I have not had a blog entry for a very long time. There are several reasons for this which I will save for another blog entry.

Today, however, I feel I need to put out there for whoever happens to read this blog two blogs entries that I read today. I give a standing ovation to both John Piper AND Jared for speaking out!

The first one written by John Piper and can be found on http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=29681064 and the second one written by Jared from The Thinklings blog: http://thinklings.org/posts/piper-on-obamas-speech-to-school-children .

1.

I Hope My Daughter Hears the President’s Speech

September 6, 2009 | By: John Piper | Category: Commentary

I am stunned at the outcry against the President of the United States speaking to the youth of this nation about the importance of education.

I am embarrassed by the governor of my home state saying, that the president’s plan to address them is “disruptive . . . uninvited . . . and number three . . . I don’t think he needs to force it upon the nation’s school children.”

This speech seems, for me, to be an answer to a prayer that I have prayed for the president repeatedly.

Father, the condition of our schools and families is so broken that nothing seems to be working, especially for the poor in our urban centers. Help our president to have the courage to use his amazing place of influence to speak into this situation in such a way that boys and girls would take their studies seriously and put school above sport and homework above hiphop and graduation above gangs.

O, Lord, create a culture where it is not cool to fail. Give our President the courage to call all children, especially ones who feel hopeless about academic work, to fight for knowledge the way gangs fight for turf.

And as the President plans his speech, help him to feel as helpless as he really is to meet the greatest needs of the children, so that he turns to Jesus who alone has the answer for the ruin and the wrongs of our cities. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I hope my daughter hears the speech.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Piper on Obama's Speech to School Children

Posted by Jared @ 2:37 pm CDT
Filed under: Politics

John Piper on why he hopes his daughter hears the President's speech.

It only takes about 15 comments before someone compares Obama to Hitler.

Nothing has pushed me more toward committing not to vote again than this stuff lately. I've never seriously considered not voting before, but all this reaction to this thing will do it, I think. I don't know how else to express it, but it just grieves me. And 8 years ago, I think I'd be yelling and blogging and arguing right along with everybody.

Fear and worry are the affections of the idolatrous. I don't mean to over-spiritualize this stuff, but I am utterly convinced that the more awake to the gospel we become, the less pressing all this stuff seems. And I don't think in good conscience I can help my brothers and sisters who are acting like this win an election.

You probably don't care. But I'm just gonna put that out there, because I don't think I'm alone in feeling this way.
You might be losing the political capital you think you've gained now that the president is pretty much a lame duck for the time being. If this is the continuing face of Christian conservatism, I'm out.

Here are Nancy Leigh DeMoss's excellent views on the subject of Miss California, Carrie Prejean:

I’ve been asked numerous times for my take on the firestorm surrounding Carrie Prejean—the reigning Miss California who lost her bid for Miss USA after publicly affirming her belief that marriage should be between a man and a woman.

Those who hold to the biblical concept of marriage couldn’t help but be glad that this young woman courageously stood for the Truth, knowing that to do so could be costly.

Yet, for those who affirm and cherish the biblical perspective of femininity and sexuality, this story has an important subtext and raises a number of issues that should be of great concern to us as followers of Christ.

Carrie has made a strong public profession of her faith in Christ. As Christians, we are called to live as redeemed men and women and to reflect to the world the beauty and holiness of God. I’m not in a position to judge Carrie’s motives or her heart. But while I applaud her courage, I also believe some of her choices and public actions, past and present, are representative of many women who consider themselves Christians, but who lack clear biblical thinking and conviction on such matters as virtue, womanhood, beauty, modesty, and discretion.

In my mind, Carrie Prejean’s story is symptomatic of deeper root issues in the evangelical world—issues that in my opinion outweigh most of what is being debated in the secular press.

Sadly, Carrie is the product of a Christian sub-culture that has lost a sense of what it means to be citizens of the kingdom of God and has embraced the values and thinking of this world.

By and large, young adults who have grown up in our evangelical homes, churches, and schools, are buying into a message that they have seen modeled by those around them who call themselves Christians—namely, that Christianity can be divorced from Christ-likeness, and that practical holiness in everyday life is out-dated, irrelevant, or optional.

Carrie Prejean’s situation highlights the desperate need for Titus 2 “older women”—mothers, youth workers, mentors—to take an active role in the training and discipleship of younger women—teaching them to live out the implications of the gospel in every area of their lives.

So many young women in the Christian world have little understanding or discernment when it comes to modesty and personal purity. And can you blame them when they are following in the footsteps of a generation of so-called believers who tolerate, justify, and flaunt immodesty, sensuality, and immorality of every form, along with serial divorce and remarriage?

That’s why as women we need to be asking ourselves questions like:

• How does my life measure up to the Word of God?
• Am I modeling Christ-like, Gospel-drenched virtue, modesty, femininity, beauty, and discretion to the next generation?
• What kind of impact am I having on the younger women in my sphere of influence?
• What I am doing to invest in their lives, to point them to Christ, and to mentor them in godliness?

Carrie Pejean’s story should cause us to be on our faces crying out to God over the extent to which the church today has accommodated to the world. It should cause us to plead with God on behalf of our children and grandchildren, and then to get up off our knees and go out and engage this younger generation with love and grace and truth and to become agents of redemption in their lives.

