Powerful in the Original German- O Holy Night!

My favorite traditional Christmas Carol...
Today, I stumbled across the literal English translation from the original German and was richly blessed by it's beautiful gospel worship...

Midnight, Christians, it is the solemn hour,

When God-man descended to us

To erase the stain of original sin

And to end the wrath of His Father.

The entire world thrills with hope

On this night that gives it a Savior.

People kneel down, wait for your deliverance.

Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer,

Christmas, Christmas, here is the Redeemer!

May the ardent light of our Faith

Guide us all to the cradle of the infant,

As in ancient times a brilliant star

Guided the Oriental kings there.

The King of Kings was born in a humble manger;

O mighty ones of today, proud of your greatness,

It is to your pride that God preaches.

Bow your heads before the Redeemer!

Bow your heads before the Redeemer!

The Redeemer has overcome every obstacle:

The Earth is free, and Heaven is open.

He sees a brother where there was only a slave,

Love unites those that iron had chained.

Who will tell Him of our gratitude,

For all of us He is born, He suffers and dies.

People stand up! Sing of your deliverance,

Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer,

Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer!

Wednesday Scoop 'O Soup

Welcome to my favorite "Tried&True" soup recipe!
Veggie Minestrone

This is one of those recipes that is so familiar I can shop for it and prepare it from memory.....but I remember when it was new to me.

I remember googling soup recipes that day. 
I was sitting in a brand new kitchen, in a newly built house. It was my home, but I was 707 miles from anything I'd ever known.
My husband (of only 5 months) had just driven away to his first day in a new office, and I was gearing up to go buy groceries to stock our bare fridge and cupboards.  We had just moved from our born-and-raised hometown of Racine, WI. to NorthWest Arkansas so that Steve could fulfill a 2 year rotation in his job with SCJ.

My eyes landed on this recipe. It sounded good. 
I added the ingredients to my list, and off I went, with map in hand, and directions to what I thought was the nearest market.  Later, I would learn that in my 18 mile drive, I had passed 3 other markets that would have been much nearer to our new house. =)

Those were hard and very, very good days!  Steve and I had only each other, and we loved it!!! God was so faithful - sovereignly caring for even the littlest details - like leading me to a soup recipe that would become a family favorite for years to come!

Ingredients:
4 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
4 cups tomato juice
1 tablespoon dried basil leaves
1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 medium carrots, sliced (1 cup)
2 medium celery stalks, chopped (1 cup)
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms (3 oz)
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 1/2 cups uncooked rotini pasta (4 1/2 oz)
Shredded Parmesan cheese, if desired

Step 1:
In 4- to 5-quart slow cooker, mix all ingredients except pasta and cheese.
Step 2:
Cover; cook on Low heat setting 7 to 8 hours.
Step 3:Stir in pasta. Increase heat setting to High; cover and cook 15 to 20 minutes longer or until pasta is tender. Sprinkle each serving with cheese.
Note: I prefer to cook the pasta while I'm preparing the soup, immediately rinsing in cold water and coating with a small amount of Olive Oil....then adding into the soup for the last 5-10 min to heat through.  This avoids their becoming too soft!

Wednesday Scoop O'Soup

My Man's favorite. Heavy on the chicken, cooked-just-right egg noodles, in a spicy (thanks to Mom's secret added kick) steamy broth.  The first time Steve had this soup was during our dating days.  I was way far away (too far away) in Dallas, and he was sick here in Racine.  I petitioned my Mom to take care of him, and given the fact that he still requests "your mom's chicken noodle soup - you know - the one she brought me when I was sick" to this day, I'd say she did a good job of it. =)

"Your" Mom's Chicken Noodle Soup:

4-5 large frozen chicken breasts, cooked and cut into bite size pieces.
32 oz. Chicken broth.  My Mom makes her's by straining the chicken water and adding salt to taste.
  I like the Organic Free Range Chick Broth by Pacific Natural Foods.

