Here you will find some glimpses into our everyday life...until our Savior calls us home.
"...in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed." 1 Corinthians 15:52
My brother and sister-in-law are in the process of seeking to adopt a little boy! We overjoyed and full of anticipation. :) They are selling Entertainment Books to help raise money for the adoption. Here is the link for any of you who would like to purchase a book online. You get free shipping if you use this option. Books are available in editions all over the US.
(You will need to scroll all the way to the bottom of this page to stop the regular playlist first)
My soul finds rest in God alone, My Rock and my salvation, A fortress strong against my foes, And I will not be shaken. Though lips may bless and hearts may curse, And lies like arrows pierce me, I’ll fix my heart on righteousness, I’ll look to Him who hears me.
O praise Him, hallelujah, My Delight and my Reward; Everlasting, never failing, My Redeemer, my God.
Find rest, my soul, in God alone Amid the world’s temptations; When evil seeks to take a hold I’ll cling to my salvation. Though riches come and riches go, Don’t set your heart upon them; The fields of hope in which I sow Are harvested in heaven.
I’ll set my gaze on God alone, And trust in Him completely; With every day pour out my soul, And He will prove His mercy. Though life is but a fleeting breath, A sigh too brief to measure, My King has crushed the curse of death And I am His forever.
O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah, hallelujah, O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah, hallelujah, O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah! hallelujah!
Eight years ago today, my little brother, Daniel, entered into eternity. Even at the young age of 13, he understood his need for a Savior and had trusted joyfully in Jesus who is the only way to the Father. "Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). He now sees clearly what we see still dimly.(1 Corinthians 13:12) He is now with the Father as I long to be. What a joy it is to remember on this day, the riches of mercy we have in Christ Jesus...the comfort God has given us in our sorrows...the joy he has given us amidst the pain of loss...the increased longing he has given us for our true home...the increased desire to live our remaining days for what truly matters. In celebration of this day (even though it was a sad one for us, it was a joyous one for Daniel), I thought I'd post some of Spurgeon's words unpacking Daniel's favorite verse...
"We know that all things work together for good to them that love God." --Romans 8:28 Upon some points a believer is absolutely sure. He knows, for instance, that God sits in the stern-sheets of the vessel when it rocks most. He believes that an invisible hand is always on the world's tiller, and that wherever providence may drift, Jehovah steers it. That re-assuring knowledge prepares him for everything. He looks over the raging waters and sees the spirit of Jesus treading the billows, and he hears a voice saying, "It is I, be not afraid." He knows too that God is always wise, and, knowing this, he is confident that there can be no accidents, no mistakes; that nothing can occur which ought not to arise. He can say, "If I should lose all I have, it is better that I should lose than have, if God so wills: the worst calamity is the wisest and the kindest thing that could befall to me if God ordains it." "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God." The Christian does not merely hold this as a theory, but he knows it as a matter of fact. Everything has worked for good as yet; the poisonous drugs mixed in fit proportions have worked the cure; the sharp cuts of the lancet have cleansed out the proud flesh and facilitated the healing. Every event as yet has worked out the most divinely blessed results; and so, believing that God rules all, that He governs wisely, that He brings good out of evil, the believer's heart is assured, and he is enabled calmly to meet each trial as it comes. The believer can in the spirit of true resignation pray, "Send me what thou wilt, my God, so long as it comes from Thee; never came there an ill portion from Thy table to any of Thy children." (Spurgeon, Morning & Evening, August 5th)
"I am still in the land of the dying; I shall be in the land of the living soon." — John Newton (his last words)
Here are some great excerpts from John Piper's book, Finally Alive:
"Even if you have sinned, he has never sinned. Even if you have failed to love as you ought, he has never failed to love as he ought. And this perfect one stands before God and advocates for you--not against you, but for you. Precisely because you have failed. 'But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate…the righteous one.' (1 John 2:1)" (p. 140)
"God sees me in Christ. And I don't despair because of my failure. I am not paralyzed with hopelessness. I confess my failure to love (1 John 1:9). I embrace the forgiveness he bought. I take my stand on the wrath-removing propitiation he provided (1 John 2:2). And I reassure my heart (1 John 3:19) that God sees me through my Advocate--my perfect Advocate." (p. 141)
"John's warning of hypocrisy calls us back from the precipice of presumption. John's promise of an Advocate calls us back from the precipice of despair." (p. 150)
“God knows that in ourselves we are not up to the task he calls us to, but he never makes a false assignment… He never calls us to what we cannot accomplish in him, but he always calls us to what we could never accomplish without him.” - Paul David Tripp (Broken-Down House, p. 141)
They were trying to catch the lizard on top of the fence... A little too much love for Caleb... Ahh, that's better... Cuddle time... Does it get any sweeter? :)
Saturday, March 6, 2010
A friend shared this quote with me this past week.
