Little Things Make the Day Better

Or, little people, I should say. ;)

Yesterday, I was feeling pretty sick and just all around achy and awful.

My nephews and nieces were over (this is not the cause of the sick, achy, awful, I promise) and they are all absolutely adorable, I might say. Not only because they're related to me, either. (Insert wicked grin here.)

So, I was sitting all curled up in a ball and my little niece Rebekah came up to me and asked, in her very high-pitched, cutesy pixie voice, if I wanted a tea.

"Sure," I said, "tell Auntie Elena to make one for me, please."

Rebekah trotted off, and I didn't think any more about it.

A few minutes later she came back, carrying a tea for me. "Ethan and I made you a tea," she said as she put it down in front of me. (Imagine her extremely high, adorable voice) "We didn't even stir it, we just put the tea bag in, Ethan poured the hot water, and we put in rice milk because you can't have real milk." It seems they thought of everything!

I thanked her a lot, feeling better already. Cuteness has that effect, I think. She was beaming because she had made her Auntie a tea when she was sick.

Ethan came in and I thanked him too, and his face lit up. I could tell they were happy to have made it, and that made me happier.

Yes, I felt a whole lot better after that.

It's just one of those simple blessings, you know?

Oliver Cromwell

This is from "To Honour God: The Spirituality of Oliver Cromwell". I thought it was good enough to post up here. :) Enjoy!

London, March 20, 1653

"Do we thankfully acknowledge our mercy in the liberty of worshipping God in holiness and righteousness without fear, being delivered out of the hands of our enemies?
Is brotherly love, and a healing spirit of that force and value amongst us that it ought?
Do we own one another more for the grace of God and for the spiritual regeneration, and for the image of Christ in each other, or for our agreement with each other in this or that form, or opinion?
Do we first search for the Kingdom of Christ within us, before we seek one without us? Or do we listen to them that say concerning the coming of Christ, Lo here, and lo there?
Do we not more contend for saints having rule in the world, than over their own hearts?
Are there not too many amongst us that cry up the Spirit, with a neglect of love, joy, peace, meekness, patience, goodness, temperance, long-suffering, forbearance, brotherly kindness, charity, which are the fruits of the Spirit? How do we carry our selves, not only to the Churches of God, and the saints, but towards them that are without?
Do not some of us affirm our selves to be the only true ministry, and true Churches of Christ, and only to have the ordinances in purity, excluding our brethren, though of equal gifts, and having as large a seal of their ministry, and desiring with as much fervor and zeal to enjoy the ordinances in their utmost purity?
Do we remember old Puritan, or rather primitive simplicity, self-denial, mercy to the poor, uprightness, and justice? Or are we not herein put to shame by those we easily call anti-Christian or carnal?
Hath one that we judge to be without, equal justice with one we will call a brother?
Do we contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints, as the things of faith ought to be contended for, with love, patience, tenderness, zeal, by persuasion? Or rather imposingly, proudly, carnally, provokingly, sensually, thereby prejudicing the truth and, whilst we are calling aloud for the propagating of the Gospel, do we not put stumbling-blocks in the way of the same, and too much endanger to make good the slander of the world in charging profession with faction?"

So Good Bein' Home

Over the weekend I was away from home, helping a good friend (who is practically a sister) move. Jeanine and her husband, Dustin, were moving about three hours away, to live on a farm and help Dustin's dad.

So, I stayed the weekend and helped them move and get set up. Jeanine's family is basically my second family. Our two families are very closely knit.

It was both sad and exciting that Jeanine was moving so far away.

So, today we got up early, because we had to drive the two and a half hours back to Guelph in time for the church service.

I was so glad to see my family! (My first family, I mean) I miss them a lot when I am away; I am very much a family person.

The only one missing is my little Critter, who is at our sister's house, where he has been all weekend, enjoying the spring weather. (Realizing that you don't ever forget how to ride a bike, after all - see Mom's blog)

And the sermon today was good, too. About Daniel, and the courage he had because of his faith in Christ. It made me wonder if I have faith like that - to continue praying even though a threat of death was hanging over my head? To proclaim to the emperor, the ultimate power of the time, that his reign would end? There are so many instances through the book of Daniel where I see God's grace in preserving Daniel, protecting him not only from the actual lions in the den, but also the spiritual "lions" seeking to devour him day after day. God is our faithful Protector.

