1 Peter 1:3-9

1 Peter 1:3-9
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,  who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,  that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,  whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,  receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls."

God is good to give us such beautiful encouragement as we fight our daily battles.  These verses have been a  sweet resting place for me lately.

Burn For You

 

  I heard this song for the first time on Sunday.  Incredible!  

Break my heart, take my dreams, they’re only in the way
Of what’s better than I ask or imagine
You’re my home, You’re my place, each and every word You say
Set me on fire, fire for You, fire for You

Set my heart on fire so that I can burn for You
Set my heart on fire, let them see me burn for You

A face like stone, a heart like wax and a passion for the dead
Unfailing love is what You’ve asked, You’ve imagined
The offered lives of the weakest ones are known to change the world
You set them on fire, fire for You, fire for You

Burning, having a passion for serving our God - this is something that I have been pondering lately.  Again, these thoughts were sparked by reading Foxe's Book of Martyrs. 

I love the line in the song "The offered lives of the weakest ones are known to change the world".  That is so, so true!  Not only physical death, but offering our lives in service each and every day while we live.

 

I remember a conversation I had recently, as I was sharing my thoughts about Foxe's Book of Martyrs with a friend.  We asked the question as a challenge - whether we would be strong and even willing if/when the time comes.  In my mind, of course I would.  But, being willing to give up my life for Christ when, at times, I am hardly willing to show my love for Him by doing the dishes, or cleaning the bathrooms?  These little sacrifices.  If I am unwilling to give of myself in the little things, will I be faithful in the larger things (Luke 16:10)?  This is something that I have thought of so much during the past weeks. 

 

Another conversation I had in a group setting a few weeks ago, the young people were talking about spectacular ways to die.  It really got me thinking.  If I could choose a way to die, what would it be?  Truly, the conclusion I came to was that I would wish to die as a martyr.  I have prayed for God's will in this.  I do not know when or how I will die, but He holds me in His hands, He cares for me.  He knows when and how.  He knows when I will be going home. 

 

Charles Spurgeon said that "Death is but going home."  That is so true for the Christian!  Death is only the beginning of life!

 

Revelation 14:13

Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’”

“Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”

 

 

 

 

1 Corinthians 15:51-58 (these verses from Sunday's sermon - the best I've heard in a long time.)

 

"Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
 

“O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”
 

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

Here is a quote from Charles Spurgeon.  I read it yesterday, and it is a great reminder that "every good and perfect gift is from above." (James 1:17)

"Whatever thou art, thou hast nothing to make thee proud.  The more thou hast, the more thou art in debt to God; and thou shouldst not be proud of that which renders thee a debtor."

I want to burn for Him, be consumed with Him, have a passion for my Lord, a burden for lost souls. I am indebted to Him, and He is alone worthy. 

Psalm 86:11
"Teach me Your way, O Lord..."

Psalm 63:1, Scotland, and an Evening Walk

Psalm 63:1

"O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water."

 

I was absolutely delighted to find this gorgeous little spot about 5 minutes from our home. This is how I imagine Scotland must look, in a way..... :)

It is just a dream, but, oh I would SO love to visit Scotland someday!

I wanted to go for a walk on a wet, c-o-l-d, windy evening, and Elijah went with me.  He is so, so good to me!  Praise God for the immeasurable blessing of godly, gentlemanly brothers!  I am so undeservedly blessed. 

 

Some Random Beauty and Cuteness from the Past Week

What a blessed life I have.  I must be honest and confess that I do not always see my life as beautiful, but it is.  I have a gracious God who forgives me, a beautiful Saviour who died for me, and the Holy Spirit working in my life, conforming me more to the image of Christ.  That is the hard part, the sanctification.  But I am grateful for my life, even if it is not what I, in my finite foolishness, would have chosen. God, in His infinite wisdom, had my life planned before He created the world, and He has known me since forever. :)

 

I read Psalm 36 this morning.  Verse 5 "Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens, and Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds." struck me and reminded me of Isaiah 55:9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts."  I may not understand His ways, because they are infinitely higher than mine, but His faithfulness and mercy reach just as high.  He loves me, He treasures me, and He forgives my weakensses.  What a GLORIOUS thing it is to be a child of the one true God!  This is why life is beautiful!  I am redeemed, and nothing can seperate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:39).

