Pure and Undefiled Religion

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this:

 to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, 

and to keep oneself unstained from the world. 

James 1:27

The Glory of God

I caught a little glimpse of the glory of God while the snow softly fell on us our last full day in Colorado just before the New Year.   That snowflake was no bigger than a single stitch on my winter coat, but ponder the detail-the God that knows and created every detail of that very snowflake-  and thousands upon millions just like that most assuredly knows your every need and every longing in your heart.  When you trust in him and seek to know him more and delight in him fully- you can reflect his glory just like that snowflake.  And  people will more easily notice his glory in you because you are much bigger and more noticable that a tiny snowflake.  He is worthy to be praised.

"In the same way, let your light shine before others,

so that they may see your good works

and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

 Matthew 5:16

Counselor

In our memory verse for December, Isaiah 9:6 says this:

"For to us a child is born,

 to us a son is given; 

and the government shall be upon his shoulder, 

and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, 

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

The 1828 Webster's Dictionary lists these definitions for "counselor":

1. Any person who gives advice; but properly one who is authorized by natural relationship, or by birth, office or profession, to advise another in regard to his future conduct and measures. Ahithophel was Davids counselor. His mother was his counselor to do wickedly. 2 Chronicles 22. In Great Britain, the peers of the realm are hereditary counselor of the crown.

2. The members of a counsel; one appointed to advise a king or chief magistrate, in regard to the administration of the government.

3. One who is consulted by a client in a law case; one who gives advice in relation to a question of law; one whose profession is to give advice in law, and manage causes for clients.

Privy Counselor, a member of a privy counsel.

What does it mean to you, Reader, to have Christ the very Son of God as your, not just counselor, but Wonderful Counselor?

Please leave me a comment; I would love to hear what that means to you!

A Narrow Cradle

Martin Luther wrote a poem/hymn about the Advent that I would like to share.  In it are some great thoughts to ponder as you reflect on the mystery of God condescending to man in the form of human flesh.  The King of Glory come in form of a little baby.  The Savior of the World came down to man.  Every religion apart from Christ is a striving to reach God in your own good works, sacrifices, all for naught.  But with Christ, He makes all your striving cease, he reveals your heart of sinfulness then he himself cleanses you from your iniquity.  Praise God for the work of Salvation is his alone!

Merry Christmas!

"Were earth a thousand times as fair,

Be set with gold and jewels rare.

She yet were far too poor to be,

A narrow cradle, Lord, for thee.

Praise God upon his heavenly throne,

Who gave to us his only Son,

For this his hosts on joyful wing,

A blessed New Year of mercy sing.

This is the Christ our God and Lord,

Who in all need shall aid afford,

He will himself our Savior be,

And from our sins will set us free!"

You can listen to this in song for by Sandra McCracken here.

The Pilgrims

I started teaching on the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving today with Dylan.  We went through some lessons regarding them last year, but hey, she's 5 and it's been a whole year since we talked about them,  I was impressed that she remembered anything at all, but she surprisingly remembered quite a bit.  I asked her what she remembered from our readings last year and she said, "I remember they used fish to plant corn." The Native American's taught the Pilgrims to bury fish beneath their crops to provide excellent fertlizer for their corn crops. Then she went on to tell me what she remembered about the Mayflower hardships, "They had to eat bread with worms in it and had dirty water." Beer was the main drink for all, including the children, because the water they had brought became contaminated and unsafe to drink. What food and beer that was left towards the end of the journey became inedible causing much hunger.

May we lay everything on the line and be willing to give it all up to rightly worship and serve the living God.

The Importance of Reading

The written Word of God is a priceless gift given to us from his very hand.  What a selection of choicest fruits we have available.  Just recently Dylan has taken an interest in opening the bible and reading it for herself.  Will you pray with me that God's word will not return void?  He has a mighty hand, and he is able to save to the uttermost.  Dylan has started reading John 1.  What a good place to start!


"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."


 Romans 10:17

He is Good

Our little Lennox is now 10 months old.  Ten months ago I was getting ready to give birth.  A little less than twenty months ago, I found out I was pregnant with him. I was scared to get pregnant again- but he will lovingly come along side his children and remind us of his wisdom and his goodness. His ways are higher than our ways and he is a merciful God who remembers our frame. (Psalm 55:9 & 103:14)  Why would God choose to take the lives of 7 of our babies and commission us to raise Dylan and Lennox?  Because he is God and he knows what he is doing when we do not.  

While I am so grateful that he has blessed us with Dylan and Lennox,  I want to be perfectly clear about this: even if he had not granted us a single child, and though I may have 2, 5, or even 10 more miscarriages in my lifetime;  God is infinitely good, incredibly wise, and perfectly sovereign over every single moment in my life.  Nothing is far from his hand.  Tested and proved.