.let your light so shine.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Well, that's it for this blog, I will no longer be posting here; I'm discarding it for a new model. Signing up on blogspot means comments, and no-fuss archiving and formatting - not to mention escaping Angelfire's eyebrow-raising ads - and that was just too sweet to resist. :) So here ya go, Irene's new home on the world wide web;
http://letyourlightsoshine.blogspot.com
Take care!!
Wednesday, August 2, 2006
“Well, when she found the watchman she says to him: ‘Saw ye Him whom my soul loveth?’ She had her case more ready, I trow, than the most part of folk have. They may talk to ministers hours, yea, whole days, ere they propose such questions as this: ‘Saw ye Him whom my soul loveth?’” -Richard Cameron
“I observe, let a man be as near unto God as he can imagine, yet it is good to draw near unto Him, and to seek to have nearer fellowship and more intimate aquaintance with Him. This man (in Psalm 73:28-IF) was near, yet he seeks to be nearer to Him; even to have his arms full of God, so to speak. And the reason is (1) Because the life of true religion in the world is but a strong appetite, and a heart hungering after God.” –William Guthrie
Considering how the Lord mercifully uses trials to draw me to Himself never fails to awe me. The saddest struggles in my life have always been accompanied with so much of His grace, so many of His smiles, such tender embraces and such sweet providence, that the pain is the least of what I remember looking back on those times. Through things God has brought into my life in recent months, He has driven me from any lukewarmness; He has reminded me how precious peace, unity, purity, love, and truth are – precious enough to be treasured and defended, with all my being!! – and, indeed, how far beyond precious and beautiful He is.
When I was a little child, one of my favourite hymns was “As the Deer Pants for the Water”, most of which is a paraphrase of Psalm 42. “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” “O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember Thee...”
I love the comparision between our desire for God, and the desperation, need, and longing we feel when we’re very very thirsty – and the satisfaction and joy we find when that thirst is quenched at last. Jesus spoke of a living water. “Jesus answered and said unto her... 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.” –from John 4:13-14 “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the bright and morning star. 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 of the water of life freely.” –Revelation 22:16-17 “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters...” –Isaiah 55:1A So the Gospel of Jesus Christ is like water; impossible to live without; a well springing up to everlasting life!
I am a child of the King, and His banner over me is love. I am filled and satisfied. How could I be anything but safe, well, and rejoicing in the Lord?
...It’s been a couple hours since I got back from working an evening shift at the Nursing Home, and I have to be up at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning for a day shift. Work stays busy :) I’ve also been keeping myself occupied taking Raewyn shopping to prepare for her visit to P.G. (she’ll be gone three weeks, taking a kinesionics course), hanging out with my family, brainstorming with Leah and Amy about ideas for church get-togethers, and as always seeking to draw near to my God and learn of Him.
I’m continuing with my study through the Scriptures, concordance, and the Westminster Confession of Faith and catechisms, considering what Christian love is not and what it is. This has been an incredibly convicting study, as I know I am faaaaar from perfect in the area of love, and I need to grow so much by God’s grace! I’m SO grateful for His patience in teaching me, in guiding my poor faltering footsteps, and in lifting up my weary hands!! I’m also reading through the WCF (currently on chapter 9, ‘Of Free Will’), finished Alexander Peden’s biography and started “The Christian’s Great Interest” by William Guthrie, and am continuing through Genesis in my secret worship as well as going through 1 Thessalonians.
Most of what I’ve been listening to recently has been the Psalms, or Steve Green’s Bible memory songs and Sandra Sheskin’s beautiful settings of Scripture passages to music (I’ve been listening to her rendition of Isaiah 53 since I was a child). There’s been a little bit of Sarah Brightman, Johnny Cash, Keane, and Mobile thrown in there, and oh yes, a very addictive and very sad song by Assemblage 23 called “Disappoint”.
Yesterday we celebrated my baby brother Nathaniel’s seventh birthday (though it’s actually on August 7th). Yikes, where did the time go?!?? These days Nathaniel is busy learning to read, displaying his artistic talents by chalk-painting the sidewalk outside, learning the Lord’s prayer, picking peas from our garden, and partaking in all kinds of other delightful activities. He is a happy, sunshiney boy who loves to talk and to spend time with his family and with his friends at church. Happy birthday, Thaniel. I love you love you love you love you love you!!!!!!
