Sunday Meditation: He's in Charge

In Scripture, we find a wonderful concept known as the sovereignty of God - His extreme authority and power over all of time and creation.

This can seem a scary or limiting thought; that someone else is ultimately in control, can bother those who would like authority and power over their own lives. Uh, wait, isn't that all of us?  Aren't we all struggling to rule over our little domains?

I believe that in Scripture, the constant references in prose, prayer, and praise, to God's sovereignty cause God's people to both revere Him and find great comfort in Him.  Once a soul knows God as the One who quenches thirst, gives rest, and forgives sin, growing trust in this sovereign, tender, loving, heavenly Father, brings great peace and freedom as we meditate on and surrender to His sovereignty - over the world and our individual lives.  We are left wondering at the majesty of His ability to see all of history and creation at once, and being able to guide and sustain it all justly.  And we are able to rest, trust, and obey, knowing that the infinite is in the hands of the omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient God of it all.  The Holy One is awesome, yet also lets us call Him Father.  We fear and we draw near.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, so we've been reading about Squanto and the Pilgrims.  I've learned (for the first time) a little of the history on how Squanto learned English prior to the Pilgrims' arrival in the New World.  Had Squanto not been there - unfearing of the English, able to speak their language - all of them would have perished, not just half.  Those brave men and women came to worship freely in a new land; God provided the means for them to survive.  It was not easy; wives, husbands, sons, and daughters were lost.  But I wonder how they worshiped and thanked God that in that strange land was a foreign man, who "happened" to know how to communicate with them and was equipped to teach them all they needed to survive.  In the stories, untold from a Christian perspective, I see the hand of God, merciful, all-knowing, and kind, taking care of His people.  One day we will worship with them in His very presence!

After Thanksgiving, we come to Christmas, building up to it in the advent season of waiting for the celebration of the birth of our Savior.  From the beginning, God had a plan to send His Son and save the world through Him.  In the midst of the sin and darkness here on earth, God was always moving, making promises to Abraham, Moses, David, and speaking through the mouths of the prophets, calling His people to trust and obey Him - the Great Rescuer.  Then, He came!  Jesus, who would save his people from their sins.  Immanuel, who would be God with us.  The promised One came - lived, died, and rose - as promised.  God, the sovereign, keeps His promises.  Now, Jesus sits in heaven interceding for us.

When Jesus departed from the Earth, another promise was made.  Stay put until the Spirit comes to you, Jesus told His disciples.  Shortly thereafter, the promise was fulfilled.  The Spirit of God came to live in the hearts of men who put their faith in Him, empowering them to live for Him as beloved children and bold witnesses and transforming them increasingly into Christ's likeness.

This morning in Sunday school our pastor gave a great summary of how a conviction of God's sovereignty and presence with us brings changes in our thoughts and our lives; I'll call it the Trinitarian Presence in the Life of the Believer.

God around me; Jesus for me; the Holy Spirit in me.

Oh, the blessed HOPE found in that summary, a HOPE supported by the words of Scripture and the actions of the Father!

I wonder if, looking back you can see, not only huge ways that God's will and timing have made a difference in history, but ways that His sovereignty has guided your steps.  Consider not how God's sovereignty over your life limits, but rather how much it frees from worry, despair, fear, and doubt when you rest in the secure arms of such a capable, promise-fulfilling Father, who calls YOU daughter or son.  When I look back, it's most awesome to me to see how God was guiding and protecting my life even at times when I was NOT looking to Him, living by His commands, or trusting His plan.  The echos of mercy in the sovereignty of God get louder and louder the closer we draw near to Him.

Dare to draw near.  You can make no better decision today.

Book Review: Mere Christianity

Since it's "back to school" month, I got to finish up some books of this summer, and there's a giveaway going on, I'll share some book reviews in the next couple of posts.  I will begin with

Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis.

I must confess, first, how much I love old British writers, particularly theologians.  Lewis was not a theologian by trade, but he was a master of the English language and of analogy.  He became a Christian quite late in life, after years of atheism.  Mere Christianity was given as a series of radio talks during the Second World War, when many were asking questions about faith, right, and wrong, as their sons, fathers, husbands, and friends were sent off to war ... and many did not return home.  Later the talks were converted into book format.

