It is no coincidence that both John Calvin and Robert E. Lee, who each suffered incredible, sustained physical and mental trials in their lives, and remained faithful, had a theology of suffering.
Calvin says "When God, therefore, wishes to lead us to repentance, he may be compelled to continually repeat his blows, either because we are not moved when he chastises us with his hand, or we seem roused for a time, then return again to our former dullness. He is therefore compelled to redouble his blows."
Lee says, "We must expect reverses, even defeats. They are sent to teach us wisdom and prudence, to call forth greater energies and to prevent our falling into greater disasters."
May our sovereign God grant his church today this theology of suffering so she may stand in the battle.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Faith to Go to China on.
One of my favorite quotes is from Hudson Taylor: "Every difficulty is merely a platform for the manifestation of his grace, power and love."
Ruth A. Tucker says that "No other missionary in the nineteen centuries since the apostle Paul has has had a wider vision and has carried out a more systematized plan of evangelizing a broad geographical area than Hudson Taylor." No one can do the work of Hudson Taylor without the faith of Hudson Taylor. And, need I say, the infinitely majestic, powerful God of Taylor. WORLD magazine just interviewed a fourth generation descendent of Taylor. He is following the Lord. Oh, God, give us faith to see you and then labor to bear fruit in the nations around and in our children and children's children.
Ruth A. Tucker says that "No other missionary in the nineteen centuries since the apostle Paul has has had a wider vision and has carried out a more systematized plan of evangelizing a broad geographical area than Hudson Taylor." No one can do the work of Hudson Taylor without the faith of Hudson Taylor. And, need I say, the infinitely majestic, powerful God of Taylor. WORLD magazine just interviewed a fourth generation descendent of Taylor. He is following the Lord. Oh, God, give us faith to see you and then labor to bear fruit in the nations around and in our children and children's children.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Don't wish for no afflictions
Don't, I repeat, wish for no afflictions. Jeremiah Burroughs in his book The Evil of Evils says "lack of afflictions comes from God's wrath." When God says in Hosea 4:14 "I will not punish their daughters when they commit adultery," he is turning Israel out of the house.
Missionary martyr Betty Stam died violently in China. During the Boxer Rebellion there was a great deal of hostility toward foreigners, and though she and her husand knew soldiers were coming, they were not able to escape. Here is a poem she wrote that profoundly expresses that God is in the afflictions of the believer:
I'm Standing
I'm standing, Lord;
there is a mist that blinds my sight.
Steep jagged rocks, front, left and right,
Lower, dim, gigantic, in the night.
Where is the way?
I'm standing, Lord;
The black rock hems me in behind.
Above my head a moaning wind
Chills and oppresses heart and mind.
I am afraid.
He answered me, and on His face
A look ineffable of grace.
Of perfect, understanding love,
Which all my murmuring did remove.
I'm standing, Lord;
Since Thou hast spoken, Lord, I see
Thou hast beset - these rocks are Thee!
And, since Thy love encloses me,
I stand and sing.
Missionary martyr Betty Stam died violently in China. During the Boxer Rebellion there was a great deal of hostility toward foreigners, and though she and her husand knew soldiers were coming, they were not able to escape. Here is a poem she wrote that profoundly expresses that God is in the afflictions of the believer:
I'm Standing
I'm standing, Lord;
there is a mist that blinds my sight.
Steep jagged rocks, front, left and right,
Lower, dim, gigantic, in the night.
Where is the way?
I'm standing, Lord;
The black rock hems me in behind.
Above my head a moaning wind
Chills and oppresses heart and mind.
I am afraid.
He answered me, and on His face
A look ineffable of grace.
Of perfect, understanding love,
Which all my murmuring did remove.
I'm standing, Lord;
Since Thou hast spoken, Lord, I see
Thou hast beset - these rocks are Thee!
And, since Thy love encloses me,
I stand and sing.
Another Gem from Robert E. Lee
"Neither violence nor harshness should ever be used in child rearing, and the parent must bear constantly in mind, that to govern his child, he must show him that he can control himself."
A Personal Note
This morning I gave my blog to God. When I was born again in 1981 I gave my dream of writing to God. "I don't want to write unless it for your glory," I told my King. Seeing his majesty had transformed me. So, my blog belongs to God. If I can pass on some of the truths that encourage me, and they encourage you, and God is glorified, I will be happy.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Tongue Weapons
One of the most powerful weapons of Satan is the tongues of his followers. Psalm 52 says to the evil man: "Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you workers of deceit. You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking what is right."
In the May 9, 09 issue of WORLD magazine, Marvin Olasky gives "four deadly questions" to counter the ranter of evil:
1. What do you mean by that?
2. Where do you get your information?
3. How do you know you're right?
4. What happens if you are wrong?
I want to tuck these in my pocket for further use.
In the May 9, 09 issue of WORLD magazine, Marvin Olasky gives "four deadly questions" to counter the ranter of evil:
1. What do you mean by that?
2. Where do you get your information?
3. How do you know you're right?
4. What happens if you are wrong?
I want to tuck these in my pocket for further use.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Wisdom of Robert D. Lee
"I know how prone we are to censure and how ready to blame others for the non-fulfillment of our expectations. This is unbecoming in a generous people, and I grieve to see its expression."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
