Isnt it just like the Lord....

We give little to nothing and He pours out on us abundantly...

I cant help thinking about that when I look at a little tiny seed that Im about to plant. Look at the tiny little thing we put in, and He blesses it and grows it and gives us abundantly from it!
Thank you Lord!

Prayer of Lady Jane Grey

My 'The Homeschool Channel' friend, Anne, from http://www.educatorsathome.com/ posted this. Thanks Anne~beautiful. May it be the prayer of our heart also.

O merciful God, be Thou unto me
A strong Tower of defence,
I humbly entreat Thee.
Give me grace to await thy leisure,
And patiently to bear
What Thou doest unto me;
Nothing doubting or mistrusting
Thy goodness towards me;
For Thou knowest what is good for me
Better than I do.
Therefore do with me in all things
What Thou wilt;
Only arm me, I beseech Thee,
With Thine armor,
That I may stand fast;
Above all things taking to me
The shield of faith;
Praying always that I may
Refer myself wholly to Thy will,
Abiding Thy pleasure, and comforting myself
In those troubles which it shall pleased Thee
To send me, seeing such troubles are
Profitable for me; and I am
Assuredly persuaded that all Thou doest
Cannot but be well; and unto Thee
Be all honor and glory. Amen.

God desires truth in the inward parts....

Psalm 51 3-6 says;
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
  Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.  Isnt the Lord good to tell us who and what we REALLY are? Despite who we pretend to be, in spite of who we want others to think we are...there is One who is not fooled and knows us in our secret heart.
  Nothing drives me crazier than people who create an 'online' image...and it is nothing of who they really are. Who are we fooling? A better question is; why are we fooling? We can have a following of thousands, blog incessantly and write a million ebooks, trying to convince (and doing a good job of it) folks that we are a certain person. But, in spite of it all, the front and the foolery~at the end of the day we are still who we really are.
  Scripture says; we were brought forth in iniquity and in sin we were conceived. Not much to brag on there. Paul admonishes us in 2 Cor 10:17 "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord". So as way of admonishment to you and to me;) Let us remember that we are dust and we were brought forth in iniquity. All of our righteousness is as filthy rags...In Christ alone, our hope is found. Not in an orderly house, an intensive homeschool regime, faithful church attendance or the myriads of post and blogs and ebooks that we write.
  The Lord delights in 'truth in the inward parts' and He teaches us wisdom in our secret heart. Lets share the wisdom He gives us and be truthful with one another. It is so much more encouraging!
  Psalm 19:12-13

English Standard Version (ESV)

  Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
   Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression

John MacDuff, "Evening Incense" 1856

I am truly a marvel and miracle!

O my Father, it is of Your compassions alone, that I am not consumed!

My way Zionward is well-studded with Ebenezers, testifying "Thus far the Lord has helped me!"

The pillar of Your presence has guided me through many a perplexing path!

Your love has smiled through many a threatening cloud!

Your restraining grace has arrested me in many a slippery way!

When "my soul was among lions"--how often have You "sent Your angel" to rescue me and shut the lions' mouths! I am truly a marvel and miracle of Your preservation, patience, and mercy!

"Hold me up--and I shall be safe!" Psalm 119:117

Something to think about...

(Ill let someone who was much more learned than I say this:)...
The loving heart of an actual living Christ!
(J.C. Ryle, "Holiness, Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots" 1879)

I am afraid that many Christians in our day, have lost sight of Christ. They talk . . .
more about salvation--than about their only Savior, and
more about redemption--than the one true Redeemer, and
more about Christ's work--than Christ Himself!

This is a great fault--one that accounts for the dry and shriveled spirit that infuses the religious lives of many who profess faith.

As ever you would grow in grace, and have joy and peace in believing--beware of falling into this error! Cease to regard the Gospel as a mere collection of dry doctrines. Look at it rather as the revelation of a mighty living Being in whose sight you are daily to live. Cease to regard the Gospel as a mere set of abstract propositions and abstruse principles and rules. Look at it as the introduction to a glorious personal Friend. This is the kind of Gospel that the apostles preached. They did not go about the world telling men of love and mercy and pardon in the abstract. The leading subject of all their sermons, was the loving heart of an actual living Christ!

