April Quotes

Find updates about my puppies HERE.

Doctrine is important, but to fight over the smallest things as the world perishes without the gospel is tragic; a waste of gifts and strength.

-Paul Washer

The heart set to do the Father's will need never fear defeat. His promises of guidance may be fully counted upon. Does it make sense to believe that the Shepherd would care less about getting His sheep where He wants them to go than they care about getting there?

-Elisabeth Elliot

Friendship is the nearest thing we know to what religion is. God is love. And to make religion akin to Friendship is simply to give it the highest expression conceivable by man. 

-Henry Drummond

No man ever really finds out what he believes in until he begins to instruct his children.

-Unknown

The mills of God grind slowly; yet the grind exceeding small; Though with patience He stands waiting, with exactness grinds he all.

-Fredrick Von Logau

If you do not listen to theology, that will not mean that you have no ideas about God. It will mean that you have a lot of wrong ones! 

-C.S. Lewis

We can stop pleading with God to show us the future, and start living and obeying like we are confident that He holds the future.

-Kevin DeYoung

We are masters of the unsaid words, but slaves of those we let slip out. 

-Winston Churchill

I believe in Christianity as I believe the sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. 

-C.S. Lewis

There is a vast difference between failing and becoming a failure. We become a failure when we give up—when we stop trying. But as long as we are working on those sinful habits, regardless of how often we fail, we have not become a failure, and we can expect to see progress.

-Jerry Bridges

Christianity preaches the infinite worth of that which is seemingly worthless and the infinite worthlessness of that which is seemingly so valued.

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The Bible is of such universal and perennial interest that it will call forth comments and sermons without number, to the end of time. This of itself is sufficient evidence of its divine origin and character. It is now more extensively studied than ever before, and goes on conquering and to conquer in the face of all enemies. It is inexhaustible. It never grows old, but increases in interest and value as time flows on. Human books have their day, but ‘the Word of the Lord endureth forever.’

-Philip Schaff

Either you be governed by God or by God you’ll be governed.

-Benjamin Franklin

In order to give thanks when the sky is falling, you have to remember that it’s Jesus’ sky, and that He never promised it wouldn’t fall. 

-R.C. Sproul

The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith; and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety. 

-George Müller

The Reading Habits Tag

Well, there's an extra Friday this month, so I thought I'd pick up a book/reading tag from Lady B's blog. I don't write much about myself here anymore, but perhaps this will give my readers a little inside look at the author of all the Facing the Waves devotionals. I'm not just a writer. I'm a reader.

Random Facts about Me (and My Books)
Last year, I bought the lifetime version of LibraryThing.com and began cataloguing all my books. It was a long process at first, but now it's much easier, as I just add them in as I get them. Currently, I'm at 963 books. The scary thing is that I should be able to make it to 1000 books by the end of the year. Without any trouble.

I have nine individual shelves of books. Seven of which are in my room. I have two shelves of the books I used to read as a kid. One shelf holds counseling/coaching/life type books and my special fiction books. Another shelf has my favorite non-fiction books. The shelf above my bed has all the books I've never read (easily accessible ;), and the remaining two shelves holds fiction and non-fiction books that I don't read much.

I have the Kindle app on my laptop and I have several hundred books in there, I think. I'm trying to do better at reading them, because sometimes I forget they exist. I like my "real" books better. ;) I also have a Pinterest board of book quotes and book shelves and pictures and book house ideas. Maybe someday the hidden rooms or stairs or windowseats made out of books will be come a reality. 

I don't throw away books. Perhaps that's a fault of mine, but unless a book is completely bad with no hope of redemption, then I don't throw them away. I might not recommend them to people or display them where people can see them, but they're still there somewhere. 

I love series of books, and I attempt to collect them when I can. There are some amazing Christian fiction and allegory-type books coming out by young authors, and I'm hoping to find more series as I find good ones. The covers of books in the last 3-4 years...oh my. They've been amazing. I wish I could say that the content is always as good, but as I haven't read all the new books, I can't. However, the authors and illustrators and publishers are doing an amazing job of cover details. 

My family tells me I have book radar. There are few book stores or book sales that I can go by and not stop at. I also don't miss the signs leading up to them. I always take a book with me wherever I go. You know. Just In Case. I sign up for all the websites that offer free books, and I enter the giveaways for books (never won any, of course). And I'm starting to try to help out authors and buyers by posting short reviews--haven't created a habit of that, yet, but I hope to!

I don't like reading a series as it's published. I'd rather wait until the whole series is complete and then just read straight through it all. And I'm not one of those people who loves the books better than the movie necessarily. In some cases there are extreme differences, but somehow I can love the books and movies as they are and for what they show individually. 

