God Revealed To Us

Here are some pictures of my recent Europe trip, during which I learned much about God's revelation to man through the His creation and His Word. My goal was to gain a deeper understanding of and greater appreciation for the truths of the Bible. I learned about the false teachings that had been added by men and was inspired by the men who gave their lives to dispel them.

Luzern, Switzerland

View From Mount Pilatus, Switzerland

We began in Geneva, Switzerland where, in 1560, the first mechanically printed, mass-produced Bible was made directly available to the general public. The involvement of John Calvin and John Knox in the creation of the Geneva Bible made it especially appealing in Scotland, where a law was passed in 1579 requiring every household of sufficient means to buy a copy!

1602 Edition Geneva Bible

Wartburg Castle- Where Martin Luther hid while translating the Bible into the common language. He hid at the castle from May 1521 to March 1522 after having been taken there for his safety because of refusing to recant at the Diet of Worms. It was during this period that Luther, dubbed "Knight George", translated the New Testament into German, the first translation into a modern language in over a millennium.

"Luther's Room"

German Bible

Below is a thought-provoking obituary on a tombstone in in Holyrood Abbey on the grounds of Holyrood Palace (birthplace of King James & Home of Mary, Queen of Scots), Edinburgh.
I love that it addresses the "instability of earthly possessions and enjoyments...seek those riches which never can fail and those pleasures which are at God's right hand forevermore, the gracious gift of God to be enjoyed through faith in Jesus Christ, our Saviour."
We have an anchor that is not satisfied with merely coming to the waiting room, that is, is not content with merely earthly and visible goods, but we want to enter "within the veil", that is, to the Holy of Holies, where we lay hold on God Himself (Heavenly goods!), and fasten on them.

Scotland

Deer Park in "The Grove", Magdalen College, Oxford, England

Magdalen College Chapel, Oxford, England

Magdalen is well-wooded with many beautiful large trees



Next stop was London, England! A highlight was seeing the church where John Wesley preached his famous sermon "Salvation by Faith", the first to be published after his conversion, and prefered by him to the collection of his sermons.

...and home again. God is so faithful to reveal Himself wherever we are! Regardless of God's revelation to me, being in this sinful body and ever-changing world I so often fear "shipwreck". The only hope I have is in this: that if I cling to an anchor. If I know I'm fastened to an anchor that promises future glory...well, it will be worth in all...
Till that day when we see Christ let's remain anchored to the only One who is sure & steadfast!



"If you read history you will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world are those who thought the most of the next."
-C.S. Lewis

Stay Anchored!

"Tall ships" on the seaport of Ijmuiden, Netherlands

IJmuiden is a seaside town situated at the sea end of the Amsterdam to North Sea Canal

The immense piers and locks of IJmuiden are the gateway to Amsterdam . From here, ships of all sizes can make the short journey right into the heart of the Dutch Capital.

IJmuiden has become one of the leading fishing ports of north-west Europe and is the site of the vast Corus steel works.

Old industrial plants by the North Sea Canal

In the middle of the North Sea on my way to Scotland!

This Thanksgiving I'm thanking God for people who have helped me keep from drifting away from fellowship with Him, encouraging me to cling to the Hope that is within me. We need people that will say, "Hold on!", "Stay anchored!", "You're not alone."... Thank you to my helpful "Tuggy the tug boats" and protective "battle-cruisers"! If you read this, you know who your are.

The Art of Living With Hope

"The hope of the afflicted will never perish" Psalm 9:18
So, I just came back from a hemophilia conference in San Francisco. One evening they took us out on a ship and a young man who was wheel-chair-bound caught my attention. He always had his camera in hand, snapping pictures with such fervor and excitement. What made him most excited was capturing the seagulls as they flew by. It brought to mind one of my recent posts. "Oh, that I had wings..." I felt a lump forming in my throat as I observed this vivacious, energetic kid whose legs hung limp. How does one live with such limitations? The more I thought about it, the more I realized the fact of the matter is I have limitations too. They are just different. I may be able to run & climb mountains, but I may not be able to grip the heart of a person with words or wrap my mind around mathematical equations like others may. I'm sure I'm disabled in areas in which this young man is not. Nonetheless, I am much more than my disabilities. The boy in the wheelchair is too. It is a fearful thing to be disabled in an area, but we must remember that we are so much more than our disability. Jesus has a plan for our whole life. I think of all the ways He has used me and my disabilities to nurture compassion within me for others who are challenged in the similar areas. Jeremiah 29:11 is one of my favorite verses, "'For I know the plans I have for you', declared the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a HOPE and a future.'" It makes me redirect my thoughts away from comparing myself with others, but rather encouraging them, accepting that God uses different adversities do direct us to His Word for encouragement and comfort. God's word is an immovable anchor in times of storm. In the midst of these hardships and pains and limitations, we can rely on the Bible for the stability, guidance, and security we need. Whether or not these storms are from God, we can trust that He will always use it for our good. It's amazing how trouble and difficulty wakes us up to our great need for Something much bigger than us. It causes us to evaluate areas of our lives that are not pleasing to Him and surrender something that we are gripping tightly. Difficulties refine our character, make us more Christlike, and realign our lives with God's will.