This is the kind of Gospel which is most calculated to promote sanctification and fitness for glory. Nothing, surely, is so likely to prepare us for that Heaven where Christ's personal presence will be all, and that glory where we shall meet Christ face to face--as to realize communion with Christ, as an actual living Person. There is all the difference in the world, between an idea and a person.
  

Sleepy?

Sleepy saints!
(Arthur W. Pink)

"You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober!" 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6

Sleepy saints! What an anomaly! Drowsing on the verge of eternity!

A Christian is one who, in contrast to the unregenerate, has been awakened from the sleep of death in trespasses and sins, made to realize the unspeakable awfulness of endless misery in Hell and the ineffable joy of everlasting bliss in Heaven--and thereby brought to recognize the seriousness and solemnity of life!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Comfort for today...

Misery Forgotten!

James Smith, 1842

"You shall forget your misery!" Job 11:16

Courage, my soul! behold the prize
Your Savior's love provides;
Eternal life beyond the skies,
For all whom here He guides.

The wicked cease from troubling, there,
The weary are at rest;
Sorrow, and sin, and pain, and care,
No more approach the blessed!

A wicked world, and wicked heart,
With Satan now are joined;
Each acts a too successful part
In harassing the mind.

But fighting in my Savior's strength,
Though mighty are my foes,
I shall a conqueror be at length,
O'er all that can oppose.

Then why, my soul, complain or fear;
The crown of glory see!
The more I toil and suffer here,
The sweeter rest will be!

Talk is cheap....

James Smith, "Daily Food for the Lord's Flock!" 1848)

"For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men!" 1 Peter 2:15

The ungodly are to be silenced by our deeds--rather than by our words. They may refuse to hear us speak--but they cannot help seeing us walk!
 
  Well I'm not sure that talk is cheap actually...because Scripture says that we will give an account of every word we speak. It is true however,  that we heavily influence our spouse, our children and our companions by the way that we walk. We must walk worthy of our high calling in Christ Jesus if we will glorify Him with our lives.
  It is difficult to speak in a way that is inconsistent with our walk though isn't it? Unless one is particularly deceitful and manipulative, which I know there are folks who are that way. But generally, what we speak comes forth from the abundance of what is in our heart.
  You may be surprised that I say we are able to influence our 'spouse'. I have seen it time and time again where a contentious wife tears down her husband, yea her entire house with her words (and deeds). Therefore can it not work in the other way that if we control our tongue and are sure that our actions glorify the Lord, that we will build up our spouse and strengthen the foundations of our home?
  May the Lord direct our hearts and minds~our words and actions, to build up our families and walk in a way that is worthy of one who is a child of God. Words and deeds...yep I think that is the key:)

Prayer Warriors....

Prayer warriors are friends of God. They bring before the Lord the needs of His precious people. I would love to start a 'prayer' blog. Everyone just add their prayer requests daily, then over a cup of coffee and a moment in the Word in the morning we could scroll thru the prayers and lift each other before the Lord...Sigh.
 
We dont need to know one another to pray do we? I surely dont and I know you dont either. So please pray for my friend Jill today, and for a precious little guy named Noah. I havent asked either of them if I can disclose prayer needs but the Lord knows.

How can I pray for you?
Every blessings, Dana

A Beautiful Happy Home!!!

The making of a beautiful and happy home!
(a grace gem for today)
(J.R. Miller)

A true home is one of the most sacred of places. It is a sanctuary into which men flee from the world's perils and alarms. It is a resting-place to which, at close of day--the weary retire to gather new strength for the battle and toils of tomorrow. It is the place . . .
  where love learns its lessons,
  where life is schooled into discipline and strength,
  where character is molded.

Few things we can do in this world are so well worth doing--as the making of a beautiful and happy home! He who does this--builds a sanctuary for God, and opens a fountain of blessing for men.

Far more than we know--do the strength and beauty of our lives, depend upon the home in which we dwell. He who goes forth in the morning from a happy, loving, prayerful home--into the world's strife, temptation, struggle, and duty--is strongly inspired for noble and victorious living.

The children who are brought up in a true home--go out trained and equipped for life's battles and tasks--carrying a secret of strength in their hearts, which will make them brave and loyal to God, and will keep them pure in the world's severest temptations! (JR Miller)

Oh my! Reading this makes we want to say 'Me Lord , me! Create one of those for me! May He give us the grace to make our homes beautiful and full of Grace! In our failure is where Grace abouds! That sweet wonderful amazing grace:) ~Dana

Send an e card to this little boy

Ok I have better information now! Here is how you send this little guy a card. His parents are hoping he gets 300 of them and they read and show each one to him;
first go to this link

http://childrenshospital.vanderbilt.org/

Then this is his name and room number for you to type in.

