A new year

My dear one, 

I think of you on this eve of the new year. My heart continues to pray for you, even when I don't know the words to use. 

I plan to pick back up with more consistent writing in the days to come. This holiday season, stressful though it has been as I am visiting family, has given me some time to "re-boot," and I have been feeding on a particular theme in Scripture that has given me strength to face 2015! More on that soon...

For now, I wish you a blessed year, and I save my midnight kiss for you.

All my love, 
Your Evenstar

Heidelberg Catechism Week 52

127. Q. What does the sixth request mean? A. "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" means, By ourselves we are too weak to hold our own even for a moment. And our sworn enemies - the devil, the world, and our own flesh - never stop attacking us. And so, Lord, uphold us and make us strong with the strength of Your Holy Spirit, so that we may not go down to defeat in this spiritual struggle, but may firmly resist our enemies until we finally win the complete victory.

128. Q. What does your conclusion to this prayer mean? A. "For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever" means, We have made all these requests of You because, as our all-powerful King, You not only want to, but are able to give us all that is good; and because Your holy name, and not we ourselves, should receive all the praise, forever.

129. Q. What does that little word "Amen" express? A. "Amen" means, This is sure to be! It is even more sure that God listens to my prayer, than that I really desire what I pray for.

My reflections on the reading from the book...

DeYoung: "God loves it when we pray, because sincere, honest prayer in Jesus' name shows two of the most essential virtues in a Christian: humility and trust." 

"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" (Heb. 4:15-16). 

"God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1 Cor. 10:13). That "way to escape" is not freedom from temptation, but victory in temptation. The apostle Paul knew this deliverance, and he saw it to be a continuing deliverance: "The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heaven kingdom: to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen" (2 Tim. 4:18). And one day we will be completely delivered from the presence of all sin and evil!

Thine is the kingdom – Thy kingdom come!
Praise ye the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!

Thine is the power – Thy will be done!
Praise ye the Lord, Who over all things so wondrously reigneth!

Thine is the glory – Hallowed be Thy name!
Praise ye the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!

"Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." (Jude 24-25)

Heidelberg Catechism Week 51

126. Q. What does the fifth request mean? A. "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" means, Because of Christ's blood, do not hold against us, poor sinners that we are, any of the sins we do or the evil that constantly clings to us. Forgive us just as we are fully determined, as evidence of Your grace in us, to forgive our neighbors.

My reflections on the reading from the book...

DeYoung: "Forgiveness means our sins are no longer counted against us and we no longer count the sins of those who have hurt us."

Unwillingness to extend forgiveness to those who have wronged me is a sin that I must confess and repent of, if I sense it creeping into my life – because it hinders my fellowship with God! The parable of the unmerciful servant (Matt. 18:23-35) tells of one who refused to demonstrate to others the same forgiveness and kindness that he himself had received. This parable underscores the vital link between God's forgiveness of us and our own forgiving spirit. If I am unable to forgive others, I should look closely at my relationship with the Lord! 

May I treat others as the Lord has treated me – with forgiveness and grace! "Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Eph. 4:32). It is through my Christlike attitude of forgiveness that I point others to the Saviour!

It's no fairy tale...

What little girl doesn't dream of being a princess? I believe that such a "fairy-tale wish" for a prince to choose her, pursue her, sweep her off her feet, make her his own, pledge to her his life, give her his kingdom, is fundamentally a God-given desire. However, that longing cannot be ultimately fulfilled in an earthly spouse, but rather by the Heavenly Bridegroom, the King of kings, the Lord Jesus Christ. Instead of waiting impatiently for a modern-day "knight-in-shining-armor" to arrive on the scene and make me his bride, I am called to eagerly anticipate the coming of Christ to join His bride, the Church. He has established a kingdom, and He is preparing for me a dwelling-place and a marriage feast. By uniting with the other members of His Church, I testify that He has purchased me and cleansed me with His blood, and declared me His beautiful and chosen one. This season of Advent, I eagerly read and re-read His messages of love and seek for ways to honor that love. I turn my focus to the idea of waiting, anticipating, preparing myself for His coming and the consummation of blessings that are already mine.

John Piper: "[God] may be . . . graciously and tenderly frustrating you with life that is not centered on Christ and filling you with longings and desires that can't find their satisfaction in what this world offers, but only in the God-man."

Heidelberg Catechism Week 50

125. Q. What does the fourth request mean? A. "Give us today our daily bread" means, Do take care of all our physical needs so that we come to know that You are the only source of everything good, and that neither our work and worry nor Your gifts can do us any good without Your blessings. And so help us to give up our trust in creatures and to put trust in You alone.

My reflections on the reading from the book...

