Very Thankful for His Protection ...

Archery hunted for six weeks in the woods of
Pennsylvania for this guy and
I got him but not in the manner
of my choosing ...

One dark and misty night traveling home
from an evening out with my husband
suddenly there he was ...
cars on my left and behind, I had no where to go.
I slowed down to make the impact lighter but
to no avail ... he flew thru the air as high as my van,
came down in the left lane and spun literally off into
the median. The vehicle in the left lane just missed him.
I almost got rear-ended in the process
but only by His grace we were not harmed.
$3600.00 damage but the sad part is the van is only worth
that much. Upsetting because it has been a very,
very good vehicle for us. Never any problems, no rust.
"They" said it is an "old" vehicle
and not worth the money to fix it.
That is upsetting in that now a vehicle payment
comes into play .... just what I don't want.
So we wait for the Lord's hand to move and provide ...

Thanksgiving Time is Near ...

When all the leaves are off the boughs;
and nuts and apples gathered in,
and cornstalks waiting for the cows,
and pumpkins safe in barn and bin,
Then mother says, "Now children dear,
the fields are brown the autumn flies;
Thanksgiving Day is near,
and we must make our Thanksgiving pies!"

~~Author Unknown~~

Come, Ye Thankful People Hymn ...

Come, Ye Thankful People

Words: Henry Alford, Psalms and Hymns, 1844.

Music: St. George’s Wind­sor, George J. El­vey, 1858


Come, ye thankful people, come,
raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in,
ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide
for our wants to be supplied;
Come to God’s own temple, come,
raise the song of harvest home.

All the world is God’s own field,
fruit unto His praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown
unto joy or sorrow grown.
First the blade and then the ear,
then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we
wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come,
and shall take His harvest home;
From His field shall in that day
all offenses purge away,
Giving angels charge at last in
the fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store
in His garner evermore.

Even so, Lord, quickly come,
bring Thy final harvest home;
Gather Thou Thy people in,
free from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified,
in Thy garner to abide;
Come, with all Thine angels come,
raise the glorious harvest home.

thanksgiving is near ...

Pumpkins in the cornfield,

Fodder in the shock,

An ear of yellow-golden grain,

Hangs on every stock

Blackbirds flying here and there,

The yellow corn they spy,

But I’m not thinking of the corn,

I’m thinking pumpkin pie!

~Adelaide Blanton

Archery Season ...

Check out my other blog PA Woods N Stream for Archery Season 2009 with the women!

"The breezes taste of apple peel.

The air is full of smells to feel- Ripe fruit, old footballs,

burning brush, new books, erasers, chalk, and such.

The bee, his hive, well-honeyed hum, and

Mother cuts Chrysanthemums.

Like plates washed clean with suds,

the days are polished with A morning haze."

- John Updike, September

He's going to break you .... Amen!

Couldn't Resist This One ...

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men

who signed the Declaration of Independence ?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors,

and tortured before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army;

another had two sons captured.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or

hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes,

and their sacred honor.

What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.

Eleven were merchants,

nine were farmers and large plantation owners;

men of means, well educated,

but they signed the Declaration of Independence

knowing full well that the penalty would be death if

they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and

trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the

British Navy. He sold his home and properties to

pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British

that he was forced to move his family almost constantly.

He served in the Congress without pay, and his family

was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him,

and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer,

Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown , Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that

the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson

home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General

George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed,

and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed.

The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying.

Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill

were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests

and caves, returning home to find his wife dead

and his children vanished.

So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday

and silently thank these patriots.

It's not much to ask for the price they paid.

Remember: freedom is never free!

Greenbeans in the Garden ....

I've been working in the gardens and
while searching for something I came across this video ...
thought you might enjoy it too!

Here's my Tipsy Pot for this year ...

Last year I made one of these and did not post a pic on my other blog
but I took one this year ...

here's a pic of my "Steppables" plants they are doing really well, too.
I just noticed ... looks like the squirrel is holding the pot up and he has a hole in him!
Those dogs!!! Play with everything ...
someone snuck it back and didn't tell Mom
the damage!

Do a Google search on "Tipsy Pots" there are some neat ones made out of old tea kettles,
if you make one post a pic and send me the link!

Word of God Speak ...

At the foot of the Cross ...