INSOLENCE and HUMILITY

It has been quite a while since I have posted an entry here! I have no excuse except that I had nothing to say! haha! Those of you who know me personally have by now fallen off their chairs laughing hysterically, saying, "WHAT? Diane ALWAYS has something to say!!!!" But seriously, I had nothing to say and by God's great grace maybe, just maybe, I am learning that if i don't have anything to say then I should keep my mouth and my blog shut! :)

BUT... today as I was studying Psalm 119,
(preparing to speak about Psalm 119 for a mini women's retreat in October), I was struck by the psalmist's humility in verse 80.

Verses 78 and 80 say:

"Let the insolent be put to shame, because they have wronged me with falsehood, as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.... May my heart be blameless in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame!"

A short list of synonyms for the word insolent (from www.dictionary.com) may be helpful in driving home the message in these 2 small verses:

Overbearing
insulting
abusive
offensive
saucy
impudent
audacious
pert
impertinent
rude
reproachful

The psalmist has been wronged. Perhaps slanderous things were said about him by insolent people! Insolent people, as defined above, are not very nice! Perhaps he was betrayed by someone he thought a friend but is now an enemy. Persecution of some sort has affected him.. maybe by an acquaintance, maybe by a political figure or a political group.

Regardless, the psalmist in verse 78 calls these people insolent and calls for God to put them to shame! The psalmist could have "meditated" on the wrong done to him. He could have rehearsed in his mind the falsehoods said, the falsehoods implied and he could have churned it over and over again in his mind but look at what he chose to do! He chose to meditate on God's precepts instead! He chose to meditate on the Word of God RATHER then meditate on the accusations and/or falsehoods spoken about him! And not only did he choose to set his mind on things above but then he also remembered his own tendencies to sin and insolence!!!!! In verse 80 he asks God to make his own heart blameless so that he, himself, may not be put to shame!!!!!

This affected my soul today. It is so easy for me to point a finger at someone who has spoken lies about me or has unjustly accused me of something. It is so easy for me to point my fingers at political groups who differ from my opinions and call out for God to shame them for their insolence! (Please know that I understand there are certain things we must stand up for, ie.. abortion.. but we do not have to be insolent about it.. we can humbly fight for the unborn).
It is so easy to look at the ungodly and point fingers and call for God to shame them!

AND THEN, by God's grace, love and mercy he reminds me of how helpless and insolent I am apart from Jesus! I can do NOTHING apart from Jesus! I am helpless and hopeless and yes, insolent apart from Jesus. I can be overbearing, saucy, offensive, verbally abusive... I can and have been all those things and I would consistently walk in those ways still if not for the grace of God and salvation through Jesus Christ!

While I was still a sinner Jesus died for my sins! While you were still a sinner Jesus died for your sins!!! What love is this??? Amazing.. absolutely amazing!

God make and keep me humble, remembering that apart from YOU I can do nothing. I pray that I would choose to meditate on YOUR Word and YOUR promises and YOUR goodness rather than on the insolence of others. I pray God that You would continually increase my faith, my love for You, increase humility in my life and love towards others. I pray that I would have a compassion and love for the unsaved, insolent ones so much so that I would pray for them to be saved. Oh Lord, apart from You I cannot even pray. I am happy to say that I need You and depend on You. Abba Father I call out to you to keep me. I trust in Your promises. Amen.

RUFFLED FEATHERS

I don't usually get my political feathers ruffled but I did this morning as I read what Jan Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security said. She said that War Veterans are potential terrorists and in danger of being recruited by right wing extremists. She defined right wing extremists as those who are pro-life, own a gun or are a war veteran.

Well, my feathers got ruffled, first and foremost because my son served in Iraq for 18 months. He risked his life for the good of others and Homeland Security, a Department for the very country he serves dares to call him a potential terrorist??? I was very upset, my mommy hairs on the back of my neck were standing straight up! I am so proud of my son and the men and women of this country who have served in foreign wars. HOW DARE THEY!?

On another note... pro life advocates are potential terrorists? What? The people who DEFEND life, not take it? Really? Are they serious?

I immediately thought of this Scripture in Isaiah 5:20 : "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter."

I was just plain angry this morning.

THEN

I went to Psalm 37 which is the psalm I'm supposed to be blogging about this week and haven't done so yet... and my heart came to rest in God's Word. God's Word gave me peace.

vs 1-8

Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!
For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfullness.
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will act.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your justice as the noonday.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him and fret not yourself over the one who prospers in His way, over the man who carries out evil devices!
Refrain from anger and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.

God brought me back to a remembrance of His sovereignty. The Lord is at hand. God is the God of history past, the God of history present and the God of history future. I was reminded that I must trust the Lord and do good. It does not serve my soul well nor glorify God to be fretful or angry. God will act. God will take care of all injustices. We must wait patiently for Him. To fret and be angry will only lead me into sin.

And then I remembered something else.. as I demand justice I must remember that if God gave me what I deserve I'd be hell-bound, but instead God chose me to be his child and Jesus came to live a righteous life, die an awful death, become sin for me, bear the wrath of God in my place and ROSE from the dead! He gave me a faith to believe in Him and grace to repent of my sins. He attributed the righteousness of Christ to me!!!! So when God, my Father, looks upon me He sees the righteousness of Christ !!!! WOW! I am humbled at the mercies of God!

God took care of my greatest need. He took care of your greatest need. He took care of the worst thing in the world, our separation from a good, just and holy God. Is He not also taking care of the unjust opinions toward my son and yours who went to war and is He not also caring for the unjust opinions of those who love life from conception? Of course, He is. We must be patient and be still before Him.

