Fair Stones

Are Our Difficulties Obstacles?

2011-05-17T12:33:00.000-07:00

"A difficulty may be a real one, but it is only for the unbelief of hearts that it is an obstacle, if on the path of God's will; for faith reckons upon God, and performs that which He wills, and difficulties are as nothing before Him."

JND Synopsis, vol. 2, p.543 on Haggai

Eternity

2010-12-08T07:56:00.000-08:00

"Live for eternity. A few more days and our journey is done."

Extract from Christian Truth, vol. 24, March 1971, p. 62

Bruce and I have been enjoying a book on the universe - Hubble - A Journey Through Space and Time . We're mostly looking at the pictures (my kind of book!) We are both amazed at the vastness and beauty of God's creation and marvel at the power it is taking to uphold it all. Why then are we afraid that the Lord of creation will not take care of our lives? After all, He is in control. And He will bring us safely home, at last. Creation doesn't compare with eternity, though. What will it like to be there?

Redemption by Blood Through Faith

2010-07-21T09:52:00.000-07:00

"Redemption by blood is known by faith when accomplished, whether by the Jew or the Christian... The knowledge of eternal redemption is Christian knowledge or that of the Jews when they 'look on Him whom they pierced' " (JND?)

"Comforted of God"

2009-11-19T07:23:00.000-08:00

God must aquaint His comforters with grief,

Else have their words the tinkling cymbal sound;

He first who brought the wounded heart relief,

Himself lay stricken, bleeding on the ground.

The eagle, mounting high with sunlit wings,

Fears not the random dart the heedless marksman flings.

Oh! there is truth surpassing mortal ken,

That God, through suffering, teacheth to His own;

Yea, glories unperceived by faithless men,

Too vast for Faith herself to view alone,

Thrice happy who, in frequent tears and pain

Those blissful heights, step after step, with Him may gain.

Why should this human heart, instinct with love,

Expect an answer in the stranger-land?

Enough to have a full response above;

Enough that One its way can understand.

Let love on earth her wealth in streamlets spend;

Its depths are all reserved for one Celestial Friend.

From "Comforted of God"

compiled by A. J. Pollock

Gathered

2009-09-13T20:17:00.000-07:00

I love the truth of gathering and like to hear more about it. I don't tire of it because every time I hear more it gets solidified that much more in my mind that the Lord Jesus is still doing a work today to gather ones to His name alone. The fact that we are in the last days and in remnant times makes it easier to understand why the gathered saints are so small. He is NOT seeking to gather every last Christian on the face of the earth to His name although His desire is that all are there. The Christian testimony is in such ruin that He cannot identify with it in power. What is overwhelming to me is that He has drawn me there when He could have chosen someone else just as easily. Put it this way. The same grace that saved me ("plucked me from the burning") is the same grace that chose me to be gathered to His Name! He is pleased to have me there but if I don't want to be there He will choose someone else. He will have a testimony to His Name til He comes.

The Spirit of God Uses His Ministers

2009-08-21T09:18:00.001-07:00

Often we may think that the preacher must have us in mind because he is talking about a situation/state of soul that hits right at home. We think, "why is he preaching at me?" Could it be the Spirit of God is using the preacher's words to drive home a point or address our state of soul? I've heard of situations where the preacher was even asked after the meeting if he had a certain person in mind that happened to be in the audience. The preacher's reply usually has been that he had no idea! Do we sell the Spirit of God short? He is able to address any and all in one meeting.

"And He gave some apostles; and some prophets; some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ..." Ephesians 4:11-12

"Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things..." 1 Thessalonians 5:21

The Current of God's Thoughts and Ways

2009-08-20T10:34:00.000-07:00

An excerpt from a letter to a friend:

"I know what you mean about answering prayers. It is wonderful to be in the current of God's thoughts when He answers our prayers. We feel like we have an "in" with Him because of it but it really is that He was going to do it anyway. We were praying about it because He put the thought in our hearts in the first place! I think it helps put us in line with what God is doing. Sorta like we are being drawn in to be along side Him, don't you think? Not that we can do anything. Sorta like me holding the pencil as my three year old holds my hand as I write her name. She and I "wrote" her name. But in reality I wrote her name. She was along side me. "

Don't Be A Fool

2009-06-21T15:15:00.000-07:00

When I ask, "What's the harm in doing this?" Also ask, "Will it bless my soul?" "Will it bring honor to the Lord?"

