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Following in Faith

Advocacy….

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Advocacy:  a)  public support for or recommendation of a particular cause or policy.  b) one who pleads the cause of another c) one who defends or maintains a cause or proposal

Are you an advocate for a cause, a someone, a group or an agenda?  Is anyone your advocate?  Have you ever considered what it means to be an advocate?

In our world today, I think that too many people look at advocacy as a chore.  An act of self sacrifice for someone else, whilst attesting to that act as a duty that only they can take care of.  I am not so certain it’s always genuine and I am beginning to think that more and more people are using the word advocacy as a way to exercise their thoughts in promoting themselves rather than the cause of which they are exerting their energies.  Why are we advocates?  Is our heart in the right order?  Are we advocating for something or someone so that we may be elevated?   Are we trying to prove something to someone or to ourselves?

I admit that sometimes I consider my voice as a tool to say or give an opinion because I think I am “helping” someone, only to realize that perhaps I was actually only elevating my own self worth.  Hmmm….something to consider isn’t it?  Have you done that?  Do you think off the cuff you are helping someone yet in reality when you look back you were only voicing an opinion to make sure you were heard.  Making sure you are heard is very different than making sure you are an advocate for a cause, policy or for someone.

I consider Christ and all that He succumbed to in His short life on this earth.  All that he said and did was not for his own good, not to uplift himself nor to validate who he was.   It was for a cause, a cause of salvation for those whom he met and for those going forth who would be followers of the one true God.   This salvation would bring about the praises and Glory of his Father to whom all life has  been blessed.  His life was the vessel used to bring about a change in attitude.  A change that would bring salvation to those whom needed to hear the Word and for those of us who read the Word.   That we may glorify the Lord and worship Him will all our hearts.  Our cause and advocacy of the scriptures is not to elevate who we are, but elevate the One and only who gave so much to allow us to do so.   Remembering that is sometimes difficult.   That is why we need the truth of the gospel to lead us.  Truth in our worship, truth in our study and truth in our intentions.  How do we get there?  Prayer, study, hearing gospel truth and understanding that we are a small part of the picture.  Our voice doesn’t always need to be used to bring about advocacy, our actions do.

You are likely saying to yourself, what?  She went from talking about elevating ourselves by using our voice and now she is talking about action.   Well, let me explain.  I think that actions shout a lot louder than the words that come out of the mouth.   Our actions show our true selves and what we are promoting.  If you look back on your actions, were you promoting a cause for something or someone, or were you promoting yourself?

I am going to leave you with those thoughts….Advocacy can be good, if used appropriately and can be viewed by others very differently if spoken.  Therefore, consider the actions that you take and what others will see out of those actions.   Promotions of self or promotion of cause?

 

Following in Faith

Each Passing Day…

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Dakota – Black Lab mix (although we think he is closer to a pure bread), our gentle giant.
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Lexi – Pyranees Lab mix, our little muffin

Each day I awake to the delightful warmth of one cat cuddled at my side and two dogs at the bottom of the stairs waiting for me to come down to them for their morning petting.  The excitement of a treasured pets response to human interaction is unlike anything I’ve experienced.   One wags her tail so excitedly that it looks like a windmill going in circles.  Waiting at the bottom of the staircase with anticipation.

We’ve had two cats for awhile now, and with the addition of two dogs in the last year, I have to say life are has come full circle.  We used to say we were cat people and not dog people…haha well that certainly has changed.   The joy they bring to our lives is certainly nothing short of true bliss.

How did we get here?  I have to say that God’s roll in our lives is never ceasing of His love.  He guides, protects, and has plans for us that even we could not imagine.  To think that a year ago, my daughter and I were heading to FL for a girls week of fun in the sun, only to return with a 24 hour car ride home with a sweet little puppy from Alabama.  Helping one friend find a home for him and another friend find the love of their lives.  For Sydney and I, it was bittersweet.  We fell in love with that little guy so much so in 24 hours that we sobbed in handing him over.  That experience led us to realize that a dog was possibly the completion to our family unit.

