Sunday, November 8, 2009
Mercy v. Sacrifice
"I desire mercy, not sacrifice" - Matthew 9:13
Our pastor recently preached on a text talking about Mercy and Sacrifice. In his sermon, he touched on a few of the differences between the two. I jotted these down on an offering envelope (sorry, deacons...) and thought you might enjoy reflecting on them:
• Mercy seeks the greatest need. Sacrifice seeks the greatest audience.
• Mercy changes us. Sacrifice hardens us.
• Sacrifice says, "How can I use someone to get something I want?"
• Mercy is a voluntary sorrow - It always looks to serve the greatest need.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Weekly Review
This weekend was Kristin's 15-year college reunion. At a class picnic today, Nic & Maddox had an opportunity to take "Smitty" a few laps around the round ring where the picnic was held.
On Wednesday, Heritage Presbyterian hosted the fall recitation
for all of the homeschool kids. Maddox recited "The Caterpillar" and "Work," and
Nicholas delivered "The Months" and"Play Ball." All the children did a stand-up job, and the punch & cookies afterwards were icing on the cake.
Last weekend, Nicholas' basketball team had their team pictures taken at the Ford Center. After the picture (and before the OKC Thunder played that night), Nicholas stole a few shots to break in the rims for Kevin Durant.
Finally, last weekend was trick-or-treat time here in the neighborhood. The kids went as their favorite nanny and chimney sweep, Mary Poppins & Bert.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Diseased Sheep
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Romans 8:35
I heard this wonderful quote today from the English theologian, Richard Sibbes:
God takes care of poor, weak Christians that are struggling with temptations and corruptions. Christ carries them in His arms. All of Christ's sheep are diseased; and therefore, He takes tender care of them.- Richard Sibbes (1577-1635)
Did you catch that last line? All of Christ's sheep are diseased; and therefore, He takes tender care of them.
What a needed reminder!
We're not expected to have our act together in order for Christ to carry us. In fact, it's actually the opposite. It's because we need to get our act together (and can't) that Christ cares for us the way He does.
What a blessing! He knows the depth of my sin and struggles - He sees me for who I really am - and precisely because of this, He takes tender care of me!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Prayers of the Broken Hearted
An encouraging post from Charles Spurgeon. If God has you in a season of a frowning providence, we can be assured that our tears are cherished.
Behold, he prayeth.
- Acts 9:11
Prayers are instantly noticed in heaven. The moment Saul began to pray the Lord heard him. Here is comfort for the distressed but praying soul. Oftentimes a poor broken-hearted one bends his knee, but can only utter his wailing in the language of sighs and tears; yet that groan has made all the harps of heaven thrill with music; that tear has been caught by God and treasured in the lachrymatory of heaven. Thou puttest my tears into thy bottle, implies that they are caught as they flow. The suppliant, whose fears prevent his words, will be well understood by the Most High. He may only look up with misty eye; but prayer is the falling of a tear. Tears are the diamonds of heaven; sighs are a part of the music of Jehovah's court, and are numbered with the sublimest strains that reach the majesty on high. Think not that your prayer, however weak or trembling, will be unregarded. Jacob's ladder is lofty, but our prayers shall lean upon the Angel of the covenant and so climb its starry rounds. Our God not only hears prayer but also loves to hear it. He forgetteth not the cry of the humble. True, he regards not high looks and lofty words; he cares not for the pomp and pageantry of kings; he listens not to the swell of martial music; he regards not the triumph and pride of man; but wherever there is a heart big with sorrow, or a lip quivering with agony, or a deep groan, or a penitential sigh, the heart of Jehovah is open; he marks it down in the registry of his memory; he puts our prayers, like rose leaves, between the pages of his book of remembrance, and when the volume is opened at last, there shall be a precious fragrance springing up therefrom.
Faith asks no signal from the skies,
To show that prayers accepted rise,
Our Priest is in his holy place,
And answers from the throne of grace.
Friday, September 25, 2009
A Quick Catch-Me-Up
They say a picture is worth a thousand words.... So since we haven't posted anything for quite a while, we thought we would catch you up on some of our summer happenings through a few snap shots.
