Our Mighty Substitute

It seems strange to celebrate the worst day in history. Truly, the day that Jews and Gentiles colluded to murder the Son of God eclipses (by far) every other horror in our broken, fallen world. And yet, it seems inadequate to call this Friday merely "Good," because (thus far in history) the only day greater than this was the day that Jesus emerged from the tomb, alive -- the day when Satan's greatest triumph proved to be his utter downfall. 

I love these words from Peter's sermon in Acts 2:

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it."

It was not possible for death to hold Jesus in the tomb! His resurrection was not so much a miracle as an inevitability (though it was, indeed, miraculous!). When God loosed the pangs of death for Jesus, He loosed them for all who would trust in Him as Savior. 

Instead of death, life.
Instead of despair, hope.
Instead of defeat, victory.  

Over the past few weeks, I've been reading Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross, a collection of essays written by theologians throughout history. Its bite-sized meditations have been good for the soul, so I'll include an excerpt from J.C. Ryle below:

 

Was He flogged? 

It was done so that 'by His wounds we are healed' (Isa. 53:5). 

Was He condemned, though innocent? 

It was done so that we might be acquitted, though guilty.

Did He wear a crown of thorns?

It was done so that we might wear the crown of glory.

Was He stripped of His clothes?

It was done so that we might be clothed in everlasting righteousness.

Was He mocked and reviled?

It was done so that we might be honored and blessed.

Was He reckoned a criminal, and counted among those who have done wrong?

It was done so that we might be reckoned innocent, and declared free from all sin.

Was He declared unable to save Himself?

It was so that He might be able to save others to the uttermost.

Did He die at last, and that the most painful and disgraceful death?

It was done so that we might live forevermore, and be exalted to the highest glory.

-- Excerpt from J.C. Ryle's commentary on Matthew, quoted in Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross

Last Spring

 Somehow, we're on our fourth and final spring out west. We moved here in the midst of winter just over three years ago, and watched our little valley slowly unfold under the warm, western sun for the first time. And now here we are, three springs later and preparing to move back east.

I haven't had a good ramble in a while, so this will probably be a bit-of-this, a bit-of-that sort of post.

Disclaimer: all the cow photos are from January -- there's far more green now!

More and more rainbows have been finding their way into my life (this mug was my first faith purchase after we found out about this little one), and I'm treasuring the growing bump that signifies life within. I feel such relief in the first few days after my weekly doppler checks, and then as the week wears on I start to wonder... I'm fifteen weeks today, and counting down every day. We're finally past the gestation where we lost Baby J -- that's the one that's been weighing most on my mind from the start. It doesn't mean we're safe from loss now, but it's a relief to pass that particular milestone.

Obviously a few weeks ago! I'm trying to take more bump
pictures with this pregnancy.

I'm currently going through Spurgeon's commentary on the Psalms as my daily devotional. The two volumes of commentary cost less than a dollar at a charity shop, a small price to pay for such spiritual riches! It's slow going, both due to my time limitations and his eloquence. But perhaps that's for the better. It's also giving me the chance to "mark up" my illuminated Psalms journal, which I am very much enjoying. My Bible has room for notes, but not nearly this much! I'm hoping this is something I can come back to repeatedly over the years (though same pages are already quite full...) -- I'm adding dates to my entries, so I have some time reference for my comments and the (many) quotations from Spurgeon. He's so quotable! I think I'll break this study up into three 50-psalm units, and pause between them for some of the other studies that are waiting for me.

I'm also going to be starting a new prayer journal soon, as this one's nearly full! This journal was a gift from my women's Bible study when I moved out west. It seems appropriate that I'll just be finishing it when I move back. I highly recommend a prayer journal if, like me, you've always struggled to be consistent in prayer (and especially intercessory prayer -- it's so easy to forget who you've promised to pray for!). Inspired to start a journal by a friend from that same Bible study, I chose a "monthly" format. Rewriting my requests every month allows me to see what prayers have been answered, keep my list updated with the "latest" for each person/request, and even functions as a journal of sorts. It's evolved over the past few years, but now I have a structure that works for me and it's proven to be such a blessing.

One of the things we'll miss most about our town is the little Indian food truck! My lands, those folks can cook! The lady who runs the truck knows our order now, because we're creatures of habit. I always, always order the Lamb Rogan Josh -- because if local lamb is an option, why not? It's one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth. We're trying out some Indian recipes (mild!), and this Tikka Masala was our best effort so far:

There are so many calves in the neighboring fields just now! Two itty bitty calves were butting heads in a field as we drove by the other day. It's going to feel odd not to see hundreds of cows on my way to the grocery store after we move.