2 C chopped celery
2C chopped carrots
1 C sweet yellow onion, diced.
AND.... here's Mom's secret... 1 Tbl Cayenne Pepper Hot Sauce.
(There is nothing like it on sore throats and swollen sinuses.)

1 16 oz Bag of Reames Frozen, Homemade Egg Noodles.  Freezer section at the market.

Add all ingredients, except the noodles, together in slow cooker on low (for all day), or in pot on the stove. 
Simmer until veggies are tender. 
This recipe can be prepared to this point and then frozen for ease in later use.

Add the egg noodles and continue to simmer for 20-25 minutes until cooked through. 
Serve hot, be filled, and feel better!

Top Ten

1) Kaylene Grace is walking.  She's extremely cautious, most likely evidence of inheriting her momma's lack of natural athletic ability, hah, but she's tottering and waddling around our home and absolutely the cutest thing in the process.

2)Steve and I celebrated 9 Years of covenant love. 3 different houses called home. 4 babies treasured. 1 baby dearly missed. 2 career transitions. 6.5 years of middle school ministry. Countless falls deeper in love. Endless laughter.  A zillion failures. A zillion forgivenesses. So much more of His grace than we know to express...

3) My friend, Mary! The way she comes to my house to accommodate my little one.  The way she goes right for the heart in accountability, listening with the most sincere expressions of concern.  Her transparency and humility.  The way she remembers and follows up what has been shared. The way she gets and shares my excitement for the gospel applied to every situation.  I am so thankful for this friend and sister in Christ!

4) Watching Glendon participate in soccer camp.  There is nothing more entertaining and fun than a bunch of 1st graders playing the game with an energy and intensity  that abundantly makes up for any lack in skill.

5) Answering the phone to hear the voice of my dear sweet Grandfather who is battling through progressive stages of congestive heart failure.  His voice was labored because catching his breath is hard, but the encouragement and exhortation he shared was priceless.  It was a conversation that promoted only the praise of the Lord! Death has truly lost it's sting through Christ!

6) A series of pictures and texts that streamed in from my ultra sophisticated brother who was away on business in New York City! Tim spread the love of Christ to a man who tried to steal his subway card by freely giving it to him in Jesus' name! 

7) Psalm 22 - taught and discussed at RBC this morning. Wallowing around in the psalm to which Jesus pointed the hearts and minds of those present at His cross.  Even in His deepest suffering, He was about the fulfilling and finished work of the gospel to be made real in needy hearts.  The Holy one was forsaken and afflicted in my place.  Now I stand in His righteousness!

8) My parents who lovingly watched our children for three days, allowing Steve and I to kidnap each other away to one of our favorite haunts yet.  The time away was such an undeserved time of joy and fun in being together...and we're still hearing the stories of what fun our kiddos had on their own special retreat!

9) My SG girl, Olivia who I call, "OOOoooooLIVia".  Kind, joy-filled and super cute is only the start with this girl!  She loves Jesus, but she wants to love Him more.  She wants to be so filled with His love, that loving others would just flow out of her surrendered heart.  She desires to testify to His work in her life. She wants to share the gospel in a real way with the people in her life. She gets teary when she talks about God's work in her life.  She puts others first.  I prayed that God would enable me to wisely build into Olivia.  I came away richly encouraged by her and praising God for her!

10) Cookies. In the mailbox. Homemade. Delicious - reminders of how we are blessed through a certain youth Pastor and his girl!

11)The lyrics to this song by Arron Shust: 
That you would leave Your throne
And make this world Your home
Forsaking majesty
Embracing mundane
And all of its shame

You walked our dusty streets
Healing a world in need
You looked into the eyes
Of sinners like me
Setting us free

What wondrous love is this
What wondrous love is this
That You would lay aside Your glory for my soul
What wondrous love is this
What wondrous love is this
That You would lay down Your life for my soul

Enduring agony
You bore the cross for me
Betrayed by those You love
You took all our blame
Bearing our pain

They nailed Your feet
They nailed Your hands
You are the God
Who understands
You know rejection
Loss and grief
You loved a world
That nailed You to a tree

Wednesday Scoop O'Soup

Today's soup recipe is a Bower kitchen favorite making it's debut in the Schulz home.
It's delicious aromas have led to some significant snitching on my part - Yummy!