Patrick Froehling room 5424
It is that easy and he will be blessed!
Everyone in our family is sending him one! That is 10!
Thanks for bringing joy to a little one.
Blessings, Dana

Please pray....

  We were just made aware of this story today, in case you would like to send an ecard to this young boy...he was recently diagnosed with brain cancer.
 
If you would like to send an e card the link is

http://childrenshospital.vanderbilt.org/  ( I just made the correction of http it was not www, thanks!)

we are trying to send him over 300 e card this time, his parents read them all to him and show him the pictures. He is so sweet and they are just so amazing, they too also homeschool their other children...
if you could pass the link on that would be wonderful, and pray for a 100% miracle for this little man.

Thank you again,
Lori (from THC) Thank you Lori for making us aware of this situation so we can pray, blessings, Dana

A Grace Gem

We receive these Grace Gems in our inbox daily. I would encourage you to sign up for them.
Robert Murray McCheyne quotes:

1. For every look at self--take ten looks at Christ!

2. The greatest need of my people--is my personal holiness. Take heed to yourself. Your own soul is your first and greatest care. Keep up close communion with God. Study likeness to Him in all things.


3. Unfathomable oceans of grace are in Christ for you. Dive and dive again--you will never come to the bottom of these depths!


4. Get your texts from God--your thoughts, your words, from God. In great measure, according to the purity and perfections of the instrument, will be success. It is not great talents God blesses--so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is a powerful weapon in the hand of God.


5. A man is what he is on his knees before God--and nothing more.

6. Live near to God--and all things will appear little to you in comparison with eternal realities.


7. Lord make me as holy as a pardoned sinner can be!

                                                                        Amen!

Awareness & Compassion....

  March being Trisomy 13 Awareness Month, I want to be sure and mention it a few times in our blog this month. Even if you dont know anyone who has dealt with this, you can still pray if you feel so led. One of my prayers is that the 'medical establishment' would conform their policy on this issue. Most of the time, health care providers say that Trisomy 13 is incompatible with life...hm I beg to differ. Check out the Trisomy 13 button on the side bar and read amazing testimony's from parents. Whether these childrens lives last a moment or years and years, every second is a precious moment.
  As you can see, under the Trisomy 13 button, there are a few names. Those are names of just a few of the precious babies who have gone on before us; where there are no more tears or tubes or trials. If you or anyone you know would like to add a name to my list I would be honored to add it. Just leave me a note in the 'comments'. Or you can email me privately at keetsrus@yahoo.com.
  As I write this I cant help thinking of Leahs little one, Elizabeth. She didn't have Trisomy but what she had resulted in a very short life on this earth (but we know she is eternal in the Heavens with the Lord). I rejoiced with Leah and her family that they had some precious moments with that dear little one. I also cant help thinking of Noah and all of the struggles that brave little guy faces each day. I am not sure what he has, Ive checked his blog for months and months...I believe he has many many things. All of that to say, all of these lives are precious and important. My sympathies and heart are not with one disorder alone:) It is with all of the dear families who are dealing with the struggles and care for these sweet ones and the families who have suffered the pain of loss.
  Our loss of these little ones is their gain but the pain remains:)
   Dear Lord please bless all of these families with your peace and presence today~

Where is chivalry???

 

chiv·al·ry

   /ˈʃɪvəlri/ Show Spelled[shiv-uhl-ree] Show IPA

noun, plural -ries for 6.

1.

the sum of the ideal qualifications of a knight, including courtesy, generosity, valor, and dexterity in arms.

2.

the rules and customs of medieval knighthood.

3.

the medieval system or institution of knighthood.

4.

a group of knights.

5.

gallant warriors or gentlemen: fair ladies and noble chivalry

  I constantly read history. This year we are studying 'Europe'. Much of our study has landed me in the medieval period. You know, the time when 'barbarians' roamed the earth? Men who thought nothing of war and death and privation?

  I find it most interesting that those who we would call barbarians were endowed with such an admirable amount of chivalry that it puts our society to shame. Our 'advanced', 'civilized', 'cultured' society is more barbarian than any that I have read of so far.

