Perspectives: Hidden Treasure

I've learned that my post, Perspectives, won the "Life" award at the Hidden Treasures Blog Awards, hosted by Jules at Everyday Mommy.  Thank you to whoever it was that nominated the post and for everyone who voted for it.  As I said before, I am humbled and amazed.

To be honest, when I learned that I had been nominated for an award with this particular post, I had to go back and read it again to remind myself what I had written!  It was one of those fun but quickly written, off-the-cuff posts that I promptly forgot.

However, the concept that I tried to communicate in that post is one that I shall never forget for it is one that truly informs my thinking, my life, and my faith:  the absolute Sovereignty of God:

From The Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter II
Of God, and of the Holy Trinity

II.  God hath all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and of Himself; and is alone in and untoHimself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which He hath made, nor deriving any glory from them, but only manifesting His own glory in, by, unto, and upon them. He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things; and hath most sovereign dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon them whatsoever Himself pleaseth. In His sight all things are open and manifest, His knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature, so as nothing is to Him contingent, or uncertain.  He is most holy in all His counsels, in all His works, and in all His commands.To Him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience He is pleased to require of them.

 This Sovereignty extends to even the most seemingly insignificant matters, like broken computers.

And that's the perspective behind the perspective. 

Who Do YOU say I am?

From the Confession of Faith of the Presbyterians of Wales, 1823              
Of the Offices of the Mediator

Jesus Christ is the only Mediator between God and men. He is the Mediator of the new covenant (or Testament), a Saviour, Deliverer. Shepherd; ordained in covenant according to the good pleasure of God. All fulness and glorious fitness are found in him, in virtue of the greatness of his Person, his eternal appointment, and his anointing with the graces and gifts of the Holy Ghost, without measure. He fulfills this extensive office as Prophet, by declaring God and his whole council and purpose in Holy Scripture, through the instruments which he used; in his personal ministry in the days of his flesh; and in the abiding work of his Spirit, through the instruments and means which he appointed for savingly enlightening his whole church, concerning those things which are necessary to be known in order to salvation.

As Priest, in his state of humiliation, in the stead of his people, and under the imputation of their sins, he offered up, by his active and passive obedience, a Sacrifice, Offering, and Atonement, perfect and without spot to God, for his whole church. In his state of exaltation, he intercedes in heaven for all the transgressors that were given him, whom he purchased with his precious blood. He will continue to intercede until he sees of the travail of his soul and is satisfied.

As King, he is the head over all things to his church; rules over all things for its good, its continuance, and increase; gathers together and bring sinners into subjection to himself; reigns graciously in their souls; protects, defends, and saves to the uttermost all his redeemed; and rewards them at the end of their course.

Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith

February 16
You Deal with God

I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I will not return to destroy Ephraim: for I am God, and not man. (Hosea 11:9)

The Lord thus makes known His sparing mercies. It may be that the reader is now under heavy displeasure, and everything threatens his speedy doom. Let the text hold him up from despair. The Lord now invites you to consider your ways and confess your sins. If He had been man, He would long ago have cut you off. If He were now to act after the manner of men, it would be a word and a blow and then there would be an end of you: but it is not so, for "as high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are his ways above your ways."

You rightly judge that He is angry, but He keepeth not His anger forever: if you turn from sin to Jesus, God will turn from wrath. Because God is God, and not man, there is still forgiveness for you, even though you may be steeped up to your throat in iniquity. You have a God to deal with and not a hard man, or even a merely just man. No human being could have patience with you. You would have wearied out an angel, as you have wearied your sorrowing Father; but God is longsuffering. Come and try Him at once. Confess, believe, and turn from your evil way, and you shall be saved.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

More Icicles

Can you tell I have a fascination with icicles?  I don't know why I love them so much, but I do.

 It is a brilliantly sunny day with a stunningly blue sky, so I went out just now to take more pictures--mostly of icicles.  If you look closely in one of the photos, you can see the silhouette of Ivy watching me through the window.  We call her the Sentinel.

 

 

Thursday Photo Challenge: Pink

Pretty in Pink

Thursday Photo Theme
Pink

Next Week's Theme:

Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith

February 15
Ever Mindful

The Lord hath been mindful of us: he will bless us. (Psalm 115:12)

I can set my seal to that first sentence. Cannot you? Yes, Jehovah has thought of us, provided for us, comforted us, delivered us, and guided us. In all the movements of His providence He has been mindful of us, never overlooking our mean affairs. His mind has been full of us—that is the other form of the word mindful. This has been the case all along and without a single break. At special times, however, we have more distinctly seen this mindfulness, and we would recall them at this hour with overflowing gratitude. Yes, yes, "the Lord hath been mindful of us."