The Fraternity of the Cross ~~

"Christ's summons to a cross is perpetual.
Self-denial is not an initiation fee,
once paid and for ever forgotten.
Old Christians as well as new converts
must bear a cross. One's cross is not a
disposable item of Christian experience
but a life-long burden in this world."

Luke 14:27 -- "Whosoever doth not bear his cross,
and come after Me, cannot be my disciple."

~~ Walt Chantry in "The Shadow of the Cross"
Page 22

Go to Rebecca Writes for more Cross Quotes --

Active - Passive Obedience of Christ ~~

For John Owen, the imputation of Christ's active obedience was a necessary component of the gospel. So important was it to Owen, that he believed it should be reflected in the church's confession. In his classic work, The Doctrine of Justification by Faith through the Imputation of the Righteousness of Christ; Explained, Confirmed, and Vindicated, Owen made clear that the passive obedience of Christ (i.e. Christ's suffering the curse to remove the penalty of sin from us) was not enough. Sinners do not merely need acquittal, they need to be declared righteous in God's sight. That requires perfect, active obedience to the law, which was fulfilled by Christ, the righteous One. He argued for the imputation of what is called the active and passive obedience of Christ to the believer:

"the obedience of Christ unto the law, and the imputation
thereof unto us, are no less necessary unto
our justification before God, than his suffering
of the penalty of the law, and the imputation
thereof unto us, unto the same end...
We have need of more than the mere sufferings
of Christ, whereby we may be justified before God."
(Works, V, 252, 254)

Go to Rebecca Writes for more Cross Quotes ...

Cross Quotes ~~

“It is necessary to underline this concept of sovereign love. Truly God is love. Love is not something adventitious; it is not something that God may choose to be or choose not to be. He is love, and that necessarily, inherently, and eternally. As God is spirit, as he is light, so he is love. Yet it belongs to the very essence of electing love to recognize that it is not inherently necessary to that love which God necessarily and eternally is that he should set such love as issues in redemption and adoption upon utterly undesirable and hell-deserving objects. It was of the free and sovereign pleasure of his will, a good pleasure that emanated from the depths of his own goodness, that he chose a people to be heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. The reason resides wholly in himself and proceeds from determinations that are peculiarly his as ‘I am that I am.’ The love of God constrains to the atonement as the means of accomplishing love’s determinate purpose.” Redemption Accomplished and Applied by John Murray Page 14

Cross Quotes with Rebecca Writes ...

Redemption Accomplished and Applied review ~~

Pam's Notes on Chapter One:

Redemption Accomplished and Applied

by John Murray

Chapter One Notes
The Necessity of the Atonement

The Who: John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

The Why: Rom. 5:8 – “ … but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

The What: Rom. 8:31,32 – “31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”

The When: Rom. 8:29 – “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”

The Where: Eph. 1:4,5 – “4 … even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will…”

**The love of God from which the atonement springs is not a distinctionless love; it is a love that elects and predestinates. God was pleased to set his invincible and everlasting love upon a countless multitude and it is the determinate purpose of this love that the atonement secures.**

The Concept: The Sovereign love of God. Love is not something that God may choose to be or choose not to be. He is love, and that necessarily, inherently, and eternally. It was of the free and sovereign good pleasure of his will, a good pleasure that emanated from the depths of his own goodness, that he chose a people to be heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.

The Reason: Resides wholly in himself and proceeds from determinations that are peculiarly his as the “I Am that I Am.” The love of God constrains to the atonement as the means of accomplishing love’s determinate purpose.

The Necessity: The consequent absolute necessity. The word “consequent” points to the fact that God’s will or decree to save any is of free and sovereign grace. The terms: ‘absolute necessity’, indicate that God, having elected some to everlasting life out of his mere good pleasure, was under the necessity of accomplishing this purpose through the sacrifice of his own Son, a necessity arising from the perfections of his own nature. While it was not ‘inherently necessary’ for God to save, yet, since salvation had been purposed, it was necessary to secure this salvation through a satisfaction that could be rendered only through substitutionary sacrifice and blood-bought redemption.

The Notion: Hebrews 2:10, 17 – “10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” It was divinely appropriate that the Father in bringing many sons unto glory should make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings and that it behooved the Saviour himself to be made in all things like unto his brethren.

