10 Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. 11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 13 And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.
Blogging and journaling can be a great way to really preach to yourself. Reading is great but is more passive. Writing is a great way to reiterate what God has taught you. When you write , your heart can be exposed, which can lead to repentance.
I know when I write in combination with reading, I am actually more stirred to tell others what God is doing in my life. It seems to stick better, and what is great, is that I can go back and teach it to myself again later.
There have been many times in my life where God has asked me to write. One of these times what when my husband and I were struggling with infertility. At a later date, I will tell the whole testimony of our story of our daughter Hannah. But, longstory short, God had promises me shortly after my conversion, that I would have a daughter and that her name would be Hannah. This was years before I was even married. At one point, Eric and I were struggling with not being able to conceive. God in his graciousness, was faithful to provide the help in our time of barrenness. Later, he had me write a letter to our daughter Hannah, of all his promises. She was conceived a month later.
While this letter was to our daughter, I know that the main purpose of the letter was to strengthen my faith, and for the opportunity to remind myself of God’s goodness and mercy, when things later might get rough.
When, I have been consistent to journal and write, I am so much more at peace at what God is doing in my life and am reminded of his promises, and opens the door to pour my heart out to God. Even this blog, has been so good for me to Preach the Gospel to myself. Of course, my prayer is that God might use it to stir up faith in the readers, but truly, I believe it is more about, stirring up faith in me and leading me daily to the cross.
When checking out the Girl Talk Blog, they were so wonderful as to point to a wonderful article by John Piper. What a beautiful guidance on what God has called us to as women as it relates to 1 Peter 3:1-7.
Eric has done us well to teach on this , not long ago, and here is a fresh reminder. As Girl Talk did, here is a quote to bring on the hunger to read more.
“The deepest root of Christian womanhood mentioned in this text is hope in God. “Holy women who hoped in God.” A Christian woman does not put her hope in her husband, or in getting a husband. She does not put her hope in her looks. She puts her hope in the promises of God. She is described in Proverbs 31:25: “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.” She laughs at everything the future will bring and might bring, because she hopes in God. “
Ladies, this is the woman that I want to be. Truly, this article is a MUST READ!!!!!
Music has always spoken to me. I have been blessed with children who love to fill our home with music, either with singing, guitar, piano, drums, or Bugle. When that is not happening, music is usually playing in at-least one part , if not in many rooms of our house.
We have a MP3 player in the bathroom. Music in the bedrooms, the kitchen, outside, as well as in the living room and dining room. LOL, any questions?. Music is not enough though, filling our home with scriptural, and gospel centered music is vital.
We have been blessed with having Greg Stutz in our church who sets , scripture to music. It has been so beneficial and every time, I listen to Ephesian, I walk away stronger and more drawn to the cross.
You will find many of Greg’s scripture music here . Later we will also challenge ourselves by learning some of what he has put to music.
Sovereign Grace also has wonderful, Gospel Centered Music definitely preaches the gospel. You can listen to one of their newest CD’s Here. The Sovereign Grace Store also have plenty to choose from.
The newest music I have found is Seeds. I just ordered these, and am confident it will be a hit with my children. You can purchase then at the Seeds Store.
Isaiah 38:20
20 The Lord will save me,
and we will play my music on stringed instruments
all the days of our lives,
at the house of the Lord.
I thought it would be fun to read a book together. I realize this is kind of centered around the married or engaged woman, but, I have begun to read it is it is just an amazing book. Not only that, but Eric and I attended a Sovereign Grace Pastors Conference and I personally got the chance to meet the authors and let me tell you, getting to know Gary and Betsy Rucucci made me want to read this book. Their walk and love for one another, as well as their humility left me with wanting more time with them. The gospel is so evident in their lives.
Since spending a significant amount of time with them is not really an option, I bought their book. I can already tell, I am going to want to read it again, so I figured, I will read it and then we can read and discuss it together. I hope we will be carrying this book in our bookstore soon, but if not you may purchase Love that Lasts Here.
My Plan is to start, one month from today, on May 18th, 2007. So pick up your book and start reading. We will be reading a chapter a week
I have to confess, I have never been a woman to just sit down with a book. The last year the Lord has slowly been changing that and even giving me a desire to read. Reading great gospel centered books is a way to help preach the Gospel to yourself daily.
