Guiltless Hands

Guiltless Hands

I don't know why, but when I looked at these tiny fingers on my dad's hands it made me think of Abraham's love for Isaac when he was commanded to offer his little boy as a sacrifice to the Lord. I couldn't sleep. God kept on bringing it to mind. So I decided to get out of bed and write my thoughts down on paper. Well, then I decided to post it on my blog because it has continued to be heavy on my heart. So, if anyone happens to persevere through reading this severely long blog, hope it's just what you needed to hear from the Lord too.
"That son whom thou lovest." (Gen. 22:2) This has always been a wonder to me. Why would God give such a command? And HOW could Abraham obey it?!!! Would I have the kind of faith Abraham had? Could I love God more than this adorable boy who has captured my heart like nobody else could? Could I be so victorious over such a temptation? Now this is really stirring up a storm within me! Abraham was faced with quite a decision. My heart aches to even think of it. How could God expect someone to make such a sacrifice? Where does faith like Abraham's come from? If God came to me and said, "Jennie." I could say, "Here am I" (vs.1), like a good servant would. In fact I probably would be pretty excited to see what great thing God was going to reveal to me. But, if I heard what Abraham heard, "Go kill thy son.", it would be like a sword piercing my side. "You can take anything, anything but him, Lord!" "No, it must be Isaac." But, Lord, I love Isaac, he is to me as my own soul." All this is against me. Could I pass this trial of my love to God? But, God's command was given and His command must overrule all my emotions. But, this is not only murder, but the worst of murders. And to make it even worse, God gave him no reason for it (at least Scripture doesn't give any). Isaac must die and Abraham must do it. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. THis darling of the family. Abraham's pride and joy. Yet, he goes on with a holy willfulness. He builds the altar, lays the wood, and tells Isaac the amazing news, "Isaac, thou art the lamb which was provided." BUT, how could tender Abraham tie those guiltless hands which had often stretched out to embrace him. Tears are welling up as I think of it. But, it MUST be done. Having bound him, he layed his tiny body upon the altar and tied his tiny hands. He gives his final farwell... How could one do this?! How could one have such a fixed heart toward the Lord to fulfill this act of faith and obedience?
But, this is what God was waiting for. This point of true surrender before he would intercede. Abraham proved that his love for God was greater than his own comfort of being loved by his beautiful son. He was willing to offer it up to God's will. THEN, God's wonderful deliverance came. "And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here [am] I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only [son] from me." (Gen. 22:12-13).
Do I have such regard to God's authority? Am I willing to serve and honor Him with that which is dearest to me and to part with all for Him? I know Satan doesn't want us to have this deliverance. He wants us to idolize people over God, believing they are all we need. God never intended for us to be in bondage to such idolatry. He promises that he is the only one who satisfies (John. 4:13-14). If my adoration of others is not given to God, it will go to Satan. Have I given this completely TO God or is it being put ABOVE God as an idol? Someone recently encouraged me to meditate on Romans 6:16-"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" Not withholding that which God wants you to give to Him will bring about an incredible advantage.
Gen. 22:17-18- "That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which [is] upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice."
Abraham was ready to give up his son for a sacrifice to the honor of God, and, on that occasion, God promised to give his Son, a sacrifice for the salvation of man.
Matthew 19:29- "And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life."
May we be willing to give up our loved ones, the people we adore most, the ones that give us awe and enjoyment, for God. Someone recently recommended that I read the book of Revelations and start looking more carefully for God's glory around me during my day, just to develop an increased desire to grow in the knowledge of Him and obedience to Him. It has helped. I know I will continue to stumble in this area, but I know God is faithful to pick me up if I diligently seek Him.

Hebrews 12:25-29 -"See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more [shall not] we [escape], if we turn away from him that [speaketh] from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this [word], Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God [is] a consuming fire."

Hope these truths were as much of a blessing to you as they were to me!
-Jennie

Gregory : Watchman, Guardian, God's Trustee

Being that it's his Birthday this week (Christmas Day), I want to honor the faithful watchman of our Gilmer crew. This man is worthy of a Navy Special Warfare Insigna. But in lieu of that I'm going to share a little about this incredible watchman I have the privilege to call my dad. He's played many roles over the years and has managed to handle them with good humor. He's been someone to lean on, learn from, and look up to. He is one who has always made time for me and just about anyone. He is trustworthy, hard-working, caring, compassionate, wise, loving, and kind. He's always looking for a way to give to someone in need. He is a knight in shining armor in my eyes. I seriously don't know what I'd do without him. He so humbly acknowledges that the Lord has made him our watchman and has always strived to point our eyes to God and His providence. He has warned me often to to take God along with me in my undertakings and to not forget the many blessings that have and will come of it. Thank you for being my brave and strong watchman, Dad! I love you tons! Happy Birthday!