The weeks went on and our daughter continued to look for the same breed that our little Alabama friend was until finally she found one that was going to be transported to the local rescue from Missouri in just a few short weeks.  Looking for a foster home first, then adoption the sweet face of that little munchkin melted our hearts.  We knew she had to be ours.  Ironically, one of our friends mom ran the rescue locally.  She was able to to secure our little Lexi so that we could foster her and “see how it went”.   Of course, it wasn’t long and we knew we had to adopt her.

The family unit, we thought, was complete.  That is until we went to Scotland and Lexi played with two other dogs for almost 2 weeks.  When we brought her home we quickly realized how much she needed another dogs interaction.  We decided to adopt a black lab brought up from Alabama who was found in a kill shelter and brought up to our state.  He is the most gentle giant we know.  He and Lexi have become brother and sister, Gary and I have become parents all over again (as they act like toddlers sometimes….) and the kids are loving having dogs.

Who would have thought…..I mean, you would think a simple trip to Disney would be exactly that, simple.  Yet for us, it was unknowingly the beginning of a new chapter in our lives.   A new chapter that brings us great joy daily.

All of this has had me thinking about life in general.  We think that we plan out our lives, detail for detail, thinking that we know what is around the next corner.  Yet, we are not actually in control.  We are subject to the greater good of a God who loves us and who cares for all of our needs.  A God who watched His own children fall into sin, only to love them enough to bring them back to himself by sacrificing.  Making a sacrifice of his own Son so that the sins of man will be forgiven.  How often do we consider what a loving God we have?  How often do we take for granted His mercy and grace in our lives when things do not go “as we planned”?   Sometimes, we need to reflect on His love, the outcome of our situations, and the blessings that we receive through His plan of redemption in our lives.

As I look at that trip to FL, I actually see the blessing of three lives that were saved due to the unexpectedness of that trip.  Little Gus, whom rode home with us, the farm dog that needed a home, Lexi a rescue whose mom abandoned she and her litter mates at birth, and Dakota, the good natured sweetest boy who was found at a kill shelter.  To be able to see those blessings, is also a blessing.  To have the eyes to see something out of the unplanned circumstances that we had not planned on happening.

God’s plan is always perfect in our lives.  We have nothing more to give other than praises and thanksgiving to a God who knows, sees, hears, and glorifies.

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Following in Faith

Tis The Season

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It’s Christmas time and the trees are decorated, the garland is up, the music plays daily and the movie marathon has begun.  It’s always such a beautiful time of year and I am so grateful and thankful that we have a home, family around, the weather is mild and the smiles are still on the faces of those dear to us.

This Christmas is going to be slightly different  for our family.  With change, comes sadness, and with sadness comes concern.   Concern over the unknown, concern over more loss of friendships that we’ve held dear, and the acknowledgement  that we live in a cruel world.

As I ponder these changes coming toward us at a rapid pace, I continue to focus on the reality that God’s grace is not about prediction, not about having all of the answers nor is it about abundance.  God’s grace is about the unconditional love of a shepherd over a flock that doesn’t deserve to have Him.  It’s about trusting in the unknown explicitly,  knowing only one thing…there is someone who cares enough to make sure to plan out every detail  so that we do not have to worry about anything.  It’s about trusting in blind faith that carries our burdens for us.

For some, giving up control over the things they truly cannot control is difficult.  There is an innate sense of obligation that is understandably part of human nature.    How do we overcome disappointment?  How do we overcome loss?  How do we move beyond and trust in the Lord completely while giving up the human nature side of our inner being?  Dear friend, it is not easy.  It is not natural and it is not the reality for many.  It takes a great deal of prayer to overcome that of which we have within us that is not of a Godly nature.   Searching within ourselves, understanding who we are, where we have been and where we are going, actively seeking truth in the gospel to understand ourselves is just part of the process.  Sometimes, we do not like who we see, and yet, there is a great deal of growth from being able to admit we are not who we want to be.

