I know I look through this "glass darkly" and "soon" Christ will come for me. Now I must live all to the glory of God, completely, with every breath.
I wrote this letter for Jennifer and Andrew on their Wedding Day.
December 27, 2008 at 11:00
Jennifer and Andrew Dixon made a Covenant to Love each other.
Dear Andrew and Jennifer,
I remember when I met you about a year ago. You both were new in attending our singles care group. You had visited a few months and then shortly after was the break up. Jennifer, I know you were dumbfounded and spent hours either in your room sulking, reading your bible or praying to God. Many times I remember hearing you talk about how you believed simply that God always had Andrew for you. Even though this break was complete at the time, it was like nothing had ever changed in Jennifer’s mind; you loved Andrew the same and months later. Andrew, you were spending your days sitting at the feet of Jesus, surrendering yourself to the hands of God with much prayer and that was your focus.
Jennifer, I have always felt very comfortable and at home with you. I have appreciated the time we have spent together, talking over coffees at Liquid Highway, sitting at the pool, and walking outside...you are like friend that I never lost time to pick up where we left off last.
Andrew, I have always considered you like a dear brother. You have a passion for God and live it fully, here, and now. God will use you to spur others in the truth (continue to have passion for knowing and studying God’s Word carefully). You are a affecting the lives of those around you even now. I believe God wants to use you in a wonderful unique way that others will not be able to. I love the watching the testimony of CHANGE that is blaring in your life today. You shine brilliantly in the contrast of knowing where you came and who you are in and because of Christ. Thank God for the power of this testimony to believers and unbelievers.
We have good memories to look back on this past year. Fall hikes, amusement parks, playing games, singing Masquerade professional opera style, Roman studies, and care groups. These will be treasured memories.
My prayer for you...
God as Jennifer and Andrew begin this life together. We acknowledge and rejoice in your work that you have a purposefully brought them together. Thank you for Andrew and the powerful testimony from his life and Jennifer the opportunity she now has to follow him in serving beside him. I pray for Andrew as he loves Jennifer, as Christ loves the Church, that Jennifer will feel his pleasure. I pray for Jennifer as she loves Andrew that, he will feel her pleasure. I pray that you will give them a selfless for each other and a love for You God above all else. I pray that you will use Andrew and Jennifer to draw men to your wonderful gospel, your name be glorified. In Jesus Name.
Amen.
I love you.
Wendy
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
no comparison to seven miles deep
Rom 5:20 "Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
Rom 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."
"our effort to taste, to see, to enjoy, to admire the glory of God now is like taking a a little thimble to spoon out the Pacific Ocean, if you enlarge the thimble to the size of the Pacific Ocean, it would still be a thimble compared to the Ocean of the Glory of God which has No shores and No bottom."
John Piper
Infinite duration to taste and see the glory of God....
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Romans
"if you are not made compassionate by your self understanding as fallen; you don't know yet how bad you are, and how good God is to you"
Jonathon Edwards
"this docterine teaches us to think no worse of others than of ourselves; it teaches us that we are all companions in a miserable helpless condition which under a revelation of divine mercy tend to produce mutuel compassion and nothing has a greater tendancy to promote those amiable dispositions of mercy forebearance, long-suffering, gentleness, and forgiveness than a sense of our own extreme unworthiness and misery and the infinite need of divine pity and forbearance and forgiveness together for with the hope of obtaining mercy"
Jonathon Edwards
"this docterine teaches us to think no worse of others than of ourselves; it teaches us that we are all companions in a miserable helpless condition which under a revelation of divine mercy tend to produce mutuel compassion and nothing has a greater tendancy to promote those amiable dispositions of mercy forebearance, long-suffering, gentleness, and forgiveness than a sense of our own extreme unworthiness and misery and the infinite need of divine pity and forbearance and forgiveness together for with the hope of obtaining mercy"
Monday, November 17, 2008
Doulos=Bondservant
Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot, serve God and mammon.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
A Closing Prayer
A prayer from my dearest loving mother Evelyn M. Cassidy read to me over the phone:
A Closing Prayer