DeYoung: "The simple act of getting on our knees... is the surest sign of our humility and dependence on God. There may be many reasons for our prayerlessness - time management, busyness, lack of concentration - but most fundamentally, we ask not because we think we need not... Prayerlessness is an expression of our meager confidence in God's ability to provide and of our strong confidence in our ability to take care of ourselves without God's help."

It is no accident that the Lord's Prayer opens with petitions concerning God Himself (His glory, kingdom, and will), before turning to personal needs. This order reflects the priorities we must maintain in our thinking and our praying. In fact, this sixth chapter of Matthew ends with the reminder to "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness," and THEN "all these things shall be added unto you" (verse 33).

Yet we are indeed invited to make our everyday material needs known to our Heavenly Father. We acknowledge that we come to the throne of grace empty-handed, dependent upon our Jehovah-Jireh, the God who provides. When we read Abraham's confident statement to Isaac, "My son, God will provide himself a lamb" (Gen. 22:8), we look ahead to the time when Christ, the Lamb of God, became God's provision for us – the perfect Substitute and Sacrifice.

Exodus 16 records for us how our faithful God sustained Israel each day with manna in the wilderness. Through this miracle, the people learned lessons about daily dependence and trust. The Lord desires for us to exhibit the same attitude as we look to Him in faith to provide everything we need: from physical nourishment and strength, to the salvation of our souls! Let us sing with the Psalmist, "The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing" (Ps. 145:15-16).

Advent longings

"Celebrating Advent means being able to wait. Waiting is an art that our impatient age has forgotten. It wants to break open the ripe fruit when it has hardly finished planting the shoot. But all too often greedy eyes are only deceived; the fruit that seemed so precious is still green on the inside, and disrespectful hands ungratefully toss aside what has so disappointed them. Whoever does not know the austere blessedness of waiting—that is, of hopefully doing without—will never experience the full blessing of fulfillment. Those who do not know how it feels to struggle anxiously with the deepest questions of life, of their life, and to patiently look forward with anticipation until the truth is revealed, cannot even dream of the splendour of the moment in which clarity is illuminated for them... For the greatest, most profound, tenderest things in the world, we must wait. It happens not here in a storm but according to the divine laws of sprouting, growing, and becoming... Not everyone can wait: neither the sated nor the satisfied nor those without respect can wait. The only ones who can wait are people who carry restlessness around with them and people who look up with reverence to the greatest in the world. Thus Advent can be celebrated only by those whose souls give them no peace, who know that there poor and incomplete, and who sense something of the greatness that is supposed to come, before which they can only bow in humble timidity, waiting until he inclines himself toward us—the Holy One himself, God in the child in the manger."
— Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"If there is a longing in your heart this Advent for something that the world has not been able to satisfy, might not this longing be God's Christmas gift preparing you to see Christ as consolation and redemption...?" 

— John Piper

Heidelberg Catechism Week 49

124. Q. What does the third request mean? A. "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" means, Help us and all people to reject our own wills and to obey Your will without any back talk. Your will alone is good. Help us one and all to carry out the work we are called to, as willingly and faithfully as the angels in heaven.

My reflections on the reading from the book...

DeYoung: "When we pray 'Your will be done,' we are confessing our confidence that God knows best, that His plans are good, that His way is always the right way." 

George Muller, a servant of the Lord known for his perseverance in prayer, provides us with some valuable counsel:

1. Be slow to take new steps in the Lord's service, or in your business, or in your families: weigh everything well; weigh all in the light of the Holy Scriptures and in the fear of God.
2. Seek to have no will of your own, in order to ascertain the mind of God, regarding any steps you propose taking, so that you can honestly say you are willing to do the will of God, if He will only please to instruct you.
3. But when you have found out what the will of God is, seek for His help, and seek it earnestly, perseveringly, patiently, believingly, expectantly; and you will surely in His own time and way obtain it.

Thou sweet beloved will of God,
My anchor ground, my fortress hill,
My spirit's silent, fair abode,
In Thee I hide me, and am still.

O Will that willest good alone,
Lead Thou the way, Thou guidest best;
A little child, I follow on,
And trusting, lean upon Thy breast.

O lightest burden, sweetest yoke!
It lifts, it bears my happy soul;
It giveth wings to this poor heart;
My freedom is Thy grand control.

Upon God's will I lay me down,
As child upon its mother's breast;
No silken couch, nor softest bed,
Could ever give me such deep rest.

Thou wonderful, grand will, my God,
With triumph now I make it mine;
And faith shall cry a joyous "Yes!"
To ev'ry dear command of Thine. 

(Gerhard Tersteegen, stanzas 1-2, & Jean S. Pigott, stanzas 3-5)

Stumps and branches

"Out of the stump of David's family will grow a shoot - yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root" (Isaiah 11:1). What hope in this promise of the Saviour!

