I was just thinking this morning about my summer reading. Lo and behold, what did I come across at Seasonal Soundings but a Summer Reading Challenge?
Here's my list:
Dallimore's two volume biography of George Whitefield
Does Christianity Squash Women?
Moby Dick
Women Helping Women
Women Leading Women
A Place of Quiet Rest - Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Showing the Spirit - Don Carson - (I'm about halfway through)
The Book of Negroes - Lawrence Hill - (book club summer selection - I've read it once but I'll read it again to refresh my memory)
Tapestry of War: a private view of Canadians in the Great War - Sandra Gwyn
The Private Capital: ambition and love in the age of Macdonald and Laurier - Sandra Gwyn
Probably this is a terribly ambitious list but many of these books have been sitting on my shelf waiting to be read so it's time!
Monday, June 08, 2009
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Sunday Hymn - It is Not Death to Die
From Come Weary Saints
It is Not Death to Die
It is not death to die
To leave this weary road
And join the saints who dwell on high
Who’ve found their home with God
It is not death to close
The eyes long dimmed by tears
And wake in joy before Your throne
Delivered from our fears
Chorus
O Jesus, conquering the grave
Your precious blood has power to save
Those who trust in You
Will in Your mercy find
That it is not death to die
It is not death to fling
Aside this earthly dust
And rise with strong and noble wing
To live among the just
It is not death to hear
The key unlock the door
That sets us free from mortal years
To praise You evermore
Chorus
O Jesus, conquering the grave
Your precious blood has power to save
Those who trust in You
Will in Your mercy find
That it is not death to die
Bob Kauflin rewrote it from an older hymn. Here are the words to the original hymn, by Malan, translated by Bethune:
This song has come to mean a lot to me. I first heard it last summer, when we bought Come Weary Saints. After a few weeks of listening to the CD, I commented to Terry that I couldn't understand why that song stood out to me, among all the others. In fact, I could barely remember what other songs were on the album but that one was always one I pondered. I think it was partly because I have never really looked forward to heaven, although I grew up in a Christian home and understand (at least partially) God's plan of salvation at an early age. I was challenged by the words to consider in a new way my view of death and heaven.
Fast forward a few months and I discovered why that song had stood out to me. When I found out about Emily's death, I was driving home from a conference. (In case any of you wonder, I made Terry tell me on the phone because it was better to know the truth than spend the drive wondering what was going on). After a while, I turned on my ipod to "It is Not Death to Die" and listened to it at least two times. God really used it to change my focus even at that moment to His truth of what death is. That doesn't mean that I didn't grieve and didn't argue with God but that even at that moment, He was taking my grief and starting to turn around my understanding of what He was doing.
The other song I listened to just as I was coming into town was "How Deep". The chorus is
How deep is His love,
How high and how wide is His mercy,
How deep is Your grace,
Our hearts overflow with praise to you.
And it begins with "You were broken that I might be healed". As I listened to that song, it hit me - God's Son had died. He knows our grief because His Son died. But because of His Son's death, we are healed and we can look forward to the time when we will enter into the kingdom of God.
We grieved Emily's death. We are still grieving her and probably always will. But we take comfort in God's words of comfort and His promises. And when everything seems to press in on me, then I sing the words of "It is Not Death to Die" to myself and God reminds me yet again that there is more to life than we see now and Emily is now praising her Saviour in His presence.
Spurgeon also says,
"Dear friend, have you found that trouble cuts the cords that tie you to earth? When the Lord takes a child, there is one less cord to fasten you to this world and another band to draw you toward heaven. When money vanishes and business goes wrong, we frequent the prayer meeting, the prayer closet and the Bible. Trials drive us from earth. If all went well, we would begin to say, "Soul, relax". But when things go amiss, we want to be gone. When the tree shakes, the bird flies away. Happy is the trouble that loosens our grip of earth."
It is Not Death to Die
It is not death to die
To leave this weary road
And join the saints who dwell on high
Who’ve found their home with God
It is not death to close
The eyes long dimmed by tears
And wake in joy before Your throne
Delivered from our fears
Chorus
O Jesus, conquering the grave
Your precious blood has power to save
Those who trust in You
Will in Your mercy find
That it is not death to die
It is not death to fling
Aside this earthly dust
And rise with strong and noble wing
To live among the just
It is not death to hear
The key unlock the door
That sets us free from mortal years
To praise You evermore
Chorus
O Jesus, conquering the grave
Your precious blood has power to save
Those who trust in You
Will in Your mercy find
That it is not death to die
Bob Kauflin rewrote it from an older hymn. Here are the words to the original hymn, by Malan, translated by Bethune:
It is not death to die,
To leave this weary road,
And midst the brotherhood on high
To be at home with God.