"Gracious and glorious Father, because you are rich in mercy, and great in love, and sovereign in grace, we ask that you would make this little book a window onto the panorama of your glory, and a skylight to your supremacy in all things. By the truth-loving power of your Holy Spirit grant that the glass pane would be clean—that what is faithful to your word would be confirmed, and what is not would be forgiven, not confusing. We ask that your cloud-banishing illumination would be given to our minds, and that spiritual understanding would fill our hearts, and that according to the command of your apostle, we would grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May we see the spectacular sins of the world as horrible as they are. And may we see the holiness of God as pure as it is. And may we see the rule of God over the sin of man as righteous as it is. And thus grant the steel of ultimate reality to strengthen the spine of our faith, and sweeten our lips for the bruised heart. Put the ballast of biblical truth in the belly of our little boats, lest the crashing waves of calamity in these changing times cause us to capsize in the sea of trouble. And according to your apostle's warning, forbid that the increase of our knowledge would cause the increase of our pride. Rather, O God of infinite wisdom, reveal, with all our understanding, the unfathomable sinfulness of our hearts without Christ, and the infinitesimal smallness of our strength in comparison to yours, and the absolute dependence of our life on you, and the unfathomable depths of your judgments, and how dim is the mirror in which we see. Grant to our minds and hearts new and deeper capacities to see and savor the glories of Jesus Christ. With every new glimpse of his glory in your word, let there awaken new affections in our hearts. Ignite our souls to treasure Christ in a way that destroys our sinful lusts and delights the deepest recesses of our being and displays his truth and beauty to a world that does not know that this is what it needs more than anything. And from this all-satisfying treasuring of Christ may there flow a liberation from selfishness, and a triumph over bitterness and anger, and a freedom from worry and fear, and victory over depression and discouragement, and the severing of every root of sensual lust. All this freedom, Lord, we seek for the sake of love. Grant that our contentment in Christ would be a dissatisfied contentment, eager to expand by including others. Grant that the joy of the Lord would not be a solitary joy, but the strength to sacrifice for the good of others, even those who hate us. May brokenhearted boldness and contrite courage attend all our deeds of compassion and all our commendations of Christ to a lost world. Awaken in us tender affections for those who hurt, and self-forgetful attentiveness for those in our presence. And in this treasuring of Christ for his supreme glory and this overflowing love for others, may Jesus be exalted above all things— honored, admired, adored, esteemed, enjoyed, praised, extolled, thanked, and worshiped. May our light shine in this world so that people see you in our sacrificial deeds of love and our uncompromising words of truth and give glory to your hallowed name, Father. Through Jesus Christ, your Son, Amen."
by John Piper
A Closing Prayer
"Gracious and glorious Father, because you are rich in mercy, and great in love, and sovereign in grace, we ask that you would make this little book a window onto the panorama of your glory, and a skylight to your supremacy in all things. By the truth-loving power of your Holy Spirit grant that the glass pane would be clean—that what is faithful to your word would be confirmed, and what is not would be forgiven, not confusing. We ask that your cloud-banishing illumination would be given to our minds, and that spiritual understanding would fill our hearts, and that according to the command of your apostle, we would grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May we see the spectacular sins of the world as horrible as they are. And may we see the holiness of God as pure as it is. And may we see the rule of God over the sin of man as righteous as it is. And thus grant the steel of ultimate reality to strengthen the spine of our faith, and sweeten our lips for the bruised heart. Put the ballast of biblical truth in the belly of our little boats, lest the crashing waves of calamity in these changing times cause us to capsize in the sea of trouble. And according to your apostle's warning, forbid that the increase of our knowledge would cause the increase of our pride. Rather, O God of infinite wisdom, reveal, with all our understanding, the unfathomable sinfulness of our hearts without Christ, and the infinitesimal smallness of our strength in comparison to yours, and the absolute dependence of our life on you, and the unfathomable depths of your judgments, and how dim is the mirror in which we see. Grant to our minds and hearts new and deeper capacities to see and savor the glories of Jesus Christ. With every new glimpse of his glory in your word, let there awaken new affections in our hearts. Ignite our souls to treasure Christ in a way that destroys our sinful lusts and delights the deepest recesses of our being and displays his truth and beauty to a world that does not know that this is what it needs more than anything. And from this all-satisfying treasuring of Christ may there flow a liberation from selfishness, and a triumph over bitterness and anger, and a freedom from worry and fear, and victory over depression and discouragement, and the severing of every root of sensual lust. All this freedom, Lord, we seek for the sake of love. Grant that our contentment in Christ would be a dissatisfied contentment, eager to expand by including others. Grant that the joy of the Lord would not be a solitary joy, but the strength to sacrifice for the good of others, even those who hate us. May brokenhearted boldness and contrite courage attend all our deeds of compassion and all our commendations of Christ to a lost world. Awaken in us tender affections for those who hurt, and self-forgetful attentiveness for those in our presence. And in this treasuring of Christ for his supreme glory and this overflowing love for others, may Jesus be exalted above all things— honored, admired, adored, esteemed, enjoyed, praised, extolled, thanked, and worshiped. May our light shine in this world so that people see you in our sacrificial deeds of love and our uncompromising words of truth and give glory to your hallowed name, Father. Through Jesus Christ, your Son, Amen."
