Spurgeon...

This Morning's Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon

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"They go from strength to strength."—Psalm 84:7.

HEY go from strength to strength. There are various renderings of these words, but all of them contain the idea of progress.
Our own good translation of the authorized version is enough for us this morning. "They go from strength to strength." That is, they grow stronger and stronger. Usually, if we are walking, we go from strength to weakness; we start fresh and in good order for our journey, but by-and-by the road is rough, and the sun is hot, we sit down by the wayside, and then again painfully pursue our weary way. But the Christian pilgrim having obtained fresh supplies of grace, is as vigorous after years of toilsome travel and struggle as when he first set out. He may not be quite so elate and buoyant, nor perhaps quite so hot and hasty in his zeal as he once was, but he is much stronger in all that constitutes real power, and travels, if more slowly, far more surely. Some gray-haired veterans have been as firm in their grasp of truth, and as zealous in diffusing it, as they were in their younger days; but, alas, it must be confessed it is often otherwise, for the love of many waxes cold and iniquity abounds, but this is their own sin and not the fault of the promise which still holds good: "The youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint." Fretful spirits sit down and trouble themselves about the future. "Alas!" say they, "we go from affliction to affliction." Very true, O thou of little faith, but then thou goest from strength to strength also. Thou shalt never find a bundle of affliction which has not bound up in the midst of it sufficient grace. God will give the strength of ripe manhood with the burden allotted to full-grown shoulders.

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"Many return again and again to the few who have mastered the spiritual secret, whose life has been hid with Christ in God. These are of the old time religion, hung to the nails of the Cross."
Robert Murray McCheyne

Spurgeon...

Faith's Check Book, Daily Entry

C. H. Spurgeon

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December 5

High Places of Defense

He shall dwell on high: his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. (Isaiah 33:16)

The man to whom God has given grace to be of blameless life dwells in perfect security.
He dwells on high, above the world, Out of gunshot of the enemy, and near to heaven. He has high aims and motives, and he finds high comforts and company. He rejoices in the mountains of eternal love, wherein he has his abode.
He is defended by munitions of stupendous rock. The firmest things in the universe are the promises and purposes of the unchanging God, and these are the safeguard of the obedient believer.
He is provided for by this great promise: "Bread shall be given him." As the enemy cannot climb the fort, nor break down the rampart, so the fortress cannot be captured by siege and famine. The Lord, who rained manna in the wilderness, will keep His people in good store even when they are surrounded by those who would starve them.
But what if water should fail? That cannot be. "His waters shall be sure." There is a never-failing well within the impregnable fortress. The Lord sees that nothing is wanting. None can touch the citizen of the true Zion. However fierce the enemy, the Lord will preserve His chosen.

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Spurgeon...

This Morning's Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon

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"Thou hast made summer and winter."—Psalm 74:17.

Y soul begin this wintry month with thy God. The cold snows and the piercing winds all remind thee that He keeps His covenant with day and night, and tend to assure thee that He will also keep that glorious covenant which He has made with thee in the person of Christ Jesus. He who is true to His Word in the revolutions of the seasons of this poor sin-polluted world, will not prove unfaithful in His dealings with His own well-beloved Son.
Winter in the soul is by no means a comfortable season, and if it be upon thee just now it will be very painful to thee: but there is this comfort, namely, that the Lord makes it. He sends the sharp blasts of adversity to nip the buds of expectation: He scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes over the once verdant meadows of our joy: He casteth forth His ice like morsels freezing the streams of our delight. He does it all, He is the great Winter King, and rules in the realms of frost, and therefore thou canst not murmur. Losses, crosses, heaviness, sickness, poverty, and a thousand other ills, are of the Lord's sending, and come to us with wise design. Frosts kill noxious insects, and put a bound to raging diseases; they break up the clods, and sweeten the soul. O that such good results would always follow our winters of affliction!
How we prize the fire just now! how pleasant is its cheerful glow! Let us in the same manner prize our Lord, who is the constant source of warmth and comfort in every time of trouble. Let us draw nigh to Him, and in Him find joy and peace in believing. Let us wrap ourselves in the warm garments of His promises, and go forth to labours which befit the season, for it were ill to be as the sluggard who will not plough by reason of the cold; for he shall beg in summer and have nothing.

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Spurgeon...

Thursday, November 29, 2012

This Morning's Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon

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"Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people . . . Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him."—Leviticus 19:16, 17.

ALE-BEARING emits a threefold poison; for it injures the teller, the hearer, and the person concerning whom the tale is told. Whether the report be true or false, we are by this precept of God's Word forbidden to spread it. The reputations of the Lord's people should be very precious in our sight, and we should count it shame to help the devil to dishonour the Church and the name of the Lord. Some tongues need a bridle rather than a spur. Many glory in pulling down their brethren, as if thereby they raised themselves. Noah's wise sons cast a mantle over their father, and he who exposed him earned a fearful curse. We may ourselves one of these dark days need forbearance and silence from our brethren, let us render it cheerfully to those who require it now. Be this our family rule, and our personal bond—SPEAK EVIL OF NO MAN.
The Holy Spirit, however, permits us to censure sin, and prescribes the way in which we are to do it. It must be done by rebuking our brother to his face, not by railing behind his back. This course is manly, brotherly, Christlike, and under God's blessing will be useful. Does the flesh shrink from it? Then we must lay the greater stress upon our conscience, and keep ourselves to the work, lest by suffering sin upon our friend we become ourselves partakers of it. Hundreds have been saved from gross sins by the timely, wise, affectionate warnings of faithful ministers and brethren. Our Lord Jesus has set us a gracious example of how to deal with erring friends in His warning given to Peter, the prayer with which He preceded it, and the gentle way in which He bore with Peter's boastful denial that he needed such a caution.

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Dirty carpet and Grace...

I'm always amazed at how God convicts me of sin in my life, it's usually in the most mundane of activities that I can see my own wretchedness.I vacuum A LOT...because I'm a neat freak or OCD about being clean? No, not really(well, not since having kids). There are 9 of us sharing this home and our carpet gets DIRTY. Even though we usually take our shoes off. So I clean a lot, not because we are so clean but because we are dirty;) I notice how many times I change that cup on the vacuum...just about every room..no kidding. But today it hit me...that dirt and filth that is in my carpet represents the sin in my life. No matter how often I clean it just gets dirty again and again. There are pros and cons to carpet. Carpet feels nice under your feet, it's warm in the winter, it makes you comfortable. The same can be said for sin. Sometimes it feels good and we get comfortable with it. Something else that carpet does...it hides dirt pretty well. How often do we hide and cover up our sin? So sometimes we can get away without vacuuming for a day or two but that dirt just gets deeper and deeper into the carpet. Same for sin, we can try to cover it up for a little while but it gets deeper and deeper...imbedded. Now wood floors on the other hand...they don't hide dirt very well at all, your feet get cold, you're not nearly as comfortable. Enter Law and Grace! the Law exposes my sin and Grace forgives me of it! Praise God! I'm so thankful for His mercies on my life, so thankful that He has forgiven me...not because of my "clean" self righteousness but because of His Amazing Grace!



 "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us"
Romans 5:8
ESV


In Christ,
Sandy

Beauty...

I love this picture...just like the title says - it's beautiful! And although I can see and love the beauty in this picture, I also happen to be the one behind the camera...I see the whole picture(as far as this flower is concerned). Behind this picture..inches away is a mess. There was a chair sitting on an old and nearly worn out pallet, waiting to be painted. The chair was ugly, the pallet was ugly(still is). I think I needed to weed  around  all those clearance plants that Chad can't seem to break me of but that's another post. I wonder what people think of me sometimes(please don't tell me). I know that some seem to think that I have it all together, that I'm some sort of supermom...why? Because of pictures like this one. We project certain images for the world to see whether  intentionally or  not. Most of the time people see me as a stay at home Christian wife and mother. I go to church every Sunday. I home school 6 kids. My house is relatively clean(considering the kids). My children are well mannered. My husband is in Seminary. Yes! Indeed I have been blessed. But people only see bits and pieces of who I really am. If you look at Twitter today alone you'll see more pictures, some cute things from Lainey and probably a few Spurgeon quotes. Just based on Twitter my day would seem beautiful to most. But what I didn't mention in those tweets was the fact that when I took the photos it was because I thought I would explode and had to get outside! And you couldn't hear the tone in my voice when I told Lainey not to pick up spiders! Things are not always(hardly ever) as they seem. Be careful in comparing yourself to anyone. Why? Because you can't see behind the picture. Be careful as well not to judge others for the bad that you see, remember, you can't see behind that picture. The picture of my Savior, dead,bruised, and bloodied beyond recognition is not a beautiful picture. Unless of course we can see Him Risen, Alive, and at the right hand of The Father. He alone can see the whole picture. He alone is the one behind the "camera".

And In Him Alone will I remain....

lessons from the bathroom...

I enjoyed a sweet and much needed conversation today with a dear, sweet friend. It seems that we sometimes take turns comparing ourselves to the other and find that we always fall short of the other. I guess we all do that comparing thing every now and again;) It's comforting to know that we struggle with the same issues(misery loves company?). It's even more of a comfort to know that we find our identity in Christ, not in what we have or haven't done. My friend and I seem to have some sin issues to deal with...with our children and with ourselves. What a blessing to be able to share these burdens with one another. (Galatians 6:2). So anyway what does this have to do with the bathroom? I'm beginning to wonder that myself;) Here goes.....

Part of this morning was spent cleaning the bathrooms...I CAN NOT stand a dirty bathroom, I actually like cleaning the bathrooms! Yes....I have issues;) So after getting them cleaned I feel so much better about everything, the bathrooms are clean, at least for a little while. Fast forward a few hours.... someone asks, "why doesn't Noah have any pants on?". Well, that sweet boy almost made it...almost;)
No worries, I just throw a towel over and grab some cleaner while he's washing his hands. Then I realize that my "clean" bathroom wasn't nearly as clean as I thought. So I spray and I wipe and then I get down on my hands and knees to scrub. I had to get on my knees to really get those "dirty" areas. Now this morning most people would've been able to walk into a "clean" bathroom, chances are they wouldn't have looked for all that dirt hiding behind....Isa this starting to make sense? I hope so. You see, my friend and I have both dealt with some big sin issues here lately and speaking for myself those big issues brought to light so many other areas that had been touched by sin. I just couldn't see it. Everything looked good on the surface but underneath was a dirty mess. Those "big" issues have forced me to see and face the "smaller" but still dirty issues lurking underneath.

Now, I said I had to get on my knees to really clean the "mess" in the bathroom and that brings me to close of this post. On my knees.....crying out to God.That is the only way to deal with sin. Sometimes God uses the "big" issues to show us just how much sin there really is in and underneath. Only on our knees can we face it. Only Christ can make us clean.

In Him,
Sandy

Happy Birthday Noah!

Can't believe this boy is already 3! He REALLY enjoyed his day...lots of fun all around! Blessed indeed:)

The 4th...with Ashland Avenue Madison County!

a good start....

butter and honey

to a Monday morning...making bread:)

a not so good bread....a remake

before...dry crumbly bread

after...moist & good bread pudding

Sydney's Family: Home!!!!!!

Sydney's Family: Home!!!!!!: What a blessed day yesterday was! God is good! We were able to come home yesterday evening! Sydney did great (as usual)! Everything surgery ...

Sydney's Family: Getting ready...

Sydney's Family: Getting ready...: for tomorrow. I can't say that I'm looking forward to tomorrow but I can say that I am peaceful about tomorrow. When I look back on all that...

more craftiness...recycled crayons!

another Pinterest idea! We tried this a few days ago and it worked great! I put the crayons in a zipper bag and smashed them with the rolling pin! Kinda fun and a lot less messy. We baked them @230 for about 15 minutes. I used a star candy mold (on clearance!) Very cute and great for little hands.

The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking: Things Good Moms Do {My thoughts on "mommy-wars"}

 I just found this wonderful Christian mom today and LOVE her blog! I thought I would share this lovely post on "good" moms. Enjoy

The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking: Things Good Moms Do {My thoughts on "mommy-wars"}: Good moms vaccinate their kids.  Good moms don't vaccinate their kids. Good moms breastfeed.  And yes, good moms formula feed. Goo...

Craftiness...

Easy, easy....I simply spray painted an oatmeal container....and added grass cuttings from the vacant lot next door:) Idea from this site.....

Lainey Beth...nuttin'

While playing a game the other day with Lainey she says...
 "I got nuttin'...well...nuttin' but the blood of Jesus of course!"

And that's all we need Lainey Beth:) She's a joy for sure....

Pink

“God is the God of all grace, and salvation is entirely by his grace. “By grace are ye saved” (Ephesians 2:8), and it is “by grace” from beginning to end. Grace planned salvation, grace provided salvation, and grace so works on and in his elect as to overcome the hardness of their hearts, the obstinacy of their wills, and the enmity of their minds, and thus makes them willing to receive salvation. Grace begins, grace continues, and grace consummates our salvation. Salvation by grace – sovereign, irresistible, free grace – is illustrated in the New Testament by example as well as precept.” —A. W. Pink (1886–1952)
Taken from “The Seven Sayings of the Savior on the Cross” by A. W. Pink (1886-1952)

Real Men Love Pink

Another blessing!

Those adopted children of mine became the proud new parents of a sweet baby boy yesterday! Praising God for all of them! Another blessing indeed:)

Behold,children are a heritage from the Lord,

the fruit of the womb a reward.

Psalm 127:3

ESV

In Christ,

Sandy

I came across this Watson quote at Challies. Love it...

Every time you draw your breath, you suck in mercy. —Thomas Watson

to clarify.....

My DH suggested that I clarify 9 for the masses...I don't think that 2 maybe 3 readers would be considered a "mass" but ok.....Those of you that know me, know that I have 6 kids, yes, they are all mine! I also have a little girl that's 12, that I love as my own, so she's counted. I also have 2 adult children that I love as my own, they call me mom, they are counted as well:) So that brings the number to 9.These 2 adult children are about to make me a "grandmother" for the 1st time! Can I count that one too?

I have been adopted into the family of God by  Christ. So when I say that I  count "them" as my own, I mean it. They are "mine", I love them.They are most importantly brothers and sisters in Christ.  Adoption is a beautiful Gospel picture. And I am grateful to be a part of it:)



In Christ,
Sandy

Thankful.....

for the blessing of being "mom".  Thankful for my 9 kids. Yes 9...all gifts from God. Thankful for the Husband that I share them with. Thankful for a mother that has gone on to be with the Lord, for 2 grandmothers that loved me beyond measure. Thankful for the mothers I have now.Thankful most of all to be a child of God through Christ. Blessed beyond measure indeed.

In Christ,
Sandy

makes me feel better...

"Oddly, it is not real cooks who insist that the finest ingredients are necessary to produce a delicious something...Real cooks take the stale bread and aging onions and make you happy."
Susan Wiegand, Cooking As Courtship
Jan Karon's Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader

More from Ian and Larissa...

I'm so very grateful to have taken part in this yesterday...a true blessing on my life. Oh to live fully for Christ alone....

Here's an article from Larissa at Desiring God

Be inspired....

His,
Sandy

Though the fig tree should not blossom
And there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive should fail
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold
And there be no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will exult in the LORD,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
Habakkuk 3:17

Run...don't walk

I've had a couple of blog posts running around in my head lately and just haven't had taken the time to post them. But I MADE time to post THIS. I came across a video today from Desiring God which led me to the couple's blog. I've only glanced over the blog but I'm already looking forward to reading more and praying for this couple. Truly inspiring... Gospel, God honoring, SO SO MUCH to learn from them. Take the time to visit the blog, watch the video, and pray. Run....don't walk to take part in this.

Humbled to be called His.....
In Him,
Sandy

Resolved: Living with Purpose

Resolved: Living with Purpose

A Prayer for a Lukewarm Heart

A Prayer for a Lukewarm Heart

He Is Risen!

10 Results of the Resurrection from Desiring God

More from the yard:)

A couple of Laineyisms...

Upon hearing something buzz, shes comes running up the yard, "Momma, I heard a stunger!".

While playing in the yard (it is warm today), "Oh, I'm sweaty like a coconut!"

Love that girl:)

In Christ,
Sandy

Pictures from my yard:)

Cole's comic for the day:)

click to view

3 Common Traits of Youth Who Don't Leave the Church: What is it that sets apart the kids who stay in the church?

The Christian Family

The Christian Family in a Modern World

Self-help books are not shy on advice for contemporary marriage. In fact, it is common for present-day culture to advance the presumption that a happy and fulfilling marriage is ultimately defined in terms of our own self-gratification. Likewise, bookstores often dedicate entire sections of books to the topic of parenting, many of which overlook the fundamentals of childhood obedience and respect.
In his letter to the Colossians, the Apostle Paul sets forth a prototype for families to model in alignment with God’s desires for family relationships: “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything for this pleases the Lord.” This is simple, practical advice that contemporary culture often rebukes.
In the series, The Christian Family, Alistair Begg explores the practical application of these essential instructions. Listen online, on the radio, or on your mobile phone, and share this important teaching on a God-centered family with those you love.

Listen to or download the entire series FREE »

Having Perspective in Light of Eternity

O Christian, what is our light affliction when compared to eternity? Shame on us if we murmur and complain and turn back – with heaven before our eyes! What can this vain and passing world give us better than this? This is the city of our God Himself, when He will dwell among us Himself. The glory of God shall enlighten it, and the Lamb is the light there. Truly we may say, as Mephibosheth did to David, “Let the world take all, since our Lord will come in peace.” Such is the Bible heaven, there is none other; these sayings are faithful and true, not any of them shall fail. Surely, it is worth a little pain, a little laboring, a little toil, if only we may have the lowest place in the kingdom of God.

~ J.C. Ryle

Posted by Erik on March 16, 2012 in Heaven

Praising the Lord for this......

Sydney.....

Prayerfully she'll get out of the halo today and into a minerva! Please pray for her......

In Christ,
Sandy

 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house,and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped.  And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Job 1:18-21
ESV

Fierce Tornadoes and the Fingers of God

Fierce Tornadoes and the Fingers of God

Pastor John Piper

“For there is hope for a tree,
    if it be cut down, that it will sprout again,
    and that its shoots will not cease.
Job 14:7 ESV

More from Luke

 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”
Luke 24:32
ESV

How often do we read and hear Scripture without seeing Jesus? Do our hearts burn within us? 

In Christ,
Sandy 

Lesson from Luke...

So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.
Luke 22:6
ESV

And so it is with us....in the absence of a crowd our true self is manifested. What we do in the dark, what we do when no one is watching, when no one is listening, that is what is revealed in our character. But Someone is watching........


Praise be to God that while He has seen and listened, I am forgiven through Christ.


In Him,
Sandy

To return good for good is human. To return good for evil is divine.
 Alistair Begg

Overwhelmed by the love of family....I am blessed indeed

Sydney's Family: Minerva...

Sydney's Family: Minerva...: This seems to be what Sydney's doctors have in mind for her transitional brace. It's called a Minerva brace. Not sure if this can be fitted...

If you are to share the gospel, you must first know the content of the gospel and you must live out the implications of the gospel.
Tim Challies

just thinking...

about  family members....oh that we would be joined together in Christ....

White washed tombs?

I've had this post  rambling thought in my head for a few weeks now. Today, I guess it became even clearer to me.Now, before I get started, there are people out there that cringe at the beginning of my stories but thankfully for them I talk faster than I type, so this won't be quite as painful;) So this thought came to me one day as I was getting ready(read putting makeup on) and I realized that I don't like for my girls to see me doing that. Why? Well, I want them to focus on the" inner" beauty. I want them to see the value in themselves through the blood of Christ. Not the praise of man.I don't want them to think that that's something that they need to do. I have a couple of friends that don't really wear makeup and they look lovely. And yet I continue to ''get ready", it's a habit I suppose. I've been wearing makeup since I was 12...oh my...that's a long time if you're counting! As a girl of 12 I wanted to look older, as a woman of 40 I want to look younger. And so it goes. But I realized that it goes so much deeper than that. Think of the descriptions for make up....concealer, cover up, full coverage, "spackle" if you will. Some of these could be interchangeable with deceit. Really, that's what it is. But underneath, the wrinkles are still there right along with the age spots. And sometimes the "cover up" actually makes it worse, sometimes we and others can see the flaws and wrinkles all the more clearly. Not what we had hoped for, huh?Now, some of you are thinking, "I don't wear makeup", "I don't fuss with my appearance", "I don't care what others think", "what you see is what you get",well, before you think that this doesn't apply to you, there are more ways than one to make ourselves look better. Vanity and deceit sometimes walk together. We all "wear makeup". What about those "fake" smiles that we plaster on? What about that "little white lie"? What about the gossip, does it make you feel better about yourself? Do others think better of you? We've been doing this since the garden, remember when Adam and Eve tried to cover  themselves? They couldn't cover their sin anymore that you or I can. God made their coverings. It took a sacrifice. We could be here for a while.....I'll move on.

So, today we had an issue of a "cover up". Yes, someone had made a "mess" of things at some point and tried to cover it up. They didn't want to get in trouble but decided to take care of  it themselves(read bigger mess). Well, I was frustrated and disappointed to say the least. So, I sent my beloved a text and ask for prayer. Oh, that we would do this more often. What a blessing to have my husband go to the Lord in prayer for me. I had to confront the issue and at the same time convey a message of love. HARD for me to do. Then my ramblings came together some more. I'm guilty of the same cover ups and so are you. We make a mess of things(read sin) and try to take care of it ourselves and end up with a bigger mess. Sin breeds sin. So, where did this conversation take us? It took us to the Cross. Praise be to God for Christ! For His "covering". Only Him, only Him.

I just realized that I haven't even gotten to the title, maybe my typing skills are improving. I think you can figure out where I was going with that:)


Thankful for Christ....

In Him,
Sandy

My beloved...

My beloved is mine, and I am his...
Song of Solomon 2:16 ESV

How fitting that I should be reading this today! I am indeed blessed by my beloved - my husband, blessed by the man of God he is and will become. Thankful for the gracious and Sovereign hand that saw fit to give him to me.

In Christ,
Sandy

Radishes, Aluminum Foil, and Jesus Christ...

Cole and Haley are studying Science together this year. They're currently working on an ongoing experiment with radishes. They love it! There's an experiment everyday for 4 weeks! The most recent discovery came about yesterday. Of the many experiments this one involved two cups and two seeds. The 1st seed is placed in a clear plastic cup and a damp paper towel. The 2nd is placed in a cup completely covered with aluminum foil. After a waiting period of  a few days(I can't remember exactly), it was time to observe and record the findings. As expected the "clear" cup seed sprouted and was a lovely green. Unexpected to Cole and Haley were the findings in the "aluminum" cup seed. Neither of them expected the seed would grow. But lo and behold, grow it did. Seems good, right? What was different? There was no lovely green color, the stem was weak, the leaves were weak and all of it was very pale indeed. This plant left in the dark will eventually wither and die, it will not bear fruit. Why? Well, they answered correctly, there was no sunlight, plants need the sun for food....for life,the lovely green color of photosynthesis. And here we are....we too need the SON light. We may "sprout and grow" for a while in the dark,but we will be weak, we will not bear any fruit, we will soon fade, only to wither and die. But the Light of the world has come. Praise be to God that He has not left us in the dark. We will only be strong through Him, we will only grow through Him, and we will live only through Him and because of Him. Don't stay in the dark. Come to Christ, the true Light.

In Christ,
Sandy

"One compromise here, another there;soon enough the so-called Christian;the man in the world look the same." 

AW Tozer

Love?

“Love Your Enemies,'You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
Matthew 5:43-45 ESV



   “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.  And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
Luke 6:32 ESV

Is this the way we love? Is there something that makes us seem different to the world or do we fit in with the world? Do we love our enemies? Let's not kid ourselves and say that we don't have any enemies. So, do we love them? Do we  offer the hand of Christian fellowship? Are we forgiving as we have been forgiven? Or do we find ourselves behaving as sinners?

In Christ,
Sandy

humbled to be adopted as a child of God...through Christ

"Most Christians are satisfied living as common Christians, without an insatiable hunger for the deeper things of God." AW Tozer

A lesson from Ruth...

Lay at the Redeemers feet and be covered by His wings.


"At midnight the man was startled and turned over, and behold, a woman lay at his feet!  He said, “Who are you?” And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.” Ruth 3:8-9

We Soon Fly Away

by Henry Morris, Ph.D. | Feb. 1, 2012

"For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night." (Psalm 90:4)
In this unique psalm, Moses is stressing the brevity of even the longest human life with the everlasting nature of God. In the pre-Flood world, men were able to live many hundreds of years, but no one ever lived as long as 1,000 years. By Moses’ time, the typical lifespan was 70 or 80 years (v. 10), much the same as today. Moses lived to age 120, but he was twice as old as most of his contemporaries when he finally died (note Numbers 14:29, 34; Deuteronomy 34:7).
Moses, therefore, was profoundly impressed with the ephemeral nature of a person’s time on earth. Even if someone had lived a thousand years, this was only a little while in God’s sight, and his life would soon "fly away" (Psalm 90:10) and be forgotten.
There is nothing in this passage, incidentally, or in 2 Peter 3:8 ("one day is with the Lord as a thousand years") to justify the misinterpretation that attributes billions of years to God’s creation week. In context (and one must always be sensitive to the context if he wants to understand any passage of Scripture), neither Moses nor Peter were referring to the creation week at all. Moses was stressing the brevity of human life, even that of the antediluvians, while Peter was rebuking the latter-day uniformitarians who would come denying the catastrophic effects of the great Flood. It is too bad that so many Christians are willing to distort Scripture like this in order to accommodate the imaginary ages of evolution.
The message we should really get from this Mosaic observation is the application He Himself makes. "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" (Psalm 90:12)! HMM

The halo.....

is still on, but overall Sydney's Drs were very pleased with her recovery but there just isn't enough bone regrowth to safely remove the halo at this point. She'll go back in March for a CT scan and follow up - maybe then.

In Christ,
Sandy

Please keep Sydney in your prayers today.  We go back to Cincinnati Children's for her check-up.  Hopefully they will give us an idea about getting the halo off.  She is doing great and has not complained one time about her condition.  I think we could all learn something from her , "Do all things without grumbling or disputing" (Philippians 2:14).  We praise the Lord for her continued improvements and pray He will keep His hand on her.  It's in your hands Lord. "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." (Ps 20:7)

Thank you for all of your prayers and support!

In Christ,

Chad

"...while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

The Stupendous Reality of Being “in Christ Jesus”

The Stupendous Reality of Being “in Christ Jesus”

Noah reading the funnies!