For Posterity (some of the stuff I don’t want to forget)

The picture is of a statue of one of my favorite literary characters of all time, D'Artangan, of "The Three Musketeers" fame.

I want to share some of what and how God has been speaking to me recently, and some of what He’s led me to that has spoken to me so profoundly. If it’s something that is relatively short, I’ll probably just copy it into this post. If it’s longer, I’ll try to include the link and hope that the link will stay good for a long time. Or if I can’t make the link idea work, I’ll reference the title and date of the post and which blog it came from. All of these blogs can be found by clicking on blog’s link on the right side of the page.

“Crowbar Massage” was the first blog I ever read, and I’ve been checking it regularly ever since the first time I looked at it in 2006. My life has been enhanced profoundly in so many ways by so much of what Pastor Eric has shared there.

“Flying Embers,” which is owned by Pastor Eric’s dad, Fred, was the second blog I began to regularly check, and it, too, has had an immeasurable impact on my life and worldview.

“Life in Motion” is owned by a wonderful gentleman, Joseph, from India, who takes great delight in sharing pictures and stories from life there in the locality where he lives, in addition to encouraging and philosophical ideas from different sources. This was the third blog I started checking on a regular basis and I’ve been blessed by getting to know him and his world through this wonderful resource.

All of these blogs are favorites and will continue to be, but most of what I’m going to share from here on in this post are going to be from blogs that are newer to me, that God has been using in my life in recent days and weeks.

*********************

I love this scripture-soaked heading from “A Pilgrim in Conflict”:

“The Puritan identity. On a journey to a better country (Hebrews 11:16), going further up and further in to the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God (Romans 11:33) by laboring to delight in the law of the LORD and meditate on it day and night (Psalm 1:2) while the war and conflict relentlessly rage on until Christ comes (Romans 7:22-25) or calls me home.”

God also used these posts from the same blog to speak to me about an issue I’ve personally been wrestling with:

“The Key to Loving Jesus” dated October 11, 2008

“Seeing Sin for What it Really is in Us” dated October 13, 2008

And through this blog He also greatly blessed me with a song called “Don’t Waste Your Life” by Lacrae, which can be found under the title “WOW” on October 9, 2008.

I’ve listened to this song no less than 25 times. My kids have listened to it about as many times. And all of us keep singing the chorus to ourselves over and over again. Because I’m new to rap, however, it’s still pretty important for me to be able to read the words while I’m listening, otherwise several important parts of the song go straight over my head. J

I can’t believe how much truth there is in this one song. My husband ordered the CD for me and I’m anxiously waiting for it to arrive in the mail. A friend of mine at church is also familiar with this group, and with several others like it, and has recommended several albums that I know I’m going to enjoy and am looking forward to experiencing.

*****************

D.L. Kane from “A Fish Out of Water” sent me this great quote:

"I am not an innovator. In fact, I am very happy with the simple role of blowing the boredom out of people's brains with long-forgotten, old fashioned, faithful blasts of biblical truth!" – John Piper

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed going back through D.L.’s past posts. D.L.’s thoughts, questions, meditations and inspirations resonate deeply in my heart. I’ve struggled and wrestled with and pondered so many of the same things. We also share a fondness for the teachings of John Piper and the Puritans, although D.L. has explored the teachings of the Puritans far more than I have at this point.

