I was waiting for my milk to heat up to make yogurt while all the house is asleep (except for one reading nightowl upstairs!), and I thought, I actually could blog right now.  So here I am!  My favorite hymn is by William Cowper and titled "There is a Fountain."  I love it because of the words and also because of a quote I read by Cowper once.  It read, "There is no stain so deep the blood of Christ cannot remove."  That may be a paraphrase but I still love that quote. 

Here are the words:

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"I have the most animating confidence that the present noble struggle for liberty will terminate gloriously for America.  And let us play the man for our God, and for the cities of our God; while we are using the means in our power, let us humbly commit our righteous cause to the great Lord of the universe, who loveth righteousness and hateth iniquity.  And, having secured the approbation of our hearts by a faithful and unwearied discharge of our duty to our country, let us joyfully leave our concerns in the hands of Him who raiseth up and putteth down the empires and kingdoms of the world with all their power and greatness as He pleases."

                                                                                     -John Hancock

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I first read this on http://middings.blogspot.com All I want to say is THANK YOU, MARSHA!  (And R.C. Sproul, too, of course!)  This was the perfect thing for me to read as I struggle with contentment and thankfulness in all my circumstances.  God is truly good.  And His timing is PERFECT.

Seek Ye First
The Blessed Rich in Spirit by R.C. Sproul Jr.
There is real poverty in the world, more than we would care to admit. Jesus, after all, told us that the poor would always be with us. But just as all Israel are not Israel, so all the poor are not truly poor. The true poor are those who on a given day face the real prospect of not being able to produce more calories than they consume. They are the truly hungry, the truly naked, the truly thirsty. They are not, on the other hand, those who buy store brand cereal, purchase their clothes at the local Goodwill store, or who can’t afford a daily sugar and bitter beans concoction from the local Starbucks.


The faux poor are those who merely feel poor. This feeling creeps upon us when we find a gap not between how many calories we consume and how many we burn, but between the lifestyle we believe is our due and the lifestyle our production allows. Or to put it more simply, feeling poor is the result of wanting more than we have more often than wanting more than we need. It matters not whether we measure our wages in thousands or billions. What matters is the gap.



The Christian, of course, ought never to go through this hardship. First, we are called to daily ask God for our bread. We are to ask confident that our Father will not give us a stone. We know that we have what we have not because of chance, but because our God reigns. More important still, even if we are not given sufficient calories to make it to the next day, we have been given the pearl of great price. Christians are the richest of all.



Jesus reminds us in the Sermon on the Mount to consider the lilies of the field. We are not to be anxious about what we will eat, what we will drink, or what we will wear. The Gentiles, Jesus tells us, seek after these things. But we are called to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. And all these things will be added to us. The point here isn’t that the Gentiles get all the good stuff, while we have to learn to be satisfied with abstract things like the kingdom of God. Jesus is instead expressing the answer to Augustine’s problem: “Our hearts are restless, O Lord, until they find their rest in Thee.” Jesus is telling us to store treasure in heaven, which is the only treasure that satisfies.



In light of this, we ought not be surprised at the depression that weighs down the world around us. They are spiritually poor, rather than poor in spirit. That is, they have nothing of value. Their accumulated stuff amounts to striving after the wind. They miss that they deserve nothing. They miss that all that they have has been given through the common grace of God. (We simply have to find better language for this reality. It is true enough that this grace is given to all men, that He causes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust. It is true in turn that this grace isn’t as astonishing as the grace He gives to His elect. But it is still amazing grace. God is shockingly, not commonly, good to His enemies.) They look at the world as a random collision of time, space, and energy, and so see what they do have as an accident. They can no more give thanks for the food on their table than they can for the rain that falls. The bankruptcy of naturalism isn’t that it displaces the dignity of man, but that it destroys our ability to give thanks. Remember how Paul sums up the universal problem of the sinfulness of man: “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him” (Rom. 1:21).



