You are Never Alone

Yesterday was a wonderful day. I had the chance to enjoy lunch with a group of old friends in the cozy atmosphere of a home. We laughed and chatted for hours, catching up from our last lunch months ago. As I listened to the buzzing conversations around the table, it was apparent to me that God is moving and growing us all through a variety of tugs and trials that come our way. While I would never wish hardship on anyone, it was music to my ears to hear how God has been faithful sustaining each of us in our various trials. I think it would be agreed around the table that these trials have been good for us as it broadens our view of God, and that these trials are sovereignly designed to exercise our muscles of faith hope and trust in the God of grace, mercy and goodness.

I have been making it a practice for the last two years to read through the Bible in a year and plan to do so as long as I have breath. It is not an easy task and sometimes I feel like a marathon runner making the great push at the end to cross the finish line. Yesterday, as I was driving in my car listening to the Bible on CD thinking that I may need to keep on driving to Nebraska so I can finish listening to the end, I was struck by 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. Who would have thought that our lunch conversation would be such a comfort to me, and hopefully to the others around the table, as I reflected on these verses while I drove home at the end of the day.

God of All Comfort
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

The word of God is powerful. Not only did we all have a lunch appointment, we had a divine appointment with the God of all comfort, who comforts us so that we may comfort others. Thanks ladies that in a small way I could share in your suffering and share in your comfort!
 

Tested and Tried

Some days just seem to be of the kind that bedtime can't come soon enough. The thought of relief and the hope that tomorrow will be a better day do, momentarily, offer some sense of calm during the storm. Faith to believe in the promises of God and trusting the reliability of His character even feels like it is slipping away as as we try to muster the strength to endure. I wonder if that is what Job felt like in his trials and losses? And then, consider how his friends pummeled him to nearly the point of exhaustion. 

As I really struggle, at times, with a heavy heart trying to make sense of the many facets of affliction in my own life, I am reminded of Job's words,

"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall return. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21

"Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips. Job 2:10b

"Though He slay me, I will hope in Him..." Job 13:15

"For I know that my redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God."Job 19:25-26

" For he will complete what is appointed for me, and many such things are in his mind." Job 23:14

"I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted."Job 42:2

Job was a man who suffered great things. He lost his wealth, his home,  his children, the steady and enduring faithfulness of his wife under the weight of trial, his health, and the faithfulness and understanding from his friends. It doesn't sound like there was much left. Yet,with all of his affliction and his why questions to God in the end he was able to see that God is God and He could be trusted even at the bottom. He understood that His redeemer lives. I need to remember that truth.

For a number of years I have relished the wise words that flow from the pen of Charles Spurgeon. He, too, suffered may things and wrote and spoke eloquently about the faith, trust and hope he found in the pages of scripture. Many of his musings can be found in his classic devotional Morning and Evening.  I hope you are blessed and encouraged by these words.

The tested genuineness of your faith. 1 Peter 1:7

Untested faith may be true faith, but it is sure to be small faith, and it is likely to remain little as long as it is without trials. Faith never prospers so well as when all things are against her: Tempests are her trainers, and bolts of lightning are her illuminators. When a calm reigns on the sea, spread the sails as you will, the ship does not move to its harbor; for on a slumbering ocean the keel sleeps too. Let the winds rush and howl, and let the waters lift themselves, though the vessel may rock and her deck may be washed with waves and her mast may creak under the pressure of the full and swelling sail, it is then that she makes headway toward her desired haven. No flowers are as lovely a blue as those that grow at the foot of the frozen glacier; no stars gleam as brightly as those that glisten in the midnight sky; no water tastes as sweet as that which springs up in the desert sand; and no faith is so precious as that which lives and triumphs in adversity. Tested faith brings experience. You could not have believed your own weakness if you had not been compelled to pass through the rivers; and you would never have known God's strength if you had not been supported in the flood. Faith increases in quality, assurance, and intensity the more it is exercised with tribulation. Faith is precious, and its trial is precious too. Do not let this, however, discourage those who are young in faith. You will have trials enough without seeking them: The full portion will be measured out to you in due course. Meanwhile, if you cannot yet claim the result of long experience, thank God for what grace you have; praise Him for that degree of holy confidence you have now attained: Walk according to that rule, and you will still have more and more of the blessing of God, until your faith will remove mountains and conquer impossibilities.  Taken from Morning and Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg, copyright 2003

Grateful

This past weekend we had the opportunity to go to a family wedding. While I was riding in the car, traveling by farmers' fields that have been laid to rest for the winter, I found myself reflecting on the goodness of God. My mind wandered back to my recent blog on thankfulness. There is much to be thankful for in our lives. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to see family again and spend time with them, reminiscing, catching up and celebrating the gift of marriage.

I have another family that I am greatly thankful for and that is my spiritual family, the body of Christ. I am so thankful for my church and the fellowship that is found there.  What would we do without Christ in our lives? What would we miss if their was no fellowship with other Christ followers? Our lives would be void and dark.