So often the things we do are of no negative value in that they are not wrong in and of themselves. But are they really profitable? What is the value of it in light of eternity? Could my time be more wisely spent? These are searching questions for my soul.

I have a lot on my plate, so to speak, as many do. And I mean things I have to do - my responsibilities and obligations. But I'm always searching for time to do something for myself. How selfish. I often think of what life would be like if I lived totally and only in light of eternity. One of my most favorite quotes is by Jim Elliot (and quoted from someone else) who died in Ecuador at the hands of the men and women to whom he went to tell the gospel.

"He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to keep that which cannot lose."

That about sums up a life lived totally for the Lord Jesus.

See: Jim Elliot

Short Accounts

2009-04-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

"What discrepancies have we permitted in our lives? We must confess them and close the gaps." Nov. 17, 2008, ODB

Shepherds and Their Care

2009-02-16T11:21:00.000-08:00

Who will shepherd the shepherds?

In Psalm 23 we get "the Lord is my Shepherd" implying that no matter what our station is in life, or what our gift is in the church, or whoever we are that He is the Shepherd of us all. We have a direct link to Him the One Who knows us perfectly, better than even our closest friend on earth could ever know us. And we can go directly to Him. Every one of us.

But Scripture teaches that the Lord has given gifts to the church and that one of these is the gift of shepherds (pastors, Ephesians 4:11) As the following verse tells us they are for "the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ". Their responsibilities include feeding the flock of God, taking the oversight and being examples. (1 Peter 5:2-3) They are used of the Lord to help maintain the flock. We need these pastors/shepherds to help us along in the path of faith.

In order for one to fulfill this ministry it implies that he is mature himself. Not that pastors can never fail. They have and will. Failure does not negate the gift. They too need the Shepherd.

The fact that there are pastors/shepherds in the church does not imply that there is no need for the Lord as our Shepherd. Far be the thought. He still is the Shepherd of us all. And as the Chief Shepherd He is the One that the pastors/shepherds answer to and from Whom they receive their rewards. (They must give account to God for our souls - thus we submit to them).

"When the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." 1 Peter 5:4

So to answer the question, Who will shepherd the shepherds? is really quite simple. "The Lord is my Shepherd."

"Draw Me"

2009-02-12T13:26:00.000-08:00

"Draw me and we will run after thee." Song of Solomon 1:4

Am I the cause of my children leaving the path and straying? Do they see me walking by faith quietly accepting whatever the Lord has set in my path? Or do they see a bitter complaining woman who questions God's every move in her life? If my children see in me joy and submission in my walk before the Lord, it will be attractive to them and they will want what I have. If my peace shows who can say they won't want that ? If my children know that Christ is my Object and that He is the One I aim to please, they will "run after" Him as well. Who, but a mother, has that kind of influence on the life of her children?

2009-01-03T10:29:00.000-08:00

I've been listening to some tapes by C.E. Lunden. He had a series of meetings at Lassen in the 80's on Peter. They are titled: "God's Ways With Peter". Five tapes altogether. Even though I was there at the time I'm enjoying them again.

"Holiness and intelligence come from conpanionship with Jesus and no other way."

"Calling Jesus Lord. That means that you're subject to the Word of God. And not just partially subject, but aiming to be at all times subject to the Word of God. And I'll tell you that that's the only happy life because Jesus knows more than you do about what makes you happy. Cuz He made you. And if you go by His directions you will be happy. If you refuse those directions you will not be happy. There's no way to be happy except the way your Creator has ordered it. And your loving Saviour."

Great Rewards

2008-12-07T08:52:00.000-08:00

One of my daughters was worrying that she wasn't doing much for the Lord in the way of service for Him. We were driving down the freeway after taking someone home from some kind of function. I said, " what do you mean? You just took so and so home and now you are driving me home. Just because something is not public or 'great' doesn't mean it won't be acknowledge by the Lord as a service for Him." I've been contemplating lately just exactly does the Lord find of great value in His sight of what we do for Him. I just heard recently that some young person just left the gathered saints because he felt he could do "greater" things for the Lord elsewhere! What he really meant is that the sphere here was too small. Getting back to my daughter. I told her that the Lord places a very high value on faithfulness. By just carrying on in the path of faithfulness being gathered to the Lord's name and being content to support His testimony is of great value to Him. But there is even something of more value than that! And that is communion. Do we spend time in His presence? Do we spend time with Him just talking to Him as we go about our day? He wants to hear my voice. He wants to hear your voice.

