Dying in Faith

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"These all died in faith..."-Hebrews 11:13

In case you haven't been able to tell, we're big Spurgeon fans around here.

There have been many ways the Lord has used his writings and example to teach me important truths and lessons.

Lately, I've been reading a lot a missionary couple who abandoned every earthly pleasure to serve Christ and pursue His kingdom. Their lives being characterized by the sweet and precious passage in Philippians 1: 18-21. Each believer should have this focus, this passion, and this desire; we are being prepared for another place, this world is not the end, our earthly dwelling is just that--our earthly dwelling. Those missionaries that I am reading about had this firmly in their minds. They were living each day by faith, committing to glorify Christ whether that meant by their lives or by their death. Going back to Spurgeon, here is a passage that puts these thoughts in a better light.

"In faith they lived-it was their comfort, their guide,

their motive and their support; and in the same spiritual

grace they died, ending their life-song in the sweet strain

in which they had so long continued.

They did not die resting in the flesh or

upon their own attainments; they made no advance from their

first way of acceptance with God,

but held to the way of faith to the end.

Faith is as precious to die by as to live by...

To them the pains of death were but the birth pangs of a

better state. Take courage, my soul,

as thou readest this epitaph.

Thy course, through grace, is one of faith,

and sight seldom cheers thee;

this has also been the pathway of

the brightest and the best... "

I pray that this would characterize my own life; that each trial and affliction, each blessing and season, would remind and teach me to live by faith and not by sight. What I see is construed by me and is therefore tainted, praise the Lord I am not left to my own understanding!

Praise Him that He is faithful, He does not send us through the flames alone, He carries the heavy burden, and fills our lives with every spiritual blessing. Whether we realize it or not, we are being prepared for an eternal weight of glory that far surpasses what we can imagine.

This gives me such encouragement and drive because I am confident that each trial and grief has a purpose and there is a reason that the Lord has placed it in my life,

if I ever see the reason or not is another story but I know it is for my good and His great glory, and for me that is more than enough.

"Look anew tonight to Jesus, the author and finisher of they faith, and thank Him for giving thee like precious faith with souls now in glory."

-Charles H. Spurgeon

Some thoughts from our small group

We recently finished our small group class for this semester and we participated in one based off of A Portriat of Paul by Rob Ventura and Jeremy Walker. Here is the book's product description:

"What does a true pastor look like, and what constitutes a faithful ministry? How can we identify the life and labors of one called by God to serve in the church of Jesus Christ? To address these questions, Rob Ventura and Jeremy Walker examine how the apostle Paul describes his pastoral relation to the people of God in Colossians 1:24-2:5. By discussing these essential attitudes, qualities, and characteristics of a faithful minister of Christ, A Portrait of Paul provides gospel ministers an example of what they should be, and demonstrates for churches the kind of pastors they will seek if they desire men after God's own heart." 

Among many things, this book has showed me a great deal of what elders must bear as shepherds. The book describes what elders should look like according to scripture, what burdens they bear as elders, and how I ought to pray for them. It also talks about church members and fellow Christians and what their role is in the church and as it relates to elders. It was very insightful to understanding the ministry of the apostle Paul and how, ultimately, our greatest model is Christ and His faithfulness to the church.


In Christ,
~Micaela

The Likeness of Him

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The Valley of Vision is a collection of puritan prayers that have served to both encourage me and refocus my attentions as I approach each day. If you haven't read them I would highly suggest you do, there is much to be learned there!

Here is a passage from one of the prayers that I wanted to share, I'll warn you it's a bit long but well worth it.

"O Lord God,

Thou hast commanded me to believe in Jesus;

and I would flee to no other refuge,

wash in no other fountain,

build on no other foundation,

receive from no other fullness,

rest in no other relief...

Let me not be at my own disposal,

but rejoice that I am under the care of one

who is too wise to err, too kind

to injure, too tender to crush...

Help me to guide my affections with discretion,

to owe no man anything, to be able to

give to him that needeth, to feel it

my duty and pleasure to be

merciful and forgiving,

to show to the world the likeness of Jesus."

Quote

"[We] gather together as the church not to enjoy preaching eloquence (or to criticize its lack) but to hear and heed the Word of God. We come to be exhorted, not entertained." 

-Alistair Begg

15 things I'm thankful for...

1.For my family, whom I can only begin to treasure.

2. Blessings.

3. The Hood family, and how they have been a blessing, each one in a different way.
We will miss you Hoods!

4. My encouraging music teacher! Who has been so helpful and positive.

5. Family. :)




6. Our Film Class, our team, and my new appreciation for the film-making industry.


7. Read-alouds (I just had to mention that), parties, and midnight showings!


8. Dear friends.
Who we had so much fun visiting.



9. Our small group study of A Portrait of Paul, along with the delightful fellowship.

10.My very own bluebonnets.

11. Our Church.

12. The Webbies.
And especially for the little bundle of joy coming in June! :)






13. Dancing in the Minefield and Andrew Peterson.

14. Fun memories.





15. For God's hand in my life.

Bloom

I know, I know, you think the picture above is the seeds I planted in March. Well, their not. The seeds I planted February is the picture below. Cute and small.

I have around six of the these cute and small sprouts.

Here are the two plants side by side.

This is Nate.
When Nate saw that I had tilled the ground and made it flat and level, he was suddenly interested in being outside and running his dump truck over the perfect dirt patch. Then, after he started to dig in the perfect dirt patch, we then came to an agreement. He has his one third of dirt, and I have the two thirds, neatly fenced in. So, we get along.

Ah, bluebonnets.

Dear Dad

Dear Dad,
I hope you have gotten over jet lag by now. How are things going? Well, over on this side of the pond, Mica is pretty much over the flu, and I just really, really want to be done with the flu. Its been two days for me to be sick, though it feels like eternity! I guess this has reminded me that it is not my plans that will prevail. Oh, I got your British card in the mail on Saturday! Thank you! Also, I opened up grandma's package, which was an embroidered table cloth which matches the napkins that she had already embroidered and given to me. The table cloth has little pockets at the corners, and in each pocket, there was a generous amount of money! Earlier that morning, the Webbies, Aunt Gabby, and Grandma all called and sang happy birthday, the Hoods called as well, and the Apodaca's called today. It was so cute to hear all the kids, with their little voices, sing. For dinner we went to Locatelli's and enjoyed some yummy pizza, Mica and I did our best to not cough. And it was strange, one of the waiters recognized us from HEB, because he works there part time. Today I have felt awful, and spiked up a fever, but right now the Ibuprofen has kicked in, so I am feeling good (at least for a little bit). We listened to a message by Paul Washer today, it was really good. Well, I better get ready for bed (and your probably having breakfast or lunch). We all miss you!

The green couch mom got me!

Yes, those cups are all mine.


Grandma's package.



Love,
Caro :)

P.S Thinking about it, I am very grateful that I don't live in the 1800s
with the flu, I can't imagine how they survived before.

Happy birthday, Caro!

Happy 15th birthday, Caro!

How special it has been to call you my sister and my friend.
I pray that the Lord would reveal Himself to you and draw you to Himself; that He would make you a new creature for the service of His Kingdom.

I'm sorry you are sick with the flu on your birthday and I'm very sorry that I was the one who gave it to you  but at least you got to have your birthday breakfast before you got sick :).

May God bless you!

Love,

~Micaela

Mica and Caro, ages 6 and 3.