Quotable

"Now perfect and complete glorying in God is this:  not to exult in one's own righteousness, but being aware that one is lacking in true righteousness, to be justified by faith alone in Christ."  

"Much time had I spent in vanity, and had wasted nearly all my youth in the vain labour which I underwent in acquiring the wisdom made foolish by God.  Then once upon a time, like a man roused from deep sleep, I turned my eyes to the marvellous light of the truth of the Gospel, and I perceived the uselessness of 'the wisdom of the princes of this world, that come to naught.'  I wept many tears over my miserable life and I prayed that guidance might be vouchsafed me to admit me to the doctrines of true religion."

~ Basil of Caesarea 

And Such Were Some of You

"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."  I Corinthians 6:9-11

The early church at Corinth was a mess. Instead of growing in Christ and in unity of the faith, the congregation fell into many sinful and prideful practices.  The Apostle Paul penned a letter to the church, giving them a spiritual smack-down, calling them back to sound doctrine and Christian love and unity.  Paul didn't doubt that the congregation was comprised of true believers, having been justified by grace through faith in Christ alone. He was, however, rightly concerned about their lives of cheap grace, evidenced by their disregard for walking in a manner worthy of their calling to Jesus.  So he calls them out on their sins. It's hard not to read the list above and receive my own spiritual smack-down in several areas, but then Paul writes these beautiful words of encouragement:

"And such were some of you."

Paul reminds Christians that we have been washed of all our filthiness, we have been declared holy, our relationship with God has been made right, all because of the righteousness of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, the "bookends of the Christian life," as Jerry Bridges refers to them. We will continue to battle temptations to sin, they are literally all around and in us, but as we remind ourselves of the gospel, that we were bought with a price, that we are no longer our own possession (I Corinthian 6:20), we will yield to the power of the Holy Spirit to do his perfecting work in our lives for his glory.    

We simply can't go back to a life of cheap grace, if we truly understand the gospel.  

Quotable

"God is so far from being pleased either with those who are ambitious of popular praise, or with hearts full of pride and presumption, that he plainly tells 'they have their reward' in this world, and that (repentant) harlots and publicans are nearer to the kingdom of heaven than such persons.  

There is no end and no limit to the obstacles of the man who wants to pursue what is right and at the same time shrinks back from self-denial. It is an ancient and true observation that there is a world of vices hidden in the soul of man, but Christian self-denial is the remedy for them all. There is deliverance in store only for the man who gives up his selfishness, and whose sole aim is to please the Lord and to do what is right in his sight." ~ John Calvin 

The Stack

It seems as though every new January comes with a new intentionality. I reflect

on ways that I can prioritize different areas of my life, and one of those areas is reading. Last week I went to our bookshelves and pulled this stack of books that I intend to read during the next twelve months. However, being a woman, I reserve the right to change my mind. Since I already have a new book on order, that is a real likelihood. And if you'll look closely, you will notice several of the books have bookmarks protruding, indicating that my prior intentionality didn't quite pan out. That's why I avoid the word resolution.  ;)

Here's the line-up:

Fiction selections:

Strong Poison by Dorothy Sayers, one of her Lord Peter Wimsey murder mysteries. Why? Ashlea recently named her new kitty after Sayers' mystery sleuth, title and all. Weird reason, maybe, but perhaps not any more unusual than naming a cat after a fictional detective. Unusualness seems to run in the family.  

The Code of the Woosters by P. G. Wodehouse.  I have never read anything by Wodehouse, so it's about time!

1984 by George Orwell.  Why?  I'm making up for my poor high school education.  I graduated in the '70s. . .need I say more?   

The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky. Getting through this classic has become a life goal, and this will be my third attempt. I am determined to make the third time the "charm." Better start on this one soon!

Joel and I are also reading through the Lord of the Rings trilogy together; it's probably the only way I would make it through those books.

Theology/Christian selections:  

Love in Hard Places by D. A. Carson. Admittedly, I need some encouragement when it comes to loving and forgiving those who have hurt or disappointed me.

The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. After reading the excellent biography of Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas, I want to meditate more on the difference between "cheap grace" and "costly grace" from the writings of one who lived the latter.  

Pillars of Grace:  A Long Line of Godly Men (A.D. 100 - 1564) by Steven Lawson - a survey of church history. I've often heard the names, so it's time I read about the church fathers who held fast to the doctrines of grace through the centuries.