This book is a treasure for a Christian.  In addition to introducing me to new idea or challenging my understanding, Lewis put together some things for me that were previously either confusing or just not quite sorted out in my brain.  For example, as I grow in the faith and am a person who is interested in learning more about doctrine and theology, I've thought to myself, "Oh there's just so much, how can I present the gospel to someone when there's so much to explain and understand all at once?!"  In one of the chapters (and I can't find it now, so you'll have to read for yourself!), he draws the analogy of early faith being like man - long before he knew anything about the workings of vitamins, minerals, and calories - knowing that when he was hungry or feeling faint, a good meal made him feel better.  When we begin to see our problem is sin and that Jesus is the Savior, we believe - all without an in-depth understanding of all of Christian Theology.  Learning that Theology (as learning how it is that food makes a hungry you feel better) as you grow in your faith enhances it, deepens and enriches it, but it doesn't change the basic fact that then you look to Jesus, repent and believe, your sins are forgiven.  That meal still satisfies.  I can certainly share that truth quite simply.

For my little brain, Lewis' simple analogies aided my understanding and, in that case, helped me to breathe a sigh of relief!  God gifted this man with the ability to take the profound and make it such that even little children, like this 32-year-old one, might comprehend.

There are not many Scripture references in this book, which could be considered an asset or a defect, depending upon where you're coming from.  For the 'Christianity investigator,' I believe it is an asset - because he would not be distracted by too many references.  For me, as a "slightly further on" believer, it caused me to open my Bible and look for things now and then, a good practice. But if you're looking for lots of references, you'll be disappointed.  If you have a friend who's looking for a lays-it-all-out kind of book about Christianity, this would be perfect.  Though, I'm not sure it is a great book for someone who's clearly not interested, no matter how much you want them to be.  Keep praying!  And read this yourself so you know if and when you should hand it to someone.

I can imagine reading this book regularly for three reasons:

1. the edification of my own faith,
2. to keep simple apologetics fresh in my mind, and
3. there's too much to "get" in just one read.

We're off for a weekend with family at at wedding in Illinois, my mom's homeland and my birth state.  I hope you all have weekends that restore and refresh!

Mere Christianity

Now God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on.  There is no other.  That is why it is just no good asking God to make us happy in our own way without bothering about religion.  God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there.  There is no such thing.

I'm finally reading Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis.  For some reason, I always imagined it would be a complicated book, far above my understanding. A book for smart people.

I was wrong.

The book came out of a series of radio talks that Lewis gave to the British people during the Second World War.  Asked by the BBC to explain to his fellow Britons what Christians believe, C.S. Lewis proceeded with the task as if it were the simplest thing in the world, and the most important, says Kathleen Norris in the Forward.

As usual, I'm not finished with a book and I'm recommending it.  I'm only about 50 pages in, so if you join me now, we can read it together!  I'm reading a chapter a day.  The chapters are short, each a quick read, though the reader is left with plenty to ponder.

Give Him The Name Jesus

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.  Matthew 1:21

One can't ponder Christmas without looking ahead to Easter.  In the very first chapter of Matthew, the angel tells Joseph what he is to name this child he will raise; in His name we learn His mission.

Jesus came to save His people from their sins.

What does this mean for our celebration of Christmas?  For me, this year, it's meant some reflection on waiting.  There's a lot of waiting with God.  He foretold Jesus' coming through the pages of the Old Testament, hundreds (thousands?) of years of waiting.  Another several hundred years passed between the Old Testament prophesies and the beginning of the gospels.  Jesus is born and waits another thirty years or so to begin His ministry.  And finally, a few years later, He hangs on the cross, taking on the sin of the world, drinking the cup of God's wrath until ... it is finished.

Then, gloriously, He rises again on the third day, spends a little more time with His people, and returns to the Father.  After a short time, the promised Holy Spirit comes to His people, and continues to dwell in those who put their faith in the saving power of Jesus name and person. 

You are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.

Now we find ourselves in the period of history where we await His second coming, the full restoration of God's rule when all things will be made new and the dwelling place of God will again be with man.  Oh, Lord, haste the day!

Yet God has us waiting.  What do we do with all this waiting?!

I Peter 3:8-9 says this But do not forget this one thing, dear friends; With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Oh boy, the times I've told God the He's moving too slowly!  You too?