What separates the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent isn’t that the former receive the grace of God while the latter do not. The difference is that the former have been given this grace — the ability to give thanks to God for all that He has provided. This in turn directs us toward the cure for our own spiritual depression. We do not need to have our circumstances changed. We do not need another lecture on sound thinking. What we need is to give thanks.




This in turn is how we wage war against the seed of the serpent. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but spiritual. Is there anything more spiritual than a heart filled with gratitude to God? Is there anything more potent than joy? Is there anything greater than love? This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. As we do so we will change our souls. As we do so we will change our families. As we do so we will change our churches. As we do so we will change the world. If we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, the good news isn’t that all these things will be added to us. The good news is that we will find the kingdom of God and His righteousness. And having found this, we have found joy at His right hand forevermore.




Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr. is founder of the Highlands Study Center in Mendota, Virginia.
Dr. R.C. Sproul Jr. explains how the kingdom is advanced in our everyday lives and gives us a picture of how all things in life fit into the battle between God and the Devil in his column Seek Ye First.
© Tabletalk magazinePermissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way, you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction, and you do not make more than 500 physical copies. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is preferred (where applicable). If no such link exists, simply link to www.ligonier.org/tabletalk. Any exceptions to the above must be formally approved by Tabletalk.Please include the following statement on any distributed copy:From Ligonier Ministries and R.C. Sproul. © Tabletalk magazine.Website: www.ligonier.org/tabletalk. Email: tabletalk@ligonier.org.Toll free: 1-800-435-4343.

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Have any of you or your children read the Elsie Dinsmore series?  I am reading and crying my way through book 1, and I am absolutely amazed at how much I am affected by the example of little 8 year old Elsie!  Her humility and obedience and self control are almost an exact foil to my pride, rebellion, and emotion-controlled living!  Ah!  To have sought the life of Christ as a young child!  But the real beauty of the book is how it inspires me to seek Christ, to pray for His aid as I battle the wickedness of my own heart.  It is so easy to forget that He will help us by providing us with more faith, more love, more humility, more patience to accomplish the plan He has set before us!  1 John 5:14-15 says "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:  And we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." No matter how impossible it seems, He will equip us to obey Him!  Isn't that a wonderful thought!  He makes it possible to obey Him!  "And Jesus looking upon them saith, WITH MEN IT IS IMPOSSIBLE, BUT NOT WITH GOD: FOR WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE."  Mark 10:27 

The book also provides wonderful insight to the soul of the child, how fragile and yet resilient it is.  The novel and its many characters have given me much to reflect on concerning parenting, as well.  I know it is fiction but it truly is an inspirational, spiritually challenging read.  I am planning on using it during devotional time as a read aloud even though I have 3 boys!  If anyone has had any experience reading these books to boys, I'd love to hear it! 

I highly reccommend this book to all Christian readers of all ages!  In this treasure trove of virtue and life lessons, there is something for everyone to glean!

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(I encourage you, dear reader, to read Deschooling Society by Ivan Ilych.  Your library may have a copy or you can access it for free on the internet at http://www.davidtinapple.com/illich/1970_deschooling.html  )

"Many students, especially those who are poor, intuitively know what the schools do for them. They school them to confuse process and substance. Once these become blurred, a new logic is assumed: the more treatment there is, the better are the results; or, escalation leads to success. The pupil is thereby "schooled" to confuse teaching with learning, grade advancement with education, a diploma with competence, and fluency with the ability to say something new. His imagination is "schooled" to accept service in place of value. Medical treatment is mistaken for health care, social work for the improvement of community life, police protection for safety, military poise for national security, the rat race for productive work. Health, learning, dignity, independence, and creative endeavor are defined as little more than the performance of the institutions which claim to serve these ends, and their improvement is made to depend on allocating more resources to the management of hospitals, schools, and other agencies in question."

