True happiness...

This is a portion of a writing of JCRyle;

(J.C. Ryle, "HAPPINESS" 1878)

Happiness is what all mankind want to obtain--the desire for it is deeply planted in the human heart. All men naturally dislike pain, sorrow, and discomfort. All men naturally like ease, comfort, and gladness. All men naturally hunger and thirst after happiness. As the sick man longs for health--so does poor mortal man long to be happy.

But, alas, how few consider what they really mean, when they talk of happiness! How vague and indistinct and undefined are the ideas of most people are upon the subject! They think some are happy--who in reality are miserable; they think some are gloomy and sad--who in reality are truly happy. They dream of a happiness which in reality, would never satisfy their nature's needs.

  This makes me think of the people who just assume that stay at home moms are somehow, unhappy. When a woman rejoices in Gods structure of authority and obeys her husband, some call that oppressive. That is exactly what JC Ryle is speaking of here. Many are the people (especially other women) who would call me an unhappy, adult company deprived, oppressed wife and mother with no life...my question to those who think this is; How would you know? Have you ever asked? Me or any other whom you have prematurely judged?
  Although I know of those who speak these things of me and others; I never once have been asked. I will therefore answer to save anyone the trouble. My answer begins with a question too...what is your idea of happiness? My idea of happiness is living a life that is pleasing to the Lord, honoring to those that I love and consistent with the Christian life that I profess to be living. I am blessed to have a wonderful husband, beautiful children, and the freedom to home disciple as we choose. That makes me happy. Am I perfect? NOT a chance. Do I always have good days? NOT a chance...but I am happy and blessed AND I really relish and enjoy the life I live, and the way that the Lord has allowed me to live it. May the Lord grant you such happiness as well! The short answer; YES I am happy:)

Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good ,very bad day...

  What does a little kid know about a day like that I would like to know?

We homeschooling parents know what a day like that is don't we?

Terrible- Is when you get up late and burn breakfast...

Horrible- The kids whine and fight while you're doing morning devotions...

No good- You have no idea how to figure out your teens algebra problem...

Very bad-The kids didn't nap, dinner is late, you've had it and put them to bed without even brushing their teeth!

  Now that is a day for you! The hope??? "His mercies are new every morning"! Praise the Lord!

  So when you have a day like this, , have courage! Remember...

 May the Lord encourage you in your mission today! 

Election....

"For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth." (Romans 9:11)
"What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded." (Romans 11:7)

 "And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained (by God - ed.) to eternal life believed." (Acts 13:48)

"Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace." (Romans 11:5)

"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:10-11)

What verses can you add to these???????

Jellyfish!!!!

Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:
Man acting like a devil!
Horatius Bonar, powerful
Play Audio! Download Audio
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Jellyfish Christianity

(J.C. Ryle)
"The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin!" 1 John 1:7

One plague of our age, is the widespread dislike to sound doctrine. In the place of it, the idol of the day is a kind of jellyfish Christianity--a Christianity without bone, or muscle, or sinew--without any distinct teaching about the atonement, or the work of the Spirit, or justification, or the way of peace with God--a vague, foggy, misty Christianity, of which the only watchwords seem to be, "You must be liberal and kind. You must condemn no man's doctrinal views. You must think everybody is right--and nobody is wrong."

And this spineless kind of religion, we are told, is to give us peace of conscience! And not to be satisfied with it in a sorrowful, dying world--is a proof that we are very narrow-minded! Satisfied, indeed! Such a religion might possibly do for unfallen angels! But to tell sinful, dying men and women to be satisfied with it--is an insult to common sense and a mockery of our distress. We need something far better than this. We need the sin-atoning blood of Christ!

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We have published James Smith's comforting 2 page article, "The Priest on His Throne!"

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Feel free to forward this on to your friends.

God Bless you!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! May you look back with gratefulness to those who came before, may you look with gratefulness to those you have now, and may you look ahead with gratefulness to all the Lord will give you in your days ahead! Blessings and peace! The Adams Clan

Raising Maidens of Virtue

I know a lot of moms and ladies who are really looking forward to this book coming out! You can find it available at Grace and Truth books. Their site is down at the moment but it will be up and running soon! http://www.graceandtruthbooks.com/