Thinking eternal thoughts?

Insensibility to eternal things in beings who are standing on the brink of eternity is a madness which would be considered a wonder if it were not so common. Suppose we had the prospect of inheriting a great estate and a splendid mansion which we knew would be ours in a few days, and in the meantime we rented a paltry cottage in bad repair, ready to fall, and from which we knew we must at all events soon be turned out. Would it be wisdom or common sense to overlook totally our near and noble inheritance and to be so fondly attached to our falling tenement that we spent a great part of our time and thoughts in supporting its ruins by props, and concealing its decay by decorations? To be so absorbed in the little sordid pleasures of this frail abode so as not even to cultivate a taste for the delights of the mansion where such treasures are laid up for us—this is an excess of folly which must be seen to be believed.

When we are indifferent to eternal things, we add to our peril. If shutting our eyes to a danger would prevent it, to shut them would not only be a happiness but a duty. But to trade eternal safety for momentary ease is a wretched bargain. The reason why we do not value eternal things is because we do not think of them. The mind is so full of what is present that it has no room to admit a thought of what is to come. We are guilty of not giving the same attention to an eternal soul which prudent souls give to a common business transaction. We complain that life is short, and yet throw away the best part of it, only giving over to religion that portion which is good for nothing else. Life would be long enough if we assigned its best period to the best purpose.

Excerpt:
PRACTICAL PIETY by Hannah More, 1811The Influence of the Religion of the Heart, on the Conduct of the Life, Chapter 17, “Insensibility to Eternal Things”

We love Him because He first loved us.”

We love Him because He first loved us. I John 4:19

Why are you cast down, O soul? Do you not know that your Heavenly Father loves you with an everlasting love and that “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”? [Romans 8:38:39] Look to Him when you are hurting, lonely, in pain and suffering, in trial or joy, war or peace, facing new life or early death – it is He who sits in the heavens ordaining all to come to pass in your life for your good and His glory. Come close to Him, Coram Deo … be quiet of heart and mind with Him and remember those days when He first spoke to your heart of His love and commitment to you and how He opened the Scripture to you. [Luke 24:32] He is with us and will never leave or forsake us with His love and presence. Go to Him – look to Him –You are loved because of Him.

Think these thoughts:

“Love is what happens when you look away from yourself and toward another.”[1]

“You will wake to a new day with the thought, I am loved. You will move through the monotony, the disappointments, the weeds and thorns of your work, with the thought, He loves me. When you eat at midday you will remember, I am His gift. This food is His gift. And you will find strength for your afternoon. On your bed you will remember Me; you will think of Me throughout the night. [Psalm 63:6] As you drift into sleep, you will know, He’s thinking of me. And you will find rest for body and soul. As you drink deeply of My love, you will be strengthened and renewed. Then the doing of your love will be the overflow. You will be so intoxicated with the thought, I am loved, that you will respond, “I love you too.” Giving love will then be your expression of joy, like a bride on her wedding day. “I know you love me…therefore, I can say, ‘in sickness and in health, in plenty and in want; I will be there for you.” When you learn how much I really love you, commitment will be no duty, only sheer delight. You will love because first you are loved. [1 John 4:19] Receive my commitment to you, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with lovingkindness. [Jeremiah 31:3] Remember my gifts. Pull out the book of old love letters [Bible], reread them as you read them when love was new. Remember how much richer your life is because of My love.

Child, your doing of love must come from the abiding assurance that you are loved. You must be My love before you can do My love. Perhaps it is the greater side of faith for you to say, “I love You, Lord,” and to do anything for me that it is to say, “I love You, Lord – here, let me take just one more project.” If you love Me, yes, feed My lambs. But if you love Me, first be My lamb. And I carry my lambs close to My heart….”

You don’t have to be anything for Me except what you are, My child. You are Mine. Everything you are and everything you are not…. You are loved just because you are. I am the One who knows you best and also the One who loves you most. You were loved from eternity past, even before I brought you to life in your mother’s womb. “All the days ordained for you were written in My book before one of them came to be.” [Psalm 139:13-16]. You will be loved until eternity future when I will carry you across the threshold of the New Jerusalem, as My bride. I will wipe away your tears, and we will sit down to dinner. You will take freely of My love and we will be together, home at last.” [Revelation 21-22] [2]

O Deus, Ego Amo Te[3]

MY God, I love thee: not because
I hope for heaven thereby,
Nor because they who love thee not
Must burn eternally.

Thou, O my Jesus, Thou didst me
Upon the Cross embrace;
For me didst bear the nails and spear,
And manifold disgrace.