How kind of God to remind me to get on my knees and pray for my leaders, for kings and all those who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. (1 Tim 2:2). Let us pray for them to be saved! Let us pray God's mercy on them!

So.. after a time in God's Word my ruffled feathers are smoothed... and I am resting in God's peace and His sovereignty. When my feathers get ruffled again? Hopefully I will go to His Word quicker than I did today.

For the glory of God, I will end by repeating His Words to us:

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfullness. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him. (Psalm 37:3,7)

yep, I'm preaching this to myself today.

Be encouraged this Good Friday by reading this blog entry by John Piper! Visit his blog:

http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/

A Conversation with Death on Good Friday

April 10, 2009 | By: John Piper
Category: Commentary

CHRISTIAN:

Hello, Death, my old enemy. My old slave-master. Have you come to talk to me again? To frighten me?

I am not the person you think I am. I am not the one you used to talk to. Something has happened. Let me ask you a question, Death.

Where is your sting?

DEATH, sneeringly:

My sting is your sin.

CHRISTIAN:

I know that, Death. But that’s not what I asked you. I asked, where is your sting? I know what it is. But tell me where it is.

Why are you fidgeting, Death? Why are you looking away? Why are you turning to go? Wait, Death, you have not answered my question. Where is your sting?

Where is, my sin?

What? You have no answer? But, Death, why do you have no answer? How will you terrify me, if you have no answer?

O Death, I will tell you the answer. Where is your sting? Where is my sin? It is hanging on that tree. God made Christ to be sin—my sin. When he died, the penalty of my sin was paid. The power of it was broken. I bear it no more.

Farewell, Death. You need not show up here again to frighten me. God will tell you when to come next time. And when you come, you will be his servant. For me, you will have no sting.

O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)

From The Valley of Vision (pp. 76-77),

Christ was all anguish
that I might be all joy,

cast off
that I might be brought in,

trodden down as an enemy
that I might be welcomed as a friend,

surrendered to hell’s worst
that I might attain heaven’s best,

stripped
that I might be clothed,

wounded
that I might be healed,

athirst
that I might drink,

tormented
that I might be comforted,

made a shame
that I might inherit glory,

entered darkness
that I might have eternal light.

My Saviour wept
that all tears might be wiped from my eyes,

groaned
that I might have endless song,

endured all pain
that I might have unfading health,

bore a thorny crown
that I might have a glory-diadem,

bowed his head
that I might uplift mine,

experienced reproach
that I might receive welcome,

closed his eyes in death
that I might gaze on unclouded brightness,

expired
that I might for ever live.

O Father, who spared not thine only Son that thou mightest spare me,
All this transfer thy love designed and accomplished;
Help me to adore thee by lips and life.
O that my every breath might be ecstatic praise, my every step buoyant with delight. . .

I love the Psalms! I can always find something in the Psalms that matches my circumstances, my mood, my wants and desires. I am so grateful to God that He uses David's and other psalmist's words in the Scriptures. We see real people dealing with real and often horrific circumstances with real emotions and then we see the writers turn it around with a focus on God. Yes, I am very grateful for the Psalms.

I have usually had an indifference to Psalm 1. To me, it never reached my "emotions"... until I began this study , A 30 Day Walk with God in the Psalms, by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Answering the questions she poses in her study guide set me to thinking and meditating on this rich psalm.

As we begin this walk through the Psalms it is important to note that the words, "law", "statutes", "commands", "rules", "precepts", "testimonies", "words", all refer to the Word of God.

There are many facets to this particular psalm but I want to focus on the writer's "delight" in the law of the Lord.
Verses 1 and 2 of Psalm 1 say:

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law He meditates day and night."

Did you catch that one word? He DELIGHTS in the law of the Lord! He takes great pleasure and joy in the Word of God! How do we NOT walk in the counsel of the wicked nor sit in the seat of scoffers? By DELIGHTING in the Word of God! It is easy to let our culture influence us! Especially in this time of our very rough economy, in this time where abortion is accepted as good, where ungodly lifestyles are applauded etc etc... where evil is considered good... it is easy to be influenced to either accept these things or to be fearful .. are you influenced to be fearful?
Do your circumstances cause you to fear? Do your favorite political pundits cause you to fear and despair of hope? Do you let music and movies influence the way you live?

OR

Do you DELIGHT in the law of the Lord and meditate on it day and night? Now, of course we cannot think of God's word 24/7 but we CAN let it influence us 24/7! This kind of living, depending on and being influenced by and DELIGHTING in the Word of God yields fruit in our lives!

Psalm 119:15-16 says: I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

We see this theme over and over again in the Psalms, particularly in Psalm 119... the psalmist expresses his delight in the Word of God and knows that meditating on it and fixing our eyes on the ways of God that we read about in His Scriptures is DELIGHTFUL! It is pleasing to God and it is beneficial to our souls.

May you find DELIGHT in God's Word today and everyday. If you don't, ask Him! God is pleased to open up our eyes to the truths of Scriptures! If we want to be influenced by His Word He will answer that prayer. Ask Him!

I know, I know, I'm supposed to be blogging the Psalms and I haven't even begun doing it yet but I couldn't resist blogging about what I read in Exodus this morning!

Exodus 35: 30-35

"Then Moses said to the people of Israel, "See, the Lord has called by name Bezakek, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, for work in every skilled craft. And he has inspired him to teach, both him and Oholiab the son of Ahismach of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with skill to do every sort of work done by an engraver of by a designer of by an embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, or by a weaver- by any sort of workman or skilled designer."