I happened to plan chicken pot pie on "Pi Day" (3/14), so I had to make a circular pie instead of the rectangular casserole I'd anticipated! Which also meant I had to make two pies, because my children eat like strongmen. Interestingly, I made a gluten-free pie crust for the second pie, and that was more of a hit than my faithful Betty Crocker crust on the "normal" pie. Go figure.

Rosa left me the sweetest message on my pincushion -- the downside being, that I can't bring myself to use those pins now...

I also had a massive knitting fail recently! My Ivy cowl, despite some modifications intended to avoid this issue, was a decided flop! Ah, well, I can reuse the yarn -- and I did learn some interesting stitch designs. I may give this another shot with a lighter yarn (mine was held double to get the weight, and I think it would be better with a yarn that has some drape).

I suppose this might have made an effective face covering two
years ago! Haha!

Some naughty little boy decimated a clump of daffodils at our church -- so we recued a few stems, and brought them home for our own enjoyment. I can't wait to have my garden back next spring! Bulbs are perfect for these black thumbs of mine; they're so easy and reliable. I am a little anxious to see what our house/garden is like after three years of renters, but I'm also just eager to be home.

We're finishing up our last few weeks of home school, and I'll feel relieved when that's done -- much as I love educating my children (and myself!), both the pregnancy and the upcoming move are taking up quite a bit of my energy -- mostly mentally, at this point. We'll all be ready for a break, and I'd like to take some final "field trips" while the weather's nice. I suspect we'll be taking some field trips back East, too, since much of what we've studied about early American history will be right around the corner. How I've missed Williamsburg! Perhaps that will be a good break from all the unpacking.

I've actually made it into my sewing room recently, so hopefully I'll have some stitchy projects to share soon. And I cast off a pair of socks, which means I need another "travel" project! It will probably be -- you guessed it -- more socks. *wink* What I really want to knit are little baby things, but I'm waiting to find out the gender before I go too crazy. I'm excited by the prospect of an October baby; lots of cozy knitting potential there. And what I ought to be doing is preparing for this move (it's shocking how much clutter can accumulate in three years when you have four littles!), as we'll quickly be entering single digits in our weekly countdown -- a thought that's simultaneously exhilarating and a bit alarming! Hmm, what to tackle first... 

Worthy

Worthy are You, our Lord and God, 

to receive glory and honor and power, 

for You created all things, 

and by Your will they existed and were created.

Revelation 4:11

Homely

We've been enjoying homely things of late -- "homely" in the English sense, that is. I've never understood the American usage as a description of plain features. Isn't home supposed to be beautiful, anyway? But that's neither here nor there. 

We finally found a fool-proof bread recipe that works for us -- with only a few ingredients, it's a keeper. There's something so validating about making bread. Perhaps because I've never been very successful in the past? At any rate, this bread is delicious and satisfying spread with some of the local wildflower honey we just bought.

Though nothing can satisfy like the Bread:

"Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; 

whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, 

and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst. 

All that the Father gives Me shall come to me, 

and whoever comes to Me I will never cast out."

John 6:35, 37

Edited to include the recipe, as requested!

The recipe we use is strongly based on Jamie Oliver's bread recipe (video here, slightly different written recipe here). But we've made a few alterations -- or just mixed the two recipes -- until we found what works for us.

I mix everything up in my KitchenAid with the dough hook. My food processor works, but if I do more than half a recipe it gets gummy dough all over everything! Plus, my mixer is easier to clean.

OUR VERSION: 

Ingredients:

• 1 kg flour -- I do half whole-wheat pastry flour, and half all purpose or bread flour (I put my mixer bowl on our digital scale, set it to 0.0, and then pour flour in until I reach a kilo)
• 4 1/2 tsp yeast (2 packets)
• 2 tsp salt 
• ~3 cups of hot water (I use less and add a bit more if needed; I like the dough to not be too sticky, but it seems to turn out better if it's "moist")
• 2 TBSP of olive oil (I think this is technically for pizza crust, but it works & I'm not changing it!)
• Generous squirt of honey -- probably 2 -3 TBSP

Directions:

