God Moves In A Mysterious Way

God moves in a mysterious way

His wonders to perform;

He plants His footsteps in the sea,

And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines

Of never failing skill

He treasures up His bright designs

And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;

The clouds ye so much dread

Are big with mercy, and shall break

In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,

But trust Him for His grace;

Behind a frowning providence

He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,

Unfolding every hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste,

But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,

And scan His work in vain:

God is His own interpreter,

And He will make it plain.

- Poem by William Cowper, 1731-1800

~Brittany

"All of the past, I believe, is a part of God's story for each child of His - a mystery of love and sovereignty, written before the foundation of the world, never a hindrance to the task He has designed for us, but rather the very preparation suited to our particular personality's need."  ~ Elisabeth Elliot

~Brittany

"Very rarely do you find an individual
who takes seriously the need to renew their mind.

You need to literally be saturating your life in the Word of God.

There's just no excuse for not doing it, and there's no replacement for it.

You must constantly renew the mind,
because your mind is constantly being attacked."

- Paul Washer -

(taken from his sermon series, The Gospel of Our Salvation, Part 7)

"My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed.

God has fixed the time for my death.

I do not concern myself about that,

but to be always, ready, no matter when it may overtake me.

That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave."

- General Thomas Jackson -

 (enjoying good family reading times :-) )

~Brittany

Elisabeth Elliot talks about "What Does It Mean to Be Holy?"

There is an active practice of holiness as we carry out, for the glory of God, the ordinary duties of each day, faithfully fulfilling the responsibilities given us. The passive practice consists in loving acceptance of the unexpected, be it welcome or unwelcome, remembering that we have a wise and sovereign Lord who works in mysterious ways and is never taken by surprise. Which of these two requirements of holiness (active or passive) is beyond our strength? Remember the words of the apostle Paul, and the conditions (he was in prison) under which he wrote them: “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation…. I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:12,13). This is all that God demands of us in His work of sanctification. He demands it from the high and the low, from the strong and the weak; in a word, from all, always and everywhere. A promise to which I have clung for many years is the prophetic word in Isaiah 50:7, “The Lord God will help me, therefore shall I not be confounded, therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.” Perfection does not consist in understanding God’s designs but in submitting to them, for “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Sometimes the explanation of his purpose (Romans 8:29) is overlooked: “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.” God works in the soul to make it holy—to make it, finally, like Himself. The whole essence of the spiritual life consists in recognizing the designs of God for us at the present moment.

~Elisabeth Elliot from portions in her July/August 1999 newsletter

The pathway to holiness is located right where you are. In those circumstances, in those relationships, in that tiredness, in that challenge. The grace of God to make you holy is

right there.
~Elisabeth Elliot

Posted by~Breanna

His Greatest Mercies--His Meaning is Always Love

"Here is a little story about a simple answer to prayer.  Lars was away.  I had to take the car to the repairman’s house.  Li Zeng, our live-in student, followed me in his car to bring me home.  Directions to the house had been ambiguous, and Gloucester, Massachusetts gets the prize for town-easiest-to-get-lost-in.  I prayed that I might not get lost—Li had to get to class, the repairman had to leave at 7:15.  I got lost, made a quick turn without checking to see that Li was still with me.  He wasn’t.  “Lord, Li will be late for class, the man will leave in a few minutes—what shall I do?”  It’s a long story, but after a phone call I found the house, left the car, declined the man’s kind offer to take me home because I wanted to find Li so he would not miss his class.  How was I to find him?  “Lord, help me.”  I stood at an intersection and prayed that he would come along—an absurd request in a place like Gloucester.  He’d been on a one-way street which would take him far out around the shore drive, with no reason to happen upon the intersection where I stood.  Within five minutes there he was!  God teaches us to ask so that He may answer our prayers.  This reminds us of the source of our blessings.  The answer to my prayer not to get lost was No—in order that I might be specially blessed in the way I was found.

Remember how the Lord brought Israel out (of Egypt) in order to bring them in (to Canaan)?  He got me lost that He might get me found!  Let’s never forget that some of His greatest mercies are His refusals.  He says no in order that he may, in some way we cannot imagine, say yes.  All His ways with us are merciful.  His meaning is always love."

~Elisabeth Elliot, Keep a Quiet Heart

~Brittany

Heat Lightning ~ Nature Declaring God's Power, Control, and Sovereignty

While staying with some friends this weekend to help out, Elizabeth and I were privileged to get to sit outside and watch some heat lightning for the first time.  Haven't checked my camera yet but I don't think any of my shots turned out real well, so thanks to the Smith's for capturing these. :-)  The Lord's creation is so amazing.  It was really an incredible thing to watch.  Nature is such a good reminder of God's powerful, all controlling, sovereign, strong hand.

~Brittany