Having a Wise Heart

I came across this article by Nancy Wilson...wife to pastor Doug Wilson, and thought I would share it with y'all.  It's rather convicting - which is a good thing, btw - So, I thought "Hey! Why should I be the only one under conviction!"  Here you go sisters!

"If you have ongoing anger toward one person in particular, then it’s likely there may be some unconfessed bitterness and resentment toward that person, big or little, young or old. We get resentful over some of the dumbest things. Deal with the bitterness that is lodging in your heart. It’s poisoning everything! It feeds anger and needs anger."

"Don’t take your children’s misbehavior personally. Don’t get into an adversarial relationship with your children. You are the mother; you are in authority over them. Don’t get your feelings hurt when they don’t listen or when they disobey. They are children! That’s what children do!"

Read more here...

A Biblical Worldview

He Made Us!

"O LORD, Thou hast searched me, and known me.  

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off.  

Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.  

For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, Thou knowest it altogether.  

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 

and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

~Psalm 139:1-4, 23-24

I love this reminder of God's sovereignty.  Here the Psalmist is telling us that God knows everything about us: when we sit down, when we rise up, our thoughts, and every word our tongue speaks—compassing every single tiny detail about us.  Then in verse 14 of the same chapter David continues:

"I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: 

marvelous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."

I love that.  I love how God fashioned us and created us—each with different personalities, looks, and characteristics—and loves us each as something terrifically exceptional and incomparable because He made us.  There is such power in those three words: He made us.  If He made us, and He is God Almighty, then nothing can be wrong, absolutely nothing.  And even more than that, He knows everything about us, even from our very number of hairs (Matt.10:30; Luke 12:7). That alone is astounding.amazing.powerful.awing.inspiring.extraordinary.bliss.

Doesn't that alone tell you how supremely excellent our God is?

I don't know about you, but I need to be reminded every day of just that, and I think that goes for all of us.  Too often we are burdened down by the cares of this world and forget of how wonderfully crafted we are and how much mercy God bestows on us each and every day.  We forget all of the extensive blessings that God has given us (i.e. breath, health, food, raiment) as we dwell on the negatives of life.  Even if we are not blessed with great material wealth, while we retain breath in our body we have been given a gift.  And an even greater gift we have been given is the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Even when we compare how much we don't have (material wealth) to how much we do have (eternal wealth), I'd say we have much more than we deserve. 

Like I said, I don't know about you, but I need to be reminded every day of just that.

written by Rachel Brown of Covenant Maiden

Segregate or No?

For just a short time you can watch "Divided the Movie" for free online.  DIVIDED follows young Christian filmmaker Philip Leclerc on a revealing journey as he seeks answers to what has led his generation away from the church.  Make sure you take the time to watch this must-see film!

On the same note, you can listen to my husbands radio show dealing with this very same topic.  Part 1- Divided - It's not just a movie and Part 2- Divided - It's elementary my dear Watson!  The real question is, "Are the scriptures sufficient for every aspect of life, or just a few areas"?  So many churches are throwing away the sufficiency of scripture and we wonder why we are in such a mess!

Also, if you are able, would you prayerfully consider giving to our church and ministry to help advance the Kingdom of our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ?  The devil would LOVE to see us crumble, no doubt.  But with your prayer and support, we can go on working to establish what Christ has called us to do.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  You can donate at Covenant Commission. 

Growing in Christ

God never places us in any position in which we cannot grow. We may imagine that He does. We may fear we are so impeded by fretting petty cares that we are gaining nothing; but when we are not  sending any branches upward, we may be sending roots downward. Perhaps in the time of our humiliation, when everything seems a failure, we are making the best kind of progress. Look on and look up. Lay hold on Christ with both your poor, empty hands. Let Him do with you what seems good to Him. Though He slay you, still trust in Him, and I dare in His name to promise you a sweeter, better life than you could have ever known, had He left you to drink of the full dangerous cups of unmingled prosperity. 

~ Elizabeth Prentiss  (1818 - 1878)