"Christ is the Answer" has been a wall motto, and, more recently, a bumper sticker. Somebody added, in small print, "What was the question?"
In the final analysis, it does not matter what question we are asking. All questions come under one of three headings:
1. Way--we need guidance
2. Truth--we need a norm
3. Life--we need sustenance.
Jesus said, "I am" all of these things. Let us bring everything that baffles us into his presence, holding it up before Him by faith. In that Light, the look of things will slowly begin to change, and as we humble ourselves to receive the true answer, our eyes will be opened. We learn to know Christ, then, as we walk in his way, obey his truth, and live his life. He Himself, a living, loving Person, is our answer.
"What Was The Question?"
A Lamp For My Feet
Author: Elisabeth Elliot
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Waiting on Mama
On Sunday morning Lillian and Lewis had to wait on me for just a minute while I got ready, and it was just too much for Lil. She loves her daddy and got comfortable, before we knew it she was out.
Friday, March 20, 2009
It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God.
We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work
as sacred and well-pleasing to God,
not on account of the position and work,
but on account of the word and faith
from which the obedience and the work flow.
- Martin Luther
****
Colossians 3:23-24
23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,
24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.
It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work
as sacred and well-pleasing to God,
not on account of the position and work,
but on account of the word and faith
from which the obedience and the work flow.
- Martin Luther
****
Colossians 3:23-24
23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,
24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.
It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
One of the Mysteries of Our Humanity
Have you ever thought much about the fact that we, created by God for his own pleasure and glory, are permitted by the Creator Himself to deny Him?
Even though we are totally dependent on Him for our next breath, with that breath we may declare that He does not exist or that we refuse to do what He wants us to do. We live by the life He gives us, moment by moment. We enjoy rain, sunshine, the growth of crops and flowers, sensations, delights, satisfactions of many kinds. Yet we often act as though we were sufficient in ourselves, needing no interference from Him.
I can, by the power mysteriously granted me by my Creator and Redeemer, declare myself master of my fate, captain of my soul, and say, "My will be done." That the Lord should expose Himself to this effrontery in a million forms, for millions of days and nights, is the mystery of love and grace.
Still He draws us with cords of love, calls us to come, waits (amazing grace) for us to bow and say, "My Lord and my God!"
"One of the Mysteries of Our Humanity ", Elisabeth Elliot, A Lamp For My Feet
___________________________________________________
But He said to me,
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,
so that Christ's power may rest on me.
That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses,
in hardships,
in persecutions,
in difficulties.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.
II Corinthians 12:9-10
"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:13
Even though we are totally dependent on Him for our next breath, with that breath we may declare that He does not exist or that we refuse to do what He wants us to do. We live by the life He gives us, moment by moment. We enjoy rain, sunshine, the growth of crops and flowers, sensations, delights, satisfactions of many kinds. Yet we often act as though we were sufficient in ourselves, needing no interference from Him.
I can, by the power mysteriously granted me by my Creator and Redeemer, declare myself master of my fate, captain of my soul, and say, "My will be done." That the Lord should expose Himself to this effrontery in a million forms, for millions of days and nights, is the mystery of love and grace.
Still He draws us with cords of love, calls us to come, waits (amazing grace) for us to bow and say, "My Lord and my God!"
"One of the Mysteries of Our Humanity ", Elisabeth Elliot, A Lamp For My Feet
___________________________________________________
But He said to me,
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,
so that Christ's power may rest on me.
That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses,
in hardships,
in persecutions,
in difficulties.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.
II Corinthians 12:9-10
"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:13
Monday, March 16, 2009
Norfolk, VA
Lillian & I went to visit Aunt Mary-Blake recently. We had a great time seeing Sentara - Norfolk General Hospital, where MB works, and Mark's base (Naval Station Norfolk). We got to see some aircraft carriers and even spied a sub or two. While we were there Lillian and I enjoyed MB's generous southern hospitality, good food, sunshine on the back porch, and even a trip to VA beach for some seafood. We all relished the crab cakes, oysters "rockafeller", grilled shrimp, and sweet tea. YUM.
Lillian was a great traveler and even though we had to substitute a dishtowel as a good 'ol fashion bib, she took right to that, too - converting it to a cape between meals.
p.s. She clearly wasn't as excited about seeing the aircraft carriers as we were.
