Did you read it?

Please don't miss today's Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith.  If you haven't read it, please, go back and read it now.  If you have read it, go back and read it again.  Let the scripture sink down into your soul and quiet your heart, Christian.  When I see the blood, I will pass over you.

Think on these great truths:  Christ, our great High Priest, for the joy that was set before Him, offered Himself up, as a sacrifice for sin.  He ever lives to make intercession for us.  He is our advocate with the Father and goes before us into the very throne room of God and pleads on our behalf--through His blood.  "My own sight of the precious blood is for my comfort; but it is the Lord's sight of it which secures my safety."

Be comforted, Christian.  Give thanks to the One Who gave His Son for our redemption.

If you are not a Christian, or you are not sure, repent and believe the Gospel.  For this is the Gospel, that Christ, the perfect, sinless Son of God, became a man and dwelt among us.  In His living, He fulfilled all the law of God, and so doing, bought for us a righteousness, that we could never have without Christ.  In His dying, His precious blood satisfied God's wrath against our sin and paid our penalty and thus bought for us forgiveness of sin.  He was raised for our justification.  Come to Christ, by faith, and you, too, can have the comfort of knowing that He ever lives to make intercession for you.

There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day;
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.
Washed all my sins away, washed all my sins away;
And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.

Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose its power
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.
Be saved, to sin no more, be saved, to sin no more;
Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.

E’er since, by faith, I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.
And shall be till I die, and shall be till I die;
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.

Then in a nobler, sweeter song, I’ll sing Thy power to save,
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave.
Lies silent in the grave, lies silent in the grave;
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave.

Lord, I believe Thou hast prepared, unworthy though I be,
For me a blood bought free reward, a golden harp for me!
’Tis strung and tuned for endless years, and formed by power divine,
To sound in God the Father’s ears no other name but Thine.

William  Cowper, 1772 

Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith

February 5
Justice Satisfied

When I see the blood, I will pass over you. (Exodus 12:13)

My own sight of the precious blood is for my comfort; but it is the Lord's sight of it which secures my safety. Even when I am unable to behold it, the Lord looks at it and passes over me because of it. If I am not so much at ease as I ought to be, because my faith is dim, yet I am equally safe because the Lord's eye is not dim, and He sees the blood of the great Sacrifice with steady gaze. What a joy is this!

The Lord sees the deep inner meaning, the infinite fullness of all that is meant by the death of His dear Son. He sees it with restful memory of justice satisfied and all His matchless attributes glorified. He beheld creation in its progress and said, "It is very good"; but what does He say of redemption in its completeness? What does He say of the obedience even unto death of His well-beloved Son? None can tell His delight in Jesus, His rest in the sweet savor which Jesus presented when He offered Himself without spot unto God.

Now rest we in calm security. We have God's sacrifice and God's Word to create in us a sense of perfect security. He will, He must, pass over us, because He spared not our glorious Substitute. Justice joins hands with love to provide everlasting salvation for all the blood-besprinkled.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

Children's Poetry Month: The Road Goes Ever On

 

The Road Goes Ever On

by J.R.R. Tolkien 

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with weary feet,
Until it joins some larger way,
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

The Road goes ever on and on
Out from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone
Let others follow it who can!
Let them a journey new begin,
But I at last with weary feet
Will turn towards the lighted inn,
My evening-rest and sleep to meet.

"He used often to say there was only one Road; that it was like a great river: its springs were at every doorstep, and every path was its tributary. 'It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door,' he used to say. 'You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to.'".

Photo by Chris Burke, Sydney, Australia 

Children's Poetry Month, hosted at Rebecca Writes 

All Creatures of our God and King

All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam!

O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sail in Heaven along,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!

O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
Make music for thy Lord to hear,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
That givest man both warmth and light.

O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

And all ye men of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part,
O sing ye! Alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on Him cast your care!

O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship Him in humbleness,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!

