good one for either of them!
Chip, studying away for his calculus test...or something!
Here's all the guys on combover night...yep, a whole big group of nerdy boys!
Melissa...so it's not nerdy to read your Bible, but there were other instances that revealed her true nerdship... j/k!
Like, I think it's, like, Jenn? Is she, like, really knitting while she's, like, studying???
The essence of nerdness--Sudoku on Band tour...
The biggest nerd of them all, in his office so small, not only was it his tour "house," but it also stored his gray mouse...
Saturday, April 15, 2006
I'm such a nerd!
So I found my USB flash drive thing. It was pretty much hiding under my bed. I had already looked behind my bed against the wall, but this morning as I was changing my sheets, I pulled my mattress back a little revealing...wellah! my flash drive. The thing is, I rewrote the first three pages of my paper, so now I had two beginnings to my paper. I should have written it backwards, but...I'm afraid Alyssa didn't think of that. So I used a little merging magic, and now my paper's beginning is 5 pages long, plus I'm on a roll to get it done. I have an hour...think I can do it?
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Wow
Just wow. That's all I can say. Grrr. I can say that too. Sometimes I frustrate myself beyond all reason. I am forever losing things. I think the next thing to go will be my mind. Yeah, I pretty much just lost my USB jump drive with all my papers from my entire college career contained on it, including the paper I was going to work on tonight, and the paper outline that I was going to write on Saturday. Pray that I find it. I'm sure it will turn up somewhere, God just needs to get me to trust Him fully again!
Sunday, April 09, 2006
"O Israel, return unto the LORD they God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquitey. Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously...'I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely; for mine anger is turned away from him, I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily...They that dwell under his shadow shall return' ... for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them:"
Hosea 14--here we have the last chapter of Hosea with an exhortation to repentance. The chapter highlights what God will do for Israel if she repents. What a blessing God was--and is--to His own. I know, I know, the church is not Israel, can't be compared, etc., etc., etc. But I think there is a correllation here.
God is the One Who can heal backsliding. He does love us freely. When we cast off our iniquity, he will receive us graciously, for "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us." Indeed, His ways are right. All of them. Even when we can't see the way, it is still right. He will not lead His children down a dark path for no reason. This comes back to the idea of suffering. John Piper contends that suffering is not an end of itself. I believe Joshua Harris talks about the same thing regarding sacrifice. Suffering is to bring us closer to God--when we finally realize that we truly cannot walk, it is then He can carry us. Sacrifice is not simply a command to follow because God doesn't want us to enjoy life--sacrificing sin on the altar of obedience leads only to future joy.
I'm so thankful that even though I can't see the way cut before me, my Lord holds the light, and as I stay close to Him, He will show me the way.
Hosea 14--here we have the last chapter of Hosea with an exhortation to repentance. The chapter highlights what God will do for Israel if she repents. What a blessing God was--and is--to His own. I know, I know, the church is not Israel, can't be compared, etc., etc., etc. But I think there is a correllation here.
God is the One Who can heal backsliding. He does love us freely. When we cast off our iniquity, he will receive us graciously, for "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us." Indeed, His ways are right. All of them. Even when we can't see the way, it is still right. He will not lead His children down a dark path for no reason. This comes back to the idea of suffering. John Piper contends that suffering is not an end of itself. I believe Joshua Harris talks about the same thing regarding sacrifice. Suffering is to bring us closer to God--when we finally realize that we truly cannot walk, it is then He can carry us. Sacrifice is not simply a command to follow because God doesn't want us to enjoy life--sacrificing sin on the altar of obedience leads only to future joy.
I'm so thankful that even though I can't see the way cut before me, my Lord holds the light, and as I stay close to Him, He will show me the way.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
The Bryn
Okay, so I haven't posted in a while. I'm posting, I'm posting!
This is a band tour post. Just so you know.
I just have to laugh every time I see Brynley Dean. Yup, we bonded on tour! She is affectionately known as:
The Bryn-Bryn!
The Bryn-dawg!
The Bryn-o-meister!
The Bryn-a-roni!
The Brynster!
The Bryn-Bryn-Bryn!