God had just given Moses the instructions for how to build the tabernacle and THEN God, in His kindness and mercy provided the people to do the job AND gave them ALL that they needed (skill, intelligence etc) in order to obey God in the specifics of building the tabernacle.

I was newly amazed this morning at how this is just one of many examples of how God gives us what we need to accomplish what He commands! God does not leave us to ourselves! He gives us all we need to do His will! What love is this??? It is amazing!

How do I see the Gospel in this? God demands righteousness of us. He is a Holy God and cannot tolerate or let sin go unpunished. So what does God do? He provides a Savior. Jesus, God Himself, came as a man, lived a perfectly sinless life, died on the cross bearing our sins and recieving upon himself the wrath of God due us!!! He then rises from the dead, ascends to heaven and will come again in glory! God regenerates us, by His grace we turn to Jesus in faith and repentance and receive the righteousness that was Christ's as our own and we will not bear the wrath of God because Jesus bore it for us!!! AND we will live with God forever in glory!

Do you see it? God gave to us what we need to accomplish what He asks. He gives to us the righteousness He demands. This love of God is seen over and over and over again in the Scriptures.

How kind of God to show me the Gospel as I read Exodus.

May you be encouraged by the Gospel today! God gives us all we need to do what He requires.

STAY TUNED!!

For the next couple of months, more or less, I will be posting about a bible study that I am a part
of with 2 other women from my church. We are going through a book by Nancy Leigh DeMoss titled,

A 30-Day Walk with God in the Psalms.

(Please click on the link to go to Nancy's web site, Revive Our Hearts). One of the women in the group suggested that I post my thoughts about the psalms we study as we go through the book! So, I have accepted the challenge and will soon be posting on Psalm 1!

Thanks to Nancy for a great book that directs my eyes to God's Word and helps me dig in and see the treasures there.

So, come back soon and see what's going on in my heart regarding Psalm 1.

How amazed do you remain at the works of God? Have they become mundane to you? Do you read the bible and yawn and say, "Ho-hum"... heard this before"? May it never be so! Do you realize that God parted the Red Sea? I mean PARTED IT? He divided it! There were two walls of water, one on each side as the Israelites passed through on dry land! This should astound us!!!! Please read the following scriptures from the book of Exodus and ask God to give you a fresh perspective. Don't skip it because you've read it a million times before! Ask Him to make you amazed at His works and His Word!! He will do it! And then... as you face difficult circumstances remember that God parted the Red Sea and He will do for you whatever is necessary to bring you to where He wants to bring you! Walk in HIS steadfast love and HIS faithfulness and be amazed! (I've also included a clip from the animated film Prince of Egypt.)

Exodus 14: 10-30

10 When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord. 11 They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” 13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
15 The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. 16 Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. 17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. 18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”
19 Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, 20 coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night.
21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were . 22 And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 And in the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic, 25 clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from before Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians.”
26 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.” 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the Lord threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea. 28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained. 29 But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
30 Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.

RAISED FROM THE DEAD! REALLY?

So, imagine you are driving down a major road in your hometown. You are not in any particular big hurry which is good since you find yourself stuck behind a funeral procession. The head-lighted cars are in a neat row for what seems like a very long line but then you catch a glimpse of the hearse at the head of the line with a limo full of grieving relatives behind it. Instinctively you know that this second limo contains some very, very sad people. You then remember reading in the paper and hearing on CNN and Fox about the untimely death of a woman's son. A woman, who had recently lost her husband. A widow. So sad.


Imagine what you might be thinking. You may begin to pray for this grieving family and in particular the mom of this son or you might remember the time you, yourself, were in a car behind the hearse containing your loved one on the way to the cemetary dreading this final part of the funeral.


Imagine as you are thinking on these things that suddenly a man walks up the car holding the dead man's mother, knocks on her window and compassionately speaks to her, telling her not to cry. He then goes to the hearse, knocks on the window and asks the driver to open up the back gate of the car and then demands that the coffin be opened!!!!!!!!!!! You can't believe your eyes as you watch horrified relatives jump out of their cars screaming at this man to stop! But, for some unknown reason you see that the driver obeys this man and opens up the coffin.


The stranger then says to the corpse, "Young man, I say to you arise." And right before your eyes, the eyes of the family, the eyes of the crowd that has now gathered, the eyes of a funeral procession and before the eyes of a grieving mom, the young man sits up and begins to speak! The stranger then hands this very much alive young man to his mother.


CAN YOU IMAGINE? I'm pretty sure there would be stunned silence followed by excited chatter followed by some people praying and exclaiming God's goodness! Before too long CNN and FOX and every major newspaper and network would be spreading the news of what happened!!! Can you imagine this REALLY happening?


Well, GOOD NEWS!!! It really did happen! Luke tells us this story in Chapter 7 verses 11-17 in his book. He tells us that Jesus went to a city called Nain and as He and disciples and a crowd that was following them got close to the city they ran into a funeral procession. He saw that a man had died and was being carried out to be buried. He was followed by his widow mother and a crowd of mourners. LUke tells us that when Jesus saw the mourning widow He had compassion on her, told her not to weep and then went over to the bier, the pall bearers stood still and Jesus commanded the dead young man to arise! And he did!!!!!!!!!!!! He began to speak and then Jesus handed this man to his mother! The scriptures tell us that fear seized everyone and they glorified God! Naturally, this news of Jesus raising this young man from the dead spread to the whole of Judea and all the surrounding country!!!!!


