THE EXAMPLE SET US BY THE HOLY FATHERS
Thomas a Kempis
"CONSIDER the lively examples set us by the saints, who possessed the light of true perfection and religion, and you will see how little, how nearly nothing, we do. What, alas, is our life, compared with theirs? The saints and friends of Christ served the Lord in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness, in work and fatigue, in vigils and fasts, in prayers and holy meditations, in persecutions and many afflictions. How many and severe were the trials they suffered -- the Apostles, martyrs, confessors, virgins, and all the rest who willed to follow in the footsteps of Christ! They hated their lives on earth that they might have life in eternity.
How strict and detached were the lives the holy hermits led in the desert! What long and grave temptations they suffered! How often were they beset by the enemy! What frequent and ardent prayers they offered to God! What rigorous fasts they observed! How great their zeal and their love for spiritual perfection! How brave the fight they waged to master their evil habits! What pure and straightforward purpose they showed toward God! By day they labored and by night they spent themselves in long prayers. Even at work they did not cease from mental prayer. They used all their time profitably; every hour seemed too short for serving God, and in the great sweetness of contemplation, they forgot even their bodily needs.
They renounced all riches, dignities, honors, friends, and associates. They desired nothing of the world. They scarcely allowed themselves the necessities of life, and the service of the body, even when necessary, was irksome to them. They were poor in earthly things but rich in grace and virtue. Outwardly destitute, inwardly they were full of grace and divine consolation. Strangers to the world, they were close and intimate friends of God. To themselves they seemed as nothing, and they were despised by the world, but in the eyes of God they were precious and beloved. They lived in true humility and simple obedience; they walked in charity and patience, making progress daily on the pathway of spiritual life and obtaining great favor with God.
They were given as an example for all religious, and their power to stimulate us to perfection ought to be greater than that of the lukewarm to tempt us to laxity.
How great was the fervor of all religious in the beginning of their holy institution! How great their devotion in prayer and their rivalry for virtue! What splendid discipline flourished among them! What great reverence and obedience in all things under the rule of a superior! The footsteps they left behind still bear witness that they indeed were holy and perfect men who fought bravely and conquered the world.
Today, he who is not a transgressor and who can bear patiently the duties which he has taken upon himself is considered great. How lukewarm and negligent we are! We lose our original fervor very quickly and we even become weary of life from laziness! Do not you, who have seen so many examples of the devout, fall asleep in the pursuit of virtue!"
If you have the ability to read this blog, you have the ability to find this book on line. I would highly recommend it to you. Short little chapters that really help you consider.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Don't Worry
Matt. 6:25 "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
It is interesting that Jesus, The Word made flesh here teaching His created ones, tells us all "Don't be anxious", 3 times in just these few verses. He certainly knew that we all would struggle with worry when He said this. There is no vain repetition with God, and so Jesus would not have used this command 3 times if He didn't know that we needed it hear it 3 times. And it is a command.
Anxious means; Full of mental distress or uneasiness because of fear of danger or misfortune; greatly worried. Matthew Henry says "this is the sin of disquieting, distracting, distrustful cares about the things of this life, which are a bad sign that both the treasure and the heart are on the earth". If we are so concerned with this life that we worry all the time, then are we really thinking about where our true home is or where our true reward is? "The thought is a disturbing thought that hurries the mind back and forth, and hangs it in suspense, which disturbs our joy in God, is damp upon our hope in Him, breaks the sleep, hinders the enjoyment of ourselves, of our friends and of what God has given us".
Jesus never promised we would be feasting, but that we would be fed and that we would have everything that we need for life and godliness, and He keeps His promises. When we trust Him to keep His promises, then we are able to rest, truly rest, in Him. We are not thinking about all the things He has promised to provide, but we are resting and trusting in Him to do what He has promised He would do.
Jesus starts with the most basic and most worried about topic for man; life. MH- "All that a man has he will give for his life- yet take no thought of it.
Not the length of it- if God chooses to shorten or lengthen it- He is good.