In years of past, for me personally, I have seen that there were a great many holidays spent trying to control how everyone saw our home, trying to be inclusive to everyone, trying to make sure that we did the best for everyone else…except for our immediate family.   Notice how this sounds.  It was all about a visual outward appearance.  I thought I was doing what was right in the eyes of everyone else except the one of which we honor during this season.   Taking a step back, I reflect on my own insecurities in wanting to be accepted and to be unconditionally loved.  I had forgotten the whole point of that precious gift that Christmas represents.  I can honestly say that although I still struggle with some of those feelings, I have in the last year especially understood that I am as I was created to be, by the unconditional love of a Father who blessed me with life.  No one this earth will ever love me or care for me as much as He who gave life, only to take that life so that others may be cleansed and be given life.  It’s not about the outward appearance.  It’s about an internal struggle given up to become someone new.  Someone who can enjoy loved ones that are held dear and make them a priority while also offering up thanksgiving to a God who has provided so much.

A year ago, I could never have seen what was yet to come.  I have learned to love in different ways while slowly learning to give up that which I am unable to control.  One of those things is the incredible love for two beautiful fur babies that have become part of our family.  Two sweets pups who were rescued from the horrors of shelters, abandonment and loss.  In some ways, I can relate to these two, and to love them unconditionally has been a wonderful growing experience for myself and for my family.   They have helped me to personally accept the lack of control I have in this life, remember that love comes in different packages and that when we let go of that control that dwells within us, we can learn to embrace  the joy of life and the one who blessed us with it.  Nothing in life comes easy, and nothing in life should give us such worry that we cannot look beyond to see the blessings we truly have.  Life itself is a blessing.

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Our two fur babies who have captured our hearts.
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Welcomed into the local Humane Animal Welfare Society from a kill shelter in Alabama. He is beautiful both in his appearance and in his personality. He is little lover that cannot get enough and therefore he gives much.
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It all started with her capturing our heart from a local shelter where she was brought up from Missouri after her litter mates and she were abandoned by their mother at 2 days old. We fostered her from 6 weeks until her adoption and she has been our sweet loving example of the preciousness of unconditional love.

As we celebrate the season of giving and thanksgiving, it is my prayer that we can all be reminded of the gift that was presented to us many years ago.  A gift that would carry the burdens of the flock to an eternal peace.  The gift of a savior who came to spare those in despair from lives of uncertainty, separation, and death.  Be well sweet ones and embrace that of which has come your way, without worry, and without concern, identifying that which holds you back.  Giving thanksgiving to the Lord who has opened your eyes to knowing that He has unconditional love for all who trust in Him with their whole being.

Merry Christmas to you and your families!

 

 

 

Following in Faith

Peace

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There is much to be said about the word Peace.  The dictionary gives the following definition for peace:  freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility.  Or, freedom from or the cessation of war or violence.  There is a third however that is not written in the dictionary, and that is the kind of peace that only Christ can bestow upon his beloved.  This peace is tranquil and quiet, yet it is also something else that I have yet to find the word for.  It’s the kind of quiet that goes beyond just the noise around us.  It’s a calming of the body, calming of the mind and calming of the soul.

Having peace in situations that are difficult, can be difficult in and of themselves, however, through prayer and scripture we see that peace is attainable when one has that relationship with our Lord and Savior.  He gives that peace of knowledge that all will be well and all will be dealt with.  That He and He alone can settle the most vile of offenses, most obnoxious behavior, and the results of such in observers.

As I have looked around the last year, it seems that the world has gone crazy.  There is so much violence, there is so much heartache and people are just well….not behaving appropriately.  It is very discouraging and could be very depressing.  Knowing the Lord has helped me to focus more on Him and not so much on that which the world would like to throw at us and at me.  Having some perspective and knowing that I cannot control people, their behavior or the world in which I live has given me peace.  Why?  Because it is a burden that is lifted when I read scripture and when I pray.  A burden of feeling like I have to hold people accountable to their sin, or that I need to help the weak by taking on their troubles.   God has a plan for each of us.  He knows that which we are able to handle and that which will make us stronger in our faith and relationship with Him.  He makes us stronger in the valley’s so that we can look up and see his glory at the top of the mountain.  Waiting on Him to give us that peace is what I think is the most difficult.  Sometimes, we feel that if there is not peace at that moment then we have to do something.  Sometimes, we just need to sit back and watch, wait and listen.  Allow God to be all that He is and let Him take over that which we are not capable.

