We would see Jesus. - John 12:21

I wanted to share what I read last night from Charles Spurgeon's "Evening by Evening". I was given this book from my Mother a long time ago for helping teach her Sunday School class. It's been an encouragement to me ever since.

'The constant cry of the world is, "Who will show us any good?" People seek satisfaction in earthly comforts, enjoyments, and riches. But the convicted sinner knows only one good: "Oh that I knew where I might find him!" (Job 23:3). When a person is truly awakened to feel his guilt, if you could pour the gold of India at his feet, he would say,"Take it away. I want to find Him!" It is a blessed thing for a man when he has brought his desires into focus so that they all center on one object. When he has fifty different desires, his heart resembles a pool of stagnant water, spread out into a marsh, breeding disease and pestilence. But when all his desires are brought into one channel, his heart becomes like a river of pure water, flowing swiftly to fertilize the fields. Happy is he who has one desire, if that one desire is set on Christ even though it may not yet have been realized. If Jesus is the soul's desire, it is a blessed sign of divine work within. Such a man will never be content with mere laws. He will say, "I want Christ; I must have Him. Rules are of no use to me; I need Him! Do not offer me these. You offer me the empty pitcher, while I am dying of thirst. Give me water, or I will die. Jesus is my soul's desire. I would see Jesus!" Is this your condition, my reader, at this moment? Do you have but one desire, and it is Christ? Then you are not far from the kingdom of heaven. Have you but one wish in your heart, and that one wish is that you would be washed from all your sins in Jesus' blood? Can you really say, "I would give all I have to be a Christian. I would give up everything I have and hope for, if I could only feel that I have an interest in Christ"? Then, despite all your fears, be of good cheer. The Lord loves you, and you will come out into daylight soon. Rejoice "in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free" (Gal. 5:1).' (pg.116)

.Rock.

How much does theology matter to you? Sometimes I feel that the topic of theology is a touchy subject amongst Christians. To some, being a theologian or discussing the finer points of doctrine is to provoke conflict, arrogance and division.

We are all theologians though. All of us. Christian or not we all believe something about God and who He is. Atheists even believe something about God. They believe He doesn’t exist. These beliefs about the Lord come from something and if you are not reading the bible then experiences, observances and your own philosophies shape your view of who He is. The problem with this is, we all have different life experiences. People and experiences change and fluctuate like the weather. Thankfully God does not change, and His Word doesn’t either.

So I guess the question is. Do we crave the truth? Do we actually want to know the truth about who God is and who Christ is? It comes down to a heart issue…would we opt for potential conflict and deny our own experiential philosophies in pursuit of knowing the intricate details of an amazing God. The people who would do that see the value and purpose of living a life for a Father they know through a Saviour they have a relationship with. Doctrine is not so much adhering to a certain denomination or being called Calvinist or Armenian, its about pursuing the One who pursued us and drawing close to Him. Joshua Harris in his book “Dug Down Deep” summarizes the need for sound theology in a clear and applicable way. He states: “Being a Christian means being a person who labours to establish his beliefs, his dreams, his choices, his very view of the world on the truth of who Jesus is and what he has accomplished - a Christian who cares about truth, who cares about sound doctrine.”

God is not a God of division…unity is His desire for us which is why He gave us the Bible… “making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” (Ephesians 1:9-10)

As Christians we’re all on a mission to figure out who God is. A strong commitment to truth is crucial but we can’t forget grace. Humility and grace…. even when we don’t entirely agree with our sisters and brothers in the Lord. We’ve got to encourage each other to strive hard for the truth that will be our foundation when the world throws a million other beliefs at us.

Eva Black Design : Blog: Valentine's Day Card Download!

Valentine's Day Card Download!: Happy Valentine's Day everyone! This is from Eva Black Design but I saw it originally on The Ardent Sparrow blog. Spread the love!

Eva Black Design : Blog: Valentine>

We are his hands...

sans cafe

Coffee is lovely. It's so comforting... and warm... and great during the winter or when you need to stay awake in the middle of the night. I enjoy coffee so much that I knew it was the thing I had to fast from. That ..and chocolate. :S

I wanted to start off this new year differently. I really wanted to dedicate 2012 to God, and instead of running around trying to accomplish things in my own strength, I wanted to completely give everything to the Lord. I have made some goals or resolutions but I know that neither coffee or chocolate will help me accomplish them. Obviously.... but this next week is a small lesson in discipline. Disciplining myself to forget myself and my superficial desires and instead focus on the Lord. It will be a time to pray and seek guidance.

"Self-indulgence is the enemy of gratitude, and self-discipline usually its friend and generator. That is why gluttony is a deadly sin. The early desert fathers believed that a person's appetites are linked: full stomachs and jaded palates take the edge from our hunger and thirst for righteousness. They spoil the appetite for God."

- Cornelius Plantinga, Jr., The Reformed Journal (November 1988)


Throughout the bible there are so many examples of people who fasted: Jesus, Ezra, John the Baptist, Moses, Daniel etc. These people denied themselves for a period of time to focus on Him who provides that which gives life and comfort. Often times of change or uncertainty or key times to fast. Times when the Lord needs to be our compass. I know that the decisions I make for this next year need to be made out of a love for God and not myself. So I'll start out by denying myself...even if its just coffee and chocolate...

It was a white Christmas

You're always guaranteed a white Christmas in Thunder Bay!
It never gets old.

Christmas

Isaiah 9:6

⁶ For to us a child is born,
   to us a son is given,
   and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

          Merry Christmas 2011 everyone! When you look back on this past year I pray that you see God in every thing that has happened. If you belong to Him it's all been for your ultimate good. Now for 2012... I hope you resolve to live fully for the one who bought you with His Son. The one who's birth we celebrate today. He was born so He could die, and that we may live. That is a truth worth celebrating..So Merry Christmas and God bless you! 2012 here we come.