I too am a lifeless stump, longing for a tender shoot of hope. I wait for love, I yearn for companionship. But God calls me to notice new life in another area - He points to the work His Spirit is doing in my heart to enable me to see the love He has for me, the companionship He provides, the joy and satisfaction only He can give.

As I sit by my newly decorated Christmas tree and listen to Advent music centuries old, I wish I could share these beautiful moments with a kindred spirit. And then my heart whispers, "You are not alone. Immanuel!" Words of deep consolation - God with me!

Heidelberg Catechism Week 48

123. Q. What does the second request mean? A. "Your kingdom come" means, Rule us by Your Word and Spirit in such a way that more and more we submit to You. Keep Your church strong, and add to it. Destroy the devil's work; destroy every force which revolts against You and every conspiracy against Your Word. Do this until Your kingdom is so complete and perfect that in it You are in all.

My reflections on the reading from the book...

DeYoung: "The kingdom is not about excellence in behavior. It's about our willing submission to God and living a life of love that befits those who belong to such a lovely King."

And though this world, with devils filled, 
Should threaten to unto us, 
We will not fear, for God hath willed 
His truth to triumph through us... 
Let goods and kindred go, 
This mortal life also; 
The body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still, 
His Kingdom is forever. 
(Martin Luther)

His kingdom cannot fail;
He rules o'er earth and heav’n;
The keys of death and hell
Are to our Jesus giv'n:
He all His foes shall quell,
Shall all our sins destroy;
Our songs of praise shall swell
With everlasting joy.
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
(Charles Wesley)

Heidelberg Catechism Week 47

122. Q. What does the first request mean? A. "Hallowed be Your name" means, Help us to really know You, to bless, worship, and praise You for all Your works and for all that shines forth from them: Your almighty power, wisdom, kindness, justice, mercy, and truth. And it means, help us to direct all our living - what we think, say, and do - so that Your name will never be blasphemed because of us but always honored and praised.

My reflections on the reading from the book...

DeYoung: "Jesus teaches us that the first thing we ought to pray for, before we ask for anything else, is that God would be glorified and set apart as holy... Jesus would have us understand that the point of prayer is God's glory... 'Our Father in heaven, the concern nearest to my heart and the one that shapes all other requests is that Your name would be regarded as holy, that Your fame would be heralded in the earth, that You would be honored among the nations, that Your glory would be magnified for all to see. O Lord, be pleased to cause men everywhere to take pleasure in You, that You might be praised now and forever."

When we pray "Hallowed be Thy name," we are not praying for God's name to become "sanctified" or "made holy," for holiness is already one of God's perfections. Rather, we are asking for the Lord to make the greatness of His name displayed and magnified even further. "From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’s name is to be praised" (Ps. 113:3).

Am I in any way hindering the Lord’s name from being magnified and praised? I should consistently be examining my life for areas that that might be bringing wrong honor and glory to myself instead of the name of the Lord. 

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 5:16)

"Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name give glory, for the sake of Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness!" (Psalm 115:1)

Heidelberg Catechism Week 46

120. Q. Why did Christ command us to call God "our Father"? A. At the very beginning of our prayer Christ wants to kindle in us what is basic to our prayer - the childlike awe and trust that God through Christ has become our Father. Our fathers do not refuse us the things of this life; God our Father will even less refuse to give us what we ask in faith.

121. Q. Why the words "in heaven"? A. Those words teach us not to think of God's heavenly majesty as something earthly and to expect everything for body and soul from His almighty power.

My reflections on the reading from the book...

God Himself has revealed the name of "Father" as one by which we can call Him. As His children we can trust Him to know what is best for us. A father knows what his child needs much better than the child does. When I find myself begging God for something, I have to remind myself that He has my good in view even when it feels like He is holding back something I desperately want. Our omniscient, omnipotent Heavenly Father delights to hear and answer our prayers according to His will!

Heidelberg Catechism Week 45

116. Q. Why do Christians need to pray? A. Because prayer is the most important part of the thankfulness God requires of us. And also because God gives His grace and Holy Spirit only to those who pray continually and groan inwardly asking God for these gifts and thanking Him for them.

117. Q. How does God want us to pray so that He will listen to us? A. First, we must pray from the heart to no other than the one true God, who has revealed Himself in His Word, asking for everything He has commanded us to ask for. Second, we must acknowledge our need and misery, hiding nothing, and humble ourselves in His majestic presence. Third, we must rest on this unshakable foundation: even though we do not deserve it, God will surely listen to our prayer because of Christ our Lord. This is what He promised us in His Word.

118. Q. What did God command us to pray for? A. Everything we need, spiritually and physically, as embraced in the prayer Christ our Lord Himself taught us.

119. Q. What is the prayer? A. Our Father in heaven, hallowed by Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

My reflections on the reading from the book...

I'm so thankful for the privilege of coming to the throne of grace, bringing my petitions large and small to the great King of kings, through Christ the perfect Mediator.