So...all that because those are extra details you probably won't find in the answers to the tag questions. ;) 

1. Do you have a certain place at home for reading?
My bed or my desk(s). It really doesn't matter actually. I can read anywhere in any place. I like to read at my desk if it's a Kindle book or I read in my bed before I go to sleep. I remember when I was younger I cleaned out under my desk and created a little hideout by covering the desk with a blanket. Then I'd just sit under my desk and read there. It wasn't very comfortable, though, so it didn't last long. I think I liked the idea better than the reality of it. Couches are great for reading, too. 

2. Bookmark or random piece of paper?
Both. I use bookmarks primarily, but if I don't have one accessable, then I use paper, money, kleenex, tissue paper, grocery lists, receipts, bobby pins, another book, earbuds, or whatever happens to be lying around. I don't like lying the book face open, though. That's just horrible. I always stick something in it rather than splitting the spin by lying it down open. But I try to carry bookmarks around with me. I have a container next to my bed with all my special bookmarks in it.

3. Can you just stop reading or do you have to stop after a chapter/ a certain amount of pages?
Non-fiction books I can stop anywhere, though I always try to finish the chapter. When reading fiction, I try to end the scene, wherever that might be. But when all else fails, I just stop--fiction or non-fiction. I can usually pick it up just fine later on, so I don't think about it too much. 

4. Do you eat or drink while reading?
Yes, I have done and do both. Sometimes I'll avoid it if it's a really special book or if it's brand new, but I'm pretty good at not damaging books while I read. Comes with practice I guess...and from being homeschooled and doing online college. :P

5. Multitasking: Music or TV while reading?
Well, we've never had a TV, but I can read with movies and music. Sometimes I listen to music on purpose while reading. I don't typically read while watching a movie, but I have been tempted to sometimes. I can read through most noise and distraction, which I think is nice. It has it's pros and cons. ;) I can do many things while reading: listen to lectures for school (which isn't the best idea ever, actually), texting, music, listening to conversations, walking around the house, eating. And audio books are great when driving. I'm just finding that out recently!

6. One book at a time or several at once?
Several at once. I like finishing a book on a fairly regular basis, and that doesn't happen if it's a slower-going book. I have about four on the go right now. I tend to read fiction very quickly, so it's good to throw one of those in now and then to balance out the non-fiction that sometimes takes longer. I read several non-fiction at once to give me variety in topics and to connect mentally with another topic if one book is just not working. 

7. Reading at home or everywhere?
Everywhere! In doctors' offices, airplanes, cars, libraries, parks, beaches, malls, bedrooms, dentists', backyards, barns, lofts, alone, with friends. Anywhere, basically. When it's not rude. ;) And read late at night or early in the morning. 

8. Reading out loud or silently in your head?
In my head. I can read fine out loud, but I read much quicker in my head so it keeps me mentally alert, rather than forcing my brain to slow down to verbalizing each word. I understand things quicker and better when I read in my head, than when I read out loud. Though, when things are hard to understand (like for school or exams), I have been known to say the sentence or paragraph aloud to try to understand it better. I like reading in my head, because the imagination creates the voices and scenes which can be shattered if someone reads it aloud. 

9. Do you read ahead or even skip pages?
I read ahead. Particularly the endings. Especially if I'm suspicious of the author's plot and I want to make sure some character makes it to the end. In reading non-fiction, sometimes I'll skip ahead to a topic that I need or that is more relevant. However, I don't read ahead often, and if I do, I read it again when I come around to it a second time. I never skip pages not to read them. I just return to them later on. I once attempted to read ahead on a short story someone was writing for me. *cough* It didn't work very well despite my pleas and arguments. But they can't say I didn't try..and it was most fun in the process. :D 

10. Breaking the spine or keeping it like new?
I like to keep it new. Breaking the spine does eventually happen, but I try to keep my books in as good condition as they came (or better, if they were bought second-hand). I don't mind getting books in rough shape. I like to think they get a better home with me, but on the other hand, I love the new-new of books straight from the bookstore. 

11. Do you write in your books? 
The first thing I do when I get a book is write my name and the date in it. I didn't always do that, so I'm guessing that many of my books are missing that, but I've been doing it for several years now, and I intend to keep up the practice. I don't write in my books, but I will underline sentences or bracket paragraphs if I find them meaningful. I didn't used to do that, but college courses cause me to mark things so I wouldn't spend hours trying to find that one paragraph. I highlight in my Kindle books when I remember to do so. Other than that I don't typically write in my books. But I do write messages on the first available page when I'm giving books to friends. That's a special part of giving and receiving books. 

There you have it. A little more about me and my books. I read to learn...to educate myself, but also to find people, places, and characters who have lived life and come out victorious on the other side. I read to find hope. But the best place to receive wisdom, education, and hope is from the Bible. All other stories and authors are only tiny replicas of The Greatest Story ever written. And they are replicas in and of themselves, because, regardless of the content (and yes, sometimes it can be very bad content), people are made in the image of God and they have eternity set in their hearts. So whatever we do (though we can use it for good or bad due to our human nature) stems from an internal knowledge of a Creator, and is a tiny copy, a mirror, an imitation of the Best Author. 