O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Words:  Francis of Assissi, 1225  
Music:  “Lasst Uns Er­freu­en,” Pe­ter von Brach­el, 1623

Vintage Valentine Cards 3

Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith

February 4
He Will Return

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (John 14:18)

He left us, and yet we are not left orphans. He is our comfort, and He is gone; but we are not comfortless. Our comfort is that He will come to us, and this is consolation enough to sustain us through His prolonged absence. Jesus is already on His way: He says, "I come quickly": He rides posthaste toward us. He says, "I will come": and none can prevent His coming, or put it back for a quarter of an hour. He specially says, "I will come to you"; and so He will. His coming is specially to and for His own people. This is meant to be their present comfort while they mourn that the Bridegroom doth not yet appear.

When we lose the joyful sense of His presence we mourn, but we may not sorrow as if there were no hope. Our Lord in a little wrath has hid Himself from us for a moment, but He will return in full favor. He leaves us in a sense, but only in a sense. When He withdraws, He leaves a pledge behind that He will return. O Lord, come quickly! There is no life in this earthly existence if Thou be gone. We sigh for the return of Thy sweet smile. When wilt Thou come unto us? We are sure Thou wilt appear; but be Thou like a roe, or a young hart. Make no tarrying, O our God!

Charles Haddon Spurgeon 

Brrrrr

Yesterday, Tom was wondering how my friends in Canada manage in weather like this.  We get a taste of it from time to time and it proves us to be weather wimps.  Do you just get used to it? What do you do to prepare for this kind of weather?

It's snowing lightly and the wind is blowing.  It looks like the Arctic outside.  I don't want to go out, but we need to pick up milk and a prescription.  After that, I'm staying in!

Vintage Cards 2

Quote of the Week

Our only hope is that God is there.  He may withdraw from us the enjoyment of His nearness but He is still there.  Our present experience is not the full measure of His reality.  God's glory is quite undiminished for its lying beyond the range of our vision.

Raymond C. Ortlund, Jr.
When God Comes to Church

Chequebook of the Bank of Faith

February 3
He Freely Gives

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32)

If this is not a promise in form, it is in fact. Indeed, it is more than one promise, it is a conglomerate of promises. It is a mass of rubies, and emeralds, and diamonds, with a nugget of gold for their setting. It is a question which can never be answered so as to cause us any anxiety of heart. What can the Lord deny us after giving us Jesus? If we need all things in heaven and earth, He will grant them to us: for if there had been a limit anywhere, He would have kept back His own Son.

What do I want today? I have only to ask for it. I may seek earnestly, but not as if I had to use pressure and extort an unwilling gift from the Lord's hand; for He will give freely. Of His own He gave us His own Son. Certainly no one would have proposed such a gift to Him. No one would have ventured to ask for it. It would have been too presumptuous. He freely gave His Only-begotten, and, O my soul, canst thou not trust thy heavenly Father to give thee anything, to give thee everything? Thy poor prayer would have no force with Omnipotence if force were needed; but His love, like a spring, rises of itself and overflows for the supply of all thy needs.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

From the Recycle Bin

On Valentines Day last year, I posted my collection of old valentine cards, one or two at a time, all throughout the day.  It was great fun, but I didn't do much else constructive that day.

I've got a lot of new readers since then and I wanted to recycle those old posts, but instead of spending so much time at the computer on the 14th, I've decided to do a post each day, finishing up on Valentines Day.

I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I do!

 

(Click for more detail) 

Children's Poetry Month: G4

Godfrey Gordon Gustavus Gore by William Brighty Rands

Godfrey Gordon Gustavus Gore--

Now doubt you have heard the name before--

Was a boy who never would shut a door!

The wind might whistle, and the wind might roar,

And teeth be acing and throats be sore,

But still he never would shut the door.

His father would beg, his mother implore,

"Godfrey Gordon Gustavus Gore,

We really do wish you would shut the door!"

Their hands they wrung, their hair they tore,

But Godfrey Gordon Gustavus Gore

Was deaf as a buoy out at the Nore.