1 Corinthians 16: 13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

The Weather Outside is Frightful!

Well, the talk "around town" is SNOW; but I find it sad how seldom we think and speak of it with an awe-inspiring regard of God, the director of it, who shows his power and serves the purposes of His Providence by it!

Snow may not be so terrible and noisy as thunder and lightning, but it still shows the glory of God. In Job 37:6 God says to the snow, "Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength."

He commissions this winter weather, he commands it, he appoints it, where it will land and how long it will lie. He speaks, and it is done: as in the creation of the world, all are the showers of his strength.

Why do I contend so often with God's providence in my life, yet, I don't contend with God’s providence in the weather? I know that I cannot hinder the snow if He sends it. I do not get angry when He sends it! I love it, in fact! It displays His glory in such a marvelous way. It is ridiculous to fight against this expression of Providence. It is ridiculous for us to fight against any expression of His Providence, even the little workings in our lives.

The effect of the magnitude of this winter-weather is that it forces us to slow down a little, making it uncomfortable and unsafe for us to be on the road. We tend to keep to our houses. In frost and snow, our running around is definitely restricted. When the weather is extreme we are often forced to do nothing & get nothing. It forces us to be taken off our own work that we can know His work and contemplate it, and give Him the glory for these great and marvellous works.

When we are disabled from following our worldly duties, we should spend our time in acquainting ourselves with the works of God and praising him in them, rather than in foolish idle sports and recreations (Yikes, I'm stepping on my own toes!).

I recently read a quote by Matthew Henry -"When our hands are sealed up our hearts should be opened and the more we should be driven to our Bibles and our knees." In this world of technology, it is so easy to continue in the "calls" of this world and forget to acknowledge His work and celebrate Him.

Here are some pictures of my attempt to observe some of the recent snow He has sent upon the earth! May His marvelous works draw us to our knees, glorifying Him alone!
-Jennie

Frog Blog

We became friends with a little tree frog the other day. We were trying to make a home for him in a glass jar and did some research on an ideal living environment. We discovered that his survival is all about water. If his skin were to dry out, he wouldn't get enough oxygen or get rid of enough carbon dioxide, and he'd die. Sound familiar?
I've been feeling pretty thirsty lately. I guess my heart is getting a little dry in my relationship with God. I need a downpour of God's presence & power in my life. I've been feeling the sadness of falling in exhaustion and watching with weary eyes as my heart for people shrivels. I've become callous and indifferent . I need a fresh surge of energy to labor for my King. I need a renewed wonder and awe of the God who loves me. Why doesn't my heart pulse like it used to as I read God's Word? I know it's my choice. I need a revival. I need more purposeful time with Him, talking to Him, so my heart can be refreshed. He promises to respond to my heart's cry with a downpour of blessing. He'll give me a second chance if I CHOOSE to seek HIM with all my heart.

Hosea 6:1-3 is a good one for me today!
"Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
Then shall we know, [if] we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter [and] former rain unto the earth.

May God refresh your faith today as you seek Him too!

-Jennie

"They did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year." Joshua 5:12

Well, it's been awhile since I've blogged. I've been delighting in the fruit of the land lately! It is an all too temporary delight, I'm afraid. The raspberries are gone and the honeycrisp apples are on their last leg. It's amazing what cheer a honeycrisp can bring :-)
This brings me to think on the ultimate delight: to be with Jesus and to expect this glory! I have just started a study on the book of Isaiah where the prophet tells the people that their country will become desolate if they will not consider God.
I must admit I struggle occasionally with unbelief, allowing my doubt to get between me and that "goodly land". God's Word is put aside for a period and fear floods my soul. Why do I allow the enemy to triumph like this, becoming dry as a desert?
I'm so grateful that my faithful Father continues to draw me back to Him where I can gather the only fruit that satisfies, where faith and hope can make the desert a garden. Oh how wonderful to feed on God's Word.

When our eyes behold through the gath’ring night...

This is a picture from up at Camp Chetek where our church retreats every year. We were able to hear alot of good teaching from God's Word and get a good pep talk to "remove the leaven in 2011". Today I was thinking over this year. I've had some great experiences and some pretty rotten ones in 2010. But, often it cracks me up how often my perspective can change a difficult experience into a good one. I've been thinking how, for everything that takes place in my life, God and Satan have completely different goals. If I listen to the lies Satan whispers in my ear, the outcome will be harmful, to me and others. So often I catch myself listening to those lies (leaven) -- I don't even realize it till I look at the fruit that they bring. Self-rejection, discouragement, sadness, and fear. But if I remember the Truths that my heavenly Father has lovingly told me, he will bring good out of even the negative things that happen. The things the enemy wants to use to damage and discourage me become stepping-stones to happiness in Jesus when I bring God's truth into the situation. He says in the Psalms that "the entrance of Thy words brings light". And it's the most amazing experience to see fear and gloom give way to His comfort, love, and mercy!