Random reflection: Duggar developments

Confession: I'm somewhat of a Duggar fan. 

Last year I started in on a few episodes of "17 Kids & Counting" (now, "19 Kids") on Netflix. As a young girl with two little brothers, I had always secretly dreamed of being a part of a large family, and would often make-believe I had a bunch of sisters. And then I imagined that I'd have many children of my own. Not so sure these days if that will ever be... So in a sense I'm living vicariously through observing the Duggar family from afar. 

The most recent news is that newlyweds Jessa and Ben saved their first kiss for their wedding day (no surprise there...), but it took place in private after the ceremony rather than at the altar. I think there's something very sweet about that, and I would actually consider taking a similar approach if my future bridegroom agreed.

Heidelberg Catechism Week 44

113. Q. What is God's will for you in the tenth commandment? A. That not even the slightest thought or desire contrary to any one of God's commandments should ever arise in my heart. Rather, with all my heart I should always hate sin and take pleasure in whatever is right.

114. Q. But can those converted to God obey these commandments perfectly? A. No. In this life even the holiest have only a small beginning of this obedience. Nevertheless, with all seriousness of purpose, they do begin to live according to all, not only some, of God's commandments.

115. Q. No one in this life can obey the Ten Commandments perfectly: why then does God want them preached so pointedly? A. First, so that the longer we live the more we may come to know our sinfulness and the more eagerly look to Christ for forgiveness of sins and righteousness. Second, so that, while praying to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, we may never stop striving to be renewed more and more after God's image, until after this life we reach our goal: perfection.

My reflections on the reading from the book...

Coveting, the issue covered in the 10th Commandment, is essentially idolatry. DeYoung distinguishes coveteousness from desire: "One of two things must be present for a lawful desire to become coveting. First, we covet when we desire what belongs to someone else... Or we can covet when our desire leads to or is an expression of discontentment." DeYoung goes on to state, "Contentment and covetousness are opposites." I confess I struggle a lot with contentment. My Wednesday morning breakfast friends and I have just started reading Jeremiah Burrough's classic book The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, and it is already proving to be a convicting read. No, I will never achieve perfection in this earthly life, but God wants my heart united to fear His name. May I give Him my whole heart and refuse to hold back in any area!

Quality friendships

My dear one,

I'm sitting in a coffeeshop right now, celebrating my first quiet evening in two weeks. I  just can't bear to be at home right now, where the quiet is stifling. Life is so busy right now that I can't even imagine being in a relationship. Yet there is still that sweet, secret longing tucked away safely in my heart... I would love to have a good reason to shut down my computer, prepare a nice meal, and show you that you are the most important person in my life.

I am extremely grateful for a new friend I've found in one of my colleagues. She is a single woman 16 years older than I, with a real heart for ministry and an intensely energetic personality that somehow doesn't drain me but rather makes for refreshingly deep conversation. She's the kind of friend who builds me up, motivates me, and makes me feel a little less "alone" in my present circumstances. She is very conscientious of maintaining holiness in her spiritual walk, music pursuits, student mentoring, etc., yet without being dowdy or closed-minded. She always has Scripture ready on her tongue and in her heart, and I find in her an example of the kind of person I want to be in 10 or 20 years.

I pray that you have friends like this that can be an encouragement to you!

Love and prayers,
Your Evenstar

Heidelberg Catechism Week 43

112. Q. What is God's will for you in the ninth commandment? A. God's will is that I never give false testimony against anyone, twist no one's words, not gossip or slander, nor join in condemning anyone without a hearing or without a just cause. Rather, in court and everywhere else, I should avoid lying and deceit of every kind; these are devices the devil himself uses, and they would call down on me God's intense anger. I should love the truth, speak it candidly, and openly acknowledge it. And I should do what I can to guard and advance my neighbor's good name.

My reflections on the reading from the book...

Spreading gossip has never been one of my personal vices. Yet I do confess to secretly relishing the "juicy truths" that others too freely share. It is incumbent upon me as a child of God to refuse to participate in such, no matter which side of the false testimony or gossip - the sharing OR the receiving - I encounter.

Heidelberg Catechism Week 42

110. Q. What does God forbid in the eighth commandment? A. He forbids not only outright theft and robbery, punishable by law. But in God's sight theft also includes cheating and swindling our neighbor by schemes made to appear legitimate, such as: inaccurate measurements of weight, size, or volume; fraudulent merchandising; counterfeit money; excessive interest; or any other means forbidden by God. In addition He forbids all greed and pointless squandering of His gifts.

111. Q. What does God require of you in this commandment? A. That I do whatever I can for my neighbor's good, that I treat others as I would like them to treat me, and that I work faithfully so that I may share with those in need.

My reflections on the reading from the book...