The Bryn-Bryn-Bryn-Bryn!
The... yeah you get the picture.
Theses names are affections, complements of Davis Jaspers. But I have latched on, and now whenever I see her, I must needs call her by one or all of them. She is currently thinking up a nickname for me. So if you begin to hear the Bryn-Bryn! call me weird names, you'll know why. I'm not too sure what one can come up with out of "Alyssa," but I'm sure if she gets Davis's help, there'll be some good ones!
Oh yeah, and whenever I see her, I must needs ask her for an "Ear Report! Ear Report!" since she so delicately got her ears pierced on tour.
This is a band tour post. Just so you know.
I just have to laugh every time I see Brynley Dean. Yup, we bonded on tour! She is affectionately known as:
The Bryn-Bryn!
The Bryn-dawg!
The Bryn-o-meister!
The Bryn-a-roni!
The Brynster!
The Bryn-Bryn-Bryn!
The Bryn-Bryn-Bryn-Bryn!
The... yeah you get the picture.
Theses names are affections, complements of Davis Jaspers. But I have latched on, and now whenever I see her, I must needs call her by one or all of them. She is currently thinking up a nickname for me. So if you begin to hear the Bryn-Bryn! call me weird names, you'll know why. I'm not too sure what one can come up with out of "Alyssa," but I'm sure if she gets Davis's help, there'll be some good ones!
Oh yeah, and whenever I see her, I must needs ask her for an "Ear Report! Ear Report!" since she so delicately got her ears pierced on tour.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Just for Dave
Since he was so heartbroken over my lack of blogging during spring break, which I might add was BAND TOUR!!! then I decided to blog again. Back to my own little world...
Um, I have a post drafted about tour, I'm just waiting on a picture to put with it, so it may be a while in coming.
Hmm, what to write about??? The only thing coming to mind is the tangle of wires currently attacking my right knee. That's right. I am sitting in our very own Computer lab 205, typing up on my blog when I should be working on my drawing for art class. But alas, I am here, not there, so tough. Anyway, if you have ever had the once in a day-time opportunity of visiting lab 205, you know the wires from all.........................twenty-one computers (I had to count them there,) are merely pushed to the back of the table upon which they sit. I am sitting at computer M-0095, which, if you look, is in the middle island type set of PCs. Facing the AC. With my back to the color printer. So anyway, there are not only the wires from computer M-0095 at my beck and call, but there are also the wires from computer .......... M-0092 (yes, I just got up and looked) at my demand. However, as every seasoned female knows, sitting is simply more comfortable with the legs crossed at the knees. However, sitting in this manner elevates one knee over the other (quite obviously) and to make room for the legs under the table, the chair must be decompressed and lowered. However...... I just did that, and low and behold, it is uncomfortable to type in such a lowered position. So I returned my chair to it's original position, once again cramping my leg style, effectively relegating my right knee to the spagetti of light gray, dark gray, blue, and black wires that lurk bewteen computers M-0095 and 0092.
Thus, the subject for this, probably most random, blog.
Um, I have a post drafted about tour, I'm just waiting on a picture to put with it, so it may be a while in coming.
Hmm, what to write about??? The only thing coming to mind is the tangle of wires currently attacking my right knee. That's right. I am sitting in our very own Computer lab 205, typing up on my blog when I should be working on my drawing for art class. But alas, I am here, not there, so tough. Anyway, if you have ever had the once in a day-time opportunity of visiting lab 205, you know the wires from all.........................twenty-one computers (I had to count them there,) are merely pushed to the back of the table upon which they sit. I am sitting at computer M-0095, which, if you look, is in the middle island type set of PCs. Facing the AC. With my back to the color printer. So anyway, there are not only the wires from computer M-0095 at my beck and call, but there are also the wires from computer .......... M-0092 (yes, I just got up and looked) at my demand. However, as every seasoned female knows, sitting is simply more comfortable with the legs crossed at the knees. However, sitting in this manner elevates one knee over the other (quite obviously) and to make room for the legs under the table, the chair must be decompressed and lowered. However...... I just did that, and low and behold, it is uncomfortable to type in such a lowered position. So I returned my chair to it's original position, once again cramping my leg style, effectively relegating my right knee to the spagetti of light gray, dark gray, blue, and black wires that lurk bewteen computers M-0095 and 0092.
