Security

"Where does your security lie? Is God your refuge, your hiding place, your stronghold, your shepherd, your counselor, your friend, your redeemer, your saviour, your guide? If He is, you don't need to search any further for security."   ~Elisabeth Elliot

What Sort of People?

Since the Lord's word is sure, 

and since His promises will all be fulfilled, 

and "since all the things are thus to be dissolved,"

"what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God"? (2 Peter 3:11-12)

Holy, godly living is helped by our knowledge of the end of all things. If we know that the world with its desires is passing away...

WE WON'T LIVE FOR IT!

But rather, will live for that which is eternal!

And like Noah, will trust in God's faithful word, and will prepare ourselves against that Day, living holy, Christ-like lives...that in the last days we may be found safely in our Ark, preserved from the wrath of God by Jesus Christ!

Noah persevered in his preparation for 100 years...through the mocking and scorning of those who denied the coming day of wrath...

'Noah, you're wasting your time!'

'What fun you're miss out on!'

'Just relax, and live for today and the world's pleasures!'

But the flood proved that Noah had chosen better...by FAR.

And the last days, as we can know it in the Word of God, will prove that a life of holy preparation is well worth any pains or troubles on our part!

So will we endure the mocking of men condemned...in order to enjoy LIFE? 

And not just life...but the fullest, most joyful, pleasurable life possible?

:)

The cost really is small in light of His pleasure and joy.

Live, then, in full confidence on God's Word...

and prepare for that Day!

It's a day closer than yesterday.

Tragedy Strikes

 This is Sam.

This is Sam examining a tree.

 This is Sam being eaten by the tree.

 This is...well...

...why you're told not to leave the trail.

We'll miss you, Sam.

Ryle yet again :)

 

"True repentance is never alone in the heart of any person. It always has a companion—a blessed companion. It is always accompanied by lively faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Wherever faith is, there is repentance; 

wherever repentance is, there is always faith.

I do not decide which comes first—whether repentance comes before faith, or faith before repentance. But I am bold to say that the two graces are never found separate, one from the other. 

Just as you cannot have the sun without light, 

or ice without cold, 

or fire without heat, 

or water without moisture—

so long you will never find true faith without true repentance, and you will never find true repentance without lively faith. The two things will always go side by side."

~ J.C. Ryle

Fruitcake!!

 So for Grace's 16th birthday cake, she only said:

NO cupcakes

NO sheetcake

NO chocolate frosting (??)

That leaves plenty of room for the imagination...

and the cake took on several lives of its own!!

Fruitcake, anyone?

And for my own future reference:

Cake flavor: "doctored-up" Strawberry

 (Two layers, each cut in half, with white buttercream frosting between all 4 layers.)

Moist delicious goodness.

Covered in: Marshmallow Fondant.

(and yes, the little fruity guys are solid sugar!!! AHHHHH!!!)

Recipe for cavities.

:-O

Take Courage!

"Take courage, fainting Christians: you are encompassed with a great cloud of witnesses! The race that you are running has been run by millions before; you think that no one ever had such trials as yourself—but every step that you are journeying has been safely walked by others; the valley of the shadow of death has been securely passed by a multitude of trembling, doubting ones like yourself. They had their fears and anxieties, like you—but they were not cast away. The world, the flesh and the devil can never overwhelm the weakest person who will set their face towards God. These millions journeyed on in bitterness and tears like your own, and yet not one perished—they all reached their eternal home."

~ J.C. Ryle