What Jesus Demands from the World by John Piper - my book club read for this year. Piper reflects on fifty of the commands of Christ in connection with his person and work.  

Other selections:

Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose - the adventures of Lewis and Clark and the opening of the American West. Historical reads are always fascinating to me.  

The Road to Serfdom by F. A. Hayek.  My political/economic fix for the year, and a timely look at the relation between individual liberty and government control. I hope I have the brain power to process this one.  

The Consequences of Ideas by R. C. Sproul.  An overview of the concepts that have shaped our world - my dabble in philosophy.  

Tesla, Margaret Cheney's look at one of the twentieth centuries' greatest scientists and inventors.  Now I'm wondering why I selected this book since I'm not science-oriented, other than it's a biography. . .oh, and Tesla was a character in one of my favorite movies, The Prestige. ;)

And last but by no means least, Down the Garden Path by Beverley Nichols.  I'm continually grateful to my friend Roxie for introducing me to the works of this delightful author. I read several of his books last year as he recounted the refurbishing of his English manor Merry Hall and its gardens. And I am currently working through one of his books on cats.  It's truly a shame that Nichols' prolific writings have fallen off the reading landscape. I'm sure I'll being adding more Nichols' books to the list.

Reading Regret:  I read all of Erik Larson's (link) books over the course of the last year or so, and how I wish there was one to add to this year's list!  His book In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin is being made into a movie and will be released sometime this year; though I already know it won't measure up to the book.  

God's Great Love and Our Great Misery

"So great was our misery, that no less remedy would suffice, and so great
God's mercy that He withheld Him [Jesus] not
from us." ~ Puritan Thomas Manton


John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (ESV), the one verse that we all know so well and, therefore, too often gloss over the profound truths contained within. It really is astonishing that God would love the world. Consider how often we, as sinful creatures, are disgusted and repulsed by the vileness and depravity of mankind that comes across our news media or is within our limited social sphere.  Then consider that our Holy God, who knows no sin, has witnessed every sin in thought, word, and deed of every human since time began. Truly the misery of the world is beyond our comprehension. 

And yet God loved the world.

He saw us in all our misery and was willing to provide the only remedy for our sinful condition - his Son.  God's love was so great that he not only would not withhold his Son, he could not withhold his Son. It was a promise of love the Godhead made before time began, and Jesus was the only one who would and could bear the load.

How should meditating on this marvelous love of God change me? It is my prayer that this year I will truly value what Christ has done in my life, that he will become more precious to me than anything this world has to offer, that I will more readily yield to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, and that I will more faithfully serve him. 

"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." II Corinthians 5:14-15 ESV

Christmas in Dark Places

God's Faithfulness in Our Suffering

As we all know, it's not a question of if we'll face pain and suffering, but when.  It's inevitable in this fallen world.  Sometimes we see suffering coming, and other times it seemingly strikes out of nowhere.  Regardless, for those of us who know Christ as our Savior, we have the assurance that Providence is at work through the tough times.  Not only does God allow the pain and suffering, but he indeed orders our days, the good and the bad, to accomplish his sanctifying purpose in our lives, to his honor and glory.  

Alistair Begg, in his Truth for Life "My Times are in Your Hands" broadcast, explained the follow ten points that should be included in our theology of suffering:

1.  God chooses to use suffering to develop perseverance.  James 1:2-3 - "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trails, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience."

2.  God uses suffering to manifest his faithfulness to bring us to maturity in Christ. James 1:4 - "But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." 

3.  God uses suffering to assure us of our sonship through his loving discipline. Hebrews 12:7;11 - "If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?. . .Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."  

4.  God uses suffering to prove the genuine nature of our faith.  I Peter 4:12-13 - "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trail which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you, but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy."

5.  God uses suffering to develop in us humility.  2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.'  Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake.  For when I am weak, then I am strong."  

6.  God uses suffering to keep us on track.  Psalm 119:67 - "Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep your word."  Proverbs 3:1 - "My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands." 

7.  God uses suffering to deepen our insight into the heart of God.  Read the story of the prophet Hosea.  

8.  God uses suffering to help others in their trials.  2 Corinthians 1:3-4 -
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

9.  God uses suffering to reveal to us what we really love and what matters most.  Do we love God more than we love ourselves?  John 12:25-26 - "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." 

10.  God uses suffering that we might display God's glory.  Read the story of Joseph in Genesis 37 - 50.  Genesis 50:20 - "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good." 