6:1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom; 2 and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss. 3 Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other presidents and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. 4 Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.”

6 Then these presidents and satraps came by agreement to the king and said to him, “O King Darius, live forever! 7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction.

10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. 11 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God. 12 Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, “O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.” 13 Then they answered and said before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”

14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel. And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him. 15 Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed.”

16 Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” 17 And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. 18 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him.

19 Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” 21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” 23 Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. 24 And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.

25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. 26 I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel,

for he is the living God,
enduring forever;
his kingdom shall never be destroyed,
and his dominion shall be to the end.
27 He delivers and rescues;
he works signs and wonders
in heaven and on earth,
he who has saved Daniel
from the power of the lions.”

Quotes From Brilliant Minds

These say it better than I can:

"If the devil were wise enough and would stand by in silence and let the Gospel be preached, he would suffer less harm. For when there is no battle for the Gospel it rusts and it finds no cause and no occasion to show its vigor and power. Therefore, nothing better can befall the Gospel than that the world should fight it with force and cunning." Martin Luther

The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

"He makes His ministers a flame of fire. Am I ignitable? God deliver me from the dread asbestos of 'other things.' Saturate me with the oil of the Spirit that I may be aflame. But flame is transient, often short lived. Canst thou bear this, my soul - short life? ... Make me thy fuel, Flame of God." Jim Elliot

O Lord My God, You Are Very Great
104:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord my God, you are very great!
You are clothed with splendor and majesty,
2 covering yourself with light as with a garment,
stretching out the heavens like a tent.
3 He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters;
he makes the clouds his chariot;
he rides on the wings of the wind;
4 he makes his messengers winds,
his ministers a flaming fire.

It is very humbling to read what the likes of Martin Luther and Jim Elliot have written. The question I always ask myself is, Do I have like faith? Am I trusting you, Lord, with my all? Oh, Help me to do so! Help me to live with Your word, Lord, not tucked away in my heart but stuffed in every place, at the expense of all else! What would I hold on to, what is more precious to me, than You? Rid of it, Lord - tear it away.

Psalm 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes!
13 With my lips I declare
all the rules of your mouth.
14 In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.

Poetry

I like poetry.

Probably because my Mommy loves poetry, and therefore I have heard all types since memory began for me. It is a part of me, so to speak.

Some poems are like old friends to me; I come upon them and a happy feeling comes over me. I read the poem and enjoy the lines, but also enjoy the memories the poem brings back.

I like poetry that says something. Certain poets have never suited me, but these are very rare.
Is there not something beautiful in poetry? It is the same as music to me. It is an expression of the soul; it reminds me (if it's good, if it has a message) that we are created in the image of God, and God loves beauty. The universe is a poem in a way. It is soul-stirring, like a song that is sad and patient, happy and carefree, ethereal and beautiful.

God is the Composer of us and everything visible and invisible. God gave us music, God gave us beauty, and God gave us poetry.

I like poetry.

God’s Grandeur

The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like a shining from shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?
Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;
And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;
And wears man’s smudge and shares man’s smell; the soil
Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.

And, for all this, nature is never spent;
There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And though the last lights off the black West went
Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs-
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.

- Gerard Manley Hopkins

1 Peter Outline

Because I am lazy and tired tonight, and also because I felt that it was time to post another...post, I am going to put this up here on my blog. *guilty smile*

Maybe it will make you think. *Less guilty, more hopeful smile*

(Some of) What I can glean from 1 Peter:

Chapter One:

• Chapter 1:2 – “According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with His blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.” – God is Sovereign, therefore I can trust Him in all things. No matter what the situation or circumstance, God is there, and God is Able. I should not worry whenever any trial or suffering comes. God is at work in us this moment, at work in me this moment. This brings relief, because I know that God remains with me, helping me, so that even when I lost my temper today, it doesn't mean I've lost my salvation. God is working in me, right now, this very moment. God is a Trinity, three Persons equally of worth and magnificence.
• We can be certain of our salvation. We are “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (v3)”, so as long as Christ lives, so does our hope of salvation, and salvation itself. We have an inheritance that is “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading” – imperishable means it will never die, undefiled means it cannot be corrupted or changed, and unfading means it cannot be weakened or lessened to any extent. Once our salvation is sure, it remains sure forever. It can be these things because it is “kept in heaven” by God’s power, which is itself imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. God is Omnipotent; we have no fear of losing what Christ has won.
  
