Have you ever read the Chronicles of Narnia? I LOVE them! I read some of them as a kid & watched the BBC movies over and over again. It's great imagination and writing, and you could enjoy them just for their literary value, but I'm blogging about them today for their theological value. As a believer in Jesus Christ, my faith has been greatly encouraged by reading them again over the last five years. --By the way, it doesn't take 5 years to read them. Each book has only about 15 chapters. ;) I'm especially fond of the interactions between Aslan and the other major characters. Lewis had great insight into the character of our God. So, if you've never read the Chronicles of Narnia, I HIGHLY recommend that you do. =)
Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals."
Revelation 5:1-5
Friday, September 28, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Motivation
As I am typing, the Crew are finishing up our third week of school. I'm actually sighing with relief because it looks like finishing by 3ish is becoming the norm! =) Since we start later than public school & take a longer lunch break-- and have only 1 teacher for 4 different grades! ;) -- I'm content with that, for now.
Last Thursday I was pumped! We got started early, the kids stayed on task & completed their assignments, the house was pretty orderly... And then Friday we did all kinds of STUFF, I can't quite remember what... This week I've struggled to get us finished, sometimes ALMOST yelling at the Crew before I get hold of my temper. I've also not been quite as faithful as I should be in discipline-- but that's another topic for another day... And my house is a bit of a disaster! I'm a fan of order, but today I just can't seem to find the motivation to get my work done. And there is PLENTY to do!
So..... I'm going to remove my fingers from the keyboard, and just start DOING! And maybe I'll have something a bit more interesting or profound to share tomorrow. =)
Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
Psalms 90:16-17
A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath. It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy. How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep! The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this: that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever; but you, O LORD, are on high forever.
Psalms 92:1-8
I think I just found my motivation! =)
Last Thursday I was pumped! We got started early, the kids stayed on task & completed their assignments, the house was pretty orderly... And then Friday we did all kinds of STUFF, I can't quite remember what... This week I've struggled to get us finished, sometimes ALMOST yelling at the Crew before I get hold of my temper. I've also not been quite as faithful as I should be in discipline-- but that's another topic for another day... And my house is a bit of a disaster! I'm a fan of order, but today I just can't seem to find the motivation to get my work done. And there is PLENTY to do!
So..... I'm going to remove my fingers from the keyboard, and just start DOING! And maybe I'll have something a bit more interesting or profound to share tomorrow. =)
Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
Psalms 90:16-17
A Psalm. A Song for the Sabbath. It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy. How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep! The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this: that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever; but you, O LORD, are on high forever.
Psalms 92:1-8
I think I just found my motivation! =)
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Blame
People are so good at blaming others! It's been that way ever since Adam & Eve ate the forbidden fruit.
The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate." Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
Genesis 3:12-13
My children and I are no exception. They consistently try to lay the blame at my feet when they have disobeyed. And in my weaker moments, I try to blame my sinful response on their misbehavior. =( The odd thing is that things that I will never allow them to blame me for when it comes out of their little mouths, are the very same things that my heart screams at me in the quiet moments. It's been a slow process, but I am beginning to accept only the fault that belongs to me in those moments. For example (school analogy, since it is that time of year), if we are doing school until 5:00 p.m. because I didn't write lesson plans and so we started late, that is my fault. If we are doing school because they spent hours playing and getting the subsequent spankings because they disobeyed, our late day is their fault. And most of the time, it is a combination. But I cannot RIGHTLY blame their lack of attention on my tardiness. We are both guilty.
"Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. Each one shall be put to death for his own sin.
Deuteronomy 24:16
The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. "But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live. Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?
Ezekiel 18:20-23
I am responsible to teach and train my children in godliness, but I am powerless to change their hearts. I can't even change my own!
Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD! Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. For your name's sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great.
Psalms 25:6-11
The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate." Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
Genesis 3:12-13
My children and I are no exception. They consistently try to lay the blame at my feet when they have disobeyed. And in my weaker moments, I try to blame my sinful response on their misbehavior. =( The odd thing is that things that I will never allow them to blame me for when it comes out of their little mouths, are the very same things that my heart screams at me in the quiet moments. It's been a slow process, but I am beginning to accept only the fault that belongs to me in those moments. For example (school analogy, since it is that time of year), if we are doing school until 5:00 p.m. because I didn't write lesson plans and so we started late, that is my fault. If we are doing school because they spent hours playing and getting the subsequent spankings because they disobeyed, our late day is their fault. And most of the time, it is a combination. But I cannot RIGHTLY blame their lack of attention on my tardiness. We are both guilty.
"Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. Each one shall be put to death for his own sin.
Deuteronomy 24:16
The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. "But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live. Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?
Ezekiel 18:20-23
I am responsible to teach and train my children in godliness, but I am powerless to change their hearts. I can't even change my own!
Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD! Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. For your name's sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great.
Psalms 25:6-11
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Song of the Day- 2
This might be a bit lengthy, but it's a great thought that I just hate to break up! =)
...And of all the names used for Christ, few are as powerful as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). And in his vision of heaven, the apostle John saw Jesus being worshiped by countless multitudes. And how does Jesus appear in his glory? As a lamb, standing as though slain (Revelation 5:6).
This is a staggering thought. Why would God need a lamb? He has no sin of his own to pay for. Why would God offer a sacrifice? The answer is that God offers his Son, and his Son willingly lays down his life, to atone for mankind's sins. We can never pay for our own sins. The debt we owe to God and the guilt we carry before God are too great. Only God himself can remove the stain of guilt and shame.
In Jesus's death God provided the lamb. Instead of you and me facing the wrath and punishment our sins deserve, Jesus took our place. He is our substitute. He shed his blood, he gave his life, so that our sins are removed and God's wrath is turned away.
~p.108 from Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris
He Has Risen
BRIDGE
Jesus, has done enough
Our hope cannot be shaken
Because God raised Him up
We cannot be forsaken
© 2011 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI).
To hear the whole song, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-jSPxCnH9W8
Before the Throne
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.
Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!
You can listen to this song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xUK2Dx5RkY
...And of all the names used for Christ, few are as powerful as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). And in his vision of heaven, the apostle John saw Jesus being worshiped by countless multitudes. And how does Jesus appear in his glory? As a lamb, standing as though slain (Revelation 5:6).
This is a staggering thought. Why would God need a lamb? He has no sin of his own to pay for. Why would God offer a sacrifice? The answer is that God offers his Son, and his Son willingly lays down his life, to atone for mankind's sins. We can never pay for our own sins. The debt we owe to God and the guilt we carry before God are too great. Only God himself can remove the stain of guilt and shame.
In Jesus's death God provided the lamb. Instead of you and me facing the wrath and punishment our sins deserve, Jesus took our place. He is our substitute. He shed his blood, he gave his life, so that our sins are removed and God's wrath is turned away.
~p.108 from Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris
He Has Risen
BRIDGE
Jesus, has done enough
Our hope cannot be shaken
Because God raised Him up
We cannot be forsaken
© 2011 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI).
To hear the whole song, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-jSPxCnH9W8
Before the Throne
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.
Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!
You can listen to this song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xUK2Dx5RkY
Monday, September 24, 2012
Hope
Have you sat down to read whole books of the Bible in one sitting? I haven't with some of the longer books, but recently I've been reading the New Testament epistles. It has been so helpful to read the letters as a whole, and not just by chapters. It keeps the context fresh & really highlights the overall themes.
I mentioned how thankful I am for the book of Acts & the insight it offers in reading the epistles. I was struck when I was reading 1 Thessalonians that as Paul is encouraging the believers in their faith, the hope he offers them is the return of Christ and the resurrection.
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
And then I started thinking that in 1 Corinthians Paul offers those believers the same hope!
Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power.
1 Corinthians 15:12-24
So the interesting thing to me is this. The letter to the Thessalonians was to encourage them to continue to believe and preach the gospel in the face of severe persecution. The letter to the Corinthians was to exhort them to put away the sin in their lives and be loving and generous in the face of extreme prosperity. But both are supposed to be encouraged by the hope of the resurrection! God chooses to grow the members of Christ's church in different ways, and use us for different facets of His glory, and our future with Him is what gives us hope no matter the circumstances.
I mentioned how thankful I am for the book of Acts & the insight it offers in reading the epistles. I was struck when I was reading 1 Thessalonians that as Paul is encouraging the believers in their faith, the hope he offers them is the return of Christ and the resurrection.
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
And then I started thinking that in 1 Corinthians Paul offers those believers the same hope!
Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power.