And grief and torments numberless,
And sweat of agony;
Yea, death itself; and all for me
Who was thine enemy.

Then why, O Blessèd Jesu Christ,
Should I not love thee well?—
Not for the hope of winning heaven,
Nor of escaping hell;

Not with the hope of gaining aught,
Not seeking a reward;
But as thyself hast lovèd me,
O ever-loving Lord!

E’en so I love thee and will love,
And in thy praise will sing,
Solely because thou art my God,
And my eternal King.

“Jehovah your God is mighty in your midst; He will save, He will rejoice over you with joy; He is silent in His love; He rejoices over you with joyful shout. Zep 3:17


[1] “Longing for Love,” Ruth Senter
[2] Ibid.
[3] Hymns of the Christian Church. The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. Latin Hymns, Attributed To St. Francis Xavier. Tr. Edward Caswall (1506–1552).

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Living Coram Deo, joan

Joy Comes in the Morning

Our dear friend and former pastor, Dr. Futato’s new book on the Psalms is out and the review and info is available here. For all of you Psalms lovers (as I am), Mark is a Psalms expert in interpretation and application. His teachings during my Reformed “formative” years was irreplaceable in understanding the OT and its application to all of life today.

http://www.christianbookpreviews.com/christian-book-detail.php?isbn=0875527183

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Joy Comes in the Morning: Psalms for all Seasons by Mark D. Futato
(Trade Paperback, Dec 2004,P&R Publishing,128 pages)
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Book Jacket:
Introduces the kinds of Psalms: praise (illustrated by Ps. 104) lament (13), and thanksgiving (30). Shows how the Psalms speak to us in all circumstances.

Life is a journey, full of smooth sailing and rocky roads. The Psalms are there for us as we experience life. They can clarify our thinking or release emotions from the deep well of the soul. Joy Comes in the Morning helps readers understand how to utilize the Psalms throughout life’s journey and introduces readers to the concept of genre. Joy Comes in the Morning is a unique combination of head and heart. It introduces readers to the importance of genre as an interpretive tool and demonstrates this for the three major genres in the Psalms. Interwoven with the author’s personal testimony, Joy Comes in the Morning also traces the author’s journey and shows how no matter life’s circumstances, joy comes in the morning.

http://www.christianbookpreviews.com/christian-book-detail.php?isbn=0875527183

“Women’s Mission”

Woman, then, whatever relation she may bear to society at large, whatever duties, in consequence of this relation, she may have to discharge, and whatever benefits, by the right discharge of these duties she may have it in her power to confer upon the community, must consider herself chiefly called to advance the comfort of man in his private relations; by promoting his peace, to promote her own; and to receive from him all that respect, protection, and ever assiduous affection, to which her equal nature, her companionship, and her devotedness, give her so just a claim.

She is, in wedded life, to be his constant companion, in whose companionship he is to find one, who meets him hand to hand, eye to eye, lip to lip, and heart to heart—to whom he can unburden the secrets of a heart pressed down with care, or wrung with anguish; whose presence shall be to him above all other friendship; whose voice shall be his sweetest music; whose smiles his brightest sunshine—from whom he shall go forth with regret, and to whose company he shall return with willing feet, when the toils of the day are over; who shall walk near his loving heart, and feel the throbbing of affection as her arm leans on his, and presses on his side. In his hours of private companionship, he shall tell her all the secrets of his heart; find in her all the capabilities, and all the promptings, of the most tender and endeared fellowship; and in her gentle smiles, and unrestrained speech, enjoy all to be expected in one who was given by God to be his companion and friend.

In that companionship which woman was designed to afford to man, must of course be included the sympathetic offices of the comforter. It is hers, in their hours of retirement, to console and cheer him; when he is injured or insulted, to heal the wounds of his troubled spirit; when burdened by care, to lighten his load by sharing it; when groaning with anguish, to calm by her peace-speaking words the tumult of his heart; and act, in all his sorrows, the part of a ministering angel.

Excerpt from “Woman’s Mission” Female Piety—The Young Woman’s Guide Through Life to ImmortalityJohn Angell James, (1785—1859)

Bush will…..

…appoint Bolton to U.N. job Monday [Reuters Monday, August 1, 2005; 8:57 AM]

Boldness is something we all need, especially in prayer, righteousness and speaking the gospel. Boldness is what we need to exhibit in standing for righteousness in all matters of life. Thanks be to God…a man who says and does what he says! Let the housecleaning begin….