John 15 talks about fruit bearing. It says in verse five that if ye abide in Him and He abides in you, you bring forth much fruit.

"He Shall Give You Another Comforter, That He May Abide With You Forever"

2008-10-27T08:50:00.000-07:00

I heard about a telephone conversation Bruce had with someone. It was about the Spirit of God. The question was raised, "Does the Spirit leave the believer (and thus the church) at the rapture so that He can work on earth with the saints through the tribulation?" I suppose, like all of us, he just needed to be reminded of the Scripture in John to answer his questions. That reminds me of a quote I've heard a lot over the years. "Immerse yourself in the Scriptures so that you end up thinking in the language of Scripture." (KLA paraphrase.) There's a book by H.P. Barker called "The Holy Spirit Here Today". In it Mr. Barker takes up subjects to do with the Holy Spirit and out association with Him. Each subject takes about a paragraph or two of space so is thus short and concise. My kind of book.

Brought to Him by Prayer

2008-09-29T12:07:00.000-07:00

Does someone come to your mind that you've not thought of in months? Even years? Perhaps it's a gentle nudge from the Lord in bringing that person to mind so that you can bring him before the throne of grace. There may be a special need just at that time for them and the Lord is bringing you into fellowship with that need. Don't hesitate. Pray.

"I cannot tell why there should come to me

A thought of someone miles and years away,

In swift insistence on the memory,

Unless there is a need that I should pray.

We are too busy to spare thought

For days together of some friends away;

Perhaps Gpod does it for us-- and we ought
To read His signal as a sign to pray.

Perhaps just then my friend has fiercer fight,

A more appalling weakness, a decay

Of courage, darkness, some lost sense of right;

And so, in case he needs my prayers--I pray."

From: "How I know God Answers Prayer" by Rosalind Goforth

Real Power

2008-07-14T19:05:00.000-07:00

"The power of testimony and personal holiness comes through prayer." C.E. Lunden

If we want real power in our lives it has to be gotten by private means. It's not something that we have been born with. It is gotten on our knees, with our faces in the dust, in private before the Lord. It is not gotten by ill means, by public display of piety or any such thing. It has to be between us and our Lord with no one to witness. Public display plays no part. To be seen of others so they will note how godly we are is hypocrisy. The very thought of it is an oxymoron. The result of prayer is communion with our God and it brings us down to humility. If we pray to be seen of men, that's pride.

We can not hide that we have not been in secret with the Lord. It will show in our manner of life--the way we talk, of what we talk, the way we respond to every day life, even when we pray aloud. People know. It shows how much time you actually spend in quiet communion with the Lord. There is no fast track to personal godliness. It is not gained overnight. It takes time and those who spend the time will be marked as such.

Eternal Joy

2008-05-31T11:29:00.000-07:00

"Nothing is to quench the believer's joy for it is occasioned by that which is eternal."

F.B. Hole, I Thess., p.132

When I occupy my mind with all that the Lord has done for me, all that He has in store for me and all that He is doing for me right at this moment I can rejoice in Him. My future is secure. I do not know what this life may have for me...sickness, sorrow, pain. But because I know that where I am going after this short life is over can only be pure joy and bliss I can rejoice even today. My future is very bright.

Trust and Rest

2008-05-15T18:52:00.000-07:00

"If you are in the deep shadows because of some strange, mysterious providence, do not be afraid. Simply go on in faith and love, never doubting. God is watching, and He will bring good and beauty out of all your pain and tears."

J. R. Miller

Trust and rest when all around thee

Puts thy faith to sorest test;

Let no fear or foe confound thee,

Wait for God and trust and rest

Trust and rest with heart abiding

Like a birdling in its nest

Underneath His feathers hiding,

Fold thy wings and trust and rest!

(Found among my notes--from an old friend, 1977)

Our Service in Training Of Children

2008-05-01T13:16:00.000-07:00

I've been wondered if one of the reasons the Lord gives us children, (who are so dependent and helpless when they are born), is to reveal to us how much we actually have put ourselves first in our own lives. When your young child is very small his demands are immediate -whether it be a wet diaper, food or sleep, those needs come before your own and have to be met or you "hear about it" til they are! I never knew how selfish I was until I had children. Of course, we are obliged to train our children in such a way that they soon realize that the world does not revolve around them. If we fail to do so we soon find out that we are raising selfish tyrants!