It is not death to close
The eye long dimmed by tears,
And wake, in glorious repose,
To spend eternal years.
It is not death to bear
The wrench that sets us free
From dungeon chain, to breath the air
Of boundless liberty.
It is not death to fling
Aside this sinful dust
And rise, on strong exulting wing
To live among the just.
Jesus, Thou Prince of Life,
Thy chosen cannot die:
Like Thee, they conquer in the strife
To reign with Thee on high.
Fast forward a few months and I discovered why that song had stood out to me. When I found out about Emily's death, I was driving home from a conference. (In case any of you wonder, I made Terry tell me on the phone because it was better to know the truth than spend the drive wondering what was going on). After a while, I turned on my ipod to "It is Not Death to Die" and listened to it at least two times. God really used it to change my focus even at that moment to His truth of what death is. That doesn't mean that I didn't grieve and didn't argue with God but that even at that moment, He was taking my grief and starting to turn around my understanding of what He was doing.
The other song I listened to just as I was coming into town was "How Deep". The chorus is
How deep is His love,
How high and how wide is His mercy,
How deep is Your grace,
Our hearts overflow with praise to you.
And it begins with "You were broken that I might be healed". As I listened to that song, it hit me - God's Son had died. He knows our grief because His Son died. But because of His Son's death, we are healed and we can look forward to the time when we will enter into the kingdom of God.
We grieved Emily's death. We are still grieving her and probably always will. But we take comfort in God's words of comfort and His promises. And when everything seems to press in on me, then I sing the words of "It is Not Death to Die" to myself and God reminds me yet again that there is more to life than we see now and Emily is now praising her Saviour in His presence.
Spurgeon also says,
"Dear friend, have you found that trouble cuts the cords that tie you to earth? When the Lord takes a child, there is one less cord to fasten you to this world and another band to draw you toward heaven. When money vanishes and business goes wrong, we frequent the prayer meeting, the prayer closet and the Bible. Trials drive us from earth. If all went well, we would begin to say, "Soul, relax". But when things go amiss, we want to be gone. When the tree shakes, the bird flies away. Happy is the trouble that loosens our grip of earth."
Thoughts from Spurgeon
This is from Beside Still Waters: Words of Comfort for the Soul
"We love God's people. They are exceedingly precious. Far too often we look on their deaths as a grievous loss. If we could confer immortality, we would never let them die. But it would be cruel to deprive them of a speedy entrance into their inheritance. We want to hold them here a little longer. We find it hard to relinquish our grasp, because the saint's departure causes us much pain. We are poorer because of the eternal enriching of the beloved, who have gone over to the majority and entered their rest.
Yet know this, while we are sorrowing, Christ is rejoicing. His prayer is, 'Father, I desire that they also, whom You gave Me, may be with me where I am; that they may behold My glory which You have given Me' (John 17:24). In the advent of every one of His own to the skies, Jesus sees an answer to that prayer. We are grieving but He is rejoicing. Their deaths are painful in our sight, but 'precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints' (Ps. 116:15).
Tears are permitted, but they must glisten in the light of faith and hope. 'Jesus wept' (John 11:35), but He never complained. We may weep, but not 'as [those] who have no hope' (I Thess. 4:13). There is great cause for joy in the departure of our loved ones.
Death itself is not precious; it is terrible. It cannot be precious to God to see the highest works of His hand torn in pieces, to see His skillful embroidery in the human body broken, defiled, and given to decay. Yet to the believer, it is not death to die. It is a departure out of the this world to the Father, an entrance into the kingdom."
"We love God's people. They are exceedingly precious. Far too often we look on their deaths as a grievous loss. If we could confer immortality, we would never let them die. But it would be cruel to deprive them of a speedy entrance into their inheritance. We want to hold them here a little longer. We find it hard to relinquish our grasp, because the saint's departure causes us much pain. We are poorer because of the eternal enriching of the beloved, who have gone over to the majority and entered their rest.
Yet know this, while we are sorrowing, Christ is rejoicing. His prayer is, 'Father, I desire that they also, whom You gave Me, may be with me where I am; that they may behold My glory which You have given Me' (John 17:24). In the advent of every one of His own to the skies, Jesus sees an answer to that prayer. We are grieving but He is rejoicing. Their deaths are painful in our sight, but 'precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints' (Ps. 116:15).