But who am I to tell the God of the Universe, the blessed Savior of my soul and Lord of my life, that He's not doing things right?

God doesn't see time as we do, and it's unlikely that we'll see things His way until we're with Him.  In the meantime, this can beautifully influence our celebration of Christmas (and Easter.)  Let's praise this God, the very God who made the time and space in which we live, and designed it so wonderfully and carefully!  Let us trust Him to know the right time and places to bring His purposes to pass, as He did with the manger and Calvary!  Let's repent of our sins and our unbelief and live lives free of condemnation, because Jesus saved His people from their sin!  Let us tell the story and extend the invitation, getting into our hearts the desire of the Father that none should perish but all come to repentance!

As you celebrate Christmas this year, may God assure you that He is the great keeper of promises and that the waiting is good, accomplishing His purposes.  May the name of Jesus be a word of praise on your lips as you celebrate the birth of the Light of the world who came to save His people from their sins.

The Screwtape Letters

This is almost it, folks.  Tomorrow's post will round out a month of daily posts.  Wow, it went by fast.  Tomorrow we'll also reveal the winners of the Sally Clarkson book giveaway ... last chance to throw your name into the ring!

Since I read The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis this month, I want to share a couple of passages that have stuck with me.  This is one marvelous book!  It's fiction, but bursting with rich Biblical themes.  Adjusting to the perspective can take a couple of chapters, e.g. "The Enemy" is God since it's an exchange between demons, but it doesn't take long to get into the story.  What an amazing reminder that there are powers at work that we don't see but are part of reality, whether we're giving them any attention or not!


It seems one cannot go wrong reading a work by Lewis.  What a gift God gave to the world in C.S. Lewis; I'm so glad He called him to be His own!

Okay, on with the show.  Two of my favorite passages concern the topics of suffering/trials and dying to self.

On Suffering/Trials: (p. 45-46)

To decide what the best use of it is, you must ask what use the Enemy wants to make of it, and then do the opposite.  Now it may surprise you to learn that in His efforts to get permanent possession of a soul, He relies on the troughs even more than on the peaks; some of His special favourites have gone through longer and deeper troughs than anyone else.  The reason is this.  to us a human is primarily food; our aim is the absorption of its will into ours, the increase of our own area of selfhood at its expense.  But the obedience which the Enemy demands of men is quite a different thing.  One must face the fact that all the talk about His love for men, and His service being perfect freedom, is not (as one would gladly believe) mere propaganda, but an appalling truth.  He really does want to fill the universe with a lot of loathsome little replicas of Himself - creatures whose life, on its miniature scale, will be qualitatively like His own, not because He has absorbed them but because their wills freely conform to His.  We want cattle who can finally become food; He wants servants who can finally become sons.  We want to suck in, He wants to give out.  We are empty and would be filled; He is full and flows over.  Our war aim is a world in which Our Father Below has drawn all other beings into himself: the Enemy wants a world full of beings united with Himself but still distinct.

On Dying to Self: (p. 68)

Of course I know that the Enemy also wants to detach men from themselves, but in a different way.  Remember always, that He really likes the little vermin, and sets an absurd value on the distinctness of every one of them.  When He talks of their losing their selves, He only means abandoning the clamour of self-will; once they have done that, He really gives them back all their personality, and boasts (I am afraid, sincerely) that when they are wholly His they will be more themselves than ever.

The latter quote I have found to be quite true in my own life; though I never could have expressed it so eloquently.  God has taken this people-pleasing woman and turned her away from manipulation and self-aggrandizement to service for the joy of serving and loving God and others.  Things I used to do because I felt I had to in order to get my way or look good, I now do because I want to.  Only God can do that - free us from what binds us and then hand it back to us, repackaged to bring us delight, because He created us in specific ways, with specific purposes in mind.

I could quote so many more paragraphs from The Screwtape Letters.  Instead, I"ll leave you to pull the book off the library or bookstore shelf!

It's Not Always Pretty, Folks!

This week at Community Group, we were discussing Christ's words about adultery and lust in the Sermon on the Mount.  Now, I don't have much trouble with visual stimulation, but I do find my heart being pulled at in almost irresistible ways at times.  This happens a lot with a desire to be on the computer ... so I don't miss an important email, a comment on the blog, or cool news on Facebook.  Seriously, it's out of control and very embarrassing to say out loud.