Hearty Ham and White Bean Soup

Ingredients

1 Tb olive oil
1 sweet onion, diced
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 large carrots, peeled, halved lengthwise ans sliced thin
1/2 cabbage, cored, cut into bit-size shreds
12 ounces lean ham steak, diced into small pieces
1 quart chicken broth
1 14.5 can petite-diced tomatoes
2 cans (15 oz each) white beans, undrained
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Heat the oil over medium high in a soup kettle.

Add onion, saute until soft and golden, about five minutes.

Add the Italian seasoning and saute until fragrant, about one minute.

Add the remaining ingredients, then bring to a full simmer, skimming any foam that rises to the surface.

~I prepared the soup to this point yesterday, stored in the fridge over night and now have simmering on low in our slow cooker. 

Reduce heat to low, simmer gently (partially covered) until the vegetables are just cooked and flavors blended, about 15 minutes.

Stir in the parsley; cover and let stand for five minutes

Top Ten + 1

1 - Tuesday evening. A hard night. An evening of failure, many tears, and desperate awareness of my neediness. Because I yearn for His likeness to be formed in me, this is a highlight!

2- Wednesday morning. The power of God's living and active word never ceases to grab me, wash me, change me, empower me.
Ps72:12-14 "For He delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence He redeems their life, and precious is their blood in His sight."

3- Steve. The tender and wise way in which he shepherds me through such times. The way he listens, willingly making himself vulnerable. The way he gives correction through the word and gentle prayer over me. I don't deserve his love and leading - that's for sure. He continues to be the hugest human expression of God's grace in my life!

4 - Soup recipes. A new one experienced and embraced this week and thanks to my friend, Libby, several more lined up to be enjoyed in the weeks ahead!

5 - Lauren. Sister in Christ. Friend. Co-laborer in youth ministry. Jesus Christ is shining bright in this sweet gal's love for others. I have observed her tangibly reaching out and extending welcome twice this past week in ways that challenged me!

6 - Glendon received correction and discipline from God-given authorities at school this week. The platform this gave Steve and I for proclaiming the rescue that is found in Christ to our son was huge. How God worked in my mother-heart's reaction to this situation exercised and strengthened my faith in ways I would never chose to by-pass.

7 - A bunch of Middle Schoolers, flashlight games. Too-yummy snacks. Hot cider and cozy bonfire. Fall Fun Night with the MS youth was such a joy-filled night. Best part was the part where we all gathered around the fire and shared about God's work in our lives. Just about the time I think I love these kids as much as I ever will, God does something to further knit my heart to them...

8 - CHELLE! The way she loves Jesus! The way she drives a go-cart like a crazy lady. The way she carves pumpkin welcome signs and opens her home. The way she serves with heart and soul. The way she brought her new employer to church to hear about Jesus this morning!

9 - Pumpkin Farm. Yummy family fun! I commend to all within driving distance the amazing Salted Carmel Pecan Fudge we discovered at Borsynski's Farm!!!

10 - The rich blessing of spiritual fellowship given to us through Jesus Christ. On Friday morning, with a dear friend and sister who knows how to literally "pour courage" into my heart. On Sunday afternoon, with one of my SG girls who loves to laugh and talk about Jesus! I treasured both!

11 - Chris Tomlin's rendition of "All The Way My Savior Leads Me".... a theme of my heart throughout this past week.
"You lead me and keep me from falling,
You carry me close to Your heart,
And surely Your goodness and mercy will follow me."

Wednesday Scoop O' Soup...