by John Piper
Monday, October 20, 2008
O Great God
O Great God
O great God of highest heaven Occupy my lowly heart Own it all and reign supreme Conquer every rebel power Let no vice or sin remain That resists Your holy war You have loved and purchased me Make me Yours forevermore
I was blinded by my sin Had no ears to hear Your voice Did not know Your love within Had no taste for heaven’s joys Then Your Spirit gave me life Opened up Your Word to me Through the gospel of Your Son Gave me endless hope and peace
Help me now to live a life That’s dependent on Your grace Keep my heart and guard my soul From the evils that I face You are worthy to be praised With my every thought and deed great God of highest heaven Glorify Your Name through me
Words and Music by Bob Kauflin(Based on The Valley of Vision prayer “Regeneration”)
There were 2 people recently that I saw having big difficulties in their life. I saw God answer my prayer before I even confronted them. God convicted and is moving them to change...real life change. Two different people at two different times. I am thanking the Lord for His help in our lives. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He gives us gifts daily.
O great God of highest heaven Occupy my lowly heart Own it all and reign supreme Conquer every rebel power Let no vice or sin remain That resists Your holy war You have loved and purchased me Make me Yours forevermore
I was blinded by my sin Had no ears to hear Your voice Did not know Your love within Had no taste for heaven’s joys Then Your Spirit gave me life Opened up Your Word to me Through the gospel of Your Son Gave me endless hope and peace
Help me now to live a life That’s dependent on Your grace Keep my heart and guard my soul From the evils that I face You are worthy to be praised With my every thought and deed great God of highest heaven Glorify Your Name through me
Words and Music by Bob Kauflin(Based on The Valley of Vision prayer “Regeneration”)
There were 2 people recently that I saw having big difficulties in their life. I saw God answer my prayer before I even confronted them. God convicted and is moving them to change...real life change. Two different people at two different times. I am thanking the Lord for His help in our lives. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He gives us gifts daily.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Be Glad of Heart
September 22
My reading this morning my heart is encouraged by the meditation of Spurgeon.
"Be glad of heart, O believer, but take care your gladness has its spring in the Lord. You have much cause for gladness in your God, for you can sing with David, "God, my exceeding joy." Be glad that the Lord reigns, the Jehovah is King! Rejoice that He sits upon the throne, and rules all things! Every attribute of God should become a fresh ray in the sunlight of our gladness. That He is wise should make us glad, knowing as we do our own foolishness. That He is mighty
should cause us to rejoice who tremble at our weakness. That He is everlasting, should always be a theme of joy when we know that we wither as the grass. That He is unchanging, perpetually yield us a song, since we change every hour. That He is full of grace, that He is overflowing with it, and that this grace in covenant He has given to us: that it is ours to cleanse us, ours to keep us, ours to sanctify us, ours to perfect us, ours to bring us to glory-all this should tent to make us glad in Him. ... Onward the depth is greater, and the current more impetuous in its joy...."
Psalm 149:2 "Let Israel rejoice in him."
My reading this morning my heart is encouraged by the meditation of Spurgeon.
"Be glad of heart, O believer, but take care your gladness has its spring in the Lord. You have much cause for gladness in your God, for you can sing with David, "God, my exceeding joy." Be glad that the Lord reigns, the Jehovah is King! Rejoice that He sits upon the throne, and rules all things! Every attribute of God should become a fresh ray in the sunlight of our gladness. That He is wise should make us glad, knowing as we do our own foolishness. That He is mighty
should cause us to rejoice who tremble at our weakness. That He is everlasting, should always be a theme of joy when we know that we wither as the grass. That He is unchanging, perpetually yield us a song, since we change every hour. That He is full of grace, that He is overflowing with it, and that this grace in covenant He has given to us: that it is ours to cleanse us, ours to keep us, ours to sanctify us, ours to perfect us, ours to bring us to glory-all this should tent to make us glad in Him. ... Onward the depth is greater, and the current more impetuous in its joy...."