Let's Get Specific

If we are followers of Christ, we don't have any problem confessing that we are sinners in need of a Savior. That general confession rolls off our tongues very easily.  It's when we are confronted about a particular sin in our lives, either by the Holy Spirit or someone else, that we choke and often attempt to deny or defend our sin. Why is that? One reason is that while our pride allows us to admit that we are sinners in a general sense (just like everyone else), it doesn't want to admit to particular sins such as gossip, impure thoughts, envy, lust, hatred, jealousy, anger, and so on. We would much rather recite the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6 ("forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors") than humbly pray along with King David in Psalm 139, "Search me, O God, and know my heart. . .see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." God's Word warns us about the danger of not fessing up to our sins, but also promises blessings if we do.  If we don't get specific in dealing with our sins before the Lord, we will have a difficult time turning from them and pursuing righteousness. As we read our Bibles, we should pray that the Holy Spirit will show us our sins, then seek his forgiveness and help with repentance.  

"He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy."  Proverbs 28:13

Boys Will Be. . Entrepreneurs!

Aren't these boys just so cute? That's what we first thought when we came across them two weeks ago, but we soon found out that they mean business. . .in a good sense. The brothers conduct a parking business in their front yard on Kansas State football game days, and they do it all:  the advertising and flagging of potential customers, the directing of customers to their parking place, the receiving of payment. . .all done with courtesy and professionalism. In the spirit of competition, their opening price is $1 less than the neighbors (with the ability to lower the price on the sign as needed), and to encourage repeat business, they give their customers a $1 off coupon for another game day.  Their parents are not involved; however, Mason did admit their parents receive a portion of the proceeds, as would any good "landlord."  The Garren brothers won our hearts and our business.  One of these days I hope to meet the parents and tell them just that.  What valuable lessons in business and economics they are teaching their sons at a young age!  

Triple Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

This recipe comes from the Windmill Inn, a bed and breakfast in Chapman, Kansas.  I had never seen a cookie recipe like this one, so I had to give it a try.  They are delicious!  As Joel said, "This might give our old favorite cookie recipe some competition!"  I substituted white "chocolate" chips for the milk chocolate chips to give the cookies some variation in color and flavor.  The recipe indicates that the oatmeal may be omitted, making for an "overly rich chocolate cookie that melts in your mouth."  

1 1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 t. vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used dark chocolate chips.)
1 3/4 cup oats, either quick or old-fashioned 

Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a small bowl.  Cream the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar and vanilla in a large mixer bowl until light and fluffy.  Add the eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in the cocoa mixture.  Stir in the chocolate chips and oats.  Drop the dough by rounded tablespoons 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.  Bake at 375 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes or until the edges are set.  Let stand for 2 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.  

Football and Being a Good Samaritan

We Kansas State football Wildcat fans are getting pumped for the opening game tomorrow night. . .in spite of the extremely hot temperatures.  The high in Manhattan tomorrow is supposed to be 100 degrees, and we expect that the temperature at the time of kick-off will still be hovering in the low 90s.  It could be brutal, just as it was during last year's season opener.  A family member got so overheated during the game, she thought she was going to pass out.  She made her way to the ladies' restroom to get some water and relief in the air-conditioned room.  Still feeling sick, she ended up lying down on the concrete floor in the restroom until she felt better.  The sad part about this situation was that women came and went, and not one of them offered assistance or inquired about her well-being!  It's natural to respond with indignation at such behavior toward a fellow human being.  Just like the indignation we feel when we read the account of the Good Samaritan found in Luke chapter 10.  But, if we are honest with ourselves, there have been many times in our lives when we've played the part of the priest and the Levite, rather than the Good Samaritan.  

How we demonstrate love toward others reflects our theology.  Jesus, quoting Deuteronomy, taught, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Matthew 22:37-39)  Only a person who truly loves God with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength is able to love his neighbor as himself.  We can never love the Lord perfectly as required in this commandment, but there is One who has. . .Jesus Christ.  He fulfilled that commandment for us.  If we trust in what Jesus did for us by dying on the cross, we receive forgiveness for our sins and are indwelled by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit works in the lives of Christians so that we reflect the character of Christ, including his selfless love and mercy. As we come in contact with others in need, how do we respond?  Are we too busy to be bothered? Do we believe that it's not our responsibility?  Is a football game more important than caring for a sick "neighbor"?  Or, are we compassionate and show the same mercy we have received?  If we pass by people in need, we are demonstrating a lack of appreciation for love and mercy we have received in Christ.  