1. I mix everything in our KitchenAid with a dough hook until everything is combined. I toss in a bit of extra flour and give it a couple of good "kneads" in the bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and put it on the stove under the light to rise. 
2. After about an hour the dough has doubled in size. I knead it more thoroughly on a floured surface, probably 2 minutes or so. Then I divide it in half, shape it (roughly), and place it in two oiled bread pans. It goes back on the stove covered with a tea towel. My oven takes about 15 minutes to preheat to 375 degrees, so I usually just start the preheat now.
3. In roughly 20 minutes the dough has risen in the pans. I make several diagonal cuts on the top of each loaf with a knife (optional) and stick it in the 375 degree oven for 35 minutes. 
4. When the bread is done I put the pans on cooling racks, then remove the bread (a table knife will loosen the sides if needed) a few minues later. Leaving it in the pans too long will cause it to go soggy. Also, I've heard you should allow it to cool completely before cutting -- we don't always do that... *wink* But put it back on the cooling rack after cutting, to avoid sogginess. 

And that's that! I've seen and tried other recipes, but most either didn't work well for anything other than thick slices of toast (I wanted a good sandwich bread!) or had so many ingredients that bread making would be a chore (and sometimes an expensive one, if milk or copious amounts of honey were involved!). That's why I love this recipe -- it's so ridiculously simple, uses whole ingredients (why are they putting cellulose in bread products now?), and is very forgiving. Seriously, I forget about it sometimes when it's rising, and we've yet to have a failed loaf! Oh, and it's not frustratingly sticky like many of the recipes I've tried.  I did leave out the oil accidentally last time, and the bread is drier and not as delectable, so I'd recommend leaving it in. 

Enjoy!



UPDATE 11/18/14: I've edited the recipe to shorten the baking time -- I reduced the time while making stromboli (which this dough is EXCELLENT for, by the way! I used half of the dough for stromboli and made a loaf of bread with the other half), and realized that the bread was softer and less crumbly while still fully cooked. 

Also, I just tried using this dough for rolls and a boule (both of which I placed on a baking tray covered with parchment paper), and they came out beautifully. Obviously, reduce the time for rolls -- 20 minutes at 375 was the magic number for us.

The Gift

I don't typically share "the news" this early, but considering how many of you have been kindly praying for our family over the past few months, I think it's high time to let you know that we're expecting another baby in March! Actually, the current due date is March 15th, the infamous "Ides of March" (which apparently no one knows about, because most of the people I've mentioned this to have responded with blank stares). Considering that Little Man was due Christmas Eve and Rosa was due Reformation Day/Halloween, we seem to have a "holiday due date" theme. 

How I'd hoped and prayed that I would be pregnant before our sweet baby girl's due date! I reasoned that such joyful news would soften the heartache sure to accompany that day. As it turns out, I was pregnant, though I had no idea at the time. And really, I think it was better that way. Without that buffer, I was "forced" to close out a painful chapter in the grieving process. As the due date approached, all of the progress I'd felt I'd made over the past few months was swept away, leaving the wound very, very raw. Only a few days before I took that pregnancy test, I'd prayed to God that He might take away my desire for more children (at least for a time), because the constant see-saw of hope and disappointment each month made the grief that much harder to bear.

Clearly, He didn't grant that petition! I actually found out at 3 1/2 weeks, due to a number of factors (largely my impatience, and the realization that it would be better to test early than wait and wonder in agony for a few more days).

I can't begin to express my gratitude to God for this blessing. I never presumed that we would be able to have another child quickly -- or even at all -- because I know very well that not everyone gets a "rainbow baby" after a loss. Nor can I express my gratitude for the many prayers that you, my dear readers, have offered up on our behalf. I am treasuring this blessing and yet holding it loosely, knowing all too well how precious and transient it can be. It's hard not to give in to anxiety (and I'm not always successful), but as the days pass I become more hopeful. We recently had our first sonogram, and the relief of seeing our baby's heartbeat was great, indeed. Still, for some reason it's difficult to imagine why this pregnancy would go any better than the last. There are still many weeks to go (and several more before we're past the point at which we lost our last baby), so I crave your continued prayer for a safe and healthy pregnancy.

Lamentations 3 was a source of comfort to me over those dark months following our loss, and its verses still bring me comfort:

But I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope: 

the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; 

His mercies never come to an end; 

they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 

"The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "

therefore I will hope in Him." 

Alive

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,

knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more.

Death no longer has dominion over Him.

For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all;

but the life that He lives, He lives to God.

Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin,

but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

- Romans 6:8-11 -

What He Has Given

I'm marveling today at all the Lord has given me. Materially He has given me all that I need and more -- much more than some, much less than others. But He has also given me blessings that I value far more.

The gift of His Son, Who humbled Himself and incarnated himself in a virgin's womb.

The gift of my salvation and reconciliation to God, purchased at the price of His Son's suffering and death -- suffering that I deserved, and He did not. A gift that I did everything to forfeit, but received anyway by His grace.

I pray for this child...

The gift of my sweet family -- my loving husband, the toddler that helps me see my own sin and understand my relationship to God, and the sweet little one who is so relaxed and lets me cuddle her to my heart's content.

As I contemplate all I have, I realize that

every blessing has been given to me

every blessing is undeserved

every blessing points to the love of a God Who loves me for reasons I cannot comprehend 

As this busy season of the year flies past, I pray that I will not be too preoccupied to give thanks for God's many blessings. To Him be praise and glory forever!

The Not-So-Good Old Days

As a lover of history and literature, I have often longed for days gone by. I've dreamed of a time when things seemed simpler, better, and more wholesome. Although I would be loath to give up some of the conveniences of our modern era (does anyone else love running water and electricity?), the thought of a time when the only food available was organic and there were no iPhones has a distinct appeal.

But reading Ecclesiastes shifted my perspective a bit.

Do not say,

"Why is it that the former days 

were better than these?"

For it is not from wisdom 

that you ask about this.

~ Ecclesiastes 7:10 ~ 

Here is what 18th century theologian John Gill had to say about this verse:

"This is a common opinion, that in all ages prevails among men, that former times were better than present ones... Which, if rightly inquired into, or the true knowledge of them could be come at, it would appear that they were no better than the present; and that there were always bad men, and bad things done; frauds, oppressions, and violence, and everything that can be complained of now... [The inquirer should] not arraign the providence of God, and murmur at that, and quarrel with it; as if the distributions of it were unequal, and justice not done in one age as in another."

I find it interesting that glorifying the past is really a way of complaining that God has been better to others than He has to us.

And if "the good old days" were really better, one must assume that the human race has degenerated over time (hence the "not-so-good current days").

This quotation has been attributed to Socrates, and seems remarkably applicable to modern society:

“Our youth now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for their elders and love chatter in place of exercise; they no longer rise when elders enter the room; they contradict their parents, chatter before company; gobble up their food and tyrannize their teachers.”

Man is a fallen creature, and has been since the first sin in the Garden of Eden. Sin is the same now as it was then, and just as much of it is bound up in the human heart. And if doubt lingers, even a brief study of Genesis 19 should dispel it! I'm hard pressed to find a more sordid or sickening display of human depravity than what is recorded in that single chapter of the Bible.

But what about the Victorian era, with its morality and propriety? Or the 1950's, with its happy families and pearl-bedecked housewives? True, evil may be more blatantly displayed in our modern culture than it was then (although that is something that fluctuates by era, as even a brief study of history will reveal -- think of ancient Rome shortly before its fall, or even the Roaring 20's). It seems nothing is hidden now, no matter how inappropriate. But in one sense this is a great blessing.

How can I say that?

When all false social morality is stripped away, how much more does the light of the Gospel shine? The veneer of the Victorian age was just that -- a veneer. There were devout Christians then, just as there are now. But not all of those who followed societal norms of propriety were believers, and that means that their "good behavior" left them in the same place as those today who live in open sin. In human terms, it's actually harder to convince those that live a "good" life that they are dead in their trespasses and sins and are desperately in need of a Savior. Of course, it is the Holy Spirit that convicts the sinner of his sin, and He is no more hampered by our contemporary pop culture than by the Pharisaical "righteousness" of Victorian society.


The distractions of the modern world sometimes seem overwhelming, and I often blame them for my lack of concentration in spiritual matters. It's just so easy to get sidetracked when modern life is a blur of advertising and entertainment! But I ask myself, if I lived a century or two ago, could not the increased struggle for the basic necessities of life be just as much of a distraction? Remembering to keep the fire stoked may have been replaced by watching an episode of House Hunters on Hulu, but no matter how modern or antiquated my occupation, it is my own mind and heart that allows distractions to creep in.

Ultimately, God is sovereign -- which means He controls the society we live in. And His sovereignty over history also means that He has placed me in 2012 instead of 1812 for a reason. If I really trust in His perfect plan, I will not wring our hands over some imaginary utopia of years past. Instead, I will testify of His mercy and grace to those who are lost and dying.




You can find my theological disclaimer here.

Promises, Promises

While reading my Bible this morning, I re-discovered this passage in Corinthians. 

What a joy it is to have a God who has power even over death!

Not only that, but he can and will keep the promises he makes.

That last verse made it onto my "inspiration chalkboard," as a reminder that even the little household tasks I have to do today are important if they are done for God's glory.

This corruptible must put on incorruption, 

and this mortal must put on immortality. 

 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, 

and this mortal shall have put on immortality, 

then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, 

Death is swallowed up in victory. 

 O death, where is thy sting? 

O grave, where is thy victory? 

 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 

 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, 

always abounding in the work of the Lord, 

forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

~ I Corinthians 15:53-58 ~

This is Love

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying,
"Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love:
therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee."

~ Jeremiah 31:3 ~

Under the Tree

When it came to Christmas gifts this year, the winner of the "best gift under the tree" category was a given.

Yes, our little man blew the competition right out of the water -- in our (rather biased) eyes, at least!

We've loved having a live tree this year -- a tradition I hope we can repeat every year. The scent of fir gives me warm fuzzies every time I walk by! And while it's been a sad year so far to be a Gator, we still hung up our ornament in a place of honor.

As we enjoy our first Christmas as a family, the story of the Incarnation is brought home to me in a new way. The sacrifice of a firstborn son has new meaning to me now, especially as I look at our little man's precious, sleepy face. What love the Father had for us that He would give up His Son!

So from our family to yours, we pray you have a very Merry Christmas -- and that the love of God will bless you abundantly!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The People that walked in darkness have seen a great light:
they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death,
upon them hath the light shined.

For unto us a child is born,
unto us a Son is given:
and the government shall be upon His shoulder:
and His name shall be calledWonderful,
Counsellor,
The mighty God,
The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government
and peace there shall be no end,
upon the throne of David,
and upon His kingdom, to order it,
and to establish it with judgment and with justice
from henceforth even for ever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

~ Isaiah 9:2,6-7 ~

Hast Thou Not Heard?

"Hast thou not heard that the everlasting God,
the Lord,
hath created the ends of the earth?
He neither fainteth, nor is weary:
there is no searching of His understanding.

But He giveth strength unto him that fainteth,
and unto him that hath no strength,
He increaseth power.

Even the young men shall faint and be weary,
and the young men shall stumble and fall.

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength:
they shall lift up the wings, as the eagles:
they shall run, and not be weary,
and they shall walk and not faint."

~ Isaiah 40:28-31 ~

As we count down the days until a certain someone is supposed to make an appearance, I've been collecting verses for labor and delivery. There's a little stack of them, ready to go, neatly (if not glamorously) written out on index cards -- and hopefully they're legible enough that Pablo will be able to read them to me if necessary! Even now I find it comforting to meditate on them, to dwell on the realities of God's power and love. What a joy it is to be loved by the Creator of the universe!

Faithfulness

It is the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed,

because His compassions fail not.

They are renewed every morning:

great is Thy faithfulness.

The Lord is my portion, saith my soul:

therefore will I hope in Him.

The Lord is good unto them that trust in him,

and to the soul that seeketh Him.

It is good both to

trust,

and to

wait

for the salvation of the Lord.

Let us search and try our ways,
and turn again to the Lord.

Let us lift up our hearts with our hands unto God in the heavens.

~ Lamentations 3:22-26, 40-41 ~

Ecclesiastical Perspective -- Part 2

"He that loveth silver, shall not be satisfied with silver,

and he that loveth riches, shall be without the fruit thereof:

this also is vanity.

When goods increase, they are increased that eat them:

and what good cometh to the owners thereof,

but the beholding thereof with their eyes?

The sleep of him that travaileth, is sweet,

whether he eat little or much:

but the satiety of the rich will not suffer him to sleep."

~ Ecclesiastes 5:9-11 ~

As I mentioned in my last post, I've been mulling over the topic of contentment and the seasons of life for some time now -- particularly as it relates to jealousy and comparison, which are vices that I've struggled with throughout my life.

So far, I have only experienced a few of the many seasons of life. But even in those few seasons, I've realized how easy it is to become discontent with my situation -- and it has nothing to do with how much I am being blessed by God! In his grace, I've never gone hungry, never faced fear or want, never known a true physical need. In fact, He has given me far more than I could ask or think, and infinitely more than I deserve.

No, my discontentment rears its ugly head when I start comparing my current situation with the situations of those around me. No matter what stage of life I'm in, there will always be someone else who seems to be in a better stage; there will always be someone else who seems to be happier and more blessed than I am.


When you're single, others are courting.
Once you're courting, others are engaged.
Once you're engaged, others are married.
Once you're married, others are pregnant.
Once you're pregnant, others have young children.
Once you have young children, others have older children with fewer demands.
Once you have older children, others have grandchildren.


The list could go on and on, and there are hundreds of sub-categories that could be added -- perhaps not being able to have children at all when others have them in abundance, or never even getting married in the first place. Perhaps barely scraping by when others have pantries stocked with luxuries and designer wardrobes. Perhaps a husband who doesn't seem to really care about spiritual things when others have husbands who are spiritual leaders in the church.



The more I realized how much of my discontentment stemmed from comparison to others (i.e., jealousy), the more I realized that my whole system of comparison was entirely skewed! Why? Because when I compare my life in that way, I pick a few blessings from someone else's life that I want in my own. Essentially, I want to be blessed like Suzie in this area, like Mary in that area, and like Jane in another area. I don't covet their *entire* life, just the areas that I personally want.

For example (and all examples I use are entirely fictional, by the way), perhaps "Suzie" is a phenomenal seamstress. So I start to covet Suzie's skills, no longer being content with what God has given to me. But, Suzie has to work outside the home, has a husband who watches TV all evening, and has a fragile relationship with her family. God has put Suzie in a particular situation, which includes both blessings and challenges. If I only covet her blessings, I'm not looking at the whole picture. Essentially, if I could somehow have the chance to be Suzie in one area, I'd have to be Suzie in *every* area. And when it comes down to it, I really wouldn't want to trade being a stay-at-home wife, my loving and attentive husband, and a healthy relationship with my dear family, for all the sewing skills in the world. I don't really want to be Suzie, I'm just isolating and magnifying one of her blessings until it consumes my contentment and blinds me to the blessings I do have.


So for me, one key to minimizing discontentment is Realism. Very often, I look only at others' blessings, ignoring the challenges that they face. This means my focus is on what I don't have, rather than on the innumerable ways that God has blessed me. I have traded the supreme blessing of contentment for an unrealistic, dissatisfying obsession with how "blessed" other people are.

That friend who's engaged or married? Her situation seems so wonderful, but no relationship comes without its heartaches and difficulties.

That friend who has a houseful of young children? It's easy to fixate on the blessing of children, while being blind to the challenges that may accompany that blessing -- everything from exhaustion to feelings of isolation and loneliness.

That friend whose husband is a spiritual leader in the church? Perhaps his theological studies lead him to neglect his family.


Now, I'm not suggesting that every engaged/married couple is miserable, that every young mother is depressed, or that every church leader is secretly a wife-beater! But rather, no matter what it is that I covet in someone else's life, I would not miraculously find contentment if I could somehow attain it. Because attaining that blessing also means attaining a whole new set of challenges, and that would begin the whole cycle of comparison and jealousy all over again!



I love blogging and I love reading the blogs of other like-minded women; I have found it to be such an encouragement in my own life, not to mention an endless source of inspiration! But at the same time, it is very easy to grow discontent in the blog world -- it is much easier to see other people's lives through rose-colored glasses when you only see the parts of their lives that they post about. Personally, I desire to maintain privacy for myself and my family. This is the Internet, after all! So while I do try to be realistic about my life, those who read my blog will never know some of the challenges I face or the sins I struggle with. I have found myself thinking "Oh, it seems like they have such a wonderful life!" many-a-time while perusing my favorite blogs. But I need to realize that while I should be (and am!) happy for the wonderful blessings that my fellow bloggers enjoy, I should not idealize their lives or start comparing my own life to theirs.


Ultimately, no amount of realism can be a "cure" for discontentment -- there is no simple cure, no easy way out, because Contentment is a matter of the heart. But why make it harder on myself by building up unrealistic illusions about other people's lives?


I think of the Psalmist's word in Psalm 16:5-6

"The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup:

thou shalt maintain my lot.

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places:

yea, I have a fair heritage."

I need to realize that God has blessed me richly in *every* area of my life, and that He has designed my life and my circumstances to bring glory to Himself and blessing to me. He has ordained certain challenges in my life, but I should not want to trade those challenges for any seeming "blessing," because those challenges are actually a blessing and a gift from Him!

