Tag: god

and Thus

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To hunger and thirst after righteousness is nothing but the longing to be positively holy.
I cannot think of a better way of defining it. The man who hungers and thirsts after
righteousness is the man who wants to exemplify the Beatitudes in his daily life. He is a man
who wants to show the fruit of the Spirit in his every action and in the whole of his life
and activity. To hunger and thirst after righteousness is to long to be like the New Testament
man, the new man in Christ Jesus. That is what it means, that the whole of my being and the
whole of my life shall be like that. Let me go further. It means that one’s supreme desire
in life is to know God and to be in fellowship with Him, to walk with God the Father, the Son
and the Holy Spirit int he light. ‘Our fellowship’, says John, ‘is with the Father, and with
His Son Jesus Christ.’ He also says, ‘God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.’ To be
in fellowship with God means to be walking with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the light,
in that blessed purity and holiness. The man who hungers and thirsts after righteousness is the man
who longs for that above everything else. And in the ends that is nothing but a longing to be like
the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Look at Him; look at His portrait in these Gospels; look at Him
when He was here on earth in His incarnate state; look at Him in His positive obedience to God’s
holy law; look at Him in His reaction to other people, His kindness, His compassion, His sensitive
nature; look at Him in His reaction to His enemies and all that they did to Him. There is the portrait,
and you and I, according to the New Testament doctrine, have been born again and have been fashioned anew
after that pattern and image. The man, therefore, who hungers and thirsts after righteousness, is the
man who wants to be like that. His supreme desire is to be like Christ.
-D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, pp 66-67

Amen and Amen.

Day of Days

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Hello friends! It’s Sunday evening here and I’m enjoying my chamomile tea and a little MLJ reading and really should get ready for bed momentarily. Quickly then…just know that today was a simply wonderful day. From being at church with my brothers and sisters and worshiping God together…to having some wonderful chats with friends old and new…and then getting home today and realizing after I finished my workout that I simply could not stay indoors as it’s been gorgeous all day!! After lying by the pool and finishing Steelheart(Brandon Sanderson) – I went for a walk…then thought how nice it would be to read outside at EQ. So walked back to the flat, picked up Lord of the Rings and walked back to EQ and sat on the porch with the sun warming my face…truly, this has to be one of my favorite days of the year. Blissful. I got many chapters of LotR read(from Bree to Rivendell!) and then finally walked back home to make my salad for dinner. Now…I prepare for the upcoming week. Knowing that God is good and has set my path in front of me, I cannot wait to walk in it. Give me the strength, Lord. Give me the strength. Sometimes I feel I know not why I take the steps I do…nonetheless, I trust my God. May this week be blessed of the Lord – only for His glory. Always. Now, I take my leave. Before I do…might as well write out a few of my favorite words from my latest chapter of MLJ:

What hope is there for the world? There is none. There is no comfort for the world now. But for the Christian man
who mourns because of sin and because of the state of the world, there is this comfort – the comfort of the blessed hope,
the glory that yet remains. So that even here, though he is groaning, he is happy at the same time because of the hope
that is set before him. There is this ultimate hope in eternity. In that eternal state we shall be wholly and entirely
blessed, there will be nothing to mar life, nothing to detract from it, nothing to spoil it. Sorrow and sighing shall
be no more; all tears shall be wiped away; and we shall bask for ever and ever in the eternal sunshine, and experience
joy and bliss and glory unmixed and unspoiled. ‘Happy are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.’ How true it is.
Unless we know that, we are not Christian. If we are Christian, we do know it, this joy of sins forgiven and the knowledge
of it; the joy of reconciliation; the joy of knowing that God takes us back when we have fallen away from Him; the joy
and contemplation of the glory that is set before us; the joy that comes from anticipation of the eternal state.
-Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, page 50

Thus sings my soul.

An Old Kind of Music

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Hello friends…and happy Saturday! I have but a few minutes to write, as my steak is currently sitting on my counter and it will be time to cook it in less than 15 minutes! So I fly. Just thought I’d briefly chronicle the events of today, as it truly has been a most lovely day. Started out the day with a nice cup of coffee(warmed and heartened by honey and milk!) and some Psalm-reading. Fortified in both body and spirit, I then got some errands done – haircut and car wash, check! Following, had a nice lunch with John, Camille and Julie…good food, good chat, good friends. Thanks be to God. After that, I needed to give Julie her last birthday present, so she came by briefly…but it was such a gorgeous day(and it still is!) that we decided to go for a walk and soak in the sunlight a bit. We had a fantastic walk and even better talk…but eventually further errands demanded my attention. Did various shopping and then came back here, cleaned a bit…and now it’s almost dinner time! I decided I craved steak…so steak, mashed potatoes and asparagus is on the menu for tonight. Mmm…

Now, thought I’d leave you with a poem from last night’s Lord of the Rings reading. I do love it so, how each time I read this book, I find new favourite chapters…and so last night, shockingly enough, I discovered how much I loved the chapter “The Old Forest”. Who knew? Certainly not I. But reading Tolkien’s lovely prose and poetry…oh was my heart warmed and spirit thrilled.