The Case: The exigencies (demands, needs) of the purpose of grace that the dictates of divine propriety required that salvation should be accomplished through a captain of salvation who would be made perfect through sufferings and that this entailed for the captain of salvation that he be made in all things like unto his brethren. The eternal peril to which the lost are exposed is remedied by the giving of the Son.

The Context: The transcendent efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice is required by the exigencies (demands, needs) arising from sin. This is an absolute. Heb. 9:23 – “Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.” The Levitical sacrifices were patterned after the heavenly exemplar – patterns of the things in the heavens. Not the other way around – the Levitical sacrifice as the pattern for the sacrifice of Christ.

The Contrast: The heavenly as contrasted with the earthly, the eternal with the temporary, the complete with the partial, the final with the provisional, the abiding with that which passes away. The salvation which the election of grace involves on either view of the necessity of the atonement is salvation from sin unto holiness and fellowship with God. But if we are to think of salvation thus conceived in terms that are compatible with the holiness and righteousness of God, this salvation must embrace not merely the forgiveness of sin but also justification. And it must be a justification that takes account of our situation as condemned and guilty. The only righteousness conceivable that will meet the requirements of our situation as sinners and meet the requirements of a full and irrevocable justification is the righteousness of Christ. Justification could only been secured by our faith in Christ, otherwise another method would have been used.

The Demonstration: The cross of Christ is the supreme demonstration of the love of God. Rom. 5:8 and 1 John 4:10. The supreme character of the demonstration resides in the extreme costliness of the sacrifice rendered.

The Cost: Rom. 8:32 – “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” The costliness of the sacrifice assures us of the greatness of the love and guarantees the bestowal of all other free gifts. Question – “would the cross of Christ be a supreme exhibition of love if there were no necessity for such costliness?” Sin is the contradiction of God and he must react against it with holy indignation. In the work of Christ the dictates of holiness and the demands of justice have been fully vindicated. God set him forth to be a propitiation to declare his righteousness. If we keep in view the gravity of sin and the demands arising from the holiness of God which must be met in salvation from it, then the doctrine of indispensable necessity makes Calvary intelligible to us and enhances the incomprehensible marvel of both Calvary itself and the sovereign purpose of love which Calvary fulfilled. The more we emphasize the inflexible demands of justice and holiness the more marvelous become the love of God and its provisions.

Obedience and Love -- the whole thing in a nutshell -- Obedience and Love

WOULD PAUL ANSWER THE CALL TO CHRISTIAN PATRIOTISM?

by Mark Dinsmore

A number of respected Christian columnists and pastors across our nation are rightly sounding an alarm at the thickening shroud of global governance descending upon our nation. With the presidentially promised "change" now being delivered, the spectre of a militarized one-world spirituality is darkening the horizon of earth under the guise of "hope" and "peace."

I understand--and share--the righteous anger over the sorry state of the church and its lackadaisical response to the evils of our time. Serious students of God's Word, however, have been long alerted to these signs: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come..." (1 Tm 4:1; see also 2 Tm 4:3-4). Though we take some comfort that our Lord could return at any time for His Bride, it appears that even those whose blessed hope is in a pre-tribulation rapture should take heed and prepare for precipitous times ahead (1 Pt 4:12-16).

In light of increasing daily distress over our nation's economic unraveling and corporate "bailout," a number of states are introducing legislation to declare their sovereignty and withdraw from this mess, and some patriots have even called for a 2009 Continental Congress to "establish practicable strategies the People can take, en masse, to peacefully reclaim Liberty and restore Constitutional Order." Indeed, that these are "perilous times" only confirms the prophetic import of increasing global "birth pangs."

Many well-written books and DVDs document how our nation, and evangelicalism, came to this point, but this lament is not my chief concern, nor is it in suggesting a roadmap for political action. Rather, it is to articulate and apply a biblical response to the foreboding future tyranny that is prophesied (and proceeding) to unite the world in a Babel-like rebellion under Antichrist. Surprisingly, the cause and cure of our nation's decline is a controversial subject even among conservative Christians. As one columnist whom I respect recently wrote, "A real Christian patriot would never allow his country to be taken over by a gaggle of elitist goons bent on stealing his liberties...."

