A Challenge to All Fellow Believers

Remember next time you are tempted to look sideways at a brother or sister for an action of theirs that you are only a step away yourself from "falling off of the curb" (or mis-stepping, trespassing, SINNING). Put yourself in their shoes for a minute in your mind and ponder not only how you would feel but also if you would be in need of a friend. Would your heart not be even more deeply burdened by the gawking and slander of seemingly perfect people? And at what point was it that you yourself reached perfection? We are told in the fourth chapter of the book of James to not speak evil against one another or to judge (v. 11), and that there is only one lawgiver and judge and he is able to save and destroy (v. 12) - what can you do for that person? You can do what Christ would!

Would Christ turn his head the other way when that person comes walking across their path because he is worried he might say something wrong as a result of his own harsh opinion? He would put his loving arm around that person's shoulder and gently guide him back in the direction he needs to go and will speak the sweet words, "You are forgiven."

That is exactly how we need to be - full of grace and forgiveness, and willing to help one another get back to where we need to be.

(Disclaimer: This post is not being written because I have a specific example in mind of when this was done. I am not writing this to any one or group of individuals and it does also apply to myself. It is just simply something that I came to realize tonight and I hope it is taken well. Sometimes words of truth are not what we want to hear and can be perceived as harsh. I am not saying this to judge those who are doing the judging either, but rather to encourage them to look at the picture a little differently. I also do realize that not everyone is approachable and willing to accept the help of others, but we can still show grace without speaking!)

A little bit of humor..

My sisters and I put together a quick comic strip after dinner tonight about our mother who has an unending supply of great new ideas for what she will sew next for her etsy shop! We love you, Mom!




Oh, the little scribbles on the wall on slide number 3 are of Ava's special touch.

"Christ is All"

“If a man has Christ, then what does he want else? If a man has Christ, he has everything. If I want perfection, and I have Christ, I have absolute perfection in Him. If I want righteousness, I shall find in Him my beauty and my glorious dress.

I want pardon, and if I have Christ, I am pardoned. I want heaven, and if I have Christ, I have the Prince of heaven, and shall be there by-and-bye, to live with Christ, and to dwell in His blessed embrace for ever. If you have Christ, you have all.

Do not be desponding, do not give ear to the whisperings of Satan that you are not the children of God; for if you have Christ, you are His people, and other things will come by-and-bye. Christ makes you complete in Himself; as the apostle says, “Ye are complete in Him.”

I think of poor Mary Magdalene. She would have nothing to bring of her own. She would remember that she had been a harlot but when she comes to heaven’s gates, she will say, ‘I have Christ,’ and the command will go forth, ‘Let her in, Gabriel; let her in.’

If a man has Christ, he has all for eternity. And if he has not Christ, he is poor, and blind, and naked, and will be miserable forever. Will not you, then, who are listening to me now, resolve, in the strength of the Lord, to seek Him at once, and make Him your Friend?

No matter what may be your state or condition, you are invited to come to Him. Ye blind, ye lame, who are far from Christ, come to Him, and receive your sight, and obtain strength! He is made your all; you need bring nothing in your hand to come to Him.

‘Ah!’ says one, ‘I am not good enough yet.’ Beggars do not talk thus: they consider that, the more needy they are, the more likely are they to obtain that for which they ask. The worse the dress, the better for begging. It is the same with respect to the gospel.

You are invited to come to Christ just as you are, naked and miserable, that He may clothe and comfort you.”

–Charles H. Spurgeon, “Christ is All” an exposition of Colossians 3:11 delivered on February 18, 1915, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, England.

First Love

"So, beloved, if we live near to Christ, we cannot help loving him: the heart that is near Jesus must be full of his love. But when we live days and weeks and months without personal intercourse, without real fellowship, how can we maintain love towards a stranger? He must be a friend, and we must stick close to him, as he sticks close to us—closer than a brother; or else, we shall never have our first love."

I just finished listening to this sermon by C.H. Spurgeon this morning on the Declension From First Love. The message is based on Revelation 2:4 where Paul is speaking to the church at Ephesus. The Ephesians had seemingly everything in order in their church, but they were missing something important - they had left their First Love.

Brothers and Sisters, if you are suffering today, perhaps it is that you have lost your first love. Maybe your walk is well seasoned but your passion for God has dissipated. Or perhaps you are a young Christian and you are still blossoming - the fire has not gone out but is burning brightly. We must remember that it is bound to happen to all of us that the fire will go out for a time. The points that Spurgeon makes here are helpful in guarding against that likelihood of letting your First Love slip away from your hearts and minds and also in getting your First Love back.

There are so many points I want to make here, but I'm afraid I'd go into too much detail and then prevent you from actually listening to the message which is given much better than I ever could (possibly because I'm not intended to)! So I will end my portion here and allow you to move forth and fill your cup with spiritual goodness.

So here it is:

"Declension From First Love"
C.H. Spurgeon

L.O.V.E.

God's love is perfected in us if we love because he loved... [1 John 4:7-12]

This love (agape) is not the love that we as humans are capable of producing on our own based on feelings/emotions. This love is a selfless love - a love that we may only receive from God. A love poured out through us, given us by the Holy Spirit. It is a sacrificial love. A love that gives without expectation. A love that gives unconditionally. It is through this love that we love one another as Christ loved us.

The perfect example of this kind of love was acted out when He sent his Son to die on the cross for undeserving sinners (us!) to provide eternal life through the ultimate sacrifice.

"By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." 1 John 3:16

So with that being said... let us LOVE!

(It is so exciting to be able to understand these things!!!! OK, This is the end of my thought process for it is late. It is bedtime now... Goodnight my nonexistent readers!)

Puzzles and Cups

I am often amazed at God's timing of things and how he brings about little pieces of wisdom to fill our personal puzzles with.

I continue to be thankful for the fact that I am able to serve a God who is not only gracious but loves to see us happy and bless us.

Today, my cup is full.

"For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the work of your hands I sing for joy." Psalm 92:4

What A Savior!

"When the cares of my heart are many, your consolation cheers my soul." Psalm 94:19

I am so thankful for God's mercy and grace, and the joy he fills me with even amidst the most pugnacious of trials. Thank you, God, for all you do - for never leaving or forsaking your children.