Gleanings of Wheat

I've been in the midst of a trial for some time now - I think in large part to the fact that I just don't learn. Though God has provided in huge ways yet I am prone to worry, I am still prone to try and control situations on my own...at the bottom of it I'm still prone to unbelief, to distrust. It is easy for me to be discouraged by this, but I'm also aware of the fact that I've grown (by the grace of God) a lot in the past few years. I know I'm more aware of my sin, I see it better than I used to, and that gives me great hope because I know that I would not see it if it were not for Him...I see these things because He loves me. It is my hope to fight my flesh, to see these trials as tender mercies from His hand, to grow more deeply in love with Him. I've been reading a lot of Spurgeon lately; I've always loved what I've read by him, but it seems like my reading plan has me going through a lot of things dealing with trials. I thought I'd share ...

I've been hearing this song from Starfield a lot the past few days and I've just been super encouraged by it. What mercy was revealed What tenderness and peace My fate was surely sealed Until he rescued me His pardon for my sin His bounty for my need From slavery and chains I am redeemed Chorus: And heaven can’t contain The glory of the son Jesus is the Christ the saving one His love has made a way The grave is overcome Jesus is the Christ the saving one Verse 2: No fear can hold me down Nor darkness steal my joy For blood has been poured out The enemy destroyed Death could not hold him down The cross was not enough To steal away his throne For he is god Chorus: And heaven cant contain The glory of the son Jesus is the Christ the saving one His love has made a way The grave is overcome Jesus is the Christ the saving one And anyone who calls upon his name They will be saved, they will be saved And anyone who calls upon his name They ...

You know, when I decided to start enjoying Christmas I really didn't expect it to be a huge change. Honestly, I didn't. I knew thought things might be a bit different, but I wasn't expecting a whole lot out of it. I guess that's me thinking God doesn't do big things, I guess that was me (unknowingly) believing a lie. It started small, when I'd hear "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" for the 100th time that day I just wanted to be able to grin and bare it while out in public. Now, I'm not saying I like hearing it - or anything - 100 times a day (and I swear, I doubt that's much of an exaggeration) but I'm honestly not just gritting my teeth trying not to complain anymore . Confession time? I've been having a bad few months, spiritually. Not gonna go into detail other than to say I've been struggling not struggling as much as I should be with certain areas of sin in my life. I've had these moments where I know God breaks thro...

As I mentioned before , the Stuff Christians Like blog helped raise $30,000 in 18 hours back in November. That blew the end of the year deadline out of the water by a mile. Then Jon doubled what he was trying to raise. And guess what? God delivered. An additional $30,000 was raised before the deadline was even close. $60,000. Two schools. Hundreds of kids will get an education. Amazing.

By Mark Altrogge As recorded on Come Weary Saints Shall I take from Your hand Your blessings Yet not welcome any pain Shall I thank You for days of sunshine Yet grumble in days of rain Shall I love You in times of plenty Then leave You in days of drought Shall I trust when I reap a harvest But when winter winds blow, then doubt Oh let Your will be done in me In Your love I will abide Oh I long for nothing else as long As You are glorified Are You good only when I prosper And true only when I’m filled Are You King only when I’m carefree And God only when I’m well You are good when I’m poor and needy You are true when I’m parched and dry You still reign in the deepest valley You’re still God in the darkest night © 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)