Our God is Transcendent

“It is to be lamented that the term “irresistible grace” has ever been used, since it suggests the idea of a mechanical and coercive influence upon an unwilling subject, while, in truth, it is the transcendent act of the infinite Creator, making the creature spontaneously willing.”

A. A. Hodge

The Classroom

Mawmaw's Classroom: Widowhood 

There is only one classroom in which to learn: 
1. The work of God. 
2. The will of God. 
3. The trustworthiness of God. 
4. The presence of God. 

The classroom is where I am now. This is the place appointed by God for my instruction and sanctification - even here: 
1. Where it seems God is doing nothing (He is, in fact, at work in unseen ways); 
2. Where His will seems obscure or frightening (He will surely give me peace at last); 
3. Where He isn't doing what I want Him to (He is doing something better - preparing bread for me when what I asked was in actual fact a stone; or perhaps, He is doing the very thing I prayed for, but in a way incomprehensible to me); 
4. Where He is most absent (yes, even there His promise holds: I will never leave you or forsake you. My faith must size that written word regardless of the enemy's taunt, "You've been abandoned.").
Elisabeth Elliot

If we were given the option of choosing our trials, I'm confident none of us would choose loosing a loved one, to death or the likeness.  Mark's father passed away two years and one month ago today.  Mark's mother continues to adjust, but is doing well as a widow.  During her first weeks and months of being alone, she reminded us that she needed time to grieve.  We knew that, but we were none the less desirable for her heart to be mended, and we searched for ways to lift and encourage her.  It didn't take us long to realize there was little to nothing we could do to heal her hurt.  Her grief had to be reckoned with, and as much as her deep sorrow hurt us, we knew she had to go deep, alone, while learning to deal with Pawpaw's absence.  After sixty-two plus years of loving and living with someone, how could we begin to know how to help?  Their love is a testament of God's goodness to our family, and yet their story continues!  

I took this photo several months ago when we visited Mark's mom, knowing she'd grimace if she knew.  This corner of the living room marks the place of her healing, her communion with her Heavenly Father, the One who allowed her grief, but understands her deepest sorrow.  Mawmaw continues to meet Him faithfully here, and the stacks of books on the floor remain proof of her diligence to seek Him daily for everything she needs.  I am privileged to have such a dear mother in law.  When I am met with trials and sorrows of my own, she is positioned at the front of the class, and welcomes me to sit beside her.   

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Philippians 3:8-11, ESV. 
 

Ordered by Love and Wisdom

Kathryn Abbey Hannah State Park

Love to God disposes men to see His hand in everything; to own Him as the governor of the world, and the director of providence; and to acknowledge His disposal in everything that takes place. And the fact, that the hand of God is a great deal more concerned in all that happens to us than the treatment of men is, should lead us, in a great measure, not to think of things as from men, but to have respect to them chiefly as from God—as ordered by His love and wisdom, even when their immediate source may be the malice or heedlessness of a fellow-man. And if we indeed consider and feel that they are from the hand of God, then we shall be disposed meekly to receive and quietly to submit to them, and to own that the greatest injuries received from men are justly and even kindly ordered of God, and so be far  from any ruffle or tumult of mind on account of them.  (Jonathan Edwards, Charity and Its Fruits, pp. 79-80)

Righteous are you, O Lord, and right are your rules.

You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness.

My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget your words.

Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it.

I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts.

Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true. 

Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight.

Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.

Psalm 119:137-144, ESV 

“If God were small enough to be understood, He would not be big enough to be worshipped.  Evelyn Underhill 

If you haven't already realized, Elisabeth Elliot is my ALL time favorite authoress.  I have gained much encouragement from owning and reading many of her books.  There was a season when I listened to Elisabeth Elliot's 'Gateway to Joy' radio broadcast every afternoon.  I hope you'll find this link encouraging, and a source of strength to grow your faith and knowledge of the LORD. 