I see the results of this type of mentality everyday.  As I see problems in my country (the USA), I recognize the truth of the above paragraph.  The US is supposed to be a free country but the school system is very socialized.  The good of the individual is overlooked for the "good" of the masses.  But this "good" for the masses is not really good but just enough to placate the masses.  For example, doctors (from my experience) tend to be frustrated and annoyed when you- a mere patient- try to research health options contrary or just different from what is reccomended, especially if it is non-traditional medicine.  Many people in my country believe we should give up our right to bear arms so that the criminals will have less access to firearms.  But the truth is, if a crime is being committed, most likely the police aren't there- unless the criminal is really stupid!  And I believe that my husband and I feel more responsible for the protection and survival of our family than a stranger would, even if he swears to "serve and protect."  (This is nothing against police officers.  I know they are essential for the existence and functionality of our society.  But logically speaking, they can't be everywhere at once.  And most often aren't even notified until a crime has been committed.  I think an armed citizen is a benefit to the police force.  It allows them to do their jobs more effectively and quickly.)  Many "careers" or "jobs" replace our identity.  We become "teachers," "doctors," "police officers," "insurance agents," "salesmen," "lawyers," "dentists," "factory workers," "punch press operators," "mechanics," etc., etc., etc. instead of human beings with names created uniquely by God for His glory.  Individualism is stifled for a mob mentality.  Those who rage against it usually end up forced into conformity by the opposition.  I thank God that I know that my purpose is to serve God and enjoy Him forever.  I try to share this purpose with everyone whom God places in my path.  My prayer is that you, dear reader, discover this as well.  God bless you in your walk of faith.

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Cowardly, wayward, and weak

I change with the changing sky.

Today so eager and strong

Tomorrow not caring to try.

But He never gives in,

And we two shall win,

Jesus and I.

The first time I read this poem was while I was reading Tramp for the Lord by Corrie Ten Boom (an excellent read, I might add!)  But lately this poem keeps coming to my memory.  I am constantly amazed at how my feelings, successes, failures change so quickly.  Thank God our relationship with Him does not rely upon our feelings, our efforts, our heritage, who we know, what we look like, etc.  Jesus takes us just as we are.  He takes the little we have and changes us for His glory and our good if we are willing.  Oh Lord, make me willing!  Give me a willing heart!  And a steady heart and mind to focus on You and not the things of this world that distract and torment me so much!  Amen.

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He said, " I will forget the dying faces;

The empty places,

They shall be filled again.

O voices moaning deep with me, cease."

But vain the word; vain, vain:

Not in forgetting lieth peace.

He said, "I will crowd action upon action,

The strife of faction

Shall stir me and sustain;

O tears that drown the fire of manhood cease."

But vain the word; vain, vain:

Not in endeavor lieth peace.

He said, "I will withdraw me and be quiet,

Why meddle in life's riot?

Shut be my door to pain,

Desire, thou dost befool me, thou shalt cease."

But vain the word; vain, vain:

Not in aloofness lieth peace.

He said, "I will submit; I am defeated.

God hath depleted

My life of its rich gain.

O futile murmurings, why will ye not cease?"

But vain the word; vain, vain:

Not in submission lieth peace.

He said, "I will accept the breaking sorrow

Which God to-morrow

Will to His son explain."

Then did the turmoil deep within him cease.

Not vain the word, not vain;

For in Acceptance lieth peace.

-Amy Carmichael

(Toward Jerusalem)

Lord, give me the strength to accept my circumstances and stop fighting the war against them.  I strain and strive in vain, Lord.  Give me Your peace.  Amen.

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Today I am reminded that God is God of all our circumstances.

He gave V. her good MRI results last week.  The remainder of the tumor still isn't growing!!!!  (Praise Him!)  So she should be able to start growth hormones soon!

He provides for my family in this time of my husband's work injury (3 years and running!).  He does so above and beyond all we could ask for or even wish or dream.  (I still stay at home with my husband and children!)