I've been thinking about servants in the kingdom and how it relates to us. When I take the low place and become a servant I can take no offence. When I expect to "spend and be spent" I can't feel as if people are taking advantage of me. If I give myself wholly to others and in the Lord's service and don't expect anything in return I will not be disappointed when I receive no thanks or even acknowledgement for what I've done. These are the verses that have prompted these thoughts.

Matthew 5:42 "Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee, turn not thou away."

2 Corinthians 12:15 "Spend and be spent." Paul says: "I will very gladly spend and be spent ('utterly spent', JND Translation) for you."

I think that the "spend" refers to what we willingly do of our own accord and that the "be spent" is when others take advantage of us.

We are not in this world for ourselves or for our own gain except in the way that it relates to how the Lord is using life to train us for the kingdom and for our eternal blessing. More and more I am realizing that I'm here to serve. And more and more I'm realizing how selfish I really am.

Now try to balance that with raising and training children! As a servant you would do everything for them! But that would be a disservice to them, wouldn't it? They too need to be servants. And so we go through our lives being servants of the Lord and others with our children right by our sides. And we give them responsibilities (ie, around the house), not because we do not want to serve them but because they too need to learn to be servants.

The Service of Love

2008-04-17T11:54:00.000-07:00

"Is there someone who comes to your mind, a friend or family member, who would be honored and encouraged by an expression of your love and appreciation? Then do something to show it--while the person is still alive."

~Haddon Robinson

"A heart that is full of compassion for others is less likely to be absorbed in its own sorrows and poisoned by its own self pity."

~ P.M. Derham

"Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, there came unto Him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on His head, as he sat at meat. But when His disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, 'to what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.' When Jesus understood it, He said unto them, 'Why trouble ye the woman? For she hath wrought a good work upon Me. For ye have the poor always with you; but Me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on My body, she did it for My burial.' "

I believe a good rule of thumb to live by is this: do what you have to do for yourself, but make the majority of your life a service for others.

A Few Thoughts on the Raising of Children

2008-04-03T12:15:00.000-07:00

A little while ago (last year!) we enjoyed being in Kirkland for their all-day-meeting. The Adult Sunday School Class was very sobering for me and the things said could be very helpful for young parents. Hopefully, they listened because it's not too late for them. The reading took up Ephesians 5 and child rearing.

There are at least four or five things to remember in raising children.

1. Do not discipline in anger (I often put my children "in ward" until I could figure out what to do with them and until I could simmer down. "In ward" was their bedrooms.)

2. Don't "roast" the brethren. (Criticism of the people you really do love is deadly).

3. Be in agreement as parents. Forbid them from playing one against the other.

4. Have rules with relationship. The kids need to know that there is love behind the rules and that they are not arbitrary.

5. Let the children know that ultimately they have to do with God and are responsible to Him.

Well, that about does it for me. I feel slain.

"A Mother's Life-Work"

2008-04-01T10:38:00.000-07:00

My work at home lies with the olive branches

Thou'st planted there,

To train them meekly for the heavenly garden

Needs all my care.

I may not in the woods and on the mountains

Seek Thy lost sheep;

At home a little flock of tender lambkins

'Tis mine to keep.

Thou givest to Thy servants each his life-work;

No trumpet tone

Will tell the nations in triumphant pealing

How mine was done-

But 'twill be much, if, when the task is ended,

Through grace from Thee,

I give Thee back, undimmed, the radiant jewels

Thou gavest me.

~Selected

Would You Change What You Just Did?

2008-03-31T10:34:00.000-07:00

"Act in the way you want it to come out at the judgment seat of Christ." J. Brereton

Consecration and Service

2008-03-18T14:30:00.000-07:00

"God wants us before He wants anything we can do for Him. There is a danger of being consecrated to service for the Lord, rather than to the Lord Himself." ~The Christian Digest, vol. X, No. 3, p. 31, March, 1945.

It's so easy to be caught up in doing, doing, doing for the Lord without thought of what He really wants. And that is communion with Himself. He desires our company every single moment of the day. "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Rev. 3:20. But He won't push at the door. We must open to Him.

"The Slothful Man"

2008-03-08T12:19:00.000-08:00

"The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting."

How often is it that we read our Bibles, pray and go out about our day with no thought of what we just read? Or how often do we come away from a meeting saying, "That was a great meeting!" and then never think of it again? If we can't get a hold of everything that was before us, perhaps there was just one thought we can hang on to and meditate on throughout the day. Even to go over our notes of meetings the next time we have a quiet time would be "roasting" what we took.

