Archive for November, 2007
“Content to travel uphill”
Jonathan Edwards once said, “The way to Heaven is ascending; we must be content to travel uphill, though it be hard and tiresome, and contrary to the natural bias of our flesh.“
I find this quote so challenging. As Christians we are called to live radically different lives (including being “content to travel uphill”). Sometimes living this way is particularly difficult and we feel tiresome and weary. Keeping an eternal perspective will grant you peace and joy throughout life’s journey.
Revelation 22:3 “No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.”
John 16:33 “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!”
Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Draw near to Him
The book of James reminds us that when we draw near to God He will draw near to us. Whatever your circumstances draw near to Him.
How do you draw near?
- Draw near through prayer - talk with the Lord about your hopes, desires and even your disappointments.
- Draw near through reading His word – Meditate on the Gospel, His great promises to you, and memorize His word.
- Draw near through worshiping – Worship God at all times. Worship Him with your words, deeds, mind and heart.
- Draw near by fellowshipping with other Christians – Be transparent! We can’t “spur one another on to good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24) unless we bare each others burdens and tell others about our failures.
James 8:8a “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you”
Psalm 73:28 “But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge that I may tell of all your works.”
Romans 12:12 “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
Cast Your Cares Upon Him
It is so easy to live lives full of anxiety and worry, but as believers in Christ we are called to trust in Him. Charles Spurgeon once said, “Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of it’s sorrows, but only empties today of it’s strength.” Living in this fallen world requires us to earnestly cast off worry and fear and to actively embrace peace and trust. The wonderful news is that Christ is so worthy of our trust and is in control.
Psalm 125:1 “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.”
1 Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
“How Firm a Foundation”
This hymn, auther unknown, is so powerful. The last 5 stanza’s are written so that the Lord is actually speaking to his children. Dwell on these wonderful words of comfort today and know that no matter what you’re going through, if you will trust in Him, he’ll never forsake!
How firm a foundation you saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in his excellent Word! What more can he say than to you he has said, to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed; for I am your God and will still give you aid; I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand, upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
When through the deep waters I call you to go, the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow; for I will be with you, your troubles to bless, and sanctify to you your deepest distress.
When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie, my grace, all-sufficient, shall be your supply; the flame shall not hurt you; I only design your dross to consume and your gold to refine.
E’en down to old age all my people shall prove my sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love; and when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn, like lambs they shall still in my bosom be borne.
The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose, I will not, I will not desert to his foes; that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”
I’ve been tagged!
On a MUCH lighter note, my friend Laurel “tagged” me on her blog. This means I have to share 7 quirky/weird/funny things about myself.
1. Once, when I was about 8 years old, in the Christmas play at my church, I was an angel. Everything was going smoothly until the other little angel got sick and vomited all over my pretty little angel costume. We both ran off the stage very upset and will never forget that Christmas!
2. I grew up in a Mennonite church and school. Although we weren’t “Old Order Mennonites,” we had many friends who were. Once as a child I even drove a horse and buggy … talk about fun! 
3. In Jr. High I decided I wanted to throw shot-put for the track team. I had always been fairly strong for my size – probably from having 2 brothers to “rough house” with. So, there I was, 100 pounds dripping wet competing. (I tried to find a picture to post but my parents have most of my pictures – I’ll keep looking)
4. I LOVE to listen to CLICK AND CLACK (“Cartalk”) on Saturday mornings
5. Growing up in an agricultural town in VA, the smell of cow manure makes me feel at home. For example, while on a missions trip in western Canada I got a whiff of manure and without missing a beat yelled out “Home Sweet Home!”
6. My favorite drink at Starbucks is a: Decaf, Non-fat, Extra Hot, 2 Pump, Sugar Free, Cinnamon Dolce Latte. High maintenance you say? Not when your husband works there!
7. Having low blood pressure has 1 advantage – I’m supposed to eat LOTS of salt! You could probably call me a salt connoisseur. I own various salts from around the world (France, Australia, etc). One of my FAVORITE ways to consume lots of salt is by eating SALT BAGELS. Yum!
