Evidence that the gospel is functioning in my heart...

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)

Great Quote!

“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)

Precious!

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? :)

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.

Boutique For A Week - March 8-12

Here's a sale you won't want to miss out on.

"Boutique For A Week is a one week children's consignment sale specializing in gently used children's and baby items. Clothes, toys, highchairs, cribs, strollers, everything you can imagine for your baby and adolescent children."

Check out their website - www.boutiqueforaweek.net for details!