my memories of mom

Some time after Mom passed away, I found a little envelope addressed to me in her handwriting. It was a card, written while she was dying, imparting motherly wisdom that she knew she would never have the chance to speak. Nothing shows Mom's heart like the last words she wrote:

Keep memorizing God's word... hide it in your heart, and let it change your life - follow Jesus with a whole heart - spend time in prayer each day - just talk to Jesus, be honest and admit when you sin, and realize that He loves you and wants you to be close to Him. . . . and before you know it, we'll be together with Jesus!!
Till then,
I love you,
Mommy

I can't tell how often through these eleven years that letter has influenced me. No mother could give her child better last words. It is a perfect picture of the type of life that she led and the type of death that she died. Christ consumed her. It's typical of how she spoke from my earliest memories, not just ultra-spiritual dying words. Precious memories.

Mom's Anniversary

June 24th.

Eleven years ago today my mom joyfully left this world behind and went home to be with her Beloved Savior.

She left behind the cancer, the chemo, the migraines, the disappointments.

Barely able to breathe because of the cancer cells that consumed her lungs, my mom left this life singing to the Lord in eager anticipation of being with Him, her truest Love.

Above all else, my mom hated her sin and could not wait to be parted from her 'body of flesh.'


You might think, "Well, yeah, I would want to leave all of that behind for glory too..."

My mom also had to leave behind a 11 yr.-old, 13 yr.-old, 15 yr.-old, and 17 yr.-old who had to watch their mother slowly deteriorate for years before her body could take no more.

I don't know all of the thoughts that went through mom's mind during those years, but her words were always ones of faith, grace, and trust in a Sovereign God who was working all things for her good. And boy, did she pray for the Lord to have mercy on her children!

The thing is, mom loved God more than she loved her children. Her love was founded on the solid Rock of Scripture--there was no shaking her trust in her heavenly Father.

That's the way it ought to be. We know what we're supposed to answer if someone asks us what we love most--"Jesus, of course!" But do I? Is it a reality in my life?

If I lose family and friends and spouse and housing and job, does it affect my love for the Lord? Is my love for Christ at all dependent on what He gives me, how my life is going, etc.?

I tend to think that things God has given me, or brought into my life, are "mine!" But all things belong to the Lord.

May we all be able to say when we lose parent, spouse, child, sibling, job, friend, house, car, respect, money, retirement, comfort, freedom, health, "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord!"

Oh the world needs to see the stark difference between those who know the Lord and those who have no hope in life. The world needs to see Christians who, in the midst of trials and sufferings, rejoice in their Savior as supremely satisfying.

John Piper says that this is why theology is so important. He says, "Wimpy theology makes wimpy Christians."

If most of our understanding of God's love comes from children's Sunday School songs...we're probably going to doubt that reality of that love when suffering comes our way (and it's not good enough to rely on our fathers or husbands or pastors to 'think through the heavy stuff' for us).

Our Lord has given us so much--we cannot forget that much is required.


I know that my mom (I don't know what I'll call her in heaven) is rejoicing with the Lord and will greet me one day as a sister. I cannot wait to thank her for showing the world that 'the sufferings of this world meant nothing to her'--her hope and joy and peace were in Christ alone.

Memories

Though I feel like a 16-wheeler ran over me, I'm enjoying the sweet memories of last weekend with my family.  It makes me realize again, memories are not made without effort.  Sure there are the spontaneous, laugh out loud kind of memories that happen around the dinner table, or on the way to church, or during a family work day at home, but the kind of life-long memories created from family ties usually takes intentional planning and lots of work.

It can be a strain on the budget traveling 10 hours from home to attend a family reunion.  It can be tiring packing, keeping kids content in the travel and keeping a watchful eye on the children in strange surroundings.  Accomodations are usually not as comfortable as home.  Getting home and unpacking and doing laundry and refilling the frig can be challenging as well, as the husband returns to work and the kids want to know why the fun had to end.  

But the effort pays off.  This weekend the grandchildren wrote memories on 3x5 cards of their times with their grandparents.  These were all placed in a box and given as a gift.  That would have been gift enough for my parents.  They laughed and cried as they read those dozens and dozens of card.  They'll be reading them for years to come, and still receiving  joy from them.  

I hope to make such memories for my grandchildren.  Little things like, playing card games, saying funny little phrases, or special foods, or conversations.  They all add up to create a connection that last beyond a life time.  Because of all these little things, and more, my children will be telling their children Grammie and Grampa stories long after they are gone.  

Thanks for the memories Dad and Mom.  Thank you Alina, Tim and Brooke, Joel and Ashley, Elliot and Kate, Jonathan, and David for making being in Maine for the family reunion a priority.  I know it required a lot of effort on your part.  I hope the memories made will mean as much to you as they do to me.

save the best for last

I like to save the best for last. I eat my pizza crust-first because the crust is my least favorite part, and I want to get it out of the way. I like going to work early in the morning so that I can leave work early in the day. I loved my mom's chicken pot pie, but I didn't like the lima beans in it, so the beans were the first things I would pick out to eat (okay, not so much eat as swallow whole). You know those shirts that people wear--"Life is uncertain: eat dessert first"--I totally disagree. Who could be happy eating cake when you know that the lima beans are waiting?

