Strange Coincidences

As you know, I am a history buff and I love hearing about some of the strange coincidences of history. As many of you may know and even remember, yesterday was the 46th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. First in our strange coincidence, is that both Alduous Huxley and C.S. Lewis both died the same exact day. within minutes of each other. Especially here in America, the later two have been mostly overlooked in the past. However, Peter Kreeft has written an interesting looking book called Between Heaven and Hell in which he sets up an imaginary dialogue between the three famous people who died on the same day and who had such differing views.

We will have more on Lewis next week as we celebrate his birthday. Jess is having me build a shrine type thing that we can set up . In light of the historic event that took place in Dallas 46 years ago yesterday

It is Well

I have always loved the story behind this song, and I have often prayed that if faced with similar circumstances, that I would be able to respond in kind. The cyber hymnal gives this brief account of the story,

“This hymn was writ­ten af­ter two ma­jor trau­mas in Spaf­ford’s life. The first was the great Chi­ca­go Fire of Oc­to­ber 1871, which ru­ined him fi­nan­cial­ly (he had been a weal­thy bus­i­ness­man). Short­ly af­ter, while cross­ing the At­lan­tic, all four of Spaf­ford’s daugh­ters died in a col­li­sion with an­o­ther ship. Spaf­ford’s wife Anna sur­vived and sent him the now fa­mous tel­e­gram, “Saved alone.” Sev­er­al weeks lat­er, as Spaf­ford’s own ship passed near the spot where his daugh­ters died he penned these words.”

I love the words to verse 3, “My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more.” What a blessed thought to consider and rejoice in on this blessed Lord’s Day! Meditate on the “bliss of this glorious thought” and spend the day in praising the Lord! God bless.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

“In God We Trust” and it’s a Good Thing

Healthcare reform is the big topic in politics and a while back while trying to catch up on what was going on in the debate I came across this video and was reminded of why our hope and trust must be in God and not in government. In light of a recent video we posted, I almost titled this, “The Government Can’t.”

Watch almost to the end, when Republican minority leader Boehner claims to quote the preamble of the Constitution, but in fact quotes the Declaration of Independence (notice the people in the background mouthing the words along with him).

Praise God, He is in charge! Forgive me, I know it is just a human slip up, but I couldn’t resist having a little fun. I know that we could find similar material on many members of Congress from both sides, I am not picking sides. In all seriousness, It concerns me whenever politics is the topic, especially among Christians, as there can be lots of ramped up emotion and sentiment that comes out from people on both sides.

New Blog

I just wanted to give some attention to a new blog that has just started up. It is called, “The Grace Race,” and it is put out by my Father-in-law. It is about,

“The Grace Race is based on Hebrews 12:1 which encourages us to “run with patience the race that is set before us.” As believers, we must keep going with a forward perspective. Yet, we must always be aware that we keep going by the grace of God. His grace is truly sufficient. He is absolutely faithful. We must rest in the sufficiency of His grace; we must run the race in the sufficiency of His grace. The goal of this blog is to magnify Christ by continually pointing to His grace. While He does not do the running for us, it is only by His grace alone that we run.”

Let me encourage you to check it out, you can find it here, gracerace.wordpress.com. You can also find it listed with the sites we like.

Matthew Begats

Andrew is involved in a Christmas program with our church school this December in which his grade is singing part of this song, “Matthew Begats” written by Andrew Peterson. It is a fun song based on the genealogy in Matthew’s gospel. If you have never heard it, watch this video of Andrew Peterson singing the song himself. After you enjoy the song the first time, listen to it again and think of the awesomeness of God’s grace and love as you hear the names that are included in the line that leads to Christ.

For you Know the Grace

The heart is such a factory of idols that often we can’t see the ones that are rooted deep within our heart.  This is the idea behind Tim Keller’s newest little book, Counterfeit Gods. Keller says that an idol is anything that operates as a God-alternative in our lives because we think it can give us significance, security, safety, and fulfilment.  This doesn’t just include things that we know are obviously wrong or immoral, but most often it can include good things that we “deify.”   I appreciate Keller’s gospel-centered aproach throughout the book.  He explicitly states that idols are so deeply rooted in out hearts that we must deal with them at the heart level.  The only way to change the heart is through faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Love Lustres at Calvary

Here is another wonderful prayer from the Valley of Vision that the song How Deep is actually based on. What a wonderful way to begin your week meditating on these thoughts. I highlighted some of my favorite parts, which as you can see is most of the prayer.

My Father,

Enlarge my heart, warm my affections,

open my lips,

supply words that proclaim ‘Love lustres

at Calvary.’

How Deep

Here is one of my favorite modern hymns, written by Stephen Altrogge from Sovereign Grace Ministries. Enjoy thinking about the depths of God’s love for us in Christ Jesus and have a blessed Lord’s Day (Tomorrow, look for the prayer that this song is based on from the Valley of Vision).

You were broken that I might be healed
You were cast off that I might draw near
You were thirsty that I might come drink
Cried out in anguish that I might sing

How to Live the Christian Life

Here is some great advice for us from the “doctor” Martin Lloyd Jones about how we are to live the Christian life. I encourage you to take some time and consider this “prescription.”

“There is nothing that is so calculated to promote holiness as the realization that we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, that our destiny is certain and secure, that nothing can prevent it. Realizing that, we purify ourselves even as He is pure, and we feel that there is no time to waste. That is the way to live the Christian life!

The Mediator

Here is a prayer from the Valley of Vision that should encourage and uplift you in the midst of this week.

Everlasting Creator-Father,

I have destroyed myself,

my nature is defiled,

the powers of my soul are degraded;

I am vile, miserable, strengthless,

but my hope is in thee.