Anyway, I better go to bed before I keel over on top of my keyboard. God bless and keep you all, and make His face to shine upon you. Have a good night. :)
“So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before Thee. Nevertheless I am continually with Thee: Thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides Thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from Thee shall perish: Thou hast destroyed all them that go a-whoring from Thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Thy works.” –Psalm 73:22-28
“Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” –Micah 6:6-8
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord your God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” –Matthew 22:37-39
Saturday, July 29, 2006
“This communicating of a man's self to his friend works two contrary effects; for it redoubleth joys, and cutteth griefs in half.” -Francis Bacon
"Hold a true friend with both your hands." -Nigerian proverb
Lee-Rene
I spent this evening in most delightful pursuits – driving around the city, window shopping, eating enchiladas, sipping an Iced Cappacino while sitting on a bench in a far corner of WEM, and taking silly pictures – all with my dearest and most constant friend Leah.
Sharin’ the joys
I have been reminded in recent weeks why Leah is so much more than a friend to me; why she is my sister, and is indescribably precious to my heart. She’s always there, and she’s always spurring me on to growing in the grace of our Lord Jesus.
“A friend loveth at all times” –Proverbs 17:17
Dahling, you’re a gift of God. I thank Him with every fiber of my being. May God bless and keep you, and make His face to shine upon you and give you peace. "Yea, sister, let me have joy of thee in the Lord." I love ya. :)
Thursday, July 27, 2006
BY OUR LOVE “He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also to walk, even as He walked.” 1 John 2:6 - As Thou art, so we are known by Thy love. -
I wrote that very brief poem three months ago, having been very grieved by considering how often we as Christians - and myself specifically - do not display love. We seem to get so busy noticing the specks in everyone else’s eyes, and knocking one another out with the beams in our own. We all have our own applications of how a Christian should be living, and often, instead of starting with ourselves, we decide to go out and tell everyone else to change. This is why Christians are so often charged with hypocrisy. True, none of us are perfect, and the standard is what it is on God’s say-so, not on any man’s; and His strength is made perfect in weakness. But God help us – and God help me, because I am absolutely guilty in these areas – to root arrogance, contentiousness, gossip, deceit, and lukewarmness out of our lives, that we would display the pure and peaceable love of God to all who see us.
‘Alexander Peden: The Prophet of the Covenant’, by John C. Johnston, recounts a very sad story about how slander is so, so harmful. Apparently some men so misrepresented and defrauded the reputation of James Renwick to Peden, that Peden responded by “expressing himself so bitterly against Mr. Renwick, that he would set himself in opposition to him, and make his name odious”, “which he afterwards had much reason to regret, and which much grieved and stumbled many who were well-affected towards Renwick, as well as confirmed his adversaries, who loudly boasted that Mr. Peden also was become his enemy.” Renwick had good reason to cry out, “O when shall those be agreed on earth that shall be agreed in heaven? Methinks if my blood were a means to procure that end, I could willingly offer it.” While Peden repented and asked Renwick’s forgiveness shortly before his death, his hearing and furthering slander against the younger minister had been very injurious to the cause of Christ.
Isn’t there something terribly wrong with the idea of Christians assasinating one another’s reputations? Are half-truths – i.e. lies – and underhanded whisperings something that should be characteristic of the people of God? I’m going through the concordance right now, and doing a study on slander and anything related to it (deceit, defrauding, talebearing, secret counsels, devouring, backbiting, betrayal, the appearance of evil, etc), and love and anything relating to it (according to 1 Corinthians 13; longsuffering, kindness, contentment, humility, seemly behaviour, unselfishness, steadfastness, trust, rejoicing in the truth, strength, belief, hope, endurance; “charity never faileth”). The first few verses of that chapter are so, so striking to me; “Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” Josh Harris puts it very simply: “You’re nothing without love. You’re nothing without love.”
The Bible’s definition of love is not some wishy-washy emotional thing that caves under any pressure, for the sake of false unity. It is strong and grounded in the truth of God, pure and without spot. I’m not suggesting that we cry "Peace! Peace" when there is no peace", at the expense of Biblical doctrine. Of course we should stand for the truth of Christ!!! It’s just that, as a dear friend of mine once said, “We must be careful that the manner of our testimony does not overthrow our testimony.” Moral courage and seeking true unity in the truth, cannot happen without applying Godly wisdom and charity to our minds, hearts, speech, actions, and lives. God give us grace to walk as He walked, and to be known by our love and uprightness.