Tears are permitted, but they must glisten in the light of faith and hope. 'Jesus wept' (John 11:35), but He never complained. We may weep, but not 'as [those] who have no hope' (I Thess. 4:13). There is great cause for joy in the departure of our loved ones.
Death itself is not precious; it is terrible. It cannot be precious to God to see the highest works of His hand torn in pieces, to see His skillful embroidery in the human body broken, defiled, and given to decay. Yet to the believer, it is not death to die. It is a departure out of the this world to the Father, an entrance into the kingdom."
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Sunday Hymn - How Sweet the Name
How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds
In a believer’s ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear.
It makes the wounded spirit whole,
And calms the troubled breast;
’Tis manna to the hungry soul,
And to the weary, rest.
Dear Name, the Rock on which I build,
My Shield and Hiding Place,
My never failing treasury, filled
With boundless stores of grace!
By Thee my prayers acceptance gain,
Although with sin defiled;
Satan accuses me in vain,
And I am owned a child.
Jesus! my Shepherd, Husband, Friend,
O Prophet, Priest and King,
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,
Accept the praise I bring.
Weak is the effort of my heart,
And cold my warmest thought;
But when I see Thee as Thou art,
I’ll praise Thee as I ought.
Till then I would Thy love proclaim
With every fleeting breath,
And may the music of Thy Name
Refresh my soul in death!
I particularly like the Indelible Grace version of this song. The demo at the RUF Hymnbook site has two of the verses. I like the laid-back gentle feel - it gives time to think about the words.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Sunday Hymn - The Lord's My Shepherd
The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want.
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; He leadeth me
The quiet waters by.
My soul He doth restore again;
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
Even for His own Name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill;
For Thou art with me; and Thy rod
And staff my comfort still.
My table Thou hast furnishèd
In presence of my foes;
My head Thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.
Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me;
And in God’s house forevermore
My dwelling place shall be.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Books!
Terry & I just returned from a trip to a Pastors' & Wives' conference. The bookstore was great! And of course, this way, I didn't have to pay shipping (that's the official reason, anyway). In this pile are books Terry bought for his resources, books that were given to us for the conference and the rest that just happened to make it into my hands while wandering around the bookstore!
I couldn't quite get the stack without glare on the books. Here's what's in the pile (top to bottom):
Redeeming Science - Vern Poythress - this looks really interesting, although I have a feeling I wouldn't understand a bunch of it. Here's a blurb from the back:
Redeeming Science attempts to kindle our appreciation for science as it ought to be—science that could serve as a path for praising God and serving fellow human beings. Through examining the wonderfully complex and immutable laws of nature, author Vern Poythress explains, we ought to recognize the wisdom, care, and beauty of God. A Christian worldview restores a true response to science, where we praise the God who created nature and cares for it.
Apostolic Preaching of the Cross - Morris - I think this is one Terry's been looking for and hasn't been able to find
How Good is Good Enough - Andy Stanley (resources) - a friend recommended this one highly. I'm looking forward to reading it. It's just a short little book but he said it's really good for helping people to share with non-Christians who think they are "good enough".
The Gospel & Personal Evangelism - Mark Dever (resources) - another recommendation.
Just Do Something - Kevin DeYoung (home) - Our son picked this one up Sunday morning. It's a great little book on finding God's will in your life. The subtitle is "How to Make a Decision Without Dreams, Visions, Fleeces, Open Doors, Random Verses, Casting Lots, Liver Shivers, Writing in the Sky, etc."
The Heart of Evangelism - Barrs (resources) - notice a pattern here?
Big Truths for Young Hearts - Bruce Ware (freebie) - this looks interesting to go through with our younger girls. Ware covers a variety of theological topics in a way suited to younger readers.
Preach the Word - Ryken & Wilson (freebie - I think)
From Grief to Glory - James Bruce (home) - there was a good selection of books on grief that I went through. This was one that looked really interesting and helpful.
Leading Children towards Gospel Repentance and Faith - Marty Machowski (resources) - a little booklet on leading children to Christ using the "ABC" method - plus "D". We really appreciate the Sunday school curriculum by Machowski & his church and this little booklet looks great to use as a resource for VBS or Sunday School teachers.