In June, we spent a week in beautiful San Diego. We had an absolutely great time visiting some of our favorite places around town and discovering new ones.
After leaving San Diego, we spent several days in Newport Coast where we met up with Kristin's parents and her brother's family. What a great time enjoying all there is to do in this part of Southern California.
While in the neighborhood, we couldn't pass up an opportunity to meet Mickey
(and Mary Poppins, of course...).
Our first year of pitching machine ended in July. The Cubs had a great time as they learned more about one of the best games on earth.
Maddox spent much of her summer playing with 21 of her imaginary friends
(and a few real ones, too).
Without a doubt, we'll forever remember this summer as the year we lost our precious Caroline Claire. The LORD has been so near to us in seeing us through this difficult time. We look forward to the day when we're all together in God's kingdom. Our friend Cindy said it best: "We and our children are truly safe. This child lives but now near Another's bosom."
To start the summer off, Nicholas played in his spring piano recital.
He also played in his first piano competitions.
He also played in his first piano competitions.
In June, we spent a week in beautiful San Diego. We had an absolutely great time visiting some of our favorite places around town and discovering new ones.
After leaving San Diego, we spent several days in Newport Coast where we met up with Kristin's parents and her brother's family. What a great time enjoying all there is to do in this part of Southern California.
While in the neighborhood, we couldn't pass up an opportunity to meet Mickey
(and Mary Poppins, of course...).
Our first year of pitching machine ended in July. The Cubs had a great time as they learned more about one of the best games on earth.
Maddox spent much of her summer playing with 21 of her imaginary friends
(and a few real ones, too).
Without a doubt, we'll forever remember this summer as the year we lost our precious Caroline Claire. The LORD has been so near to us in seeing us through this difficult time. We look forward to the day when we're all together in God's kingdom. Our friend Cindy said it best: "We and our children are truly safe. This child lives but now near Another's bosom."
Sunday, April 19, 2009
ACE coming to OKC
The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals (founded in 1949 by Dr. Don Barnhouse and Dr. James Boice) has announced their B.B. Warfield Memorial Lecture Series this year will be held in Oklahoma City.
On June 5-6, Rev. Iain Murray will speak at Oklahoma City University on the topic of Revival and Revivalism:
The 2009 BB Warfield Lecture Series will focus on Revival and Revivalism with Rev. Iain Murray on June 5 & 6 at the Meinders School of Business at Oklahoma City University. Rev. Murray will present sketches from the great revivals in the history of the Church. Specifically, he will speak on the Puritans, the first and second Great Awakenings in America, and conclude with the Scottish revival of 1838-1839. The Puritans represent perhaps the greatest expression of revival and reformation in England. George Whitefield is perhaps the greatest evangelist ever in America, and his role in the first Great Awakening contains many lessons for us today. The Second Great Awakening in America was a time of controversy over the content of the gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit. Robert Murray McCheyne and Andrew Bonar are great "lights" from the history of the Scottish Church of the 19th century. With the resurgence of Arminianism in the Church and seeming rejection of Calvinism, is it not proper to suggest that the theology of the Protestant Reformation has been eclipsed? Or are the old truths of the gospel, the supremacy and majesty of God, and the Spirit's sovereign application of the redemption accomplished by Christ still key to the vitality of the Church today?I'm not sure what is behind the great line of speakers we have been privileged to hear in Oklahoma this year, but it's been wonderful.
Dr. Earl Palmer spoke in February at the Celebration of Faith conference in Tulsa; Dr. Bruce Waltke spoke on behalf of the Whitfield Society in March; and now Rev. Ian Murray will speak on behalf of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals in June. What an opportunity for believers in Oklahoma!
If you are interested in participating in the conference, you can follow this link to register for the event:
http://www.alliancenet.org/CC_Content_Page/0,,PTID307086|CHID810174,00.html
Monday, April 13, 2009
Red Mountain Music
If you've never listened to Red Mountain Music, take a second to visit their website and listen to a few samples of their songs. They're an incredibly gifted group that sings hymns in the folk style.
You also can download their songs on I-Tunes. Try out There is a Fountain Filled with Blood. It's one of our favorites.
We're lovin these guys!
http://www.redmountainchurch.org/rmm
