Holiness attained and holiness pursued

Jerry Bridges writes a great book called "The Pursuit of Holiness" which is accompanied by a great Bible study guide. It's really been beneficial to me as I've been trying to understand what it means in Titus 2:3 for women to be "reverent in behavior." Reverent can also mean holiness and while I've grown up hearing a lot about the word, I wanted a refresher course to know what practical things I could do to actually be that way.

Jerry does a great job discussing the difference between the holiness we attain immediately upon salvation and the holiness that God wants us to strive for. One of the biggest convictions that I'm thankful the Holy Spirit has laid upon my heart (conviction/condemnation are two totally different things coming from two totally different powers, so let's not confuse the two) is that God HATES sin.

Not just "big" sins, but all sins. I loved this quote by Bridges,

"God hats sin wherever He finds it, in saint and sinner alike. He does not hate sin in one person and overlook it in another. He judges each man's works impartially (1 Peter 1:17)."

Bridges challenges the believer to grow in hatred of sin and stop coexisting in tolerance with our own sin. I was challenged personally because while I was reading along feeling as though I was doing pretty well with the topic, I realized that I'm really much better at hating other people's sins than my own. I tend to look on the sexual immorality on TV, cruelty to children, rape, immodest clothing on girls on magazine covers, etc, with hatred, but I don't respond with the same shudder to the own sin in my heart - selfishness, anger, etc.

Finally,

"while it is true that [God] accepts us solely through the merit of Christ, God's standard for our character, our attitudes, our affections, and actions is, 'Be holy, because I am holy
(1 Peter 1:16).'" Bridges

Christ has given us the ability not only to be free from the judgment of sin, but from sin itself. Pretty amazing. I hope I'll do a better job taking Him up on the offer and hope you will too because it is "for freedom that Christ has set us free (Gal. 5:1)."

Psalm 121

"I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth."

- Psalm 121:1-2

I put this picture on here 1) because I love it (namely because I love those girls), and 2) because they are a few of the people that God has used lately to remind me of the truth that God is my help and that God is able and gracious and good and trustworthy! (I say a few because many, many of you have been used by God to show me those things).

Anyways, last week the Spirit recalled that passage to my mind at a very timely instance for me! Overwhelmed with my work week, preparing to leave to help with a retreat for the high school students on Friday morning, concerned I wouldn't get everything done for Daryl for Valentine's Day that I wanted, etc, etc, I was often anxious and overwhelmed.

God graciously used this verse to remind me that HE is my help and that when He helps out, it gets taken care of!

I confessed my sins of anxiety, unbelief, frustration, and complaining to God and determined to by His grace believe His promises that He would take care of me that week and things would come together for good!

Here are some of the ways I saw Him provide:
- I had an AWESOME Valentine's Day with my husband and while getting supplies together for the retreat had to make a stop right by his office and had time (amazingly) to stop in and drop off some balloons, candy and a card for him at his office
- I couldn't find the right size table linens we needed for a special tea we were doing for the girls on Friday night and lo and behold Jackson's Mill (where we were having the retreat) had already ordered them to have there for us!
- We left a little late to set up on Friday at Jackson's Mill, but the kids bus left late and gave us the perfect amount of time to have everything set up by the time they arrived!
- I ran to Uniontown to pick up a special order I had placed for the retreat and when I went to pay with the Church credit card they said, "Sorry, honey; cash only." I NEVER carry more than a couple bucks cash (I know, I know), but I just happened to have $17 in my random places in my vehicle (the order was $16.04).
- I got just enough sleep and didn't get sick! Whew hoo!
- I had friends (like above) praying for me and a great husband who went with me to help me at the retreat.

I could go on and on, but just wanted to give praise to God for being so kind as to reveal our hearts to us, to change those hearts, and to bless us immensly in the process. He is our help and He is able.

Pink hew

What was a white-walled office has over time begun to morph it's way in to a princess haven :)







Daryl was not even exaggerating when the morning after our first baby shower I overheard him murmur to himself in disbelief, "There is a pink glow coming from the nursery."


I cracked up and ran out into the hallway to see if he was serious - he was! But is it any wonder? Check out the room at current...



People have been SO generous to us and Daryl and I are even more excited now for Anna Grace (that's right - that's the name selection) to arrive! Isn't she going to be cute????

Unless she turns out a he or to be goth, we'd better get used to pink. I have a feeling we will be buying/receiving pink for a long time.

Who knew life could be so fun and she hasn't even arrived yet? I love peering in there every night :)

Thanks to everyone who has mailed gifts, given gifts, and given advice! We are so grateful for the many tangible ways that God has used others to lavish His love on us! Hopefully she'll be a blessing to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!