I think that eating your lima beans first is pretty good theology. I don't want my best life now. I don't want to eat my dessert first. There are millions of people who are having the best the world has to offer--and they will spend all of eternity suffering the divine judgment. The whole Bible is showing a story that will end in the restoration and glorification of this fallen world. It's the ultimate happy ending, the ultimate best being brought out at the last. In this world you will have lima beans (or long hours and short weekends or rebellious kids or tumors or torture or death)--be of good cheer. He is infinitely greater than those things, and He is your infinitely great reward--your best for last.

Let the aim of believers in judging mortal life, then, be that while they understand it to be of itself nothing but misery, they may with greater eagerness and dispatch betake themselves wholly to meditate upon that eternal life to come. When it comes to a comparison with the life to come, the present life can not only be safely neglected but, compared to the former, must be utterly despised and loathed.

Let us, however, consider this settled: that no one has made in the progress in the school of Christ who does not joyfully await the day of death and final resurrection. Paul, too, distinguishes all believers by this mark, and Scripture habitually recalls us to it whenever it would set forth proof of perfect happiness. "Rejoice," says the Lord, "and raise your heads; for your redemption is drawing near." [Luke 21:28] John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, vol. 1, ed. John T. McNeill, p. 716, 718

Test Your Affections

Yes, I do a lot of blog entries on books...I'm going to do another one. :)

I have been so profoundly moved over the past several days from reading The Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards--I confess that I have found it difficult to think on much else.

So sorry for the numerous quotes, but I promise they're worth it (and you don't know how hard it was to cut it down to just these!!!):

Such is man's nature that he is very inactive, any otherwise than he is influenced by some affection, either love or hatred, desire, hope, fear, or some other. These affections we see to be the springs that set men a-going, in all the affairs of life, and engage them in all their pursuits: these are the things that put men forward, and carry them along, in all their worldy business; and especially are men excited and animated by these in all affairs wherein they are earnestly engages, and which they pursue with vigour...take away all love and hatred, all hope and fear, all anger, zeal, and affectionate desire, and the world would be in a great measure motionless and dead.

God made humans to be intensely emotional beings. Think about it...everything we do is tied to our affections in some way.

I hate bugs; therefore, I (almost always) keep my car windows shut!
I have a fear of heights, so I watch my friends ride the Ferris wheel from the ground!!!
My CD collection grows because I love music.

In our natural state, we are controlled by our fallen affections. We can have carnal desires for knowledge, morality, even religion--but the question is, "Has the Holy Spirit, through the regeneration of the heart, changed my very nature and given me new strong, deep, ever-growing affections for the Lord?"

I grew up "Christian." I really thought I was saved... I "prayed the prayer" (about twice a day just to make sure).
Indifference was the norm--passion for holiness was reserved for the pastor or other "super Christians."
I would have said, "Yes, I love Jesus," but my life was in no way motivated by the gospel.
What I didn't understand was the difference between behavior modification (my works) and the supernatural work of regeneration (God's work of salvation). And how can one understand until God "lifts the veil?!?!"
As Peter Furler says, "You don't know you're deceived until you're not."

Ponder these words from Edwards (I promise you they're worth a careful reading!):

And as in worldly things worldly affections are very much the spring of men's motion and action; so in religious matters the spring of their actions is very much religious affection: he that has doctrinal knowledge and speculation only, without affection, never is engaged in the business of religion.

From a vigorous, affectionate, and fervent love to God will necessarily arise other religious affections; hence will arise an intense hatred and abhorrence of sin, fear of sin, and a dread of God's displeasure, gratitude to God for his goodness, complacence and joy in God when God is graciously and sensibly present, and grief when He is absent, and a joyful hope when a future enjoyment of God is expected, and fervent zeal for the glory of God.

A man's having much affection, does not prove that he has any true religion: but if he has no affection, it proves that he has no true religion.

If true religion lies much in the affections, hence we may learn what great cause we have to be ashamed and confounded before God, that we are no more affected with the great things of religion.

Having knowledge of the gospel is not enough. Theological affirmations are not enough.

To borrow a phrase from John Piper: Christ must be your supreme treasure!

A regenerated person feels only deep affection at the notion of finding all joy and satisfaction in Christ; a lost "religious" person feels only frustration because his heart betrays that Christ does not fulfill his desires like other things do.

Let us examine our hearts.
Let us seek to strengthen our affections in the Lord and weaken our lingering affections for sin, by God's unmeasurable grace!

Two Dads

I tell people I loved Tim's father before I loved Tim.  In fact, I didn't even know Tim for the first few years of knowing his father.  When I did finally meet him, Tim did everything in his power to "capture me" but it was what I knew about Tim's father that allowed me to respond to Tim's persistence.  