Psalm 149:2 "Let Israel rejoice in him."
Monday, September 1, 2008
Random and Active
Sunday morning
"Be the best logger"
Matthew 7:5
love earnestly (again)
"Practice makes permanent"
Noon
Romans 2:4
"or do you think lightly of riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?"
Active faith, seeking God
Isaiah 54:10
"For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake,
But My loving kindness will not be removed from you,
And My covenant of peace will not be shaken,"
Says the Lord who has compassion on you"
Evening
Thank you Lord for the rain, that I can run, that you allow me to live and given me Life, you are with me always.
"Be the best logger"
Matthew 7:5
love earnestly (again)
"Practice makes permanent"
Noon
Romans 2:4
"or do you think lightly of riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?"
Active faith, seeking God
Isaiah 54:10
"For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake,
But My loving kindness will not be removed from you,
And My covenant of peace will not be shaken,"
Says the Lord who has compassion on you"
Evening
Thank you Lord for the rain, that I can run, that you allow me to live and given me Life, you are with me always.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Running hard
I enjoyed New Attitude this year. Challenges confront me to the core of my heart. Meditating, scripture memory, daily engaging, delighting, dying to self, proclaiming the Word without shame, and life changes.
Life is short and truly I see the "vapor" evaporate in front my eyes. Where is God going to take me in this big picture?
I think about the discipline of spending time with my Saviour. Why can't I get myself out of bed at 0500 in the morning? My mind does not see that His Words are my "Life" and God is calling me to follow Him in Obedience to "bind His Words about my neck"..."put on the armour" ...hide "in my heart so that I might not sin against you"...to "seek it as treasure"....
I find myself passing off the my valuable time with God for exchange of saying that I am not being legalistic by being too rigid. (completely wrong thinking).
I love the dedicated, tenacious spirit, and love for God's Word displayed in Tyndale. Why can't I be like my brother who displayed this thirstiness for the Word of God and vision for all men to have the English printed version of the Bible in their hands. He pleaded to the king, carefully, thoughtfully, lovingly until his final death. He followed, in faith, the ultimate example, Jesus Christ, who was disregarded by men and kings. My apathy and pride stare me in the face. I want to run hard towards God, passionately, focused, sacrificing, unashamed, to be the same tool in the hand of God .
Love the Lord my God with all my heart? Myself gets in the way. My worldly pleasures, my "what next mentality", my "I deserve it", my faults thinking, questioning"is to die really gain"?.
No freedom being a slave to my self; it is short sighted, and not true to the way God designed me.
I reflect on Pipers message and Romans 14:8 ."...for whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lords."
Life is short and truly I see the "vapor" evaporate in front my eyes. Where is God going to take me in this big picture?
I think about the discipline of spending time with my Saviour. Why can't I get myself out of bed at 0500 in the morning? My mind does not see that His Words are my "Life" and God is calling me to follow Him in Obedience to "bind His Words about my neck"..."put on the armour" ...hide "in my heart so that I might not sin against you"...to "seek it as treasure"....
I find myself passing off the my valuable time with God for exchange of saying that I am not being legalistic by being too rigid. (completely wrong thinking).
I love the dedicated, tenacious spirit, and love for God's Word displayed in Tyndale. Why can't I be like my brother who displayed this thirstiness for the Word of God and vision for all men to have the English printed version of the Bible in their hands. He pleaded to the king, carefully, thoughtfully, lovingly until his final death. He followed, in faith, the ultimate example, Jesus Christ, who was disregarded by men and kings. My apathy and pride stare me in the face. I want to run hard towards God, passionately, focused, sacrificing, unashamed, to be the same tool in the hand of God .
Love the Lord my God with all my heart? Myself gets in the way. My worldly pleasures, my "what next mentality", my "I deserve it", my faults thinking, questioning"is to die really gain"?.
No freedom being a slave to my self; it is short sighted, and not true to the way God designed me.
I reflect on Pipers message and Romans 14:8 ."...for whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lords."
Sunday, April 13, 2008
forever asking the question when always the answer is love
"So God I have one question...why did you choose me?"
I am nothing and out of all of His creation; I was chosen to live with in relationship with Him forever. I was saved from eternal darkness and hell. I still don't know (never have experienced the pit of hell/silence/torture/burning) what that is like first hand experience. I am sure it is beyond human comprehension of excruciating pain emotionally, socially, physically.
