All Things for Praise

"Thou rushing wind that art so strong, Ye clouds that sail in heav'n along,
O praise Him, Alleluia!
Thou rising morn in praise rejoice, Ye lights of evening, find a voice,
O praise Him, O praise Him,
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!"

2 Thess. 3:5

"May the Lord bring you into an ever deeper understanding of the love of God and the endurance that comes from Christ."

Home Again

Yes, I'm taking advantage of the fact that I am 3.5 hours away from home rather than 17. Easter weekend became another break for me as I was able to spend 4 days at home. Home becomes more and more special each time I return.

Love, Faith, and Hope

I have encountered each of these three qualities over the past few days--not as the standard set, but individually in my own devotions in I John, and in the celebration of Christ's Resurrection. The command for faith and love in 3:23 is clear. Yet chapter four also makes clear the fact that, apart from the Spirit, we cannot produce either one. God's Spirit is the Spirit both of faith (4:1-6) and of love (4:7-16). Christ promised to send the Spirit. After His resurrection, He told His followers to wait in Jerusalem until the were "endued with power from on high" (Lk. 24:49). This was fulfilled, and every believer now, at the moment of salvation, receives the indwelling Spirit. What hope, to know that we are being conformed to the image of Christ through the power of His Spirit Who dwells in us!
The resurrection provides many aspects of hope--all of which give us reason to live the Christian life with abundant joy and thanksgiving. The world does not have this hope. They live for the moment's best, which never quenches the longing for purpose. I thank the Lord that, by His grace, I have a hope that will not be deferred.

Grateful Impact

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so.
-Pr. 3:27

"The price of leadership remains high and hard; it may be cheap and easy for the dictator, for the hireling, but never for the shepherd. The dictator dominates; the hireling flees; but the good shepherd loves his sheep and is loved by them. He lays down his life for the sheep. True spiritual leadership involves this principle: 'Death working in me works life in you' (2 Cor. 4:12, Cony.)
"It is the quality of leaders that they can bear to be sat on, absorb shocks, act as a buffer, bear being much plagued. Moses put up with the complaints and the waywardness and revolt of the people. He pursued a steady course, enduring as seeing Him who is invisible. The wear and tear and the continual friction and trials which come to the servants of God are a great test of character." F.M.

As my uncle says, "It's lonely at the top." Leaders, especially spiritual leaders, need to be thanked and encouraged and prayed for. I am grateful for each one who has made an impact on my walk with the Lord.

Lights, Light, and More Light

Me with my "Amys"--AmyRose Castillo and Amy Lawrence

Light--maybe a theme for the past 24 hours? I enjoyed a quick but very refreshing visit with Northland's vocal ensemble, the Northern Lights, yesterday. They did another Spring Tour as I had done with them last year, and I was able to drive to Glen Burnie, MD, see their presentation at Calvary Baptist Academy, and then spend a few hours with them before they got on the road again. I thank the Lord for them, for their ministry, and for my time of encouragement.
This morning, I came across a challenging quotation by J.B. Stoney in None But the Hungry Heart dealing with a different perspective of Light.
"The true value of anything is known only when it is wanted. For this reason bright days must be succeeded by dark ones. In the dreary and desolate hour to nature, we begin to know the value of the truth communicated to us in the bright day. The learning is at one time, and the proving at another. In fact, we ought to be prepared for the dark hour; so that, though it be dark, there is something so blessed, so suited, pouring its comfort and sustenance on our souls, that, after all, the dark and dreary hour becomes a more really festive time to the heart, because of the virtues of the truth now made know, than the time of its reception, which was so happy and exhilarating."
Light is also a key theme in I John. Describing God as "Light" displays Him as the Revealer of His holiness. It also points to Him as Exposer and Condemner of sin. But "if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another." (1:7) This is the truth that amazes me. "Light" is the connection between sinful man and a holy God. Because God is light (and therefore also is Christ) and Christ dwells in us, we are allowed fellowship with the Father. Only by the Cross has this been made possible. A time of darkness followed by the greatest light and joy we could ever and will ever experience...

Oh How I Love Your Word

Dr. Jack Clem gave a message a few years ago at Colonial Baptist Church on the overview of Ps. 119. It was a very timely encouragement to me, so I thought I'd pass it along.

Celebrate with Chocolate Cake

My aunt makes a wonderful chocolate cake, and my cousins Callie and Caitlin, and Elizabeth, came over to enjoy it with me. I received the pleasure of cutting it...and even more so, of eating it! But no pictures for that part.

7 Weeks

7 weeks is all that's left of my first half of grad school. In my jazz reading, I came across a musician who believes that time is subjective. I think I would have to disagree. The perception of time certainly can be. Time "flies" when you are in the midst of personal enjoyment, but you are convinced your watch's secondhand evidences a dying battery when you are in the midst of something very tedious or even hopeful waiting. However, time itself continues steadily on since God's creation of it. Nothing can speed it up, nor slow it down. I have been challenged recently with the need to not just "be a good testimony" with my life, but to share the gospel, verbally. Time continues on, but one day time will be no more. We will have no more opportunities to speak of Christ and His work on the Cross for all who will accept it.
So my break was good, but now I am back, surrounded by those who need to hear the gospel. 7 weeks is enough for God to do great things, because He is not limited to time as we are. Please pray that I will be wise in how I spend this next segment for Him.

Home Pics

Here are a few family pics. Dad and Katie were not around. I should have gotten the camera out earlier...
These are from the very cold and windy early morning after packing up the Trooper.

Spring and Home

54 degrees, even warmer sunshine, clear blue skies, and a wonderful week to be home for Spring Break. Grace comes home tomorrow--her break follows mine--but we will have part of the weekend together. Mom and I are one-and-one in Scrabble, so at least one more game lies in the plans before I leave after church on Sunday. Katie and I got some good Cribbage games in, and I don't believe I will ever satisfy Buddy's unrealistic quota of "dates" we should have together. With only a few school-related projects to do, I have been able to enjoy time with my family. Dad has had to be away both weekends, but I was able to see him for a few days in between, and we enjoyed a spicy Japanese dinner last night. I'm thankful for a break, and even more thankful for a wonderful family to spend it with.