Thus, the subject for this, probably most random, blog.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Shout out to Mouse
Just wanted to say that I had a great time on Band Tour! Many many memories were made, and I wanted to dedicate my first band tour blog to Mouse. I am one of the few who held Mouse and did not get execreted on...yes, there were those who Mouse thought were the toilet, sorry guys! But Mouse and I have this understanding. She doesn't pee on me, and everyone is happy. I think it's the portrait I drew of her. She loved it. In case you didn't hear her exclaiming over it. But then her lovely owner lost it! What in the world!?! But anyway, I luckily have a sort of copy in my sketchbook because I wanted to count it for art class! So anyway, it is late and I need to head to bed, but I just want to say good night to Mouse. Matt, I hope you don't give her any cookies, because "If you give a Mouse a cookie..." she might ask for a glass of milk... I love those books! Fun stuff. Anyway, good night Mouse! (Or Galina, Jemima, Priscilla, Maxine!)
P.S. this was my first band tour post, but I couldn't publish it because I wanted to put a picture up...that's me drawing Mouse.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Sanctification
Well, the Lord has been working in my heart a lot today about the topic of sanctification. I used to say that it'd be nice if there was a tonic for Instant Sanctification. But that if there was, I'd probably use it for selfish gain.
Well, I discovered the secret to sanctification. Not that it was hidden, actually it was right there in front of methe whole time! Dr. J. was preaching today in chapel and he was in John 17, the prayer that Jesus prays for believers. Dr. J. was talking about truth vs. traditionalsim, and as Sanctification is the theme of the Baptist Fundamentalism conference today and tomorrow, he was talking about that too. Anyway, I was reading down in verse 17, and Dr. J. used it to show that Truth is found in the word of God, but the Holy Spirit brought to mind the first part of the verse: "Sanctify them (believers) through thy truth: they word is truth." So, all that to say, IS tonic is the Word of God! As we are filled with the Word and saturated by it's truth, God will sanctify us, because that's what Jesus prayed for. Wow, let that idea stick to your brain for a while!
So, don't give up hope of sanctification progressing in your life--it's right here, practically staring us in the face! Immersion in the Scripture, the Truth, will grow sanctification in us. No, it's not instant, and yes it takes more work than swallowing a spoonful of tonic, but isn't the end result totally worth the sacrifice? And when you think of the end result and the wondrousness that it is, to call the means of attaining it "sacrifice" seems somewhat silly. Sacrifice is only giving up that which is precious to us--is our own flesh so precious to us that to give it up--or to put it death--such a great sacrifice??? Hm, I'll have to think on that for a while.
No, don't think that I have discovered the secret entirely. This is only a small scratch on the surface, but I'm letting it marinade in my head for a while. My heart too!
Well, I discovered the secret to sanctification. Not that it was hidden, actually it was right there in front of methe whole time! Dr. J. was preaching today in chapel and he was in John 17, the prayer that Jesus prays for believers. Dr. J. was talking about truth vs. traditionalsim, and as Sanctification is the theme of the Baptist Fundamentalism conference today and tomorrow, he was talking about that too. Anyway, I was reading down in verse 17, and Dr. J. used it to show that Truth is found in the word of God, but the Holy Spirit brought to mind the first part of the verse: "Sanctify them (believers) through thy truth: they word is truth." So, all that to say, IS tonic is the Word of God! As we are filled with the Word and saturated by it's truth, God will sanctify us, because that's what Jesus prayed for. Wow, let that idea stick to your brain for a while!
So, don't give up hope of sanctification progressing in your life--it's right here, practically staring us in the face! Immersion in the Scripture, the Truth, will grow sanctification in us. No, it's not instant, and yes it takes more work than swallowing a spoonful of tonic, but isn't the end result totally worth the sacrifice? And when you think of the end result and the wondrousness that it is, to call the means of attaining it "sacrifice" seems somewhat silly. Sacrifice is only giving up that which is precious to us--is our own flesh so precious to us that to give it up--or to put it death--such a great sacrifice??? Hm, I'll have to think on that for a while.