When he walked forth the folks would roar,

"Godfrey Gordon Gustavus Gore,

Why don't you think to shut the door?"

They rigged out a Shutter with a sail and oar,

And threatened to pack off Gustavus Gore

On a voyage of penance to Singapore.

But he begged for mercy, and said, "No more!

Pray, do not send me to Singapore

On a Shutter, and then I will shut the door."

You will?" said his parents; "then keep on shore!

But mind you do!  For the plague is sore

Of a fellow that never will shut the door,

Godfrey Gordon Gustavus Gore!"

Well, of course, there is always another side of the story.

I used to read these two poems (and many others) from William J. Bennett's The Book of Virtues, to Sam when he was little.  An excellent read aloud book for young children; highly recommended.

Children's Poetry Month: Rebecca

Rebecca is hosting Children's Poetry Month on her blog, Rebecca Writes.  she has invited us to join here and of course, I couldn't resist

Rebecca, by Hilaire Belloc

A trick that everyone abhors
In Little Girls is slamming Doors.
A Wealthy Banker's Little Daughter
Who live in Palace Green, Bayswater
(By name Rebecca Offendorft),
Was given to this Furious Sport.
She would deliberately go
And Slam the door like Billy-Ho!
To make her Uncle Jacob start.
She was not really bad at heart,
But only rather rude and wild:
She was an aggravating child. . .

 It happened that a Marble Bust
of Abraham was standing just
Above the Door this Lamb
Had carefully prepared to Slam,
And Down it came!  It knocked her flat!
It laid her out! She looked like that.

 Her Funeral Sermon (which was long
And followed by a Sacred Song)
Mentioned her Virtues, it is true,
But dwelt upon her vices, too,
And showed the Dreadful End of One
Who goes and slams the Door for Fun.

The children who were brought to hear
The awful Tale from far and near
Were much impressed, and inly swore
They never more would slam the Door.
--As often they had done before. 

Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith

February 2

Grow Up

And ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. (Malachi 4:2)

Yes, when the sun shines, the sick quit their chambers and walk abroad to breathe the fresh air. When the sun brings spring and summer, the cattle quit their stalls and seek pasture on the higher Alps. Even thus, when we have conscious fellowship with our Lord, we leave the stall of despondency and walk abroad in the fields of holy confidence. We ascend to the mountains of joy and feed on sweet pasturage which grows nearer heaven than the provender of carnal men.

To "go forth" and to "grow up" is a double promise. O my soul, be thou eager to enjoy both blessings! Why shouldst thou be a prisoner? Arise, and walk at liberty. Jesus saith that His sheep shall go in and out and find pasture; go forth, then, and feed in the rich meadows of boundless love.

Why remain a babe in grace? Grow up. Young calves grow fast, especially if they are stall fed; and thou hast the choice care of thy Redeemer. Grow, then, in grace and in knowledge of thy Lord and Savior, Be neither straitened nor stunted. The Sun of Righteousness has risen upon thee Answer to His beams as the buds to the natural sun. Open thine heart; expand and grow up into Him in all things.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Rise and Shine Campers

First D.J.: Rise and shine, campers, and don't forget your booties 'cause it's cooooold out there today.
Second D.J.: It's cold out there every day. What is this, Miami Beach?
First D.J.: Not hardly. So the big question on everybody's lips.
Second D.J.: On their chapped lips
First D.J.: their chapped lips is, does Phil feel lucky? Punksatawney Phil, thats right wood chuck chuckers its
[in unison]
First D.J.: GROUND HOG DAY
Second D.J.: GROUND HOG DAY

Last year I wrote about Woodstock Willie, our local weather prognosticator and our local connection to the movie, Groundhog Day.

Last year I said, "This was the year I told myself I might get up early and go see what's going on in the square this morning, but I hate crowds and I told myself the same thing I've told myself every year we've lived here: "maybe next year."