It's been said that "meditation is a lost art". Psalm 1 says that "in His law doth he meditate day and night" and the result was friut for God. "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season. and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." Ps. 1:3. Do I, do you, want to be slothful or fruitful and prosperous? Being fruitful would mean we bear the attributes of Christ as in the fruit of the Spirit, ie, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Prosperous? Perhaps it would be enjoying the benefits of one who bears those attributes.

"If any be a hearer of the Word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was." James 1:23-24

"Say Little, Serve All, Pass On" ~JND

2008-02-29T12:40:00.000-08:00

Do you seek a place? among your brethren? Don't. Be content with that lowly, obscure, out of the way place that the Lord has put you. He sees everything and makes a note of all that you've done for Him. Go quietly on with the Lord.

"Oh, to be emptier, lowlier,

Mean, unnoticed, and unknown,

And to God a vessel holier

Filled with Christ and Christ alone."

(Anonymous)

"Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power: that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

Did You?

2008-02-28T13:18:00.000-08:00

"Did you give him a smile?

He was downcast and blue.

And the smile would have helped him

To battle it through.

Did you give him a hand?

He was slipping down hill,

And the world, so I fancied

Was using him ill.

Did you give him a word?

Did you show him the road?"

~Anonymous~

"A certain priest...and likewise a Levite...looked on him, and passed by on the othere side." Luke 10:31, 32.

"Onesiphorus...oft refreshed me." 2 Timothy 1:16

Obedience

2008-02-25T10:27:00.001-08:00

I think that it is of the utmost importance that a child learns obedience. If he does not know how to obey you might as well forget about the rest. The same is true about us and God, our Father. It's a lesson that He will teach us over and over until we learn it. And then again just to make sure. It boils down to submission: the realization that He knows best. We can knock our heads against the wall again and again but until we finally rest in submission to His will we won't be happy.

Submission is the "serene expression of one at perfect peace in the hand of God." (selected) It is not resignation.

It seems to me that obedience is an act and submission is an attitude. One can be obedient without being submissive. But can one be submissive without obedience? It probably goes beyond obedience. Perhaps obedience is a moot point when one is submissive.

I often would tell my children, "Obedience is not obedience unless it's immediate." Otherwise it's on their time table and at their wim as to when and whether they are going to obey. That's not obedience.

The Adventure called "Life"

2008-02-22T10:00:00.001-08:00

"To see God's hand in everything makes life a great adventure."

Follies and Faults

2008-02-21T10:42:00.000-08:00

"How often are our follies and our faults the opportunity for the display of the grace and wisdom of God and for the fulfilment of His counsels hidden from the world until then! Our sins and faults alone have conduced to the glorious accomplishment of these counsels in Christ." JND Synopsis, vol. 1, p.412 (I Samuel)

We often get very discouraged because we have failed. Yet, we should feel shame in that we have dishonored the Lord. The remedy, though, is not to dwell on our past mistakes, but to judge them and go on, realizing that God will use them to teach us what He wants us to learn. What a wonderful God that even our failures can be turned to blessing!

Humility

2008-02-20T17:50:00.000-08:00

"Humility is perpetual quietness of heart. It is to have no trouble. It is never to be fretted or vexed or irritatited, never disappointed. It is to expect nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me, and when I am blamed or despised. It is to have a blessed home in myself where I can go in and shut the door and kneel to my Father in secret and be at rest and peace as in a deep sea of calmness when all around and above me is trouble." ~selected
(From my notes, October 1974)

A Loving God

2008-02-19T08:40:00.000-08:00

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16. What is it about this verse that makes it easy for even the youngest child to memorize? It's one of the verses that is so common that even the man of the street can recite it. I suppose the Lord made it that way so that if a person only knew this one verse he could be saved. For this verse has everything in it that a person needs to get to heaven.

"God does the loving and giving. We do the believing and having." ~Bruce

Godliness with Contentment

2008-02-18T19:14:00.000-08:00

The Scriptures tell us to be content with food and raiment, (1 Timothy 6:8). Enough to eat, clothing to wear, and a roof over our heads. But there's something even better than that. The Bible tells us that godliness added to contentment is great gain, (1 Timothy 6:6). And how does one "get godly"? I suppose that spending time reading the Bible and praying is good place to start. That's where we can learn more about God. When you're occupied with something you become like that object. Thus occupation with Christ is a sure way to make one godly. Because we cannot read our Bibles all day long, it's just not practical, we can take the Scriptures with us when we memorize verses and bring them to mind during the day. And we can certainly pray (without ceasing) as we go about our business.