No, don't think that I have discovered the secret entirely. This is only a small scratch on the surface, but I'm letting it marinade in my head for a while. My heart too!
Friday, March 10, 2006
Suffering and Persecution
What does suffering for Jesus mean? What does it entail? What is worth suffering, and to what degree? Why must Christians suffer at all?
“Loss and suffering, joyfully accepted for the kingdom of God, show the supremacy of God’s worth more clearly in the world than all worship and prayer.”
To answer the reason for suffering, one must first consider the question “what is a missionary’s primary goal?” This question could also be phrased to include every Christian, whether in full time vocational ministry or not. The driving passion behind any Christian’s life must be the revealing of God’s supreme glory. This zeal will carry him through any time of suffering.
Jesus commands that all Christians “take up [their] cross[es] and follow Him”—this means to “join [Him] on the Calvary road with a resolve to suffer and die with him.” Relegating this “cross-bearing” to mere physical afflictions such as annoying people and sick children removes the “radical thrust” from this command. Jesus’ idea of suffering was not the world’s idea of suffering—annoying people and sick children; rather, Jesus calls for obedience no matter the cost: betrayal, rejection, beating, mockery, crucifixion, or death. The apostle Paul realized and internalized Jesus’ idea of suffering when he said in Acts 20:24 speaking of bonds and afflictions that awaited him in every city, ‘But none of these things move me…’
“Jesus gives us the assurance that if we will follow him to Golgotha during all the Good Fridays of this life, we will also rise with him on the last Easter day of the resurrection.”
True suffering brings to mind martyrdom, both spiritual and physical death. A physical martyr is not killed because of his political standings, or because he has asked for death. He is martyred by the ones to whom he ministers, and this ministry is done out of a pursuit of love. A spiritual martyr is one who has truly been ‘crucified with Christ’ (Gal. 2:20) in order to say “nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ liveth in me.”
Suffering must be born out of love. If one suffers with a proud attitude that says ‘look at me, I’m suffering for Jesus! I must be a super Christian,’ he is in sin. Pride is always a sin. Christ’s suffering was both a substitution for our sins (so we don’t have to pay the ultimate sacrifice of death in Hell) and a pattern for us.
“The suffering of Christ is a call for a certain mind-set toward suffering, namely, that it is normal and that the path of love and missions will often require it.”
This suffering of Christ is the “basis of our going with him” in suffering. We are commanded to minister ‘outside the camp’ where the unreached nations dwell. We are not protected from bodily harm outside the camp, but Jesus is with us!
Another aspect of personal suffering is the testimony it gives to other believers. When a believer (namely, a missionary; every believer should be a missionary!) suffers for Christ and responds in a Christlike manner, others take notice. Suffering should be accepted in faith and with joy. We are commanded to praise in every situation, even the difficult ones.
Sometimes we are tempted to think suffering (especially in death) is a loss for the kingdom of God. Else, how can the suffering/dead continue in their ministry for the Lord? Scripture gives us the proof of abiding suffering in John 12:24, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”
“God uses the suffering of his missionaries to awaken others out of their slumbers of indifference and make them bold…What obedience will not achieve, persecution will.”
Just look at the persecuted church through out the ages! Even the first church in the NT had to undergo persecution to obey the Lord’s command to go throughout Judaea, Samaria, and the uttermost part of the world. It is amazing that the more money, affluence, and comfort is afforded to the church of God, the more they relax and ‘enjoy life’ instead of giving what they have to further the kingdom of Christ.
“The suffering of missionaries is meant by God to magnify the power and sufficiency of Christ. Suffering is finally to show the supremacy of God…Christ’s power was Paul’s only power when his sufferings brought him to the end of his resources and cast him wholly on Jesus.”
*all quotes taken from Let the Nations Be Glad by John Piper
“Hold on my child, Joy comes in the morning.
Weeping only lasts for the night.
Hold on my child, Joy comes in the morning.
The darkest hour means God is just in sight.”
