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Name: Sarah
Birthday: 2/28/1987
Gender: Female
Interests: Talking and relating with people, especially convos about God; photos, singing, music, my family, my church, YACG (young adult care group), friends, Spanish, soccer, tennis, learning homemaking skillz; and most of all, seeking to honor and glorify God in my life and grow in relationship with Him.
Occupation: Student
Industry: Education/Research
Message: message me
Member Since:
6/7/2003
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| I have been benefiting from saturating my thoughts on the gospel by reading Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross each day. Our church is reading through this book up until Easter. I started a week late, but I have caught up to only being 2 days behind the reading plan, and I am enjoying it very much. 
I wanted to share an observation from what I read today.
The end of Chapter 11, "With Loud Cries and Tears" by John Owen, pages 72-73:
"Through his sufferings Christ learned obedience as he had occasion to exercise the graces of humility, meekness, patience, and faith. While these graces always lived with him, they were not capable of being exercised in this special way except through his sufferings."
Right away I thought of that analogy of a cup and our hearts, which we have gone over several different times at church. It goes like this: When a cup of water is bumped, the water spills out. Some may answer the question "why did the water spill out?" by saying "because it was bumped." However, the real reason is because there was water in the cup to begin with. So it is with our hearts. When circumstances bump or squeeze our hearts and we respond sinfully, it is because our hearts are sinful and not because of the external circumstances.
And this is where Christ differs from us. This is where another gospel connection is made so precious. When Christ's "cup" was bumped, what poured out were the "graces of humility, meekness, patience, and faith." And because he followed through and went to the cross, taking on our just punishment of the wrath of God for our sins, his goodness is credited to us. It is as if when my cup is bumped, the "graces of humility, meekness, patience, and faith" from Christ's cup is what God sees, instead of my own ugly sinful heart responses.
Oh how wonderful, how glorious, is the cross! What a treasure we have in Christ! What a loving Father, who would send his Son for us and give us his Spirit to open our eyes to the wonders of Calvary! He is great, and greatly to be praised! | | |
| But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
Luke 2:19
Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man of understanding remains silent.
Proverbs 11:12
The vexation of a fool is known at once,
but the prudent ignores an insult.
Proverbs 12:16
A prudent man conceals knowledge,
but the heart of fools proclaims folly.
Proverbs 12:23
Whoever covers an offense seeks love,
but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
Proverbs 17:9
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing his opinion.
Proverbs 18:2
But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
Luke 2:19
There is much to be gained by silent reflection, and much to lose in thoughtlessly opening my mouth. May I learn to quietly ponder the things I see God working on around and in me, so that I can better treasure Christ and love others. | | |
| I have a new job. I am the bookkeeper at American Home Life Intl., Inc. I am excited about the job, and it's great to see God through it all. It is currently overwhelming and exhausting. It counts as an internship, and I only am taking 3 classes at MU.
I'm not exactly sure why I am writing . . . I'm tired of talking about work; and I am just tired. The weekend will be a welcomed break (although there will be plenty to get done for school)
Well, I am actually posting because I finally typed a quote that I have promised to email to Holly for some time now. It addressed a common fear about the future that we both have; and it's just encouraging all around, so I am including it here.
Francis de Sales (1567-1622):
Do not look forward to the changes and chances of this life
in fear; rather look to them with full hope that, as they arise, God, whose you
are, will deliver you out of them. He
has kept you hitherto, - do you but hold fast to His dear hand, and He will
lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand, He will bear you
in His arms. . . . The same everlasting Father who cares for you today, will
take care of you to-morrow, and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or
He will give you unfailing strength to bear it.
Be at peace then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.
Paul:
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely,
and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of
our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely
do it.
- Thes. 5:23-24
C.J. Mahaney has a blog! Check it out. I have started reading it, but there is so much there that I am already far behind his current posts. They really are encouraging and challenging and inspiring to read so far. And that is because his writings are truth and grace filled and centered on the gospel of Christ and God's glory.
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| Some days I just want to sleep away, so when I awake everything will be ok . . .but nothing is wrong, yet I want someone to solve everything that feels wrong. Predictable, yet miserable, and it frustrates me. I want to talk, but have nothing and everything to say.
There has to be something better than just enduring; I know where to find joy, yet it takes so much more work. "If you have nothing good to say, don't say anything at all," . . . and when I feel this way? Just endure, and don't act. But you must act, or you will fall....so cling, cling, cling to the only one who understands.
Life is a battle.
If these unwelcomed feelings exist only to turn me to the cross, then let me take advantage of the times when I do feel deeply, so my feelings are more than feelings and are based on the Unchanging.
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ~ 1 Cor. 12:9
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