Book Club ~ Two Thousand Ten

Greetings!

I was going to write this tomorrow because I wanted to give my first post today enough "air time." But I don't have enough time tomorrow to get everything done as it is, so I figured I shouldn't add a blog post to the list of things to do tomorrow.

The Novelteatalker's Book Club is resuming on Monday, February 1st. Will you please join us? This is rather late notice, I know. Aren't you glad I'm posting this today instead of tomorrow? Our book is Heaven Taken By Storm by Thomas Watson and you can read it online here if you don't already have a copy. Lord willing we will post on a chapter each Monday (or every other Monday if there's too much goin' on).

I do hope you will join us as we learn from Thomas Watson what it is to "take Heaven by storm."

"...the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." Matthew 11:12

For the Novelteatalkers,

Sarah

A Quote to Send You On Your Way Rejoicing

This is a quote that a sweet friend sent to me this week. It has been so encouraging to me and I do hope it proves a great blessing to you.

"Perhaps you find the duty of your calling too heavy for your weak faith. Look to God for strength. When you are sick of your work and ready like Jonah to run away, encourage yourself with God's words to Gideon: "Go in this thy might...have not I sent thee?" (Judges 6:14). Begin the work God has given you, and you will engage His strength for you; run from your work, and you engage God's strength against you.
Are you called to suffer? Do not flinch in fear. God knows the limits of your strength. He can place the load so evenly on your shoulders that you will scarcely feel it. But still He is not satisfied. His watchful eye is always on you, and when you stagger He picks you up -- burden and all -- and carries you to your destination nestled in the bosom of His promise: "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation will also make a way to escape..." (I Corinthians 10:13). How can you fret when you are wrapped in His covenant? Your heavenly Father is so eager to care for you, that while you are timidly asking for a nibble of peace and joy, He is longing for you to open your mouth wide so He can fill it. The more often you ask, the better; and the more you ask for, the more He welcomes you.
Go quickly now. Search your heart from one end to the other and gather up all your weaknesses. Set them before the Almighty, as the widow placed her empty vessels before the prophet. Expect a miracle of deliverance from the limitless resources of God. If you had more vessels to bring, you could have them all filled.
God has strength enough to give, but He has no strength to deny. Here the Almighty Himself (with reverence I say it) is weak. Even a child, the weakest in grace of His family, who can but whisper "Father," is able to overcome Him. ~William Gurnall

This is good news for sinners!

In our precious Jesus and His extravagant mercies,

Sarah

Prayer for Grace

This is a prayer based upon the first twenty-one of Jonathan Edward's new year resolutions.

Lord God Almighty,
We understand that we are unable to do anything without your help, so we ask you to enable us by your grace to fulfill your will. Give us grace to do whatever brings most glory and honor to you, pleasure and profit to us, and life and love to others. Help us to number our days, spending our time wisely, living our lives with all our might while we still have breath. Humble us in the knowledge that we are chief among sinners; when we hear of the sins of others, help us to not look upon them with pride, but to look upon ourselves with shame, confessing our own sins to you. When we go through difficulties and trials, remind us of the pains of hell from which you have already delivered us. Place people in our path who need our help, and give us a compassionate and generous spirit. Fill our hearts with such love that we would never do anything out of a spirit of revenge, nor lose our temper with those around us. Hold our tongues when we are tempted to speak evil of others. Thank you for the gospel and for the hope of glory. Help us to live in light of these truths every day of our lives, so that when the time of our death arrives, we will rest assuredly in you, and you will be most glorified in us.
In Christ’s name…

Trevin Wax
adapted from Jonathan Edwards’ resolutions