Oh, I'm so grateful that we have the Word of God as an anchor in times of storm. Seeing things from God’s point of view, how He used adversity in the lives of biblical characters, we can better understand how He may want to use our current difficulties.
But, the truth is, unless we are grounded, it is all too easy to drift in our devotion to the Lord. It's a discipline to anchor myself to His Word, especially when things are going well. In this case we gradually lose are moral compass, our eternal perspective. Are we ready for the storms, the inevitable doubts & fears that come in a sin-drenched world? Will we weather them with confidence, anchored to the solid rock of Jesus Christ?
Here is beautiful hymn that was recently introduced to me that reminds me of who my Hope must ultimately be placed in:
"By Thy life we are protected, By Thy death we're reconciled"
Follow this link to listen to "Hymn of Hope"

www.halleonard.com/viewcloserlook.do?refer=item_detail.jsp%3Fitemid%3D8749033&id=8749033&

Here are the lyrics too:
f.cl.ly/items/0Q14283S29060r23120i/Hymn of Hope HYMNAL.pdf

Know That He Is God

The Sands of Time Are Sinking

"Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Indeed I would wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm & tempest." Psalm 55:6-8

I don't know about you, but, often I feel as though the walls are closing in around me and the floor is giving way. I guess the hurry and bustle, the chaos and confusion of this world is getting to me. It is so difficult to simply & sweetly enjoy God. Oh how wonderful it will be to someday have that final escape from all the storms and tempests of this world to perfect and everlasting rest.

I recently came upon this beautiful hymn by Anne Ross Cousin. She had just finished reading a biography of Samuel Rutherford, and decided to weave His beautiful sayings together to make a hymn out of them.

For a little history, Samuel Rutherford, who was banished from the town and church he loved because he refused to conform to the established church of the time, was summoned to appear before Parliament and answer the charges. He was ill and dying. He responded,

"I have been summoned to appear before a higher court; that first summons I must answer."

He died a few days later. His last words were

"Glory to my Creator and Redeemer forever! Glory shineth in Immanuel's land. I shall sleep in Christ; and when I awake, I shall be satisfied with His likeness. O for arms to embrace Him! O for a well-tuned harp! I hear Him saying to me, 'Come up hither'. This night will close the door, and fasten my anchor within the veil, and I shall go away in a sleep by five o'clock in the morning."

And so it happened. He entered Immanuel's land at that very hour, and is now (as himself would have said) "sleeping in the bosom of the Almighty," till the Lord come.

Here is the full song written by Anne Ross Cousin and a few of my favorite pictures to go along with it. I'd recommend listening to the tune first or while you read words below. It's beautiful!

The sands of time are sinking, the dawn of Heaven breaks;

The summer morn I’ve sighed for—the fair, sweet morn awakes:

Dark, dark hath been the midnight, but dayspring is at hand,

And glory, glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.

O Christ, He is the fountain, the deep, sweet well of love!

The streams of earth I’ve tasted more deep I’ll drink above:

There to an ocean fullness His mercy doth expand,

And glory, glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land

Oh! Well it is forever, Oh! well forevermore,

My nest hung in no forest of all this death doomed shore:

Yea, let the vain world vanish, as from the ship the strand,

While glory—glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.

There the Red Rose of Sharon unfolds its heartsome bloom 

And fills the air of heaven with ravishing perfume:

Oh! To behold it blossom, while by its fragrance fanned

Where glory—glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.

The King there in His beauty, without a veil is seen:

It were a well spent journey, though seven deaths lay between:

The Lamb with His fair army, doth on Mount Zion stand,

And glory—glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.

Oft in yon sea beat prison My Lord and I held tryst,

For Anwoth was not heaven, and preaching was not Christ:

And aye, my murkiest storm cloud was by a rainbow spanned,

Caught from the glory dwelling in Immanuel’s land.

But that He built a Heaven of His surpassing love,

A little new Jerusalem, like to the one above,

“Lord take me over the water” hath been my loud demand,

Take me to my love’s own country, unto Immanuel’s land.

But flowers need nights cool darkness, the moonlight and the dew;

So Christ, from one who loved it, His shining oft withdrew:

And then, for cause of absence my troubled soul I scanned

But glory shadeless shineth in Immanuel’s land.

The little birds of Anwoth, I used to count them blessed,

Now, beside happier altars I go to build my nest:

Over these there broods no silence, no graves around them stand,

For glory, deathless, dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.

