Isaiah 51/Sobering thoughts

I have been married for 18 1/2 years to a man who was raised Roman Catholic by the couple who adopted him when he was 7 years old. Not only am I not Roman Catholic, but I am also his second wife. As a result, I have never been accepted by his family, nor apparently are our children.

Through the years, some very unkind things have been said to me, and done to me, things that have been very hurtful. Monday night I was very upset over another hurtful thing done, this time to my daughters and I. As I was crying out to the Lord, He brought me to Isaiah 51. That chapter has brought great comfort to me since then. Just a few minutes ago, as I was continuing to be hurt by this, I took it to the Lord, and as I was reading Isaiah 51:6, I had some very sobering thoughts regarding my mother in law and I was humbled.

Isaiah 51:6

Isaiah 51:6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
and look at the earth beneath;
for the heavens vanish like smoke,
the earth will wear out like a garment,
and they who dwell in it will die in like manner;
but my salvation will be forever,
and my righteousness will never be dismayed.

The Lord did not HAVE to save me, he CHOOSE to save me through election, me - a filthy sinner. My sins are covered by the blood of Jesus, but hers are not. She is nearing her 90's, and has been a Roman Catholic her entire life. She THINKS she is saved.

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

For the first time, I am truly grieved that she is lost. She is going to have to pay the penalty for her sins. This is heartbreaking - to have her think that she has been saved her whole entire life, when in reality she is lost. By the grace of God, I have a Redeemer, she doesn't.

As I read further, the grief became worse with the next verse.

Isaiah 51:7-8

Isaiah 51:7 “Listen to me, you who know righteousness,
the people in whose heart is my law;
fear not the reproach of man,
nor be dismayed at their revilings.

Isaiah 51:8 For the moth will eat them up like a garment,
and the worm will eat them like wool;
but my righteousness will be forever,
and my salvation to all generations.”

I am humbled that the Lord would save me, and I will continue to pray for her salvation, because there is always hope that He will save her. I will continue to pray for her until the day she dies, praying that the Lord will save her, the rest of his family, and my own family.

I can rest in the Lord, and trust Him that He is working all of this out for my good, and His glory. It's also humbling to know that the Lord cares for me, and will take care of my enemies.

Romans 8:28-39

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.


Romans 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.


Romans 8:30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Romans 8:33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

Romans 8:34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

Romans 8:36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Romans 8:38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,

Romans 8:39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I cannot deny these things are still hurtful to me, but now I know that I need to look beyond my hurts, and look to this lost woman who, unless she repents and turns from her sins, and places her trust in Jesus Christ for eternal life, she will die lost, and spend an eternity in hell. And the times that I start feeling that hurt rise up again, I will pray for her, and turn to Isaiah 51 for comfort. I will also remember, as my pastor reminded me, that Jesus was rejected also.

Memorial Day - Observing it today, the TRADITIONAL day

If my parents were still alive today, they would be celebrating their 61st wedding anniversary. They purposely chose Memorial Day (the traditional day - May 30th) to get married on. Here is a good link about the History of Memorial Day. The day has since been changed to the last Monday in May to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays. That is NOT what Memorial Day is to be about. It isn't about getting a day off from work, having a three day weekend, cooking out, etc. Instead, Memorial Day was originally meant to be a day to "set aside one day out of the year for the nation to get together to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country". If you believe that we should get back to honoring those who have given their lives in service to our country, there is a petition you can sign here.

I'm thankful to those who were willing to serve our country, and who lost their lives as a result. I thank those who have willing served our country, and all of those who are serving now. Let's remember to pray for our troops, and to pray for their families as well.

The below videos are in honor of those who gave their lives for our country, to those who were in the military, and to those who are serving now. I post them also in honor of Jaron Holliday, the son of a lady I was on a list with, who was killed in Iraq on August 4, 2007, and the first video is a tribute to him.









Please watch all four of the videos, the last two are two different ones of Lee Greenwood's song, God Bless the USA. The last two I could not choose between because they were both equally good.

Thank you to the troops who are serving now, and to those who have served our country in the past.