The King of Love My Shepherd Is

Music has always been a great source of encouragement for me.  Listening to music, as well as sitting down to play at the piano, is a special way that I enjoy communing with the LORD.  
Phil Nichols, one of the elders at Sovereign Grace Baptist Church, introduced this song to me last night.  I already love it, and I look forward to practicing it through out the next week in preparation of sharing it with our Bible study group next Wednesday evening.
I pray this beautiful arrangement encourages you, sung by Michael Card, from his album, Starkindler, joined by guest singer Darwin Hobbs.
Enjoy~ 
  

The King of Love My Shepherd Is
By: Henry W. Baker

The King of love my shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his
And he is mine forever.

Where streams of living water flow,
My ransomed soul he leadeth
And, where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feedeth.

Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
But yet in love he sought me
And on his shoulder gently laid
And home rejoicing brought me.

In death’s dark vale I fear no ill
With thee, dear Lord, beside me,
Thy rod and staff my comfort still,
Thy cross before to guide me.

Thou spredst a table in my sight;
Thine unction grace bestoweth;
And, oh, what transport of delight
From thy pure chalice floweth!

And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never.
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
Within thy house forever.

Tune: St. Columba

He's Always Been Faithful to Me

Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Morning by morning I wake up to find
The power and comfort of God's hand in mine
Season by season I watch Him, amazed
In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He's always been faithful to me

I can't remember a trial or a pain
He did not recycle to bring me gain
I can't remember one single regret
In serving God only, and trusting His hand
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He's always been faithful to me

This is my anthem, this is my song
The theme of the stories I've heard for so long
God has been faithful, He will be again
His loving compassion, it knows no end
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He's always been faithful, He's always been faithful
He's always been faithful to me
Lyrics:  Sara Groves

His Mysterious Ways

"God makes no mistakes. 

He does not fall asleep.

He does not forget His loved children. 

He asks us, no matter what the circumstances or adversities we find ourselves in, to trust and obey. 

He has so arranged things that we may not often fathom His sovereign purposes, but now and then He vouchsafes to us a glimpse of what He is up to. 

...

We should not be surprised at the mysterious ways in which our loving Father works all things together for good. 

We need to go back again and again to God's guidebook, the Bible.  It's all spelled out for us there.  For example, the apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, 'Just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our  lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.  If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation;  if we are comforted it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance...' (2 Corinthians 1:6).

The apostle Peter wrote, 'Dear Friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed' (1 Peter 4:12, 13). "

Elisabeth Elliot, These Strange Ashes

All Things Are Your Servants

Forever, O LORD, your word
is firmly fixed in the heavens.
Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
By your appointment they stand this day,
for all things are your servants.
If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have given me life.
I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.
The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
but I consider your testimonies.
I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but your commandment is exceedingly broad.  

Psalm 119:89-96, ESV

Above the Clouds

"All God makes is good. 

Can it be that, that which seems to oppose the will of God actually is used of Him to accomplish the will of God? 

That which seems evil only seems so because of perspective, the way the eyes see the shadows.  

Above the clouds, light never stops shining."

Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts

A Cross of our Making

"Let us remember that it is not God who makes many of the crosses that we find in our way, such as we commonly call "crosses".  Our Heavenly Father makes "straight paths for our feet".  ...But when the path that God points out goes north and south, and our stubborn wills lead us east and west, the consequence is "a cross"---a cross of our making, not that which our Master bids us "take up and carry after Him", and of which it has been well said, "He always carries the heaviest end Himself".  
Annie Webb-Peploe 

Reliquishing: Ours to Lose, Ours to Let Go

Photo credit:  Mike Hadden. 

"There is no ongoing spiritual life without this process of letting go. 
At the precise point where we refuse, growth stops. 
If we hold tightly to anything given to us, unwilling to let it go when the time comes to let it go or unwilling to allow it to be used as the Giver means it to be used, we stunt the growth of the soul. 
It is easy to make a mistake here, “If God gave it to me,” we say, ” it's mine. I can do what I want with it.” 
No. The truth is that it is ours to thank Him for and ours to offer back to Him, ours to relinquish, ours to lose, ours to let go of –if we want to find our true selves, if we want real life, if our hearts are set on glory."

Elisabeth Elliot

Two years ago today, I lost my dearest, closest friend to cancer.  

I look out my kitchen window daily to see her home which represents the heart of who she was.  I think of the many passes we made through our back gates to one another's homes, and I ponder the precious hours we shared drinking tea (hot and cold) so we could linger a little longer to talk.  I've never known a mentor, a widow for 5 1/2 years, so giving of herself to prepare meals for my large and growing family, just because.  When life pressed in on our time together (it was usually me who succumbed), we sent emails back and forth to one another several times a week.  She provided for me the sweetest and dearest fellowship I've ever known with an older woman.  She loved me enough to encourage me in my walk with the Lord, she showed me by her example how to sacrifice for my husband and family.  She taught me the value of time by using a timer, so she could fit more into her day, and usually that was in the form of loving and encouraging other people in her life.  She loved people the way Jesus loves.  To me, she was 'Mrs. Hadden', but she always encouraged me to call her "Betty", because she said it only seemed right.  She always said our relationship was like that of a 'Big Sis' sharing life with her 'Li'l Sis'.  

Still today, I miss her very much, and I find myself longing to be with her just one more time.   

For a sweet and priceless season, she was a precious gift to me, and I will always remember her as that!  Letting go has been hard, but letting go, as painful as it has been, has given me reason to trust the LORD will help me love others the way she loved me, for His glory! 

Thank you, Lord, for the life of Mrs. Hadden. 

Happy Birthday, Mother Dear

All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.
Isaiah 54:13 
 

When the Perfect Comes

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.  For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.  So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

1 Corinthians 13:8-13, ESV

I have no idea what the name of this plant is in my backyard.  I planted it a couple of years ago, thinking it was a white blossom crepe myrtle, a small offspring from a tree my neighbor gave me a year or so earlier. 

As I worked in the yard that day, I dug up that little plant with all confidence of what it was, and I planted it with great anticipation of what it would become! 

As it grew, it took on a different appearance than what I expected.  I continued to prune and shape it, as I did the others in the yard, never realizing it wasn't what I wanted it to be. 

Last spring I realized, "Hmmm, that tree does NOT look like a crepe myrtle!!"  

How could that be?   It started out looking like one, but all of a sudden it's not?  Then what is it?  

I had to admit my ignorance and error in  what I'd done, then tried to figure out what I'd do about it.  

Would I cut it down, dig it up, and throw it all away?   

Should I wait to see what it would become? 

I decided to wait...

Well, today I stepped out into the backyard to walk around, and I looked up to notice that mystery tree, how heavy laden it is with 'fruit' I've never noticed or identified before. 

I was awed by it's beauty. 

In all of (whatever) that tree is, it symbolizes a glory that I cannot claim, anticipate, or credit to anything I've done.  

The beauty of this tree is a gift to me today, the means by which I see in part and understand in part who God is!! 

It reminds me of my imperfect faith to believe in what I cannot see, my imperfect hope for what I cannot comprehend, and my imperfect love for Him and all He's done for me!! 

God has given me everything I need in who Jesus is, in all He's accomplished for me at the cross. 

Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of everything I am not, but hope to be. 

I want to think He wanted me to catch a glimpse of His glory today, so I will anticipate with joy what is to come!! 

Life Stages and Growth

I will always be Daddy’s little girl.

  

Life consists of many seasons and stages of growth. 

For a few days now, I have been reading and meditating on 1 John 2:12-14 in hopes of gaining a better understanding of how it applies to my life.  
  
In its context, John shares ways believers can verify their salvation.  They will be convicted of their sin and desire to confess it, they will recognize and acknowledge Jesus Christ is Lord and profess Him, and they will desire to obey God's word and love others, and (pardon my O.C.D.) possess this.  

John continues by stating there are stages of growth in a believer's life.  Growth is a process, not a sudden, over and done with event.  The process by which a believer grows and matures in his faith is called sanctification, which requires a lifetime.

I am presently examining the matter of my own spiritual growth.  True spiritual growth and maturity comes from abiding in and learning to know who God is.  There is much more to glean from this passage, but this is my feeble and fallible effort to better understand its simple truth. 