"Christian patriot." These two words are inextricably linked in the minds of most Americans who grew up with any kind of serious education regarding the nature of our Constitutional Republic and the faith of our Founding Fathers. The ideals of a "Christian Patriot" are indeed wonderful--to live in a nation that exalts our Creator and whose government is firmly rooted in God's Word.

But is this our earthly hope and promise, prior to Christ's return? And, is this the mission to which the church is called--to establish "one nation, under God, indivisible...?" Is this the example of our spiritual forefathers?

Consider Daniel. Consider Joseph. These courageous men (both types of Christ, among many), were subjected to all manner of trials and temptation, and yet they did not resist the enemy with force. Still, God spared them. They both rose to prominence in pagan cultures that literally worshiped demon-gods--Satan himself--in various manifestations, but did either Daniel or Joseph attempt to overthrow these empires by political persuasion? Did they stir up the faithful to stage a protest or ignite a revolution?

"That's the Old Testament!" some might protest. Then what of Paul? What of Peter? Did these equally courageous New Testament saints resist their captors with force? Did these powerful apostles of Christ start a political party to declare their independence from the pagan world in which they preached? To a man, no. All of Christ's disciples except John were martyred--and not for their "inalienable rights" to live in a country that worshiped God nor for their right to "keep and bear arms."

We have enjoyed (and oft taken for granted) the liberties afforded us at the expense of those who bled and died for our gain. This is a testament to their courage, faith, and God's grace--but does this mean that the American Revolution is a biblical example and pattern of behavior for us to follow? To my own initial confusion and dismay (as it contradicts years of conservative Christian-heritage instruction) there is not a single example in Scripture of "armed revolution" of any kind as a pattern for the church.

Remember, it is the Lord who raises up kings (both just and unjust) and allows them to dictate the rules of the land in order to bring about His will for His people (Ps 75:7; Dn 2:21; Prv 21:1); and, as we have seen in the example of Israel, "judgment must begin at the house of God" (1 Pt 4:17).

Grievously, America is ripe for judgment...and so is the church. Though it is difficult for us to "count it all joy" (Jas 1:2-4), the persecution and trials that are coming upon us are for the purification of God's remnant. As such, a true soldier of Christ seeks to "understand the times" (1 Chr 12:32) and prepare his household, his church, and his community--not for a revolution of might but one of heart and mind.

In fact, Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world... [else] would my servants fight" (Jn 18:36). Do not misunderstand--I am not a pacifist by strict definition. I support the Second Amendment; I'm teaching all three of my sons how to be responsible marksmen, whether for food provision or self- and family defense. But here's the difference: the right to "keep and bear arms" was not granted to us by God. If (when) our government knocks on my door and demands my weapons under threat of violence or imprisonment, would it be a biblical response to resist or "open fire!"?

Thousands of neo-Patriots cheered, as did I, when former NRA president and "Moses" actor Charleton Heston declared that the only way he would surrender his weapons is when the enemy (our own government) "pried them from [his] cold, dead, hands." But through study, prayer, and reflection, I've come to the conviction that it would be foolish to give my life for this "right" given to me by man. Though reluctantly and in the flesh, I pray that I will "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Mk 12:17; Rom 13:1-7). If necessary, I'll defend my family with my life without a rifle, but we must trust in God's ability to deliver us from that "temptation," or trial, when it comes (Ps 22:4; Jas 1:2-4).

My fear today is that if Christians answer a "call to arms" to fight whatever totalitarian regime is being plotted (in preparation for Antichrist), then godly men will be imprisoned or die, leaving women and children behind to be ravaged both physically and spiritually. Going down in a "blaze of glory" like the Revolutionary "heroes" sounds good to our own flesh, but if we are dead men, how can we minister the gospel under whatever pagan ruler or communist culture rises to replace our Constitutional Republic?

We are in a spiritual battle, but we must choose on which hill we are willing to die. Dying for Nationalistic Pride or even for our "Rights" is not the same as dying for the cause of Christ. Far better for godly men to survive in a pagan nation and submit to rule of law (which God ordains) and to subsist by His Word--unless (or until) we are asked to bow down and worship a false god. Such an affront would still not be cause to take up arms. In the life-and-death trial of the fiery furnace, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah did not go into the flames as "National Patriots," willing to die for their "Bill of Rights," nor did they offer any physical resistance to their captors. Like Christ's, theirs was a peaceful obedience and demonstration of submission to God, who alone is able to save (Dn 3:17-18; Jas 4:12; Heb 7:25).