I have been asking God lately, as I sit down to ready my bible, to not let me bypass the magnificent, to not let me be so familiar with the bible that I ceaes to be amazed! Of course, God loves for us to be amazed at His Word and He didn't fail me! He showed me that JESUS raised this young man FROM THE DEAD!!!! Did you read that? FROM THE DEAD!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't even imagine being witness to that then, or in this day and age.. and then I thought of something.....


While we were yet sinners, Jesus died for our sins! We were DEAD, DEAD, DEAD in our trespasses. We needed to be BORN AGAIN! God, in His kindness had compassion on the sinner and sent Jesus to die for our sins! He sent Jesus to bear our sin and then bear the punishment and wrath of God that was ours to bear! He died. He rose from the dead and now sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for us.


We, who were dead in our sin could never have chosen God had He not chosen us! We were hell bound and happy in our slavery to sin. BUT THEN! But then the Holy Spirit awakened faith in us and in God's kindness he led us to believe in Jesus and repent for our sins and we passed from death to life. We were BORN AGAIN!


Do you see it? EVERYTIME an individual turns in faith to Jeus in repentance of their sins he/she is RAISED FROM THE DEAD to LIFE IN CHRIST! It happened to me and if you are a Christian it happened to you~!! Do not let this miracle become commonplace to you! YOU WERE RAISED FROM THE DEAD and by His grace we will live with God eternally! If God had not called me and you we would still be dead, dead, dead. BUT grace called our names and we were brought to life in Christ!

May you be encouraged today by the miracle of the new birth of a christian. May you be encouraged to cling with gratefullness and love to the cross. May this good news spur you on to obedience. May you remember that we love God because He first loved us. May you remember with awe that God had compassion on you! May we remember to glorify Him today!


REJOICE! Oh! how merciful and kind is our great God! Thank you Jesus for dying for my sins!

CROWNS

Psalm 103; 2a, 4b

"Bless the Lord, O my soul...who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy."

This piece of Scripture affected my soul today! Jesus wore a crown of thorns. Jesus suffered by the crown that was thrust upon His head yet the believer in Christ is crowned with God's steadfast love and mercy!!!!

This is what adorns us day in and day out, morning, noon and night. We are wearing a crown of God's steadfast love and mercy upon our head! Do you see it? Do you see the beauty of this? Do you see the grace? I can hardly get my mind and heart around the beauty and significance of this precious, priceless gift we receive by faith through Jesus Christ.

Oh Lord, my desire is to walk in a manner worthy of You . Help me to respond to your graciousness and mercy with increasing obedience and love. Jesus, thank you for wearing a crown of thorns so I could be crowned with God's steadfast love and mercy. Thank you for satisfying me this morning with your steadfast love. Amen.

ARE YOU KILLING SIN IN YOUR LIFE?

Romans 8:13 "For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."

"Be killing sin or it will be killing you." John Owen (17th century)

I think I am the last Christian in America to see the movie Fireproof. I kept putting it off mainly because most "christian" movies (except for the Narnia movies) are poorly produced, the acting is left wanting and if truth be told are rather cheesy. But... I found myself with nothing in particular to do last Friday night so I decided to rent it and watch it.

I was half right... the movie was poorly acted except for Kirk Cameron.. he's a good actor AND the movie was indeed "cheesy." BUT! God used this movie to speak to my heart about sin.

I'm referring to one scene in particular. The main character played by Kirk Cameron had an addiction to pornography. This was one of the many ways that contributed to his falling apart marriage. The movie was not centered on this particular issue but was one of many ways that he was not honoring his wife.

At one point, this main character turned to Jesus Christ in faith and repentance and the viewers of this movie are privy to the transformation of this man and the transformation of his marriage. He was truly a new creation!

One of the areas of change that the movie depicted was how he dealt with his addiction to pornography. It wasn't a very long scene, but full of biblical truth.
One day this man was sitting in front of the computer and we could see his temptation to view porn. We watched his struggle ... finally, in anger, he took his computer outside and beat the bejabbers out of it with a baseball bat! He got rid of one of the primary means by which he was tempted to view porn.

As I watched that scene I actually got teary eyed for it was a visual example of how we should KILL remaining sin that continues in our lives! Of course, the computer wasn't the sin but it was a symbol of the sin, the means by which he sinned. As he was beating that computer into smithereens all I could think of was, "He is killing sin before it kills him. He is taking DRASTIC measures to not sin in this manner!"

It got me to thinking... am I that drastic in killing sin? How do I handle those times of frustration, annoyance, selfishness, gossip? Do I just slap my own hand and give it a moment of "I shouldn't do that?" or do I go to the Lord and beg Him for the grace and strength to resist these "little" sins? Do I BATTLE these sins or do I just accept them as "just the way I am?" Do I give into that kind of behavior? DO I BATTLE these things?

John Owen, our long gone brother in Christ was very clear when he spoke about what God's Word says. If we don't kill sin it WILL kill us. Oh yes.. praise the Lord for God's great mercies and grace. I would indeed perish without His saving grace.. but... since I belong to God through Faith in Jesus Christ shouldn't I have increasing hate toward my sin? Shouldn't I be taking a baseball bat to my sin? Indeed, I should!

