The fear of God a "choice jewel."

Here is a great quote from John Bunyan. May God give me more fear of God.

"Christian, let God's distinguishing love to you be a motive to you to fear Him greatly. He has put His fear in your heart, and may not have given that blessing to your neighbor, perhaps not to your husband, your wife, your child, or your parent. Oh, what an obligation should this thought lay upon your heart to greatly fear the Lord! Remember also that this fear of the Lord is His treasure, a choice jewel, given only to favorites, and to those who are greatly beloved."

Bunyan, John

House Cleaning for 2009

Yes, 2010 has been rolling for 20 days but I can't resist challenging you with some house-cleaning tips from Doug Phillips' blog. Doug suggests reflecting on 2009 and listing the special mercies and providences of God for the year (and thanking Him.) Secondly, think about which people God has used to bless you and go to thank them. Thirdly, think about who has hurt you, and forgive them. "Life is too short to be bitter."

God has recently convicted me of bitterness. I now can better understand why the writer of Hebrews warns against a root of bitterness springing up and causing trouble. For me the bitterness came with ingratitude, a strong sense of entitlement and a critical spirit. Yuck! Repentance is a wonderful house cleaning, and as I know I will be tempted to bitterness again, I am resolved by God's grace, to do battle against it.

Wilson Wisdom

One of my favorite authors is Douglas Wilson. I love what he writes and how he writes. Here is one of his gems: "Young Christian people should seek to become the kind of person that the kind of person they would want to marry would want to marry."

Learn from Others' Mistakes

I love Vicki Bentley's article "Twenty-Three Years & Seventeen Kids Ago." Vicki is a homeschool mom and addresses enjoying your children, teaching children responsibility, and letting children make mistakes, among other gems. She will be a featured speaker at the MACHE homeschool conference and curriculum fair (Rochester). You can read the whole article at www.everydayhomemaking.com.

Location for Jamie Soles

Jamie Soles will be singing this Wednesday evening at 7:00 P.M. at Fairview Lutheran at 4215 Fairview Avenue, Minnetonka. Admission is free. I know this conflicts with some Wednesday night activities. If you are not free you can listen to some of his music online and buy a CD if you wish.

Poetry on Jezebel and Christ....

Jezebel Fell; Jesus Arose

Jezebel, used to having her own way,

vowed for Naboth's "No" there'd be hell to pay.

Worthless fellows were bribed to tell a lie:

"He cursed God and King -- stone this rebel guy!"

Painted face hosts tea under lush grape vines

But justice is not silenced by cakes and wines.

Nothing nullifies God's Word, clear and loud,

God gives grace to the meek, unseats the proud.

When Jehu came to town, Jezebel fell.

Hands and skull spoke that dogs had eaten well.

Jesus, stubborn to do his Father's will,

refused to bow to Satan on the hill.

He didn't come to drink tea in a vineyard

But to be the grapes, crushed and stomped down hard.

Worthless fellows were called to tell a lie:

"He'll wreak the temple -- crucify this guy!"

Cup of wrath drunk by the Innocent;

Justice served, hell paid, for those who repent.

We Gentile dogs don't feast on Jezebel.

Christ arose, by faith on Him we sup full well.

Jeannette Paulson 12/09

Paulson home flooded in 2009

If we have eyes to see, God sent a flood of grace in 2009 -- none of which we deserved and all of which we received with too little thanks......
First of all,
receiving the new mercies of the Lord every morning -- opportunity to be washed again from sin in the blood of the lamb,
enjoying health, home, jokes, flowers, food and the ability to think one thought after another,

feasting on Pastor John Piper's sermons on the gospel of John,

learning at Visionary Women to pray for our children and childrens' children and childrens' childrens' children,

hiking with Frieswicks on breath-taking Barn Bluff overlook the Mississippi,

swimming lessons early on cool summer mornings,

sewing doll quilts and doll clothes with Murphys,

discussing How to Write a Story by Lee Roddy with young writers,

Harlan and Jeannette helping in Sunday School with a staggering new curriculum: Rejoicing in God's Good Design: A Study for Youth on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood,

David working as an R.N. and living with Christian friends,

Joseph graduating with a B.A. in business from Thomas Edison,

Hannah getting a tooth implant and working in an assisted-living home in Rosemount,

Ruthiey selling shoes at Kohls,

Ruthiey, Andrew, and Stephen learning piano with gifted Mrs. Shepherd,

Stephen picking up guitar,

Esther and Abigail learning art with gifted Mrs. Mann,

and Hannah helping mom make a handy three-week menu.

These are God's gifts to us in 2009. Remembering them should shame us into a stubborn refusal, by His grace, to despair and quit. Remembering them should fill us with anticipation for God's continued gifts of grace on grace. He is GOOD.