Any means of taking anything that doesn't belong to me, or even of wasting what is given to me, is sin in the eyes of a just God. I cannot serve two masters, God and riches. The Lord invites His people to a life of generosity and wise stewardship.

Reflections on a mountain

My dear one, 

There are very few people who know me well. I am not quick to allow people into my circle of trust, for I have witnessed the hurt and betrayal that my parents and grandparents have endured over the years.

But sometimes this solitude is extremely difficult. I long to share my dreams and passions and fears with a kindred spirit. If you could be that person, I would show you a favorite mountain retreat where I can sit and view my hometown 25 miles away. We could sit at a picnic table at the state park and listen to the tree frogs as we eat our sandwich supper. I'd tell you how much I've always wanted to have a pianist for a best friend (dare I even say husband?) and to enjoy collaborating on a lifetime of recitals together. I'd admit my love of cheesecake, 19th-century poetry, college football, and a good cup of coffee. I'd explain my convictions about music, church, education, and my habits regarding housekeeping, health, and cleanliness. I'd confess my fears of getting cancer, of losing my job, of never have children.

For now though, these letters to you must suffice, shrouded in ambiguity as they are...

Praying for you today, 
Your Evenstar

Heidelberg Catechism Week 41

108. Q. What is God's will for you in the seventh commandment? A. God condemns all unchastity. We should therefore thoroughly detest it and, married or single, live decent and chaste lives.

109. Q. Does God, in this commandment, forbid only such scandalous sins as adultery? A. We are temples of the Holy Spirit, body and soul, and God wants both to be kept clean and holy. That is why He forbids everything which incites unchastity, whether it be actions, looks, talk, thoughts, or desires. 

My reflections on the reading from the book...

The verses that I cling to...

"Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23).

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8).

"Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body" (1 Corinthians 6:18-20).

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor" (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4).

Psalm 34

Verse 1...

I will bless the Lord at all times; 

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

"If all we do may be done to the praise of God [see 1 Cor. 10:31], then certainly all we speak may be spoken to the praise of God; and indeed, seeing He never ceaseth to send forth continually His blessings, with what reason can we cease to set forth continually His praises?" (Sir Richard Baker, 1640)

Verse 2a... 

My soul makes its boast in the Lord.

"My confidence is that He who hath given me the resolution to will it, will give me also the power to perform it; that He who hath begun the work will also finish it." (RB)

Verse 4... 

I sought the Lord, and He answered me 

and delivered me from all my fears.

"To have delivered me from all my troubles had been a great favor, but a far greater to deliver me from all my fears; for where that would have freed me from present evil, this secures me from evil to come; that now I enjoy not only tranquility, but security, a privilege only of the godly." (RB)

Verse 8... 

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! 

Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

"If you would but taste Him, you would never take pleasure in other meat; if you would but see Him, you would never delight in other object... He that trusteth in God, and he only, is like to be admitted to taste the sweetness and to see the goodness that is in God, which only are  the things that can make us blessed. What is it to trust in God but to depend wholly upon him, and to put all our confidence in him? To trust in the world, is to lean upon a broken reed; to trust in ourselves, is to lean upon a shadow; only to trust in God is the true terra firma where the angels pitch their tents, and where, if we fix ourselves, the gates of hell can never prevail against us." (RB)

Scottish Psalter:

1 God will I bless all times; his praise my mouth shall still express. 2 My soul shall boast in God: the meek shall hear with joyfulness. 3 Extol the Lord with me, let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the Lord, he heard, and did me from all fears deliver. 5 They looked to him, and lightened were: not shamèd were their faces. 6 This poor man cried, God heard, and saved him from all his distresses. 7 The angel of the Lord encamps, and round encompasseth All those about that do him fear, and them delivereth. 8 O taste and see that God is good: who trusts in him is blessed. 9 Fear God his saints: none that him fear shall be with want oppressed. 10 The lions young may hungry be, and they may lack their food: But they that truly seek the Lord shall not lack any good. 11 O children, hither do ye come, and unto me give ear; I shall you teach to understand how ye the Lord should fear. 12 What man is he that life desires, to see good would live long? 13 Thy lips refrain from speaking guile, and from ill words thy tongue. 14 Depart from ill, do good, seek peace, pursue it earnestly. 15 God's eyes are on the just; his ears are open to their cry. 16 The face of God is set against those that do wickedly, That he may quite out from the earth cut off their memory. 17 The righteous cry unto the Lord, he unto them gives ear; And they out of their troubles all by him delivered are. 18 The Lord is ever nigh to them in heart that broken be; Those who in spirit contrite are he saveth graciously. 19 The troubles that afflict the just in number many be; But yet at length out of them all the Lord doth set him free. 20 He carefully his bones doth keep, whatever can befall; That not so much as one of them can broken be at all. 21 Ill shall the wicked slay; laid waste shall be who hate the just. 22 The Lord redeems his servants' souls; none perish that him trust.