As I was praying with my "family" I ask again...why did you choose me? It is love at its pinnacle for Jesus to unconditionally die, in torn flesh, disfigured, bleed profusely liters of blood, humiliated byHis own men; He purposefully, thoughtfully, submitting tenaciously to the will of God the Father for saving a small speck of dust-life like me. I can't understand it. Amazed, pondering, my mind cannot contain it...He loves Me more than I will ever fully understand.
I am nothing and out of all of His creation; I was chosen to live with in relationship with Him forever. I was saved from eternal darkness and hell. I still don't know (never have experienced the pit of hell/silence/torture/burning) what that is like first hand experience. I am sure it is beyond human comprehension of excruciating pain emotionally, socially, physically.
As I was praying with my "family" I ask again...why did you choose me? It is love at its pinnacle for Jesus to unconditionally die, in torn flesh, disfigured, bleed profusely liters of blood, humiliated byHis own men; He purposefully, thoughtfully, submitting tenaciously to the will of God the Father for saving a small speck of dust-life like me. I can't understand it. Amazed, pondering, my mind cannot contain it...He loves Me more than I will ever fully understand.
Friday, March 7, 2008
it passed me by
it passed me by to give you a smile, warm eyes, kind words, a purposeful touch,
enough to make a difference, enough that my care may change the course of ones thought,
enough to inspire the hopes of tomorrow;
it passed me by to say it gently, to love differently then expected in one's eyes.
You needed help, or a someone to spend time with one set of ears and eyes to listen to you with their heart too; a moment for them to hear you to the end, and eager to respond in time.
Did I take it for granted that you will be there again another day, another turn, your life to sparkle, where I will say one more time "hello" to you, or will I regret the moment to say, "it passed me by"?
"love earnestly"...
enough to make a difference, enough that my care may change the course of ones thought,
enough to inspire the hopes of tomorrow;
it passed me by to say it gently, to love differently then expected in one's eyes.
You needed help, or a someone to spend time with one set of ears and eyes to listen to you with their heart too; a moment for them to hear you to the end, and eager to respond in time.
Did I take it for granted that you will be there again another day, another turn, your life to sparkle, where I will say one more time "hello" to you, or will I regret the moment to say, "it passed me by"?
"love earnestly"...
Sunday, March 2, 2008
What does it mean to Love
What does it mean to love?
Blessing and suffering go hand-in-hand as I heard in church today.
The Bible says "Earnestly love". My human nature does not want to earnestly love many times. It is hard work to choose to love. Loving I thought was supposed to come easily , fuzzy, warm almost all of the time....But I reminded again it is not always that. It demands an about- face-radical-step. I say, "I choose against my feelings to Love You"..."Earnestly love you". But my motivation is without power if I don't remember Christ Loved me first in my vile filthy rag (disgusting old menstrual rags-i heard that in church too).
"HE LOVED ME FIRST. I love you first in spite of the wrongs I am reminded of". Or should I say, "What wrong did you do towards me? I can't remember? I refuse to recollect the wrongs of yesterday...it is done....I love you".
Christ loving the blind man and the women at the well was shocking, the humanly unnatural, the unexpected, goes against all human nature. Christ spending His years on earth knowing to face the final day of the Cross to die for betrayers, sinners, people who hated Him. I can't even understand it. This just reveals my heart, my desperateness for God at this very moment. God I cry out for you to give me your grace again; "it is sufficient".
Blessing and suffering go hand-in-hand as I heard in church today.
The Bible says "Earnestly love". My human nature does not want to earnestly love many times. It is hard work to choose to love. Loving I thought was supposed to come easily , fuzzy, warm almost all of the time....But I reminded again it is not always that. It demands an about- face-radical-step. I say, "I choose against my feelings to Love You"..."Earnestly love you". But my motivation is without power if I don't remember Christ Loved me first in my vile filthy rag (disgusting old menstrual rags-i heard that in church too).
"HE LOVED ME FIRST. I love you first in spite of the wrongs I am reminded of". Or should I say, "What wrong did you do towards me? I can't remember? I refuse to recollect the wrongs of yesterday...it is done....I love you".