Not the comforts of it- If God chooses to make it bitter or sweet- He is good.
Though many good people have the prospect of having little, yet few have present support."
Not only are we not to be worried about our lives, but we are not to worry about tomorrow. We are not to be concerned about what will happen tomorrow, where we will live tomorrow, what we will eat tomorrow, or even what will happen to us when we're old, because today has enough trouble on its own, so trust that God will care for us tomorrow, just as He has today.
When we truly trust Him, like children trust their parents, then we can "sleep like a baby" in His arms, because we have confidence that He will give to us what is best for us today and tomorrow.
"'tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
just to take Him at His Word,
just to REST upon His promise,
just to know thus sayeth the Lord,
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him
How I've proved Him 'ore and 'ore
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus
Oh for grace to trust Him more.
"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
It is interesting that Jesus, The Word made flesh here teaching His created ones, tells us all "Don't be anxious", 3 times in just these few verses. He certainly knew that we all would struggle with worry when He said this. There is no vain repetition with God, and so Jesus would not have used this command 3 times if He didn't know that we needed it hear it 3 times. And it is a command.
Anxious means; Full of mental distress or uneasiness because of fear of danger or misfortune; greatly worried. Matthew Henry says "this is the sin of disquieting, distracting, distrustful cares about the things of this life, which are a bad sign that both the treasure and the heart are on the earth". If we are so concerned with this life that we worry all the time, then are we really thinking about where our true home is or where our true reward is? "The thought is a disturbing thought that hurries the mind back and forth, and hangs it in suspense, which disturbs our joy in God, is damp upon our hope in Him, breaks the sleep, hinders the enjoyment of ourselves, of our friends and of what God has given us".
Jesus never promised we would be feasting, but that we would be fed and that we would have everything that we need for life and godliness, and He keeps His promises. When we trust Him to keep His promises, then we are able to rest, truly rest, in Him. We are not thinking about all the things He has promised to provide, but we are resting and trusting in Him to do what He has promised He would do.
Jesus starts with the most basic and most worried about topic for man; life. MH- "All that a man has he will give for his life- yet take no thought of it.
Not the length of it- if God chooses to shorten or lengthen it- He is good.
Not the comforts of it- If God chooses to make it bitter or sweet- He is good.
Though many good people have the prospect of having little, yet few have present support."
Not only are we not to be worried about our lives, but we are not to worry about tomorrow. We are not to be concerned about what will happen tomorrow, where we will live tomorrow, what we will eat tomorrow, or even what will happen to us when we're old, because today has enough trouble on its own, so trust that God will care for us tomorrow, just as He has today.
When we truly trust Him, like children trust their parents, then we can "sleep like a baby" in His arms, because we have confidence that He will give to us what is best for us today and tomorrow.
"'tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
just to take Him at His Word,
just to REST upon His promise,
just to know thus sayeth the Lord,
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him
How I've proved Him 'ore and 'ore
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus
Oh for grace to trust Him more.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
THE VALUE OF ADVERSITY
THE VALUE OF ADVERSITY
"It is good for us to have trials and troubles at times, for they often remind us that we are on probation and ought not to hope in any worldly thing. It is good for us sometimes to suffer contradiction, to be misjudged by men even though we do well and mean well. These things help us to be humble and shield us from vainglory. When to all outward appearances men give us no credit, when they do not think well of us, then we are more inclined to seek God Who sees our hearts. Therefore, a man ought to root himself so firmly in God that he will not need the consolations of men.
When a man of good will is afflicted, tempted, and tormented by evil thoughts, he realizes clearly that his greatest need is God, without Whom he can do no good. Saddened by his miseries and sufferings, he laments and prays. He wearies of living longer and wishes for death that he might be dissolved and be with Christ. Then he understands fully that perfect security and complete peace cannot be found on earth."
