Down by the Bay

Well, not much time to write this week...We are on vacation in Virginia. The house we are staying in is RIGHT on the Chesapeake Bay. Here are a couple pictures of the house and the yard--now we are off to Jamestown--more to come later!

Fun Time with Friends

Here are some pictures from our weekend trip to Alabama. We really enjoyed the fellowship with our friends the Gues. They have 7 children still at home-1 married. It was great to spend time with them! They have five girls too! Here we are with four of them!

Sarah, Bethany, Hannah

Me with Emily

Worldliness

Here is a review of C.J. Mahaney's new book Worldliness that I got off the Girl Talk blog site. Books that Nourish, our bookstore, just got in a shipment of these books. Email me (ilovewolfgang08@yahoo.com) if you'd like to order one!

"Most of us are vaguely familiar with the verse in 1 John 2:15—“Do not love the world or anything in the world”—but we’re often unsure how to obey this command. Confused, and perhaps a little uncomfortable, we may ignore it altogether, sweeping it under the rug (along with other similarly difficult passages in God’s inspired Word).

But the authors of a new book, Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World, want to remind us of the vital importance of this verse (and indeed all of Scripture), and help us understand how to apply this command to our hearts, our bank accounts, ipod playlists, dvd collections, and clothes—in short, every corner of our lives.

In the first chapter, Dad (editor and contributor), identifies with the confusion many Christians feel about this topic of worldliness:

“What does it mean for a Christian — what does it mean for me — not to love the world?"
...To read more, click here.

Since we have no lasting city here, stop working so hard trying to make it lasting and luxurious, and 'go forth to him outside the camp'--outside the safe place, outside the comfortable place.

—John Piper, The Hidden Smile of God, p. 170.

More Love to Thee

The hymn, "More Love to Thee" has been playing through my mind all day. I've especially been thinking on verse two, which is my favorite:

Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest;

Now Thee alone I seek, give what is best.

This all my prayer shall be: More love, O Christ to Thee;

More love to Thee, more love to Thee!

For all of the verses, click here.

Idle Words

Here are a few thoughts on what I read in the bible this morning that I wrote in my journal:

"But I say to you that for every idle word men

may speak, they will give account of it

in the day of judgement. For by your

words you are justified, or by your words you

will be condemned."

Matthew 12:36-37

I've been thinking a lot lately about the theme of this verse. For unbelievers, talking "idly" is all that ever comes out of their mouth. For Christians, this is too often the case as well. If we have such a hope as Christ, how can we not speak of Him and His greatness? We are too content to talk of politics, the weather, work, school, or play. Yes, those things need to be spoken of and discussed at times. However, the theme of our life needs to be Christ and the work He is doing.

my little cupcake

If you know me even a little, you know that I love baking and cooking. For a while now, I've wanted to start a little business baking cakes or other desserts for people. I'm finally trying to get that up and going and just made a blog for it today. Please check it out, and tell all your friends! Right now I am calling it "my little cupcake."

www.my-little-cupcake.blogspot.com

Pour My Love on You

"Pour My Love on You"--one of my favorite songs for worship:

I don't know how to say exactly how I feel
And I can't begin to tell you what your love has meant
I'm lost for words

Is there a way to show the passion in my heart
Can I express how truly great I think you are
You're my dearest friend
Lord this is my desire to pour my love on you

Like oil upon your feet
Like wine for you to drink
Like water from my heart
I pour my love on you

If praise is like perfume
I'll lavish mine on you
Till every drop is gone
I pour my love on you

Is there a way to show the passion in my heart
Can I express how truly great I think you are,
My dearest friend
Lord this is my desire to pour my love on you

Like oil upon your feet
Like wine for you to drink
Like water from my heart
I pour my love on you

If praise is like perfume
I'll lavish mine on you
Till every drop is gone
I pour my love on you

Great is His Faithfulness

This year I am reading straight through the Bible. I just started reading the book of Joel. It is amazing to see the character of God throughout the Old Testament. Here are some selections from what I read this morning:

"Rend your heart, and not your garments;

Return to the Lord your God,

For He is gracious and merciful,

Slow to anger, and of great kindness;

And He relents from doing harm...

Fear not, O land; Be glad and rejoice,

For the LORD has done marvelous things!

...You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, And

praise the name of the LORD your God,

Who has dealt wondrously with you;

And my people shall never be put to shame.

Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel:

I am the LORD your God

And there is no other.

My people shall never be put to shame....

And it shall come to pass that whoever

calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved."