“And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, Who hath given unto us His Holy Spirit. But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.” –1 Thessalonians 3:12 – 4:12
“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover a multitude of sins.” –1 Peter 4:8
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Saturday, July 22, 2006
“I have my own private opinion that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified unless we preach what is nowadays called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the Gospel and nothing else. I do not believe we can preach the Gospel... unless we preach the sovereignty of God in his dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable, conquering love of Jehovah. Nor do I think we can preach the Gospel unless we base it upon the special and particular redemption of his elect and chosen people which Christ wrought out upon the cross" - C.H. Spurgeon
I saw this Calvinism/Arminian Test on DJ’s blog, and of course had to run over and take it :) My favourite part is when it asks ‘What do you think of the word Predestinate?’ and one of the options for an answer is, ‘Oh yeah baby, say it again!!!’ lol
Test results: You are a Calvinist! Your condition: Congratulations, you are surprisingly healthy for an average Christian. You recognize that God saves people by election and He has already “predestined” those He loves. Signs of life: You are not afraid of the P word and you are humble enough to acknowledge salvation as the work of Christ alone, not us. You put yourself under solid teaching, choosing rich books and Biblically accurate teachers. When it comes to dealing with our corrupt culture, you use discretion but you don't overdo it. You don't spend your whole life scrambling around trying to save people. You simply plant the seed knowing that it is God who makes it grow. A rebel, you don't care what the world says or what other Christians are doing. You are willing to follow the truth no matter the cost. Precautions: Beware of hypercalvinism! Do not think that because God has already predestined His elect, it is hopeless to pray for the unsaved. We don't know who God has chosen. As for unborn babes, we are not to assume that they are all going to hell either. God knows His own even in the womb, just like He did the prophet Jeremiah. Don't be lazy. Just because God does the salvation work doesn't mean we are not to share the gospel with anyone. Preach to everyone you meet, in season and out of season. Keep up the fight! And don't forget to take your Reformed vitamins: Sola Scriptura, Sola Gratia, Sola Christa, Sola Fide, and Soli Deo Gloria. 42% from 678 test takers had this profile!
“No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him” –John 6:44
“So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.” –Romans 9:16
“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all tresspasses” –Colossians 2:13
P.S. Yeah, I got sick of the black. Time for something a little more happy. :)
Friday, July 14, 2006
“...Holy, Holy is our God Almighty! Holy, Holy is His name alone...”
Well. I’ve been to New York and to British Columbia in the last month or so, but I don’t really have time to go into those trips in detail. Hopefully at some point I can do that. Suffice it to say for the moment; thank you to everyone for your hospitality, and it was absolutely lovely meeting Angie and her family and Tom & Sheryllyn and their children!
For the few people who read this blog who wouldn’t have already heard, my courtship with my dear friend Tony has ended. The details are private, but please do continue to pray for us. This wasn’t the way either of us had envisioned things going, and of course there is much grief and disappointment over the way things turned out. But I know that God works all things for my good. I have absolutely no doubt that in this case as well as all others, we are safe in His wonderful care!!! I’m so thankful that I know where to go when I am in desperate need of strength, wisdom, and joy. My God is merciful beyond all description!!!!
I’ve been working all night shifts lately, as two of my coworkers who normally work that shift are off injured and another is on leave of absence. Since no one else really wants night shift, I can work as many as I can handle. It’s kind of nice because you make extra money, and you don’t have to get up early. :) I also am able to go to worship every Lord’s day as long as I stay on nights. I used to work at least every second Sunday, but even though I know my job is one of necessity and mercy, my spiritual health really suffers when I go without public worship and the fellowship of my brethren; so it is a real blessing to be able to attend every week!
My brothers Andrew, Timothy, and James all had birthdays recently – Andrew turned 15, Timothy is 13, and James is 22!! Happy birthday, guys, I love ya millions!!!!!