• God tests our faith, in order that we may be “found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
• God’s perfect plan and will has been revealed to us through time, through “the prophets who prophesied” about the grace that is ours. God's omniscience is clearly seen through the Gospel.
  
• We are to prepare our minds for action; all the while setting our hope fully upon the grace that is given. We are to be obedient children, not turning to “the passions of (our) former ignorance”. We are to be holy, because He Who called us is Holy. We are to remember above all things that Christ died for us; his precious blood was spilled for us; therefore, we should never, ever take sin lightly.
• Our faith and hope are in God, and we believe and trust in Him only through Jesus Christ. Without Christ, there is nothing. This is the defense we have against those who say Christ was only one way to heaven; that Christ was a symbol of ourselves, our humanity; no.
  Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. There is no getting around or over this. Without Christ, you have only one thing: eternal damnation.
• We are to love one another with a pure heart, since we have been born again. We are to love our fellow Christians as Christ loved us. And how did Christ love us? To the point of dying for us. Scary, isn't it, when we know we are called to the same?

Chapter Two:

• When in doubt, look to the “pure spiritual milk” – the basics of Christianity – the Word of God – for all matters. Do not trust outside sources unless they meet up with the Word.
  
• We are to be a holy priesthood through Jesus Christ. Through Christ we can now pray to God personally. We can claim Him as our Lord and Saviour – and we can pray for others, too, as the priest would pray for the people.
• Some are destined to disobey the word. This goes to election – God is Sovereign in whom He chooses to redeem.
  
• We are precious to God. We are his “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession” and therefore we ought to proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. Should we not be praising Him continually?
  
• A holy nation does not mean a nation here on earth that can be seen; for “once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people”. There are some here on earth who are Christians that I will never meet. But in time I will know them, for we will all be together in our land under God. We are sojourners and exiles in this land.
• We are to practice holiness. (v12) “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honourable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” Actions show what the inward spirit is like.
• We are to submit to those in authority over us, as a service to Christ. We are called to self-sacrifice. Submission may itself be an honourable conduct for people to witness.
• We are to live as people who are free to live as servants of God. We must never use our “freedom in grace” as an excuse or a cover-up for evil. We must be bold enough to stand up for what is right. When we refrain from doing something because "someone might mock me" or "I wouldn't want to offend him/her by talking about Jesus", we are under bondage to Pride. If we are free, we must act like it. Since we are, through Christ, we therefore must proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light!
  
• We are to honour everyone, which means show common respect, for each human being is crafted in the image of God,
• Love the brotherhood, which means go the extra mile in agape love toward fellow Christians,
• Fear God, which means give Him all that He deserves (all),
• And honour the emperor, which in our time means any authority over us. We are to honour him/them, not fear them.
• We are to endure sorrows and sufferings, especially if they are unjust. We are not to take credit from suffering when we deserve it. We tend toward proclaiming to the world when things are done unjustly toward us, but we turn around and act in the same selfish way as everyone else. And perhaps we may say "yes, I was wrong, but even then I don't deserve this," but that's wrong, too.
  
• Christ suffered for us and deserved none of it, and we are to be like Him, who “committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.” It also says in the Bible that no rebuke came from Christ's lips.

Chapter Three:

• Holy conduct helps an unsaved spouse as well. They witness what Christ affects, and perhaps they may be won without a word. (Which may mean that it is perhaps better not to speak a word, if your words will be bitter or condescending...)
  
• We would be far better off if our adorning was the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable (never dying) beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. What is precious to God ought to be our heart’s desire.
• We must not fear anything that is frightening. We worry too much, fickle human sinners that we are. We are to set our hope fully upon the grace of God, and if we do that, setting our hope and therefore our whole lives upon God's altar of grace, there is no space for worry.
• Men and women are heirs together of the grace of life, equal in worth in God’s eyes.
• Once again it is mentioned that we have brotherly love. Too often Christians attack one another in wretched ways, forgetting the command of Christ: “Love one another as I have loved you.” We ought to be humble, and we very rarely are. (This could be read to say, "I ought to be humble, and I am never humble when I should be. Drat!")
  