Christ loving the blind man and the women at the well was shocking, the humanly unnatural, the unexpected, goes against all human nature. Christ spending His years on earth knowing to face the final day of the Cross to die for betrayers, sinners, people who hated Him. I can't even understand it. This just reveals my heart, my desperateness for God at this very moment. God I cry out for you to give me your grace again; "it is sufficient".
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Where do you go...
Where do you go when your world completely crashes...when no persons are there to be there for you (they say they would, if not in words, in actions)...the silence of the desert is all the experience...
Where do you go when you long for complete friendship...exchange of ones deepest feelings...one seeing the best in one to another...enjoying each other...loyal through life...looking for the next day...to see you...celebrating the day, playing in it together...talking about the day... looking for another memory to keep in your pockets.
I go to the Rock...He never breaks, He is Faithful, He never leaves, He always Loves me, He is Always, Always there beside, behind, beneath, before, inside, me. I love you God because you first loved me. You are my Father and my dearest Friend.
Wendy
Where do you go when you long for complete friendship...exchange of ones deepest feelings...one seeing the best in one to another...enjoying each other...loyal through life...looking for the next day...to see you...celebrating the day, playing in it together...talking about the day... looking for another memory to keep in your pockets.
I go to the Rock...He never breaks, He is Faithful, He never leaves, He always Loves me, He is Always, Always there beside, behind, beneath, before, inside, me. I love you God because you first loved me. You are my Father and my dearest Friend.
Wendy
Thursday, February 14, 2008
In Christ Alone
My mind clings to this at the end of the day....
In Christ Alone my heart is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This corner Stone
This solid ground
Firm through the fiercest Storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled and strivings cease
In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and Righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to Save
Till on that Cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I Live
There in the ground His body laid
Light of the World by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in Glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in Victory
Sin"s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Oh for the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in Life
No fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final death
Jesus commands my final destiny
No power of hell no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand
No power of hell no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in power of Christ I stand.
In Christ Alone my heart is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This corner Stone
This solid ground
Firm through the fiercest Storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled and strivings cease
In Christ alone who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and Righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to Save
Till on that Cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I Live
There in the ground His body laid
Light of the World by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in Glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in Victory
Sin"s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Oh for the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in Life
No fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final death
Jesus commands my final destiny
No power of hell no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand
No power of hell no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in power of Christ I stand.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Remember Eternal Matters
I am pulled in different directions. Work, the future, time restraints, fun, friends,and more.
I now step back to breath...I am preparing for my next evaluation and preparing for my incentive bonus(taking much time). I am thinking about all the additional stuff along with this and I can easily become anxious(not obediant to God-Sin). I have to now grab my heart, my mind, and yield completely and entirely to God and His plan. When I do this or that (be it running, washing my dishes, talking to a friend, doing my yearly evalution projects I must not forget "I do this for God's glory".
I think about how my wonderful friend Becky has often lovingly and firmly in the past grabbed my arm to say, "Wendy, it really doesn't matter". And I shake myself to say, "Yes, Yes, it doesn't matter in this Life...look at Jesus and where you will spend Eternity. This life all my striving is vain. God must be THE ULTIMATE reason.
So I am thrilled to think about my Brother John in the scriptures again...many years later. Sitting on this island (Patmos)by himself...old and I imagine cataracts in his eyes, dry, shriveled-up skin, bony joints, long straggly gray beard, hunched over and then the Bible says he has a vision...
Revelation 4
The Throne in Heaven
"1After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." 2At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. 4Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits[a] of God. 6Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." 9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being."
And a relationship with this King is what really matters!
I now step back to breath...I am preparing for my next evaluation and preparing for my incentive bonus(taking much time). I am thinking about all the additional stuff along with this and I can easily become anxious(not obediant to God-Sin). I have to now grab my heart, my mind, and yield completely and entirely to God and His plan. When I do this or that (be it running, washing my dishes, talking to a friend, doing my yearly evalution projects I must not forget "I do this for God's glory".
I think about how my wonderful friend Becky has often lovingly and firmly in the past grabbed my arm to say, "Wendy, it really doesn't matter". And I shake myself to say, "Yes, Yes, it doesn't matter in this Life...look at Jesus and where you will spend Eternity. This life all my striving is vain. God must be THE ULTIMATE reason.
So I am thrilled to think about my Brother John in the scriptures again...many years later. Sitting on this island (Patmos)by himself...old and I imagine cataracts in his eyes, dry, shriveled-up skin, bony joints, long straggly gray beard, hunched over and then the Bible says he has a vision...
