All to the Glory of God

I was preparing for Sunday School Class recently and stumbled across these words in John 21:19a: 
This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. 

Jesus was talking to Peter after His resurrection and was foretelling how he would die. If we back up to verse 18 it reads: Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” 

Early church tradition says that Peter was crucified with arms stretched out, and that he requested to be crucified upside down. The words that I couldn’t stop thinking about however where: by what death he would glorify God. 

We view death as something to be feared, and mourned but Jesus says that we can glorify God in our death. 

Jesus also says not to fear those who kill the body and after that there is nothing they can do.
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Matthew 10:28 

The Apostle Paul writes that although we grieve when we are temporarily parted with our loved ones who die in the Lord, we do not grieve as those who have no hope. 
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 1 Thes 4:13-14 

Our death is precious in the sight of God. 
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. Psalm 116:15 

To be with God in heaven is far better. 
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Phil 1:21-23 

Will you seek to glorify God in both your life and death? 

The Westminster Catechism 

Q. What is the chief end of man? 

A. Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.

Our Haiti Trip in Pictures

Goodbye America..

Overnighting in the JFK, International Airport, NYC. The kids handled it like pros!

Getting in a cat nap on one of our layovers.

Hello Haiti! 

All the familiar sights and sounds and smells..

Port au Prince from a rooftop.

Sunset.

City lights.

Visiting our old church in Port au Prince. We kind of forgot that if the service starts at 9:45 it doesn't actually start till much later with people wandering in all through the service. By the time the service was finished the place was full. 

Getting reacquainted with old friends. (Some are scarier looking than others.) 

A special family we served with in Haiti. 

The next day we visited and spent time with Anoud and Denise and their children. It was very special as our kids grew up together and were very excited about getting reacquainted.

Of course our two oldest boys have the most memories and still consider each other best friends.

It was a very special time and new memories were made. 

That afternoon we made the 3.5 hour drive to a village in the central plateau where good friends of ours (and our HFL partners) are located. 

Haiti is rarely without some excitement and this time we suddenly came upon a crowd of people burning tires.

Apparently a police officer had gotten into an argument with a taxi driver. The argument escalated to the point where the police officer fired his gun at the taxi driver. The taxi driver ducked and one innocent bystander was killed and another seriously injured. 

We were through it so quickly that we hardly had to time to comprehend the situation and only found out the reason later on. God did bring this verse to mind: When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Isaiah 43:2 What a comfort to know that "without the will of my heavenly father not a hair can fall from my head." (Heidelberg Catachism Q &A 1)

Nevertheless we were happy to see the welcoming gates of UCI and know that we had safely arrived. 

It was exciting to see and hear how much they had grown and how God was guiding and blessing the work there.

That evening we were able to attend their belated Christmas program which was very special to see.

The boys quickly made friends and had a grand time.

Of course their favourite method of transportation was this..

Jason's parents had spent the last several years raising/earning money for various projects so that kept us adults busy in our time in the village.

My mother in law who had previously set up a sewing program now took the time to check up on the work of the sewers and encourage them in their work. We all were quite impressed with the young man pictured above who not only spoke English and translated all the sewing terms for my mother in law but had taken a Serger machine and transformed it into a treadle machine so it could be used without needing a power source. 

We were also able to contribute and participate in various food programs for struggling families. It really reminded me again that it was more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

Jayden also had the opportunity to sit in a Haitian classroom. 

I think we take a lot for granted don't we?

One day in the village as the sun was sitting we visited some natural caves in the mountainside.

I actually occasionally struggle with claustrophobia but Jayden and several of his Haitian friends wanted to go deep into the cave and then climb up through a narrow chimney that would then allow you to emerge up higher on the mountain. Since I didn't want Jayden to go without an adult along and no one else volunteered I decided to go with them. It was very dark and narrow and the only light we had was from Jason's phone. Very quickly bats started swirling all around our heads and I had to fight down the panic. I turned to Jayden who was up ahead and was as calm as could be. "Don't worry Mom," he said. "Bats have echolocation so they won't fly into you." Instantly I felt much better and it struck me that knowledge was power. I could now carry on without fear because of something I knew. Wasn't that such a reminder of how we should "know the truth and the truth shall make you free"(John 8:32)

Once safely through the narrow opening, which was much harder to navigate then I had expected, we rested and examined the surface of the mountain.

It was quite interesting to discover all kinds of fossilized coral and shells and even beautiful crystals.

We then enjoyed a beautiful sunset.

Haiti is full of natural beauty if you know where to look for it and one afternoon we had the opportunity to take a small Haitian water taxi to a beautiful island.

It was absolutely beautiful!

The boys of course enjoyed the warm sunshine and tropical ocean..

There was much more to see and do..

We also started the preliminary work of getting a widow care program started in Haiti.

All in all it was a very special trip..