"We may be thinking God's grace is supposed to deliver us from problems, when, in reality, God's grace often gives us the ability to persevere in the midst of problems. We desire the grace of relief while God gives the grace of empowerment." Paul Tripp
What a sweet reminder that His grace meets us in the midst of trials. I can often forget that the goal is not to just make it through the trial but to allow His grace to change me in the midst of the trial. Trials are not things to be avoided, but something to embrace as a means of grace. My Lord is gently molding me through it so that I may glorify Him by reflecting His strength in the midst of my weakness, His power to uphold me when left to myself I would fall, His glory in working even the most bleak of circumstances for my ultimate good, His power to advance the gospel through the joy he imparts in the midst of sadness and pain. Thank you, Lord, for your sufficient and abundant grace to those who are your children.
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Isn’t it amazing how much can transpire within just one year!?! To think that last December we were living in Maryland, spending our free time sledding down the snowy slope in our back yard, riding in our laundry basket! Amber Sutter was living in our basement since she had moved up with us in order to help me with the daily joy of caring for 3 little boys, 2 years old and under. Aaron was soaking up a precious and unique season of being at the Pastor’s College…an experience which consisted of so much more than just studying! It was a rich time of growing in our marriage, our parenting and being equipped as a couple through the wisdom of those who were not just teaching the classes, but seeking to care for our souls through the context of relationships. We were enjoying diving in and building new friendships knowing that in just 6 months we would be saying goodbye to all our new friends and heading home again.
In the mean time, we have moved back to Orlando, FL where Aaron is now serving as a pastor in training for the church we love so dearly! I’m loving life just being at home with our boys. It’s definitely challenging at times but I wouldn’t trade this privilege for anything! They are growing up so fast as all children do. Joshua just turned 3 in September. Caleb & Tyler are almost 20 months old. The boys are growing to be best buddies with the common fights over food or toys in between. They love to eat and run and eat and play with blocks or cars and eat and play the piano or drum on anything they find and eat and laugh and have tickle time and eat and eventually sleep. Do you get the picture? It is quite humorous. I feel like most of my time is spent preparing food, cleaning up after preparing food and then cleaning up the boys and the floor after they eat the food.
What a joy it is to watch our little boys as they are beginning to grow into the men God has called them to be. They are all so different! Here’s a brief update on the developing of the Law boys:
Joshua: God has given him an amazing love for music. He loves to listen to music and then pretend he’s playing the instruments he hears. He loves to play our piano and guitar and insists on having a song book out in front of him even though he can’t read words or music yet. He also loves movies and would probably love to watch them all day long if not directed otherwise. He loves to play outside (especially anything that involves playing with water), to learn new things, to play with puzzles, etc. He’s also clearly the older brother as he loves to imitate Daddy & Mommy by instructing his brothers in saying, “no sir, you may not” and by comforting them when they get hurt and helping them.
Caleb: He’s probably the main cause of why I feel like I’m dealing with food all day. :) Caleb is a hungry, strong and active boy. He’s so tough and yet sensitive and cuddly all at the same time. He does well sharing with his brothers. He also loves to make a mess with all the blocks spreading them around as fast and furiously as he can and then loves to help clean up once he’s done. He also loves swimming and tub time.
Tyler: He’s the quiet and laid back one of the bunch. He’s also very sensitive and sweet. All the boys love tickle time but Tyler comes running when he hears the tickling beginning! Even though he’s laid back, he’s also very brave and has been the first of the 3 to stand on tables, etc. He also has a love for music and loves to sing, dance and march. He loves to wave and say, “hi,” with a big smile on his face to anyone and everyone…and even to me all throughout the day when we’re just at home.
What a year full of change and transition! We’re so grateful for how God has been stretching & teaching us in this new season of life … so grateful for the three precious boys He has given us … so grateful for how He continues to build, strengthen and sweeten our marriage even in the midst of the strains & joys of life.
One of the main truths that has continued to challenge and comfort me this year is found in Isaiah 55:8-9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” What a comforting truth in the midst of trials and difficulties that I wouldn’t always choose for myself. What mercy to marvel at in the midst of joys & blessings in this life which I am amazed I am the recipient of. What is even more glorious is that His way was to send His own Son, Jesus Christ, to live a perfect life in my stead. It was His will that His Son may die a death which He did not deserve so that I could receive mercy instead of the wrath my sins deserve. And it was His power that raised Jesus to life again as a sign securing my hope that one day, when I breathe my final breath; I too will be raised to a new life again in Christ. What a glorious reason to celebrate Jesus not just this Christmas season but every day of the year!
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, For his steadfast love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1)
