The Joy of True Saints

This is ... the ... difference between the joy of the hypocrite, and the joy of the true saint. The [hypocrite] rejoices in himself; self is the first foundation of his joy: the [true saint] rejoices in God... True saints have their minds, in the first place, inexpressibly pleased and delighted with the sweet ideas of the glorious and amiable nature of the things of God. And this is the spring of all their delights, and the cream of all their pleasures ... But the dependence of the affections of hypocrites in in a contrary order: they first rejoice ... that they are made so much of by God: and then on that ground, he seems in a sort lovely to them.
-- Jonathan Edwards, Religious Affections

Perpetual Cheerfulness

"It is faith that enlivens our work with perpetual cheerfulness. It commits every part of it to God, in the hope, that even mistakes shall be overruled for his glory; and thus relieves us from an oppressive anxiety, often attendant upon a deep sense of our responsibility. The shortest way to peace will be found in casting ourselves upon God for daily pardon of deficiencies and supplies of grace, without looking too eagerly for present fruit."

-- Charles Bridges in The Christian Ministry

Ten on Tuesday

My friend started this tradition of listing ten things to be thankful for on Tuesdays and invited some others to join her, so here goes. I have been blessed by the other lists I've read, so I hope this is helpful for someone. I am thankful for:

1. The snow that appeared like a gift just for us during our short visit to see my parents in Buffalo.

2. Parents who have always been honest, kind, worked hard and made me proud of them. (And who generously flew us up there to be with them.)

3. The reminder that everything changes except God.

4. The fact that I miss my husband so much when I'm away from him.

4. My kids, who constantly surprise me and make me laugh.

5. A goofy but wonderful dream I had while I was at my parents' house that I was talking with John Piper about the doctrine of justification by faith alone. (Yes, I had been listening to a Piper sermon on Romans when I fell asleep.)

6. Lawn jarts.

7. Enjoying a blazing fire in the fireplace that my Dad just kept tending so it never went out.

8. Sitting next to a 6-year-old on the airplane home who was eager to play pen-and-paper games.


9. The many Christians I know who didn't vote for Barack Obama, don't agree with his political philosophy or his pro-abortion stance and find the "cult of personality" that has arisen around him to be disturbing -- but are praying for his protection, for him to lead wisely, for him to bring racial unity and for him to seek the Lord.

10. The safe return of my kids from the Keys and the always-unflappable leadership of Mark Schweitzer.

Frozen Chosen

Visiting my parents in Buffalo over the weekend, God gave us snow! Just because!

"In this hope, we are saved..."

Last week, we made the unfortunate mistake of doing a few much-needed jobs in our backyard, which exposed even more jobs that needed done. On Tuesday morning last week, I was lamenting the sad state of our backyard, vowing to fill in the swimming pool and turn it into a basketball court. My friend came over to drop her son off, as usual on Tuesday. But this time she said that she had some ferns that she could come in and plant if I had time. She had no idea that we were working on the backyard -- she had simply been tending her own garden and wanted to share her crop. So she came back and, by the Lord's grace, was nothing but encouraging about what she saw. (This is one of those friends I can always count on to tell the truth -- I knew she wouldn't say something just to make me feel good -- so I really listened to what she was saying.) She was praising my yard and looking at it with the eyes of a gardener, with the eyes of one trained to recognize the beauty of God's creation, and well aware of God's power to transform small ferns into full foliage that will frame my fence beautifully. Praise God for His reminders that He doesn't see this world or people (or my backyard) as I do. He sees them through the eyes of His promises, promises to redeem all of His creation. His promises need to be more real to me than the imperfections that surround me everywhere in this fallen world.

The lesson was underlined twice: Once later last week, when a termite man (Don't ask..) came out, walked through my back gate, and his first words, to my utter shock, were, "What a beautiful backyard." And then again today when a dear family called me over to their car after church and said, "I saved four plants for you from our landscaping job." (Again, this family had no idea that we are working on our backyard!) Redeemed plants, destined for the dumpster, they said, but saved in a moment of mercy!

Meanwhile, I have to wait because John has wisely said no to any more repairs or big spending until January... or February... or March. (Or a windfall!) So I sit here with a very imperfect looking house and yard, and praise the Lord that He has given me a wise husband whom I can trust and that He promises to redeem and make all things beautiful. My home is an object lesson on Romans 8:19-25:

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.