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.