As I have journeyed the path of trials and afflictions for more than a decade, I have frequently found myself pondering the goodness of God in affliction. In my deepest aches, when I want to question why, there is that gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit reminding me, "Trust Him, God is good." Just when I begin to fall, the Lord will bring someone along my way who lifts my countenance with an encouraging word or an uplifting verse. We are to bear one anthers burdens and I am grateful for those who have done so in the body of Christ.

So, as I reflect on what it is I am thankful for, I am thankful for my church family. I am thankful for the leadership of our church and their kind shepherd hearts. I thankful for the privilege of sitting under sound biblical teaching. I am thankful for the way the body manifests and uses their spiritual gifts to benefit the body. I am thankful for the many ways each one cares for one another. Happy Thanksgiving to you all dear readers. Take the time to tell one person what you are thankful for this year!

My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness

So, what are you thankful for?

As Thanksgiving approaches we are more inclined to reflect on what we are thankful for than any other time of the year. Anyone who knows the Tabbuts well are aware that when they see Byron coming their way they need to be prepared for his question,"What are you thankful for today?"

Beyond the Thanksgiving season, thinking and reflecting upon what we are thankful for is a great concept to have rolling around in our minds. Pondering that simple question has a way of taking our thoughts off our present troubling circumstances and shift our thinking onto what is praiseworthy. I don't mean just being thankful for the weather or things going swimmingly well because I am feeling good today, but what are we truly thankful for? Here is my list as I reflect about thankfulness at Thanksgiving.

1. I am thankful for Ephesians chapter 1 and that in Him I have been blessed with every spiritual blessings in the heavenly places, that I was chosen in Him  before the foundation of the world, that I was adopted through Christ according to His purposes, that in Him I have redemption and forgiveness through His blood, that in Him I have an inheritance and that in Him I have the promise and the seal of the Holy Spirit. This truth alone is enough to be thankful for as long as I have breath. To HIM BE THE GLORY!

2. I am thankful that God rearranged and reoriented my life so that once upon a time I would stumble into the man God had designed for me in marriage, and that would be Byron. There were so many distractions in organic chemistry class. It is a wonder I ever passed the class.

3 I am thankful for my family. God has given us just what we needed in our quiver to keep us humble and to conform us into His image. We love our adult children dearly and wait, watch, and pray for them as God is working in each of their lives.

4. I am grateful for the trials and afflictions God has brought our way as a family, and they have been many and varied over the years. God's Word is true, reliable, dependable, and sufficient for the day. The pages of the Bible have come alive in full color to us as we have anchored ourselves firmly in those truths as we have journeyed through some very deep valleys that seem to have no way out but climbing up the hill of difficulty. Do we stumble and slip back down the hill? Of course, and just as we have made headway we fall back. We are learning to trust that the presence of God's everlasting arms are underneath us.

 Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

So, what are you thankful for? I would love to hear from you! Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Meet my friend Janet

I hope you are as inspired and encouraged to persevere under trial as I was when I heard Janet's testimony of God's faithfulness to her in her affliction.

MY CANCER

My heart, this morning, is to express the “joy” I feel about God choosing to give me this breast cancer to teach me important lessons I need to know.

In Romans 15:4 Paul says:

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Perseverance is from the Greek word “hupomone” that has the sense of remaining under the trial UNTIL God produces a completed work in us ~ that’s what James talks about in James 1: 4.

OK ~ so the Scriptures were written for my instruction and encouragement and hope and they tell me to persevere under trials and to consider them “JOY” ~ because ~ God wants to make me more like Jesus!!!   And He promises to walk with me through ANY trial and He tells me to TRUST Him.

I am a woman who’s been blessed with solid teaching for more than 20 years.  My local church, Ladies Bible Study, Sunday School, multiple translations of the Word of God, countless books by spirit-filled men and women of God, edifying and convicting Christian fiction, amazingly beautiful and scripture based music, radio and internet at my fingertips to research or listen to powerfully accurate messages from contemporary Christian leaders and even those who teach us from the past.

In other words ~ God has faithfully been pouring truth into my life for many years ~ He’s fed me with the food I need to see His Sovereign rule over my life and to know that His ways are BEST, and for His glory, and for my good. 

I can visualize a procession of TRUTHS He’s taught me over these years that cause me to say with Horatio Spafford, “Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul.”

...and to say with Martin Luther, that God is my mighty FORTRESS ~ a bulwark never failing, my helper amid the flood of mortal ills ~ the Lord  Sabaoth ~ the Lord of All of Heavens Armies!!  the One who WINS the battle.

So these are things I “KNOW” ~ by head knowledge.  BUT ~ have they truly been applied when the rubber meets the road? 

I’ve prayed for a long time that what I’m learning in my head would become applicable to my life ~ that the truths would make a difference in my heart attitudes and my actions, and that my witness would say to my family and friends that “‘Jesus is BETTER than anything ~ and that following Him is the greatest privilege and the safest haven for my soul ~ regardless of what my circumstances are.

Our current study “Calm My Anxious Heart” seemed tailor made for the exact testing of my faith that finding a lump in my breast would cause (you know there are no coincidences with God, of course!)