Refreshment for body and soul

Isaiah 40:26-31...

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: 

Who created all these? 

He who brings out the starry host one by one 

and calls forth each of them by name. 

Because of His great power and mighty strength, 

not one of them is missing. 

Why do you complain, Jacob? 

Why do you say, Israel, 

"My way is hidden from the LORD; 

my cause is disregarded by my God"?

Do you not know? Have you not heard? 

The LORD is the everlasting God, 

the Creator of the ends of the earth. 

He will not grow tired or weary, 

and His understanding no one can fathom. 

He gives strength to the weary 

and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary, 

and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the LORD 

will renew their strength. 

They will soar on wings like eagles; 

they will run and not grow weary, 

they will walk and not be faint.

These are pictures from last Saturday's excursion - just now getting around to sharing them.

- Your Evenstar

Heidelberg Catechism Week 40

105. Q. What is God's will for you in the sixth commandment? A. I am not to belittle, insult, hate, or kill my neighbor - not by my thoughts, my words, my look or gesture, and certainly not by actual deeds - and I am not to be party to this in others; rather, I am to put away all desire for revenge. I am not to harm or recklessly endanger myself either. Prevention of murder is also why government is armed with the sword.

106. Q. Does this commandment refer only to killing? A. By forbidding murder God teaches us that He hates the root of murder: envy, anger, vindictiveness. In God's sight all such are murder.

107. Q. Is it enough then that we do not kill our neighbor in any such way? A. No. By condemning envy, hatred, and anger God tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves, to be patient, peace-loving, gentle, merciful, and friendly to them, to protect them from harm as much as we can, and to do good even to our enemies. 

My reflections on the reading from the book...

The sanctity of human life is under attack today. Abortion and euthanasia are being held up as "rights," while the right to protect oneself is being stripped away. Violence and terror reigns all throughout the world, while God's authority is denied and His laws ignored. It all boils down to the heart. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked..." (Jeremiah 17:9). Instead of loving God and loving our neighbor, our sinful flesh seeks merely its own gratification, protection, and exaltation. O Lord, cleanse my heart of envy, anger, bitterness, pride, and selfishness!

Heidelberg Catechism Week 39

104. Q. What is God's will for you in the fifth commandment? A. That I honor, love, and be loyal to my father and mother and all those in authority over me; that I obey and submit to them, as is proper, when they correct and punish me; and also that I be patient with their failings - for through them God choose to rule us. 

My reflections on the reading from the book...

It is incredible to see the myriad instances of "rebellion for the sake of rebellion" in today's generation of young people. It's as if parents expect and accept this as a "rite of passage" for their children. But how contrary to God's law! 

As a child, I was taught and expected to obey my mother and father because they were the authority God placed over me. And though I now live away from my parents , I still honor them, seek their counsel, and consider myself to still be under my father's protection until such a time as I would have a husband to take on that role of protector. And when my parents can no longer provide for and care for themselves, my brothers and I recognize our duty to honor them in those later years of life by supplying that necessary care.

Saturday's stream-of-consciousness ponderings

My dear one, 

What a strange week it has been. Now that I have a chance to sit down and enjoy a quiet evening curled up on the couch with a cup of tea and a college football game, I find myself restless and lonely. Oh how I would love to hold a good long conversation with you... I would tell you how the delightfully cool autumn weather brings back memories of my happy childhood. I would tell you about my brother's spontaneous albeit brief visit and the sporting event I enjoyed with him last night. I would tell you about the music I recorded this week for a conference proposal and the mental and physical strain that such an endeavor causes. I would tell you how I successfully fought off an icky cold with essential oils, despite being exposed to the many students who came sick to their music lessons this week. I would tell you about helping my downstairs neighbors move out and how it spurs me on to pursue minimalism even more intentionally. I would tell you about my experience representing our university music program at a local college fair and how doing so definitely takes me out of my comfort zone. I would ask you about your week's trials and blessings. I would discover how I can help you, pray for you, encourage you. I would learn more about your interests, ideas, and dreams. I have been asking the Lord that He would do whatever is necessary to work Christlikeness in my life and yours... even if that means keeping us apart for more agonizingly long months and years. When I find my heart to be manifesting negativity or selfishness  or impatience in the course of my day-to-day existence, I ask the Lord if this is precisely why I am still alone. Will I ever really be ready for you? Will I ever have something to offer you? No doubt it is good for me to be humbled by such self-examination.

I'm here, dearest... 
- Your Evenstar

Resting and waiting upon God

My dear one, 

I was intentionally looking for something this evening that would be a short edifying quote to post on Facebook. When I happened upon this devotional in the process, I couldn't help wanting to share  it with you, especially since I recently wrote about Psalm 37.