I Timothy 6:6-10

"But godliness is great gain, if a man be content with that he hath.

For we brought nothing into the world,

and it is certain, that we can carry nothing out.

Therefore when we have food and raiment,

let us therewith be content.

For they that will be rich, fall into temptation and snares,

and into many foolish and noisome lusts,

which drown men in perdition and destruction.

For the desire of money is the root of all evil,

which while some lusted after, they erred from the faith,

and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

All of the blessings of this world are fleeting at best -- no book of the Bible makes that quite as clear as Ecclesiastes! So what if I'm not as wealthy as a friend down the street? I can be grateful that I don't have to face as much temptation in the area of wealth. So what if I don't have a house full of young children like a friend from church? I can be grateful that I have more time right now to invest in my marriage and my interests.

Hebrews 13:5

"Let your conversation be without covetousness,

and be content with those things that ye have,

for He hath said,

I will not fail thee, neither forsake thee."

Perhaps some of the blessings that my friends are enjoying now will come to me in time -- accompanied by their corresponding challenges. But if they don't, it will not be because God is somehow blessing my friends more than He is blessing me. I don't need to fret over how He divides up His blessings, because I can trust Him to provide for all of my needs. Yes, some seasons of life will be harder than others. And yes, by tomorrow I will need to be reminded yet again that I need to be content with what I have (actually, forget tomorrow -- I'll probably need a reminder in five minutes!). But God has promised not to fail me or forsake me, and that is a promise that I can rest content in.

You can find my theological disclaimer here.

Ecclesiastical Perspective -- Part 1

The third chapter of Ecclesiastes is perhaps one of my favorite chapters in the Bible:

"To all things there is an appointed time,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

A time to be born, and a time to die:

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.

A time to slay, and a time to heal:

a time to break down, and a time to build.

A time to weep, and a time to laugh:

a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones:

a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embracing.

A time to seek, and a time to lose:

a time to keep, and a time to cast away.

A time to rent, and a time to sow:

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.

A time to love, and a time to hate:

a time of war, and a time of peace.

What profit hath he that worketh of the thing wherein he travaileth?

I have seen the travail that God hath given to the sons of men, to humble them thereby.

He hath made everything beautiful in His time:

also He hath set the world in their heart,

yet cannot man find out the work that God hath wrought

from the beginning even to the end.

I know that there is nothing good in them,

but to rejoice,

and to do good in his life.
And also that every man eateth and drinketh,

and seeth the Commodity of all his labor.

This is the gift of God.

I know that whatsoever God shall do, it shall be forever:

to it can no man add, and from it can none diminish:

for God hath done it, that they should fear before Him."

~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-14 ~

What a marvelous picture of God's sovereignty! I find these words so comforting, because they reassure me (though I should need no reassurance) that God is in control of every molecule in the universe, and that His eternal plan *will* be worked out. No person on this planet can control his "destiny," or shift the eternal plan of God. "Whatsoever God shall do, it shall be forever."

I need to memorize these verses, to implant them on my brain -- it's so easy for me to become wrapped up in whatever stage of life I'm in, to forget that God has ordained many seasons in life. And that is the challenge, as I make my way down the balance beam of life. If I hold on too tightly to those enjoyable seasons, my heart begins to grow independent and I become unsuited for the seasons of trial that will come. On the other hand, if I view seasons of trial as endless cycles of pain and hopelessness, my heart begins to doubt God's love and my whole outlook becomes cynical. What I need to do, whatever season I am in, is serve God, work hard, and enjoy the fruits of my labor.



I am grateful for a God who plans the seasons of my life perfectly. Who picks me up every single time I fall off that balance beam. Who gently -- or sometimes sternly -- shows me that I know nothing of His master scheme for this world, that it's not all about me, and that what I need to do is simply trust Him and take the next step.

What if that next step is some important decision? Ecclesiastes lays it out very simply: Serve God, work hard, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. There is no need to fret over the decisions that lie before me, because the plan of God is fixed.

Ecclesiastes frees me from my own self-importance. It reminds me that I will *never* be able to fully understand God's plan for me and for the world. Certainly, I can catch a glimpse of it when I look back in history, and in my own life. But as the Holy Spirit puts it, "yet cannot man find out the work that God hath wrought from the beginning even to the end." He also says a few verses earlier that we are here on this earth to be humbled -- humbled by God's magnificent and unsearchable plans, humbled so that we will fear and worship our Creator.