Revelation 4
The Throne in Heaven
"1After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." 2At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. 4Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits[a] of God. 6Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." 9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11"You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being."
And a relationship with this King is what really matters!
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Pride
I come here to journal-it is fun writing on this bubbly wall. I am blessed with the past of knowing a dear friend, Willard Lohnes (I always thought kind of a funny name) and his lovely wife, Maria. His life continues to leave a rich scent of His thirst for God, once again.
Now That’s A Bad Question
“Humble yourself in the sight of God”
James 4:10
'“Am I proud?” Yes. I think that I would feel much more comfortable with, “Are you proud?” Or even, “Are Never mind, I think that we should both get another topic so we can all feel more at ease. I am at home being sick and that always is cause for mind-dwelling. Kona my golden Labrador is lying right next to my bed. She won’t move unless I do. I’ve concluded, she is humble. This is where the topic formulated.
If you are like me, I do not like certain questions and this is probably the worst but it is one that we must ask if we are to be honest in our evaluations of the heart, our hearts.
Life can be a good teacher but it can also be a good hider of truth. We can look at ourselves in the light of the world, people, or circumstances and conclude that because of them, we are a constructive composite for others to consider. We says: position proves person, influence issues integrity, and accomplishments authenticates admiration. But I fear that all of this simply is an acceptable authentic pride.
But more, as I provocatively enter into this abyss on pride, my thoughts move to the evaluation of it. How does one know if he is proud since in the very essence of pride is the false belief of one’s importance or power. It goes like this, of course I am not proud because to be proud is unworthy and I am worthy so I am not proud. The problem with pride is the deception it disperses. Pride will not let me acknowledge itself in me. Also pride will not allow itself to be viewed or violated, but it will push me to vindicate it. So how do I know it in me?
Intermission, Kona just stirred because I moved. This is intriguing, she is totally satisfied to be here, albeit sleeping. When I sit up, she lifts her head to see what I am doing. If I get up, she follows. She wants to be in my presence and nothing else matters. Ah, here is a key. I think that dogs, at least mine, are humble. Her joy is overtly and unashamedly to love me by being with me.
Ok, I take it for granted that I am proud, there I said it, I fear that I have been too long, too much, and too foolish in it. But this admission has brought me to a conclusion. Love is the evaluator of pride. If I can love, I tend to be humble. To love is to place myself at the disposal of someone else, not myself. Therefore, our question is, “How am I doing in loving? Take some time to answer.
Next, how do I fix it? Be humble! Great! How do I do that? Humility is a virtue that cannot be directly obtained. It is the result of another action. James says in his book of clear and often condemning considerations, “Humble yourself in the sight of God”. He assumes that everyone is proud in some way. This is true. Remedy? Place yourself in God’s presence. Ask, “Do I want, love, and desire to be with God?” Do I wait on Him? How is my prayer life? Do I love talking with him? This is tough going. I fight constantly with my prayer times. I tend to be too work-heavy to stop and pray. Not a good attribute and one that needs to change.
So why is Kona important? Kona is still lying next to the bed, just waiting, sleeping. Her day is caught up in mine. She is enjoying just being with me. That is life for her and it ought to be ours with God. Just wanting to be with Him. Just loving to be with Him. Just knowing that He is my life. You only can love what you know. So get into His presence and learn. “I am His and He is mine”, a song we sang Sunday and a song of humble answers.
Pride is being satisfied with myself not needing others.
Humility is also being satisfied but by or with Another’s self.
“Almighty God, in this quiet hour I seek communion with thee. From the fret and fever of the day’s business, from the world’s discordant noises, from the praise and blame of men, from the confused thoughts and vain imaginations of my own heart, I would now turn aside and seek the quietness of thy presence.” John Baillie
I would add, “And so become like Christ by enjoying Him as You do.
Will'
So I bring my friend's words to thought. Christ was The Example of humility-He truly loved. He came to us selflessly (in comparison to heaven, there was nothing this earth would give back to Him). A tip of the iceburg: He loved the blind man; He loved the women at the well; Heloved betrayers; He loved when He was alone, and He loved in His final breaths..."not my will but Yours be done".
Now That’s A Bad Question
“Humble yourself in the sight of God”
James 4:10
'“Am I proud?” Yes. I think that I would feel much more comfortable with, “Are you proud?” Or even, “Are Never mind, I think that we should both get another topic so we can all feel more at ease. I am at home being sick and that always is cause for mind-dwelling. Kona my golden Labrador is lying right next to my bed. She won’t move unless I do. I’ve concluded, she is humble. This is where the topic formulated.