Now let the song begin! Let us sing together
Of sun, stars, moon and mist, rain and cloudy weather,
Light on the budding leaf, dew on the feather,
Wind on the open hill, bells on the heather,
Reeds by the shady pool, lilies on the water:
Old Tom Bombadil and the River-daughter!

So yes, I think it is safe to say that this is still a book that brings joy to my heart. Now – time to create something that will bring joy to my stomach. Before I do – just know again how thankful I am for this day my God has made. My heart is overflowing with thankfulness. Peace and love.

Not So Trivial

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From my latest book that I have just(very eager and most excited am I!!!) begun…Studies in the Sermon on the Mount by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones…

There was a time when the designation applied to the Christian was that he was a ‘God-fearing’ man. I do not think you can ever improve on that – a ‘God-fearing’ man. It does not mean craven fear, it does not mean ‘the fear that hath torment’, but it is a wonderful description of the true Christian. He is of necessity, as we are reminded very forcibly in the seventh chapter of this Gospel, a man who lives in the fear of God. We can say of our blessed Lord Himself that His life was a God-fearing life. You see how important that view of the Christian is. So often, as I have been pointing out, modern Christians, who may be able to give very bright and apparently thrilling testimonies of some experience they have had, do not suggest they are God-fearing people, but give the impression of being men of the world, both in dress and appearance, and in a kind of boisterousness and easy confidence.

So we must not only take the injunctions of the Sermon seriously. We must also check our particular interpretation in the light of the principles I have given. Beware of the spirit of arguing against them; beware of making them ridiculous; and beware of so interpreting them as to regard any one of them as impossible. Here is the life to which we were called, and I maintain again that if only every Christian in the Church today were living the Sermon on the Mount, the great revival for which we are praying and longing would already have started. Amazing and astounding things would happen; the world would be shocked, and men and women would be drawn and attracted to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

May God give us grace to consider this Sermon on the Mount and to remember that we are not to sit in judgment on it, but that we ourselves are under judgment, and that the building we are erecting in this world and in this life will have to face His final test and the ultimate scrutiny of the eye of the Lamb of God that once was slain.
-D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, page 23

May I be known as a God-fearing man. This is my prayer this night. All glory to God – the Author of my salvation and the Lord of my life. My song rises to the heavens – sing ye to the Lord, all ye His saints!

Eschatos

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Hello all!! I have a few spare moments…as I sit here in the family room at home in Tampa! I just finished laying mulch on the rose bushes out back and now before I shower figured…might as well update briefly! Am nearing the tail end(oh no…) of a simply wonderful mini-vacation here with the fam. I may write in more detail at a later date, but for now, suffice it to say I am much blessed and I am ever so relaxed right now! Being at home is always encouraging, but I feel like this time has been even more so. Hanging out with Dad and Mom and Laura…so many good times at the church(Prophecy Conference at our church – with Alan Kurschner and Marv Rosenthal and Dad speaking…wonderful, beautiful biblical truth being taught and gorgeous, enlivening worship songs being sung and oh such encouraging fellowship with my fellow brethren, reminding me of the day we shall all one day be in the presence of God Himself, worshiping Him forever and ever – “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain!”)

And…I did say I wouldn’t get into the details, but let this just be a reminder to you all(and myself) of how much God blesses us. As much pain and sorrow is on this earth – and yes, we are a party to so much of it! – God grants us such peace and grace as we abide in Him and seek His face and cry out to Him, resting in the comfort of His Spirit and the joy of being redeemed through Christ Himself – oh glory to His Name! So that grace and peace is filling my heart and I know not why the struggles and cares of this world should give me any pause at all.

May your souls be warmed by the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord. He who died for us will surely continue to work in us until we are fully sanctified and consequently wondrously glorified at the day of Christ Jesus. Peace and love, dear friends.