 

I didn't mean to get into all of that, but it just kind of happened.  :)  I'm listening to some gorgeous classical music - Vivaldi's "Four Seasons".  There is something special about having some favorite music playing, windows open to the beautiful, fresh, delicious smelling Spring breeze, thinking grateful thoughts, and watching my little brothers riding their bikes up and down the driveway.   See, I told you my life was blessed!  :)  :)

 

I would like to share a few (a few to me is more than 3 when we are talking about pictures) :) random pictures from the past week.  I love glorious sunsets, my brothers, our dogs, our new pet cat, Archie (who is actually a girl - whoops!), my awesome Mama who did something for me that you will see near the end of this post, and my Papa who works so hard and encourages me especially on the hard days. I hope you enjoy looking at the pictures as much as I loved taking them.

 

I was practicing my puppy cry, and Teddy thought I was nuts! :)

This is "Archie", named after Sir Archie Forbes in G.A. Henty's wonderful book, In Freedom's Cause.  I named the cat, and the boys don't particularly like my choice.  Hmmm.

Jeremiah built a house for Archie and is planning to put metal siding and shingles on it. It has two levels, a bedroom, and a "front porch".  Spoiled cat!  :) Is that not the sweetest thing!?! 

This is one of my favorite expressions! 

Little Mr. Bright Eyes.

A sunset as viewed over our pond earlier this week.  I thought of a line in Matt Redman's 10,000 Reasons as I was photographing it:

"Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me, let me be singing when the evening comes!"

Cutie pie!

And here's what my awesome Mama did for me.  She's the best!

Love, love, love sitting on the edge of the dock and dangling my feet over the water below.

Have a blessed and beautiful week, y'all!  Find something to be super grateful for today, like...doing the dishes!  :)

"Being thankful for everything conquers a self-pityig spirit"

~Kim Brenneman (from Large Family Logistics)

Our Great High Priest

Hebrews 4:14-16

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.

Springtime.

It's springtime in Minnesota!!!!!  What a glorious, beautiful time of year this is - when the flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, and there are also rainy days to water the thirsty ground. God gives new life to the earth.  Everything that has been dead and buried all winter comes to life and is so fresh and beautiful.  It is a wonderful reminder of our new life in Christ.  We are no longer dead in our sins, but alive with Christ.  Life with Christ is a beautiful thing! 

Ephesians 2:4-10

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,  even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),  and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,  that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,  not of works, lest anyone should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

We were down in Iowa recently and a very kind man allowed me to borrow his camera (a Nikon D300S).  It is so complicated and a challenge for me, but amazing and so fun to work with!  It is a really neat experience for me as I had never expected to handle a camera like this for years to come - if ever!  :)  Some of (well, most of) my pictures in this post were taken with this camera.

The sky has been absolutely breathtaking lately!

The first flowers to bloom in our garden.  They are so delicate and beautiful and their scent is lovely.

Jonnie boy.

Miss Dawn was going out to the Richters on Monday, and invited me to go.  I had a great time with them!  Their tire swing is amazing fun!

Isaac loves the ride!  :)

Miss Dawn got this picture of little baby Nathan.  He's adorable!  :)

Jeddy and those blue, blue eyes...!  :)

Isaac is really looking grown up!

And this is "Itty-Bitty" - that's what Papa calls her.  :)

Ashlyn is so sweet!

We were babysitting earlier this week and I just had to try out the new camera.  I was pretty happy with the results.  What do you think?

Recent Happenings...

A snowfall earlier this month gave me a wonderful opportunity for shooting some lovely photos of the winter blanket. I thought that the curl in the arms of these chairs with the snow piled delicately on top made a pretty scene.

Psalm 51:10

 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Mama and I attended Ashlyn's 8th birhtday party.  It was tons of fun!  :)

Byron a.k.a "Byro"

Amanda, Miss Dawn, and Eliajh

Jonnie had fun on the swings after church a couple of weeks ago.

A gorgeous sunset!

Teddy loves to chew on his ball.  He was looking quite goofy this time, so I ran for the camera!

Rosie, hoping for a handout...!  :)

Christian is making "flour" in this picture.

Christian and me - he was providing wild game and cooking meals for me under the trees.  What a wonderful brother!