If you are like me, I do not like certain questions and this is probably the worst but it is one that we must ask if we are to be honest in our evaluations of the heart, our hearts.
Life can be a good teacher but it can also be a good hider of truth. We can look at ourselves in the light of the world, people, or circumstances and conclude that because of them, we are a constructive composite for others to consider. We says: position proves person, influence issues integrity, and accomplishments authenticates admiration. But I fear that all of this simply is an acceptable authentic pride.
But more, as I provocatively enter into this abyss on pride, my thoughts move to the evaluation of it. How does one know if he is proud since in the very essence of pride is the false belief of one’s importance or power. It goes like this, of course I am not proud because to be proud is unworthy and I am worthy so I am not proud. The problem with pride is the deception it disperses. Pride will not let me acknowledge itself in me. Also pride will not allow itself to be viewed or violated, but it will push me to vindicate it. So how do I know it in me?
Intermission, Kona just stirred because I moved. This is intriguing, she is totally satisfied to be here, albeit sleeping. When I sit up, she lifts her head to see what I am doing. If I get up, she follows. She wants to be in my presence and nothing else matters. Ah, here is a key. I think that dogs, at least mine, are humble. Her joy is overtly and unashamedly to love me by being with me.
Ok, I take it for granted that I am proud, there I said it, I fear that I have been too long, too much, and too foolish in it. But this admission has brought me to a conclusion. Love is the evaluator of pride. If I can love, I tend to be humble. To love is to place myself at the disposal of someone else, not myself. Therefore, our question is, “How am I doing in loving? Take some time to answer.
Next, how do I fix it? Be humble! Great! How do I do that? Humility is a virtue that cannot be directly obtained. It is the result of another action. James says in his book of clear and often condemning considerations, “Humble yourself in the sight of God”. He assumes that everyone is proud in some way. This is true. Remedy? Place yourself in God’s presence. Ask, “Do I want, love, and desire to be with God?” Do I wait on Him? How is my prayer life? Do I love talking with him? This is tough going. I fight constantly with my prayer times. I tend to be too work-heavy to stop and pray. Not a good attribute and one that needs to change.
So why is Kona important? Kona is still lying next to the bed, just waiting, sleeping. Her day is caught up in mine. She is enjoying just being with me. That is life for her and it ought to be ours with God. Just wanting to be with Him. Just loving to be with Him. Just knowing that He is my life. You only can love what you know. So get into His presence and learn. “I am His and He is mine”, a song we sang Sunday and a song of humble answers.
Pride is being satisfied with myself not needing others.
Humility is also being satisfied but by or with Another’s self.
“Almighty God, in this quiet hour I seek communion with thee. From the fret and fever of the day’s business, from the world’s discordant noises, from the praise and blame of men, from the confused thoughts and vain imaginations of my own heart, I would now turn aside and seek the quietness of thy presence.” John Baillie
I would add, “And so become like Christ by enjoying Him as You do.
Will'
So I bring my friend's words to thought. Christ was The Example of humility-He truly loved. He came to us selflessly (in comparison to heaven, there was nothing this earth would give back to Him). A tip of the iceburg: He loved the blind man; He loved the women at the well; Heloved betrayers; He loved when He was alone, and He loved in His final breaths..."not my will but Yours be done".
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
warm rains, to run and to breathe
I reflect back to times where I enjoy running the most....it is the last stretch of run, a mile and a half, my tennis shoes fall into the lush green grass cushioning my feet, country fields spread wide on each side of me. And here my sense of enjoyment is compounded; I love to feel the warm summer rains fall on my face, big plump drops, as it rolls down from all corners of my head. I am lulled by the showers of God's creation. My body is soaked; but I don't care. I keep my focus, my arms relax, my stride lengthens, and I feel like the rain drops feed me breaths of Oxygen as my mouth gulps in the rain to my tongue. How it feels strangely wonderful and hard at the same time.
(copied from my eSword)
Hebrews 12:1-3
v.1 ....let us also lay aside every encumbrance, the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with enudurance the race that is set before us v.2Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. v3 Consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.
(copied from my eSword)
Hebrews 12:1-3
v.1 ....let us also lay aside every encumbrance, the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with enudurance the race that is set before us v.2Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. v3 Consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.
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