Tim's father was a huge man in every way.  As small as my father is (picture me), Tim's father was the complete opposite (picture Tim - only bigger).  Dad's love for his Lord, God's people, his family matched his size.  Tim's father smiled large.  He shook hands and gave hugs in a large way.  He sang large, and worked and played large.  There was nothing small about this man.

Tim's father and mother were missionaries to Japan and used to speak at a summer Bible camp where I first met them.  I loved hearing their stories.  I have a clear memory of peppering this "Pastor Bill" with questions while in the lake at the camp.  I was standing in water up to my hips and his knees were barely wet. 

Then, a few years later I met his son.  From that point on, I had an up close look at this man.  He was a first generation Christian (almost completely unchurched).  When God saved him God gave him a deep hunger for God's word and spreading the Gospel.  He was a man of uncompromising convictions.  He loved history, especially church history.  He loved the Puritans.  He loved the doctrines of grace.  He loved, loved, loved to sing of this grace.  I can hear his voice now.

He loved his family, holidays, sports, games.  He loved children.  All children.  Children were magnetized to him.  Come to think of it, I can't think of anyone who wasn't.  Once you met this man, you were captured by his warmth and down-to-earth friendliness.  

Dad went to be with the Lord 2 1/2 years ago.  We miss him.  I miss him.  Because of him I have so much for which to be thankful.  He gave me my husband. He set an example for Tim and I to follow in marriage and ministry.  He consistently lived in the knowledge a sovereign God who demonstrated His love to sinners through the sacrifice of His Son on the cross.  I could go on.

Maybe another time.  Another post.  

But for now, it is enough for me to have this opportunity to honor Dad Shorey with my thoughts in the post.  Thank you for reading.  I hope you have been made to smile just from reading about this man, because if you could actually meet him I guarantee you'd be smiling. Someday you will meet him.  You'll smile then too. 

Two Dads

Today and tomorrow I want to honor my two dads.

My father turned 80 last week.  His  14th spiritual birthday is this month also.  I wish I had the time and space to tell you the story of his final surrender to God's call to faith.  When I think about Dad running hard away from God, I think of Martin Luther who called God "the Hound of Heaven."  God pursues His chosen ones, and doesn't give up until they are brought to their knees in repentant faith.  Dad resisted God's pursuit of him as long as he could until God's gracious hand grabbed hold of him and said, "Enough!! I love you and I want you to know my love beginning today."  It was at that moment Dad saw everything clearly.  He saw his pride for what it really was:  a sin against a holy God, deserving of eternal damnation.  He saw for the first time how the Judge of all the earth had provided a substitute for the penalty of  his sin.  He saw Jesus, as his sin-bearer.  His  "chains fell off, [his] heart was free; [he] rose went forth and followed thee. (Charles Wesley)"

I clearly remember the day I heard this good news.  To be honest I had begun to think Dad would never be brought to faith because he'd had so many life-threatening crises but felt no spiritual danger.  I had begun to think his was a hopeless case.  

How foolish of me.  As long as there is life, there is hope.  Though I had been praying, my prayers were weak in faith.  How thankful I am to my gracious God for granting to my father the gift of salvation.  

Dad was a good father.  Even before becoming a Christian he took his role as husband and father seriously.  He was a hard worker, and loved his family deeply.  I didn't really expect to see much change in him in his new life.  But there was!!  There was joy.  There was a peace about him that I'd never seen before.  There was a warmth towards Christians, an eagerness to attend church, enter into fellowship, read God's word, and pray.  The transformation was immediate and obvious.  

I am so thankful for all the blessings that have come as a result of my father's salvation.  What I am most happy about is that not only my children but also my grandchildren can experience the prayers of my father.  Though they do not see him much, Dad is praying for them.  What richness is ours.

This Saturday we will all be together in Maine.  Dad and Mom will be surrounded by their 5 children,  16 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.  We will be celebrating Dad and Mom's 80th birthdays, and their 60th wedding anniversary.  Blessings Galore!!  "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow."  Amen.

Pillars in the House of God (pt.6)

Have you noticed all the examples I've drawn from Scripture for this series have been women?  I hope it goes without saying that without strong, godly male leaders (pillars) in our church it wouldn't be a church at all.  But for our purposes here, I've chosen to set before you a few women who through their love and devotion to Christ and the church, became pillars and examples to follow.

Today's woman doesn't have a name.  There are only three verses written about her but those three verses express a commendation from Jesus.  We know she was a widow, and we know she was poor.  We also know she had a vision for the kingdom of God. This woman, found in Luke 2:2-5, "happens" to be in line at the temple when Jesus was there.  She had come to give her offering.  And Jesus noticed.

She might have felt a bit conspicuous there with all the rich bringing their large offerings.  It was probably obvious to all that this woman was poor.  But this did not keep her away.  She had a fixed determination to invest in the kingdom of God.  Sounds familiar to Tim's words yesterday: "telling the coming generation is more than a slogan or a nice idea; it is a chosen and deliberate course of action."