Friends, I ask you to pray with me this day on the burdens that are around us.  Pray that we can do what we can without feeling the burden of making “everything all right”.  We are here to assist with what we can, love those who seek our love and learn to accept the peace from our everlasting Father.

Following in Faith

Eternal Life

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John 3 (ESV)

You Must Be Born Again

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you  do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.  14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

Eternal life.  Can it be imagined? With the difficulties on this earth it seems at times unhealthy to consider eternal life.   Who wants to continue living with such sorrows and desperate situations.  Who would want to live an eternity?

Well, with the Lord Jesus Christ we have in Him the desire to want more.  More than this life on earth.  There is a desire to live a life serving a most holy God.  The eternity Christ is talking about is not like that which we observe today, it’s quite the opposite.

Revelation 21 (ESV)

The New Heaven and the New Earth

21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place  of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people,  and God himself will be with them as their God.  4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”…….

Revelation 22 (ESV)

The River of Life

22 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever……

We get a glimpse of what is yet to come in Revelation.  Just a tad bit of info to wet the soul of his saints, to cling to his Word, wanting more, wanting that eternal life with Him.  Very different than that which we have today.  Something more.  Something not yet seen.

Dear friends, it pains me to know that so many do not yet call upon His name.   Please know that there is so much more.  So much more to this world.  Knowing God and seeing his providential care over your life gathers strength to get through the sorrows and the difficulties.  Without Him beside us, we wither away into a depressive state of wandering.  Wandering through the thicket of a forest which encapsulates it’s visitor, not allowing for an exit.  Only through He that gives life does one find a way out.  Only through time studying His word does one find hope.

It is with great prayer that this finds you well with your soul. If not, I pray that you may be inspired to learn more about the almighty who gave you life and who offers so much more.

Following in Faith, Why?

Sufficiency of God

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God’s care for his people is sufficient!  There can be no doubt.  Joy comes from knowing who He is, what He has done for us, what he has provided for us, and what we have to look forward to in serving Him.    I sat in amazement the other night in church as the teaching was on Approaching God from Psalm 131.  It was a very nice follow up to what I had previously that morning posted on my blog.  It wrapped up my thoughts and was like a gift handed back.  I just had to share it here with you.  Hope you will take the time to listen.

Following in Faith, Why?

What Really Matters?

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For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.  Who is sufficient for these things?  For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.        2 Corinthians 2:15-17

Watching the news can be traumatizing these days.  It seems the world is falling apart and no one has control over anything.  There is conflict everywhere.  War overseas, tensions amongst Americans, divorce between parents, millennials not knowing when adulthood begins, sexual confusion tearing at the seams of the fabric of creation, growing numbers of cases of disease and outright moral conflict between right and wrong.  Where in the world do we find peace and hope?  Is there any?

If you haven’t noticed, I have been out of the loop lately.  My blogging has been a bit sparse.  I blame it on quite a number of things, from loss, to health, to not knowing what to say in times of constant turmoil.  I mean, what I want to say and what I should say are not in conjunction with one another and finding the right words were not coming as easily as they normally do.  That is however, until today.  Well, that’s only partially true…I started stirring with “blogger” thoughts last week, today is the first day I’ve had time to sit down and put them on the board.

A friend and I began doing a book study together.  Something that we both were excited to start for a few months.  We finally began and I have to say, I am thrilled.  Anything that can bring me closer to the Lord in study is a joy.  It gets me out of the “what is happening in this world” mentality, and takes me to the “thank you Lord for saving me out of this world” mentality.  Those little reminders to thank the Lord for life, grace, and eternal salvation bring a smile to my face, hope in my thoughts, stamina to continue on and keep me grounded in purpose.