A newborn baby is totally dependent on his parents for everything he needs to stay alive.  Food for the babe, at first, consists of only his mother's milk, which is God's perfect provision. 
The babe has very strong inclinations towards self.  It is not uncommon for him to behave in such a way that demands his way, with little to no regard for the needs of others.  This could become a problem if the child is not disciplined or trained.  Children are vulnerable.  They are unlearned and immature in the matters of life, so the parents' responsibility and influence is very important, vital to their welfare.  This is much like the spiritual babe who desires the milk of the word, and who seeks to be held close, to the one who will lead and feed him the truth.  1 Peter 2:2-3 says, "Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good."  The spirit grows, much like the body grows, because of the spiritual care and nourishment it receives by the care of others.  

As the child grows, he learns to chew his food.  In the same way, he learns to read the scriptures by meditating and searching out its meaning.  By this he gains strength and deep benefits from it's ordained purpose...."For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12.  Children are characterized by their preference of certain foods, but not all is nourishing. Parents must train the child's appetite, until they are able to discern and choose what is best to ingest.  "But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings,which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" 2 Timothy 3:14-17. 

Through this stage of growth, he learns to place his faith in the One he realizes loves and knows him better than his teachers.  He begins to more deeply understand the benefits of good vs. bad influences, and truth vs. untruth.  Growth is encouragement for parents and teachers who are still close by to discern when they should manage less, and encourage more.  Knowledge for the young man becomes personal, especially in the matters of most importance to him. 

  

When does a young person reach the threshold of maturity?   
How does a parent know to back away and allow their young person to wrestle with the hard things in life, to make mistakes and benefit from learning lessons?   
When does a parent experience peace regarding the independent decisions of their children? 

When does a parent loosen their grip on the rein, and risk letting go?   

Based on this passage of Scripture, the child matures when he becomes strong from relying on God and by faith, trusts His word, when he abides in it, when he knows his life is rooted, established, and secured by it.  Scripture says this is how the young man overcomes the evil one, because he learns to recognize error.  If this doesn’t still the hearts of parents, then what other comfort is there to seek?  I cannot imagine anything more satisfying to be found. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am extremely grateful for my parents.  My family helped my dad celebrate his 84^th birthday last Friday.  As we enjoyed a special dinner with he and Mom, Dad shared how blessed he is to have a family.  He shared how he has enjoyed watching his family grow in their faith to the point of teaching his grandchildren and great grandchildren how to grow in theirs.  My heart was full to overflowing to listen and consider God's blessing, from one generation to another.  That is HUGE!! I am blessed to have parents who made reading God’s word a priority in our home.  

Dad always said when Mark and I began having children, “Your momma and I didn’t have conferences, retreats, and all those books to read when we were raising you”, but he said they had God’s word and prayer, as well as the support and love of a church family and friends.  

I remember a season of growth that caused me to realize how much my parents loved me and desired that I be grounded in the Word of God.  They quieted themselves and entrusted me to the Lord!  They believed He would guide me, though I may have faltered and failed.  The time came when they released me and away I flew… 

I flew by going away to school.  
My parents always encouraged me to call home as needed, and I did.  However, I learned real fast that phone calls were not cheap, and as oft as I needed encouragement and counsel, I learned to cry out to God, and I saw Him prove Himself to me in many ways, especially through my quiet times.  He was very present in my life. One day in particular,  as I drove to school, He answered the prayer I'd prayed just a few minutes earlier that morning.  I was greatly awed by that!  The first week I was away, He stirred  within me a greater desire to depend on Him more.  

 

The LORD used that hard but special growing season in my life to help me realize His word was my daily sustenance, my soul’s balm, and the means through which my parents and I also grew closer.  The distance helped me to grow in trust for the matters of life that only the Lord could use to shape and perfect my faith. 

Today, as a daughter, I am IMMENSELY blessed to look back and marvel at God’s work in my life.  Blessings have been multiplied to me because of those who feared the Lord before me, and who made teaching and loving me to the Lord a high priority.  This is the kind of discipleship that continues to the third and fourth generation. 

As a mother, I am IMMENSELY BLESSED and encouraged to witness God work in the lives of my children.  I am learning to quiet my heart and wait for Truth to bear fruit in their lives. 

Praise the LORD!