Radical Womanhood - Carolyn McCulley (home) - This is a look at the history of feminism and how it affects the church today. I thought it would be a good resource to have.
A Place of Quiet Rest - Nancy Leigh DeMoss (home) - a book on developing a pattern of personal devotions. It's always good to be reminded of this and I thought it would be a good one to have on my resource shelf.
Women Helping Women: A Biblical Guide to Major Issues Women Face - Fitzpatrick (home) - Sometimes (often!) I find it hard to know what to say! I think this will be a good book to help me to know what to say when talking to other women about major issues in our lives.
Heaven and Heaven for Kids - Randy Alcorn (home) - I've been wanting to read this for a while. I've read Alcorn's fiction but I'm interested to read what he has to say about heaven in this nonfiction book. I read about 1/3 on the way home yesterday and it's already really good. My girls started Heaven for Kids and they liked it too. After having been through the past 6 months, I'm more aware of a need for good theology about heaven.
Anne Bradstreet - Nichols (home) - I've heard about Anne Bradstreet for several years but have never had a chance to read the poetry of this Puritan woman. This book is a combination of biography and poetry. I glanced at it the other day but haven't spent any time in it.
The Suffering of Man and the Sovereignty of God - Spurgeon (home) - sermons from Job.
I couldn't quite get the stack without glare on the books. Here's what's in the pile (top to bottom):
Redeeming Science - Vern Poythress - this looks really interesting, although I have a feeling I wouldn't understand a bunch of it. Here's a blurb from the back:
Redeeming Science attempts to kindle our appreciation for science as it ought to be—science that could serve as a path for praising God and serving fellow human beings. Through examining the wonderfully complex and immutable laws of nature, author Vern Poythress explains, we ought to recognize the wisdom, care, and beauty of God. A Christian worldview restores a true response to science, where we praise the God who created nature and cares for it.
Apostolic Preaching of the Cross - Morris - I think this is one Terry's been looking for and hasn't been able to find
How Good is Good Enough - Andy Stanley (resources) - a friend recommended this one highly. I'm looking forward to reading it. It's just a short little book but he said it's really good for helping people to share with non-Christians who think they are "good enough".
The Gospel & Personal Evangelism - Mark Dever (resources) - another recommendation.
Just Do Something - Kevin DeYoung (home) - Our son picked this one up Sunday morning. It's a great little book on finding God's will in your life. The subtitle is "How to Make a Decision Without Dreams, Visions, Fleeces, Open Doors, Random Verses, Casting Lots, Liver Shivers, Writing in the Sky, etc."
The Heart of Evangelism - Barrs (resources) - notice a pattern here?
Big Truths for Young Hearts - Bruce Ware (freebie) - this looks interesting to go through with our younger girls. Ware covers a variety of theological topics in a way suited to younger readers.
Preach the Word - Ryken & Wilson (freebie - I think)
From Grief to Glory - James Bruce (home) - there was a good selection of books on grief that I went through. This was one that looked really interesting and helpful.
Leading Children towards Gospel Repentance and Faith - Marty Machowski (resources) - a little booklet on leading children to Christ using the "ABC" method - plus "D". We really appreciate the Sunday school curriculum by Machowski & his church and this little booklet looks great to use as a resource for VBS or Sunday School teachers.
Radical Womanhood - Carolyn McCulley (home) - This is a look at the history of feminism and how it affects the church today. I thought it would be a good resource to have.
A Place of Quiet Rest - Nancy Leigh DeMoss (home) - a book on developing a pattern of personal devotions. It's always good to be reminded of this and I thought it would be a good one to have on my resource shelf.
Women Helping Women: A Biblical Guide to Major Issues Women Face - Fitzpatrick (home) - Sometimes (often!) I find it hard to know what to say! I think this will be a good book to help me to know what to say when talking to other women about major issues in our lives.
Heaven and Heaven for Kids - Randy Alcorn (home) - I've been wanting to read this for a while. I've read Alcorn's fiction but I'm interested to read what he has to say about heaven in this nonfiction book. I read about 1/3 on the way home yesterday and it's already really good. My girls started Heaven for Kids and they liked it too. After having been through the past 6 months, I'm more aware of a need for good theology about heaven.
Anne Bradstreet - Nichols (home) - I've heard about Anne Bradstreet for several years but have never had a chance to read the poetry of this Puritan woman. This book is a combination of biography and poetry. I glanced at it the other day but haven't spent any time in it.