What better verses could I be memorizing than Phil 4:11-13 about learning contentment in any and every circumstance? and Phil 4:6-8 about NOT being anxious for anything, but praying and giving thanks in order to receive God’s peace that passes understanding? and Ps 139:14 about God’s knitting me together in my mother’s womb and making me fearfully and wonderfully and the command to give Him thanks for the WAY He made me?  Each of these verses fed my soul EXACTLY what it needed to trust God’s plan.  To wait on His answers without anxiety.

To refuse to panic.  To refuse to jump ahead to WHAT IF’S.  To refuse to forecast grief.  To let Him be the Blessed Controller.

Ella Spees ~ the missionary we looked at in the first chapter, gave us a seemingly impossible prescription for contentment.  One said to NEVER allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise and the last one said to NEVER dwell on tomorrow ~ remember that tomorrow is God’s not ours ~ SO ~ God was preparing me to embrace His truth that MY tomorrows belonged to Him.  They are nestled in His strong arms ~  therefore I can be content.

J. I. Packer’s quote from the book is one I’d written a year ago on an index card and that I’ve referred to often:  

 “Contentment is essentially a matter of accepting from God’s hand what He sends because we know that He is good and therefore it is good.”

In this study we also used Luke 22:39-42 as meditation verses about Jesus in the garden and His intense suffering and His asking the Father that (if He was willing) to remove the cup ~ YET ~ not His own will, but the Father’s will be done.  So ~ once again ~ the Lord provided an illustration of Jesus’ willingness to accept the cup and portion that the Father willed for Him.  I want to pray for the grace to accept the lovingly assigned portion that my heavenly Father has prepared for me!!

He’s been infusing me with His Word and preparing me for this battle from long ago.

During our last study on the book of Hebrews when we watched a radiant Joni Eareckson Tada speak about her latest ambush by breast cancer and chemotherapy ~ I listened with rapt attention, tears in my eyes and a heart that rejoiced to hear Joni’s testimony of God’s sustaining grace through ALL her fiery trials.  She elaborated on His sovereignty and how she clung to Jesus so that she would not grow weary or lose heart.  She refuses to be one that shrinks back and displeases her Lord.  She chooses instead to be one through whom the manifold wisdom of God is made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms ~ from Eph 3:10. 

She reflects on this reality at 2:00 a.m. when she can’t sleep, and when she doesn’t understand, or is surprised by the toughness of the trial...she said:

“ I remember that something dynamic and electrifying is abuzz in my dark room. The unseen world in the spirit realm, all the heavenly hosts, including powers and principalities, they're watching me. They're listening to me. And as I respond, they are learning about God and His character through me—little me.”

“The angelic and dark powers of the entire universe learn how high and wide and rich and deep is His incredible mercy and power and love. They are amazed to see that it is the mighty strength of Christ's resurrection that is giving you the power to say “no” to bitterness and “yes” to grace.”

I’ve had a quote from a commentary by JC Ryle, written on an index card that I keep by my computer.  It’s been there a long time and I read it often and have read it to others who are facing trouble.

It’s truth has been increasingly precious to me since I’ve been made aware of my cancer.

"There is nothing which shows our ignorance so much as our impatience under trouble.  We forget that every cross is a message from God, and intended to do us good in the end.  Trials are intended to make us think - to wean us from the world to send us to the Bible, to drive us to our knees.  Health is a good thing; but sickness is far better, if it leads us to God.  Prosperity is a great mercy, but adversity is a greater one, if it brings us to Christ.

Anything, anything is better than living in carelessness and dying in sin."

~ from JC Ryle commentary on Matt 15

I did a Bible Study by Kay Arthur on the names of God and she stressed a number of points that are cemented in my mind.

One was an illustration about holding a ring in a clenched fist ~ nothing can get to that ring without going thru the fingers ~ and how that is like God holding us in His fist ~ and NOTHING can touch my life except by His permission and UNLESS it has been filtered thru His fingers of love.

Another point she stressed was the choice I’d make on whether I’d trust my circumstances or God’s character!! 

So ~ is WHAT HE SAYS the truth,  or is my current circumstance (my breast cancer) what I need to focus on?

BECAUSE I’m a blood-bought believer in Christ’s sacrifice~  I belong to El Elyon ~ GOD MOST HIGH ~ Sovereign Ruler of all the Universe ~ then ALL of my circumstances (including “bad” ones) are meant for my good and God uses them for my benefit and growth.   He is aware and involved enough to help me deal with anything that threatens to rock my “comfortable” world.

Isaiah 14: 24

The Lord of hosts has sworn saying, “Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand...”

And:

Isaiah 46: 9-11

I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, “My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure...truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.  I have planned it, surely I will do it.”

And:

Psalm 31: 14, 15a, 19

But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord, I say, "You are my God."  My times are in Your hand... How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You before the sons of men!

This is a poem I heard last year and sent out to my small group as an application for one of our lessons in the book of Hebrews ~ 

Light Shining Out Of Darkness 

by William Cowper

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take,

The clouds ye so much dread

Are big with mercy, and shall break 

In blessings on your head. 

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,  

But trust Him for His grace;  

Behind a frowning providence  

He hides a smiling face. 

His purposes will ripen fast,

Unfolding every hour;   

The bud may have a bitter taste

But sweet will be the flower. 