I shared this with the group and asked for prayer to dominate it, rather than it dominating me.

A couple of mornings ago, I was considering what the root(s) of the issue are.  At the heart of the matter  are two main things: my self-worth being tied up in what kind of e-communications I'm receiving and plain old laziness. 

On the first point, I'm living like an orphan, when I'm a beloved daughter of the King - looking for love in all the wrong places.  I'm worshiping at the idol of myself and how ugly it is!  I find myself longing for positive blog comments or an affirming email from a friends.  I'm crushed when I don't get one or overly elated when I do; then the happiness wears of and I find myself longing for more.  (Sounds like Romans or Ephesians - these deep desires that drive us like wild beasts.)

How  unbecoming of a daughter of the King!  I'm loved to the core by a God who was willing to die to rescue me from that nasty sinful nature.  Only in His presence do I find that fulfillment I'm looking for.  God promises to fill us up, quench our thirst, give rest to our souls.

On the second point, the computer is simply an avoidance tool.  I get bored waiting for E to finish a writing assignment, so I check my email.  I want to put off a task, so I check the computer to find an excuse to put it of just ... a little ... longer.  What if there is an urgent message to which I MUST respond, the lie goes.  It's just laziness and irresponsibility!  (Thanks to Bridget for pointing this out.)

Again, how unbecoming of a daughter of the King!  God has taken my life and given me new purpose: to glorify Him and enjoy Him forever.  I can do this in whatever situation and don't need to distract myself.  I  I have a spare minute, I can think of Him, encourage the ones I'm with, or give thanks for anything going on around me.  If I have a task to do, I could just do it - and reward myself with some posting time when it's done!

I have a strong feeling (based on many Bible verses) that you, too, dear reader, struggle with sin that threatens to undo you, keeps you living like an orphan when you have a loving, purpose-giving Father.

So let's get practical.  How do we overcome it?!

• Repent:   If your heart is telling you you're clinging to something other than God - sinning - tell Him you're sorry at that moment, thank Him for His forgiveness, and "walk away" from whatever it is, right then.

• Believe:  In repentance we must remind ourselves of the Gospel; this is a major part of the Christian life from day one until we see our Savior face to face.  Jesus died for our sins to reconcile us to God.  Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret. (2 Corinthians 7:10)  Salvation, people! Jesus came that you might have life abundant as you walk with Him.  BELIEVE the good news; you are forgiven when you put your trust in Jesus.

• Accountability: You do not necessarily need to confess all of your sins to your spouse, small group, or pastor.  But if there's a sticking point for you, confide in someone.  I found that simply expressing my concern about how I'm drawn to the computer brought some automatic release; it's out there now, people know, they will ask.  I want to give a good report!  You can also set up sentries (borrowed from John Stott) to guard your heart.  For example, I've set up my blog to email me when I get a comment so I don't need to go looking to see if anyone's commented, so I don't NEED to go visit it a  million times a day ... in theory.  It's a growing process, people!

• Fill up the space you've emptied: Paul talks about putting of the old self and putting on the new.  What good things can you use to fill up that gap?  Can you memorize a verse to say to yourself when you're tempted?  How can you be filled up by God in that place where you used to look to sinful behaviors or thoughts to get you through?

Remember, too, that there is an enemy that wants to see us fall.  He wars against the things of God, longing to rob Him of glory.  I wrote the first half of this post, and then thought maybe it wasn't that bad and I shouldn't share it.  Boy oh boy, that sneaky little devil.  Sin is real and so is Satan.  But the God of peace will soon crush satan! (Romans 16:20)  Let's stick it too him and remain faithful to our Father; His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.  II Peter 1: 3

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

I Timothy 1: 15-17

On Being a Christian

The essence of Christian theology is grace,

and the essence of Christian ethics is gratitude.

-a professor of RC Sproul's

I've been chewing on this quote a little over the last few days. I'm nearing the end of Sproul's commentary on John and I still recommend it! His wise teaching on the book and depth of knowledge of the Scriptures & God's redemptive plan are spurring me on to love God more.