I've started keeping a collection of His Truths that speak to specific fears or lies that I catch myself believing. And when I'm going through a difficult time, those Truths are right there to pull me out of it. Because He says:

"If you abide in My Word,

you are truly My disciples,

and you will know the truth,

and the truth will set you free."

(John 8:31)

A true promise, for sure! :)

When our eyes behold through the gath’ring night
The city of gold, our harbor bright,
We shall anchor fast by the heav’nly shore,
With the storms all past forevermore.


We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.

Let us, by our Forerunner, send forward our anchor, Hope, within the veil that parts us from the unseen; where it will grapple in ground and will not yield, but hold until the day dawns, and we follow it into the haven guaranteed to us by God's immutable counsel. --F. B. Meyer

Is it raining little flower?

Is it raining, little flower?

Be glad of rain;
Too much sun would wither thee;
'Twill shine again.
The clouds are very black, 'tis true;
But just behind them shines the blue.

Art thou weary, tender heart?
Be glad of pain:
In sorrow sweetest virtues grow,
As flowers in rain.
God watches, and thou wilt have sun,
When clouds their perfect work have done.

Lucy Larcom

This Hope We Have as an Anchor of the Soul

How can we understand a precious 8 year old girl who was molested by her father? How can we understand the behavior problems that result from the anger & fear? How can we understand a 9 year old boy who spent 2 nights in intensive care from an asthma attack without parents who give a care. Observing these circumstances and wrestling with my opinion of them has thrown me into questioning what I'm hoping in? How can one experience peace in the midst of such evil? How can the anger that wells up within me when I observe it be used for good? Will I end up shaky and prone to being governed by emotion when there is a great Hope that can be shared? The hope of a loving heavenly Father who can redeem any pain and transform it into something strong, solid and powerful. God's eye is on these dear little ones and everyone, if we hope in his love. (Ps. 119:18) This hope will ground us, anchor us, and make us unshakable. It will never disappoint. His grace is sufficient.

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast (Hebrews 6:19)...Christ Jesus who is our hope.(1 Tim. 1:1 )

Summer Fun Among God's Creation

Lately, I've been rummaging through my thought closet and have found a few ill-fitting lies, a number of faulty assumptions, lots of profitable memories, and maybe a few complaints. I'm trying to tuck some quality truth in, like, "I'm not in control"... "He must increase, but I [must] decrease. He that comes from above is above all: he (me) that is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of the earth (that's me!) : he that comes from heaven is above all." John 3:30-31

"From the moment a creature becomes aware of God as God and of itself as self, the terrible alternative of choosing God or self for the centre is opened to it." -C.S. Lewis

The discovery of how little I really know God as God and how deeply I want to know Him keeps growing!

Sometimes I think it's a moment-by moment recognition that He is God - a mystery, a glimpse. It's unfathomable. I most discover myself when I determine I'm not God.

"I will meditate on all Your work, and muse on Your deeds." Psalm 77:6,11-12

Otherwise, I naturally choose myself as center. I can say "Praise the Lord" to myself all day long, yet somehow not place God in the center because I'm already in that prime position. The results: LONELINESS!

Get off this computer and get out into God's creation & determine to make no room in your thought closet for grumbles. It makes us very unattractive and highly uncomfortable! Therefore, fill your thought closet with gratefulness. God doesn't deserve our griping; He deserves our gratefulness!

Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye,

If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky...

...There’s not a plant or flower below, but makes Thy glories known,

-Isaac Watts

For the beauty of the earth...
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,...
Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.
-Folliot S. Pierpoint

This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,

The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
-Maltbie D. Babcock

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,

Robed in the blooming garb of spring;

Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,

Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

-Ger­man Je­su­its

Heav’n above is softer blue, Earth around is sweeter green!

Something lives in every hue Christless eyes have never seen;
Birds with gladder songs o’erflow, flowers with deeper beauties shine,
Since I know, as now I know, I am His, and He is mine.

Since I know, as now I know, I am His, and He is mine.

-George W. Robinson

Chill out: Be at rest, O my soul.- Psalm 116:7

Join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided;
great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
-Thomas O. Chisholm

O.K., time to give some attention to Coleton, being that he's so lacking it.