This woman had a purpose and a vision.  She was going to give everything she had to the temple.  And what is interesting is, Jesus let her.  Jesus commended her.  He didn't put up a fuss insisting she take care of her basic needs first.  He must have been smiling inside and out. 

He knew of course that her basic needs would be taken care of.  He knew His Father in heaven would care for her in a more intimate way than the sparrows are cared for.  He knew this woman had an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading (1 Peter 1:4).  He loved that this woman was willing to trust her heavenly Father for her daily bread.  

Church pillars are people, men and women, who have this kind of devotion to God.  Church pillars are those people who have "stood at the foot of the cross, and watched the tremendous payment of our redemption with the precious blood of Christ - ... [the ones who] if they had seen that awful price [poured] out, drop by drop, from His own dear patient brow and torn hands and feet, till it was ALL paid, and the central word of eternity was uttered, 'It is finished'... [They are the ones who are] ready to say, 'Not a mite will I withhold'" (Francis Havergal).  

As Christian women, we have been given by God a huge capacity to give.  I have been blessed in recent days to hear reports of women responding to the many needs around them.  In many ways the women in our church have a standard of living that is far below those of their neighbors because of their generous love for Jesus, the church, and the coming generations.  

None of us has given "all that we have to live on" but are we willing to trust God for our daily bread?  Are we willing to give ourselves into real poverty out of a love for Jesus?  Just because He gave His all for us?  

Something for me to think about.  Or should I say,  something for me to "chose a deliberate course of action."

Pillars in the House of God (pt.5)

Two more pillars.  Hey, we want there to be a good solid church, don't we?  

Today's pillar:  godly moms.  Take Lois and Eunice for example.  We do not know much about Timothy's father, except that he was probably Greek.  It would seem he probably was not a Christian, because Paul gives credit only to Timothy's mother and grandmother for Timothy's christian upbringing.  Paul says to Timothy, "I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well" (1 Timothy 1:5).

I have observed that some women tend to rely solely on their husband for the spiritual instruction in the home.  When the husband is absent or too busy, or doesn't recognize his spiritual headship in the home, the job doesn't get done.  But there is still MOM.  

There are a couple references in the book of Proverbs that give us insight into God's design for mothers to be teachers: Proverbs 1:8 and Proverbs 6:20.  Proverbs 31 is an oracle (a very wise answer) given by a mother to her son.  Also, throughout Proverbs wisdom is personified with the use of feminine pronouns.  These passages, along with the example of Lois and Eunice, show us how mothers are to be conveyors of truth for their children.

When mothers take their role seriously and teach their children God's Word, they are pillars in the church.  It is wonderful to have such a biblically based and lively Children's Ministry such as we have in Trinity, but the primary responsibility for biblical instruction is to come from father and mother.  

Some women may not know how to do this.  I believe it is something you grow into by doing it.  I would suggest you begin by building a library of  biblically sound books for children.  A couple of weeks ago Tim promoted some titles, (for example, Leading Little Ones to God) to which I'd like to add:  My ABC Bible Verses by Susan Hunt, Big Truths for Little Kids by Susan Hunt, The King Without a Shadow by RC Sproul, The Priest with the Dirty Clothes by RC Sproul, and  Little Pilgrim's Progress  by Helen L. Taylor (from John Bunyan's classic work, Pilgrim's Progress).  Dangerous Journey  is another excellent adaptation of Bunyan's book.  

Speaking from experience, snuggling up with children to read a good book gives more than spiritual instruction.  There is a connection that is very real, deep and lasting.  Over the years and even now when I am reading with my 14 year old son I think, "It doesn't get much better than this."  I will miss it when this season of my life is over, but yeah for grandkids!!!  

So, my mom friends, be pillars by being pillar builders.  And enjoy the process!! 

PS.  Visit Trinity's bookstore for the books mentioned above and more!!  Happy shopping!  

wondrous love

What wondrous love is this,
O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this,
O my soul!
What wondrous love is this
That caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse
For my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse
For my soul!

"We must, therefore, hold fast to the biblical revelation of the living God who hates evil, is disgusted and angered by it, and refuses ever to come to terms with it. In consequence, we may be sure that when he searched in his mercy for some way to forgive, cleanse, and accept evil-doers, it was not along the road of moral compromise."

When I was sinking down,
Sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down,
Sinking down,
When I was sinking down
Beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown
For my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside His crown
For my soul.

"It had to be a way that was equally expressive of his love and of his wrath. As Brunner put it, 'where the idea of the wrath of God is ignored, there also will there be no understanding of the central conception of the Gospel: the uniqueness of the revelation in the Mediator.' Similarly, 'only he who knows the greatness of wrath will be mastered by the greatness of mercy.'"

To God and to the Lamb
I will sing, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb
I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb,
Who is the great I AM,
While millions join the theme,
I will sing, I will sing,
While millions join the theme,
I will sing.

