Because of the Gospel…

 

17 “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 

18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 

19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 

21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 

23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 

24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 

25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 

26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

❤️Jesus, John 17

Happy Anniversary, My Beloved Husband!  Today we have been married 34 years!  

I am thankful…

• Because of the gospel, Christians have become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). Therefore, in our marriage, our past does not define us, confine us, or determine our future.
• Because of the gospel, we are forgiven (Ephesians 1:7). Therefore we can live free of all guilt and condemnation for every sin, and we can trust that God, in his mercy, will be gracious to us.
• Because of the gospel, we can forgive, just as Christ forgave us (Ephesians 4:32). Nothing done against us compares to our sin against God. Therefore all offenses, hostility, and bitterness between Christians can be completely forgiven and removed.
• Because of the gospel, we are accepted by God (Romans 15:7). Therefore we are not dependent on a spouse for who we are or what we need.
• Because of the gospel, sin's ruling power over us is broken (Romans 6:6, 14). Therefore we can truly obey all that God calls us to do in our marriage, regardless of any circumstance or situation.
• Because of the gospel, we have access to God through Christ (Hebrews 4:14-16). Therefore we can at any time take any need in our marriage to the One who can do all things.
• Because of the gospel, we have hope (Romans 5:1-4). Therefore we can endure any marital difficulty, hardship, or suffering, with the assurance that God is working all to our greatest good (Romans 8:28).
• Because of the gospel, Christ dwells in us by his Holy Spirit (Galatians 3:13-14). Therefore we are confident that God is always with us and is always at work in our marriage, even when progress is imperceptible (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
• Because of the gospel, we have power to fight and overcome remaining sin, which continues to dwell and war within us (Romans 7:19-21, 24-25; Galatians 5:16-17). This indwelling enemy represents the essence of what is called the doctrine of sin.

“These are just a few of the ways the gospel can transform a marriage. Sometimes it's not easy to live in the reality of these truths. But it is always possible--and not because of our strength or determination, but because of God's empowering and enabling grace.”

Gary and Betsy Ricuchi

Love That Lasts: When Marriage Meets Grace

(Crossway, 2006), pp. 22-23

One of my favorite wedding memories is that we were pronounced Husband and Wife on our knees… ❤️

I don’t think that was Dr. Lindsay’s intention, but we hesitated, and he didn’t! 

I pray we will stay on our knees, forever, together! 

❤️ Your Love, Because of Jesus! 

Our Moment in Time

 

Good morning,

It’s not uncommon for me to spend some of my early morning meditation time in prayer for you. 

This morning I pray you are strengthened and encouraged in your faith and fellowship with the LORD!  

I know you’re not a mother yet, and cannot fully comprehend how such a call will change you and weigh heavy on your heart, but I pray you will one day understand my desire to be faithful to you and my sons through prayer. I want to be as much of a faithful MiL! 

Jocabed, the mother of Moses, Miriam, and Aaron exp’d a season of grave fear for her newborn son, Moses. She placed him in a basket in the Nile, to hide him from the threat of Pharaoh’s evil edict. I am amazed by her remarkable courage to defy his decree while actively involving her other children.  Miriam guarded the basket and had wise discernment to secure Jocabed as her baby brother’s nurse. Because of this, Moses spent his formative years with his own family, learning about God and Israel. His siblings, who were a part of his remarkable story, became his co-leaders in the exodus.  “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful (no ordinary child) and they were not afraid of the king's edict” Hebrews 11:23.

I pray you will be assured and strengthened in your faith to believe you are no ordinary young lady, wife, daughter, sister, friend, and employee. I pray your faith is encouraged to know the LORD has called you to Himself, set you apart to accomplish His purpose, and grow your faith and influence.  I pray your knowledge of Him is personal and intentionally nurtured daily. I pray your heart will be wholly pure to please Him because you are learning the depths of His love for you, that He is pleased to perfect His purpose for you through this season (Psalm 138). 

I love you, and miss your fellowship. 

❤️ Mom

Photo:  My heart skipped a few beats this particular evening in early August when K returned home for a quick meal before a Ladies’ Bible study close by.  I have soo missed the sounds of her presence in our home!  

Our moment in time with her has changed me forever! 

Keep My Eyes on You

 

When darkness surrounds me

And I cannot see the way,

When I long for something better

Just to see the light of day.

When my faith is weakest,

Help me trust Your Word is true,

When hope turns to disappointment

Help me keep my eyes on You.

When my heart is breaking

And I don't know where to turn  

Help me trust what You have promised,

Cause my heart for You to yearn. 

When I find no answers 

For the things I long to know,

Keep me mindful of Your promise

You will never let me go!

When I want to question,

When in fear I pull away,

When I want to doubt Your goodness,

Help me turn to you and pray.

Let me feel your presence,

Let me know your loving care,

Even in the darkest trials,

Help me trust that you are there.

Keep my eyes on You, dear Lord,

Even when it's hard,

Let me focus on your strength,

Keep me ever on my guard.

Keep my footsteps on Your path

Help me grasp Your hand.

Help me trust your perfect will,

And accept what you have planned.

Author:  Sarah Smith, Stantonville, TN 

Very Good

 

When our older boys were young, and my mind and heart were always caught up in a whirl of care and concern for my responsibilities as a wife and homeschooling mom, Mark was purposeful to pray with me before he left for work each morn. 