He will use even these times of trial with my husband's family (not supportive- even hostile to us and our decision to homeschool, move, whatever!) to His glory and for our good.  He is teaching me even now.  And I will claim the hope of the promise found in Philippians 1:6.  "Being confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

He will use and has used the situation with my husband's grandmother's death to His glory- even though my own behavior discourages and shames me at times.  It is so hard to fight the sin of anger.  (And "who can tame the tongue???")   It is true what people say, an inheritance/will brings out the worst in people.  (Lord, please help us to seek You and Your will.  Please remind me, Lord, not to try to understand people- we are all depraved but to instead love them.  Please help us to shine the light of Your love to the unsaved people which have been brought into our lives because of Grandma's death.  Thank you for this opportunity to witness others of Your love, mercy, forgiveness and grace.)

He uses the impossibilities of our financial situation, my husband's pain and lack of mobility, the bankrupt WV worker's compensation commission all for His good.  I remember Joseph speaking to his brothers, "You meant it for evil but God meant it for good (paraphrase by me)."  And I will claim triumph over evil by His power and strength.  That the darker the circumstances, the brighter His light. 

This verse my family claims as we stand.  Luke 18:27  "And he said, the things which are impossible with men are possible with God."  Amen and Amen.

Lord, may my life be an example of these words. May You "tame my tongue" since I cannot.  Place an angel at the door of my mouth, Lord.  Let only those words pleasing to You pass through.  Forgive me for trying to take Your place and judging those around us.  Please help me to remember Your love and mercy.  Give me the power to forgive those who wrong us and speak badly of our family.  Give me power over fear and anger.  Give me peace in the circumstances surrounding Grandma's will.  Don't let vain or empty statements draw my attention from You.  I want to be more like You......Amen.

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Oh that we would teach our children to yield!  What the world teaches is to stand strong for yourself, be proud of who you are.  Don't let anyone tell you what to do.  You know yourself best, take care of yourself.  Oh, what lies the devil tells! 

Each day, I am learning.  Learning to trust God, to yield to His will.  How much simpler had I been taught obedience and trust instead of wariness and self-preservation!  How much more joy would I have instead of my defiance rearing its ugly head!  How do I cut the head off the beast??!!  I know God is worthy of my trust; it is the day to day living of that trust, of walking by faith not by sight that is so difficult for one so defensive. 

And now, with the illness of my niece looming constantly in my mind, I have no choice but to trust.  I have no power over the situation.  I cannot control the surgeons, the tumor, the outcome, her brain's response to repeated surgeries.  But still, I worry, I wonder, I search the internet for alternatives.  I have everything but the quiet heart I long for.  Why do I fight what I want most?  Why do I hold onto what I can't keep so tightly?  And how do I force open the fist of my heart?

By placing my niece at the foot of the cross.  (It seems so easy, doesn't it?) By praying in God's will.  By accepting the lot and portion assigned to me by my Heavenly Father because He knows best what I need, what my niece needs.  (I remember the words of Elisabeth Elliot, "In acceptance lieth peace.")  He sees the greater picture....  The reason behind the disaster.  Remember, "what the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Creator calls the butterfly."  I will rest in His promises, minute by minute.  Psalm 34:17-19 "Yes, the Lord hears the good man when he calls to Him for hlp, and saves him out of all his troubles.  The Lord is close to those whose hearts are breaking; He rescues those who are humbly sorry for their sins.  The good man does not escape all troubles- he has them, too.  But the Lord helps him in each and every one." (TLB) 

I look forward to the day I will 'count all things joy.'  I pray my faith is enlarged that I may look beyond immediate circumstances and see the situation in the light of God's will.  James 1:2 "When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, my brothers, don't resent them as intruders but welcome them as friends." (Phillips' translation) 

I pray that each of you reading this comes to this kind of understanding, too.  That we all may welcome all circumstances in the hope that the outcome will be a closer, more confident walk with Christ.

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