1 Corinthians 15:12-24
So the interesting thing to me is this. The letter to the Thessalonians was to encourage them to continue to believe and preach the gospel in the face of severe persecution. The letter to the Corinthians was to exhort them to put away the sin in their lives and be loving and generous in the face of extreme prosperity. But both are supposed to be encouraged by the hope of the resurrection! God chooses to grow the members of Christ's church in different ways, and use us for different facets of His glory, and our future with Him is what gives us hope no matter the circumstances.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Relief
I have pretty severe seasonal allergies. There is something in the air this time of year that makes my nose drippy, my head fuzzy, and my sinuses feel like they're going to EXPLODE! This is not too much of a problem in my house since we keep the doors and windows closed, and the central heat/air going year round. Yesterday, however, we had a workday with our church family and I was exposed to the allergen laden air for 3-4 hours. By the time we got home, I felt HORRIBLE. I still had a few things to organize when we got home, but the longer I worked the worse I felt. Shorty was WONDERFUL keeping the kids relatively quiet, warming up supper, and even offering to go to the store to get me some medicine.
I tried everything I could think of to get relief-- that I had available. But as I was sitting on the couch last night, I was reminded that I don't DESERVE relief. I live in a fallen world, and I am a sinner. I deserve for life to get worse and worse and worse. And yet, God gives us SO MANY things to make our lives more comfortable, and even PLEASANT! Every little bit of relief is a blessing. And the days when I feel REALLY BAD remind me to be more thankful for the days when I feel REALLY GOOD! =)
As Long as You are Glorified
~Sovereign Grace Music
Shall I take from Your hand Your blessings
Yet not welcome any pain
Shall I thank You for days of sunshine
Yet grumble in days of rain
Shall I love You in times of plenty
Then leave You in days of drought
Shall I trust when I reap a harvest
But when winter winds blow, then doubt
Oh let Your will be done in me
In Your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else as long
As You are glorified
Are You good only when I prosper
And true only when I’m filled
Are You King only when I’m carefree
And God only when I’m well
You are good when I’m poor and needy
You are true when I’m parched and dry
You still reign in the deepest valley
You’re still God in the darkest night
So quiet my restless heart
Quiet my restless heart
Quiet my restless heart in You
I tried everything I could think of to get relief-- that I had available. But as I was sitting on the couch last night, I was reminded that I don't DESERVE relief. I live in a fallen world, and I am a sinner. I deserve for life to get worse and worse and worse. And yet, God gives us SO MANY things to make our lives more comfortable, and even PLEASANT! Every little bit of relief is a blessing. And the days when I feel REALLY BAD remind me to be more thankful for the days when I feel REALLY GOOD! =)
As Long as You are Glorified
~Sovereign Grace Music
Shall I take from Your hand Your blessings
Yet not welcome any pain
Shall I thank You for days of sunshine
Yet grumble in days of rain
Shall I love You in times of plenty
Then leave You in days of drought
Shall I trust when I reap a harvest
But when winter winds blow, then doubt
Oh let Your will be done in me
In Your love I will abide
Oh I long for nothing else as long
As You are glorified
Are You good only when I prosper
And true only when I’m filled
Are You King only when I’m carefree
And God only when I’m well
You are good when I’m poor and needy
You are true when I’m parched and dry
You still reign in the deepest valley
You’re still God in the darkest night
So quiet my restless heart
Quiet my restless heart
Quiet my restless heart in You
Friday, September 21, 2012
Busy
I told you yesterday that I like to be busy. Shorty would probably say that I LOVE to be busy! I've always got about three projects in the works, and half a dozen on a back burner in my brain. ;) I like to be able to do things and then SEE what I've done. I don't do so well with cleaning because, with a houseful of Crew, within a few minutes, the "clean" is no longer clean! =P So it often seems like a semi-waste of time. *shrug* I do it because it's important-- sometimes. Or because I finally get tired of stepping/tripping on STUFF! ;) There is a sense in which being busy is good. I know where my kids are concerned, if I keep them busy being productive, they are less likely to devise trouble.
For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
2 Thessalonians 3:11-12
But since I am spiritually a creature that struggles with balance-- too much of a good thing can be a bad thing-- I need to be reminded that there is more to life than being busy...
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:38-42
For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.
2 Thessalonians 3:11-12
But since I am spiritually a creature that struggles with balance-- too much of a good thing can be a bad thing-- I need to be reminded that there is more to life than being busy...
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:38-42
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