Thomas a' Kempis
The Imitation of Christ
"It is good for us to have trials and troubles at times, for they often remind us that we are on probation and ought not to hope in any worldly thing. It is good for us sometimes to suffer contradiction, to be misjudged by men even though we do well and mean well. These things help us to be humble and shield us from vainglory. When to all outward appearances men give us no credit, when they do not think well of us, then we are more inclined to seek God Who sees our hearts. Therefore, a man ought to root himself so firmly in God that he will not need the consolations of men.
When a man of good will is afflicted, tempted, and tormented by evil thoughts, he realizes clearly that his greatest need is God, without Whom he can do no good. Saddened by his miseries and sufferings, he laments and prays. He wearies of living longer and wishes for death that he might be dissolved and be with Christ. Then he understands fully that perfect security and complete peace cannot be found on earth."
Thomas a' Kempis
The Imitation of Christ
The Imitation of Christ- How are you doing?
The Imitation of Christ
Thomas à Kempis
"He who follows Me, walks not in darkness," says the Lord. By these words of Christ we are advised to imitate His life and habits, if we wish to be truly enlightened and free from all blindness of heart. Let our chief effort, therefore, be to study the life of Jesus Christ.
The teaching of Christ is more excellent than all the advice of the saints, and he who has His spirit will find in it a hidden manna. Now, there are many who hear the Gospel often but care little for it because they have not the spirit of Christ. Yet whoever wishes to understand fully the words of Christ must try to pattern his whole life on that of Christ.
What good does it do to speak learnedly about the Trinity if, lacking humility, you displease the Trinity? Indeed it is not learning that makes a man holy and just, but a virtuous life makes him pleasing to God. I would rather feel contrition than know how to define it. For what would it profit us to know the whole Bible by heart and the principles of all the philosophers if we live without grace and the love of God? Vanity of vanities and all is vanity, except to love God and serve Him alone.
This is the greatest wisdom -- to seek the kingdom of heaven through contempt of the world. It is vanity, therefore, to seek and trust in riches that perish. It is vanity also to court honor and to be puffed up with pride. It is vanity to follow the lusts of the body and to desire things for which severe punishment later must come. It is vanity to wish for long life and to care little about a well-spent life. It is vanity to be concerned with the present only and not to make provision for things to come. It is vanity to love what passes quickly and not to look ahead where eternal joy abides.
Often recall the proverb: "The eye is not satisfied with seeing nor the ear filled with hearing."[2] Try, moreover, to turn your heart from the love of things visible and bring yourself to things invisible. For they who follow their own evil passions stain their consciences and lose the grace of God."
Much to think about in a few paragraphs.
Thomas à Kempis
"He who follows Me, walks not in darkness," says the Lord. By these words of Christ we are advised to imitate His life and habits, if we wish to be truly enlightened and free from all blindness of heart. Let our chief effort, therefore, be to study the life of Jesus Christ.
The teaching of Christ is more excellent than all the advice of the saints, and he who has His spirit will find in it a hidden manna. Now, there are many who hear the Gospel often but care little for it because they have not the spirit of Christ. Yet whoever wishes to understand fully the words of Christ must try to pattern his whole life on that of Christ.
What good does it do to speak learnedly about the Trinity if, lacking humility, you displease the Trinity? Indeed it is not learning that makes a man holy and just, but a virtuous life makes him pleasing to God. I would rather feel contrition than know how to define it. For what would it profit us to know the whole Bible by heart and the principles of all the philosophers if we live without grace and the love of God? Vanity of vanities and all is vanity, except to love God and serve Him alone.
This is the greatest wisdom -- to seek the kingdom of heaven through contempt of the world. It is vanity, therefore, to seek and trust in riches that perish. It is vanity also to court honor and to be puffed up with pride. It is vanity to follow the lusts of the body and to desire things for which severe punishment later must come. It is vanity to wish for long life and to care little about a well-spent life. It is vanity to be concerned with the present only and not to make provision for things to come. It is vanity to love what passes quickly and not to look ahead where eternal joy abides.