Here are some of my favorites of D.L.’s posts:

Regarding bringing glory to God:

http://afishoutofwater2008.blogspot.com/2008/01/are-you-telescope.html

Regarding salvation:

http://afishoutofwater2008.blogspot.com/2008/01/if-given-choice.html

Regarding the centrality of the Gospel:

http://afishoutofwater2008.blogspot.com/2008/02/it-is-enoughit-is-enough.html

The most beautiful picture of the baptism of the Holy Spirit that I have ever encountered:

http://afishoutofwater2008.blogspot.com/2008/03/what-beautiful-picture.html

Regarding communion with Christ:

http://afishoutofwater2008.blogspot.com/2008/04/communion-with-christ.html

Regarding becoming like Christ:

http://afishoutofwater2008.blogspot.com/2008/04/this-is-beautiful-stuff.html

Regarding criticism:

http://afishoutofwater2008.blogspot.com/2008/01/open-rebuke-is-better-than-secret-love.html

http://afishoutofwater2008.blogspot.com/2008/03/why-are-we-all-so-afraid-of-criticism.html

Regarding spiritual loneliness:

http://afishoutofwater2008.blogspot.com/2008/01/spiritual-loneliness.html

Regarding reading the Puritans:

http://afishoutofwater2008.blogspot.com/2008/02/seven-reasons.html

http://afishoutofwater2008.blogspot.com/2008/02/feasting-on-puritans.html

Regarding the conversion experience of Charles Spurgeon:

http://afishoutofwater2008.blogspot.com/2008/02/in-his-own-words.html


And here are some quotes that I deeply appreciate:

"God never punishes his people. That is, their sufferings are never designed to satisfy justice; nor are they always even chastisements in the proper sense of the word. They are not in all cases sent to correct evils, to repress pride, or to wean from the world. God often afflicts his people and his church simply to enable them the better to glorify his name. It is an unchristian disposition, therefore, which leads us always to ask, 'when afflictions are sent upon ourselves or others, 'Why is this? What have we or they done to call forth this expression of parental displeasure or solicitude? What does God mean to rebuke?' It may be that our sufferings are chastisements, that is, that they are designed to correct some evil of the heart or life, but this is not to be inferred from the simple fact that they are sufferings. The greater part of Paul's sufferings were not chastisements. They were designed simply to show to all ages the power of the grace of God; to let men see what a man could cheerfully endure, and rejoice that he was called upon to endure, for the sake of the Lord Jesus."Charles Hodge, 2 Corinthians, Banner of Truth Trust, 1959, p163


“Finally, let us be instructed by the Holy Spirit. If a treasure-seeker were looking for a buried pirate’s chest, he might search long and wide and never find it. But if he came across a map, scratched out by the pirate who hid the gold, he could be sure of good success. The one who hid the gold is the best guide for him who would find it. But who has hidden the gold in the scriptures? Is it not the Holy Spirit, he who carried along the holy men of old, and who spoke by the mouth of David and all the prophets? Is he not the One who reveals Christ to men, and who brings to their remembrance all that he had taught them? And, moreover, is not the Father good to give the Spirit to them who ask diligently, and is not the Spirit gracious to give an anointing to all who are his, so that they might know the truth indeed? Every day, then, as we approach the Word of God, let us cry out to the Father, to send his Spirit, that he might open our eyes to the Son. Then, we will find the buried treasure, and cry out for joy.”

Nathan Pritchard - The Hidden Treasure (2 -- Setting Out for the Field)

We may depend upon this--men will never truly come to Christ, and stay with Christ, and live for Christ--unless they feel their sins, and know their need of a Savior. Those whom the Holy Spirit draws to Christ--are those whom the Spirit has convinced of sin. Without real conviction of sin, men may seem to come to Christ and follow Him for a season—but they will soon fall away and return to the world. The words of one are most deeply true, "The consciousness of sin is the true pathway to heaven." – D.L. Kane

“Remember the perfections of that God whom you worship, that He is a Spirit, and therefore to be worshipped in spirit and truth; and that he is most great and terrible, and therefore to be worshipped with seriousness and reverence, and not to be dallied with, or served with toys or lifeless lip-service; and that he is most holy, pure, and jealous, and therefore to be purely worshipped; and that he is still present with you, and all things are naked and open to him with whom we have to do. The knowledge of God, and the remembrance of His all-seeing presence, are the most powerful means against hypocrisy.”Richard Baxter, Pastor and author 1615 - 1691