Two things the above quote makes me think about:

1. Christian theology is all about grace. In fact, there is no Christian theology without grace.

Our pastor in Cambridge, MA liked to mention that Jesus loves me, this I know is deep Christian theology; it's more than a cute song we sing to our kids. Yes, there are rules in the Bible about how we should live, but before you can get to those, you have to start at the cross where Jesus died and bore the penalty for all sin of all time - yours and mine - reconciling us to God.

Because there was no hope otherwise.

Adhering to Christian principles is nice, but it won't bridge the gap. Only the grace of God, poured out through His Son's life, death, and resurrection brings us back into right relationship with our creator.

Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.

Sometimes I wonder why. Really God, a brat like me?! Grace flies in the face of normal, human thinking. But it's God's way of drawing us back to Himself. He went to the greatest lengths possible.

Once we grasp it, we can do nothing but be thankful - the second part of the quote.

2. The reason a Christian lives in obedience to God's commands is thankfulness for all he has received from His hand - that amazing grace that saved a wretch like me.

In the Word we find commandments, precepts, statues, etc. Knowing we have been called by God to be His people, we desire to obey these, loving God and our neighbor, because we are so. very. thankful!!!!

It's not always easy, but God gives us His Spirit, He reminds us our sins are forgiven, and He changes us as we walk with Him. We can live in peace with thankful hearts, because we enjoy the most secure relationship available to man.

Here's the wrap up:

I believe because God started a work in me that only He could begin; I did nothing to earn this place in God's family, as His adopted daughter.

That's grace.

I obey in His power for the same reason: I did nothing to earn this place in God's family, as His adopted daughter.

That's gratitude.

And the gratitude only grows as I walk with the Lord, as He ever so gently shows me just how desperate my situation is with out him. The more He opens my eyes to my sin, the more precious Jesus' death on the cross becomes.

Truly, the essence of Christian theology is grace,

and the essence of Christian ethics is gratitude.

Thanks for this quote, Dr. Sproul.

Really?

Hi, blog friends! Seriously, I've got to figure out how to arrange for blogging time in my new life here. As I type there are mountains of papers I should go through, books I should read, phone calls I should make, etc. I'm sure you're familiar with the normal adult experiences, so I need not go on. But it's rest time, both kids are busy, and I want to "talk" with you!

Naturally in the rhythm of caring for kids, changing addresses with organizations and insurance companies, spending time with my husband, getting to know a new area, and shuttling E to and from Vacation Bible School, my mind has been racing with several future blog post. Currently, I can't post pictures because our webservice isn't that good. Some of those photo-based ones will come in the future. But here's one of the things that I've been thinking about.

The Good Lord has been ministering to my soul in this time of transition, despite Brian's early wake-ups and having trouble getting time to myself during the day. (Yes, God can grow you even if you don't have hours a day to set aside to study and pray. Particularly for you moms of tots out there: read a few verses, write and encouraging or challenging one down and hang it above your sink, meditate on it, memorize it. You'll see God begin to use Scripture to change your heart. I don't know about you, but I'm keenly aware of many ways my heart needs to be changed these days!)

A couple of months ago I came across this verse about Jesus at the beginning of Hebews:

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.

And sometime last week I was reading the story, recorded in John 13, about Jesus washing the disciples feet the night before he was crucified. It says this in verses 3-5:

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Jesus, the radiance of Gods glory and exact representation of his being, knowing that God had put all things under his power, KNELT DOWN AND WASHED HIS STUDENTS' FEET!

I don't know about you, but this runs contrary to what I would do naturally, if I knew someone had put all things under my power. But Jesus came, as Hebrews points out, to show us what God is like. Jesus even washed the feet of the one who, moments later, would leave to betray him for some money. What kind of a god is this?

John 13:1 says that in this action, Jesus was showing his disciples the full extent of His love - the very love of God the Father, to whom He was returning.

I don't have any profound exposition for you. But I wanted to invite you to marvel with me.

If you follow Christ, this is the kind of love that is yours.

Every moment of every day.

Remember ... Don't Forget

Tonight I was reflecting (while brushing my teeth) on the journey that we've taken to get where we are. Though there have been many great times, it has not always been easy. I don't want to reveal too much about our lives in such a public venue, but I do want to say that the joy we feel in Colin reaching this milestone goes far beyond the normal happiness of completing a degree. We are thankful. We give God the praise for guiding and sustaining us through these years in Cambridge.