We are here on this earth for only a short time, because this is not our final destination. So what do we do while we're here? Serve God, work hard, and enjoy the fruits of our labor. The Scriptures tell us that "This is the gift of God." God has given us freedom from fear, and the ability to enjoy His blessings.

It is God who controls my life and the world around me. And that is a supreme and comforting blessing, because that means there is hope. It is the God who brought the world into existence, and redeemed His people by sacrificing His own Son who is calling the shots. And it is that same God, Ecclesiastes says, that has "made everything beautiful in His time." In the meantime, all I am supposed to do is work and wait for the glorious unfolding of God's plan. Because it will be more beautiful than anything I could ever imagine.

All of this rambling, believe it or not, stems from some thoughts I've been mulling over for the past few months on contentment -- which I'll probably share in my next post!


You can find the second part of this post here: Ecclesiastical Perspective -- Part 2

You can find my theological disclaimer here.

Humbling Renewal

"The renewed man

acts

upon new principles,

by new rules,

with new ends,

and in new company.

The believer is created anew; his heart is not merely set right, but a new heart is given him. He is the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Though the same as a man, he is changed in his character and conduct.

These words must and do mean more than an outward reformation. The man who formerly saw no beauty in the Saviour that he should desire him, now loves him above all things. The heart of the unregenerate is filled with enmity against God, and God is justly offended with him.

Yet there may be reconciliation.

Our offended God has reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ. By the inspiration of God, the Scriptures were written, which are the word of reconciliation; showing that peace has been made by the cross, and how we may be interested therein.

Though God cannot lose by the quarrel, nor gain by the peace, yet he beseeches sinners to lay aside their enmity, and accept the salvation he offers.

Christ knew no sin.

He was made Sin;

not a sinner,

but Sin,

a Sin-offering,

a Sacrifice for sin.

The end and design of all this was, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him, might be justified freely by the grace of God through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.

Can any

lose,

labour,

or suffer

too much for Him,

who gave his beloved Son to be the Sacrifice for their sins,

that they might be made the righteousness of God in him?"

~ from Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Corinthinans 5:16-21 ~
all emphases mine

Sabbath Meditation

~ Psalm 93 ~

"The Lord reigneth,

and is clothed with majesty:

the Lord is clothed,

and girded with power,

the world also shall be stablished,

that it cannot be moved.

Thy throne is established of old:

Thou art from everlasting.

The floods have lifted up, O Lord:

the floods have lifted up their voice:

the floods lift up their waves.

The waves of the sea are marvelous

through the noise of many waters,

yet the Lord on high is more mighty.

Thy testimonies are very sure:

holinesss becometh thine House, O Lord,

forever."

The people that walked in

darkness have seen a great

light:

they that dwelled in the

land of the shadow of death,

upon them hath the light shined.

~ Isaiah 9:2 ~

Bridal Festivities

About a month ago, the sweet ladies in our church hosted a bridal tea for me -- what a memorable, special day! I'm trying to savor these once-in-a-lifetime moments, these precious times spent with my dear friends and family. Like the devotional that a friend of ours gave at a shower that she hosted for me: knowing that I had heard and studied the traditional Bible verses on marriage many times before, she focused instead on what she had learned from marriage. It was Biblically grounded, practical, and absolutely invaluable!

I'm grateful for the community of Godly women who have supported and encouraged me, who have taught me so much over the years without even knowing it.

One word? Blessed.



Thank you to my sister for the first photo in this post!

For Our God is a Consuming Fire

One of the wonderful things about the house we're renting is the wood-burning fireplace. The warmth, the crackle, the delicious aroma of burnt wood -- it's one of my favorite things about this time of year (even in Florida)!



Fires also remind me of our heavenly Father. One of my favorite chapters in the Bible, Hebrews 12, ends with these words:

"Wherefore seeing we receive a kingdom, which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, whereby we may so serve God, that we may please him with reverence and fear. For even our God is a consuming fire."



I love the image of our great God as a consuming fire -- though I suppose it's a terrifying image to those who do not belong to Him. But for His people, for those who rest in the death and resurrection of His Son for their salvation, it is a comforting fire. A protective fire.


"And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud to lead them the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might go both by day and by night. He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night from before the people."
~ Exodus 13:21-22 ~


Praise be to God for His beauty, His holiness, and His love!

(Verses taken from the 1599 Geneva Bible, available online here: The Geneva Bible)