Redeemed

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Just thought I’d share some of my notes from my recently completed study on 1 Peter 1:17-21. Some gorgeous verses…and I’m obviously not doing them justice. But…God has encouraged my soul this afternoon and I can’t help but share. Be blessed, dear friends.

So to wrap up – anything that can sum all this up? Namely – the gospel is glorious. We have a Father who loves us, who planned before the foundation of the world this grand redemptive work – the death of Christ and His resurrection from the dead – which is the price by which our lives are bought. So no longer are our lives meaningless – no longer are we lost, sheep that have gone astray. We now worship God, acting with awe and respect towards our Father, worshiping His name, full of faith in this present life and full of hope for the life to come. If you can think of anything this week to dwell on – think on the fact that we were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ.

One more thing I’d like to bring up. This redemptive work that Christ did – is not something He was forced into. He did it for us, out of love and care and deepest passion. For us. In John 18:4, we see some glorious words which I’ll just read briefly. Right before this verse, the mob comes to arrest Jesus. And in verse 4, “So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” Do you see that? Jesus knew all that was coming. He knew of His impending suffering, of the wrath that was about to be poured upon Him. He knew He was about to fulfill the prophecy of John the Baptist – “The Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world”. He knew He was about to be forsaken by His Father. He knew He was about to be smitten of God, afflicted, pierced through, crushed. He knew the iniquities of us all were about to fall on Him. He knew all these things. And what did He do? Did He shy away or decide it wasn’t quite worth it. That we weren’t quite worth it? No. “So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him…went forth.” He did this – for us. The precious blood of Christ – the Lamb that was slain. Our only response should be to fall on our faces before God and worship. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing! Amen. Amen. Amen.

A White Horse on Field of Green

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Well, it is a Monday morning and it is beautiful. You ever have one of those mornings where you feel supremely encouraged and oh so aware of the love of God? That is today for me and oh is it wonderful!! Firstly, I resolve to go to bed earlier from now on…as a full night’s sleep is just fantastic. Right!? I was in bed before 9 last night(albeit…reading for a while after that, but still!) So when my alarm went off this morning at 3:45…I somehow was almost instantly awake and alert, which is most abnormal. I did the decent thing and didn’t actually rise until about 4…but that set the tone for my whole morning. I had loads of time to do all my normal morning tasks…and then almost 45 minutes for a leisurely reading and coffee time. Oh bliss. And so I read Psalms 97 & 98 and Proverbs 6 and Jeremiah 38-41 and Acts 6-7…and I had time to meditate and pray on these words of Scripture. I was particularly struck by the end of Acts 7 – on Stephen’s powerful testimony and subsequent vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Oh might I be full of the Holy Spirit to such an extent as Stephen was – oh that I might behold a glimpse of the glory of God! And so pondering these words, I finally left for work…where I was able to listen to my favorite Lord of the Rings Symphony, enjoying the gorgeous music contained therein. And as I stopped by Starbucks for my Monday peppermint mocha…for some reason their machine wasn’t working, so I received my drink complimentary. And I just thought to myself, “Lord – why have you granted me so many little blessings this morn?” And so I thank my God this day for how He has granted me these gifts. Now of course – I set course for a day full of work and likely stresses and annoyances. But I shall not fret nor complain. It is well with my soul.

For A Little While

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Been studying 1 Peter 1:3-9 today…can’t help but share my concluding notes I just now wrote. A bit overwrought perhaps? I care not – thus is my heart.

I think it’s important to recognize the existence and necessity and beneficial nature of trials in our lives. But should our lives be characterized by sadness or depression because of these trials? No it should not!! Because we should understand the truth of the glorious gospel and the work of God in our lives, through the power of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead – this is the foundation of our faith! And this foundation leads us to have a sure and firm belief in our inheritance and future hope – knowing that God has protected and made sure our salvation and consequent rewards and benefits thereof. And so we rejoice and even though we have never seen the Lord Christ with our own eyes, we believe in Him(through the faith granted by God!) and we love Him(through the love of God poured out in our hearts through the workings of the Holy Spirit!) and we understand that our souls are saved – we have been born again to a hope eternal and to a life ne’er ending. These trials and sufferings we experience are for our good and make clear to us the genuine faith we possess. And so understanding all this, why should we not rejoice!? Our joy should be such that we can’t even express it and almost dare not try. But we cannot help it and simply must offer praise and glory to our Lord Jesus Christ, offering Him the offering of our souls and the highest song of our lips. God has made us His children. We share in the inheritance of the Eternal God Almighty with our Lord Jesus Christ. We, as God’s children, are much beloved by Him. How should our hearts burn within us, in awe and wonder and love everlasting. See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God. And such we are.