--Joel 2:13, 21, 26-27,32a

Even though Israel constantly turned their back on God and sought satisfaction in other places, God was faithful and sustained them, "dealing wondrously" with His people!

Arise Woman of God

Rise up O woman of God
In what He has given you
The things God has laid on your heart
Rise up, go forth, and do

Unlock what God has placed within
The potential you have inside
The world is waiting for your release
To expand your wings and fly
Arise in your God-given gifts
For this is your finest hour

Arise in the Lord’s holy might
Ignited and empowered
For God is calling you to come forth
To impact this world for Him
Don’t hold back or limit yourself
Let His power arise within
And take His message to the world
To those that have lost their way

For you can surely make a difference
If you’d hear His voice and obey
You shall be strengthened in the Lord
As you begin to arise
Conquering those doubts that pull you down
And believe who you are in Christ

For you shall surely be transformed
As, in you, God increases more
And become a woman of true excellence
Bringing honour to her Lord

By M.S.Lowndes

Singleness Redefined

I have been known to judge a book by its cover, literally. In many cases, I am wrong, and in many, I am right. My most recent "cover judgement" was correct. I picked up the book Singleness Redefined: Living Life to the Fullest" by Carolyn Leutwiler for two reasons. One reason--the title seemed good and applicable. But, the main reason I picked up this book was the bright cover with a picture of shoes lined up across. What girl is not drawn to shoes?!?! ;-)

As I read the book, I was not disappointed. Each chapter contains valuable truths that all women can glean from. The book is directed towards single women, challenging us to take advantage of this time (be it a phase in life or our lifelong destiny) and use it for God's glory.

Leutwiler holds up marriage as the good gift from God that it is. However, she cuts down the sinful motives for marriage that many, and probably most women have. She encourages passionate pursuit of godliness, not men. Over and over I was reminded of God's sovereignty over all things, including our future marriage, or lack thereof!

This is a great book. Great because it is an enjoyable, well written book, but mainly because I was encouraged to fall more deeply in love with Christ first, trusting in Him for all things, including this present gift of singleness. How will we serve Him now?

"Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame.

Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated

...For your Maker is your husband- the LORD

Almighty is His name."

-Isaiah 54:4-5

Thoughts on Suffering

I just finished watching an interview on Larry King Live with the Steven Curtis Chapman family. As you may have heard, their youngest daughter Maria Sue was killed by a car accident in their driveway. When the news was released that this had happened, thoughts and questions filled our minds. Just about two months later, the family can gather on national television and speak with confidence about the sovereignty of God. Another music tour is beginning. Plans for the wedding of their oldest child, Emily move forward. Life goes on, but not unchanged.

The Chapman's were not angry. They trust in God and in His good plan. No matter what happens, He is still good and is still on His throne. How can one rest with peace and joy after experiencing such pain? It is by the grace of God alone. As Lamentations 3:22-23 says, "the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning."

Every morning! Each day God gives us the strength to endure whatever trials or pain or suffering is in our life. We can trust His promises that it is for our own good. Caleb Chapman spoke at his sister's funeral service about the restoration and healing that would come to his brother, who was the driver of the car. He told of how he was sure that the new Will Franklin would be stronger and more sure of his faith. God uses our circumstances, whether good or bad to drive us to Him.

Why did God allow the death of Maria Sue? Why the death of someone you love? Maybe God will use this story to bring people to Himself. Maybe He will use this to encourage others to adopt. Maybe we will never know why. That is beside the point. We must be faithful to Him so that Christ is glorified by life or in death.

I've never endured suffering like that of losing a child or a sibling. One day, that may come. I asked myself tonight how I would deal with that pain. Would I be angry? I hope and pray that if God wills that in my life, I will have His grace to rely on the sure foundation of His word. I pray that I would cling the love of Christ and His people.

I pray that through the faithful witness of the Chapman family others will see the goodness of God and cling to Him. To see the interview, and learn more about their ministry, see http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/.

Satisfaction

Our souls are meant to be satisfied in God. But we have learned again and again that this satisfaction in God comes to consummation when we extend our satisfaction in him to others. Pouring ourselves out for the poor is the path of deepest satisfaction.

—John Piper, A Hunger for God, p. 151.

Prayer

Prayer is not for the enhancement of our comforts but for the advancement of Christ's kingdom.

—John Piper, A Hunger for God, p. 150.

Words from the Wise

I have not had much time to write much of anything lately. However, John Piper has much more wisdom, and he has said many great things to help us focus on Christ. I'll let him do the talking again today!

We are made to mediate the glory of God's grace to others. For this there is strength when we think that all is spent.

—John Piper, A Hunger for God, p. 149