I hate to not put a lot of original writing into my blog lately, but with all the hundreds of pages I am having to write this fall while working on my graduate degree, I am often lacking for time to develop my own ideas. I have a whole list of things I want to write about when I finally have some extra time! So for now, I hope this encouragement from Piper's blog will suffice. It is taken from a portion of Sinclair Ferguson's sermon at the Desiring God conference happening this weekend in Minnesota. It is 20 resolutions for taming the tongue, taken from the book of James:
1. I resolve to ask God for wisdom to speak out of a single-minded devotion to him. (1:5)
2. I resolve to boast only in the exultation I receive in Jesus Christ and also in the humiliation I receive for Jesus Christ. (1:9-10)
3. I resolve to set a watch over my mouth. (1:13)
4. I resolve to be constantly quick to hear and slow to speak. (1:19)
5. I resolve to learn the gospel way of speaking to both rich and poor. (2:1-4)
6. I resolve to speak in the present consciousness of my final judgment. (2:12)
7. I resolve never to stand on anyone’s face with the words I employ. (2:16)
8. I resolve never to claim as reality in my life what I do not truly experience. (3:14)
9. I resolve to resist quarrelsome words as evidence of a bad heart that needs to be mortified. (4:1)
10. I resolve never to speak decided evil against another out of a heart of antagonism. (4:11)
11. I resolve never to boast in anything but what I will accomplish. (4:13)
12. I resolve to speak as one subject to the providences of God. (4:15)
13. I resolve never to grumble. The judge is at the door. (5:9)
14. I resolve never to allow anything but total integrity in everything I say. (5:12)
15. I resolve to speak to God in prayer whenever I suffer. (5:13)
16. I resolve to sing praises to God whenever I’m cheerful. (5:14)
17. I resolve to ask for the prayers of others when I’m in need. (5:14)
18. I resolve to confess it whenever I have failed. (5:15)
19. I resolve to pray with others for one another whenever I am together with them. (5:15)
20. I resolve to speak words of restoration when I see another wander. (5:19)
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Some words from Charles Wesley during his courtship...
Christ, my Life, my Only Treasure,
Thou alone mould Thine own after Thy good pleasure.
Thou, who paidst my price, direct me!
Thine I am, Holy Lamb, save, and always save me.
From all earthly expectation
Set me free, seize for Thee all my strength of passion.
Into absolute subjection
Be it brought, every thought, every fond affection.
That which most my soul requires
For Thy sake hold it back, purge my best desires.
Keep from me Thy lovliest creature,
Till I prove Jesus' love infinitely sweeter;
Till with purest passion panting,
Cries my heart 'where Thou art nothing more is wanting'.
Thou alone mould Thine own after Thy good pleasure.
Thou, who paidst my price, direct me!
Thine I am, Holy Lamb, save, and always save me.
From all earthly expectation
Set me free, seize for Thee all my strength of passion.
Into absolute subjection
Be it brought, every thought, every fond affection.
That which most my soul requires
For Thy sake hold it back, purge my best desires.
Keep from me Thy lovliest creature,
Till I prove Jesus' love infinitely sweeter;
Till with purest passion panting,
Cries my heart 'where Thou art nothing more is wanting'.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Chemo Date
Well, here it is two weeks from Patti's last chemo treatment and I had the privilege of spending the day with her yesterday again for chemo. It really is a great way to spend our time together, seeing as we are confined to recliners in a treatment room for three hours! Honestly, these times have granted us opportunity for undistracted discussions and I know we are mutually encouraged from it. It has been a real joy to observe Patti throughout this process so far, to see her joy and delight remain in the Lord as she trust Him to provide for her every need!
As to an update on her...she presses on in the chemo treatments and yesterday there was a glimmer of improvement as her oncologist examined her and said that he is led to believe that the mass may be shrinking! It has yet to be confirmed by an ultrasound, which Patti will have next week, but his initial response was positive and encouraging. She has several more treatments to go, through the end of November. She will continue to go every two weeks. After her next treatment, the chemo will be altered a bit from one drug to a different one. She is eager to move to this next step, as there is a good possibility that the new drug will not be quite as nausea-inducing as the current "cocktail" is. Overall, Patti has handled the physical effects quite well, and is mostly affected by fatigue and nausea. Praise the Lord, she has not be affected much by discouragement and just views each day as an opportunity to glorify the Lord in these current circumstances. It has been a blessing to be around her these days and I always look forward to hearing how God is teaching her and graciously caring for her during this time. I know she is overwhelmed with gratitude for the ways God's people have provided for her needs, sought out ways to help her, and most importantly, have faithfully covered her in prayer! So I thank you on her behalf.
Walking through this time with Patti as well as many friendships God has sweetly blessed me with these days, has brought to mind the chorus to a wonderful song about friendship in the Lord (by the group Watermark). Here are a few lyrics from it that I would sing most willingly to my dear sister Patti:
'Cause you've been more than a friend to me
You fight off my enemies
'Cause you've spoken the Truth over my life
And you'll never know what it means to me
Just to know you've been on your knees for me
Oh, you have blessed my life
More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah
More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah
You had faith, when I had none
You prayed God would bring me a brand new song
When I didn't think I could find the strength to sing
And all the while I'm hoping that I'll
Do the kind of praying for you that you've done for me
And that's the way it ought to be...
ON THAT NOTE...I am then called to remember that Jesus Christ is my greatest FRIEND by the lyrics of another Watermark song:
Friend for life
Who took my pain
The cleansing flood
You remain
Wash over me
Till I can't be seen
Living Water swallow me
Deepest river wash me clean
Jesus, Savior more of thee
Jesus, more of thee
Come and ruin me with Your love
So no other is enough
Come and leave Your mark on me
Jesus, more of thee
Jesus, more of thee
Friend for life
I'll carry on
Through the power
Of this flood
Let it spill over, over
Till I can't be seen
Living Water swallow me
Deepest river wash me clean
Jesus, Savior more of thee
Jesus, more of thee
Come and ruin me with Your love
So no other is enough
Come and leave Your mark on me
Jesus, more of thee
Jesus, more of thee
Deep is the stain
Inside of me
But deeper the river
That washes me clean
I've been the one
Who cries in the night
But you've been
The friend of my life
Living Water swallow me
Deepest river wash me clean
Jesus, Savior more of thee
Jesus, more of thee
Come and ruin me with Your love
So no other is enough
Come and leave Your mark on me
Jesus, more of thee
Love you Patti, and may you be ever-filled with your Best Friend's love and care today and always!
As to an update on her...she presses on in the chemo treatments and yesterday there was a glimmer of improvement as her oncologist examined her and said that he is led to believe that the mass may be shrinking! It has yet to be confirmed by an ultrasound, which Patti will have next week, but his initial response was positive and encouraging. She has several more treatments to go, through the end of November. She will continue to go every two weeks. After her next treatment, the chemo will be altered a bit from one drug to a different one. She is eager to move to this next step, as there is a good possibility that the new drug will not be quite as nausea-inducing as the current "cocktail" is. Overall, Patti has handled the physical effects quite well, and is mostly affected by fatigue and nausea. Praise the Lord, she has not be affected much by discouragement and just views each day as an opportunity to glorify the Lord in these current circumstances. It has been a blessing to be around her these days and I always look forward to hearing how God is teaching her and graciously caring for her during this time. I know she is overwhelmed with gratitude for the ways God's people have provided for her needs, sought out ways to help her, and most importantly, have faithfully covered her in prayer! So I thank you on her behalf.
Walking through this time with Patti as well as many friendships God has sweetly blessed me with these days, has brought to mind the chorus to a wonderful song about friendship in the Lord (by the group Watermark). Here are a few lyrics from it that I would sing most willingly to my dear sister Patti:
'Cause you've been more than a friend to me
You fight off my enemies
'Cause you've spoken the Truth over my life
And you'll never know what it means to me
Just to know you've been on your knees for me
Oh, you have blessed my life
More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah
More than you'll ever know, yeah, yeah, yeah
You had faith, when I had none
You prayed God would bring me a brand new song
When I didn't think I could find the strength to sing
And all the while I'm hoping that I'll
Do the kind of praying for you that you've done for me
And that's the way it ought to be...