And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.  But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:12-13

I often wonder what people think of when they consider their lives.  I mean, do they look at their lives and thank the Lord for what they have and for their future?  Or do they look at their lives and say, “I’m just not rich enough, happy enough, or wise enough so I need to make changes… so look out world here I come.  I don’t care who is in my way or who I destroy in the  mean time.  After all, my life is my life and I need to be happy and have it all.”  Crazy as that may sound, in my eyes, that is what I see in people when I look around.  I see it in relationships, in groups, in family, on TV and in movies.  I have wept, prayed, prayed some more and at times come close to shutting down, wanting to turn off all social media, electronics and lock the door from the world.   Right or wrong, it saddens me that the world is so brutal to human emotion.  That being said, as I write this it’s noticed that what was just said has one considering “I” and “me”.  This life isn’t about “me”, it’s about something greater than that.

The sadness I have felt over these issues however, has been overshadowed with joy in the last few weeks.  Why?  Well, its due to the simple fact that I am reminded,

For by grace you have been saved through faith.   And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.   Ephesians 2:8-10

In our study  we are reading about our purpose in this life.  Why were we created to be saved?  The answers are always present and sometimes it takes the nudge of the Lord during these times of distress to remind us of His plan for us and how we should be living.  Remembering this, takes the “me” out of living.

Am I speaking about you?  Do you have the hope needed to continue on in this life?  Consider it.  Consider where you are.  Consider how you are living.  Consider what could be holy vs. worldly.

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought  life and immortality to light through the gospel…  2 Timothy 8-11

Does suffering for the gospel mean that we are unhappy?  No.  We don’t have the need for the fancy car, the perfect spouse, the perfect house, perfect job, perfect health, etc. etc.  Looking at the fact that God called his people out of a life of sin brings joy to believers, and a peace that nothing can compare to.  Just as I said above, we may get sad over the thought of the destruction of this world that was created so beautifully by God, yet we have joy knowing that there is so much more.

Prayerfully, my thoughts will continue to swell with blog worthy writing and a sweeping message of hope will be captured for others to embrace.   Have a blessed week/weekend and enjoy the sun this summer day.

Following in Faith

Rich or Poor?

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God’s word is such an amazing gift.  Never failing to assure me of His presence, His written word sustains my soul.   It’s not easy to be reminded of my former self prior to my knowing the truth of the gospel, nor is it easy at times to keep myself standing firm.  The worldly obstacles that pop up like gophers in the Whack the Gopher arcade games come when I least expect them.  Yet, the Lord’s grace falls upon my quiet time and brings me closer to Him reminding me who I am now and the promise of what is yet to come.

In yesterdays quiet time study, I was reading Spurgeon’s morning devotional and it was from Galations 2:10,  ‘Remember the poor’.  As it started out asking the question of ‘Why does God allow so many of His children to be poor?’ my first answer prior to continuing on was “So that he can fill their hearts with Him and with treasurers of the written word.”  I had stopped reading after the first question to contemplate the gifts that are offered to us from a God who has already given more than any of us on earth can give.  He offers these gifts to those who he calls by name.

(John 10:3 – To him the gatekeeper opens.  The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  John 10:7-9 “Truly truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers but the sheep did not listen to them.  I am the door.  If anyone enters by me, he will be saved an will go in and out and find pasture.)

I did end up reading the rest of Spurgeons morning devotional and he took the study in a different direction, reminding that the Lord has all the control in the world to give his children all their wants and riches, yet he holds back, ‘allowing them to suffer want’.  The reason for this is explained by Spurgeon that God wants to ‘give us, who are favored with enough, an opportunity of showing our love to Jesus’.  Through prayer, song and ministering of the truth to the poor in spirit,  we have the opportunity to show God’s love through the caring of the poor.  Leading with a loving heart toward the riches of salvation and an eternity with an everlasting loving Shepherd.

As I continued on to the study I have been working on in Psalm 119.  I read Psalm 119: 9-16 and was overwhelmed at the words before me and their correlation to the devotional…

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?  By guarding it according to your word.  10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11  I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.  12 Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes!  13 With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.  14 In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.  15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.  16 I will delight indoor statutes; I will not forget your word. 