"If we bring God down to our level and raise ourselves to his, then of course we see no need for a radical salvation, let alone for a radical atonement to secure it. When, on the other hand, we have glimpsed the blinding glory of the holiness of God and have been so convicted of our sin by the Holy Spirit that we tremble before God and acknowledge what we are, namely 'hell-deserving sinners,' then and only then does the necessity of the cross appear so obvious that we are astonished we never saw it before." (John R. W. Stott, The Cross of Christ, 20th Anniversary Edition, p. 110-111)

And when from death I’m free,
I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And when from death I’m free,
I’ll sing on.
And when from death I’m free
I’ll sing His love for me,
And through eternity
I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
And through eternity
I’ll sing on.

That is what is on this hell-deserving sinner's heart. I want to glory in the cross, make my only boast in Christ and Him crucified. Jesus, keep me near the cross!

For a particularly stirring rendition of "Wondrous Love," preview Re:Sound's Rain City Hymnal--it has greatly blessed me this last week.

Oooohhh... this one hurts...

If you follow the FreeTruth blog, you will know that materialism is among the topics being discussed.

We’ve heard all of the clichés…”What about my Christian liberty?!?!” “I live under grace, not the law.” I’ve even heard this one multiple times--”Well, the Proverbs 31 woman wears expensive clothing!”

We all think that we’re the exception. "If everyone else was more generous then I could have everything I want…" I don’t believe I have ever said those words out loud, but if I examine my heart I know that it is the way I have felt many times.

Do you look at wealthy people you know and wonder what it would be like to be rich? Reality check--you are rich. Oh, you may not be in the top one percent of wealthy individuals in the world…you’re just in the top ten percent. In America, we are just not easily impressed, are we? Unless you have a mansion, expensive cars, the latest gadgets, and possibly your own helicopter…we just think, “Oh, well, he doesn’t have as nice a car as…”

And then the pastor finally gets to 1 Timothy 6:17-19. You’re thinking that the rich Christians really need to hear this! If they would just give a few million dollars to the church, or give you a job, or give Billy Bob a car…maybe I’m the only one who has been guilty of such judgmental thoughts (I doubt it though).

We need…I need to look at those verses and see them talking to me. See, I have gotten so accustomed to what makes my life comfortable, not what makes it livable, that I have excused myself from being as generous as I should be. It‘s not even rational--storing up treasures here instead of storing up treasures for eternity, absurd!

Augustine speaks of materialism in his book The City of God (read this book!!!),

But as to those feebler spirits who, though they cannot be said to prefer earthly possessions to Christ, do yet cleave to them with a somewhat immoderate attachment, they have discovered by the pain of losing these things how much they were sinning in loving them.

And again, speaking of Christians who heed 1 Timothy 6:17-19,

They who were making such a use of their property have been consoled for light losses by great gains, and have had more pleasure in those possessions which they have securely laid past, by freely giving them away, than grief in those which they entirely lost by an anxious and selfish hoarding of them. For nothing could perish on earth save what they would be ashamed to carry away from earth.

As we move closer to going "home" we should be freeing ourselves from worldly attachments, not trying to "get as much in while I can" (but there might not be iced caramel macchiato in heaven!!!…okay, maybe that’s an area where I struggle).

Seriously though, I don’t want to leave this earth with a "bag full of stuff."
I’ll share with you some things in my "bag" (excesses, things to enjoy in moderation or even abstain from):

1) entertainment--t.v., movies, sports…
2) caffeine--Starbucks!!! (I have seriously cut back…I promise…)
3) sleep
4) toys--ipod, cell phone, computer
5) sweets
6) free time--a luxury that I am extremely grateful for and which I have sinfully wasted most of on frivolous activities and selfish pursuits

I am painfully aware that as I type this very blog entry I am enjoying a diet Coke and peanut M&Ms. I stand before you, the ultimate hypocrite.

What’s in your "bag?"

Pillars in the House of God (pt.4)

One more pillar (until next week).  

Pillar #3:  Women who model the life of Dorcas; "full of good works and acts of charity."

Like Dorcas, women who live the "Dorcas-way" often function in obscurity.  Their labors of love are often done in secret, or without much fanfare.  This is how they like it.  

Dorcas was full of good works and acts of charity (Acts 9:36-42).  Her life was so devoted to the care of others she was no longer functioning in obscurity.  She probably wanted to be, but her labors of love had made her well known in the region.  When she became sick and died, her friends sent for Peter.  Peter, who probably also had heard about this woman, immediately responded to their request for help.  When he went into her room Dorcas's friends were weeping and showing Peter all the things that Dorcas had made to be given away.  Can't you just picture the scene? Peter was moved with compassion and the Holy Spirit came upon Peter with power to restore her to life.  This became known throughout the city and many came to faith as a result.  An amazing story of a great pillar in the Joppa church.

Women are designed by God to be nurturers.   Every day we hear of women with nurturing hearts giving biblical counsel for how to cope with divorce, an abortion, or abuse.  Dorcas women extend kindness to orphans, widows, shut-ins.  These are the women delivering meals to the sick and the needy as well as visiting those in prison, defending the unborn and providing hospitality wherever there is a need. The list goes on.  