Often recall the proverb: "The eye is not satisfied with seeing nor the ear filled with hearing."[2] Try, moreover, to turn your heart from the love of things visible and bring yourself to things invisible. For they who follow their own evil passions stain their consciences and lose the grace of God."
Much to think about in a few paragraphs.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Fathers be good to your daughters
I haven't addressed this topic before on the blog, but recent events have made it clear that I need to speak out.
What is it that daughters are to do when they are done with high school? Are daughters supposed to follow the way of the world and go to college to gain more education so they can become "better"? Are they supposed to be ready to not be married, or are we/fathers supposed to train them the way that God has lined out in Scripture?
I can find no verse that directs me to send my daughter to ANY college. Though this is counter cultural, women are to be workers at home, Titus 2.
So what is the best way for a young woman to be trained in being a woman at home? The older women are to train the younger women. If this was truly taking place in the church there would be absolutely no need for our girls to go to college and run up a gigantic school bill to hand to their husbands and a wedding present.
If the older women were training them here, at home and at church, then "home-ec" would be taking place right in front of us everyday, without them leaving the local church. But sadly, this is not taking place. The older women are buying into the idea that they need to be working outside the home and consequently there is no time for them to disciple the younger women. If they are to have the gift of singleness, then can't they be trained in disciple-making in the local church?
Yes, there are lots of things a young woman can learn away from home, but not all of them are good and none of them are directed in Scripture. Discipleship, working at home, loving children, being respectful, submitting to authority and everything else that they are to do and be are all best able to be done right here at home and in the local church.
My job is to train Kimmy the way that God has instructed, and try to keep my own opinions out of the mix. If we do precisely what God lines out for us to do, and don't try to throw our interpretation into the mix, He will bless us. If we add to the text then we will find ourselves in a generation of very mixed up individuals.
For those of you who may disagree with me, please respond with a verse from the Bible that says something contrary to what I have posted. I am only interested in following God's directives on this subject.
By the way, I also am not concerned if others think I am crazy, because I am the one responsible to God for the direction that I lead my kids. I also have no issue if you want to do something different, because in the end, I am not required to give an answer for other's children, only my own.
God is good and He is proving Himself faithful even in issues like this. Follow His Word and He will make your way prosperous.
What is it that daughters are to do when they are done with high school? Are daughters supposed to follow the way of the world and go to college to gain more education so they can become "better"? Are they supposed to be ready to not be married, or are we/fathers supposed to train them the way that God has lined out in Scripture?
I can find no verse that directs me to send my daughter to ANY college. Though this is counter cultural, women are to be workers at home, Titus 2.
So what is the best way for a young woman to be trained in being a woman at home? The older women are to train the younger women. If this was truly taking place in the church there would be absolutely no need for our girls to go to college and run up a gigantic school bill to hand to their husbands and a wedding present.
If the older women were training them here, at home and at church, then "home-ec" would be taking place right in front of us everyday, without them leaving the local church. But sadly, this is not taking place. The older women are buying into the idea that they need to be working outside the home and consequently there is no time for them to disciple the younger women. If they are to have the gift of singleness, then can't they be trained in disciple-making in the local church?
Yes, there are lots of things a young woman can learn away from home, but not all of them are good and none of them are directed in Scripture. Discipleship, working at home, loving children, being respectful, submitting to authority and everything else that they are to do and be are all best able to be done right here at home and in the local church.
My job is to train Kimmy the way that God has instructed, and try to keep my own opinions out of the mix. If we do precisely what God lines out for us to do, and don't try to throw our interpretation into the mix, He will bless us. If we add to the text then we will find ourselves in a generation of very mixed up individuals.
For those of you who may disagree with me, please respond with a verse from the Bible that says something contrary to what I have posted. I am only interested in following God's directives on this subject.
By the way, I also am not concerned if others think I am crazy, because I am the one responsible to God for the direction that I lead my kids. I also have no issue if you want to do something different, because in the end, I am not required to give an answer for other's children, only my own.