Musings on Marriage

"Different, hard-won, better."  Marriage was described this way by a friend as she and her husband celebrated their sixth anniversary.  I like it.  I like it a lot.  Marital love is "different" than the love couples feel prior to becoming man and wife.  The "masks" worn throughout the courtship eventually come off, and we are exposed for who we really are.  Though we might not like all that we see, the promise to love remains.  By the grace of God, that exposure has the ability to make the marriage "better" over the years, as the Holy Spirit uses our relationship with our husband or wife to sanctify us and mold us into the image of Christ.  As we learn to extend grace, mercy, and forgiveness, the bond between a husband and wife strengthens and the intimacy deepens.  

But between the "different" and the "better" is the "hard-won." Marriage is work; rather, a good marriage is work.  There must be a constant vigilance against complacency.  It's all too easy to fall into a sense of self-centered security and fail to delight in the great gift we have in our spouse. It is not our spouse's responsibility to meet our felt-needs; it is our responsibility to be obedient to Christ by demonstrating sacrificial love and respect.  

There must also be vigilance to guard the commitment made to forsake all others, both physically and emotionally.  Our pastor recently said that he's seen many marriages ruined due to emotional adultery, in which cases the husbands/wives never actually reached the point of physical infidelity. Proper boundaries with the opposite sex were either non-existent or ignored. We should never underestimate the deceitfulness of our own hearts, what might be lurking in the dark crevices of our minds as we interact with other men and women.  Nor should we underestimate the power of the devil to tempt us in areas or times of weakness.

And finally, there must be vigilance to not compromise the biblical standards of living to which we are called as followers of Christ.  What we watch, read, and hear will affect the way we treat others, especially those closest to us. The Lord, our Maker and designer of marriage, gave us the Bible to lead us in the path of righteousness.  May we be vigilant to be in the Word and prayerfully seek the help of the Holy Spirit, so that we will experience God's best in our marriages. 

A Man Who Has Saved 1,000 Babies

The Orlando Women’s Center—one of the most active abortion clinics in the country— profiles the tireless pro-life work of John Barros:

A Man Who Has Saved 1,000 Babies (click for link to video)

Proverbs 31 Meets Song of Solomon

In my estimation, the term "Proverbs 31" has become cliché. Even now, you might have conjured up a mental image to fit the phrase.  So when we recently heard yet another husband introduce his wife as a "Proverbs 31 woman," my orneriness kicked in, and I said to Joel, "I dare you to introduce me sometime as your "Song of Solomon wife."  Wouldn't that raise some eyebrows?  

Don't get me wrong.  Proverbs 31 is a beautiful, God-inspired chapter of the Bible, delineating many characteristics of a virtuous wife.  But did you ever notice the first verse in the chapter: "The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him"?  The advice in the chapter was given to the king by his mother.   I couldn't help but think of the famous marriage proposal scene from Pride and Prejudice, when Mr. Collins shares with Elizabeth the advice he received from Lady Catherine De Bourgh:  

"Mr. Collins, you must marry. A clergyman like you must marry. Choose properly, choose a gentlewoman for my sake; and for your own, let her be an active, useful sort of person, not brought up high, but able to make a small income go a good way. This is my advice. Find such a woman as soon as you can, bring her to Hunsford, and I will visit her."

Mothers, or mother-figure in the case of Mr. Collins, seem to pay considerable attention to matters of practicality.  And that's exactly what Proverbs 31 covers.  Wives are to aspire to godly practical wisdom as they manage their households, engage in commerce, invest in and manage business enterprises, and extend charity to the poor and needy. No doubt that women of this domestic and economic prowess receive the praise of their husbands and children.  But it occurred to me that all the activities mentioned in Proverbs 31 could very well be accomplished by a trusted housekeeper and business manager. There is more to the story, so to speak. Our aspirations as godly wives have to extend beyond the practical duties of daily life.  

Which brings me to Song of Solomon.  

This beautiful poem is an expression of the depth of love between the Shulamite girl and the shepherd, her beloved spouse.  The Song is described as a rhapsody of love, as it reveals these aspects of the marriage relationship:  romantic desire, mutual rejoicing and delight in the other, the yearning for each other's companionship, and the commitment to forsake all others.  It is the model of self-giving and self-sacrificing love, which was most perfectly demonstrated by Christ's love for his bride, the church.  