 Just this past Sunday in church we sang another Gospel Centered song by our own Abe & Liza Phillips.  One verse directly spoke beautiful truth into my soul

O Teach My Heart to Love Your 

Words by Abe & Liza Phillip 

O teach my heart to trust Your Word 

When troubles rise and fears are stirred 

To walk by faith through gain or loss 

And glory only in the Cross I mean ~ that’s just what I’m going through!!  Isn’t God awesome to give me daily “food” to answer when troubles rise and fears are stirred ~ His instruction to walk by FAITH through gain or loss!!I don’t have this figured out yet ~ my flesh will fail me over and over again many times throughout the day.  Just when I think “I’ve got this peace thing going cause I’m NOT worrying but praying instead ~ etc, etc.” ~ that’s when my heart starts trembling or my stomach lurches or my throat gets dry or my head starts pounding!!  And I realize afresh that “I” don’t have any power to do this on my own ~ ONLY ONLY as I lean on Jesus and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit will I be able to walk by faith and not by sight.

These verses form a request I’m praying for myself.  From:

Colossians 4:4-6  ... that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should and that I would live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.  That my conversation would be gracious and attractive so that I will have the right response for everyone.

It’s amazing how many people I’ve connected with over the past 3 weeks ~ many dear believing family members and brothers and sisters in Christ ~ but also many unbelieving friends that I’ve called to tell them I have this cancer or that heard about it from someone else.  And the Lord has given me a new boldness to share how He’s tenderly, faithfully  giving me peace in whatever He brings my way ~ how I can trust that this cancer is a GIFT from Him and it is BEST for me ~ it’s not just ok that I have it.  He hasn’t made a mistake or fallen asleep to wake up and find out, “O no, Janet has developed breast cancer while I was busy taking care of important world situations.” 

He’s actually purposed this specifically for me at this time and in this place and He has far reaching God-glorifying plans to use it in ways that I can’t even imagine.

I long to respond like Job after he’d heard all the tragic consequences that God had allowed Satan to test him with:  he fell to the ground and worshipped, saying “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away.  Blessed be the name of the Lord,” ~ AND through it all he did not sin nor did he blame God.

And then at the beginning of chapter 40 when God is addressing Job,  the Lord said to Job, “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty?

You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?”

Then Job replied to the Lord, “I am nothing - how could I ever find the answers?  I will cover my mouth with my hand.....”

 I just love that picture of placing my hand over my mouth ~ what could I possibly have to say in answer to what God ordains is RIGHT for me?

 And that thought leads me to the song:

Whatever My God Ordains Is Right

Whatever my God ordains is right,

Holy His will abideth.

I will be still whate’er He does,

And follow where He guideth.

He is my God,

Though dark my road.

He holds me that I shall not fall

Wherefore to Him I leave it all

Whatever my God ordains is right,

He never will deceive me

He leads me by the proper path,

I know He will not leave me

I take, content,

What He hath sent

His hand can turn my griefs away

And patiently I wait His day 

 Whatever my God ordains is right,

Though now this cup in drinking

May bitter seem to my faint heart,

I take it all unshrinking

My God is true,

Each morn anew

Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart

And pain and sorrow shall depart 

Whatever my God ordains is right, 

Here shall my stand be taken

Though sorrow, need, or death be mine, 

Yet I am not forsaken

My Father’s care

Is round me there

He holds me that I shall not fall

And so to Him I leave it all

 All these scripture verses and songs and quotes from precious saints who’ve been refined by fire ~ and many many more that I can’t begin to share here ~ these have all been given to me as a sacred trust over many years.  God GAVE them to me to prepare me and He’s allowing me to proclaim His goodness and mercy when the world would view my circumstances as “unfavorable.”

I want to end with 2 quotes from Joni’s message on suffering, She said,

 “I know that when I say “yes” to Jesus and “no” to doubts or fear or resentment, it absolutely irritates the devil.”  

  “your suffering, like nothing else, is preparing you to meet God. For what proof could you bring of your love to heaven if this life left you totally unscarred?” 

May He be pleased to use my witness because of this cancer to draw others to His beautiful peace and rest.

 

 

Meet my friend Carol

Trials and afflictions come to us in many shapes and forms. We live in a day of global economic uncertainty and also at a time where the complexity of disease diagnosis and treatment are advancing at remarkable rates.  Advances in technology and communication are breathtaking. In all of this, one thing is constant; pain and suffering is very real. The answers for coping  are found in the word of God and in relationship with Christ. He, alone, has the power to save and provide the power for us to endure the trials that come our way. Our rest, hope, and trust in the promises of God that are yes and Amen in Jesus is our place of quiet rest as the sea billows roll. You will be blessed by Carol's testimony of her faith in God through trial.

It was 2 years ago today that I got one of the phone calls that we all dread. After some fairly routine medical testing, I fully expected to hear the words, "Your tests were normal". Instead, I heard the words, "There is a problem with your tests". Not exactly the words I wanted to hear when I had a one week old grandson. It was discovered that I had a tumor in my pancreas - not good news under any circumstances. I reluctantly got on the roller coaster ride that would involve one medical test after another. The days became a blur of blood tests, x-rays, and nuclear scans. What was I supposed to tell my kids? Or my parents? There was a good chance that I would not see my grandson's first birthday. The odds of my seeing his second birthday were miniscule.

As I look back now, I can see that God had begun preparing me for this experience many months ahead of time. He had started to teach me about His love and His faithfulness - things that I could say with my mouth, but did not truly believe in my heart. He provided for me every single step of the way, from friends who were by my side during the testing, to friends who were there for me on Facebook in the wee hours of the night when I could not sleep. From an ultrasound tech who went above and beyond her job to find my tumor when it was still so small, to an expert surgeon in whom I had total confidence. 

My 6 hour surgery was finished in 90 minutes. My doctor said it appeared that someone had "tattooed" my tumor for him to find. It was in the most accessible spot possible, so he did not have to do nearly as extensive surgery as he had planned. And, against all odds, my biopsy came back as favorably as was possible. I will have to go back for a yearly MRI for the rest of my life, but the odds of it returning are less than the odds that were stacked against me in the first place.

With everything in me, I can honestly say that I would not trade away any part of the experience. It is amazing what God taught me through the entire time. I use my scar to be a daily reminder of God's faithfulness. Yes, God was gracious to spare my life, but it could well be something else tomorrow. His love and goodness are not dependent on a good outcome. No matter what I face in life, I know that God will be there. I know that He loves me. He is good - all the time. And that I can depend on. 

"I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make Your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself." Psalm 89:1-2

too long

It has been 2 months since I have posted a blog. Oh my, it has been a very full time, and I have missed the chance to pause, sit at the keyboard and reflect on Christ's presence in our joys and sorrows. While I never stop thinking in that vein of thought sitting down to type it out in words is sometimes another thing.

I have been reflecting  a lot lately on the past 10 years and how far I have come in my understanding of joy and sorrow mingled together in our walk as believers in Christ. I have learned that through some of the deepest valleys I have discovered some of the greatest joys. That could be described as either an oxymoron or the paradox of the Christian life like what Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. Let's listen in a minute to Paul as he speaks about the wisdom of the world and the power of God. Although this passage is not specifically addressing suffering in the Christian life, I think we will see a parallel of reasoning as to the way the world thinks and what the life of the believer in Christ really is.

 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  For it is written,

"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.  For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;  God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. He is the source  of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and our sanctification and redemption. Therefore, as it is written,"Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

As Christ walked the path of suffering that led to our redemption, so we must follow him on that path. The place where I have found rest, hope, and trust in this seeming paradox is found in Philippians 3:7-11,

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,  that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Dear reader, do you get the connection? This path we follow as believers in Christ is nothing like the path of worldly wisdom. We have a Savior who has gone before us paving the way for us. Every crag or bend, sharp turn or cliff we encounter on the path of life has already been trod for us. We can trust the One who has gone before us completely, so that we can proclaim, as the Psalmist did centuries before us,

My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;
you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.

 But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
that I may tell of all your works.

Psalm 73:26-28

I have mentioned in the past that I would like to feature guest writers. Today is a blog moment. I would like to share with you how two friends  have journeyed by faith through trials in their lives. You will be greatly blessed and encouraged by their steadfast trust in God. May you find strength in your weakness and hope and trust in the promises of God.

Lou Fellingham: My God cares - lyric video

We Have An Anchor

Changing Seasons, Growing Hearts

The hot and humid days of summer are giving way to the fresh, cool and crisp air of fall. Some trees are already giving us a hint of the rich color that will burst forth as the season passes from summer to fall.

For many of us fall is a favorite season full of change, new schedules and revitalized energies. The smell of new notebooks, paper, sharpened pencils and new books  are like batteries that charge us up after the hot August nights. Fall is also a time of reflection, looking back to see from where we have come and looking forward to where we are headed. 

This has been a full summer for us. Time has swept us by at break-neck speed. The 35 mile bike ride that we rode in June is becoming a distant memory. We are still pinching ourselves to think it is behind us. It was a journey of faith for us and has had a deep and abiding affect on our souls. It sometimes seems odd what means God uses to produces greater spiritual growth in our lives. Just as the cool breezes of fall are invigorating after the prolonged days heat and humidity, so are the ways we see evidences of God's movement in our lives.

Trusting in someone or something can be a very hard thing to do. Sometimes God calls us to trust in him even in the most unusual or adverse circumstances. The Bible is full of opportunities for us to learn that He is, indeed, trustworthy. We need to believe that it true. Byron and I took on the challenge to do a 35 mile bike ride even when it seemed like the odds were against us. It was an opportunity for us to trust that no matter what the outcome would be, GOD IS STILL GOD. He takes the broken and weak in us to teach us to trust Him more.

As I reflect on this passing summer, I do so with a thankful heart. God continues to take this broken jar of clay and mold it and shape it into His image. I want more than anything for this jar of clay " to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us," (2 Corinthians 4:7), and that, "For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10).

The Gospel Song - An Animation

Mark 1:1-15 “Reflections on Mark’s Prologue,” by Pastor Daryle Worley

The Gospel of Mark presents us with a portrait of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (1:1)—he who is undiminished deity and perfect humanity together in one Person forever.  He suffered on the cross as the bearer of God’s wrath against sin—a substitutionary sacrifice for all who believe, giving his life as a ransom for many (Mar.10:45), leading them along the way of suffering in this fallen world to the very glories of his full and final kingdom reign in perfect, unending righteousness (Mar.10:29-30). 

Mark exploded out of the starting blocks identifying Jesus in the opening verse as Messiah (Christ) and the Son of God—God’s promised Deliverer who was also His unique Son, wholly like the Father, “God of very God” (Nicene Creed).  These two designations will be progressively revealed throughout the remainder of Mark’s written record.

But Mark’s statement that this is the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ (1) spotlights Jesus’ arrival, not so much Mark’s writing.  The gospel, here, is the unfolding story of God’s purpose and plan in history.  Messiah is coming!  And that story begins with the preaching of John to prepare the way (3). 

Quoting Malachi 3:1, which echoes Exodus 23:20 and flows into Isaiah 40:3, Mark drew together several expressions of Israel’s hope to introduce their latest prophet—the first in nearly 400 years.  He united the prophetic voice of the Law and the Prophets to introduce the forerunner who would introduce Jesus, God’s full and final Deliverer!  In the summarizing words of William Lane (46): Ex.23:20 contains God’s promise to send his messenger before the people on a first exodus through the wilderness to Canaan.  In Isa.40:3 the messenger announces the second exodus through the wilderness to the final deliverance prepared for God’s people. 

Israel spent forty years in the wilderness during the first exodus.  Spiritually, they had now spent some 400 years there, not having heard from God since the prophet Malachi.  But with his closing words he announced the coming forerunner: Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes (Mal.4:5).  This description assigned a specific identity to Malachi’s earlier prophecy: Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me (Mal.3:1a).  

John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Mar.1:4a).  He was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist (recalling Elijah [2Ki.1:8]) (Mar.1:6a).

Israel had to go out to the wilderness to meet John—acknowledging their sin, humbling themselves, to get right with God.  And they did it! (Mar.1:5)  But if John’s wilderness work was for repentance and forgiveness, why (9) did Jesus come out from Nazareth of Galilee (Mar.1:9) to be baptized?  Simply put, this is the beginning of the gospel—Jesus identifying with the sin of his people, fulfilling all righteousness (Mat.3:15) by showing that he would endure God’s judgment on their behalf.

But a remarkable thing happened when he came up out of the water.  Immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove (Mark 1:10).  

Isaiah’s prophesies were being realized!  His prayer was being answered! 

What prophesies?  Isaiah 11:1-2: There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.  And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.  Isaiah 42:1: Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.  Isaiah 61:1: The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.  The Spirit of God is upon Jesus!  And it was made visible at his baptism!

What prayer is being answered?  Isaiah 64:1-2: Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence—as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil—to make your name known to your adversaries, and that the nations might tremble at your presence!  The prophet was hungry for the presence of God among his people.  They had expected full restoration of his presence in the Temple after the exile.  They hadn’t yet seen it.  But now this happened!  At the baptism of Jesus, God rent the heavens, torn them open, and the Spirit descended on him!  And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Mar.1:11)

Everything Israel was hoping for, looking for, for centuries, even millennia, was beginning to happen!  And the Father declared his good pleasure with it all!

The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.  And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan (Mar.1:12-13a).  Thus Jesus himself began to prove the nature of his identity that had been now been affirmed by Mark (vss.1-3), John (vss.4-8), the Spirit (vs.11), and the Father (vs.11).  And the result would be that Isaiah’s prophesies of the suffering servant would finally begin to mesh with Israel’s long held understanding of a conquering Messiah.  And Jesus would call all comers to follow him along the way of suffering toward eventual, unfolding, unending glory that is available the all who will repent and believe in the gospel (Mar.1:15).

From Time To Time

From time to time I will be inviting guest bloggers to share with you. Last week, as I was listening to our Pastor preach the first sermon in a series on the book of Mark I couldn't help but think about the ways he was connecting dots for me. Not specifically about finding Christ's presence in joy and sorrow but rather seeing Jesus, the Son of God, as Israel"s long awaited Messiah. Pastor Daryle Worley, Senior Pastor of Grace Church of DuPage, superbly explains God's unfolding plan through the pages of the Old Testament that Messiah would come and this is how they would know and believe.


You could be asking, how does this relate to finding Christ's presences in joy and sorrow? Seeing and believing has everything to do with suffering. Christ is no stranger to suffering. He suffered at the hands of man in the most brutal way known to man. Can He not relate to our suffering? Has he not walked the path of suffering before us? Was it not the joy set before him? Is it not our joy, too?


Dear reader, if you have never pondered who Christ is and his sacrifice for your sin, I would encourage you to begin this journey through the book of Mark. Pray that God would open the eyes of your heart to receive Him. Jesus said to him, " I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6.

He's always been faithful by Sara Groves

Where Dots Intersect

This past Sunday evening as our college pastor was preaching through Lamentations chapter 3, I found myself sitting on the edge of my pew nearly restraining myself from jumping up and shouting out, "There's a dot connection here." Was he going to tell us about the similar connection between the plight of the author of Lamentations and that of the of the psalmist in Psalm 73? Would he take us to the Psalm and show us how the two connect even though they were different writers in different times and circumstances? Could I contain myself in such a way that I wouldn't look like a lunatic or a know it all? And then...


In past blogs I have shared how the psalmist in Psalm 73 found himself on a downward spiral of  perplexing despair as he contemplated the question, why do the wicked prosper when the righteous frequently seem to suffer. It wasn't until he took his problem to God and saw the destiny of the wicked and his own self righteousness that he could begin to make any sense of the whole thing. At that point there was a God-ward reorientation in his thinking in which he began to understand that God is God. Then, he was able to say, "My flesh and my heart may fail but, God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26


Moving ahead through the pages of time in scripture to Lamentations we find the nation of Israel in captivity. In chapter 3:1-20 the author is describing himself as a man of affliction and losing hope as he contemplates his plight and the judgment of God. Sound familiar? The only contrast between the 2 authors is that we see the writer of Lamentations at rock bottom of his downward spiral and the psalmist was moving in that direction very fast. In verse 19-20 he laments, " Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall. My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me."  Have you ever been that low? Honestly?!  I have!


But, (one of those wonderful transition words so strategically placed), in verse 21, he begins to call to mind and hope is restored. What did he recall? What caused the reorientation in his thinking? He remembered; he began to meditate on the fact that God is God. He began to understand from the ash heap of his despair, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." Lam 3:22-23. And then (here comes the biggest dot yet)  he says, "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I hope in Him." Lam 3:24. Does that sound familiar, or what? Like the psalmist he moves from rational thinking to spiritual thinking.


Dear reader, there is one truth I would like for you to take from this- you begin to understand that God is God. In the midst of dark sorrow and suffering there is a glitter of hope found when we come to the place where we can say as Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Paul understood that his strength and hope was found in Christ. In both strength and weakness God was his portion forever. Do you know the life transforming power of the gospel that lifts hope from despair? I would invite you to check out www.gracechurchofdupage.org to hear the Lamentations Chapter 3 sermon in its entirety.

Robin Mark When it's all been said and done

A Better Way of Thinking and Riding

On days when things seem hard we often find ourselves asking God the "why" question. Isn't my life supposed to be good and full of blessings from God? Doesn't every good and perfect gift come from above? If that true, why is this happening to me?

Two verses that come to mind are Romans 8:28 and James 1:17. I know for myself trying to make sense of difficulty in light of these 2 verses often leads me down the path of wrong thinking and flawed theology. As I ponder these verses in light of trials and suffering several things come to mind.

Romans 8:28, And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.

James 1:17, Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

First, I need to understand the significance of the words all, good, and purpose. All is defined as the whole of-as in quantity, duration, or extent: everything. The word good has multiple meanings: morally excellent, satisfactory in quality, quantity, or degree, honorable, sufficient and the list could go on for pages. Purpose means  the reason for which something exist or happens.

Secondly, when I begin to understand these verses in light of intended meaning things start to make sense to me. Everything that happens to me, both good or bad, easy or hard is under the watchful care of my loving Father of lights in whom there is no variation or change. God is working in all circumstances of my life by his intended purpose, for my good and ultimately for His glory.

Finally, in all things I am learning to find rest that is fueled by trust and filled with the hope that I can cast every care on Him for he cares for me. (1 Peter 5:7).

Today as I was on an early morning trike ride I was musing through these verses and connecting the dots. God has allowed suffering and hardship to come my way. I know that what he brings into my life has already been filtered through the lens of HIS mercy and love. Scripture is true because, ...The Lord God is a sun and shield: no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:11). So, as I am pedaling away on my recumbent trike tethered to Byron's, I can say with a big smile and heartfelt thanks to God, "Thank you Lord for taking away my ability to ride a bike and giving me the gift of a trike so that I may give you all the praise and glory you deserve."

Aaron Keyes - Psalm 62

Up From the Ashes

Some days you just have to:
preach to yourself in the mirror
trust that the promises of God are true
lean not on you own understanding
remember that your hope is in the Lord and not in man
thank God for every hard place he brings you today because he is pruning, loving, and caring for you
reflect on God's character and attributes
Find joy eternal-this is not our home
Pray!!!!!!!

Watches of The Night-Jesus Draw Me Nearer

Interesting Stuff

From time to time I will be adding things to my blog that are of interest or benefit. I would encourage you to  click on them to view. You will be blessed.

A Winding and Troubled Road

Something to cherish when we suffer

Something to cherish when we suffer

The Joy Eternal

The Joy Eternal

Nevertheless

I love when a writer uses good  transition words  in their writing. They are packed full of meaning and are there to help the reader understand the logic of how an idea is considered and pieced together in the writer's mind.  The writer may also use transition words to encourage or persuade the reader to think in a particular way.

This is exactly what the writer does in Psalm 73. He begins the psalm with the conclusion to his dilemma. By beginning the psalm with the word truly he is indicating that he is thoroughly convinced that God is good and wants you to believe that. 


Next, he begins to tell us how he becomes perplexed and confused in his thinking. We see him struggle through his dilemma that I mentioned in my last blog regarding the question why do the ungodly seem to prosper while the godly frequently suffer in verses 2-15. As I read these words it seems as if he is sinking deeper and deeper into despair. Have you ever been there?  Honestly speaking, I have. 

What is the turning point for this man? Where is the transition in his thinking? How does he arrive at his conclusion that God is good? I love his brutal honesty that flows off his pen in the remainder of the verses of the psalm. It was not until he entered into the sanctuary of God that he was able to reorient his thinking. Lloyd-Jones describes the process in his book as moving from rational thinking to spiritual thinking. It wasn't until the psalmist took his perplexing dilemma to God that he could see the destiny of the ungodly and his own self-righteousness as his real problem. He confessed before God how he was brutish and ignorant, and like beast before God. 


Several days ago I posted a song of Psalm 73 by Indelible Grace that has become a Tabbut favorite. When I first heard it I was struck by the use of the word beast as a way of describing the psalmist. Surely, I thought it was a lyrical representation of the psalmist describing himself rather than an actual description. I checked it out by looking it up in the Bible and was abhorred to discover that the psalmist, in his sinfulness, had described himself as a beast before God. Could that be me? Am I like a beast before God? In the midst of my pain and suffering do I trust that God is always good, no matter what the circumstance? Am I thinking rationally or spiritually?  


Two transition words that evoke a powerful punch in Psalm 73, are  truly and nevertheless. Truly God is good begins the psalm and nevertheless is the turning point where the psalmist realizes that God is always present and is always sustaining him by His power. The psalmist now sees things as they really are and has moved from irrational thinking to spiritual thinking.  


I have discovered as I have studied this psalm that it is an accurate description of the perplexing dilemmas I often find myself in, and like the psalmist I need to reorient my thinking toward understanding that God is not unaware of the issue at hand. Nevertheless, He is  continually with me holding my right hand. He will guide me with His counsel and afterward receive me to glory, ( vs. 23-24). Therefore, I too, can say with the psalmist, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.,"(vs. 26).

The Story of Everything

The Story of Everything

Faith on Trial, by Martyn Lloyd-Jones

I have never really been one to set goals or resolutions at the beginning of the new year, but for the past 2 years I have begun to do so with the remainder of the year becoming the pursuit of accomplishing those goals. Have I been successful? Thus far, the answer is yes.

This year one of my goals has been to read 36 books in one year. As of August 1, I have read 26, and the plan is to surpass the 36. Setting out to read 36 books in a year is a noble goal, but if reading is done only for the sake of reading and not comprehending then my labor is in vain. Do the books I choose cause me to think? Do they cause me to grow in faith and character? Do they point me to the cross? Do they inspire me to know more of Christ and be more deeply rooted in him? Am I choosing leisure books with a high moral tone that leave me thinking about such things as virtue, noble character, and valor? I would like to share with you one book that I consider a must read, Faith on Trial, by Martyn Lloyd-Jones. It is a reprint of a series of sermons on Psalm 73 that Lloyd-Jones preached to his congregation at Westminster Chapel in 1965. The Forward was written by Kevin DeYoung and can be read in its entirety on his blog link:

thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2011/07/19/faith-on-trial/

I first want to begin by saying that Psalm 73 has brought much comfort and solace to my soul for some time. I, like the author, have asked the very same questions - Why do the ungodly seem to prosper when the godly frequently suffer? I believe, if we are honest with ourselves, that it is a classic question we all ask when we run into bumps and bruises in our lives that just don't seem quite fair or to make any sense at all. Psalm 73 presents us with this very dilemma that the psalmist is facing. We will see his spiritual spiral downward and then the reorientation of his thinking leading to the upward trajectory of his trust and faith in God that culminates in verses 25-26 when he states,

"Whom have I in heaven but you?

And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

In Psalm 73 we are given a window into the soul of a man who has wrestled this question down and come up victoriously. The benefit we have, as the reader, is that we are able to see in verse one the author's proclamation," Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart,"and then he proceeds to open his heart to show us how he came to that conclusion. What a mighty lesson we can learn.

Well, that is it for now. My next few posts I will share with you what God has taught me through this Psalm, and why I can join with the psalmist in affirmation that verses 25-26 are absolutely true.

Psalm 73 - MP Jones (Indelible Grace Music)

So here we go!!!!!!!!!

Life is a journey with many turns, twists, hills and valleys along the way. For most of us navigating through those times and seeing the reality of Christ's presence in them and through them is not always apparent at first glance. Suffering?? My calling??? Where did that come from???? Isn't the Christian life supposed to be full of joy and blessing??? Me, suffer??????? It doesn't take long, as we read through scripture, to connect the dots that within our suffering  God's sovereign and provident hand is present in the very midst of the depths of our despair. We need only to look up and see the face of Christ that is speaking into our souls the sure and true promise, "I will never leave you or forsake you." Hebrews 13:5b

So, journey with me as we discover that the trials, afflictions, pain and suffering which come to us are of no surprise to God, and that through them He is working His perfect will and good purpose in our lives, all for His glory. We will find that there is great joy in the journey.