I read Calvins’ commentary and then Mathew Henrys’.  Although I gleaned a greater understanding of the Psalm passage  through both authors, I was particularly struck by Henry it’s relationship to my morning reading by Spurgeon.  Here are some of my take aways:

v. 9 – Making the word of God the rule, following it, studying it, and making it a priority in youth and in life protects and guards, cleansing oneself more than any other form

charting ones own course only end up steering self into a course of destruction; lost; empty;

comfort comes from following the course set out by the Lord;  through the trust and faith of His word, and all that He sets before us;  our path may be winding and narrow, yet He is our guide;  the written word should not be taken lightly and without ponder

v. 10 – pleasure comes from the keeping of God’s commandments;  we will wander less off the path if we stay focused on preserving what is before us in the written word

v. 11 – (this one particularly struck me and kept me thinking all day…)  Hiding the word in our heart; knowing it, preserving it’s truth and living it out;  by hiding it in the heart it cannot be stolen, lost;  ‘It’s a treasure worth laying up.’ (Henry’s words)  (A treasure…hidden in one self; so that even if the mind fails, it’s held within the heart and kept safe.)

(again, Henrys’ words)  Good men are afraid of sin, and are in care to prevent it; the most effectual way to prevent is to hide God’s word in our hearts that we may answer every temptation, as ourMaster did, with, It is written.

v. 12 – continually pray that the Lord will teach and provide; praise Him for His continued blessings

v. 13-16 – the filling of the word in the heart allows for the sharing of the word; (Henrys’ words) Those whose hearts are fed with the bread of life should with their lips feed many. ; obedience brings rejoicing; truth in the gospel brings ‘riches in Christ’.

(Henrys’ words)  Good thoughts produce good works and good intentions in them ; mediation on God’s word provides a safety net without fear or danger in forgetting.

The Riches in Christ are from the study, perseverance and preservation of God’s word.  The promises are complete, unwavering and secure for those He calls by name.  What a blessing that no matter how poor we are in status on this earth or how poor we are in spirit, we have a guide and a guidebook that can walk us through every step of the way.  As the sheep who are called to follow, and as those who are already rich with the truth overflowing, and preserved in the security of our hearts, we can share the riches of Christ and the sustaining truth with others who do not know the comfort and peace otherwise.

To God be the glory in all things.  Be blessed sweet reader as you go forth in this troubling world and know that there is peace if it is sought, held tight and hidden away in the heart.

memories

Happy Anniversary….

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“I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone.”  (Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring)

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22 years and counting.

I love you sweetheart, happy anniversary.   Through thick and thin, through moves,  job changes,  illness, raising children, youth to middle age, and many more adventures, we have stuck it out, loving one another and supporting one another.  That’s how we’ve made it thus far.

Not through our own doing, yet through the hands of the Lord who considers us worthy to be counted amongst his children.  A heavenly Father who has guided us, secured us, and holds us close.  We praise the Lord Jesus for the strength to carry on through it all.  May those of you who are reading this be as blessed and be carried as far in your marriages.  Trusting in His plan for your lives.  Nothing is by accident, everything is by divine design, by only He who has created you.

If you have a wonderful anniversary story to share or a praise of the years you’ve celebrated, I welcome to hear them.

Until next time….I’m off to celebrate with the love of my life, the husband of my youth.  🙂  Cheers –

Following in Faith, Why?

Thoughts…

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Just as my own posts touch some and slide by others, there are posts from fellow bloggers that I read over and over and then there are those that I skim.  Some have meaning to me and some do not.  I try to be compassionate to the writer by reading as much as I can and trying to take an interest, just as I hope others do for my writing.  In a busy world it’s not always easy.

All that being said, when I see a post that absolutely should be shared with others and is thought provoking, I try to share it here.  Not often enough, yet I make efforts when I can.

The last three days there have been some posts that I think are worth sharing here and I hope will be opened and read and shared again.  Thought provoking and well written.

http://chantrynotes.wordpress.com/2015/08/03/i-blame-us-part-1-the-collapse/

http://chantrynotes.wordpress.com/2015/08/04/i-blame-us-part-2-the-law/

http://chantrynotes.wordpress.com/2015/08/05/i-blame-us-part-3-the-rejection/