Jason hopes to return again in a few weeks and my next trip is planned for this summer God willing..

Some of the verses that I meditated on during my time there were these:

I will bless the Lord at all times;

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
I sought the LORD and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
I sought the Lord, and He heard me,

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;

                                                        Psalm 34:1-8

Worry about Everything

I know my last blog post was titled “Worry about nothing,” and I am not recanting that at all, for those who are in Christ, but since then I’ve been thinking about how dangerous life really is for anyone outside of Christ. If we are not yet in Christ we are like a ticking time bomb. Any moment could be our last. Every second brings us closer to death and eternal damnation. 

Do you know what happens to you when you die without having Jesus as your Saviour? 

Eternal damnation. 

Now that might sound harsh to you, but it’s 100% true. 

I don’t know if our English language even has sufficient words to describe the horror of it, but in the Bible it is described as a lake burning with fire and brimstone (Rev 21:8), the furnace of fire where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:50), a horrible place where the worm never dies and the fire is not quenched (Mark 9:48). A place of everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46), torment, and everlasting destruction (2 Thes 1:9). 

A place where we all deserve to go because of sin. 

But thanks be to God there is hope. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. (2 Corinthians 9:15) 

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11 

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16:31 

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:7 

While it is said, To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. Hebrews 3:15 2 

(For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 2 Corinthians 6:2 

Don’t wait!

You are but one small step from everlasting destruction and eternal damnation! 

Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. Isaiah 45:22 

 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: Ezekial 33:11a

Worry about Nothing

My four year old son came up to me the other day worrying about something. I don’t remember what he was worrying about but I do remember my response: “Why are you worrying about that? I’m your mom, I’ve got this.”

This morning in our Bible study the subject of worrying came up again reminding me about the incident with my son.

Suddenly I felt convicted. 

How often do worries still creep past my defenses? And I have something far greater than what Alexander has in me. A perfect Parent.  A gracious Father. A Sovereign God.

Why do I worry? Is it because worrying helps? Because worrying somehow makes a difference? 

No.

Jesus says in Luke 12:25-26 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?

Without God we cannot so much as move. For in Him we live, and move, and have our being;  Acts 17:28

What about death?

Jesus says in Matthew 10:28-31 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

I think we are so often short sighted, thinking death is the end, but it’s not. Death is simply a passage into eternity.

“Do not worry” is not a suggestion, it’s a command for all believers.

Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Phil 4:6-7

There is only one thing we should worry about. And that is living and dying outside of Christ. Then we should worry and be very anxious for we are living in the city of destruction and destruction is sure to come. Then we are in very danger of hell fire! It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.(Hebrews 10:31) Then we should worry so much that those worries drive us straight to Jesus. Jesus, our only Hope, the Lamb of God who takes away our sins, who calls all to repent and believe in Him. Who calls all those who are burdened and heavy laden to come unto Him and He will give them rest. Only in Him can we find peace and rest and safety from the wrath of God against sin.  But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5) For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:(1 Peter 3:18)

But once we are in Him we are never to worry again. Worry is really doubt in disguise. Doubt that God is not who He says He is.  That there is something happening outside of His perfect plan. That there is something too hard for God. That He is not working out everything for our ultimate good.

God’s Word teaches us that:

As for God, His way is perfect:Psalm 18:30a 

 Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for Me? Jeremiah 32:27

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.Romans 8:28

Jesus, our elder brother, who came down from heaven told us plainly and many times that there is nothing to worry about. Ever. Instead we are to trust our Triune God and give Him our cares and worries and anxieties in exchange for His perfect peace as He cares for us.

Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.1 Peter 5:7

Jesus: Our Only Hope

I was praying this morning again that God would give me more words to share on our blog. 

Every morning as I begin my day in His presence I pray for those who have never looked to Jesus for their salvation. My heart is heavy when I think of so many people who I love who are lost. 

So when I prayed that God would give me words to share I was surprised when He almost instantaneously answered; flooding my heart with His Words. 

So with my journal open I began to write: 

Jesus. 
Our only Hope 
Our only Comfort. 
Nobody loves us like He does. 
Our full satisfaction. 
In Him is fullness of joy. 