So, yes...

What about you? 

His Names!

About five weeks ago I began a study on the names of God using Kay Arthur's book entitled Lord, I Want to Know You. I thought I'd share the names I've gone through so far.

When reading a book, it's often important to know the author and some of the background behind the story. It's even more important to know Jesus and who God is when reading Scripture. It's been encouraging to be reminded of the names of God over the last several weeks.

Names in Jewish history and culture held much more significance than names today. A name summed up the person and his character and sometimes the time period he lived in. For instance, Nabal's name meant "foolish", and as his wife attested to, he certainly lived up to that name. A priest's wife named her child Ichabod, meaning "Where is glory?" or "no glory", when she heard the ark of the covanent had been taken by the Philistines. Ruth means "friendship" and we see how she lived up to this name in her loyalty to Naomi.

So it is with the names of God--each one tells something about His character and who He is.

Elohim
This is the first of the names in the Old Testament, for it is used in Genesis 1:1. The significance of this name especially is that the Hebrew is plural, showing proof of the Trinity. This is the word often translated as "God" in the OT. He's the God of gods, and as described in Genesis, He is the Creator of the world. He is supreme over all and He created each one of us in the image of Himself. Knowing this name reminds us that we should be living out God's purpose for our lives since we bear His image in our body and spirit.

Worthy are you, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they existed and

were created.

Revelation 4:11

El Elyon

As the sovereign ruler of the universe, God is also the Most High God (as the name El Elyon means). He is in complete control of all and no one can thwart His plans or question His purposes. Nothing happens without His express permission and ultimate sanction. He controls life and death, poor and riche, honor and dishonor, light and dark, godly and wicked, weakness and strength, and is sovereign over absolutely everything else. Knowing this gives us assurance that the Most High's plans and purposes will prevail. 

I cry out to God Most High,

to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

Psalm 57:2

El Roi
This is the name revealed to Hagar after she was despised and mistreated of Sarai. Fleeing into the wilderness, God meets her there in the form of an angel, and promises that her son will be the first of many descendants. God would give her a son to be named Ishmael (meaning "God hears"), and Hagar would not ever forget how God heard her cry of affliction. After this encounter with God, Hagar is amazed that God would answer her and calls Him El Roi--the God who sees. Still today, there is nothing that God does not see, and sometimes in miraculous or ordinary ways He is pleased to answer our cries to Him. A reminder to us that nothing is hidden from God's sight.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place,

keeping watch on the evil and the good.

Proverbs 15:3

El Shaddai

God Almighty--the All-Sufficient One--appeared to Abram when he was ninety-nine years old. Renewing His covenant, that Abram would be the father of many nations, God uses the name El Shaddai to remind Abram that He can do anything, and that He will carry out His promise completely. He is sufficient for all. He's the sustainer of life, and His power is made perfect in weakeness. Through Paul, God reminds us that He is still El Shaddai to us today (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

When Abram was ninety-nine years old 

the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him,

"I am God Almighty;

walk before me and be blameless."

Genesis 17:1

Adonai

To be a believer in Christ, you must know God as Adonai--your Lord and Master. This is not merely a name someone can use of God, for Matthew records that there will be many who will call Jesus Lord, but not enter into heaven. As Lord and Master, this indicates our relationship and dependency on God. It shows that He has a right to demand obedience of us, and that we are to completely submit to Him .This name reminds us of God's Lordship over us, and is often translated as "Lord" in our English translations. The two words translated as Lord in Greet (NT) mean "supreme in authority, controller" and "an absolute ruler". This is the God we serve. 

I say to the Lord,

"You are my Lord;

I have no good apart from you."

Psalm 16:2

Jehovah

This name holds much history and meaning behind it. It's the name most frequently used in the OT and it comes from a Hebrew word meaning "to be, to become", which describes God's existence. It is typically translated as LORD in our Bibles, and it's the name which is related to the name God gave to Moses at the burning bush "I AM WHO I AM". God is self-existent, with no beginning or end. He gives life, but He is life in and of Himself. He cannot change, and His covenants remain steadfast. God revealed himself to Moses and the Israelites as Jehovah who is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in mercy and truth, and forgiving of sin though still exacting justice. 

God said to Moses,

"I AM WHO I AM."

And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel,

'I AM has sent me to you.'"

Exodus 3:14

There are many other names, and since I'm only one-third the way through Arthur's book, perhaps I will share more here as time goes on. I posted here two years ago of a video done by Eric Ludy going through the names of God. If you have the time, I'd encourage you to listen to it again HERE.

May you rest in the name of your God, knowing that it is a fortress and a strong tower for those who run to it. It is only in His name that you will find safety and security. 

