Worth Repeating - Sexual Abuse In the Church - Warn, Report, Resist

Acts 20:29-32 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

1 Peter 5:8-9a Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith...

Due to the recent events involving the pastor and popular IFB youth conference speaker, Kenny Baldwin, I thought this particular article was worth repeating. This article relates to an extensive expose that was done by the Star-Telegram of Fort Worth, Texas in 2018. That expose is more pertinent than ever at this point. My own thoughts are on the subject of what you can do, and what are the proper responses to these situations.

Excerpt:

We have been lectured, warned, rebuked, and admonished about gossip for so long that it is intimidating to cross that boundary and actually speak up. I know. I also believe that this has been done on purpose by some men in order to squelch any accountability and to avoid having to address unpleasant situations. The church (not just IFB) has made it hard to do the right thing in these cases with its strong and uncompromising definitions of "gossip." But, when someone is behaving in a suspicious or even obviously ungodly manner in this area, it is necessary to speak up.

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Evening Song - It Is Well with My Soul

Jeremiah 38:20 But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee. Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live. 

Hebrews 13:12-15 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 

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High Road or Low Road by Martha Snell Nicholson

 

High Road or Low Road

Whatever path Thou takest me-

It matters not which road it be,

If it but lead me home to Thee.

O joy, O bliss beyond compare

If Thou shouldst call me from the air,

To rise at last and meet Thee there!

Yet in my longing heart I know

If through the valley I must go,

I would not laggard be, nor slow;

For Thou wouldst closely hold my hand

And lead me through that shadow-land

To heaven's bright and blessed strand.

It matters not. That road is best

Which leads me soonest to Thy breast

Whereon this weary soul may rest.

Martha Snell Nicholson

 

Philippians 1:20-21 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

June and July Journaling and Writing Challenges

We have been enjoying the fawns again this summer, as we did the year I took this photo.

Psalm 103:1-8 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 

First of all, let me apologize for not getting posts up in a timely manner, especially the writing and journaling challenges. I actually thought I had posted the June challenge here as well as at The Home Maker's Corner and on FaceBook, but I couldn't find it here when I looked for it. I think it must have been the post that the internet decided to eat as a snack one night and I was too tired to try to get it together again. I meant to come back later and do the post over, but I forgot. (The story of my life.) I really tried to be more organized this year about posting in all the places that I put up ministry things, but my plan settled into oblivion in May and I haven't managed to get back to it. Yet. 

Last year and this year life has been changing in some unexpected ways for us. Last year we started attending a new church after about 16 years at another church. It took some getting used to, and also, being a much smaller church, I feel a bit more connected there. This has been lovely, but also takes up more of my head space and time (in a good way).

We had a major family visit last year in the spring, and then in December my brother who had been in Australia for years moved back to the U.S. Since he's living on our property, that has added another pleasant layer to life this year. He's had difficulty finding employment in this area and he is studying at present to expand his potential, but he helps out a lot, in particular with just being there for my Dad and assisting him in various ways. 

This has significantly lightened my load as far as caring for our Dad is concerned. In a weird, but not surprising way, I almost feel like this has triggered a bit of a reaction in me. This isn't uncommon when someone has been keeping up with an important responsibility or necessity for a long period of time and then no longer has to think so much about that thing. I had not realized how much mental energy I (along with my husband) was putting into just checking on my dad daily and making sure he was ok. We also were the ones being there for him when he was having a health struggle. We didn't resent any of it, but it was more tiring to me than we realized at the time.

Last year we were also praying and seeking God's will about the possibility of moving, possibly even to another county where we might serve the Lord in a local church situation. None of the doors clearly opened as far as we could see, but I was working hard on downsizing our possessions with that in view and it rather took over our lives and home. (The downsizing was beneficial, but exhausting.) The outcome of that whole process, though, is that this year we have put our long-delayed plans to build a house on this property into motion. It is a slow process and it has been really tiring. We are in the end stages of completing the house plans at present, and hoping to start the ground breaking soon, if the Lord so wills. 

I say all this to give some insight into why the articles and such have diminished or been delayed so much here and at The Home Maker's Corner. It is not the whole reason, there have been health issues (including menopause) among other things as well, but it is doubtless much of the reason. And, by way of disclosure, I'm considering possibly dropping some things. I'm not yet clear on what or when at this point. 

After a long period of pondering and talking to the Lord and others, I have started a book project which is taking up more space in my mind. It also has been a real joy to me and revived my interest significantly. I have no date for when the books might be finished as these projects take a lot of slow plodding for me, but the hope is to be able to put out some books in the future that are edifying and devotional for the encouragement of Christian ladies.

So, having said all that...and it was more than I intended to say, here are the June and July journaling and writing challenges. :-)

June:  Write about a blessing God has given you that other people would not have noticed.

July:  Write about something you learned from a sermon that changed your life.

Evening Song - We Rest On Thee

2 Chronicles 14:11 And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.

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Pilgrims In the Wilderness

Pilgrims In the Wilderness

We're pilgrims in the wilderness;

Our dwelling  is a camp;

Created things, though pleasant,

Now bear to us death's stamp.

But onward we are speeding,

Though often let and tried;

The Holy Ghost is leading

Home to the Lamb, His bride.

With fellow pilgrims meeting,

As through the waste we roam,

'Tis sweet to sing together,

"We are not far from home!"

And when we've learned our lesson,

Our work, in suffering, done,

Our ever loving Father

Will welcome every one.