Lillian was a great traveler and even though we had to substitute a dishtowel as a good 'ol fashion bib, she took right to that, too - converting it to a cape between meals.
p.s. She clearly wasn't as excited about seeing the aircraft carriers as we were.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Help for God's Assignment
Sometimes a task we have begun takes on seemingly crushing size, and we wonder what ever gave us the notion that we could accomplish it. There is no way out, no way around it, and yet we cannot contemplate actually carrying it through. The rearing of children or the writing of a book are illustrations that come to mind. Let us recall that the task is a divinely appointed one, and divine aid is therefore to be expected. Expect it! Ask for it, wait for it, believe that God gives it. Offer to Him the job itself, along with your fears and misgivings about it. He will not fail or be discouraged. Let his courage encourage you. The day will come when the task will be finished. Trust Him for it.
"For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded, therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed" (Is 50:7 AV).
"A Lamp For My Feet", Elisabeth Elliot
"For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded, therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed" (Is 50:7 AV).
"A Lamp For My Feet", Elisabeth Elliot
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Jesus Walked this Road
Lord, be near us in our pain
and grant us the clear eye of faith to see it from heaven's perspective.
Jesus walked this road.
Help us to follow him gladly.
- Elisabeth Elliot, "A Lamp For My Feet"
and grant us the clear eye of faith to see it from heaven's perspective.
Jesus walked this road.
Help us to follow him gladly.
- Elisabeth Elliot, "A Lamp For My Feet"
Monday, March 9, 2009
What is Lillian doing?
Recently, I've noticed Lillian hitting some big developmental milestones:
1. Lillian just won't "drive" her rescue rider if she doesn't have her purse with her. She's just starting to use her feet a little but steering is not a concept she's aware of quite yet.
2. Lillian will sit in the book corner and "read aloud" whatever book she has in her hands at the moment, or just sit quietly and turn the pages. It's just too funny to see her reclining against the big pillow. And, if you're there first, she'll come plop down and "read", too.
3. And, if the book is upside down, she'll flip it over so it's right-side up.
4. Lillian will "fix" my hair if I'm sitting down with her in the play room - trying to put a ribbon or a bow in it.
5. There are multiple times during the day when she'll come to me signing "help" for assistance opening or closing something or getting on the rescue rider.
6. Just recently, she's started taking a little blanket and "wrapping" up her baby in it (or whatever stuffed animal she has taken a shine to at the moment.) Or, she'll come ask me to "help" her and take me to where she has laid out the baby and the blanket. She also likes to put her babies and stuffed animals in the seat on the rocking horse.
7. Lillian is "practicing" on the stairs, crawling up and going down feet first on her tummy. It scares me to death, but she's actually getting pretty good going up.
Also, she signs: eat, milk, more, please, thank you, sorry, sleep, help, dog, all done/all gone, bird, bath, baby, fish, kitty cat, the phrase "I don't know" (both hands in the air), and a variety of other random things like airplane and i love you.
She says: daddy ("da"), mama, dog, duck, bath, and she'll repeat people's names if you say them to her (like, I'll say "Aunt Jill" or "Mary-Blake") and she'll "say" what I said.
She knows her: nose, mouth, ears, hair, eyes, toes, feet, fingers, fingernails, hands, bebo (belly button) *If you tell her to listen, she'll touch her ear and tilt her head ever so slightly.
These may not seem big to you, but in the space of just 16 short months, a lot can happen - and this type of thing is cause for excitement and innumerable prayers of thanks to God for this precious gift He has given us.
p.s. We went down to the lake this evening and Lillian saw a big white duck up close. She was in awe. We were still and it came right up to the water lapping on the beach. She didn't make a noise and it squawked and squawked. We must have watched is for almost 20 minutes. Now when you ask Lillian what the duck says, she makes a hilarious noise.
1. Lillian just won't "drive" her rescue rider if she doesn't have her purse with her. She's just starting to use her feet a little but steering is not a concept she's aware of quite yet.
2. Lillian will sit in the book corner and "read aloud" whatever book she has in her hands at the moment, or just sit quietly and turn the pages. It's just too funny to see her reclining against the big pillow. And, if you're there first, she'll come plop down and "read", too.
3. And, if the book is upside down, she'll flip it over so it's right-side up.
4. Lillian will "fix" my hair if I'm sitting down with her in the play room - trying to put a ribbon or a bow in it.
5. There are multiple times during the day when she'll come to me signing "help" for assistance opening or closing something or getting on the rescue rider.
6. Just recently, she's started taking a little blanket and "wrapping" up her baby in it (or whatever stuffed animal she has taken a shine to at the moment.) Or, she'll come ask me to "help" her and take me to where she has laid out the baby and the blanket. She also likes to put her babies and stuffed animals in the seat on the rocking horse.