There are many areas in which women can serve the church for which men are either not gifted, or for which men are not as available, or where it is more prudent for a woman to serve than a man. Where would Trinity be without this kind of care? Along with the doctrinally sound preaching, passionate worship, biblical fellowship, and evangelism, it is these acts of service that round out the life of Trinity and keeps it biblically balanced.

Ladies, I want to encourage you all in your God-given capacity to love, nurture, tenderly care for the sick, the hurting, the helpless, the lost.  God sees you, just as He saw Dorcas.  God will one day bless you with a "well done though good and faithful servant."  But not only God sees; others see as well.  We are all affected by your service.  Because of your consistent, untiring efforts we are all challenged to serve God better.  You are an example to follow.  Thank you.

Pillars in the House of God (pt.3)

Pillar #2:  Women who share their husband's vision for work and ministry.  Though this will seem to relate mostly to married women, there is an obvious application for singles as well.  If you are single, please hang in there with me and read on!  And besides, you never know if God's plan is for you to marry someday, and if so, maybe this will help.

When women share their husband's passion for their career and ministry great things happen.  Priscilla was such a woman.  She lived with her husband in Rome, but had been commanded by Claudius to leave simply for being a Christian.  We find Priscilla with her husband, Aquila, in Athens in Acts 18. Here they had set up shop as tentmakers.  The wording indicates both shared in this trade.  While in Athens, Paul bumped into Aquila and because Paul was also a tentmaker Paul stayed with them for an extended period of time.  Later in this chapter we read about another converted Jew being strongly influenced by this godly couple.  Priscilla and Aquila took Apollos, a relatively new and untaught believer and "explained to him the way of God more accurately."  Again, the wording seems to indicate a shared ministry experience between husband and wife.

This is exciting to me.  God revealed his heart for women by including Priscilla in this narrative.  God presents Priscilla as a competent woman, skillful with her hands, given to hospitality and knowledgeable in the scriptures.  God gives us an example to follow!  And in fact, God commands women to be "teachers of good and so train..." (Titus 2:4).

When women devote themselves to the reading and study of God's word, they become pillars in the church.  The expansion of the gospel through Apollos cannot be measured as he went on to become an eloquent and gifted preacher (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:6).  In the same way, when we disciple women in the word, or team with our husband to mentor a new believer or couple, we are strengthening the church.  When we invest in the next generation through instruction to children, we have no way of knowing what fruit will be born for the gospel.  

When I think of my dear sister in the Lord, now advanced in years, who sits in the front row with me raising her hands in worship and clapping to the beat of the drums, I thank God for women like her who invested in my children.  Her knowledge of the word, the Sovereignty of God, and the Gospel were passed on to my children (and others) when they were still preschoolers.  Now these adults are sharing in ministry to others.  Her "watering" with the truth certainly was used by God to strengthen TFC.  The rippling effect of the truth she gave will be discovered in eternity.  But my guess is, the ripples have been felt around the globe. Isn't that amazing?

So ladies, whether you are a CM worker, or a mentor to women, or team teach with your husband in your living room, be encouraged to know that you are a pillar in the church.  And may I encourage you to continue to go deep in the things of God.  Stay in God's word so that you may be able to accurately teach the things that are good.  And if you are married, think how you, like Priscilla, can maximize your pleasure in marriage by partnering with your husband for the Gospel and the strengthening of the church.  It sure beats endless rounds of golf, or "picking up seashells at the seashore" (John Piper).

Pillars in the House of God (pt.2)

Women as pillars in the church.  My mind has been racing since yesterday.  There are so many directions I could go in, but how do I narrow my thoughts so as to not let this become a book? I decided the best approach was to go to Scripture and draw from some examples of strong women in the NT.  I could spend many days on this, but my posts are not to be lengthy lectures.  I blog my thoughts for my own instruction and encouragement, nothing deeply profound, but hopefully helpful.  

So, here's pillar #1.  A young woman, married only 7 years.  I'm not sure how old she was when she got married but I'm guessing it was around age 14 (the Bible says "from when she was a virgin").  At age 21 she becomes a widow.  Single.  Alone.  What did she choose to do with her life at that point?  She chose service in the temple.  She gave her life to worshiping, fasting and prayer and waiting for the Messiah.  This she did for 84 years!!! Then, after seeing Jesus, she began to speak of him (witnessing) to everyone else who was looking for the Messiah's appearance.  I can only assume this continued until she died.  Amazing.  Aren't you glad God allowed Anna to see the answer to her 84 year long prayer?

When I think about Anna as a pillar in the house of God my imagination runs wild.   I am pretty sure Mary and Joseph had no clue someone was praying for them during those months of pregnancy, labor and delivery.   I am sure Anna herself was unaware of the details of the Messiah's entrance into history.  But being a prophetess, maybe she was given some sense that it would happen during her lifetime.  We don't know.