A Haystack World

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Morning all!! Just a quick entry here on this balmy Thursday morning. I say ‘balmy’ because it is above 70(F) currently, which is completely unacceptable for mid-November. Just saying. I really would like to wear my turtleneck and jacket tomorrow to work, if that’s not too much to ask!! …honestly, I’ll probably wear that combo no matter what. I need winter weather. Please?

Anyways! Aside from the weather, nothing too exciting going on lately. A normal work week here. Tonight, going to the Rockets/Blazers game with James, so that should be fun. First Rockets game of the year! They’re actually not half-bad this year, although they’re not quite in the same class as Warriors/Clippers/Thunder. We shall see if they improve as season progresses…

This weekend promises to be a most busy one, but I shall write more about that later when I have more time. One more note – a week from now I will be in Tampa celebrating Thanksgiving with the fam!!! Cannot wait. Have a most amazing day, you all.

Postscript – because apparently I want to write just a few more words. Been really thinking about my future hope lately…and how much my hope is not in this world. As I look at the horrors present in this world and the frailties of our physical bodies – truly, we are made of bones and skin and beating heart, wonderfully made, yet so fragile! – and as I think on the fate we so richly deserve for our ignominious behaviour towards the Creator of all things…I just long for that day when I am in the presence of my Saviour, my God. Someday. Someday.

Trembling

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And so shall I post once more?? Thought it was best that I let the last two song-heavy updates stand on their own. I also should probably zoom off soon, since I’ve spent quite long enough here at Starbucks! But I still have a little coffee in my cup, so I shall write a little more. Pardon the spaciness of my thoughts…I’m in an intriguingly odd mood lately. Odd as in I’ve spent time in several different countries in the last few days…and this time has left me abundantly encouraged and oh so thankful and I really do not think I can quite put my thoughts to page. But…I shall try, at least a little bit. This morning, me and Julie went to Dish Society for breakfast…because I was craving their food partially, but really so Julie and I could catch up and I could tell her a least a bit of my last week in Scotland. Despite all my many tangents, I think she got a good overview of my adventures! Can I capture that here? Maybe.

Anyways. Today is my first full day back in America for over a week. Yesterday afternoon, my plane touched down in Houston and I was once again in my home country. And how was I feeling? Bittersweet. For truly, it is good to be back here and be able to call Dad and family again on phone and see all my Houston friends again(Reliant K and Switchfoot concert tonight with Peter, et al!). But after such a beautiful week with my friends in Scotland…I must admit to a bit of sadness after leaving them (again!).

Oh this is a nightmare – I have no idea how to properly chronicle this past week…and I may admit defeat and try again tomorrow or Monday. I think I shall just thank the Lord my God for giving me this holiday and blessing it in such a way that I had prayed for but wasn’t quite sure would happen. Being with my dear friends again(Chris, Jo, Joel, Laura, John, Ruth, Jackie, Graham, Tineke, Mark, Rosemary…and more!!) was amazing and I realized I am blessed far beyond I deserve with such good and precious friends. Even after being gone three years, I can still talk and laugh and deeply connect with them. But more than just the fun times with friends(and it was indeed fun!!), I relished the chance to commune with my God. I set aside particular times to get alone with my Father God and these times were blessed be Him, of this I testify! As I walked the cliff side path south of Stonehaven on Monday afternoon and felt the sea spray on my face and looked out and watched the sea meet the sky in a beautiful embrace of grey and blue and white and saw the grass dance in the cold sweet breezes and as I sat upon a rock on the seashore and gazed upon the horizon and thought upon the fact that God has called me His true son and placed His hand upon me in perfect love and as I closed my eyes and prayed to Him, I felt at peace. There are so many things in our lives that we feel ill equipped to handle and so many futures we desire were our own and so many trials and tribulations we wish were not our own! And so to realise that God knows us, heart and soul and eyes brimming with tears and passions…this is gloriously precious. And to remember that God loves us His children with an unending and all encompassing love…this is beautifully divine. And so as I sit here in Starbucks, recalling this past week, how God blessed me with such a time of communion with my God…I rejoice. I sing. My meditations this day are full of the glories of the Lord. My heart this day is a-tremble with the thoughts of my Father. My eyes this day are bright with the passions of my God. Let us pour out our souls before the Lord our God, all ye nations -let us rejoice and sing to Him this day He has made! Amen and amen.