There were those mornings when <shock of all shocks> I did not stir while he dressed and prepared to leave.  When my slumber would not be aroused by his bedside whisper, he wrote a note to leave behind for me to find for an encouraging charge to begin my day! 🥰

I treasure his notes, especially this one which is tucked away in my Bible for reminder and encouragement that the LORD called us to this:  a most treasured place, to know ALL He’s accomplished here is for His purpose, His glory, and our very good! 

For this I am thankful and glad!! 

Mark’s note, dated April 15, 1997

O Karen!  My Wife!  My Love!

The Lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places!  Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the LORD!  

Glory Ye in His holy name:  Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD, and His strength:  seek His face forevermore.  Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. 

Lo, children are a heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is His reward.  As arrows in the hand of a mighty crowned warrior, so are children of the youth.  

Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the King's enemies:  Happy are they whose quiver is full of them:  they shall not be ashamed, but they shall subdue the enemies in the gate.  

The LORD hath done great things for us:  whereof we are glad.  

Humble Paths

“You can never tell to what untold glories a little humble path may lead, if you follow far enough.” 

Lilias Trotter,

13 August 1899

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 

*Proverbs 3:5-6

Note:  Meme’s faithful motherly advice*!!  

Photo: A treasured walk with our beloved granddaughter ❤️!!

Gifts and Mirrors of His Glory

For from him and through him and to him are all things.  To him be glory forever.  Amen.

Romans 11:36

“When we realize that the child, the spouse, the life, the friends, and the family are all gifts from our Father, it makes every celebration a ‘thanksgiving’ day, a time to express our heart of thanks to God. 

Saint Augustine said something that might help us when we worry that making much of a person might somehow be competition for our love for God.

“For he loves Thee too little who loves anything together with Thee, which he loves not for Thy sake (Saint Augustine).”

In other words as my husband explains, ‘If created things are seen and handled as gifts of God and as mirrors of his glory, they need not be occasions of idolatry- if our delight in them is always also a delight in their Maker.’ (John Piper)”

Noel Piper

Book: Treasuring God in Our Traditions

page 65-66

I loved today!

I am thankful for our gathering of family and friends today.  We were long overdue for an extended family gathering!  I wish I’d taken more pictures!  I enjoyed seeing the girls circled around the dining room table. I loved hearing their roars of laughter and cackles of enjoyment over a board game with one another while the guys were more sedate, lounging and talking, “cool, calm, and collected” in the living room.  

In the family room, others were gathered comfortably in conversation with Meme when Felicity and her Mommy and Daddy arrived!  Ohh the joy to just simply watch her …!  Her presence always makes me smile! 

Thank you, Mary!! You were the inspiration and the energy behind this year’s Labor Day family gathering!  You are faithful to come alongside me and Meme to encourage our outlook and faith to trust the LORD.  What a gift you are!  I am immensely thankful for you! 

Thank you, LORD, for expressing Your love and wisdom to me through Mary!  She loves like You, sacrificially and selflessly!  ❤️

Meme needed today, to get out, away from her house and venture out across town to enjoy an afternoon with her family.  She treasures us as gifts from Your heart!  It was a great blessing to know she wasn’t sitting at home, alone, but instead was surrounded by our presence and sounds of family togetherness! 

Thank you, Father, for Your ever present love, Your provision, and Your gracious gift of family, our together, one another-ness, even if some individuals are aggravating!! 😂

I am oft mindful of how You ordained for us to be together!! 

You know how and why we need one another!  

Soo little we know and understand!! 

You are at work to accomplish Your desire, to put on display Your glory by our learning to live life together.

Help us to remember we live in Your presence!!  

I needed today! 

I am soo very thankful to trust You are perfect, loving, and wise in all You are doing in our midst!!

❤️

Photo credit- 

EJ- outdoor picture of Meme and our gathering of family and friends. Wish we had a selfie stick, so EJ could be in the picture. 🙃

Mary- indoor family photo of MS and C with F and Meme! 

MS and F

Looking to Jesus

 

I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 

Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. 

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. 

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. 

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!  Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! 

Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! 

Psalm 34:4-9

Mark’s mom was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday of last week and taken to a short term rehabilitation center.   We are very thankful for this provision for her medical and physical needs.  We trust the LORD  will give wisdom and compassion by those He has set in place for her care while she is there. 

It was very good to see her smile and hear her chuckle when we had a window visit with her Friday afternoon!  It was a short visit, and it was hard to walk away!  

Father, Thank you, for meeting Mawmaw’s needs. We ask that in this place of quiet rest and recovery, she will be strengthened by Your fellowship!  

Thank you for loving her more than we do!  Thank you for being with her.  May she draw deeply from Your sustaining comfort and peace.  We pray Your word will encourage her to know how GREAT is Your faithfulness and steadfast mercies each new day throughout this stay. 

Faith-Filled Mothering

“…Faithful mothering requires faith. We put the seeds in the ground, but at first, we don’t see how or even if they are growing. We simply watch, water, and repeat. The seeds won’t sprout if we don’t plant. They won’t survive if we don’t pull the weeds. They won’t thrive if we don’t water. But ultimately, we have to trust God to bring the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6). He promises that we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9). 

How do we keep from giving up? We remind ourselves that no matter how our culture heaves and shifts, Scripture’s truth, relevance, and power will remain. God is still in charge. From age to age he sits enthroned. He rules over seasons, stars, and tidal waves of feminism (Psalm 29:10). He is the God who daily bears us up through every evil day (Psalm 68:19). Because of the steadfast love of Christ, the mother who sows with tears will reap with joy (Psalm 126:5).”

Carolyn Mahaney

https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/a-different-kind-of-daughter

Photos: FJG showed me how helpful she could be with chores recently when Mommy was recovering from a dislocated rib.