Does this mean, as some brethren suggest, that I am weak, unfaithful, or lazy? Does it mean that I am consigned to our nation's "fate"? No! On the contrary, I am reminded that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood," which causes me to re-focus God's precious resources of time and energy on eternal things--not on fulfilling the "American Dream" for myself and my posterity, nor on establishing God's "kingdom now." Rather, we must earnestly set about "redeeming the time" (Eph 5:16) with renewed fervor to preach the gospel and make disciples--not for an earthly hope of heaven here, but with an eye on his kingdom to come (Christ's eternal kingdom). Scripture is clear that this present terrestrial globe "shall melt with fervent heat...and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (2 Pt 3:10). That includes every church building, every mansion, every monument, every false god, and every political power structure built or imagined by mankind--whether Democrat or Republican, Communist or "Christian."

Scripture tells us that "peace on earth, goodwill to men" (Lk 2:14) cannot come until Christ rules and reigns on earth. As Christians, we should protect and defend human life wherever we are. We should never deny Christ in order to save our lives, but to throw ourselves in front of an advancing tank that threatens our "Constitutional" liberties would only crush and silence our voice for God, and would do nothing for the cause of Christ.

Even John Adams acknowledged that it is fruitless to force "biblical government" upon an "immoral people," hell-bent on conspiracy against their Creator. In spite of the courageous speeches and admirable acts of our Revolutionary heroes like Paul Revere, was theirs a biblical response? Or, is the Apostle Paul our model of Christ, when he said, "Therefore I endure [suffer] all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory" (2 Tm 2:10).

These are difficult issues that one must prayerfully work through. May our Lord continue to sharpen us all for His glory and His purpose, "having done all, to stand" (Eph 6:13) and, as He commanded, "Occupy till I come" (Lk 19:13)--doing so not in a passive state but in a state of action for the gospel and cause of Christ. "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Rv 22:20).

Twitter ...

I was over reading Jen's blog at Joy Thru Christ and saw her post about Twitter so I decided to join up ... rustlingleaves ... we will see how it goes .... join us, you might like it!

Blessings, Pam <><

Kurt Warner on Heaven, Hell & Family ...

Christian Books Used as Bait ...

CHRISTIAN BOOKS USED AS BAIT!
A Real Warning from Brock and Bodie Thoene

“Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it! Do not travel on it; turn away from it and go on your way. For they cannot sleep till they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone fall.”
Proverbs 4:13-16

Dear Thoene friend,
We have discovered that deep discount Christian books are being used as bait to obtain your credit card information.

Here is how it works:
1. On places like Amazon and Google, Christian books by top authors are advertised and sold through links at prices too good to be true. Francine Rivers, Karen Kingsbury and many others are on the bait list, along with our books.

2. If you bite the hook and buy a Christian book, your credit card information and security information is obtained.

3. Unless you read ALL the fine print you have unknowingly signed up for a “DISCOUNT” club which charges your card an on-going, whopping-big, $29.99 per month for so-called “DISCOUNTS.”

4. This on-going charge of $29.99 is almost impossible to turn off.

5. These online scam companies are often operated from outside the U.S.

6. Your credit card and security info is now OUT THERE!

Brock and I tried this out, purchasing some of our own books from a “discount book” Amazon link below printing cost. The scam IS REAL! We were suddenly enrolled in a “Smart-Savers” scheme which would have taken $29.99 from our credit card EVERY month.

We turned it off within minutes BUT only by calling our credit card company, telling them what happened, and canceling our credit card.

When we asked our publisher about what could be done to stop this predatory use of our Christian books to cheat people, we were told “It may be unethical, but it is not illegal.”

What does the Lord say?
"The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are His delight." Proverbs 11:1

Dear Christian readers, (and audio book listeners), BE CAREFUL! If a price looks too good to be true, BE CERTAIN - it really IS too good to be true!

These are suggestions of where you can safely purchase our Christian books and audiobooks:

1. The best place to shop will always be in person, supporting the ministry of your local Christian bookstore. (How many Christian bookstores have been put out of business by the greed of Amazon?!)