Oh Lord, may you give me the strength to be serious about killing remaining sin in my life! Thank you that your mercies are new every morning! Thank you for the grace and steadfast love that you give to us. Help me to hate my sin as you do! Give to me the desire and the strength to kill sin! Help me to be an obedient child. In Jesus Name.. amen.

PS... was the movie "cheesy?" Yes! But worth every cheesy moment!!! Watch it!

25 Random Things About Me!

I have a "profile" on Facebook. I know, I know... I am way too old for Facebook, however, it has proved to be a great way to reconnect with long lost friends! Presently, on Facebook, making it's rounds is a 25 Random Things About Me note. You're supposed to write 25 things about yourself and then "tag" 25 people and they're supposed to write about themselves... etc etc... kind of a fun way to get to know people. So... I'm copying an idea from someone else's blog! She copied her Facebook 25 things and posted it on her blog! I thought it was a great idea and a way for the people who lurk around this blog or stumble upon it to know me a bit better! Enjoy! Feel free to leave comments AND add your own random things about yourself!

1. In February, Dennis and I will be celebrating 31 years of marriage together! I love him more every day! He's the best husband!

2. I would love to have a degree in Library Science.

3. I LOVE being a wife and mom

4. I still look at how God drew me to Himself with utter amazement.

5. I LOVE to read! (not so secret, I know) I've gone beyond loving to read to actually being a bibliophile.

6. I'm really just one big nerd. I love all the new gadgets.

7. English is not my first language. Lithuanian is. I learned to speak English in Kindergarten.

8. I LOVE spending time with my kids.

9. I get especially giddy when all my kids and kids in law are under one roof with me!!

10. I'M GOING TO BE A GRANDMA this summer!!

11. I love to help women get excited about and love God's Word.

12. I love my church and am so thankful to be continually learning about grace.

13. I never thought I could stop drinking Diet Pepsi. I am happy to say that it has been over a year since Diet Pepsi has passed my lips!

14. My mom has been living with us for over 2 years now!

15. I love to write about Jesus. I hope to be published one day.

16. My dream house is on the coast of Maine. I get the best of all worlds that way.. cold, wind, snow, beach. Doesn't get any better!!!!! The Sleepless in Seattle House would be okay too... I'd have to sacrifice snow for rain.. but that's okay.... there's still snow there too, right?

17. It was a significant election this year.. for the first time, I am older than the President.

18. The first time I met my present physician, she looked so young I wanted to ask her, "Does your mommy know you're here and playing doctor?"

19. I really really really like to watch American Idol, Survivor, Amazing Race... hmmmm.

20. Snow makes me happy. Nothing like a new, fresh fallen snow to remind me that though my sins were like scarlet they are as white as snow. (Is 1:17)

21. I like rainy days at home with a cozy fire, a warm blanket, hot tea and a couple of good books.22. I cry at sappy tv commercials

23. I love singing worship songs at the top of my lungs while riding by myself in my car.

24. I hate cooking. Yuck. Blech. Shivers ...

25. Did I say I love to read? All things.. classics, modern fiction, non fiction, history, theology, BIBLE...

EVANGELISM

On Sunday our pastor served us well with a sermon on evangelism. He spoke from Philippians about the advancement of the gospel. I was encouraged to ask God for boldness in sharing the gospel with people, strangers and friends alike. There are so many excuses for NOT sharing the Gospel... too busy, too scared, not the right time.. etc etc... but the bottom line is if we don't share the gospel, how will people know????

My pastor mentioned that there is a "saying" making it's way through parts of the evangelical church which is quite frankly unbiblical. It goes something like this : Always share the gospel, sometimes use words.

This is not a biblical way of thinking. The scriptures are clear:

Romans 10:17 : "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ.

Romans 10:15 : " And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!"

In order for people to be saved they first have to HEAR the good news of the gospel!!!!!

Here is a great set of notes from the Desiring God Blog summarizing a teaching by Mark Dever about what Evangalism is and is not! It is a great reminder that we must be clear when we evangelize! We must tell people that CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS!

1 Cor 15:1-3 "Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you... unless you believed in vain. For I delieverd to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures."

We MUST use words when we share the gospel or it isn't sharing the Gospel at all! Oh Lord, give me a boldness to share the gospel in it's fullness!

Here is the link and content about Evangelism from the Desiring God blog:

5 Things That Aren't EvangelismFebruary 3, 2009 By: Tyler Kenney Category: Conferences, Commentary

You can now listen to Mark Dever's second message "The Pastor and Evangelism."

Update: You can now watch the video.


The following is from notes taken during the session.

5 Things We Can Mistake for Evangelism

1) Imposition

We mistakenly take evangelism to be manipulation. But that's what the world says. In truth, we're not trying to impose our beliefs on anybody. Biblically, we can't impose our beliefs on anybody. Force and coercion cannot finally bring about the change that God demands. You can't expand Christianity by the sword. Evangelism is not some sort of intellectual imposition.
To believe that something is true and to share that with others is not coercion. We don't impose when we evangelize. We freely offer it to all and do not, cannot, force it on anybody.

2) Personal Testimony

A personal testimony is a wonderful thing. The Bible is full of examples of it, and we should testify to the wonderful experience of receiving God's mercy.
But consider John 9 and the man born blind. He gives his testimony but doesn't even know who Jesus is. His words glorify God, but they don't present the gospel. This is not evangelism.
Unless you're explicit about Jesus Christ and the cross then it is not the gospel.