• “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” For “When he (Christ) was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly (2:23)”
• None can harm us outside of God’s sovereign will. When we suffer, we are to “regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;” – How can we be prepared without a mind that is both humble and prepared for action? How can those outside of the faith see a difference in us unless our conduct is honourable? How can they see the hope that is in us unless we trust Christ the Lord completely? I have experienced harm, both physical and emotional. It is never easy to endure a trial, but God doesn't leave us to it. God helps us through it. (I'm a poet, and I wasn't aware of it. *Cheesy grin*)
  
• We are to defend our faith with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience. We cannot with complete sincerity tell others that something is wrong with their behaviour when we are doing it ourselves. When someone disagrees with us, we are to argue the case with humility, not malice or sarcasm.
  
• Christ needed to suffer only once; there are no multiple crucifixions. Christ is the only way to God – he brings us to God, making us righteous.
• Christ has gone into heaven and “is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.” Christ is not a sub-deity. Christ is God, our Redeemer and Lord.

Chapter 4:

• We are to live for the will of God, prepared to suffer in the flesh, for Christ suffered, and we know that God sends fiery trials to test the purity of our faith, whether we are following Him with our full hearts or not. ("Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time." Daniel 11:35, NIV)
  
• We are to no longer live the same way as the Gentiles do. We are to be self-controlled and sober-minded for the "sake of our prayers". How can I pray with sincerity if I am running amok in sin?
  
• “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” The forgiveness love brings about has a wide span; if we truly love one another as we are called to, there is no wrong too great for forgiveness; Christ Himself died for every sin on this earth committed by His people, and I’m sure there were many that we would consider too heinous to forgive; but He forgave them.
  
• We are to use our talents and gifts to serve one another, not ourselves. “In order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” If glorifying God is our heart's desire and purpose, all our talents - no matter how "great" or "small" - will be used for His glory.
  
• To Christ belong glory and dominion forever and ever. He is the sovereign Lord over us, our Ruler and Saviour, eternally. (Imperishable, Undefiled, Unfading…)
• Fiery trials are nothing strange. We ought not to be surprised, but rather rejoice, for we share Christ’s sufferings. But not only that, we will also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.”
• Judgment begins at the household of God. We ought to live our lives in fear and trembling, remembering that the time for judgment, the end of all things, is at hand. “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (v19)”
• God, our Creator, is also our Sustainer and Provider. He did not create all things and leave them to themselves; He is here, with us, keeping us safe. He cares for us.
• God is continuously faithful, even when we’re not faithful to Him. We suffer according to His will, all the while held tight by Him. He will never let us go. God is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable: once He has made a decree, it stands for eternity. If God has decreed that my soul is His, than it is.

Chapter 5:

• Elders ought to carefully shepherd the flock of God, remembering that the Chief Shepherd is at hand. “Elders” doesn’t mean only appointed elders in the church, but any who seek to instruct and guide any other believers. They should be serving willingly, so as not to breed resentment. Not for shameful gain, (whatever feeds their greed) but eagerly, doing it to glorify God. Elders must never act as tyrants, but being examples, Christ-like examples. Christ never domineered over His people, and He was the one who had the right! We don’t.
• We are, through Peter and others in the Word of God, witnesses of the sufferings of Christ. We will be personal witnesses of the glory that is to come.
• We who are younger ought to be subject to the elders for the Lord’s sake, for we are called to humility.
• Not only we who are younger, but also all believers must clothe themselves with humility toward one another. This means we must remove our robes of Pride, and give them to Christ our Saviour, who will clothe us with the spotless robes of righteousness, which bear humility in every stitch. It is a slow process, for we do not wish to give up our robes of Pride. But God gives grace to the humble.
• God cares for us. We are His children. God’s mighty hand will not stray from protecting us.
• The devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking (and not finding) whom he may devour. A roaring lion cannot chew or bite. However, we can resist him only when we hold the mighty hand of our Father.
• Suffering is not abnormal in the Christian life. “…the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”
• We will only suffer a little while, and then the God of all grace, who has called us to eternal glory in Christ, will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. We will no longer be exiles and sojourners, but restored in our Homeland, living under the glory and dominion of our Mighty and Glorious God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
• This is the true grace of God, and we are to stand firm in it, keeping it to heart and mind, remembering continuously Who Christ is and what He has done for us.