So, yes, I want to love Joel by being a virtuous wife and doing him "good and not evil all the days of [my] life" (Proverbs 31:12).  But I also delight in knowing that "I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me" (Song of Solomon 7:10).  

Is the New Evangelical Liturgy Really Superior?

To piggyback on my last blog post, I'm sharing an excellent article that Kevin DeYoung posted yesterday.  Acknowledging that every worship service has some form of liturgy, DeYoung compares the new with traditional Protestant worship:

"I’m talking about an order of service that included a call to worship, multiple Scripture readings, Psalm singing (along with old hymns and new songs), a Scriptural benediction, historic rubrics like the Apostles’ Creed and the Ten Commandments, and many kinds of prayers (e.g., invocation, prayer of adoration, prayer of confession, prayer of intercession, prayer for illumination). I’m talking about what Mike Horton calls “the drama of Christ-centered worship” or what Bryan Chapell calls “gospel ‘re-representation’”–a carefully constructed, though flexible, liturgy which progresses with a distinct gospel logic: adoration, confession, assurance, thanksgiving, petition, instruction, charge, and blessing. The traditional Protestant liturgy has an Isaiah 6 movement to it where the gospel is not just preached in the sermon or even sung in the songs, but embodied in the entire order of the service.

For whatever appeal the New Evangelical Liturgy may have in American culture, and for whatever abuses or doldrums may be associated with a more traditional liturgy, I don’t believe it can be argued, by objective measures, that the new is superior to the old. Which liturgy has more prayer? What one has more Scripture? Which one does more to accent sin and forgiveness? Which ones anchors us better in the ancient creeds and confessions of the church? Which one is the product of more sustained theological reflection? Which is more shaped by the gospel?"

Read the entire article here.  

What I Learned by Hanging Out with Presbyterians

When I told Joel my title for this post, he responded, "You did more than just hang out with them; you were a Presbyterian!"  Yes, we were members of a conservative Presbyterian church (PCA) for about seven years, but I never considered myself a full-fledged Presbyterian. Even though we are no longer part of a Reformed congregation, I still like to "hang out" with those of the Reformed tradition, Presbyterian, Baptist, or otherwise.  I was recently pondering some of the ways I have benefited from their teaching and practices and came up with this list:

1. From Genesis to Revelation, God is revealing his eternal plan of redemption.  The Bible is not primarily about Israel or the church, but about Jesus Christ.  And since Jesus is the fulfillment of all Old Testament law and prophesy, the Old Testament must be studied and interpreted in light of the New Testament, not the reverse as many Christians interpret Scripture.  As we read through the Old Testament, we must ask what the passage says about Christ and what he has done.  Tim Keller recorded an excellent short video on this "fundamental question," which I used in a blog post about three years ago.  Click here to view.

2.  As we enter our places of worship, we should have the attitude that "we are crossing over from the profane to the holy," as R. C. Sproul says.  Our hearts and minds should be prepared to worship the Lord our God, and our worship services should reflect that "crossing over" as well.  Some begin this preparation on Saturday evening by setting aside time for Bible reading and reflection.  

3.  Liturgy isn't a dirty word. As long as the format allows for the work of the Holy Spirit, i.e. we are not bound by ritual, liturgy provides helpful transitions as we worship together, from the call to worship, to the readings of Scripture, to our prayers of confession of sin and assurance of God's grace and forgiveness, to our songs of praise, to the teaching of God's Word and our responses.  The proper focus of the obedient heart creates God-honoring formality rather than dead formalism.

4.  The Psalms really are for singing!  What a treasure it is to have a "hymnal" authored by God himself!  The psalter is included in the references to psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs found in Ephesians and Colossians.  The Psalms speak to the broad range of human emotions as the psalmists poured out their hearts to the Lord.

5.  Grape juice doesn't cut it.  The sweetness of the juice doesn't properly portray the bitterness and anguish of the crucifixion, that Christ's blood was poured out as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.  The perfect Lamb of God bore the "cup of wrath"  of God on behalf of those who come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior. 

6.  Creeds and confessions matter.  In this age of watered-down Christianity, where most Christians cannot accurately state the message of the Gospel, I appreciate the importance Reformers place on studying (even memorizing) the confessions of the faith.  We must know what we profess to believe!  Also, studying the legacy of Reformed Christians provides a valuable source of encouragement and insight to our faith. 