While I was at the Sovereign Grace Leadership Conference on someone mentioned that if we spend 15 minutes a day reading, that in a year we will read 90 hours. I was so convicted, as while I will read the Bible, I spend little time reading great books that draw me to heart of the Gospel.
When Hunter was younger, we spent time reading about Abraham Lincoln. One of the things that he and his family did was in the evening would do is to have a family reading time. Each would read quietly to themselves and then discuss what they were reading with each other. I liked the idea then and now we are starting implement that in the morning. I must confess, it has been wonderful to all sit together and read together but separate and then discuss the ways God used to to challenge and grow us. So many times families and there have been times when we have been that family, will sit and just watch tv, but this idea of reading together is so much more beneficial and what a way to encourage each other in the grace that God has given us.
So grab a God glofiying book and ask God to show you himself through it so that you can keep the Gospel fresh and anew each day.
In the months ahead, hopefully we can build a reading list.
In light of the trajedy, I thought I would put in a book on suffering
This is how sheltered from the world I can get. I was disheartened and stunned when I read yesterday on the Girl Talk Blog about the Massacres in Virginia.
We pray that the Lord will provide Grace and the peace that passes all understanding to families of the victims, as well as the family of Cho Seung-Hui’s . We pray that God would pour out His spirit on the campus of Virginia Tech and that through this tragedy, God demonstrate His glory in a difficult time.
Eric posted on the Oasis blog, some info on suffering by John Piper. They also have some good resources on the Girl Talk Blog as well.
One of my husband’s favorite quotes is “Preach the Gospel to yourself daily”. I know for myself this has been alot easier said than done. I think many times I can tend to get caught up in a to do list for God. I sometimes find myself motivated by habit, instead of the incredible work that Jesus did on the cross. That is such a sad thing, that I become calloused to the pain and suffering the sinless Christ went through on my behalf, so that I could have life and have it abundantly and most importantly attaining righteousness which is truly a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP with GOD!
Over the next couple of days we are going to explore this topic of preaching the gospel to yourself daily in hopes to keep what Christ did on the cross fresh and new each day. I am excited to see what we will come away with as we seek the throne and ask for wisdom in this area.
I was not going to post this til tomorrow, but due to the fact that a dear friend is going through trials right now, I wanted to get this up for her. I am hoping in the weeks or months to come, you will get an opportunity to here her testimony, but until then, please pray for the Emerson Family.
1 Peter 4:12-1912 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory[2] and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And
“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[3]
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
God continually uses my children to teach me and train me in His Grace and mercy. I am not sure what brought my mind to this story, but Sunday Morning, I remembered this story of our daughter, Analisa.
She was probably 18 months to 2 years old when this would happen. Analisa is our child that has a high need to touch and embrace. Eric love to play on the floor with the children, pretending he is a bear, or lion and would grown and chase, I am sure you know what I am talking about. The Daddy goes “ROOAARRRRR! “and the kids go running and screaming in laughter. Well, atleast that is what usually happens. Not so for Analisa. Her response to fear was very much different. Daddy, would “ROOOAAARRRRR!” but Analisa would not run from her Daddy instead, She would have a horrified look on her face and run right into her Daddy’s arms and cling tightly to him.
What a picture of how our response to God the Father should be. Many times, fear and suffering can cause us to want to run from the Father that loves us the most and who has our best interest at heart. His purposes are always to draw us to the cross. Analisa, had it right. Things seemed scarey!! The roar from Daddy was not a welcomed delight and stirred up emotions of fear, but she trusted her Daddy. She knew deep down that Daddy only wants the best for her and would never do something to that ultimately would be bad for her.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[1] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
music by: Greg Stutz
She knew that her Daddy loved her and that he was a safe place and a protector, so when she was scared, she knew running from him would not be as safe as running to him.
What a lesson for each of usto learn from. There are times that we will be called in to suffering a pain. Times that God’s roar,( Luke 8:22-24 ) will cause us to fear. Like, Analisa knew that her Daddy could be trusted and clinged to in times of trouble. May we remember that our God and father is our safe place and that we should run to Him and and not away from him when we are tempted to be scared.
but you can do it 