Well, now it's next year and,again, I won't be going to the square to see if Willie catches a glimpse of his shadow.  You see, I've seen the weather forecast for tomorrow morning and I don't need Willie or the DJ's to tell me that it's too "cooooold out there."

My friend, Beck, has pictures of her very cute Groundhog Cupcakes this morning.  You'll also see pictures of her darling little girl, my favorite little Cindy Lou-Who.

 It's official.  Woodstock Willie says it's an early spring this year. 

Illumination

I was going over my notes for this afternoon's small group study this morning.  We're discussing paradoxes, antinomies, and the analogy of faith.  I was reading from my systematic theolgy books, hoping for some "illumination" when the sun shone on a crystal prism I have hanging in the window of the sunroom and cast a rainbow on my notes.  Not the illumination I was hoping for, but I enjoyed it!

Reading as a Christian Discipline Survey

Reading is an important Christian discipline. Further, growth as a Christian disciple is closely tied to the reading of the Bible, as well as worthy Christian books. This is why the Christian church has championed the cause of literacy. It is why the Reformers fought for the translation of the Scriptures into vernacular languages.

A loss of literacy and respect for the book amounts to grave danger for the Christian church.

Dr. Al Mohler

I'd like to open a discussion on the virtues of reading as a Christian Discipline as it relates to blogging and reading blogs.  To begin the discussion, I'd like to ask you a few questions:

Has reading Christian blogs increased your desire to tackle weighty Christian tomes?

Have you learned of Christian authors and theologians that you might not have otherwise known or read?

Have you purchased or borrowed books that were recommended by bloggers?

Have you read fewer "real" books as your blog reading has increased?

Has the availability/searchability of great Christian works caused you to rely upon them merely as resources?

Do you think reading the great Christian authors and theologians is important and/or profitable?

Do you read them?

If so, who do you recommend?

For this little survey, I'd like anyone interested to answer on their own blogs and leave me a link in the comments.  If you don't have a blog and you want to join in, just copy the questions into the comments and answer them there.

I'll give you my answers--eventually. 

Connie from Practicing Theology has her responses posted already!  Thanks, Connie!  Practicing Theology is a new blog to me and I'm so glad I found it!  Why don't you take a few minutes to peruse some of Connie's other posts while you're there? 

 Pam from a rustling of leaves has her response posted.  Another new blog and another recommendation to go check out this new blogger.  I just have to share this quote that made me grin:

Have you read fewer "real" books as your blog reading has increased?

No! I am reading more books. I just have had to rearrange my time and given up some sleep time or rise earlier.

 A girl after my own heart--she'd rather read than sleep  : ) (I failed to mention a great link that Pam provided to her church's list of 100 Christian Books.  An excellent list.  There's even a PDF file so you can print it out and check off the ones you've read!  I've read 28, have 5 on my shelf waiting to be read, and have dipped in and out of 4 others, but haven't read them through.)

I've got a few more to add--the rest of you, keep 'em comin' :

Rosemary, of Seasonings of the Heart, mentions re-reading books in order to "absorb them and be changed through the reading."

My Favorite Finnish Friend, Eija from Invisible Train, had to look up the word "tome" but tells us that blogging lead her back to the most essential, weighty tome ever written, The Bible!  

Kim, from the Upward Call, is going to post up her answers once Blogger decides to play nice.  MissM is super busy and can't play today, but she's enjoying your responses, so bring 'em on!

 Carla, from Reflections of the Times has her answers posted.  She recommends the book Pulpit Crimes, by James White of Alpha and Omega Ministries.  That's on my "need to read" list.

Hmm. There's another question:  How many of you have a "need to read" list?

 Beck, from Frog and Toad are Still Friends, left this comment:

"I'm definitely reading more theological books thanks to reading Christian blogs, and I've been introduced to a lot of authors that I wouldn't have heard of otherwise."