  For example, there were two feuding clans in Scotland (around the year 1300). The two clans were feuding over a tract of land that they both claimed were theirs. The chiefs decided to 'meet' at the disputed spot and decide once and for all who was the owner of the property. There stood up a man~with hands on hips who defiantly spoke to the 'other' chief and said "I swear that the soil I stand upon is that belonging to us"(he said this while standing upon the other chiefs land)...the opposing chief knew that there is no way this man would out and out lie, yet he knew that the land was his. Therefore the only solution was; he picked the man up by his heels, peeled of his shoes and shook out the soil that he found there! During the night, the man (who was now on his head:) had snuck some dirt into his shoes from their own land and put it in his shoes so that, wherever he stood, when he said "The soil I stand upon is ours" he would be speaking the truth.

  Isn't that noble in a way? We can learn a lot from the heathens of old. What shame their chivalry is to us in this age.

  There is another story of a Scottish lord who was faithful to the (tyrant) King Edward of England. King Edward was constantly trying to put Scotland under his rule so he would war with, or kill off the kings of Scotland to accomplish his purposes. One of the 'lords' was named Buchan. He was such a detestable, mean and wicked, unfaithful man that many feared him. There is not an act of treachery that he would not perform. At one point he is said to have killed his own son. WHAT!!! The knights, wretches and tyrants around him disputed for months over the veracity of such a story. They could not believe that even he, who turned his wife over to King Edward to be killed, who reveled in war and death, could possibly do such a thing! The rules of decency and chivalry would not permit such an action. We are not talking about Christian folks here either...What would those barbarians have thought of planned parenthood in their day!

  Well shame on our 'civilized' society who knows not even the definition of chivalry!

   Let us purpose to teach our young men, children and daughters the virtue of chivalry. It is not dead! It is just unknown, untaught and unthought of in this present age! Lord have mercy on our uncivilized behaviour.

Home Trials...

JC Ryle says;
The plain truth is, that home trials are one of
the many means by which God sanctifies and
purifies His believing people.

These trials are spiritual medicines, which
poor fallen human nature absolutely needs.

By them He keeps us humble.

By them He draws us to Himself.

By them He sends us to our Bibles.

By them He teaches us to pray.

By them He shows us our need of Christ.

By them He weans us from the world.

By them He prepares us for "a city which
has foundations," in which there will be
no disappointments, no tears, and no sin...(end excerpt)
  I do not automatically think 'This trial is for my good', but I have learned to do that very soon after I become vexed by a trial in our lives. It REALLY is for our good. Our eternal good and Gods glory. We dont have to understand it. It is just so.
  It is often difficult to know what to say to folks who are going thru trying times. But, not yet having the mind of Christ , we dont need to know. Often if we just offer to pray for people they will know that we care. And, who better to go to with petitions for help for a person than the Lord?
  If they dont 'have the answer' they dont expect that you do. Acutally it is rather dangerous and prideful to think that we "know why' something or other is occurring in someones life.
  So as way of encouragement, if you are going through a trial in  your life, strive to remember that The Lord loves you and means it only for your good and His glory. I dont understand it, but I trust that it is so.
  May the Lord be your ever present help in time of need. Blessings~

A Cheap easy Christianity

(J.C. Ryle, "The Cost!")
"Any of you who does not give up everything he has, cannot be My disciple." Luke 14:33

What does it cost to be a Christian?

I grant freely that it costs little to be a mere outward Christian. A man has only got to attend a place of worship twice on Sunday, and to be tolerably moral during the week--and he has gone as far as thousands around him ever go in religion. All this is cheap and easy work--it entails no self-denial or self-sacrifice. If this is saving Christianity and will take us to Heaven when we die--we must alter the description of the way of life, and write, "Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to Heaven!"

But it does cost something to be a real Christian, according to the standard of the Bible. There are . . .
  enemies to be overcome,
  battles to be fought,
  sacrifices to be made,
  an Egypt to be forsaken,
  a wilderness to be passed through,
  a cross to be carried,
  a race to be run.
Conversion is not putting a man in a soft armchair, and taking him pleasantly to Heaven. It is the beginning of a mighty conflict, in which it costs much to win the victory. Hence arises the unspeakable importance of "counting the cost."