3) Social Action / Public Involvement

Mercy ministries display God's kindness, and they are good and appropriate for the Christian to do. But such actions are not evangelism. They may commend the gospel to others, but only if someone has told them the gospel. They need to have the gospel added to them. Helping others or doing our jobs well, whatever they are, in and of themselves are not evangelism.

4) Apologetics

Apologetics are valuable, but they have their own set of dangers. You can get bogged down in talking about purely intellectual or peripheral matters and never get to the gospel.
It's fine for us to talk with unbelieving friends about questions that they have, but our attempts to try and answer them without setting the gospel as the foundation does no good. Jesus must set the agenda for evangelism.

5) The Results of Evangelism

2 Corinthians 2:15
For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?
Note that the same ministry has two different effects. It's like the parable of the soil: same seed, different results.
We cannot finally judge the correctness of what we do by the immediate response that we get. The need for numbers puts an unnecessary stress on pastors and misunderstands the way that God saves.
We must practice our ministries realizing that some of us will be like Adoniram Judson or William Carey, who had no converts until after seven years of faithful gospel ministry. It's a fact that most people don't believe the gospel the first time they hear it.
Don't let the gospel that you preach be molded by what it is that gets an immediate response. Preach the gospel, trying to persuade--pleading for your hearers to believe--but knowing that you cannot convert a person. And then let God do with it what he will. He alone can call the dead to life. The gospel is powerful, and God is committed to using us to spread this good news.

This morning I read a chapter from the book, “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross,” edited by Nancy Guthrie.

The selection I read was by CJ Mahaney titled, “The Cup.” CJ’s writing centered on the scripture from Matthew 26:39 which reads: “And going a little farther He fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

CJ wrote of how Jesus requested that the cup of God’s wrath (based on Is 51:17) which he was about to drink would pass by Him…yet Jesus would do the will of God and drink this cup for your sin and MINE! The result of Jesus’ obedience is that you and I who trust in Jesus through faith and repentance will NEVER KNOW THE WRATH OF GOD, but instead will drink from the cup of salvation now, forever and eternally! Amazing!

This selection that I read today deeply affected my soul and prompted the following prayer:

Lord Jesus, words could never express my gratitude. I’m pretty sure that my little heart is not even capable of knowing the amount of gratitude that your sacrifice should generate. So Lord, I ask for the grace to love you more. I ask You for the grace to obey your commands. I ask You for the grace to love and serve others more and ALL this to reflect how great and glorious YOU ARE! I cling to You and I thank you that I drink from the cup of salvation for all eternity in the presence of my God and Father all because you did as He willed and drank the cup of God’s wrath meant for me. You alone are worthy of all praise! Amen. I highly recommend this book! It does indeed draw one near to the cross.

Here is a video that takes excerpts from CJ Mahaney’s sermon on, THE CUP.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGXRgA75czE

May your soul be as affected as mine was and direct your gaze to Jesus.

A Prayer for President Obama by Al Mohler


Our Father, Lord of all creation, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: We pray today with a sense of special urgency and responsibility. We come before you to pray for our new President, Barack Obama, and for all those in this new administration who now assume roles of such high responsibility.

We know that you and you alone are sovereign; that you rule over all, and that you alone are able to keep and defend us. We know that our times are in your hands, and that "the king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord" [Proverbs 21:1]. Our confidence is in you and in you alone. We come before you as a people who acknowledge our constant need for your provision, wisdom, and protection.

Father, we pray today for Barack Obama as he takes office as President of the United States. We pray that you will show the glory of your name in our times and in these days, confounding the wisdom of the wise, thwarting the plans of the arrogant, and vindicating those who do justice and practice righteousness.

Father, we pray with thanksgiving for the gift of government and the grace of civic order. Thank you for giving us rulers and for knowing our need for laws and and ordered life together. Thank you for this nation and the blessings we know as its citizens. Thank you for freedoms unprecedented in human history. We understand that these freedoms come with unprecedented opportunities.

Lord, we pray with thanksgiving for the joy and celebration reflected on millions of faces who never expected to look to the President of the United States and see a person who looks like themselves. Father, thank you for preserving this nation to the moment when an African-American citizen will take the oath of office and become our President. Thank you for the hope this has given to so many, the pride emerging in hearts that had known no such hope, and the pride that comes to a people who have experienced such pain at the hands of fellow citizens, simply because of the color of their skin. Father, we rejoice in every elderly face that reflects such long-sought satisfaction and in every young face that expresses such unrestrained joy. May this become an open door for a vision of race and human dignity that reflects your glory in our differences, and not our corruption of your gift.

Father, protect this president, we pray. We pray that you will surround this president and his family, along with all our leaders, with your protection and sustenance. May he be protected from evil acts and evil intentions, and may his family be protected from all evil and harm.
We pray that the Obama family will be drawn together as they move into the White House, and that they will know great joy in their family life. We are thankful for the example Barack and Michelle Obama have set as parents. Father, protect those precious girls in every way -- including the protection of their hearts as they see their father often criticized and as he is away from them on business of state. May their years in the White House bring them all even closer together.

Father, we pray for the safety and security of this nation, even as our new president settles into his role as Commander in Chief. We know that you and you alone can be our defense. We do not place our trust in horses or chariots, and we pray that you will give this president wisdom as he fulfills this vital responsibility.