Fair Anwoth by the Solway, to me thou still art dear,

Even from the verge of heaven, I drop for thee a tear.
Oh!
If one soul from Anwoth meet me at God’s right hand,

My heaven will be two heavens, In Immanuel’s land.

I’ve wrestled on towards Heaven, against storm and wind and tide,

Now, like a weary traveler that leaneth on his guide,

Amid the shades of evening, while sinks life’s lingering sand,

I hail the glory dawning from Immanuel’s land.

Deep waters crossed life’s pathway, the hedge of thorns was sharp;

Now, these lie all behind me Oh! for a well tuned harp!

Oh! To join hallelujah with yon triumphant band,

Who sing where glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.

With mercy and with judgment my web of time He wove,


And aye, the dews of sorrow were lustered with His love;


I’ll bless the hand that guided, I’ll bless the heart that planned
...

When throned where glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.
(I love these two pictures because they're actually taken on the same day. It reminds me of how dismal things can seem, however, trusting God means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees...)

Soon shall the cup of glory wash down earth’s bitterest woes,

Soon shall the desert briar break into Eden’s rose;

The curse shall change to blessing the name on earth that’s banned

Be graven on the white stone in Immanuel’s land.
(Last month I visited a friend in Texas and saw a desert briar for the first time. It amazed me that a such a lush-looking flower could survive in such barrenness. This is the only picture I took of one and I'm glad I did!)

O I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved’s mine!

He brings a poor vile sinner into His “house of wine.”

I stand upon His merit—I know no other stand,

Not even where glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.

I shall sleep sound in Jesus, filled with His likeness rise,

To love and to adore Him, to see Him with these eyes:

’Tween me and resurrection but Paradise doth stand;

Then—then for glory dwelling in Immanuel’s land.

The Bride eyes not her garment, but her dear Bridegroom’s face;

I will not gaze at glory but on my King of grace.

Not at the crown He giveth but on His pierced hand;

The Lamb is all the glory of Immanuel’s land.

I have borne scorn and hatred, I have borne wrong and shame,

Earth’s proud ones have reproached me for Christ’s thrice blessed Name:

Where God His seal set fairest they’ve stamped the foulest brand,

But judgment shines like noonday in Immanuel’s land.

They’ve summoned me before them, but there I may not come,

My Lord says “Come up hither,” My Lord says “Welcome home!”

My King, at His white throne, my presence doth command

Where glory—glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.

Beautiful Feet

Oh, I'm so excited about this post, because it is pretty much my life-testimony in a nut-shell. It came to me as I was studying Isaiah 52 this week in BSF, and, upon reading verse 7 (How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!), I began reminiscing to back when I was 12 or so. One of my favorite songs to sing was "Beautiful Feet" by Sandi Patti. I didn't fully understand the meaning of it until about a year later when I participated in a Biblestudy and started asking some serious questions.I had been taught alot about the Bible, but, it didn't really click and become real to me until I started searching for myself. I had alot of people with "beautiful feet" in my life who were faithfully preaching the gospel of peace and bringing glad tidings of good things to me, but I hadn't welcomed them as "beautiful feet" yet. It wasn't until I began to realize that I had a wrestling match going on within me and I started asking some serious questions. My sinful habits were torturing me and I began to freak out over my tendency to do evil things. Finally, I was truly ready for the good news of liberty from my spiritual bondage that those "beautiful feet" had been bringing me. The good news that the Lord Jesus reigns and all power is given to HIM and He wants to publish HIS peace and salvation within me if I would only repent and accept His saving work on the cross for me! I'm so grateful for those tried and truetiful feet who tirelessly showed Jesus to me!

There are feet that skip and play
There are feet that run away
There are feet that love a race and win or lose
There are chubby feet and small
And strong feet to kick a ball
But beautiful are the feet that bring good news.

There are feet that sleekly swim
Through the water wearing fins
There are feet that shimmy up the tallest trees
There are happy feet and sad
There are aching feet and mad
But beautiful are the feet that publish peace.

Those are beautiful feet
Beee-uuu-ti-ful feet!
Dutiful, cute-i-ful feet!
Tried and true-ti-ful feet
Me-ti-ful
You-ti-ful
Do you have beautiful feet!
Do you have beautiful feet!

Feet climb mountains, feet climb stairs
Some wear shoes, and some go bare!
There are feet of every shape and every size
But when feet run with the news
Jesus loves me and loves you
Then no matter what they look like - realize…

Beautiful feet
Beautiful feet
Beautiful, beautiful feet!
Tried and true-ti-ful feet
Me-ti-ful
You-ti-ful
Do you have beauti-i-ful feet

(Walkin’ with my Jesus down a one way street - with my beautiful, beautiful feet.)

Rom 10:15b
How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!