True Christianity will cost a man . . .
  his self-righteousness,
  his sins,
  his love of ease, and
  the favor of the world.

A religion which costs nothing--is worth nothing!

A cheap, easy Christianity, without a cross--will prove in the end a useless Christianity, without a crown!

Holiness

What is true practical holiness?It is not knowledge--Balaam had that.
It is not great profession--Judas Iscariot had that.
It is not doing many things--Herod had that.
It is not zeal for certain matters in religion--Jehu had that.
It is not morality and outward respectability of conduct--the rich young ruler had that.
It is not taking pleasure in hearing preachers--the Jews in Ezekiel's time had that.
It is not keeping company with godly people--Joab and Gehazi and Demas had that.
Yet none of these were holy people! These things alone, are not holiness. A man may have any one of them--and yet never see the Lord!
Let me try to draw a picture of Biblical holiness, that we may see it clearly before the eyes of our minds.
1. Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind described in Scripture.
2. A holy man will endeavor to shun every known sin, and to keep every known commandment.
3. A holy man will strive to be like our Lord Jesus Christ.
4. A holy man will follow after meekness, patience, gentleness, patience, kind tempers, and government of his tongue.
5. A holy man will follow after temperance and self-denial.
6. A holy man will follow after love and brotherly kindness.
7. A holy man will follow after a spirit of mercy and benevolence towards others.
8. A holy man will follow after purity of heart.
9. A holy man will follow after the fear of God.
10. A holy man will follow after humility.
11. A holy man will follow after faithfulness in all the duties and relations in life.
12. Last--but not least, a holy man will follow after spiritual-mindedness.
                                                                     This is an excerpt from a writing by JC Ryle named "Holiness".

Hospitality...a challenge! Ideas....

What are some of the difficulties surrounding the practice of hospitality?
  Lets say we are speaking of having people into your home for a meal. Here are a few tips;
 It is always good to make sure that no one has any particular food allergies...or religous preferences when it comes to eating! We have some 7th Day Adventist friends who dont eat meat, some are vegans...we have other friends who have a son which is allergic to anything corn! This can create a challenge but it is doable. Thank God for recipes on the internet!
  Another issue to consider are beverages...some of our friends dont drink coffee, most dont drink soda...ice tea is a good and inexpensive alternative aside from just plain water.
  Many of our friends have big families like ours. Paper plates are a big help. Not because we arent willing to clean up, but it makes clean up faster and time is better spent in fellowship than it is in cleaning. If you use paper cups be sure and have a pen available to write names on them.
  Another difficulty that arises is if you are inviting over a family with many little ones. Although we have little ones ourselves, ours are very well versed in what they may or may not get in to. Other kids may not know this. And, since we want to spend our time in visiting with our friends, it is best if the parents arent disciplining the entire time so it is ok to make some 'house adjustments'.
  One thing we do is close off rooms. A baby gate closing off one hall way will deter all the 2 year old we know and keep the teenagers bedrooms safe from snoopers!
  It is also a good idea to put up special or new toys that are especially important. We share without reserve yet it is ok to have special items that dont have to be shared. If my kids are sharing 10 buckets of toys, it is alright for them to put 4 or 5 special things up when we have small people over for the evening!
  What are some other challenges to face in having people over and what are your solutions?
Happy Hospitality to you!

Update~In memory of Denise Sproul

Resources for Thinking Christians

Monday, January 2nd, 2012

UPDATE — IN MEMORY OF DENISE SPROUL: We want to thank all of you who made a generous contribution to Dr. R. C. Sproul, Jr.’s family in memory of his beloved wife, Denise. Denise was a joy to be around and brightened every place she went. She is now being brightened by the joy of her Lord. She went home to Glory on December 18, 2011 after a long battle with cancer. Tolle Lege Press had the honor of publishing Denise’s book, Tending Your Garden. From December 18, 2011 through January 31, 2012, we are giving away copies of her special book in exchange for a donation of any amount. 100% of the donations go directly to R.C. Sproul, Jr. and his eight children. In the first two days, our company received $10,660 in donations. These funds were immediately sent to and received by the Sproul family. Again, we will continue to send 100% of the proceeds donated until January 31, 2012. If you haven't already, please prayerfully consider making a contribution. Thank you and may God bless you for your generosity. Tolle Lege Press & ChristianReader.com

Resources for Thinking Christians

Monday, January 2nd, 2012