In the Name of Peace

The truth is too important to kill it in the streets for the sake of peace. --RC Sproul


How many times have we refused to confess the truth as it is and chosen instead to be in a state of "peace" with others? Have you ever argued not to do what was rooted in the truth in favor of just not offending anyone?

Guess what? That's one of the main characteristics of our postmodern secular culture! Our culture tells us everyday in thousands of ways that no one has the right to infringe on anothers' "opinion". Our culture tells us to believe in anything but allow others also to believe in anything. Is this what you do?

You may say; "No way, Larissa, I NEVER do that!" But don't you? When you choose to bow down to anothers' opinion instead of being obedient to the words of Christ spoken of in scripture, you do do this!!!

You know Christ himself makes no leaway for this "opinion" respecting attitude we are so proud of in our nation. He says those who love Him do as He commands, no questions asked, no arguments, no addendums. He says, we do! But do you?

Nope. You say, "Oh, geese, she might get mad at me!" or "Well, I would answer and tell you the truth, but I might offend you." Wow! Have we really strayed this far from the bible and still we claim to be followers of God?

We have dragged truth into the street to murder her in a flagrant disregard of Christ, but, by golly, we didn't offend anyone! Oh, but did you offend God? Um, maybe that should be your focus if in fact you have been saved by His mercy!

Jesus, I my cross have taken....

Jesus, I my cross have taken, all to leave and follow Thee.
Destitute, despised, forsaken, Thou from hence my all shall be.
Perish every fond ambition, all I’ve sought or hoped or known.
Yet how rich is my condition! God and heaven are still mine own.
Let the world despise and leave me, they have left my Savior, too.
Human hearts and looks deceive me; Thou art not, like them, untrue.
And while Thou shalt smile upon me, God of wisdom, love and might,
Foes may hate and friends disown me, show Thy face and all is bright.
Go, then, earthly fame and treasure! Come, disaster, scorn and pain!
In Thy service, pain is pleasure; with Thy favor, loss is gain.
I have called Thee, “Abba, Father”; I have set my heart on Thee:
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather, all must work for good to me.
Man may trouble and distress me, 'twill but drive me to Thy breast.
Life with trials hard may press me; heaven will bring me sweeter rest.
Oh, 'tis not in grief to harm me while Thy love is left to me;
Oh, 'twere not in joy to charm me, were that joy unmixed with Thee.
Take, my soul, thy full salvation; rise o'er sin, and fear, and care;
Joy to find in every station something still to do or bear:
Think what Spirit dwells within thee; what a Father's smile is thine;
What a Savior died to win thee, child of heaven, shouldst thou repine?
Haste then on from grace to glory, armed by faith, and winged by prayer,
Heaven's eternal day's before thee, God's own hand shall guide thee there.
Soon shall close thy earthly mission, swift shall pass thy pilgrim days;
Hope soon change to glad fruition, faith to sight, and prayer to praise.

Henry francis Lyte

Indelible Grace

He Gives and He Takes Away

Through this sorrow I have been learning many things. The most important of which is that God is sovereign and we are responsible for our own actions apart from the cross. It has been especially hard knowing that my own father spurned the truth of the gospel, even at the end, in favor of his own pride. Yet, our God is still a good God. He does not desire that we spurn his offers of salvation, He continually (in many lives) reaches out the truth toward us and yet because of His character "God resists the proud, but give grace to the humble" (1 Peter 5). I have had to remember so much of His character these last several weeks as we first knew the time was near, but then we knew that Hope was no longer necessary. His character is what has allowed me to remember that no matter the choices that my father made, no matter how little concern he had for his own soul, God is always loving and faithful, just and pure. I say that not because I ever doubted the character of God, but because I realize the nature of a human life that rebels continually against their creator. I understand, while I am still deeply sorrowed by it, that God cannot allow us to go our own way. This has encouraged me, even while tears have been present.

A Few Memories.....

With His mother Summer 2009.

Not the best of everyone, but we will take what we can get!

With Petra and an old Friend from Alaska

days at my sister's wedding 2009.

With My grammy at my wedding.

 My Wedding 2003.

 His entire side of the family including his parents, 1999.

Chatanika River, Alaska 1991 or 92.

1982.

 Easter 1986.

Christmas 1982.

In memory of DMB

1948-2010

Jesus, Lover of My Soul

Jesus, lover of my soul,
let me to thy bosom fly,
while the nearer waters roll,
while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide,
till the storm of life is past;
safe into the haven guide;
O receive my soul at last.

Other refuge have I none,
hangs my helpless soul on thee;
leave, ah! leave me not alone,
still support and comfort me.
All my trust on thee is stayed,
all my help from thee I bring;
cover my defenseless head
with the shadow of thy wing.

Thou, O Christ, art all I want,
more than all in thee I find;
raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is thy name,
I am all unrighteousness;
false and full of sin I am;
thou art full of truth and grace.

Plenteous grace with thee is found,
grace to cover all my sin;
let the healing streams abound,
make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art,
freely let me take of thee;
spring thou up within my heart;
rise to all eternity.

-Charles Wesley