I’ve been going through the Westminster Confession of Faith, which I intend to read over and over as I hope to become much more familiar with the document, as well as some brief biographies of the Westminster Divines, and also a biography of Alexander Peden. I’m almost done the book on Peden, and am presently reading through the only two of his sermons that have been preserved. He was a very “fiery” preacher, who did not hesitate to speak against sin whether it was evident in the king, in the magistrates, in the pastors, or in the people; but he was also a Gospel expositor, who clung to the promises of God in the midst of deep trial. I’ve also been memorizing the Apostle’s Creed with my siblings, and trying to continuously review the first several Shorter Catechism questions. Memorizing the SC has been a long-time goal, and I haven’t made it very far yet, but I’m not giving up ;)
One more thing, and then I need to end, as I’m working in a couple hours. This is a quote from George Gillespie's biography at apuritansmind
It’s referring to the long and heated debates the Westminster Divines had on the subject of church government:
‘On one occasion, when both the parliament and assembly were met together, and a long, elaborate, and Erastian speech, delivered by one of the members, to which none seemed ready to reply— being urged by the Scottish commissioners, Mr. Gillespie repeated the substance of the whole discourse, refuting it as he went along, to the astonishment of all present. But what was the most surprising, though it was customary for the members to take notes of the speeches delivered in the assembly for the help of their memory, and Mr. Gillespie seemed to be so employed during the delivery of the foresaid discourse, those who sat next him, on looking into his notebook, declared they found nothing written but these pious ejaculations, “Lord, send light; Lord, give assistance; Lord, defend thine own cause,” etc.’
I love this quote, because it so reminds me what we should all be doing, when we are facing trial in our personal lives, in our nations, or in the Church of Christ; humbly, continuously, earnestly crying out to our God for His light, truth, and help. We are not cast alone upon these stormy seas.
“Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? How long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing (*sin)? Selah. But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for Himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto Him. Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord. There be many that say, who will show us any good? Lord, lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.” –Psalm 4
Friday, June 23, 2006
Girl: “What are you two standing here looking so worried about?” Charlie Brown: “We’re afraid of the future!” Girl: “Are you worried about anything in particular?” Charlie Brown: “Oh, no… we’re worried about everything!” Linus: “Yes. Our worrying is very broadminded!”
Is it possible to be broadminded in our worrying?? After all, isn’t worry simply fear about the unknown, and if we were ‘broadminded’ enough to keep in mind that it is our gracious, covenant God who sovereignly ordains all things, would we be worried at all?
“And therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgement: blessed are all they that wait for Him. For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: He will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when He shall hear it, He will answer thee. And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” –Isaiah 30: 18-21
“ Now, hope is nothing else than steadfastness of faith, that is, when we wait calmly till the Lord fulfill what He has promised.” –from Calvin’s commentary on verse 18
Monday, May 8, 2006
My Oilers beat the Detroit Red Wings, who were the #1 team in the West by the way. Edmonton has gone hockey insane; there are Oiler flags everywhere. But I guess I haven't been thinking much about hockey these past few days. Too many other things going on. I've been reading the Psalms over and over, because I desperately need the joy and encouragement of God's promises.
Wanted to share a quote I thought was quite beautiful;
"'Why me?' This is the unanswerable question-- the wonder of wonders! I, a weak, low, vile, wandering worm--filled with Your love, ravished with Your beauty! It is all of grace! To God be all the glory! Oh, my precious Lord, I am overwhelmed in, and by, Your love! You have freed me from my sin and its punishment--by taking them upon Yourself! And You have prepared me for Yourself--by putting Your perfect loveliness upon me! You have overcome me, You ravish my heart! I thirst with intense and increased ardency, for unfoldings of the personal glories of my precious Christ, who is, indeed, 'more precious than rubies.' Precious Lord, You are my rest, my happiness, and You are all-sufficient. Hold me to You, nor let me wander more." -Ruth Bryan
.blog links.
My family--I love you!!
Mom: Rambling Rose
Rae: You Get Another Chance
My wonderful church family
Amy: Gonna make a sentimental journey
Dor & Amos: Baby Dohms.net
Ben: Cogitans Secundum
Cheryl: Reformed Musings
Ed: Spare Thoughts
Ginny: Invisible Dawn
Hannah: The Blog Of
Holly: from St. Louis
Jode: The Obscure
Kathryn: Deusnosterreget
Laura: Oraeley
Leah: (is definitely not) Just Another Girl
Manda: The Blogs Must Be Crazy
Shawn: Progressive Irrelevant Publishing
Tam: Bla Bla Bla
And more dear brethren
Ash: Chronicles of a Rose
Cadet: Ramblings of a Girl Who Loves Cats
DJ: Crazy Calvinist
Erica: In Full Swing
Jer: Confessions of a Raging Calvinist
the Josh Harris weblog
Kayla: Trincessity Tales
Lyd: Me
Mitch: Bits of my World
Ruth: Christian Fiction Queen
Sarah: The World Through My Eyes
Feel free to send me a note at zircon2982@yahoo.com
"But the God of all grace, Who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." -1 Peter 5:10-11