WAITING ON GOD: PATIENTLY - by Andrew Murray

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him, Those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the land." Ps. 37:7, 9  

"In patience possess your souls." "Ye have need of patience." "Let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire." Such words of the Holy Spirit show us what an important element in the Christian life and character patience is. And nowhere is there a better place for cultivating or displaying it than in waiting on God. There we discover how impatient we are, and what our impatience means. We confess at times that we are impatient with men, and circumstances that hinder us, or with ourselves and our slow progress in the Christian life. If we truly set ourselves to wait upon God, we shall find that it is with Him we are impatient, because He does not at once, or as soon as we could wish, do our bidding. It is in waiting upon God that our eyes are opened to believe in His wise and sovereign will, and to see that the sooner and the more completely we yield absolutely to it, the more surely His blessing can come to us.  

"It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy." Rom 9:16. We have as little power to increase or strengthen our spiritual life, as we had to originate it. We "were born not of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of the will of God." Even so, our willing and running, our desire and effort, avail nought; all is "of God that sheweth mercy."  

All the exercises of the spiritual life, our reading and praying, our willing and doing, have their very great value. But they can go no farther than this, that they point the way and prepare us in humility to look to and to depend alone upon God Himself, and in patience to wait His good time and mercy. The waiting is to teach us our absolute dependence upon God’s mighty working, and to make us in perfect patience place ourselves at His disposal. They that wait on the Lord shall inherit the land; the promised land and its blessing. The heirs must wait; they can afford to wait.  

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." The margin gives for "Rest in the Lord," "Be silent to the Lord," or R. V., "Be still before the Lord." It is resting in the Lord, in His will, His promise, His faithfulness, and His love, that makes patience easy. And the resting in Him is nothing but being silent unto Him, still before Him. Having our thoughts and wishes, our fears and hopes, hushed into calm and quiet in that great peace of God which passeth all understanding. That peace keeps the heart and mind when we are anxious for anything, because we have made our request known to Him. The rest, the silence, the stillness, and the patient waiting, all find their strength and joy in God Himself.  

The need for patience, and the reasonableness, and the blessedness of patience will be opened up to the waiting soul. Our patience will be seen to be the counterpart of God’s patience. He longs far more to bless us fully than we can desire it. But, as the husbandman has long patience till the fruit be ripe, so God bows Himself to our slowness and bears long with us. Let us remember this, and wait patiently: of each promise and every answer to prayer the word is true: "I the Lord will hasten it in its time." Isa 60:22.  

"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." Yes, for HIM. Seek not only the help, the gift, thou needest seek: HIMSELF; wait for HIM. Give God His glory by resting in Him, by trusting him fully, by waiting patiently for Him. This patience honors Him greatly; it leaves Him, as God on the throne, to do His work; it yields self wholly into His hands. It lets God be God. If thy waiting be for some special request, wait patiently. If thy waiting be more the exercise of the spiritual life seeking to know and have more of God, wait patiently. Whether it be in the shorter specific periods of waiting, or as the continuous habit of the souls. Rest in the Lord, be still before the Lord, and wait patiently. "They that wait on the Lord shall inherit the land."

"My soul, wait thou only upon God!" 

May this encourage you as it has me! 
- Your Evenstar

Heidelberg Catechism Week 38

103. Q. What is God's will for you in the fourth commandment? A. First, that the gospel ministry and education for it be maintained, and that, especially on the festive day of rest, I regularly attend the assembly of God's people to learn what God's Word teaches, to participate in the sacraments, to pray to God publicly, and to bring Christian offerings for the poor. Second, that every day of my life I rest from my evil ways, let the Lord work in me through His Spirit, and so begin already in this life the eternal Sabbath. 

My reflections on the reading from the book...

The concept of a Sabbath was present from the very beginning, when God set aside one day in seven, demonstrated in His resting on the seventh day of creation. The Mosaic Law taught God's people that they should turn aside from their regular labors to observe the Lord's Day, demonstrating their trust in God's gracious supply. Christ taught His disciples that the Sabbath was a day of freedom (Luke 13:10-17), a day for healing (Luke 14: 1-6), and a day for doing good (Mark 3:1-6). The fourth commandment points to the eternal rest appointed for the people of God (Hebrews 4:9-10). 

We set aside the first day of the week, as we rest from our daily employment and pursuits, to celebrate the resurrection of Christ and worship the Lord together with fellow believers.

Psalm 35

Verses 19, 24, 27-28...
Let not those rejoice over me 
     who are wrongfully my foes, 
and let not those wink the eye 
     who hate me without cause.
Vindicate me, O Lord, my God, 
     according to Your righteousness, 
and let them not rejoice over me!
Let those who delight in my righteousness 
     shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, 
"Great is the LORD, 
     who delights in the welfare of his servant!" 
Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness 
     and of your praise all the day long.