The Suffering of Man and the Sovereignty of God - Spurgeon (home) - sermons from Job.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
In quietness and confidence
I read this entry this morning. It was a testimony to me of how God has been working in my heart. I believe that much of my confidence in Him is because of the prayers of His people on our behalf. We can either rest in God or we can fight God. But only the first will give us confidence and trust in God.
It's also worthy to note that Spurgeon struggled with depression his whole life and at times, was overwhelmed by it. This is not written by someone who has never experienced trials.
p. 132 - Beside Still Waters (Spurgeon)
Quietness and Confidence (Is. 30:15)
"In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." This is a truth concerning all the trials and troubles of this life . Some of you are passing through business troubles, for there are many tremors in the business world, and perhaps they are causing you to shake and tremble. [I thought this was funny considering that Spurgeon lived about 200 years ago!] If so, do not be readily carried away by these secondary matters. Do not let them depress or excite you. Hold loosely to all worldly things, but grip firmly the unseen God. Fussing, worrying, and hurrying will do no good. Be calm and quiet; all will be well if you are the Lord's child.
Perhaps your trial is personal sickness. If so, nothing can be better than quietness and confidence. Worrying will not make you well, though it might keep you ill. You will be sick just as long as God appoints, but if anything can help to heal it is quietness and confidence of heart.
Have you lost a friend? Is there a great sorrow? Have you some loved one lying in a new grave? My friend you cannot bring the dear one back, and you should not wish to do so. It is wise to submit to the inevitable. It is gracious to bow to the will of your ever-gracious God. You cannot do anything that will be as helpful to your sorrowing spirit as to exercise quietness and confidence; it will indeed be your strength.
Do you have a sorrow fully equal to bereavement? Have you a loved one who daily suffers? Is that the living cross you have to carry? Do not worry. Submit to the Lord's will. Ask Him for grace to acquiesce in it, and learn to wait on the Lord.
God's tested child, whatever your condition, remember this promise, "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength."
It's also worthy to note that Spurgeon struggled with depression his whole life and at times, was overwhelmed by it. This is not written by someone who has never experienced trials.
p. 132 - Beside Still Waters (Spurgeon)
Quietness and Confidence (Is. 30:15)
"In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." This is a truth concerning all the trials and troubles of this life . Some of you are passing through business troubles, for there are many tremors in the business world, and perhaps they are causing you to shake and tremble. [I thought this was funny considering that Spurgeon lived about 200 years ago!] If so, do not be readily carried away by these secondary matters. Do not let them depress or excite you. Hold loosely to all worldly things, but grip firmly the unseen God. Fussing, worrying, and hurrying will do no good. Be calm and quiet; all will be well if you are the Lord's child.
Perhaps your trial is personal sickness. If so, nothing can be better than quietness and confidence. Worrying will not make you well, though it might keep you ill. You will be sick just as long as God appoints, but if anything can help to heal it is quietness and confidence of heart.
Have you lost a friend? Is there a great sorrow? Have you some loved one lying in a new grave? My friend you cannot bring the dear one back, and you should not wish to do so. It is wise to submit to the inevitable. It is gracious to bow to the will of your ever-gracious God. You cannot do anything that will be as helpful to your sorrowing spirit as to exercise quietness and confidence; it will indeed be your strength.
Do you have a sorrow fully equal to bereavement? Have you a loved one who daily suffers? Is that the living cross you have to carry? Do not worry. Submit to the Lord's will. Ask Him for grace to acquiesce in it, and learn to wait on the Lord.
God's tested child, whatever your condition, remember this promise, "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength."
Monday, March 16, 2009
St. Patrick's Day
My girls are very interested in St. Patrick's Day this year. We talked a bit earlier about who he is. Imagine my delight when I opened an email to find this link:
St. Patrick: The World's Greatest Missionary (great copywork and story about St. Patrick from LIVING BOOKS)
You have to do a free registration but it's easy. And that led me to
Living Books Curriculum
I haven't looked on their site much but through downloading the above ebook, there was a free offer for some of their curriculum helps and articles about Charlotte Mason. I downloaded them all and I'm looking forward to reading them.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
St. Patrick: The World's Greatest Missionary (great copywork and story about St. Patrick from LIVING BOOKS)
You have to do a free registration but it's easy. And that led me to
Living Books Curriculum
I haven't looked on their site much but through downloading the above ebook, there was a free offer for some of their curriculum helps and articles about Charlotte Mason. I downloaded them all and I'm looking forward to reading them.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
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