ON THAT NOTE...I am then called to remember that Jesus Christ is my greatest FRIEND by the lyrics of another Watermark song:
Friend for life
Who took my pain
The cleansing flood
You remain
Wash over me
Till I can't be seen
Living Water swallow me
Deepest river wash me clean
Jesus, Savior more of thee
Jesus, more of thee
Come and ruin me with Your love
So no other is enough
Come and leave Your mark on me
Jesus, more of thee
Jesus, more of thee
Friend for life
I'll carry on
Through the power
Of this flood
Let it spill over, over
Till I can't be seen
Living Water swallow me
Deepest river wash me clean
Jesus, Savior more of thee
Jesus, more of thee
Come and ruin me with Your love
So no other is enough
Come and leave Your mark on me
Jesus, more of thee
Jesus, more of thee
Deep is the stain
Inside of me
But deeper the river
That washes me clean
I've been the one
Who cries in the night
But you've been
The friend of my life
Living Water swallow me
Deepest river wash me clean
Jesus, Savior more of thee
Jesus, more of thee
Come and ruin me with Your love
So no other is enough
Come and leave Your mark on me
Jesus, more of thee
Love you Patti, and may you be ever-filled with your Best Friend's love and care today and always!
Friday, September 12, 2008
PLEASE READ
This is a very insightful and important blog post from a godly woman (Carolyn McCulley)who I read frequently. It expresses some very heartbreaking truths about selective abortion:
http://solofemininity.blogs.com/posts/2008/09/the-chromosomal-barrier.html
http://solofemininity.blogs.com/posts/2008/09/the-chromosomal-barrier.html
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
A special post on behalf of my friend Patti...
I just got home from spending the day with Patti and she asked me to share an update since she is not feeling up to it this evening and may not be for a couple of days. She is not able to answer all the calls she receives, but wants to communicate with you all. Please feel free to share this with others who may inquire, as it does help for Patti to not have to keep track of who she has shared with and what details. She so wants to speak with people individually and to thank each of you for your prayers and words/deeds of encouragement, but I know we all understand how difficult it is to do that at one time. She has also been wanting to update her blog, but just has not had the time or energy today, so hopefully this will suffice for the time being.
Many of you know that Patti just returned last weekend from spending some time in NY to have consultation for her surgery. She was very pleased with the doctors she met with and felt very confident in their care. She also had a sweet time with her Dad and other family there. Please continue to pray specifically that God would use this illness as a means of testimony to her lost family members. Patti expressed that she felt a precious affection and love from her Dad during this trip that was extremely meaningful to her, so she is praying for more time to share with him about her great Saviour! She will probably have to travel back to NY in the next month or so for a further surgery consultation, but the surgery itself will probably not take place until December.
This morning Patti went for her second round of chemotherapy. We also met with the oncologist for quite awhile to discuss the recommendations of her doctors in NY. Between the two doctors from here and there, they have decided to change her chemo treatments to every two weeks instead of three. This means that she has several more treatments after today, so it will be chemo every two weeks from now until early December most likely. This will allow her, Lord-willing, to receive the surgery and not have further chemo after it (of course there are no guarantees, but that is the goal). She was really encouraged to hear that having it every two weeks may actually not be as physically taxing as she thought it would. They said it really is not any worse than having it every three weeks.
Some wonderful praises - Patti has begun receiving a boatload of bills, insurance statements, etc. and God has so faithfully provided some precious brothers and sisters in the Lord who have offered to oversee this area for her. This was a HUGE answer to prayers that we had, as Patti needs to focus on staying healthy and not be overwhelmed by all this added paperwork and phone calls. Another amazing thing that happened today was that Patti had received a significantly large statement from an out-of-network doctor that she had to see a couple of weeks ago. Well, this morning, she called them to inquire about the bill and they told her the doctor was taking care of it and not to worry about it (they said she should have never received the statement)!!! This was a tremendous provision for Patti that I share solely to proclaim God's faithfulness to her!
The rest of they day Patti rested on her couch and then began to feel worse this evening. She basically just has a lot of nausea and fatigue right now. We had one of the sweetest times of prayer I have ever shared with a sister before I left, on the floor of her bathroom. We cried out to the Lord to transform us by sanctifying us and making us more like Christ! Patti loves this church and she loves the Lord! It was so precious and reminded us both how much less we pray than we should when we reflect on the faithful men and women in history who spent hours and hours on their knees. We truly experienced the presence of the Spirit and we were thankful for the lesson!