We look to meet our brethren

From every distant  shore;

Not one will seem a stranger,

Though  never seen before:

With angel hosts attending,

In myriads, through the sky;

Yet 'midst them all Thou only,

O Lord, wilt fix the eye!

Lord, since we sing as pilgrims,

O give us pilgrims' ways!

Low thoughts of self, befitting

Proclaimers of Thy praise;

O make us each more holy,

In spirit, pure and meek:

More like to heavenly citizens,

As more of Thee we speak.

Mary Bowley Peters

altered

No. 231 in Hymns for The Little Flock

Sing to the tune of - 

"I Sing the Mighty Power of God."

1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers

and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Evening Song - Under His Wing

Psalms 36:7  How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

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Evening Song - Day By Day

Matthew 6:31-34 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. 

Deuteronomy 33:25 ...as thy days, so shall thy strength be. 

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Evening Song - Count Your Blessings

Psalm 126:2-3 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. 

Psalm 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. 

Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. 

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Be Not Anxious – A Poem by Annie Johnson Flint

 

Be Not Anxious

I cannot change the yesterday when I distrusted Thee,

Though all my fears unfounded proved, and shame me now as then;

I cannot promise that my faith will last throughout the night,

Or that, when Thy tomorrow comes, I will not doubt again.

But grant, O faithful Lord and true, that I may trust Thee now,

Just now, each moment of each hour of this Thy present day;

That, looking backward, I may read the record of the past,

And, forward, see Thy steadfast word light all the future way.

With Memory to guard the rear and Faith to lead the van,

And all Thy tested promises like beacon lights to shine,

How can I dread that demon shape of anxious, faithless fear?

For he shall lose his power when I fully trust in Thine.

Annie Johnson Flint

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Evening Song - All Your Anxiety

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 

1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Hebrews 4:15-16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

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To purcahse: https://www.johnmarshallfamily.com/

Evening Song - God Leads His Dear Children Along

Hebrews 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. 

Psalm 16:7 I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. 

Psalm 42:8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. 

Psalm 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

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Evening Song - I Could not Do Without Thee

Revelation 1:4-5 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 

2 Corinthians 3:3-5 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 

Colossians 3:10-11 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 

Matthew 14:27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

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Evening Song - Medley - Sweet Hour of Prayer

Psalm 69:13 But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation. 

Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 

Lamentations 3:22-23 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 

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A Secret Sorrow - A Poem

 

A Secret Sorrow

I have a secret sorrow,
A grief deep down inside,
Where large and heavy burdens,
In tiny places hide.

There are no doors nor windows
To meet another's eye,
For no one understands it,
Except my Lord and I.

The times of bitter anguish,
With Him alone I spend,
For in this place of suffering,
He is my only Friend.

And here I fight great battles
With deadly, inner foes;
Yet all the raging conflict,
None other truly knows.

But, oh, what consolations!
What comforts rare and sweet,
Christ gives His careworn children,
Where peace and sorrow meet!

What largeness of security,
To stand within God's hand,
That formed the mighty mountains,
And all the heavens spanned!

To think! The King of glory,
At God's right hand on high,
Is filled with tender pity,
For such a one as I.

By Mary Van Nattan Stephens

Psalm 103:13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. 

Evening Song - I Am not Worthy the Least of His Favor

Genesis 32:10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant...

Mark 1:6-7 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. 

Romans 8:17-18 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 

Evening Song – Beside the Still Waters of Peace

Psalms 23:1-2  The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

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Evening Song - God Will Take Care of You

1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 

The New Year - A Poem by Martha Snell Nicholson

The New Year

Dear Lord, as this new year is born
I give it to Thy hand,
Content to walk by faith what paths
I cannot understand.

Whatever coming days may bring
Of bitter loss, or gain,
Or every crown of happiness;
Should sorrow come, or pain,

Or, Lord, if all unknown to me
Thine angel hovers near
To bear me to that farther shore
Before another year,

It matters not. My hand in Thine,
Thy light upon my face,
Thy boundless strength when I am weak,
Thy love and saving grace!

I only ask, loose not my hand,
Grip fast my soul, and be
My guiding light upon the path
Till, blind no more, I see!

Martha Snell Nicholson

Psalm 17:5-7 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not. I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee...

John 10:27-29 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 

Worth Repeating - Fight the Good Fight of Faith

I updated this article a bit and am reposting it. It feels like a good time to revisit this thought.

Thoughts from Hymns - Fight the Good Fight of Faith

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Fight the Good Fight

Fight the good fight with all thy might;
Christ is thy strength, and Christ thy right;
Lay hold on life, and it shall be
Thy joy and crown eternally.

Run the straight race through God’s good grace,
Lift up thine eyes, and seek His face;
Life with its way before us lies,
Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.

Cast care aside, lean on thy Guide,
His boundless mercy will provide;
Trust, and thy trusting soul shall prove
Christ is its life and Christ its love.

Faint not nor fear, for He is near,
He changeth not, and thou art dear;
Only believe, and thou shalt see
That Christ is all in all to thee.

John S. B. Monsell

There is much sorrow, and foolishness, and fear and trembling in the world these days. It seems more and more like ...the end of all things is at hand, 1 Peter 4:7. But, there is one thing we need to focus on in the midst of all this – we have a battle to fight which supersedes these things. It is not a war against flesh and blood, but it is the spiritual battle of the Christian life.

Continuing Reading.