“Loss and suffering, joyfully accepted for the kingdom of God, show the supremacy of God’s worth more clearly in the world than all worship and prayer.”
To answer the reason for suffering, one must first consider the question “what is a missionary’s primary goal?” This question could also be phrased to include every Christian, whether in full time vocational ministry or not. The driving passion behind any Christian’s life must be the revealing of God’s supreme glory. This zeal will carry him through any time of suffering.
Jesus commands that all Christians “take up [their] cross[es] and follow Him”—this means to “join [Him] on the Calvary road with a resolve to suffer and die with him.” Relegating this “cross-bearing” to mere physical afflictions such as annoying people and sick children removes the “radical thrust” from this command. Jesus’ idea of suffering was not the world’s idea of suffering—annoying people and sick children; rather, Jesus calls for obedience no matter the cost: betrayal, rejection, beating, mockery, crucifixion, or death. The apostle Paul realized and internalized Jesus’ idea of suffering when he said in Acts 20:24 speaking of bonds and afflictions that awaited him in every city, ‘But none of these things move me…’
“Jesus gives us the assurance that if we will follow him to Golgotha during all the Good Fridays of this life, we will also rise with him on the last Easter day of the resurrection.”
True suffering brings to mind martyrdom, both spiritual and physical death. A physical martyr is not killed because of his political standings, or because he has asked for death. He is martyred by the ones to whom he ministers, and this ministry is done out of a pursuit of love. A spiritual martyr is one who has truly been ‘crucified with Christ’ (Gal. 2:20) in order to say “nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ liveth in me.”
Suffering must be born out of love. If one suffers with a proud attitude that says ‘look at me, I’m suffering for Jesus! I must be a super Christian,’ he is in sin. Pride is always a sin. Christ’s suffering was both a substitution for our sins (so we don’t have to pay the ultimate sacrifice of death in Hell) and a pattern for us.
“The suffering of Christ is a call for a certain mind-set toward suffering, namely, that it is normal and that the path of love and missions will often require it.”
This suffering of Christ is the “basis of our going with him” in suffering. We are commanded to minister ‘outside the camp’ where the unreached nations dwell. We are not protected from bodily harm outside the camp, but Jesus is with us!
Another aspect of personal suffering is the testimony it gives to other believers. When a believer (namely, a missionary; every believer should be a missionary!) suffers for Christ and responds in a Christlike manner, others take notice. Suffering should be accepted in faith and with joy. We are commanded to praise in every situation, even the difficult ones.
Sometimes we are tempted to think suffering (especially in death) is a loss for the kingdom of God. Else, how can the suffering/dead continue in their ministry for the Lord? Scripture gives us the proof of abiding suffering in John 12:24, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”
“God uses the suffering of his missionaries to awaken others out of their slumbers of indifference and make them bold…What obedience will not achieve, persecution will.”
Just look at the persecuted church through out the ages! Even the first church in the NT had to undergo persecution to obey the Lord’s command to go throughout Judaea, Samaria, and the uttermost part of the world. It is amazing that the more money, affluence, and comfort is afforded to the church of God, the more they relax and ‘enjoy life’ instead of giving what they have to further the kingdom of Christ.
“The suffering of missionaries is meant by God to magnify the power and sufficiency of Christ. Suffering is finally to show the supremacy of God…Christ’s power was Paul’s only power when his sufferings brought him to the end of his resources and cast him wholly on Jesus.”
*all quotes taken from Let the Nations Be Glad by John Piper
“Hold on my child, Joy comes in the morning.
Weeping only lasts for the night.
Hold on my child, Joy comes in the morning.
The darkest hour means God is just in sight.”
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
And Dave...
There are some friends who deserve an entire post all to themselves. Dave Marriott is definitely one of them. This incredibly funny guy has been a source of amusement to me about since I came here to Maranatha. Actually, just this year because I didn't really know him to well before that. Anyway, from State Street to SGI, Dave always has a smile ready and a joke to tell. But he knows when it's time to be serious. That's something I appreciate about him. His love for the Lord and passion for right are always challenging to me.
Oh yeah, and he always visits me at work. That's another plus of having Dave as a friend here at MBBC. (Course, John Magnus always visits me too and so does Abigail, but hey, this isn't their post!)
Oh yeah, and he always visits me at work. That's another plus of having Dave as a friend here at MBBC. (Course, John Magnus always visits me too and so does Abigail, but hey, this isn't their post!)
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Revival meetings
Well I had the awesome opportunity to visit Rock Lake Baptist Church tonight for their revival meetings with John Van Geldren. It was so good. The Lord really challenged my heart.
Bro. VG was preaching on Gal. 2:20--"For I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me..." That last phrase was a point of his. He was saying how it's actually, literally Christ living in us. Let that idea grip your heart and stick to your brain! So I was really pondering it, and wow, it's changing my life. If I am truly crucified with Him, I am dead to sin--no longer married to it, and it has no dominion over my soul. I am now married to Christ and yet I still struggle. Why? Because my spirit wars against my flesh. But it is Christ in me living out through my life, so the victory is really already won! Are my responses like Christ's responses would be? Because it is Christ in me. I was just listening to a song on a tape (yes, it's a cassette, not a CD, what can I say? they're old school!) and this song is so relevent, so I'm going to post it.
My hands are the Lord's hands
Without me, how can His work be done?
I will reach where He would reach,
Lovingkindness in my touch.
I'll be His healing hands to everyone.
My feet are the Lord's feet.
Without me, how can He walk with the poor?
I will go where He would go,
Blessing others as I do.
For Him I'll walk where I've never walked before.
Help me, Lord, let me give to my neighbor
What you would give if You were here.
Help me, Lord, let me live so my neighbor
Will know that You are always near.
My mouth is the Lord's mouth,
Without me, how can His voice be heard?
I will say what He would say.
Speaking love and life each day.
And everyone who's near will hear His word.
I don't really like the "Without me" lines, but my hands, feet, and mouth are the Lord's; do they look like it? Do I do, go, and say what would characterize Christ?
Bro. VG was preaching on Gal. 2:20--"For I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me..." That last phrase was a point of his. He was saying how it's actually, literally Christ living in us. Let that idea grip your heart and stick to your brain! So I was really pondering it, and wow, it's changing my life. If I am truly crucified with Him, I am dead to sin--no longer married to it, and it has no dominion over my soul. I am now married to Christ and yet I still struggle. Why? Because my spirit wars against my flesh. But it is Christ in me living out through my life, so the victory is really already won! Are my responses like Christ's responses would be? Because it is Christ in me. I was just listening to a song on a tape (yes, it's a cassette, not a CD, what can I say? they're old school!) and this song is so relevent, so I'm going to post it.
My hands are the Lord's hands
Without me, how can His work be done?
I will reach where He would reach,
Lovingkindness in my touch.
I'll be His healing hands to everyone.
My feet are the Lord's feet.
Without me, how can He walk with the poor?
I will go where He would go,
Blessing others as I do.
For Him I'll walk where I've never walked before.
Help me, Lord, let me give to my neighbor
What you would give if You were here.
Help me, Lord, let me live so my neighbor
Will know that You are always near.
My mouth is the Lord's mouth,
Without me, how can His voice be heard?
I will say what He would say.
Speaking love and life each day.
And everyone who's near will hear His word.
I don't really like the "Without me" lines, but my hands, feet, and mouth are the Lord's; do they look like it? Do I do, go, and say what would characterize Christ?
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Friendly times
Well I just wanted to post a shoutout to all my friends out there! I've been gone for a while...well just extremely busy, so I have been trying to be a good steward of my time, so I haven't been posting like all week. So I'm getting back into the loop here. So I just wanted to dedicate this post to all my cool friends out there! (Well, okay, to the not cool friends too...j/k!) I am so glad the Lord has allowed me to make so many friends here at good ole Maranatha. He is so good. Some of you know how I had a hard time coming, transfering not of my own desire, but the Lord has richly blessed me in some really great friends. There's no way I could name them all, but here's a few with what they are to me:
Emiley--my sit-in-the-office-pretending-to-work-while-taking-pictures-on-John-Magnus's-phone buddy!! I love you Em, we have so much fun together "hulaing"!
Abigail--my SGI-get-my-focus-straightened-out-memorize-Scripture-accountability partner!! I am so glad I've gotten to know you this semester! I love you!
Trevor--my counselor-when-I-need-to-vent-over-you-know-whom-with-your-same-initials confidant!! Thanks for being there when I need you, Trev!
Zac--my cowboy! what else could I say???
Amy B.--my laugh-with-while-eating-jumbo-marshmallows buddy!! Thanks for always making me laugh, I love you!!
Dana--my short-always-ready-with-a-hug chum! Love you girl!
Matt--my send-random-holiday-ecards-and-two-word-long-emails-to brother!! :D I am not a hypocrite! I always wanted a big bro, thanks for being mine.
Swifty--my lunkhead...[shrug shoulders here] Just kidding! You're not a lunkhead! (you know how to say it)
Melissa--my flute-playing-wiping-snow-off-the-car-roomie-for-band-tour-Isaac-stealer! I am so excited about touring with you! I'll just take Teddy from now on!
Mandy--my Swahili-speaking-and-spelling-Missions-major-deserting buddy!!! But I still love you even if you're not a Missions major anymore :( :( :( Fungeni midomo! j/k, cho ika wapi! just kidding again! ;D
Katie J.--my fellow-society-bud-clean-mud-maker-playing-in-the-snow-whistle teacher!! I love you Katie!! We still need to get together sometime!
Bryan--my cool-house-let's-go-to-Mukwonago-days-visit-my-dead-pregnant-cat's-grave-memory maker! I am not indecisive, and it's just too much fun to reminisce with you!!! And cup cup is not boat in Japanese--it's funa!
and everyone else--I love you guys too, I just have to get up for band tomorrow morning and there's so many of you that I don't have time to write everyone's name individually cuz I need to go to sleep in my nice, warm, conthy [Kellie] bed.
(Side note, Kellie is one of the triplets and that is how she says "comfy.")
Emiley--my sit-in-the-office-pretending-to-work-while-taking-pictures-on-John-Magnus's-phone buddy!! I love you Em, we have so much fun together "hulaing"!
Abigail--my SGI-get-my-focus-straightened-out-memorize-Scripture-accountability partner!! I am so glad I've gotten to know you this semester! I love you!
Trevor--my counselor-when-I-need-to-vent-over-you-know-whom-with-your-same-initials confidant!! Thanks for being there when I need you, Trev!
Zac--my cowboy! what else could I say???
Amy B.--my laugh-with-while-eating-jumbo-marshmallows buddy!! Thanks for always making me laugh, I love you!!
Dana--my short-always-ready-with-a-hug chum! Love you girl!
Matt--my send-random-holiday-ecards-and-two-word-long-emails-to brother!! :D I am not a hypocrite! I always wanted a big bro, thanks for being mine.
Swifty--my lunkhead...[shrug shoulders here] Just kidding! You're not a lunkhead! (you know how to say it)
Melissa--my flute-playing-wiping-snow-off-the-car-roomie-for-band-tour-Isaac-stealer! I am so excited about touring with you! I'll just take Teddy from now on!
Mandy--my Swahili-speaking-and-spelling-Missions-major-deserting buddy!!! But I still love you even if you're not a Missions major anymore :( :( :( Fungeni midomo! j/k, cho ika wapi! just kidding again! ;D
Katie J.--my fellow-society-bud-clean-mud-maker-playing-in-the-snow-whistle teacher!! I love you Katie!! We still need to get together sometime!
Bryan--my cool-house-let's-go-to-Mukwonago-days-visit-my-dead-pregnant-cat's-grave-memory maker! I am not indecisive, and it's just too much fun to reminisce with you!!! And cup cup is not boat in Japanese--it's funa!
and everyone else--I love you guys too, I just have to get up for band tomorrow morning and there's so many of you that I don't have time to write everyone's name individually cuz I need to go to sleep in my nice, warm, conthy [Kellie] bed.
(Side note, Kellie is one of the triplets and that is how she says "comfy.")
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
