Highly Recommending: Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands

Over the past year, my Bible study ladies and I read Paul David Tripp's book Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands. It was one of the best books I have read in a long time about discipleship and ministry, and solidified and expanded my understanding of how God intends to use sinners (in need of change) in the lives of other sinners (also needing change).

At the end of Chapter 14, Tripp sums up the gist of the whole book and articulates the simplicity, yet grandeur of personal ministry in the following couple of paragraphs:

"Two things always come to my mind as I finish teaching this material. First, I am hit with the utter simplicity of biblical personal ministry. It is not a secret technology for the intervention elite, but a simple call to every one of God's children to be part of what God is doing in the lives of others. It is living in humble, honest, redemptive community with others, loving as Christ has loved, and going beyond the casual to really know people. It is loving others enough to speak the truth to them, helping them to see themselves in the mirror of God's Word. And it is standing with others, helping them to do what God has called them to do. It is basically just a call to biblical friendship! It is almost embarrassingly simple: Love people. Know them. Speak truth into their lives. Help them do what God has called them to do.

At the same time, there is a grandeur to personal ministry that cannot be captured with words. God is painting his grace on the canvas of human souls. One day we will stand with him in Glory and see that canvas completed, and we won't be able to do anything but worship. What is our part in all of this? We are God's brushes. He wants to soak us on the palette of his grace and paint more of his goodness on yet another soul. The question is, "Are we soft brushes in his hands?" A hard, dried-out brush doesn't pick up the paint well and mars the surface it was meant to beautify. I hope this book will help you become a soft brush in the hands of a Redeemer who will continue to paint until his canvas is complete."

Tripp's hope, expressed in that last sentence, is my prayer as I set out to apply the principles outlined in this helpful book.

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Burdens Unloaded

It is easy to become anxious as burdens begin to pile up on my mind. But I am realizing again today (as on many other days) that the longer the list of my burdens, the more likely I am to run to my heavenly Father for help and peace. He knows how to make us pray, and I am thankful that He will use whatever it takes to get me there, aware of my inability to carry the burdens myself, and finally ready to hand them over to Him. What relief washes over my heart when I leave my cares with Him, the only one who can do something about them.

"The righteous cry, and the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles."
Psalm 34:17

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Flowers for Deb

My dear friend Deb is getting married today!

Check out the lovely bouquet that my dear friend Livia made for Deb to hold today when she says, "I do"!

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Dependent Vs. Independent

Encouraging thought from my friend Livia:

A Christian wife must have the goal of learning to be a "dependent" woman, (trusting in the Lord, submitting herself to His will, and following the leadership of her husband) rather than an "independent" woman, (who relies on her own resources to get her way and make things happen according to her own plan).

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Sowing and Reaping

Encouraging thought from my friend Molly:

Sow seeds of righteousness through your words and deeds into the lives of others around you now, so that later you will not have to do the difficult and painful work of chopping down the trees of negative, sinful things that you planted and allowed to grow.

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Savannah's Poetry Blog

My daughter Savannah has an artistic mind. She loves photography and music and writing, among other creative pursuits. She has written quite a number of poems and posted them on her poetry blog, and I am always encourged to read them and take a stroll around her heart. Click here to visit her blog for yourself.

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Vacation Mode

Sometimes shifting my mind into vacation mode gets me into trouble. If I selfishly expect vacation to allow me to clock out and not serve or give or fulfill responsibilities, even though my family is still here needing love and care, then I am setting myself up to feel very frustrated!

So I have to take a step back and remind myself that on any given day that I am alive, I belong to the Lord Jesus and He says, "do nothing from selfishness." I have been given life to live for Him and to serve and love Him by serving and loving all those around me. How liberating to deny myself for Jesus' sake and give as He has given to me! After all, He died for me, so I could live for Him.

So, clocking back in now..... :-)

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Paradox

It always amazes me that when I have an opportunity to help or encourage someone, I am the one who receives the blessing. The Christian life is full of paradox. Give your life away for Jesus' sake, for that is when you will truly live!
Jesus said, (in Matthew 26:25), "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."

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Good Morning Summer!

Here we are with school over and the first Monday underway of our summer vacation! We took a road trip to my sister's home and are enjoying the fun of being with cousins, talking and catching up, doing fun projects together, and just breathing a huge contented sigh after a year of school work. Feels good!

I guess I'd better get back to the kitchen. The girls are making fresh orange juice from the oranges they picked from my sister's tree.

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