Psalm 42

I have nothing of my own today, but we always have Scripture. Here's Psalm 42--a psalm I'm working on memorizing, and one that's often blessed me. It's a reminder that our spiritual thirst should be a thirst for the living God, and that though challenges and oppression will not cease, the Lord commands His steadfast love never to leave us. We have no reason to be anxious or cast down. Our salvation and hope is in God, and if that were the only reason to praise Him, it would be enough.

Psalm 42

As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, "Where is your God?"

These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival.

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. 

My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.

Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.

By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.

I say to the God, my rock: "Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?"

As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me all the day long, "Where is your God?"

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Daniel Craig's recent CD included a song of this psalm, and I know it has blessed many already.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xabZxjJnj7g

Gospel of John, Part 3

Part 1
Part 2

Read John 15:1 - 8. What does this passage teach about salvation? Discipleship? Eternal security?

~~~~~

Beginning with the seventh “I AM” statement, John 15 opens with Jesus’ words “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.” In using this allegory, Jesus was identifying with a common Jewish symbol and sight in Israel.[1] Vineyards populated the land, because wine was the main beverage in the ancient Near East culture, so this comparison would have immediately brought to mind the plants, vines, and fruit that grew over the countryside.[2] Also in using the reference to the “vine”, Jesus was pulling from Old Testament passages which described Israel as a vine though which the Messiah would bless the nations.[3] Using this imagery, Jesus teaches about salvation, discipleship, and eternal security in John 15:1-8.

Salvation is evidenced by good works or a lack thereof, so in this passage, when the Vinedresser prunes the vines, this demonstrates the true faith of a believer. The Vinedresser, the Father, does not prune the branches that do not bear fruit (evidence of a lack of salvation); instead, He cuts them down, throws them away, and burns them with fire. In pruning the branches (those who are truly saved), He causes the vine to bear more fruit, just as chastisement and suffering conform us more to the image of Christ.[4] Those who do not bear fruit are not merely imperfect believers, but those who reject Christ’s salvation.[5] Bearing fruit does not produce salvation, but proves the genuineness of salvation in Jesus’ disciples.[6]

Discipleship is described in a similar manner. Though the vine may have numerous branches, the Vinedresser can tell them apart distinguishing the true and false disciples. The disciples who abide in Christ, bear fruit through obedience, and continue in Christ’s love are representative of the true disciples, and the Vinedresser continually prunes them so that they bring forth more fruit.[7] The unregenerate branches on the vine have a different ending: that of complete destruction by fire. This does not refer to believers losing their salvation, because Jesus promises never to cast away those who come to Him in true saving faith.[8] For the human eye, it may be difficult to tell the state of heart in a person, for unbelievers can—for a time—act as genuine Christians, but the Vinedresser knows those who abide in Him, and in the end the lifeless branches will be cast into eternal torment.[9]

R.C. Sproul said “If you have salvation—if you are truly reborn and have saving faith in your soul—you will have it forever, because if you have it, you never can lose it, and if you seemingly lose it, you never really had it.”[10] Here is a description of the doctrine of eternal security found in John 15. Those who abide in Christ demonstrating their salvation and walking in obedience to Christ’s commands as disciples will be eternally secure in the Father’s hand. If a believer’s security were to fail, then God’s covenant would be broken and Christ’s sacrifice on the cross would be nothing.[11] There would be no reason for Christ to die, to offer salvation, or to grant eternal life if eternal security were based on man’s ability to remain faithful to Christ. In Jesus, the saved are secure in their salvation forever; they need not fear “falling away” or “losing” their salvation. That is not to mean that believers never sin, for they will, but those who abide in Christ, evidencing works of salvation and repentance, will never be plucked out of the Father’s hand.

In conclusion, abiding in Christ, bearing the fruit of obedience, and living with eternal security in view is all to be done for the glory of God, proving our salvation by our works and demonstrating that we are true disciples of the True Vine.[12] When we glorify God through our willing obedience and demonstrate true discipleship by abiding in Christ, then our joy will be full.[13]

________________________________

[1] Elmer Towns, The Gospel of John, 150.
[2] John MacArthur, The New Testament Commentary, John 1-11, 79.
[3] Psalm 80:8, Isaiah 5:2, Jeremiah 2:21
[4] Hebrews 12:5-11
[5] Leon Morris, Jesus is the Christ, 137.
[6] John 15:8
[7] John MacArthur, The New Testament Commentary, John 1-11, 146.
[8] John 6:37, John 10:28-29
[9] John MacArthur, The New Testament Commentary, John 1-11, 152.
[10] R.C. Sproul, John (St. Andrew’s Expositional Commentary), Chapter 46.
[11] Lewis Sperry Chafer, The Calvinistic doctrine of security, 14-15.
[12] John 15:8
[13] John 5:10-11