Patti will probably be resting at home the next couple of days as she gets past the worst of the effects from the chemo. She is truly so overcome with gratitude and thanksgiving for her Riverbend family and I have been so blessed to watch her rejoice during this time. Her face continues to shine with a radiant submission to God's providence in her life!
Please continue to lift Patti up in your prayers continually. She has a long road ahead of her with chemo for three months, surgery, and then possibly more treatment after. She also still has a couple of very challenging decisions to make about medications, etc. so pray for wisdom and good communication with her doctors. Pray that the Lord would use her as a vessel of mercy and compassion in speaking of Him to others she comes into contact with. I praise God for her and it has been a joyful priviliege to have her as a friend!
"Do not miss out on the limited opportunity this situation provides for us to put on display how trustworthy we find our God to be! If in the day of ease and safety alone we find God to be worthy of trust, then we have no greater "god" in our lives than those who hope in something of this world. Our God is "the same yesterday, today, and forever". The plans God has for us are NOT in jeopardy — only temporary and natural things are capable of being lost and these things are not what our hope is in." - Keith Collins, Sovereign Grace Ministries
Many of you know that Patti just returned last weekend from spending some time in NY to have consultation for her surgery. She was very pleased with the doctors she met with and felt very confident in their care. She also had a sweet time with her Dad and other family there. Please continue to pray specifically that God would use this illness as a means of testimony to her lost family members. Patti expressed that she felt a precious affection and love from her Dad during this trip that was extremely meaningful to her, so she is praying for more time to share with him about her great Saviour! She will probably have to travel back to NY in the next month or so for a further surgery consultation, but the surgery itself will probably not take place until December.
This morning Patti went for her second round of chemotherapy. We also met with the oncologist for quite awhile to discuss the recommendations of her doctors in NY. Between the two doctors from here and there, they have decided to change her chemo treatments to every two weeks instead of three. This means that she has several more treatments after today, so it will be chemo every two weeks from now until early December most likely. This will allow her, Lord-willing, to receive the surgery and not have further chemo after it (of course there are no guarantees, but that is the goal). She was really encouraged to hear that having it every two weeks may actually not be as physically taxing as she thought it would. They said it really is not any worse than having it every three weeks.
Some wonderful praises - Patti has begun receiving a boatload of bills, insurance statements, etc. and God has so faithfully provided some precious brothers and sisters in the Lord who have offered to oversee this area for her. This was a HUGE answer to prayers that we had, as Patti needs to focus on staying healthy and not be overwhelmed by all this added paperwork and phone calls. Another amazing thing that happened today was that Patti had received a significantly large statement from an out-of-network doctor that she had to see a couple of weeks ago. Well, this morning, she called them to inquire about the bill and they told her the doctor was taking care of it and not to worry about it (they said she should have never received the statement)!!! This was a tremendous provision for Patti that I share solely to proclaim God's faithfulness to her!
The rest of they day Patti rested on her couch and then began to feel worse this evening. She basically just has a lot of nausea and fatigue right now. We had one of the sweetest times of prayer I have ever shared with a sister before I left, on the floor of her bathroom. We cried out to the Lord to transform us by sanctifying us and making us more like Christ! Patti loves this church and she loves the Lord! It was so precious and reminded us both how much less we pray than we should when we reflect on the faithful men and women in history who spent hours and hours on their knees. We truly experienced the presence of the Spirit and we were thankful for the lesson!
Patti will probably be resting at home the next couple of days as she gets past the worst of the effects from the chemo. She is truly so overcome with gratitude and thanksgiving for her Riverbend family and I have been so blessed to watch her rejoice during this time. Her face continues to shine with a radiant submission to God's providence in her life!
Please continue to lift Patti up in your prayers continually. She has a long road ahead of her with chemo for three months, surgery, and then possibly more treatment after. She also still has a couple of very challenging decisions to make about medications, etc. so pray for wisdom and good communication with her doctors. Pray that the Lord would use her as a vessel of mercy and compassion in speaking of Him to others she comes into contact with. I praise God for her and it has been a joyful priviliege to have her as a friend!
"Do not miss out on the limited opportunity this situation provides for us to put on display how trustworthy we find our God to be! If in the day of ease and safety alone we find God to be worthy of trust, then we have no greater "god" in our lives than those who hope in something of this world. Our God is "the same yesterday, today, and forever". The plans God has for us are NOT in jeopardy — only temporary and natural things are capable of being lost and these things are not what our hope is in." - Keith Collins, Sovereign Grace Ministries
Monday, September 1, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Undisciplined...
Well, I really wanted my blog to be something that I worked on at least once a week and I have definitely failed in that pursuit. But now that I am home from a crazy summer of travels I am hoping to be a little more disciplined with it. For today though, I am just posting some words from Spurgeon. A dear friend and sister in Christ was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and so I have spent many days thinking of her and praying for her and looking for ways to minister to her. In it all, it is I who have been ministered to as she has shined radiantly with the light of God's love and encouragement! Anyway, these words really provoke me to be more intentional about seeking out ways to minister to others:
"We are taught here the greatest lesson that to get, we must give; to accumulate, we must scatter; to make ourselves happy, we must make others happy; and in order to become spiritually vigorous, we must seek the spiritual good of others. In watering others, we ourselves are watered. Watering others makes us humble. We discover how much grace there is where we had not looked for it, and how much the humble saint may outstrip us in knowledge. Our own comfort is also increased by working for others. We endeavor to cheer them, and the consolation gladdens our own heart. Consider the two men in the snow - one massaged the other's limbs to keep him from dying and in doing so kept his own blood circulating and saved his own life. Remember the poor widow who supplied the prophet's needs from her meager resources, and from that day she never experienced need again. Give, and it will be given to you - good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over." - based on Prv. 11:25
"We are taught here the greatest lesson that to get, we must give; to accumulate, we must scatter; to make ourselves happy, we must make others happy; and in order to become spiritually vigorous, we must seek the spiritual good of others. In watering others, we ourselves are watered. Watering others makes us humble. We discover how much grace there is where we had not looked for it, and how much the humble saint may outstrip us in knowledge. Our own comfort is also increased by working for others. We endeavor to cheer them, and the consolation gladdens our own heart. Consider the two men in the snow - one massaged the other's limbs to keep him from dying and in doing so kept his own blood circulating and saved his own life. Remember the poor widow who supplied the prophet's needs from her meager resources, and from that day she never experienced need again. Give, and it will be given to you - good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over." - based on Prv. 11:25
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Biblical Counseling
So I have been in California for almost one week now. I am here at Master's College taking classes toward my graduate degree in biblical counseling. Words cannot even describe the depths of what I am learning here. All day long in class, it feels like I am just in this amazingly theological Bible study class. I wish I could just get paid to go to school, do research and learn! The Lord also granted me the privilege of traveling out here for a week ahead of time with a precious family from my church back home through Arizona. We spent one day in Sedona, two days in the Grand Canyon, and then ended the week in Santa Clarita. They have five sweet children, one of whom I taught last year in the 4th grade. It was so encouraging to be a part of their family for the week and they generously blessed me with their love and fellowship. It is a trip that I will always remember. On top of that, seeing the Grand Canyon was a very meaningful opportunity to see God's creation in a way that I have never seen it before. Praise God for being the magnificent Creator!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Just a thought...
"Let woman seek to discharge her obligations to Christianity. Grateful she ought to be , for immense are the favours which have been conferred upon her by it. It is enough to demand her thankfulness, that in common with man, she is the object of Divine love, redeeming mercy, and the subject of immortal hope; but in addition to this, she is rescued from oppression and exalted to honour in the present world."
John Angell James
John Angell James
Monday, June 2, 2008
Answered Prayer
Well now that I am not moving to California, I have been on the hunt for a job here in Florida. God has graciously provided an opportunity that is definitely NOT what I want to do long term, but it will certainly provide well for me as I finish graduate school and try to get myself settled here. I will be working in a customer service-oriented position doing lots of computer work. Since I love research and computers, I am sure it will be a good fit until doors open for me to do ministry work full-time. We will see what else God has in store, but so far He continues to bless me with abundant provisions!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)