Today's soup recipe is bubbling away in my crock pot for the first time - thanks to my friend, Kathy.

Kathy is wife, mother, step-mom(to my cousins), and grandmother. While our paths rarely cross in person, facebook has given us connection, where her love for her Saviour, her husband, cooking, the outdoors, and pilates has been of great encouragement to my walk...

Thank you, Kathy, for posting this recipe.  I have been eager to mix it up in the Schulz kitchen ever since!

Chipotle-Kissed Red Bean and Sweet Potato Chili

1 tablespoon olive oil or water or broth
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 medium red pepper, seeded and chopped
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon chili powder, to taste
1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
14 1/2 ounces crushed tomatoes
15 ounces canned kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups water
salt — to taste
1 tablespoon canned chili peppers — chipotle in adobo sauce

In a large skillet, sauté the onions, pepper and garlic in oil or substitutes, cover and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chili powder and cook 30 seconds,then add the sweet potatoes and stir to coat evenly with the spices.
Transfer the mixture to a 4-6 quart slow cooker and add the beans and tomatoes. Season with salt and cover, cook on LOW for 6-8 hours.
Add the chipotles just before serving and adjust the seasonings to taste.
Source: Fresh from the Vegetarian Slow Cooker

Top 10 From Last Week.

1) Quote from Staupitz, a friend of Martin Luther's who was urged to insist on Luther's recanting... his reply, "I have often tried, but I am not equal to him in ability and command of Scripture."
I desire and cry out for this kind of love and grasp of scripture's truth!

2) This 12 minute testimony of the Watters family's love for Victor, and of his love for Jesus...changed how I pray for my children.  The parent who cries out in faith, receives and rejoices in whatever it takes for God to grab our kid's hearts...even life-taking disease.  Watch it!

3) This week she sat down with my small group of middle school girls as their new discipler, but 7 years ago, she was the awkward, struggling 11 yr old, grappling with gospel truth.  I was the awkward, struggling leader with far to go in learning how to disciple her... God's grace covers all!  He granted us relationship then, now, and every season in between. It is joy to see God's grace unfolding in her life as she is now the leader who will cry out for her girl's hearts and then see God answer in powerful ways!

4) My first field trip as a Mom/chaperon.  God ordained drive time with Glendon and two of his classmates, Dominic and Lucas.  Because of Domnic's position in the car nearest to me, we had LOTS of conversation together.  God gave me several platforms to clearly share the gospel with him!

5) 15 women and Psalm 16. Saturday morning. Bible study. Accountability. Prayer and Worship!

6) Annual Leader's meeting where parents of current youth students come together with the leaders to discuss youth ministry!  I was challenged afresh with the call to reach my girls with the Word, Prayer and Love!

7) An unplanned visit with my friend, Carol during the library story time, leading to an impromptu discussion about our prayer lives - where God is drawing us into deeper communion with him. This conversation was 15 minutes of edification on steroids!!!

8) Deliverance and Victory as only God can give...worked out in the life of our Glendon.  Our son initiated, with tears of struggle in his eyes, a decision completely of his own volition, to forgo the privilege of taking a certain toy to school (something his teacher had given him permission for) because "God was telling him that having this toy there would distract him from his work and loving other people."  I have been praying Ps51:6 daily for G..."You delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart."   God alone could work this evidence of grace in Glendon's heart...and in so doing, continues to deliver me from my sinful tendency to seek control over my son's behaviour and environment. I do not know what God will do with Glendon, but this one thing I know from the bottom of my heart.  He is mighty to save and deliver.  His power over sin is great!

9) Our family hike in the woods.  We took several pictures, but none quite captured the beauty of the sun, colorful leaves and delightful breezes.

10) Laughter.  The amount of sheer laughter Steve and I have shared this weekend over the most random of topics!  The joy of fun-ness together is such a gift and treasure!

Wednesday Scoop O'Soup

During the school year, Wednesday nights are soup nights. I make a big batch of something hot, bubbly, and somewhat nutritious (I need more help from my friend, Libby on the nutritious part =). There's salad and bread for the side, making a quick and easy supper before we fly out the door to all that constitutes Wednesday night for the Schulz 5. Most soup recipes run quite large and reheat well, so we always save the leftovers to simmer in the crock pot for Sunday's noon meal...


This week it is White Chicken Chili that awaits our bowls, spoons and tummies...
I still remember the first time I had a taste of this delicious recipe, compliments of my sister in law, Deena. Steve and I had been dating for about 4 months when he invited me to join him and some of his family members for Monday Night Football. Little did I know at the time how much I would come to love Monday night football, though I had a fairly strong inkling that I was head over heels for the guy who invited me...and an instant love of the soup we ate that night!

Nearer the time of our marriage, Deena gifted me with a small cookbook sharing some of her favorite Monday Night recipes. I have been making White Chicken Chili ever since, and treasure still the memories it's warm spicy auroma carries!

White Chicken Chili:

4 C. Chicken Broth. Or one 32 oz box of premade broth.
1 Jar Randall Great White Northern beans drained. If using canned...48oz.
1-2lb Chicken Breast, boiled and cubed. My man likes his meat, so I use 3-4 large chicken breasts.
2 cups salsa any kind. Get picky with your specific "hotness" preference and flavor.
1 Tbl Cumin
Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese (we use any kind)
Crushed tortilla chips

Mix all ingredients except cheese and chips in pot (works well in crock pot too).
Simmer together all day - or until well heated and bubbly.
Top with cheese and chips.
Enjoy!

Top 10 From Last Week - In Random Order

1) Getting a hold of and beginning a much anticipated book, "Here I Stand" - a biography on the life and work of Martin Luther by Roland Bainton.

2) The radical weather changes that is, Autumn in Wisconsin, afforded us with several early morning to-school drives under heavy bluish-purple storm clouds interspersed with rays of golden-white sunrise bursting through. The contrast was lovely and I greatly enjoyed the audible ooh's and aahs' from the back seat!

3) An email from my pen pal! Yes, I have a pen pal; something I longed for when I was 10 years old, God has given to me now. She lives in my city, goes to my church where we smile and wave at each other - sometimes grabbing bits of conversation, though neither of us finds that public demonstration necessary to fortify our friendship. We have writing, and even there, it is not the frequency of our letters, but the purpose and depth of their sharing. It's something our friendship kind of "fell into", and I am so thankful! This week's letter was like all the others from this friend....convicting, encouraging, transparent and sincere.

4) Having our nephew, Jordan and his sweet girlfriend, Elisa, attend church with us last Sunday. It was such a blessing to catch up with them a bit, introduce them to many of our friends, and sense a steadfast desire for the Lord in these two college freshmen!

5) Mommy/Son date with my big boy, Glendon Peter. We grabbed our favorite warm drinks from Caribou and then headed to cheer on Allie and Olivia (two of my small group girls) at their volley ball game! Go Eagles! G and I enjoyed great conversation on the way down and fun worship on the way back!

6)Acts 2:42-47. I know our Pastor's sermon from this morning is technically part of the new week, but it's Sunday evening and a definite highlight, so I can't NOT include it....
I long and desire and cry out to the Lord to make me a member who participates in/with a church which is motivated by and for the gospel as this passage sets forth.

7)An email from Steve on Tuesday that read, "4 weeks, 2 days." We are unashamedly counting down to a planned get-away to rejoice in the 9 years of marriage God has so graciously given us!

8)Joe and Laurel and Jorja Makovsky - new friends from our ABF who joined us on Friday night for some bonfire fun. We asked how we might pray for their family. They want to love Jesus by seeking and pursuing how He might use them in the life of an orphan! We loved getting to know this family better!

9) Suffering. A new layer and depth of which a sister in Christ was brought into. We have texted, talked, and prayed together. I have wept for her and am so thankful for how God would allow me to see her faith be tested, refined and strengthened. He is showing Himself to be her Trustworthy Redeemer in radical ways!

10)Psalm 59:9-10a,17. A treasure from my personal Bible meditation. When contrasted, these two portions of this psalm show the progression and fruit of true faith. Where there is a watching for - there will be singing. Where there is confident waiting, there will be direct experience. God is our Refuge! After receiving this encouragement in my own walk, I was also given 2 situations where I could share the same treasure with another - all in one day! I love how the Word of Life meets us with what we need, but at the same time enables and prepares us to edify others!

A Poem Echo of my Heart...

Bitter and Sweet
by John Newton


1 Kindle, Saviour, in my heart,
A flame of love divine;
Hear, for mine I trust thou art,
And sure I would be thine;
If my soul has felt thy grace,
If to me thy name is known;
Why should trifles fill the place
Due to thyself alone?

2 'Tis a strange mysterious life
I live from day to day;
Light and darkness, peace and strife,
Bear an alternate sway:
When I think the battle won,
I have to fight it o'er again;
When I say I'm overthrown,
Relief I soon obtain.

3 Often at the mercy-seat,
While calling on thy name,
Swarms of evil thoughts I meet,
Which fill my soul with shame.
Agitated in my mind,
Like a feather in the air,
Can I thus a blessing find?
My soul, can this be pray'r?

4 But when Christ, my Lord and Friend,
Is pleas'd to show his pow'r
All at once my troubles end,
And I've a golden hour;
Then I see his smiling face,
Feel the pledge of joys to come:
Often, Lord, repeat this grace
Till thou shalt call me home.

All I Have Is Christ

Sunday's Sermon
Undeniable Conviction
Mercy-filled Chastisement
Grace-fueled Repentance
Restoration through His Spirit / His Word
Renewed freedom
Purified Worship

We sang this song before dismissing, and it has been a powerful reminder since of the cleansing work God is about in my heart! I praise Him. He has given me what I could never deserve in the process of sanctification...
To be conformed to His image - O the bliss!!!

All I Have Is Christ:
I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way.
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave.
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will.
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still.

But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross.
And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace.

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life
Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me.
Oh Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose.
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You.

© 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI), by Jordan Kauflin

A New Favorite...by Sojourn

Listening to here: Only Your Blood Is Enough
Words and music by Neil Robins, adapted from “Psalm 51, pt. 2” by Isaac Watts

I am ashamed, conceived in sin, I’ve always been.
Born in a world where Adam’s fall corrupts us.
Rooted is the seed of death in life’s first breath.
The law demands a perfect heart, but I’m defiled in every part

For only Your blood is enough to cover my sin
Only Your blood is enough to cover me

All this guilt disturbs my peace; I find no release.
Who will save me from my crime? I’m helpless.
Behold, I fall before Your face in need of grace.
So speak to me in a gentle voice, for in Your mercies I rejoice.

For only Your blood is enough to cover my sin
Only Your blood is enough to cover me

Lord, create my heart anew (Father, come and make us wise)
Only You are pure and true (Lead us away from our demise)
Lord, You are the remedy (For only your blood can set us free)

For only Your blood can set us free; only Your blood can set us free

No bleeding bird, no bleeding beast
No hyssop branch, no priest,
No running brook, no flood, no sea
Can wash away this stain from me

For only Your blood is enough to cover my sin
For only Your blood is enough to cover me

Girls in Pretty Clothes

So yesterday I read Prov. 31 with my boys, because it was the 31st, and well, that's just how we roll over here.

I asked a couple of questions, voiced a few observations, and that was it - we hurried off to the rest of our busy morning routine.

This morning, however, Glendon announced that he wanted to share "what he learned yesterday". I will type with his choice of words, so that none of the wisdom is lost in translation:



"The Mom was telling her son what kind of lady to marry, and she said to stay away from the girls in pretty clothes because they have evil hearts. The Mom told the king to just go ahead and marry a lady with dirty clothes (G must have missed the part about scarlett and tapestry, but ok....) who has Jesus in her heart. Your really have to watch out for those ladies in those pretty cloths (here we're jumping into Prov. 5 a bit) because those pretty clothes are not private, and those ladies just want to take all of the men to the dark side."



So, all you girls in those pretty, but not private, clothes, watch out! My 6 yr old is on to ya!

Thinking on Holiness

"O Father, enable me to esteem holiness with apparent failure as infinitely better than success which is coupled with compromise." ~ Spurgeon

Personal holiness is to be separate from the intoxicating, but false and hell-bound, securities that this world offers. Rev18:1-8

To know God is to evidence an ever increasing separation from the world-celebrated tendencies natural to this human flesh.

Because Jesus is God, I (blank).....

John 5:16-29. Jesus is God.
If He were not God, His death and resurrection would be pointless,
but He is God, so His death and resurrection are everything.
He is Lord and Master.
His deity demands response.
Dan challenged the youth group last night with this question:
"Because Jesus is God, I...(fill in the blank)....

The responses from the K'NM small group were rich:

Because Jesus is God, I will repent of my sin right away.
Because Jesus is God, I will stop deliberately, wilfully disobeying.
Because Jesus is God, I will pray when faced with temptation.
Because Jesus is God, I will forgive those who have wronged me.
Because Jesus is God, I will share the gospel without fear.
Because Jesus is God, I will show humility at school.
Because Jesus is God, I will surrender EVERY area of my life to His control.
Because Jesus is God, I will rely on His strength rather than my own.
Because Jesus is God, I will turn away from the idols I am tempted to worship.
Because Jesus is God, I will cultivate an eternal mindset.
Because Jesus is God, I will pray more, and differently, and with deeper worship.
Because Jesus is God, I will be patient with those who annoy me.
Because Jesus is God, I am not my own. I am His slave!

We closed our Small Group time with this prayer titled, "Christ Alone":

"O God,
Thy main plan, and the end of thy will is to make Christ glorious and beloved in heaven where He is now ascended,
where one day all the elect will behold His glory and love and glorify Him forever.
Though here I love Him but little,
may this be my portion at last.
In this world thou has given me a beginning,
one day it will be perfected in the realm above.
Thou has helped me to see and know Christ,
though obscurely,
to take Him, receive Him,
to possess Him, love Him,
to bless Him in my heart, mouth, life.

Let me study and stand for discipline,
and all the ways of worship,
out of love for Christ;
and to show my thankfulness;
to seek and know His will from love,
to hold it in love,
and daily to care for and keep this state of heart.

Thou hast led me to place all my nature and happiness in oneness with Christ,
in having heart and mind centered only on Him,
in being like Him in communicating good to others;
This is my heaven on earth,

But I need the force, energy, impulses of thy Spirit to carry me on the way to my Jerusalem.
Here it is my duty to be as Christ in this world,
to do what He would do,
to live as He would live,
to walk in love and meekness;
then would He be known,
then would I have peace in death."
~The Valley of Vision

Always, Equally, Ready to Fulfill His Promises

"But do not overlook this fact, beloved, that with the Lord, a day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as a day." 2 Peter 3:8

"In the infinity of his own duration there is abundant time (for God) to accomplish his designs, and it can make no difference with him whether they are accomplished in one day or extended to one thousand years. Man has but a short time to live, and if he does not accomplish his purposes in a very brief period, he never will. But it is not so with God. He always lives; and we cannot therefore infer, because the execution of His purposes seems to be delayed, that they are abandoned." ~ Barnes

Psa 90:4 For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.