Matthew Henry: 
"David in his afflictions, Christ in his sufferings, the church under persecution, and the Christian in the hour of temptation, all beseech the Almighty to appear in their behalf, and to vindicate their cause."

Make my life an alleluia, a song of praise to You each day. 

To proclaim Your grace and glory, 

Fill my heart with Your praise, I pray. 

When I stand at the mountaintop, or the valley of despair, 

This will be my cry, my song, my prayer, 

Lord, make my life an alleluia. 

Make my life an alleluia, a gift of love to You, my King. 

I will join with all creation in the song that the heavens sing! 

The earth will turn, and the planets spin, 

As the seasons ebb and flow; 

Still, Your grace surrounds me as I go. 

Lord, make my life an alleluia. 

Make my life an alleluia, this offering of myself I give to You. 

I will share Your grace and mercy for as long as I shall live. 

When I come to my journey's end, 

May those left behind be reminded, 

This has been my cry, my song, my prayer: 

Lord, make my life an alleluia. 

(Ruth Elaine Schram)

Cool mountain air

My dear one, 

A Saturday afternoon drive and cool mountain air were just what the doctor ordered. It would only have been lovelier if you had been at my side. The shadows are lengthening - October is almost here! Oh how I wish October could bring you to me...

"I keep watching, I keep hoping, but time keeps us apart. Is there a way I can find you? Is there a sign I should know? Is there a road I could follow, to bring you back home?"

- Your Evenstar

Psalm 36

Verses 7-10... 

How precious is Your steadfast love, O God! 

     The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. 

They feast on the abundance of Your house, 

     and You give them drink from the river of Your delights. 

For with You is the fountain of life; 

     in Your light do we see light. 

Oh, continue Your steadfast love to those who know You, 

     and Your righteousness to the upright of heart! 

Matthew Henry:

"God's loving-kindness is precious to the saints. They put themselves under His protection, and then are safe and easy. Gracious souls, though still desiring more of God, never desire more than God. The gifts of Providence so far satisfy them, that they are content with such things as they have. The benefit of holy ordinances is sweet to a sanctified soul, and strengthening to the spiritual and Divine life. But full satisfaction is reserved for the future state. Their joys shall be constant. God not only works in them a gracious desire for these pleasures, but by His Spirit fills their souls with joy and peace in believing. He quickens whom He will; and whoever will, may come, and take from Him the waters of life freely. May we know, and love, and uprightly serve the Lord; then no proud enemy, on earth or from hell, shall separate us from His love."

Psalm 37

Verse 7... Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him;
     fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way... 

This is the verse that my pastor shared at a prayer meeting a little over four months ago - and I still keep coming back to the notes I took that evening:

I. The instruction.
     A. Silence, rest; a hushed, still spirit. Silence demonstrates wisdom and sanctification.  The opposite is fretting... an agitated, troubled spirit. Fretting is one of several sinful reactions mentioned in this psalm (see also envy - v. 1, anger - v. 8, wrath - v. 8). Fretting is cause by focusing on the actions of others. Three of the four occurrences of "fret" in the Old Testament are found in this psalm - fretting was a real problem for the psalmist! Fretting occurs when we focus on man instead of on God. We become jealous or discontent, burning up with annoyance and grief.
     B. Stillness - see Psalm 46:10.
     C. Satisfaction - the soul that rests in the Lord finds all it needs in the Lord: His presence, power, person, promise, preservation.

II. The incentive.
     A. The Lord is sovereign over all things. He is on the throne, see Psalm 2. He knows when every sparrow falls. Every aspect of our lives is under His superintendence.
     B. He knows our hearts, needs, weakness, discouragements.
     C. He is able to perform His promises (see v. 5). The Lord performs all things for me, Psalm 57:2.
     D. He orders our steps (see v. 23) -- every detail of our lives. He does not forsake His people!
     E. He gives grace in the midst of hard circumstances. Bring your cares to Him!

III.The inheritance.
Our union with Christ is the means of receiving comfort. The presence of the Lord is our comfort.

...And so I must continue to take these thoughts to heart. Today has been especially hard emotionally. I had someone on my mind and happened to remember that it was just about this time last year when I first met him. I looked at a calendar, and sure enough, it was one year ago to the very day! That initial meeting somehow left me tongue-tied and nervous (though there was no apparent explanation at the time). For the next eight months, I grew more and more impressed by his hard work, selflessness, musicality, thoughtfulness, sensitivity, leadership, and maturity. I even thought he could someday be realized as THE "dear one" to whom I write. I cried when I leaned of his pending departure. And I find myself in tears again this evening, wondering if I will ever see him again.

 The night my pastor preached on Psalm 37:7, I was fighting tears when I happened to glance across the room and observe this someone brushing away a tear of his own.

 Tonight I pray for him. 

 Wait patiently; your times, my times, are in His hands.