God was always telling the Israelites to remember, lest they forget WHO was really sovereign and guiding their steps.

In this post, I will remember.

1. God provided me with a job BEFORE we moved up here, and I had gotten the interview call when we were up here trying to find a place to live. What a "coincidence," huh?

2. God got us, after 7 months, to the congregation we needed to be in to grow spiritually during our graduate school years.

3. God blessed us (though at the time we freaked out!!!) with an unexpected pregnancy that got me out of my all-consuming job.

4. God provided for us monetarily in a bunch of crazy ways at very crucial times: a residential life position, a in-home babysitting job for a good friend's daughter, and an inheritance we did not know was coming.

5. God met us each in places of deep need and waywardness and gently drew us back to Himself, assuring us of His love and the truth of the gospel.

6. God has kept us together, though there were times that life's challenges could have driven us apart.

7. God used our family and friends in practical ways to help us and encourage us through the darker times.

8. God used the years I waited to have our second child to teach me about waiting, trusting, respecting my husband, and rejoicing with those who rejoice & mourning with those who mourn.

9. God got Colin into a research project one summer, because he needed funding, that has become the topic of his PhD and what he will continue to pursue as a post doc.

10. God has seen fit to take us back to Pittsburgh; honestly, I don't know if I really believe it yet!

I'm sure there is more. This list is overwhelmingly awesome. God be praised!

With this tucked into the recesses of my brain and the depths of my heart, I can only look forward with GREAT anticipation to what God will do with us next. What peace there is for the child of God, who knows his life is always under the gentle guidance of his loving Father.

Would you care to share some "stones of remembrance" from your life in the comments?

So Much To Study, So Little Time!

Last summer I launched into a personal study of the book of Joshua; the posts can be found here and here. And, as God would have it, in the fall I was given the delightful privilege of leading this year's Tuesday morning women's Bible study. We have been marching our way through Joshua, learning about God's faithfulness, judgement, mercy, holiness, and promise fulfillment. It has been good, very good. We are now nearing the end of or time in the book and, as I have studied very little other than Joshua for the last 7 months, I have been looking to move on.

In these early days of the new year, I read through the book of John, a few chapters a day, preparing for another wave of study. I plan to follow the same pattern as I did with Joshua: read the whole book once, read through chapter by chapter using the New Bible Commentary (published by IVP), then read through it again with a more in-depth commentary by James Montgomery Boice. (Little did I know last June that I was preparing to lead a group of wonderful women through the book! God is gracious, isn't He?)

A few days ago, I was wondering how long it would take me to do the same with all of the books of the Bible. I calculated that if I spent 3 months in each book, I would be (almost) 47 when I finished! Now, I know that some books in the Bible are quite short, so perhaps the time is a bit overestimated. But it doesn't make 16.5 years seem any less overwhelming! The goal, however, is to get to know the Word by reading, meditating, and taking advantage of the study of scholars with more knowledge than I'll ever have. Making time to do it would be invaluable, even if it is L-O-N-G! And truly, I'd like to spend whatever days God gives me getting to know Him, before I'm standing (what?! I mean, falling on my face!) before Him giving an account.

In addition to starting up with John, our pastor recently brought to our attention Ad Fontes (which means "to the sources"), a full year of daily readings in Calvin's Institutes. A group from church will meet weekly (at a pub, over a pint - and I'm not kidding!) to discuss the week's readings. I just read today's reading. I have not read anything from The Institutes since the one and only seminary course I've ever taken (Systematic Theology I) that I took the summer before Elizabeth was conceived. Have you ever read any of Calvin's Institutes? I remember been AMAZED at how accessible they are & how invigorating to one's faith! And it was brought back to my attention today, as I checked out Ad Fontes. I hope I can stick with them. The readings are short and just started today; let me know if you decide to read, too. And if you're free on Fridays at 4pm and live near Cambridge, MA, there will be folks gathering for discussion with our pastor, Rick Downs,at The Field on Prospect St.

Oh, so much to read, so little time! Fortunately, the Christian's hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness, so if I fall behind or never make it through another thorough study of a book of the Bible, I need not fear. But for the time, I'm thankful to God for His Word, the desire He's given me to study it, and wise saints who have gone before us and left their words behind to guide us through the Scriptures. In the craziness of life with kids, family, and other obligations & commitments, I sure feel the need to have my feet grounded on a solid rock. How about you? God's Word offers that sure place to stand, loving arms in which to rest, and hope and peace for our weary souls. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Come, NOW is the Time to Worship!