Jesus, Our High Priest

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  Hebrews 4:14-16

We were reminded Sunday of the important role Jesus has as our High Priest, and that He alone qualifies to serve in that capacity.  Though Jesus was God, he took on human flesh, so that He could become the perfect sacrifice for our sins.  Why was he uniquely qualified to be our High Priest?  Though he was tempted in all ways, he was without sin.  Jesus is the only one who kept the whole law of God.

Why does this matter to us as his followers?  I John 2:1-2 tells us, "And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins."  Because Jesus experienced all the temptations to sin, he is able to sympathize with our weaknesses.  But unlike the sympathy we might receive from another friend, Jesus sympathizes from a position of power and victory. And unlike us, who often cave easily to temptation, Jesus experienced the full force of temptation, yet was victorious. . .every time.  As the only true "overcomer," he is able to provide the strength we need in the midst of our temptations.

Knowing Jesus is our High Priest, how should we live?  The verses above tell us to hold fast to our confession that Jesus is our Lord and Savior.  He is at the right hand of the Heavenly Father, interceding on our behalf.  Jesus alone can save us and represent us before a holy, righteous God.  The verses also instruct us to "come boldly to the throne of grace" with our prayers, so that "we may obtain mercy and find grace in time of need."  This is an act of worship, really, as it changes our perspective when we affirm the Lord's promises.  We never need doubt the Lord's sovereign care for our good and His glory.

Truth Children's Home

Joel and I have had the pleasure of supporting Truth Children's Home in Kakinada, India for several months now, a ministry of the the Zurishaddai Church in the heart of a Hindu country. Pastor Wilson Babu and his wife care for almost thirty orphaned or destitute children whose parents are not able to provide adequate care.  Besides food and clothing, the children also receive an education and learn English, an essential requirement to break out of the bonds of poverty in India.  

My friend Angela and her son Luke recently traveled to India in order to conduct a three day children's Bible club, followed by a two day women's conference.  Over 200 children from the area attended the Bible club and heard the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Of course, this did not go over well with some of the Hindus, and they conspired to disrupt the church's Sunday morning service to bring charges against the pastor and apprehend Angela and her son.  The Lord's hand of protection was upon them though, and they were able to escape to safety. I believe the charges against pastor were eventually dropped.  Angela shares her amazing story on her blog, Joy in the Journey (click link). 

If any of you readers would be interested in supporting Truth Children's Home, you may contact me with questions or Pastor Wilson Babu through his Facebook page (linked above).  All support goes directly to the children, and we have the ability to communicate directly with our "children" through Pastor Wilson.  We have been extremely blessed to have a small part in this Christian work.  

Symphony in the Flint Hills

What a magical evening we had on Saturday!  Joel and I had been looking forward to Symphony in the Flint Hills since we purchased our tickets back in March.  Each summer, the Kansas City Philharmonics presents an outdoor concert for over five thousand attendees at a different location in the Flint Hills of Kansas, and each year the concert reflects the heritage of that particular location.  One year, a cattle drive was incorporated into the concert.

This year, Fort Riley was selected, because the fort is celebrating 160 years of military history. Who knew people could actually tour Fort Riley?  We didn't.  Although we didn't make time to tour the first capitol of Kansas, the Custer house (where General Custer was believed to have lived), or the museum, we were treated to a lovely walk through streets lined with historic officers' homes, all built with native limestone.  

Of course, the symphony itself was spectacular, which included music from Copland, Dvorak, and other selection that I recognized from Bugs Bunny cartoons.  ;)

The forecast for that day included rain and the possibility of thunderstorms, so we were very thankful we had an almost ideal evening to enjoy the music and surroundings.  

Dale, Jayne, and Rachel

Barbara and Harlan

Our view of the band shell and orchestra as the sun set

The cavalry on parade

If this wasn't actually General Custer's house, he would have lived in one similar to it.

Not bad living for an army officer!

Still Here

Wow. . .it's been a month since I've posted anything on my blog!  And I'm feeling rather guilty.  

It's been a rather busy time for us with more house redecorating, landscaping, family reunion planning, and several fun weekend activities.  

I hope to resume regular blogging in the near future.  Just want to let you know this blog has not fallen by the wayside.

Enjoy your weekend!