1 Peter 4:19: “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”

Ancient Words Still True Today!

Ancient Words - Michael W. Smith

Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world,
They resound with God's own heart
Oh, let the ancient words impart.

Words of life, words of hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e'er we roam
Ancient words will guide us home.

Chorus:
Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you.
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.

Holy words of our faith
Handed down to this age.
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ.

Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world.
They resound with God's own heart
Oh let the ancient words impart.

Chorus x4

We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.

You know, too many people believe that the Bible is outdated or unnecessary for living today. Except maybe a few parts of it, like the Psalms, which are always good (people love poetry), and maybe a few chapters in Matthew where it talks about Jesus' death and resurrection, because it's always good to touch up on what we believe, right? But the rest? Nah. Why bother? It was written for people two, three thousand years ago. Why would we need it now? I have some reasons.

1) God wrote the Bible - therefore, we should heed it!

Exodus 24:12: - "The LORD said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.""

God dictated what Moses (and all other contributors to the Word) wrote down. God is Sovereign; His plan and purpose cannot fail. What is in the Bible is what He wished to be there. Both the Old and New Testaments speak one message: God's message to us, for our instruction.

2) What is written in the Bible still rings true today.

All the trials that the people went through then still go on in our day and age. We are still persecuted; we become frail with worry and temptation; we still have reason to sing for joy unto the Lord. Reading the accounts of believers in the past helps to lift us to greater faith, knowing that they suffered as we suffer now.

But, Here's The Main Reason:

John 20:30-31: - "Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."

The Word of God speaks to me of Christ! Both the Old and New Testaments (the Whole Bible) have Jesus at the center. He is the Reason for the Word, the Reason why I read it, and the Reason I believe it. Thank you, Lord!

"But at once they will say, Who is this Christ with his fables? is he an ordinary man? is he a sorcerer? was his body stolen by his disciples from its tomb? is he now in the realms below? or is he not rather up in the heavens, thence about to come again, making the whole world shake, filling the earth with dread alarms, making all but Christians wail--as the Power of God, and the Spirit of God, as the Word, the Reason, the Wisdom, and the Son of God?" - Tertullian

Heather's Birthday!

Well, not today; it was April 3rd. Alas and alack, I was late in getting the blog out. There's an interesting story about that, though, and a lot of history surrounding it. Let me tell you about it...

So, a few years ago, on my somethingth (I think 16th or 17th birthday - not sure) birthday, Mom and Dad gave me a computer. It was one that they had bought a while ago, and to me it was precious, because I could write whenever I wanted, without having to wait for other people to finish whatever they were doing on the kid's computer we all shared.

It was all set up, and perfect.

A few months later, it freezes and I hear this "click, click" coming from inside the computer. Well, okay. Reset. No good. Still doing it.

I call my extremely brilliant brother Daniel over. "Can you fix it?" Sure enough, he fixes it.
For a little while.

It has done this clicking thing every few months for about three years, now. What causes it?

I asked my Dad that very question. His answer? "It used to be in our closet, and it fell out of the top shelf and hit the floor."

Ouch. I guess it has a right to act up now and again.

Anyway, there's the story. So, because of the clicking and freezing, and because Daniel was working and so unable to get to my poor little computer right away, I missed posting on Heather's birthday. :(

But, Happy Birthday wishes and plenty of love and hugs none-the-less, Heather! :D

Little boys are so adorable

My nephew, Stewart, is three (!) years old. He is a blond haired, blue eyed little angel. (Except, his mother will tell you that he can sometimes be the contradiction of "angelic". But, mostly, he is a dear when he's over at Granny's house.

He is also very dramatic.

So, today Rachel came over and brought her kiddos. Stewart went upstairs for a while. I was walking through the living room one way as he was coming from upstairs the opposite way. He saw me, and his cute little face gave me a look of complete woe.

"La-la," (That's what he calls me), "Help me, La-la." Was his plaintive cry.

"What do you need?" I asked, thinking that maybe his older brother wasn't letting him play Lego or something to that effect.

He heaved a huge sigh and leaned against the wall as though weak in body and spirit. (He's only three, remember.)

And what did he need?

"Pancakes."

I made them for lunch.