2. For great deals and the ONLY completely safe place you can buy authentic, personally autographed Thoene books, Thoene gift cards, and Thoene audio books, shop online at www.FamilyAudioLibrary.com (50% of FamilyAudioLibrary.com profits provide free Christian literature to prisoners and military personnel through the non-profit Shiloh Light Foundation)

3. For all other online Christian book purchases we suggest established Christian online companies you can trust: www.Parable.com
www.CBD.com

Please BE CAREFUL when buying any Christian book from any secular online sources. (We were shocked that this “discount” link was an Amazon link and is on other secular book sites as well.)
Please pass this information to every Christian reader and audiobook listener you know. In these difficult financial times, it is important that you not become a victim of a financial scam which uses Christian books and audios as bait.

God Bless you!
Brock and Bodie Thoene

“The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn…” Proverbs 4:18

From their website ... I just thought I would post a warning since I know there are a lot of readers out there ...

One Rule ~ Well Observed ....

“One rule, well observed, will make all other rules superfluous: let prayer be uttered as in the very presence of God – poured into his ear as from a miserable sinner who deserves his wrath, but to whom for Christ’s sake he extends his infinite mercy.” (William G. Blaikie’s For the Work of the Ministry, pg. 177)

How often do we forget God's very Presence in our lives? Prayer becomes rote, we do it with the intent of our hearts but do we pray in the mind set of being in His Presence? We set at the foot of the Cross, pour out our hearts in praise, thanksgiving and requests, but are we humbled in being in His presence?

I work as a CNA in a retirement home and recently lost a resident on my shift. I work the 10:30pm to 7am shift and the person passed on around 3am. It is a thing for workers in a nursing home to open a window and allow the spirit of the deceased to depart. As a Christian I find this disturbing. I did not do it and the daylight shift about had a fit. Oh well!!! ....

The person had no family only a POA and her daughter there with the resident during the last hours on this earth. I have peace that I gave the resident the best possible care I could. During the night hours as I took care of the resident I talked to this person and prayed aloud for them. I knew the person was a Christian. This, too, brought about a peace I had for this resident. After the person passed on the POA talked some about the life of this person. I got a glimpse into more of the personal aspect since the resident could not speak well theirself. The POA was becoming distraught and I asked her if she was a Christian, she stated she was and I said to her then you do realize that at the very moment the resident took their last breath that they was in the presence of Jesus? Through tear filled eyes she looked at me and said she did not think of the passing in that way, she was too distracted by her loss. We all have been there and react differently to death. One minute here on earth and the next in the presence of the Almighty!!! When an unsaved person passes on I am heartsick for the soul of the person. Hell and torment is their lot. I am at a loss of words to the family and friends. I am sorry for the loss and have deep sympathy and share that but I can not share the joy of Christ with them, I can not share with them the glory in death.

We often hear people stating they don't want to die alone. As a Christian we are never alone, there is always the Three with us. I appreciate my prayer time in His Presence. Let you not forget He is there with you during your time in prayer ... and always ...

"When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1 Cor.15:54,55 ESV"

~~~~~~

13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15 “Therefore they are before the throne of God,
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
the sun shall not strike them,
nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Rev. 7:13-17 ESV

~~~~~

Blessings,
Pam <><

Logan, The Sky Angel Cowboy ....

words of wisdom from one so young ...



We make the Gospel so difficult when here it is just plain and simple ...

Blessings,
Pam

Re-visit ~~ The Power of Words & The Wonder of God ...

Previously I had written this on 9/28/08 and since this is the New Year and resolutions resound let's re-resolution this one for the new year 2009! ~~

In his talk tonight at the DG conference Sinclair Ferguson suggested 20 resolutions from the book of James--given Jonathan-Edwards style--that we need to make if we are to live a God-centered, biblical life:

James 1:5 To ask God for wisdom to speak and with a single mind
James 1:9-10 To boast only in exaltation in Christ, & humiliation in world
James 1:13 To set a watch over my mouth
James 1:19 To be constantly quick to hear, slow to speak
James 2:1-4 To learn the gospel way of speaking to poor and the rich
James 2:12 To speak always in the consciousness of the final judgment
James 2:16 To never stand on anyone’s face with my words
James 3:14 To never claim as reality something I do not experience
James 4:1 To resist quarrelsome words in order to mortify a quarrelsome heart
James 4:11 To never speak evil of another
James 4:13 To never boast in what I will accomplish
James 4:15 To always speak as one subject to the providences of God
James 5:9 To never grumble, knowing that the Judge is at the door
James 5:12 To never allow anything but total integrity in my speech
James 5:13 To speak to God in prayer whenever I suffer
James 5:14 To sing praises to God whenever I am cheerful
James 5:14 To ask for the prayers of others when I am sick
James 5:15 To confess it freely whenever I have failed
James 5:15 To pray with and for one another when I am together with others
James 5:19 To speak words of restoration when I see another wander

John Piper says this: "This is one of the most unusual conferences we have ever conceived. My expectations are very high that its effect will be mind-sharpening, heart-humbling, mouth-seasoning, backbone-strengthening, and Christ-acclaiming."

These last 16 words of his are worth writing in my Bible, too - they are the effect that the Word of God has on my life.

Here is another wake up call by Paul Tripp ... "Diagnosis & Deliverance in This Deadly War of Words."


Blessings!
Pam <><

~~Ancient Words, Fresh and New ~~

M’Cheyne One-Year Reading Plan

My church has us reading the Bible using M'Cheyne's one-year Bible reading plan. Here's a little bit about it if you are not familiar with it.

M'Cheyne will have you reading:

• the NT twice,
  
• the Psalms twice, and
  
• the rest of the OT once.

The plan begins with the four great beginnings or "births" of Scripture: Genesis 1 (beginning of the world), Ezra 1 (rebirth of Israel after her return from Babylonian exile), Matthew 1 (birth of the Messiah), Acts 1 (birth of the body of Christ).

Also available is D.A. Carson's For the Love of God (vol. 1 and vol. 2 are available--vols. 3 and 4 are forthcoming). Carson's introduction and preface--which includes a layout of the M'Cheyne calendar--you can find them available here for free online.

Robert M'Cheyne loved to sing the Scottish Metrical Psalms and mentions this in the introduction to his Bible Reading Calendar.

There's an on-line version of The Scottish Metrical Psalter on the web-site of Still Waters Revival Books
Look at the following page - http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/Psalter0.htm
Also they have some related music stuff on this page - http://www.swrb.com/music/psalm.htm

The Trinitarian Bible Society publish an ecclesiastical edition of the Metrical Psalms.

Lists of Psalters in various languages found at - http://members.aol.com/Puritanone/needps.html

You may also be interested in ......
The Genevan Psalter (with some MIDIs) - http://www.redeemer.on.ca/academics/polisci/psalter.html

It was in 1832 through reading The Sum of Saving Knowledge, generally appended to the Westminister Confession of Faith, that brought M'Cheyne to a clear understanding of the way of acceptance with God. Two years later he recorded in his diary, "Read in The Sum of Saving Knowledge, the work which I think first wrought a saving change in me. How gladly would I renew the reading of it, if that change might be carried on to perfection!"

I would also recommend along with the reading of your Bible, the Westminster Confession of Faith without a doubt! Never have I read/studied anything beside the Word of God such as this. Anymore I struggle having to pay for Bible Studies on the market today when this is available and written by such profound men. It is stout, I tell you, Stout!!

I am also reading "365 Days with Calvin" by Joel R. Beeke.

The sun is starting to fade on this very first day of the year 2009. Have YOU read your Bible or spent time at the foot of the cross? One of my favorite hymns is Ancient Words. Everytime I hear it my heart swells as my thoughts travel thru the Bible and what it means to me. May the Ancient Words become fresh and new to you, guiding you home, changing your heart, heed these words and hold them dear as they do resound with God's own heart.

ANCIENT WORDS
Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world
They resound with God's own heart
O let the ancient words impart
Words of life, words of hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where'er we roam
Ancient words will guide us home
Chorus:
Ancient words, ever true
Changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
O let the ancient words impart
Holy words of our faith
Handed down to this age
Came to us through sacrifice
O heed the faithful words of Christ!
(The original lyric is "word of Christ", as I was referencing Col. 3:16)
Martyrs' blood stains each page
They have died for this faith
Hear them cry through the years,
"Heed these words and hold them dear!"

Walk in the Word and under the Word in this year of 2009.

God Bless you and yours!

Pam <><
1Tim. 1:15-17 NKJV