Father, grant him wisdom in every dimension of his vast responsibility. Grant him wisdom to deal with a global financial crisis and with the swirling complex of vexing problems and challenges at home and abroad. May he inspire this nation to a higher vision for our common life together, to a higher standard of justice, righteousness, unity, and the tasks of citizenship.
Father, we pray that you will change this president's heart and mind on issues of urgent concern. We are so thankful for his gifts and talents, for his intellect and power of influence. Father, bend his heart to see the dignity and sanctity of every single human life, from the moment of conception until natural death. Father, lead him to see abortion, not as a matter of misconstrued rights, but as a murderous violation of the right to life. May he come to see every aborted life as a violation of human dignity and every abortion as an abhorrent blight upon this nation's moral witness. May he pledge himself to protect every human life at every stage of development. He has declared himself as an energetic defender of abortion rights, and we fear that his election will lead directly to the deaths of countless unborn human beings. Protect us from this unspeakable evil, we pray. Most urgently, we pray that you will bring the reign of abortion to an end, even as you are the defender of the defenseless.

Father, may this new president see that human dignity is undermined when human embryos are destroyed in the name of medical progress, and may he see marriage as an institution that is vital to the very survival of civilization. May he protect all that is right and good. Father, change his heart where it must be changed, and give him resolve where his heart is right before you.
Father, when we face hard days ahead -- when we find ourselves required by conscience to oppose this president within the bounds of our roles as citizens -- may we be granted your guidance to do so with a proper spirit, with a proper demeanor, and with persuasive arguments. May we learn anew how to confront without demonizing, and to oppose without abandoning hope.

Father, we are aware that our future is in your hands, and we are fully aware that you and you alone will judge the nations. Much responsibility is now invested in President Barack Obama, and much will be required. May we, as Christian citizens, also fulfill what you would require of us. Even as we pray for you to protect this president and change his heart, we also pray that your church will be protected and that you will conform our hearts to your perfect will.

Father, we pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, the ever-reigning once and future King, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. He and he alone can save, and his kingdom is forever. Above all, may your great name be praised. Amen.
_________________________
Christians are, first of all, citizens of a heavenly kingdom. The followers of Christ know no allegiance of ultimate rank to any government or earthly authority. Yet, the Bible clearly teaches that God has given us the gifts of law, government, and ruling authorities for our good. We are instructed to pray for "rulers and all who have authority" and to be faithful in praying "so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God" [1 Timothy 2:2].

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. day in the USA. Tomorrow is the inauguration of our first African American president. The historical significance of these 2 days right next to one another should not go unnoticed! It truly brings tears to my eyes as I think where we were in this country 46 years ago regarding race relations and where we are now! God has been kind.

A young friend of mine wrote on his blog that on these two days we should set politics aside and see the goodness of God in regards to race in this country. Oh, I think we have a long way to go, but I am grateful to God for how far He has brought us.

Please read my friend's blog: http://thegatheringonline.blogspot.com/2009/01/power-of-dream.html and set politics aside today and tomorrow. Pray for our president.

Thank you God for giving MLK a dream!

Matthew 4:18-22

"While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is caleed Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And He said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." IMMEDIATELY THEY LEFT THEIR NETS AND FOLLOWED HIM. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with zebedee their father, mending their nets, and He called them. IMMEDIATELY THEY LEFT THE BOAT AND THEIR FATHER AND FOLLOWED HIM."

From time to time in my Christian walk I have wondered if I had been Peter or Andrew or James or John would I have left my nets, my boat, my father and followed Jesus? I was sometimes bothered by this but not enough to dwell on it.

This morning I had one of those moments where I realized that OF COURSE I would have followed Jesus, just like I did 20 years ago when Jesus called to me! I followed Him because the call of Jesus is effective!!!! I was able to drop the things of this world and follow him because the Holy Spirit caused me to be born again! He regenerated my heart! God gave TO me the faith that would allow me to leave behind my "nets" and follow Jesus! It is ALL God and nothing of me! I would have followed Jesus then, I followed Jesus 20 years ago and I continue to follow Him because He loved me first and He called me. HE gave to me the desire and the ability through faith to turn from my sins in repentance and faith and follow Him! Oh the Lord is good!

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive [quickened us] with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.
Ephesians 2:4-5

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God.
1 John 5:1

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me [i.e. believe in me] unless it is granted him by the Father.”
John 6:63-65

Faith in the living God and his Son Jesus Christ is always the result of the new birth, and can never exist except in the regenerate. Whoever has faith is a saved man.
Charles Spurgeon from the sermon “Faith and Regeneration”

If salvation is the implantation of a new, infinite life in the soul, it must be a work of God. Self-caused effects can never rise above the character or qualities of their cause. "Flesh gives birth to flesh but the Spirit gives birth to Spirit," Jesus told Nicodemus. This saving grace cannot be caused by the creature, it can only come from God.
John Hannah from To God be the Glory (pg. 34-5)

Oh Lord, thank you for opening my eyes to the understanding of these scriptures! I have read the Matthew passages so often through my lifetime and today you connected the dots for me! Thank you that it is YOU who gives to me all I need to be saved. I was dead in my sins and you brought me to life by the power of the Holy Spirit so then I could turn to Jesus with faith and repentance! Oh Lord, your kindness does indeed lead us to repentance! You are so loving, so beautiful, so kind, so merciful. I am amazed and in awe that you have indeed given us ALL we need to be saved. Left to myself I never would have "left my nets or my boat" but would have stayed there... but because YOUR call is effective, because you turned my heart towards you, I followed you. Thank you for not leaving me to myself. Thank you for calling me. Help me Lord to walk in a manner worthy of the calling. I love you Lord God!