The next sentence is a logical inference from the former one. Since God is unchangeable, He will continue to be mindful of us in the future as He has been in the past; and His mindfulness is tantamount to blessing us. But we have here not only the conclusion of reason but the declaration of inspiration; we have it on the Holy Ghost's authority—"He will bless us." This means great things and unsearchable. The very indistinctness of the promise indicates its infinite reach. He will bless us after His own divine manner, and that forever and ever, Therefore, let us each say, "Bless the Lord, O my soul!"

Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

The Icicles Cometh

From Vizslocity

I haven't posted a picture of the girls on Hiraeth very often since they have their very own blog here at Squarespace.  But since most of the readers of Hiraeth are not regular readers of Vizslocity, I decided to cross post these pictures of the dogs.  I especially like the one of Ivy sunning herself and thought you might, too.

 

 

 

A Missing Valentine

Even though I can't find my Valentines, I decided that I will post what I had planned regardless.  Maybe it will be more poignant without the image.

When I thought about how I would celebrate Valentine's Day on my blog this year, I got out my envelope of Valentines and went through them, one by one.

As I did, I came across several "Crocodile Hunter" valentines that the boys had from a few years ago.  Seeing Steve Irwin's energetic and joyous face on those valentines caused my heart to go out to his wife, Terri, and their two children, Bindi and Bob.  I am certain that last year Terri was enjoying a wild and fun filled Valentine's Day with her fun loving husband and the thought that she would be without him this year had never crossed her mind.

From there, it didn't take me long to think of the others; men and women and children, husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers who are spending this Valentines Day without their loved ones for the first time. 

I remember how sad each holiday was after my father died over twenty years ago.  Each holiday and special event was punctuated with the thought; this is the first family reunion, Valentine's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthday that my Dad wasn't there.  Saint Patrick's Day is still a sad, bittersweet day for me because my father was very proudly Irish and enjoyed celebrating that holiday.  I do my best to celebrate it with joy in my Irish heritage and remembrance of my father.

So today, remember those around you who are without their special Valentine.  Treasure your loved ones all the more.  Live life like you mean it.  Serve God and give thanks for all His blessings.

Happy Valentines Day

As Charlie Brown would say, "Rats."  No Valentines. 

I had a special Valentine set aside for just for today, but I can't find it this morning!  Tom and I did some sorting and filing in the office yesterday afternoon to make way for some of my art supplies and business records so I have a sneaking suspicion that it might be up in the cold, cold attic.

I'll brave the cold and see if I can locate it--later. 

UPDATE:  This is getting serious.  I have searched and searched and I can't find it. It is not in the box that we took to the attic yesterday.  The bad thing is that all my Valentines are together in the same large envelope.  I scanned my favorite old ones last year but there are many that I didn't scan--like the ones my husband and children have given me over the years. 

I'm starting to get a sick feeling in my stomach. 

Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith

February 14
Mercy to the Undeserving

He that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. (Psalm 32:10)

O fair reward of trust! My Lord, grant it me to the full! The truster above all men feels himself to be a sinner; and lo, mercy is prepared for him: he knows himself to have no deservings, but mercy comes in and keeps house for him on a liberal scale. O Lord, give me this mercy, even as I trust in Thee!

Observe, my soul, what a bodyguard thou hast! As a prince is compassed about with soldiery, so art thou compassed about with mercy. Before and behind, and on all sides, ride these mounted guards of grace. We dwell in the center of the system of mercy, for we dwell in Christ Jesus.

O my soul, what an atmosphere dost thou breathe! As the air surrounds thee, even so does the mercy of thy Lord. To the wicked there are many sorrows, but to thee there are so many mercies that thy sorrows are not worth mentioning. David says, "Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous; and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart." In obedience to this precept my heart shall triumph in God, and I will tell out my gladness. As Thou hast compassed me with mercy, I will also compass Thine altars, O my God, with songs of thanksgiving!

Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

Who Do YOU say I am?

From the Confession of Faith of the Presbyterians of Wales, 1823              
Of the Person of Christ, The Mediator.