This much we do know:  this was a woman, who at the age of 21 (or so) committed her life to service in the temple.  Her prayer and fasting may well have been used by God to help sustain Jesus, and the disciples.  We don't know how long she lived, but we have no reason to think she died after seeing Jesus.  Did she continue to pray for him, his ministry, the nation of Israel, and the future church?  I think so.

There is an obvious connection to our lives for women to be pillars for prayer, but I won't repeat myself.  The pillars I am thinking of today is of those women between the ages of 20 and 100 who are single.  These women may have never been married, they may be divorced or widowed.  But their husband is Christ, and they are in a very real sense married to the church.

These are pillars who serve the body so faithfully through their prayer, fasting, and worship.  They worship God with heart and voice but also with joyful fellowship and service.  They teach young children, they serve through evangelism, they mentor other women, they assist their pastors in any and every area.  They give up their time to babysit for families.  They do this tirelessly.

I am sure if these women were to imagine living a single life for 84 years they might be tempted to despair.  There are definitely many difficulties in singleness.  But the single women I know, are not pining away for "Mr. Right."  They are embracing their singleness for the glory of God and the good of the church present and future.

Ladies, your prayers, your worship, your acts of loving service to the Body of Christ, like Anna's, will have a lasting impact.  And who knows?  Maybe in your lifetime you will experience the second coming of Christ, and He will find you serving as a pillar in the House of God!! Imagine that!!

Pillars in the House of God

Did you ever think of yourself as a pillar in the house of God?  I'm guessing most women would not.  When one thinks of a pillar, the image of strength comes to mind, which would seem to suggest something opposite from what 1 Peter 3:7 says.  But this morning Warren Boettcher told us the church needs "pastors and pillars."  The women in the church are certainly not to be pastors, so that leaves us standing as pillars. 

How are we pillars?  How do we become pillars?  What do pillars do?  The answers to these questions will fulfill my quota of posts this week.  

Until tomorrow, when I will have more time to give to this topic, I am thinking about a woman I spoke with this morning who shared with me how she believes her calling is to pray for the church.  This woman is not seeking to be a visible pillar, but rather she desires to be a footing that supports the whole structure.  For without the proper foundation, a building will not stand over time.  Without prayer pillars our church is weak.  I am so very thankful for women who pray for the church.  I am so thankful for women who I know pray for my husband.  There are women who intercede for my children and for me.  How very, very grateful I am.  For without their prayers, I (we) would have given up because of  sin, weakness, and the enemy's attacks, long ago.

Ladies, I am sure you all are praying women, for this is one of the great privileges of our life in Christ.  We have a mediator between us and God:  Christ Jesus who sits at the right hand of God the Father, making intercession for us (1 Timothy 2:5).  We can all come boldly into His presence where we can find mercy and grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrew 4:15).  How the Father loves to hear His daughters pray.  He is eager to come swiftly to our aid.  

The woman I was referring to earlier said this is her experience in prayer.  She said when she prays she has a keen sense that God is actively listening.  She feels His presence and she is given faith in her praying.

I am so thankful for this woman and others I can call when I am aware of a need for prayer, because I know they will pray.  And if you desire prayer support from one of these pillars, let me know, I won't be selfish.  I'll be anxious to share their names with you.  

Talk to you tomorrow.

Gayline

 

Six Virtuous Women: Helpers in the Kingdom of God

I asked Gayline if I could borrow her blog to celebrate a few women in the church. She didn't know she'd be one of them, or she may have turned me down. But since I now have keyboard in hand, I'm free to go!

All who were present Sunday received a precious gift from the heart of God through the words of a man, Brian Solik. I had 10-15 people say to me things like: "That truth I just heard will leave a permanent mark on my life. I don't think I will ever be the same." I don't believe I have ever heard such a reverent and enthused response to any message preached by anyone in this church. I made sure to thank Brian both publicly and privately. 

But I also made sure to thank someone else: Brian's wife, Donna. I went out of my way to speak to her and to pour out my grateful praise upon her. You see: Brian labored for 25+ hours to prepare that message. Yes you read that right (all the men who preach have to devote anywhere from 15-30 hours in preparation of each sermon meal they set before you each week. That's a lot of mental and spiritual labor gladly offered by these faithful men.

But what does that mean for their wives; for Donna and Debbie and Pat and Brooke and Lisa and Gayline? It means that these dear sisters in Christ and partners in the kingdom are sacrificing 15-30 hours of time with their husbands, of chores that could have been done by their husbands, of time their husbands could have spent helping with the kids or the shopping or the cleaning or doing yard work or simply sitting still in conversation.

These six women regularly sacrifice in this kind of way so their husbands can serve you substantial meals each Sunday. And when you consider that each of these men does double and triple duty in other areas of ministry in the church, the sacrifice made--and that cheerfully--by these women is not to be underestimated or overlooked. 

The fact is that Brian and Donna gave us that meal on Sunday; she no less than he. He would not have been able to preach if she had not freed him to prepare. If Donna had not released him to the study by making sure to handle other areas of life and need, he would never have had the time to serve the way he did.

