Win an ESV Study Bible - Calfskin Version

There is a FREE giveaway to win the Calfskin version of the ESV Study Bible at the blog, A Boomer in the Pew.

I have been wanting an ESV Study Bible ever since it came out, but the chances of me being able to get one, much less the Calfskin version, are slim to none. Because of circumstances beyond my control, I no longer have access to money.

I'd like an ESV Study Bible because of the notes, maps, and the articles in the back. I've sat down a few times in a bookstore, just looking through one.

Continual Guidance by Charles H. Spurgeon

Continual Guidance

The Lord shall guide thee continually. (Isaiah 58:11)

What aileth thee? Hast thou lost thy way? Art thou entangled in a dark wood and canst thou not find thy paths? Stand still, and see the salvation of God. He knows the way, and He will direct thee in it if thou cry unto Him.

Every day brings its own perplexity. How sweet to feel that the guidance of the Lord is continual! If we choose our own way or consult with flesh and blood we cast ok the Lord's guidance; but if we abstain from self-will, then He will direct every step of our road, every hour of the day, and every day of the year, and every year of our life. If we will but be guided, we shall be guided. If we will commit our way unto the Lord, He will direct our course so that we shall not lose ourselves.

But note to whom this promise is made. Read the previous verse: "If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry." We must feel for others and give them, not a few dry crusts, but such things as we ourselves would wish to receive. If we show a tender care for our fellow-creatures in the hour of their need, then will the Lord attend to our necessities and make Himself our continual Guide. Jesus is the Leader, not of misers, nor of those who oppress the poor, but of the kind and tenderhearted. Such persons are pilgrims who shall never miss their way.

Testing

Whew! I couldn't see any of my posts since yesterday, I thought I lost it all - breathes a sigh of relief.

PSALM 57

Let Your Glory Be over All the Earth

To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam [1] of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.

57:1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
till the storms of destruction pass by.
2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
3 He will send from heaven and save me;
he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah
God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!

4 My soul is in the midst of lions;
I lie down amid fiery beasts—
the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!

6 They set a net for my steps;
my soul was bowed down.
They dug a pit in my way,
but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah
7 My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast!
I will sing and make melody!
8 Awake, my glory! [2]
Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awake the dawn!
9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
10 For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!

A Not too Pleasant Subject - Divorce

After 19 years of a very difficult second marriage, I find myself soon to be in the throes of a separation, followed by another divorce. It is my husband who is pursuing this, and as I look back, I see that he has been planning this for a long, long time, only I just got a hint of it from him just before Christmas. There has been alot of lying, and sneaking around on his part, and I don't know exactly what he is planning on doing, despite what he says. He also might fight me for custody of our daughters to hurt me.

Several people have suggested that I watch the movie, Fireproof, and some day I will. But, there is nothing that will save this marriage, apart from God working in my husband's heart and changing it.

I will post next week on my struggles with the whole remarriage issue.

I have always said I would never get a divorce when children were involved. What I didn't anticipate was that my husband didn't feel the same way. My younger daughter is devastated and heartbroken. He said something to me in front of her recently, right before she went to bed. She was crying when we were in her room, and asking me where we were going to live, and what we were going to do for money. Children shouldn't have to worry about things like that.

One thing I can say is that what he has meant for evil, God is meaning for good. These past several months have been months of growth for me as I cry out to Lord in the midst of it all. He has proven Himself to be faithful and true. I know I have said that before, but it's true, He has. My love for Him has grown deeper, and I know He is carrying me through. I am very weak, but He has been my strength, my Rock, and my stronghold. He will also be my deliverer.

A Wonderful Day

This has been the most enjoyable day I have spent in a long, long time! My daughters and I spent the afternoon together and it was wonderful. It was just us, and we listened to some music from the 70's, while they colored, and we talked and talked. It meant so much to me. The Lord worked it out, and I am so thankful.

The Lord is giving me so much joy, even in the midst of difficult circumstances, and the uncertainties. He truly is a stronghold in times of trouble. He is my Rock, my stronghold, and my deliverer.

Psalm 46

46:1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present [2] help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Struggles

This has been a long, difficult eight months, and they aren't over yet. Through it all I have to say that God has been faithful. Psalm 16 has been a lifeline for me:

Psalm 16 (ESV)

16:1 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”

3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
in whom is all my delight. [2]

4 The sorrows of those who run after [3] another god shall multiply;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names on my lips.

5 The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

7 I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me. [4]
8 I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being [5] rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption. [6]

11 You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Because it's been such a difficult time, I have been more in survival mode than anything else, trying to work through all of this. A good friend of mine from online told me about Nouthetic Counseling. And then she, and another person online, told me about the resource, Trusting God, by Jerry Bridges. That book was helpful to me, as were some other things. What I have discovered is that truly, God is enough. There are so many Scriptures with promises to cling to. It's possible that the worst possible thing I can imagine will happen, but I know that my God is in control, and that He can be trusted. He can thwart any plans or attacks from the enemy. If He does not thwart them, He is still sovereign, and knows much better than I what is needed at this time. He knows all and sees all. My life, and my daughters lives are in His hands.

I will try to write more frequently because I do love writing. I lost that desire for many years. In fact, a few days ago I wrote a poem, and it has been at least 19 years since I have done that.

I will end tonight with this:

Psalm 73:23-28 (ESV)

23 Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength [2] of my heart and my portion forever.

27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;
you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.
28 But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord God my refuge,
that I may tell of all your works.