In the fullness of time, God's own Son, eternally begotten, an infinite Person in the Godhead, equal with the Father, the express image of his Person, true God, took upon him human nature, in the Virgin's womb, - true, entire humanity, but holy and free from its defilement. A body was prepared for him by the Father, and formed by the Holy Ghost, of the substance of the Virgin, free from all taint of impurity; and this body the Son assumed into union with his own Person. Thus a divine Person and human nature have been indivisibly united in the one Mediator, without conversion or confusion of the Divine and human natures. The infinite Person, Christ Jesus, is true God and true man; yet, one Mediator, between God and men, EMMANUEL. It was necessary that the Mediator should be God-man, because it was necessary that the Surety should be made under the law in our stead, obey it perfectly, suffer its curse, and die for those whom he represented, which he could not have done if he had not been man; it was also necessary that his obedience, sufferings, and death should be infinitely efficacious and precious, which they could not have been if he had not been God. But, inasmuch as he was God-man, he magnified the law, satisfied justice, honoured all the attributes and the government of God, and made reconciliation by his perfect obedience and sacrifice. In the mediation of Christ both natures performed each its own proper work; nevertheless, in virtue of the union between them, the acts of the one or the other are ascribed to the Person. The union of both natures remains, and will remain for ever, in the person of Christ. He will be forever God-man.

Now I'm sure I'm weird

I find myself all a-twitter with anticipation about how I shall spend this stormy, howling day.  Will I bake?  Spend the entire day at my drawing board?  Conquer mount laundry?  Clean my house?  Read an entire book?

What is it about a day like this that sets it apart from other days?  Am I the only one who feels this way?

UPDATE:   It's a perfect day now.  Tom left for work, got part way there, turned around and came home for the day.  Partly because of the roads, mostly because he knew that it would be a good day to stay home. 

Wheedling does work, ladies.

Sam has a "snow day" which in homeschool speak translates into a day of reading and no classes.  I'm going to put on a pot of wonderful, thick potato soup with cheese and bacon for lunch.

Life is good. 

I think I'm weird

The wind is howling loudly in the window nearby as a winter storm winds itself up and prepares to snow and blow all this day.

I love that sound.  I find myself sitting here anticipating the next clamorous, moaning shriek.  Rather than being creepy and scary as in old horror movies, it seems cozy somehow.

I think I'm weird. 

Valentine 12

Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith

February 13
Blessed in the Field

Blessed shalt thou be in the field. (Deuteronomy 28:3)

So was Isaac blessed when he walked therein at eventide to meditate. How often has the Lord met us when we have been alone! The hedges and the trees can bear witness to our joy. We look for such blessedness again.

So was Boaz blessed when he reaped his harvest, and his workmen met him with benedictions. May the Lord prosper all who drive the plow! Every farmer may urge this promise with God, if indeed he obeys the voice of the Lord God.

We go to the field to labor as father Adam did; and since the curse fell on the soil through the sin of Adam the first, it is a great comfort to find a blessing through Adam the second,

We go to the field for exercise, and we are happy in the belief that the Lord will bless that exercise and give us health, which we will use to His glory.

We go to the field to study nature, and there is nothing in a knowledge of the visible creation which may not be sanctified to the highest uses by the divine benediction.

We have at last to go to the field to bury our dead; yea, others will in their turn take us to God's acre in the field. But we are blessed, whether weeping at the tomb or sleeping in it.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

Children's Poetry Month: Work While You Work

Have you posted a children's poem for Children's Poetry Month?  Rebecca is hosting and there are a few poems already but I want more!  Why don't you post a children's poem and let Rebecca know?  Then I'll come visit and read YOUR poem!

 Here's a good one, from McGuffey's Primer as good for today as it was for way back then:

Work while you work,
Play while you play;
One thing each time,
That is the way.

All that you do,
Do with your might;
Things done by halves
Are not done right. 

I am honored

I am honored to learn that one of my posts, Perspectives, has been named as a finalist in the Hidden Treasure Awards.

Thank you to whoever it was that nominated the post.  I am truly humbled by the nomination.

I've been visiting the other finalists and have found many hidden treasures!  Thank you, Jules, for putting this all together and highlighting so many worthy bloggers.  I feel honored to be among them.

Vintage Valentine Cards 11

Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith

February 12
God Delights to Give

And the Lord said unto Abraham, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward, for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. (Genesis 13:14-15)

A special blessing for a memorable occasion. Abram had settled a family dispute. He had said, "Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between thee and me, for we be brethren"; and hence he received the blessing which belongs to peacemakers. The Lord and giver of peace delights to manifest His grace to those who seek peace and pursue it. If we desire closer communion with God, we must keep closer to the ways of peace.

Abram had behaved very generously to his kinsman, giving him his choice of the land. If we deny ourselves for peace's sake, the Lord will more than make it up to us. As far as the patriarch can see, he can claim, and we may do the like by faith. Abram had to wait for the actual possession, but the Lord entailed the land upon him and his posterity. Boundless blessings belong to us by covenant gift. All things are ours. When we please the Lord, He makes us to look everywhere and see all things our own, whether things present or things to come, all are ours, and we are Christ's, and Christ is God's.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon