God blesses us with gifts in this life to remind us of His goodness. The woman that I will be marrying is one of those gifts. She is steadfast in humility, saturated in patient grace, an agent of reconciliation, the object of my affection, selflessly sacrificial, consumed with love unshakable, uncompromisingly tender, her daddy’s prized possession, a daughter to an ever so glorious King, and best of all she is my gift, and the woman of my prayers, and dreams. I love you B..
This is such a great post by Mark Driscoll. He outlines a beautiful reality that we so easily forget..
—“Grace in Trials” The Valley of Vision
This is a great band sleeping giant. They have such a passion for the gospel and making His name known in this generation. This video captures the heart of there band!!
“There are green meadows and there are still waters, but I believe they are mostly to be found in the places where trials most abound!” C.H Spurgeon
Oh the reality of the gospel made alive in the midst of heart aching, faith shaking, soul wrenching trial.
Psalm 23 says that “He makes me lie down in green meadows, He leads me beside still waters.”
This passage of scripture is so profound, but yet proves God’s faithfulness, and gentle compassion for His people.
Something that is guaranteed in this broken life is pain, and suffering, we cannot escape it. Jesus suffered for the sake of the redeemed, He gave us a clear example of how we can truly find the riches of beauty in suffering. Jesus delighted in the Father, His hope was in the faithfulness of the character of God. Jesus suffered the brutality of the Cross, but held on for our sake.
Suffering is a reality and I see it across this world, my heart aches. People suffer and go through much agonizing trial without the inescapable joy and sojourning peace in Christ, they fill the hurtful, dark void in there hearts with temporal comfort and pleasure.
I have experienced pain, and hurt and without the wealth of knowing Christ, and having the wounds of my savior branded on my heart and soul, I would not have made it..
“Green meadows and Still waters are found in suffering, and trial when you are drowning in the blood of Christ..”
The love of Christ is exceedingly beyond anything any of us can ever imagine, but He pursues us and enables us by His spirit to receive it.. Christ beckons at the door patiently awaiting for us to cast earthly treasure and pleasure to the floor.. His strength is made perfect in us when faced with trial and weakness.. there is certainty in the fervency of compassion Christ bears for His people.
Come and die that you might live to the fullest by following Christ.. (Matthew 16:24)
Die to your own desires and you will see His
Die to your riches that you shall attain His
Die to pride that you may see God in His beauty
Taste the power of grace in the Gospel that you may Die to sin
There is Freedom
There is Joy
There is Life
Solus Christus (in Christ Alone)
For my sin. (Taken with Instagram at Grace Community Church)
Biographical teaching on Spurgeon and his passion for evangelism (Taken with Instagram at The Master’s Seminary)
Calvin. (Taken with Instagram at Coffee Spot)
Luther. (Taken with Instagram at Grace Community Church)
Sunday afternoon in the woods.. (Taken with instagram)