Sisters: this loving sacrifice by these women is a living model of the Bible's design for marriage. In Genesis 1:26, 27 and Genesis 2:15-18, we see that this is precisely why God created woman and marriage: because the man had been given dominion (i.e.-kingdom of God) work, and he was incapable of accomplishing it alone. He needed help; so God gave it to him in the form of a godly virtuous wife.

This is what Paul means when he says in 1 Corinthians 11:9 that the woman was made for the man, not the reverse. This does not mean that the woman was made for the man's personal ego or happiness; it means that the woman was given to man to help the man accomplish his God-given kingdom roles.

That is exactly what these six virtuous women do week after week. And that is what every wife should set as her primary goal in marriage: to discover what her husband's primary kingdom roles and goals are and to commit herself to releasing and empowering him to accomplish them with her at his side. 

Likewise Christian women who are unmarried should grasp the goals of their spiritual leaders and stand alongside of them in any way they can to help them reach for that kingdom vision given to them by God.

This is a high and holy calling. Without it the work of the kingdom would never get done. Sermons would not be preached. Counseling would not be done. Sinners would not be saved. The poor would not be cared for. The world would not be reached. Children would not be served. Nothing good would ever happen.

This is God's design for marriage and church. Thank you Donna, Brooke, Debbie, Pat, Lisa, and Gayline. You serve us just as much as your husbands do, even though you often cannot be seen. May this post help others to see and thank and imitate you more.

A grateful pastor.

Tim S.

A Word to the Wives

My mind has been spinning since Brian's message yesterday.   As Tim said, "we were given a gift" and I'm living in the wonder of it.  Thank you Brian.  Following up on a message like that is like showing someone a piece of earth and expecting them to get excited when you tell them, "This is the Grand Canyon."  

But my Monday posts are not designed to be a retelling of the previous day's preaching  Rather my goal is to take what was spoken and bring application to women in a way that can't be done from the pulpit.  Woman to woman.  And because I cannot have you all in my home for coffee and a chat I use this blog.  Thank you for listening.

I'm feeling pressed this morning to bring application to wives.  I was watching a movie recently where a wife was complaining to her husband because he was always at work.  It turned out the reason for this was he was trying to live up to his wife's expectations for what a successful husband should be and provide.  She had made it clear over time that he was never doing enough.  He wanted to meet her expectations but she couldn't have her wish list and his time with the family both.

The book of Proverbs has a lot to say about how wives can sin against her husband with her grumbling and complaining.  "dripping faucet", "door swinging on its hinges", "it is better to live in the corner of a rooftop than a wife....." all refer to a woman who is a complainer (NAG).  

My dear sisters, I so appreciate the fact that you have humbly chosen to follow God's pattern for marriage.  I know it isn't easy to release your husband for work, to be content with his income, to be at home all day with the kids, and while living at home all day becoming aware of all the work your husband needs to get done around the house, and the things you think you "need."  

But my encouragement for you today is:  examine your heart, your attitudes, words and actions toward your husband to see if you may be tearing down your house with grumbling and complaining.  Are you discouraging your husband with your displeasure with his provision, or success? 

When I was first married I was tempted to compare my new husband with my father. My father at that time was the age Tim is now.  He'd had 30 years of life, work, home experience.  Tim was just beginning.  How unloving it was of me to expect Tim to provide for me with the standard of living I was used to growing up.  How unloving it was of me to expect him to have the same knowledge of car repair, home repair, etc. that my dad did?  How unloving of me to expect Tim to have the same amount of time off that my dad had earned after 30 years in the same company?  

Thankfully, the Lord revealed this to me very early on.  God very graciously taught me this man who I was madly in love with had a heart for God and living according to God's word.  God was growing him in ways far better than I could ever do with all my grumbling and complaining.  I knew I could trust God for my husband and all the real needs of my life.  

We cannot have it all ladies.  We cannot have a fat paycheck, a bigger home, a better car, a man who is ever present for all our "needs", and a man with a passionate love for Christ. Something has to give.  

May our husband feel our deep appreciation for their labor.  Let us see them off for work (I know one wife who gets up at 4 a.m. to see her husband off with coffee and a specialty sandwich made fresh with her own hands for his lunch).  Let us not "pounce" on them when they return home from work with our demands.  May they not hear our voices or see in our faces any displeasure for how they are providing.  Let us embrace them warmly, and may we look directly into their eyes, and say "thank you for laboring for us and thank you for coming home."

I do not do this perfectly.  Yesterday's message was a good reminder for me in this area.  But I am determined, with the knowledge that God is at work in me and is eager to help me,  to "put on my new glasses," and view everything in light of Christ's humiliation , crucifixion and exaltation.  May we all "work out our salvation" in this area of our lives.  And let us each be truly thankful for our husband. And to rejoice in God. God has said, when we cease from grumbling our lives, and marriages will shine as lights to others.  In other words, our children, our neighbors, family and church will see the difference that God has made and God will be glorified.  That's the great purpose of it all.