Kim managed to weigh in during one of Bloggers more cooperative moments.  You can read her responses here.  Kim provided some resources for theological/doctrinal books, so be sure to check them out while you're there.  Kim also reminds us of another great source for book recommendations:

"I always read the footnotes of books, and honestly, that's where I find many of the books I want to read."  Me, too!

Nicki and Catriona, blogmates from titus2talk, from have provided their answers in a color coded post.  They point out the value of reading Christian biographies, one of my goals for this year.

 Annette, at Fish and Cans reminds us that "not all great learning has stopped, nor has all great writing."  Great point; I have noticed some great contemporary authors in the lists, Piper, Begg, Mahaney, Deever, Sproul, and MacArthur, to name a few.

 Jules promises to post her answers sometime this week, but for now, she's been busy with the comments section on this post.  You're invited to go take a look!

Teresa puts in her "Two Cents" and expands the list to include some of her favorite Catholic theologians and at least one agnostic.

 Joy took time out of her busy year end accounting and tax preparations to answer on her blog, JoythruChrist. Joy mentioned enjoying Christian fiction.  I haven't read much Christian fiction.  Have you?  Would you like to recommend a book or an author you've enjoyed?

Rindy, who has only been blogging for a couple of months,  says that "reading Christian blogs is an awesome way for a relatively new Christian to dig deeper, hear and think about issues, and definitely get input to books and authors."

Sandi, from A Mother's Musings, has posted her answers.  You really must go visit her and see the pink tulip her daughter painted.  It's in the sidebar.

Amanda, from Following an Unknown Path, actually went out and bought Spurgeon's devotional, Morning and Evening, based on a quote she read.  She also lists a book by Randy Alcorn that is going on my "need to read" list.

Lorna, from See Through Faith, confesses that reading is her "not-so-secret addiction."  She echoes a common theme:

Have you read fewer “real” books as your blog reading has increased? No - I think I just sleep less! Book addicts always make time to read you see. The laundry may go untended for days, and we might have a day of semi-fasting because I failed to make it to the store - but it’s rare for the reading not to happen. I read in bed everynight even when I go to bed ‘far too late!’

Checkbook of the Bank of Faith

February 1

Never Despair

But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings. (Malachi 4.2)

Fulfilled once in the first advent of our glorious Lord, and yet to have a fuller accomplishment in His second advent, this gracious word is also for daily use. Is it dark with the reader? Does the night deepen into a denser blackness? Still let us not despair: the sun will yet rise. When the night is darkest, dawn is nearest.

The sun which will arise is of no common sort. It is the Sun—the Sun of Righteousness, whose every ray is holiness. He who comes to cheer us, comes in the way of justice as well as of mercy, comes to violate no law even to save us. Jesus as much displays the holiness of God as His love. Our deliverance, when it comes, will be safe because righteous.

Our one point of inquiry should be—"Do we fear the name of the Lord? Do we reverence the living God and walk in His ways?" Then for us the night must be short; and when the morning cometh, all the sickness and sorrow of our soul will be over forever. Light, warmth, joy, and clearness of vision will come, and healing of every disease and distress will follow after.

Has Jesus risen upon us? Let us sit in the sun. Has He hidden His face? Let us wait for His rising. He will shine forth as surely as the sun.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

I haven't forgotten

Really, I haven't forgotten about the survey questions.  It's been a very busy week (how can it be Wednesday already??) and I promise to get to it sometime tomorrow afternoon.

 In the meantime, if you haven't answered the survey yet, why don't you do it now?  Leave me a link in the comments and I'll post them up sometime before I retire this evening.

Oh, What a Feeling!

It was just below zero when I left for the grocery store this morning.  When I hopped into my freezing cold '94 Toyota Camry, I remembered that I was almost out of gas.  Uh, oh.  That's like inviting fuel line freeze-up for a visit, isn't it?

I turned the key and it started right up.  It always does.  After 15 years and 170,177 miles this car is amazing. 

Think I can drive it for 20 years?  I'm beginning to think I can!