"One day is with the Lord as a thousand years - That is, in one day, in one moment he can do the work of a thousand years. Therefore he "is not slow:" he is always equally ready to fulfill his promise. And a thousand years are as one day - That is, no delay is long to God. A thousand years are as one day to the eternal God. Therefore "he is longsuffering:" he gives us space for repentance, without any inconvenience to himself. In a word, with God time passes neither slower nor swifter than is suitable to him and his economy; nor can there be any reason why it should be necessary for him either to delay or hasten the end of all things. How can we comprehend this? If we could comprehend it, St. Peter needed not to have added, with the Lord." ~ Wesley

Word Study of "Ignorant":
G2990 λανθάνω lanthanō lan-than'-o
A prolonged form of a primary verb, which is used only as an alternate in certain tenses; to lie hid (literally or figuratively); often used adverbially unwittingly: - be hid, be ignorant of, unawares.

Evidences in me that I "overlook" (ESV) or "act in ignorance" of this truth regarding God's Infinite dealings with time.

1) Impatience manifested in complaining, hopelessness, apathy regarding my walk, or that of those around me.

2) Prayers that are dictated by my time table, rather than trust in His perfect work!
"He is always equally ready to fulfill His promises."

Oh Father, I have done this. I have overlooked the truth that you are Infinite and Perfect within time as you work out Your will. O God, there is none like you- Always Equally Ready! Forgive me for my attitudes of hopelessness and apathy in how I approach the unsaved people in my life. I have complained. I have despaired. I have been lazy in witnessing. I have been small in my faith. This is and has been sinful overlooking of Who You are. To know You, is to know the One Who is Always Equally Ready to work His perfect will.
This knowledge of you removes all fear and discouragement and instills trust. Teach me to dive even deeper into this truth; to bring my heart and mind and actions under the spotlight of your revealing truth that I might be changed. I desire, O God, to exalt You and Your glory in all things, including my perspective on Your time!
Amen

01-12-11 Journal Notes

Going deeper on 2 Peter 3:7!
"But by the same word, the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire; being kept for the day of judgement and destruction of the ungodly."

Questions:
Whose/what word?
God's Decree! By the same power with which He spoke creation into existence, He spoke the flood's destruction, and will one day, speak a firey judgement upon this earth, and those on it who have rejected His Lordship will perish.

Word Studies:

Word ~ log'os ~ The Divine expression of God's reasonings, motives, computation, command.
Stored up~ θησαυρίζω~thay-sow-rid'-zo
From G2344; to amass or reserve (literally or figuratively): - lay up (treasure), (keep) in store, (heap) treasure (together, up).

Fire~πῦρ~poor
A primary word; “fire” (literally or figuratively, specifically lightning): - fiery, fire.

Judgement~κρίσις~kree'-sis
(Subjectively or objectively, for or against); by extension a tribunal; by implication justice (specifically divine law): - accusation, condemnation, damnation, judgment.

Destruction~ἀπώλεια~ap-o'-li-a
From a presumed derivative of G622; ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal): - damnable (-nation), destruction, die, perdition, X perish, pernicious ways, waste.

Ungodly~ἀσεβής~as-eb-ace'
From G1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of G4576; irreverent, that is, (by extension) impious or wicked: - ungodly (man).

Cross References:
Psa 50:3 Our God comes; he does not keep silence; before him is a devouring fire, around him a mighty tempest.

Isa 51:6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed.

Prayer:

Dear Gracious and Good God!
You are holy - the All Powerful One! I am nothing,that you should be mindful of me, and yet here I sit, wallowing in the riches of Your parenthood and Lordship. You love me. I do not grasp this nor live in this as I should. Death is coming to all that is around me, but my hope is sure and steadfast because of Your convenant love and faithfulness. You are the Promise Keeper! I lift up my eyes to heaven - to what I know is coming, and I see the earth all around me through the grid of this truth. I am not dismayed, but excited for that day when I will see You face to face and know you, and finally be free - completely free of this sinful flesh. In that day I will praise you in perfection! You are worthy of all praise!
Give me a following heart this day, Lord, so that I can serve and worship you with my life!
Amen