7. Lillian is "practicing" on the stairs, crawling up and going down feet first on her tummy. It scares me to death, but she's actually getting pretty good going up.
Also, she signs: eat, milk, more, please, thank you, sorry, sleep, help, dog, all done/all gone, bird, bath, baby, fish, kitty cat, the phrase "I don't know" (both hands in the air), and a variety of other random things like airplane and i love you.
She says: daddy ("da"), mama, dog, duck, bath, and she'll repeat people's names if you say them to her (like, I'll say "Aunt Jill" or "Mary-Blake") and she'll "say" what I said.
She knows her: nose, mouth, ears, hair, eyes, toes, feet, fingers, fingernails, hands, bebo (belly button) *If you tell her to listen, she'll touch her ear and tilt her head ever so slightly.
These may not seem big to you, but in the space of just 16 short months, a lot can happen - and this type of thing is cause for excitement and innumerable prayers of thanks to God for this precious gift He has given us.
p.s. We went down to the lake this evening and Lillian saw a big white duck up close. She was in awe. We were still and it came right up to the water lapping on the beach. She didn't make a noise and it squawked and squawked. We must have watched is for almost 20 minutes. Now when you ask Lillian what the duck says, she makes a hilarious noise.
My Own Canoe - Elisabeth Elliot
Title: My Own Canoe
Author: Elisabeth Elliot
Devotion: Elisabeth Elliot
Book: A Lamp For My Feet
___________________________________________________
"The rule of the universe," wrote C.S. Lewis to his friend Arthur Greeves, is "that others can do for us what we cannot do for ourselves, and one can paddle every canoe except one's own" (They Stand Together: The Letters of C.S. Lewis to Arthur Greeves, p. 514).
This is grace--God graciously doing for us what we cannot do and so constructing human life that we are allowed to help--i.e., to give life to others. In our pride we try to save ourselves, but it is impossible. We can only lose by trying. It is when we stop straining to paddle our own canoe and let Another paddle it for us, or give ourselves to paddle someone else's ("bearing his burdens") that we fulfill the law of Christ.
The wind carries the seed, the bee the pollen, the mother the child. So life is borne and born.
Author: Elisabeth Elliot
Devotion: Elisabeth Elliot
Book: A Lamp For My Feet
___________________________________________________
"The rule of the universe," wrote C.S. Lewis to his friend Arthur Greeves, is "that others can do for us what we cannot do for ourselves, and one can paddle every canoe except one's own" (They Stand Together: The Letters of C.S. Lewis to Arthur Greeves, p. 514).
This is grace--God graciously doing for us what we cannot do and so constructing human life that we are allowed to help--i.e., to give life to others. In our pride we try to save ourselves, but it is impossible. We can only lose by trying. It is when we stop straining to paddle our own canoe and let Another paddle it for us, or give ourselves to paddle someone else's ("bearing his burdens") that we fulfill the law of Christ.
The wind carries the seed, the bee the pollen, the mother the child. So life is borne and born.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Book Corner
Lillian has two passions in life (well, three, if you count eating): books and babies. Thankfully, they all live peacefully together in a little place we call "book corner", in the playroom. Here are a few shots from that blessed place.
p.s. One of her favorite books to "read" is The Jungle Book; you'll see her "Mowgli" impression in this picture.
Running after all these things...
MATTHEW 6:25-34
Do Not Worry
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Do Not Worry
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Peace by blood
He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation.
For by him all things were created,
in heaven and on earth,
visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities –
all things were created through him and for him.
And he is before all things,
and in him all things hold together.
And he is the head of the body, the church.
He is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead,
that in everything he might be preeminent.
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile to himself all things,
whether on earth or in heaven,
making peace by the blood of his cross.
Colossians 1:15-20
the firstborn of all creation.
For by him all things were created,
in heaven and on earth,
visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities –
all things were created through him and for him.
And he is before all things,
and in him all things hold together.
And he is the head of the body, the church.
He is the beginning,
the firstborn from the dead,
that in everything he might be preeminent.
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile to himself all things,
whether on earth or in heaven,
making peace by the blood of his cross.
Colossians 1:15-20
Sunday, March 1, 2009
My supreme goal is to follow Christ.
If our supreme goal is to follow Christ, the rule of our lives will be my life for yours. We will be directing our energies far more toward the will of God and the service of others than to our own heart's longings.
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