Joshua Harris Is...

eaten by a beanbag?  The following You Tube video is a great illustration (IMO) of getting too close to sin.  This short video from Joshua Harris gives a good visual of the effects of sin...so many Scriptures speak of this (Psalm 1; Proverbs 6:27-28; Proverbs 14:16...more in the clip...many more in His word...)



I first saw this on Your Sacred Calling and found it to be a great visual reminder...would be a good one to show the children (or even do as a family night discussion with the children). 

Speaking of which (family night discussion)...I would love to hear any similar lessons that you have done in your family to teach a Bible topic.  Feel free to share by posting a comment ~ so that we may glean from one another and encourage each other to teach our children the Truth of God.

Blessings ~

Life is but a vapor...

The Infinite and the Finite

(A Puritan Prayer taken from The Valley of Vision)

THOU GREAT I AM,

Fill my mind with elevation and grandeur at

the thought of a Being

with whom one day is as a thousand years,

and a thousand years as one day,

A mighty God, who, amidst the lapse of worlds,

and the revolutions of empires,

feels no variableness,

but is glorious in immortality.

May I rejoice that, while men die, the Lord lives;

that, while all creatures are broken reeds,

empty cisterns,

fading flowers,

withering grass,

he is the Rock of Ages, the Fountain

of living waters.

Turn my heart from vanity,

from dissatisfactions,

from uncertainties of the present state,

to an eternal interest in Christ.

Let me remember that life is short and

unforeseen,

and is only an opportunity for usefulness;

Give me a holy avarice to redeem the time,

to awake at every call to charity and piety,

so that I may feed the hungry,

clothe the naked,

instruct the ignorant,

reclaim the vicious,

forgive the offender,

diffuse the gospel,

show neighbourly love to all.

Let me live a life of self-distrust,

dependence on thyself,

mortification,

curcifixion,

prayer.

These recent days have been a whirr of emotions and will continue to be in the days to come.  So many times I have used Psalm 139:16 as part of birthday prayers..."Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them."  Of late, this verse carries the end of its meaning...not only the days of birth ("unformed substance"), but also of death (He knows every one of our days, even our day of death ~ "in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me".)  Even my own blog title, which is derived from Ecclesiastes speaks of this in verse two...

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die..."  Ecclesiastes 3:1-2a

John Piper's devotional titled, Life as a Vapor, emphasizes that life is but a vapor.  Every moment we have breath  we should focus on our purpose for existance...to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.  With the sudden (to my finite mind and understanding of time) recent events in our family, it has caused me great contimplation of how short life truly is and how quickly it could end - the blink of an eye.  Just over a week ago, I found out my mother is very sick and her days are short, outside of a miracle of God.  I do not know what tomorrow holds ~ my Lord does.  My prayers for her have been salvation, comfort and His peace.  No man knows another's heart ~ only the Lord. 

I am ever-so-grateful to the Sustainer of my faith.  His word is a balm, a comfort, an encouragement each day.  I am thankful for His peace, which surpasses all understanding, which guards my heart and mind in Him.  I am thankful for knowing that He will use this for His glory and my good.  I know that God is rich in mercy and an ever-present help in times of trouble.  He is gracious and righteous and merciful in all He does.  I am thankful for His abundant grace...life is but a vapor and this world is temporary ~ keeping my mind fixed on things above and a future hope in Christ Jesus.

To Resolve...Jonathan Edwards' Maxims

January 1st in our day marks a time of setting goals and making 'resolutions', if you will. Common resolutions we hear about are: "to exercise more", "to eat healthier", "spend more time with family", "to save more money", "to learn a new skill", etc. I encourage you to read the resolutions and draw from them as you set about this upcoming year.

Jonathan Edwards' Resolutions give us a glimpse of the seriousness of faith in the 1700's ~ one could read them today and come to this conclusion.  My conclusion is how far we, as a Christian people, have drifted away from such understanding of our sinfulness before a Holy God...our utter need for a Savior...and what our purpose is to be in life ~ "To glorify God and enjoy Him forever."

Edwards read his list (compiled in 1722 & 1723) once each week as he pursued a "reformation of life".  I think Edwards' pursuit of reforming his life (through Truth) is one all Chrisitans should heartily pursue...always referring to Scripture for instruction on what to pursue ~

• 
  
  "So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding." (Romans 14:19)
  
• 
  
  "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.  In all circumstances take up the shield fo faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.  To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." (Ephesians 6:13-20)
  
• 
  
  "But one thing I do:  forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)
  
• 
  
  "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." (Colossians 3:12-13)
  
• "But as for you, O man of God, flee these things.  Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.  Fight the good fight of the faith.  Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of may witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:11-12)
  
• 
  
  "So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart." (2 Timothy 2:22)
  

My emphasis of bold italic words is meant to show ACTION...ACTION to actively DO something.  May this coming year be one in which we look to Scripture and actively pursue what the Lord instructs us to do. 

A blessed and prosperous New Year to you!

A Pictoral Glimpse of 2009

Learning to ride her bike ~ January 2009

 

Many Youth Orchestra practices, performances and concerts throughout the year

Fishing...catch and release several times...a birthday memory

Spring Picnic and several other times of fellowship gatherings during the year

Snippets from our stay in TN

Trip to KY ~ Wonderful time at the Creation Museum

While in KY ~ a drive north into Ohio to visit the US Air Force Museum

The men in the family enjoyed a Cincinatti Reds game on Memorial Day...and took home a foul ball to remember the day

Snippets from our week in NC

Many trips to the beach over the summer ~ always new sea creatures to be discovered...this was quite a day

What's summer without watermelon ~ I can only imagine how much was eaten this summer!

A fun field trip to tour the Nina and Pinta replica ships ~ VERY HOT day

September Events...My 38th and 5 days later the much anticipated arrival of Elizabeth Hope!

Fall Family Style Fun ~ Pioneer Settlement was the setting of a full day enjoying musicians, artisians, craftsmen, good food and fun ~ like barn dancing.

Several trips to the museum...family membership is great!

This was a blessed two day event Alyssa & I participated in ~ both days full of Biblical training in godly character, etiquette and the finale of a full luncheon ~ putting all the learning into action.

Every year we take a family Christmas picture and there is usually a story to share...

The last quarter of this year has been a joy with Elizabeth ~ she is greatly loved & not usually without one of her siblings at her side.

Our 2nd annual trip to see the Festival of Lights locally ~ a new family tradition we have enjoyed.  Whether at the festival or out looking at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve, we always look for the nativity scenes.

Before Christmas Sunday service...Elizabeth's 1st

That is a glimpse of our year...so much more was done, experienced and seen.  So many "seasons of life" which we have walked through...so grateful for His grace and mercy as we did.

Pictures of this Week

O Christmas Tree

If our "season" is not to go TO North Carolina...then North Carolina will come to us ~ a beautiful tree brought to us from NC ~ thank you!  Our home is filled with the lovely evergreen aroma and our hearts with memories of days gone by ~ Lights...the same lights we bought for our 1st Christmas tree 20 years ago ~ Ornaments...some over 20 years old, others new ~ some store bought, others homemade ~ some given from dear friends and neighbors...all memorable and reminders of Christ, family and friends.

"Legend has it that Martin Luther was walking home on a dark December evening when he was struck by the beauty of the starlight coming through the branches of the many fir trees in the woods around his home.  The German Protestant reformer was so captivated by the way the filtered light appeared that he felt moved to duplicate this effect on the tree he had placed in his home.  He tied a candle holder onto one of the evergreen's branches, put a candle in the wooden holder, and lit it.  Walking to the opposite side of the tree, he studied the flickering light.  He liked the effect and attached several more candles in the same way.  Not only was the preacher's family impressed, so were his neighbors.  A host of them added candles to their own indoor trees, and the tradition of a lighted tree was born."

"Luther taught his friends and family that the tree represented the everlasting love of God.  He pointed out that the evergreen's color did not fade, just as the Lord's love would not fade, no matter what the circumstance or trial.  The candlelight represented the hope that Christ brought to the world through his birth and resurrection.  Thus, to those who knew Luther, the tree evolved into a symbol not just of Christmas but of Christian faith in general."  Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas by Ace Collins

The Sound of Music

The first concert of the season...music rolled off the strings from pieces of folk to more traditional ones and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" to bid good night to the filled auditorium.  Well done students!  Our family was blessed with the sounds of these lovely instruments all working together to produce sounds so pleasing to the ears.

An Impromtpu Lesson & Blessing of God's Creation

What a delight to see Monarch catepillars on our milkweed plants today!  These were planted in our butterfly garden last year and not only do we have 8 catepillars, we were visited by a Monarch butterfly while taking pictures!  This was an unexpected gift of God's creation today and a delightful lesson we gladly made time for!