God calls us to look to Him for salvation: 

Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. Isaiah 45:22 

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:14-15 

Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Jesus) Matthew 11:28 

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. (Jesus) Revelations 3:20 

While it is said, To day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. Hebrews 3:15 

Come to Him. Repent. Turn away from your sin and turn to Him. Tell Him you believe in Him for your salvation. Tell Him, Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief. Mark 9:24 

Don’t be like the Scribes and Pharisees who refused to believe in Him until they saw a sign or wonder. Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. John 4:48 

Simply obey the gospel. 
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mark 1:14-15 

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:19 

Don’t be like those who refused to obey the gospel. 
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 2 Thes 1:8-9 

If this sounds too simple, be a Berean and study the Bible for yourself with an open mind and heart. 
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17:11 

Spurgeon counsels: “Be much in reading about the Lord Jesus. The books of Scripture are the lilies among which He feedeth. The Bible is the window through which we may look and see our Lord. Read over the story of His sufferings and death with devout attention, and before long the Lord will cause faith secretly to enter your soul. The Cross of Christ not only rewards faith, but begets faith. 
Many a believer can say— 
 “When I view Thee, wounded, grieving, 
Breathless, on the cursed tree, 
Soon I feel my heart believing 
Thou has suffered thus for me.” 
If hearing and reading suffice not, then deliberately set your mind to work to overhaul the matter, and have it out. Either believe, or know the reason why you do not believe. See the matter through to the utmost of your ability, and pray God to help you to make a thorough investigation, and to come to an honest decision one way or the other. Consider who Jesus was, and whether the constitution of His Person does not entitle Him to confidence. Consider what He did, and whether this also must not be good ground for trust. Consider Him as dying, rising from the dead, ascending, and ever living to intercede for transgressors; and see whether this does not entitle Him to be relied on by you. Then cry to Him, and see if He does not hear you.” 

After closing my new pink journal  I quickly got to work getting the boys ready for school. Then when the two oldest got on the bus it was time to get my youngest ready for preschool. Then I quickly got to work preparing a snack for preschool since it was my turn to be the Parent Helper. After preschool it was off to pick up groceries and then back home for lunch. 
Feeling rushed because of a lengthy to do list, God suddenly reminded me about my prayer this morning. He had answered me, but what was I going to do with it? Were His words just going to lay motionless in my notebook or was I going to “Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and share His words with the rest of the virtual world, trusting that they wouldn’t return to Him void? With a quick glance at my kitchen I turned and headed for the computer. Trusting God with 'all these things' I instead made His kingdom my number one priority. 

What a great God we serve!
Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

His Praise Shall Ever Be On My Lips

May 31 - the date of my last blog post is a long time ago. I’ve been wanting to write since, but just haven’t been able to find the right words. Just over two weeks ago I returned from my second trip to Guatemala and I’m still trying to process that. But the truth is, this blog really isn’t about me – it’s about God and what He has done and what He is doing. 

Like the header says: For Thou, Lord, hast made me glad through Thy work: I will triumph in the works of Thy hands. O Lord, how great are Thy works! and Thy thoughts are very deep. Psalm 92:4-5 

As I was praying and spending time in God’s presence this morning my heart was really begging God to give me more words to share. Our time here is short and I want to use it wisely. Ephesians 5:15-17 says: See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 

What joy and thankfulness fills my heart that even in our struggles and failures – God loves us and His mercies are new every morning. 
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 

What comfort it is, that though we are weak, He is strong. 
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 122:9-10 

On my own I can do nothing, But I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Phil 4:13 

He will renew my strength. 
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:30-31 

In Him my heart is steadfast. 
My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. Psalm 57:7 

His Word never returns to Him void. 
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Isaiah 55:11-12 

Though we may sow in tears we will reap with joy. 
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:5-6 

His promises are yea and amen in Christ Jesus. 
For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 2 Corinthians 1:20 

With Him nothing is impossible. But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26 

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Revive Us

What happens when we don’t drink water? We dehydrate. Water is so important that we won’t last a week without it. Every cell in our body needs water to function. 

Did you know that we can dry up spiritually as well? If we don’t drink from the Fountain of Life we also become thirsty and parched. Have you ever wondered if that was maybe your problem? Spiritual thirst? Maybe you can’t pinpoint why you feel the way you do but you know there’s something missing. Something vital. You’ve tried to fill that thirst with material things, relationships, work or hobbies, but it’s not working. That’s because those things can never quench the thirst inside you and that was never their purpose. 

Our spiritual thirst can only be quenched by God Himself. King David knew this and that’s why he wrote: O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; Psalm 63:1 And in Psalm 36:9 For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light. 

If you are feeling dried up spiritually, there is only one way to be refreshed: Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up. After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. Hosea 6:1-3 

Don’t look for refreshment anywhere else. 

Don’t be like the people in Jeremiah’s time who did this: For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. Jeremiah 2:13 

Instead obey God’s call: Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, Isaiah 55:1a And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelations 22:17 

Believe in Jesus. Through Him we have access to God.
He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 

He can give us the water of life. 
Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:13-14 

Then as you abide in Him you will live a fruitful life; no longer parched, no longer withering, no longer longing for the next best thing. 
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (Jesus) John 15:5 

Then as you abide in Him you will be blessed. 
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalm 1:1-3 

Then your strength will be renewed. 
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 

And then you will have eternity to look forward to. 
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Revelations 7:17 

All my springs are in Thee. Psalm 87:7b