God is good and He is proving Himself faithful even in issues like this. Follow His Word and He will make your way prosperous.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Creating some spacing
The ONLY reason I am posting this is so coupon saving, miserly Marysville, money saving, Betty bargain shopper, "I buy 90 boxes of cereal for a penny" woman wouldn't have every post on the 128 site for the week:)
Way to go you shopper girls, maintain the maximum ROI on your "gate keeping" husband's dollars. God is honored when we are good stewards of His money. I am learning from you all.
Way to go you shopper girls, maintain the maximum ROI on your "gate keeping" husband's dollars. God is honored when we are good stewards of His money. I am learning from you all.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
God's hand in mine.
Morning by morning I wake up to find
the power and comfort of God's hand in mine.
Season by season I watch him amazed, in
awe of the mystery of his perfect ways
CHORUS:
All I have need of his hand will provide.
He's always been faithful to me
I can't remember a trial or a pain he did
not recycle to bring me gain. I can't
remember one single regret in serving
God only and trusting his hand
This is my anthem, this is my song, the
theme of the stories I've heard for so long.
God has been faithful, he will be again.
His loving compassion, it knows no end.
I was thinking and praying this morning about matters of today and yesterday and was reminded of God's faithfulness. Yesterday I had prayed that God would take care of some PG financial things, which more often than not is just about the timing of when a payment comes in and when other payments are due. He of course handled it in a creative way. We didn't receive our payment any faster than I had expected, but the date that we had originally thought our payment was due was a couple of days too early, so He worked it all out. He is so faithful.
The topic of my recent posts has been much more "child-centered" lately. Part of that is from reading in Matthew where Jesus is talking to His disciples about being like a child and then meditating on what He is trying to get us to understand, the other side of it is that I am realizing how total dependence on Him I really am. He is not more in control now than before, I am just finally seeing how dependent I am on Him.
So, I was thinking about this song, and of a little boy/girl holding their daddy's hand, and the comfort and security that this brings. The dads are in no more control of the situation around the child, while holding their hand, but the nearness of dad is so personal and intimate. How sweet it is to know that God does hold our hand/carry us through life. We just need to realize that He is right there, and trust Him.
God is good and we have many opportunities RIGHT NOW to share His goodness with others, don't miss those times to tell others How Really good our God is. They need the encouragement and we need to give Him the praise that is due Him.
the power and comfort of God's hand in mine.
Season by season I watch him amazed, in
awe of the mystery of his perfect ways
CHORUS:
All I have need of his hand will provide.
He's always been faithful to me
I can't remember a trial or a pain he did
not recycle to bring me gain. I can't
remember one single regret in serving
God only and trusting his hand
This is my anthem, this is my song, the
theme of the stories I've heard for so long.
God has been faithful, he will be again.
His loving compassion, it knows no end.
I was thinking and praying this morning about matters of today and yesterday and was reminded of God's faithfulness. Yesterday I had prayed that God would take care of some PG financial things, which more often than not is just about the timing of when a payment comes in and when other payments are due. He of course handled it in a creative way. We didn't receive our payment any faster than I had expected, but the date that we had originally thought our payment was due was a couple of days too early, so He worked it all out. He is so faithful.
The topic of my recent posts has been much more "child-centered" lately. Part of that is from reading in Matthew where Jesus is talking to His disciples about being like a child and then meditating on what He is trying to get us to understand, the other side of it is that I am realizing how total dependence on Him I really am. He is not more in control now than before, I am just finally seeing how dependent I am on Him.
So, I was thinking about this song, and of a little boy/girl holding their daddy's hand, and the comfort and security that this brings. The dads are in no more control of the situation around the child, while holding their hand, but the nearness of dad is so personal and intimate. How sweet it is to know that God does hold our hand/carry us through life. We just need to realize that He is right there, and trust Him.
God is good and we have many opportunities RIGHT NOW to share His goodness with others, don't miss those times to tell others How Really good our God is. They need the encouragement and we need to give Him the praise that is due Him.
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