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. -Matthew 1:21

How are we to think of the incarnation: The New Testament does not encourage us to puzzle over the physical and psychologial problems that it raises, but to Worship God for the love that was shown in it. -J.I. Packer

Our pastor preached on the above verse in Matthew sometime last year and it has stuck with me. Jesus primary purpose in coming down, humbly, beginning as a baby, was to rescue us from our sin! His whole life and ministry must be understood through that lens.

For God so loved the world, that he sent his one and only Son ... (John 3:16a). My prayer for myself and for you is that this Christmas would be a time of wonder and worship at God's great expression of love. Today, whether you find yourself downtrodden or high on the delights of the season, God's love for you and desire to rescue you from sin are the same; both shepherds and wise men knelt to worship the baby King of kings.

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas Story Party

I haven't posted in a while because I've been spending my free-ish time getting ready for this morning's Christmas Story Party that our church is sponsoring here where we live.

Around Thanksgiving, the Lord placed on my heart the desire to share the real Christmas story with my neighbors. I had entertained the idea of an Advent Bible study, of sorts, but when one of the pastors mentioned the excellent story telling in the Jesus Storybook Bible, it occurred to me that we could do a kids event! (Thanks, Bradley!) My dear friend and Children's Ministry director, Lydia, jumped right in with me to get it planned. (Thanks, Lydia!)

So this morning from 10-11:30am, we will be making crafts, sharing the Christmas story, singing some carols, and icing cookies with at least 20 kids and their parents. I'm very excited! A handful of MIT connected church members will also be there to help. (Thanks, Andy, Sam, Jenny, & Chris!) Two neighbor friends of mine helped to get all of the crafts cut and ready. (Thanks, Katie and Liz!) And every family will go home with a Jesus Storybook Bible. (Thanks, John!)

The Spirit has really guided this whole endeavor from the very beginning and has used my community to mold and shape it with great ideas. (Thanks, Lord!) Here's to God's Word going out and not returning to Him void. Please pray for this event with us!

Providence

The providence of God is like Hebrew words - it can be read only backwards.

-John Flavel
Puritan writer

At such times, [times in life that don't seem to make any sense] Flavel's words have often comforted me and helped me to readjust my myopic spiritual perspective. They have reminded me to fix my mind and heart on God's wise, gracious, and sovereign rule, and on the assurance that He works everything together for His children's good, so that I do not inquire too proudly into why I cannot understand His sovereign purposes.

-Sinclair Furgeson
In Christ Alone
(I highly recommend this book.)

Furgeson offers this reflection at the beginning of a chapter entitled God's Mysterious Will. I found it both encouraging and convicting. How precious and dear is the thought, based on the truth of God's word, that our Lord is wise, gracious, and sovereign! Do not fear, Christian. Trust and obey, whatever the circumstance. God is in control. This gives us hope and encouragement in the journey.

And I am also convicted, being reminded of how I proudly try to imagine I can understand the mind of God. In a later paragraph Ferguson says this about how we'd act if we knew God's will: So perverse are we that we would use our knowledge of God's will to substitute for actual daily personal trust in the Lord Himself. You got me there, Furgeson! I'd never thought about it this way, but it's true. I want to know God's will (the plan He has laid out for my life) so I can be my own god and get set on pursuing that path...rather than pursue God Himself.

Yesterday as I prepared for Bible study, I was delighting in studying Scripture and all of the fun there is in making connections, asking good questions, thinking deep thoughts. And then it hit me that I'd much rather be studying and thinking, than getting myself dirty in the business of loving the Lord with all my heart, mind, and soul, and loving my neighbor has myself (Matt. 22:37-38), trusting God and not leaning on my own understanding (Prov 3:5-6), and repenting and believing the good news.

Yet it is there that God calls us to be.

To trust Him.

To obey Him.

To love Him.

I don't know where you find yourself today. But I do know the God who made you, loves you, and wants to transform you. He's more than reliable; He's the solid rock. How desperately we need to be reminded. How much we need to be encouraged to trust and obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey!