I finished reading "The God of All Comfort" today. It was a very worthwhile read, and I will be rereading it now and then for many years. Another section:
"I feel as if I could not repeat this evident truism too often, for somehow people seem to lay aside their common sense when they come to the subject of religion, and seem to expect to see things upon which they have deliberately kept their backs turned. They cry out, 'O Lord, reveal Thyself'; but instead of looking at Him they look at themselves, and keep their gaze steadily fixed on their own inward feelings, and then wonder at the 'mysterious dealings' of God in hiding His face from their fervent prayers. But how can they see what they do not look at?
It is never God who hides His face from us, but it is always we who hide our face from Him, by 'turning to Him the back and not the face.' The prophet reproaches the children of Israel with this, and adds that they 'set up their abominations in the house which is called by God's name.' When Christians spend their time examining their own condition, raking up all their sins, and bemoaning their shortcomings, what is this but to set up the pedestal in their hearts, and to make it the center of their whole religious life, and of all their care and efforts. They gaze at this great, big, miserable self until it fills their whole horizon, and they 'turn their back' on the Lord, until He is lost sight of altogether.
We are never anywhere commanded to behold our emotions, nor our experiences, nor even our sins, but we are commanded to turn our backs upon all these, and to behold the Lamb of God who taketh away our sins."
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
More Hannah Whitall Smith
More quotes from "The God of All Comfort"
"If God is our Father, the only thing we can do with doubts, and fears, and anxious thoughts is to cast them behind our backs forever, and have nothing more to do with them ever again. We can do this. We can pledge against doubting. And if once we see that our doubts are an actual sin against God, and imply a question of His trustworthiness, we will be eager to do it. We may have cherished our doubts heretofore because perhaps we have thought they were a part of our religion, and a becoming attitude of soul in one so unworthy; but if we now see that God is in very truth our Father, we will reject every doubt with horror, as being a libel on our Father's love and our Father's care."
"The Bible tells us that Christ is our peace, and consequently, whether I feel as if I had peace or not, peace is really mine in Christ, and I must take possession of it by faith. Faith is simply to believe and assert the thing that God says. If He says there is peace, faith asserts that there is, and enters into the enjoyment of it. If He has proclaimed peace in the Bible, I must proclaim it in my own heart, let the seemings be what they may."
"'Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.' The steps here are very plain, and they are only two. First, give up all anxiety; and second, hand over your cares to God; and then stand steadfastly here; peace must come. It simply must, for there is no room for anything else."
"If God is our Father, the only thing we can do with doubts, and fears, and anxious thoughts is to cast them behind our backs forever, and have nothing more to do with them ever again. We can do this. We can pledge against doubting. And if once we see that our doubts are an actual sin against God, and imply a question of His trustworthiness, we will be eager to do it. We may have cherished our doubts heretofore because perhaps we have thought they were a part of our religion, and a becoming attitude of soul in one so unworthy; but if we now see that God is in very truth our Father, we will reject every doubt with horror, as being a libel on our Father's love and our Father's care."
"The Bible tells us that Christ is our peace, and consequently, whether I feel as if I had peace or not, peace is really mine in Christ, and I must take possession of it by faith. Faith is simply to believe and assert the thing that God says. If He says there is peace, faith asserts that there is, and enters into the enjoyment of it. If He has proclaimed peace in the Bible, I must proclaim it in my own heart, let the seemings be what they may."
"'Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.' The steps here are very plain, and they are only two. First, give up all anxiety; and second, hand over your cares to God; and then stand steadfastly here; peace must come. It simply must, for there is no room for anything else."
Monday, April 26, 2010
Moving Soybean!
It's a happy day!!! Megan called to say she is feeling the baby move!!! We are SO EXCITED for them...she was completely amazed and pumped!! THANK YOU, JESUS!!!!!!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Weekend
Jon is on call this week, but has been call-free all weekend. We had no big plans, and that worked out well. Saturday I did some cleaning, baked cookies, did a little laundry. Today Tabbi and the boys came over for church and groceries, and I finished cleaning this afternoon. Jon spent a couple of hours working on the cradle today, too. I'm shot and need to get ready for bed...just don't feel right tonight. Hopefully will sleep better that last night....'Night all!!!!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
The God of All Comfort
I have a new book. "The God of All Comfort" by Hannah Whitall Smith. As you know, she is one of my favorite authors, and this book meets all expectations.
"It is of vital importance for us to understand that the Bible is a statement, not of theories, but of actual facts; and that things are not true because they are in the Bible, but they are only in the Bible because they are true."
"But is this all His name implies, simply 'I am'? I am what?--we ask. What does this 'I am' include? I believe it includes everything the human heart longs for and needs. This unfinished name of God seems to me like a blank check signed by a rich friend given to us to be filled in with whatever sum we may desire. The whole Bible tells us what it means.
Every attribute of God, every revelation of His character, every proof of His undying love, every declaration of His watchful care, every assertion of His purposes of tender mercy, every manifestation of His loving kindness---all are the filling out of this unfinished 'I am.'
'I am,' He says, 'all that my people need; I am their strength; I am their wisdom; I am their righteousness; I am their peace; I am their salvation; I am their life; I am their all in all.
I am rest for the weary; I am peace for the storm-tossed; I am strength for the strengthless; I am wisdom for the foolish; I am righteousness for the sinful; I am all that the neediest soul on earth can want; I am exceeding abundantly, beyond all you can ask or think, of blessing, and help, and care."
See why I like it?????
"It is of vital importance for us to understand that the Bible is a statement, not of theories, but of actual facts; and that things are not true because they are in the Bible, but they are only in the Bible because they are true."
"But is this all His name implies, simply 'I am'? I am what?--we ask. What does this 'I am' include? I believe it includes everything the human heart longs for and needs. This unfinished name of God seems to me like a blank check signed by a rich friend given to us to be filled in with whatever sum we may desire. The whole Bible tells us what it means.
Every attribute of God, every revelation of His character, every proof of His undying love, every declaration of His watchful care, every assertion of His purposes of tender mercy, every manifestation of His loving kindness---all are the filling out of this unfinished 'I am.'
'I am,' He says, 'all that my people need; I am their strength; I am their wisdom; I am their righteousness; I am their peace; I am their salvation; I am their life; I am their all in all.
I am rest for the weary; I am peace for the storm-tossed; I am strength for the strengthless; I am wisdom for the foolish; I am righteousness for the sinful; I am all that the neediest soul on earth can want; I am exceeding abundantly, beyond all you can ask or think, of blessing, and help, and care."
See why I like it?????
Monday, April 19, 2010
The Driver's Seat
"Anyone who intends to come with Me has to let Me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow Me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, My way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?" Mark 8:34-35 The Message
I like to read different translations from time to time, and I've been reading The Message a lot lately. It helps me get a fresh perspective on how to apply what God says to my everyday life. Embrace suffering. Don't help yourself; sacrifice yourself. Let Him lead. Let Him drive. Follow Him and learn from Him. Remember that your true self is the precious gem that God holds and forms in His hand, working all things for your ultimate good in bringing your heart close to His own.
I like to read different translations from time to time, and I've been reading The Message a lot lately. It helps me get a fresh perspective on how to apply what God says to my everyday life. Embrace suffering. Don't help yourself; sacrifice yourself. Let Him lead. Let Him drive. Follow Him and learn from Him. Remember that your true self is the precious gem that God holds and forms in His hand, working all things for your ultimate good in bringing your heart close to His own.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
New Foreman
It's been a quiet weekend. Breakfast at Hy-Vee on Saturday, then ran some errands and worked around home while Jon was working at the farm. Today we went to church , then Jon went to change oil in the bike while I cleaned windows. We went for a motorcycle ride late in the afternoon, then frozen pizza for supper. It's all about simple when I've been cleaning windows :)
In other good news...Jon officially returns to full duty and becomes foreman of his own crew at work this week!!! He has Monday off and will be hard at it on Tuesday! He may also be working five 10-hour days instead of four. Some of the guys have been doing 12-hour days...could get a little crazy!
He's talking to a contractor tomorrow to start getting ideas about how and whether to build our garage. Pray that God will give us wisdom and bring things to a clear decision for us.
Hope you all have a great week! Stay in touch!
In other good news...Jon officially returns to full duty and becomes foreman of his own crew at work this week!!! He has Monday off and will be hard at it on Tuesday! He may also be working five 10-hour days instead of four. Some of the guys have been doing 12-hour days...could get a little crazy!
He's talking to a contractor tomorrow to start getting ideas about how and whether to build our garage. Pray that God will give us wisdom and bring things to a clear decision for us.
Hope you all have a great week! Stay in touch!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Streams in the Desert...April 15
From Streams in the Desert...April 15
"I trust in Thy word" Psalm 119:42
Just in proportion in which we believe that God will do just what He has said, is our faith strong or weak. Faith has nothing to do with feelings, or with impressions, with improbabilities, or with outward appearances. If we desire to couple them with faith, then we are no longer resting on the Word of God because faith needs nothing of the kind. Faith rests on the naked Word of God. When we take Him at His Word the heart is at peace.
God delights to exercise faith, first for blessing in our own souls, then for blessing in the church at large, and also for those without. But this exercise we shrink from instead of welcoming. When trials come, we should say: "My Heavenly Father puts this cup of trial into my hands, that I may have something sweet afterwards." Trials are the food of faith. Oh, let us leave ourselves in the hands of our Heavenly Father! It is the joy of His heart to do good to all His children.
But trials and difficulties are not the only means by which faith is exercised and thereby increased. There is the reading of the Scriptures, that we may by them acquaint ourselves with God as He has revealed Himself in His Word.
Are you able to say, from the acquaintance you have made with God, that He is a lovely Being? If not, let me affectionately entreat you to ask God to bring you to this, that you may admire His gentleness and kindness, that you may be able to say how good He is, and what a delight it is to the heart of God to do good to His children.
Now the nearer we come to this in our inmost souls, the more ready we are to leave ourselves in His hands, satisfied with all His dealings with us. And when trial comes, we shall say: "I will wait and see what good God will do to me by it, assured He will do it." Thus we shall bear an honorable testimony before the world, and thus we shall strengthen the hands of others.
George Mueller (The guy who fed hundreds of orphans by taking his needs to only God day by day)
"I trust in Thy word" Psalm 119:42
Just in proportion in which we believe that God will do just what He has said, is our faith strong or weak. Faith has nothing to do with feelings, or with impressions, with improbabilities, or with outward appearances. If we desire to couple them with faith, then we are no longer resting on the Word of God because faith needs nothing of the kind. Faith rests on the naked Word of God. When we take Him at His Word the heart is at peace.
God delights to exercise faith, first for blessing in our own souls, then for blessing in the church at large, and also for those without. But this exercise we shrink from instead of welcoming. When trials come, we should say: "My Heavenly Father puts this cup of trial into my hands, that I may have something sweet afterwards." Trials are the food of faith. Oh, let us leave ourselves in the hands of our Heavenly Father! It is the joy of His heart to do good to all His children.
But trials and difficulties are not the only means by which faith is exercised and thereby increased. There is the reading of the Scriptures, that we may by them acquaint ourselves with God as He has revealed Himself in His Word.
Are you able to say, from the acquaintance you have made with God, that He is a lovely Being? If not, let me affectionately entreat you to ask God to bring you to this, that you may admire His gentleness and kindness, that you may be able to say how good He is, and what a delight it is to the heart of God to do good to His children.
Now the nearer we come to this in our inmost souls, the more ready we are to leave ourselves in His hands, satisfied with all His dealings with us. And when trial comes, we shall say: "I will wait and see what good God will do to me by it, assured He will do it." Thus we shall bear an honorable testimony before the world, and thus we shall strengthen the hands of others.
George Mueller (The guy who fed hundreds of orphans by taking his needs to only God day by day)
Psalm 103
I'm reading Psalm 103 this morning in the Message...a few highlights....
He forgives your sins--every one.
He heals your diseases--every one.
He redeems you from hell--saves your life!
He crowns you with love and mercy--a paradise crown.
He wraps you in goodness--beauty eternal.
He renews your youth--you're always young in His presence.
God makes everything come out right; He puts victims back on their feet.
God is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, He's rich in love.
He doesn't endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever.
He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.
As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is His love to those who fear Him.
And as far as sunrise is from sunset, He has separated us from our sins.
As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear Him.
He knows us inside and out, keeps in mind that we're made of mud.
God's love, though, is ever and always, eternally present to all who fear Him, making everything
right for them and their children as they follow His covenant ways and remember to do whatever He said.
So what do you think? Can we trust Him? Can we ask for His help when we've messed up? He is always and ever seeking our hearts. If we've made a mess of something we have a choice to make. We can try hard to clean it up ourselves knowing that we were responsible, or we can come to Him still taking responsibility (that's called confession), changing direction (that's called repentance), and ask for His help and provision (that's called trust). We must know who God is see that we can trust Him with EVERYTHING. ALL His promises and provision are available to us, but He generally waits until we ASK...right out loud. Yes, He could sweep in and fix the whatever. But He wants our hearts. So He waits. Waits to be asked...not just a one-time "please", but a persistent knock on the door that will not give up trusting in Him to answer. Waits until we bring our heart to Him in confession and repentance, trusting Him to love and care for us. He will let us wallow in our own mess until we bring it to Him. Take all of it to Him and keep taking it to Him. As you get to know Him better and better you will trust Him more and more. It is pride to set our faces and determine to fix things ourselves...it is faith to know that we can't do anything apart from Him and ask Him to step in. His process may look different than we expect, but He CAN be trusted. And in knowing and trusting Him we can walk in peace, even as we continue to ask and pray. Ask, seek, knock; and continue to ask, seek, knock. You have the assurance of a God who loves you and cannot lie that you will receive.
He forgives your sins--every one.
He heals your diseases--every one.
He redeems you from hell--saves your life!
He crowns you with love and mercy--a paradise crown.
He wraps you in goodness--beauty eternal.
He renews your youth--you're always young in His presence.
God makes everything come out right; He puts victims back on their feet.
God is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, He's rich in love.
He doesn't endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever.
He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.
As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is His love to those who fear Him.
And as far as sunrise is from sunset, He has separated us from our sins.
As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear Him.
He knows us inside and out, keeps in mind that we're made of mud.
God's love, though, is ever and always, eternally present to all who fear Him, making everything
right for them and their children as they follow His covenant ways and remember to do whatever He said.
So what do you think? Can we trust Him? Can we ask for His help when we've messed up? He is always and ever seeking our hearts. If we've made a mess of something we have a choice to make. We can try hard to clean it up ourselves knowing that we were responsible, or we can come to Him still taking responsibility (that's called confession), changing direction (that's called repentance), and ask for His help and provision (that's called trust). We must know who God is see that we can trust Him with EVERYTHING. ALL His promises and provision are available to us, but He generally waits until we ASK...right out loud. Yes, He could sweep in and fix the whatever. But He wants our hearts. So He waits. Waits to be asked...not just a one-time "please", but a persistent knock on the door that will not give up trusting in Him to answer. Waits until we bring our heart to Him in confession and repentance, trusting Him to love and care for us. He will let us wallow in our own mess until we bring it to Him. Take all of it to Him and keep taking it to Him. As you get to know Him better and better you will trust Him more and more. It is pride to set our faces and determine to fix things ourselves...it is faith to know that we can't do anything apart from Him and ask Him to step in. His process may look different than we expect, but He CAN be trusted. And in knowing and trusting Him we can walk in peace, even as we continue to ask and pray. Ask, seek, knock; and continue to ask, seek, knock. You have the assurance of a God who loves you and cannot lie that you will receive.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Easter Pix
These are some pictures from Easter weekend...we had some pretty serious Easter egg hunters, as you can see! Sunday we went to Omaha and went out to eat with Murdoch's and Greve's. Our table was pretty rowdy in the restaurant with all the laughing at Doc's jokes...what a guy!I'm enjoying seeing the pictures from my mom that Kelli is scanning. We looked through a lot of them here that weekend, and I was really intrigued by the pictures that my dad took while stationed in France during WWII. It was pretty amazing to realize that he was THERE and took the pictures himself...made the Eiffel Tower look much more impressive...even in black and white.
Thought for the day
"Temptation often comes upon a man with its strongest power when he is nearest to God...If a man has much of the Spirit of God, he will have great conflicts with the tempter. God permits temptation because it does for us what the storms do for the oaks--it roots us; and what the fire does for the paintings on the porcelain--it makes them permanent...You never know that you have a grip on Christ, or that He has a grip on you, as well as when the devil is using all his force to attract you from Him; then you feel the pull of Christ's right hand." From Streams in the Desert...April 12.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Wind Chimes and Birthdays
These are the beautiful wind chimes that our kids gave me for my birthday. I just got them at Easter and I'm really enjoying them. They have a wonderful tone, and, as you can see, they are very nice to look at, too! Thanks, everyone!!!Speaking of birthdays.....today is Kelli's birthday!!!!! It was great to celebrate with you, honey!!
We had a very nice weekend with kids coming and going. The cousins had a great time playing together, coloring eggs, celebrating Tre's and Kelli's birthdays, going to church, hunting for eggs, and eating. Wow, no wonder I'm tired! I don't know how they keep going and going, or how their moms begin to keep up with all the demands of keeping up with them and working as well! It makes me realize how old I am!! It sure is fun to be a part of the craziness, though! Thanks to all of you for sharing your lives with us!!!!!
Tomorrow Jon goes back to four 10-hour days each week. In fact, some days may be closer to 12 hours. That means we'll be getting up at 5:00 so he can be at work at 6:00. He's already in bed, and I'm hoping to be there in about a half hour.
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