Also, in honor of my dad, Charles A. Brown, Jr., who was retired from the United States Navy.

Dad, I'm still a proud Navy brat.

UPDATE: My younger daughter and I just got back from a cemetery, where we put small flags on each grave of those who served our country, at least until our flags ran out. I hope this will become a tradition for us. Those men who fought in wars caused me even more to be glad that I am an American, and dare I say a proud American. One reason I am proud is because of those who have willingly served our country, some losing their lives.

Tea time with my daughters

Today has been an enjoyable day. For quite some time now, my home hasn't been a pleasant place to be in but today it was so nice. There hasn't been arguing all day. We had a tea time together, something we haven't done in a long time. We got all dressed up, and wore hats. I got out the tea set they and my husband bought me for Christmas in 2005. My younger daughter's birthday was May 21st, and we had some left over cake. Brooke and I had peppermint tea, while Heather had iced sweet tea. I didn't eat the cake, but I had cheese cubes with mine, which surprisingly enough, was good together. The girls had the cake, and then ate some cheese cubes. I wish my camera battery had been charged because I would have taken pictures. After we had eaten, and they were still drinking tea, I read Chapter One of the book by called Beautiful Girlhood. I have the book but here is the link for it online, this is the book by Mabel Hale.

We plan to have these little tea parties (as we call them) during the week when my husband is at work.

I have some books lined up that I'd like to go through them. One of the bible studies I want to go through with them is by Susan Hunt. It is for both teens and pre-teens and is based on two books, both by Susan Hunt. The two books needed to do the study (for the leader only) are The True Woman, and Spiritual Mothering. Both books are cheaper at Amazon but you can read excerpts of the books if you click on the links on each title. I am almost finished reading The True Woman and highly recommend it. I will start on Spiritual Mothering after I finish The True Woman.

The other books I plan to go through with them, and not necessarily in this order, are:

Beautiful Girlhood by Mable Hale, and the updated version by Karen Andreola

Raising Maidens of Virtue by Stacy McDonald

Girltalk by Carolyn Mahaney and her daughter, Nicole Whitacre

The Look: Does God Really Care What I Wear? by Nancy Leigh Demoss

We have started things like this in the past, but never followed through because at the time I don't think they were interested. They are now 15 yrs. old and 10 yrs. old and I'm praying that this time we will be consistent, faithful, and successful.

A Tribute to Maria Sue Chapman video

I saw this video at Kim's blog, Lifesong. I wanted to post it here as well so that it will always be here for me to go back to. My heart breaks for the Chapman's, and I won't forget the date since my daughter turned 10 years old on that day. The video left me in tears, it's a wonderful tribute to a beautiful little girl.

Heart issues

As you guys know, I haven't written a post since February 17th. The reasons are many, one of which is that I was too heavy hearted to post much about anything. During this break, I've been studying biblical womanhood, as well as sins of the tongue. I'm not through studying either of these issues, but I have learned some things.

I'm reading the book, War of Words, Getting to the Heart of Your Communication Struggles, by Paul David Tripp. On page 54, he posted the following verses:

Luke 6:43 For there is not a good tree that produces bad fruit, nor a bad tree that produces good fruit.

Luke 6:44 For each tree is known from its own fruit. For they do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.

Luke 6:45 The good man brings forth good out of the good treasure of his heart. And the evil man brings forth evil out of the evil treasure of his heart, for his mouth speaks out of the abundance of his heart.

Luke 6:46 And why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?

On page 55 he says "If we are going to understand our trouble with words, we must begin with the heart. Our tongues are a restless evil because the 'heart is deceitful above all things and who can cure it?' (Jeremiah 17:9). Word problems reveal heart problems. The people and situations around us do not make us say what we say; they are only the occasion for our hearts to reveal themselves in words."

There are those who in my household who do all they can to provoke me to anger, and when I do get angry, they gloat with their little smile. It's so easy to blame them for causing me to become angry, when in reality, they can't make me angry. I get angry because of the ugliness in my own heart. That isn't a very pretty picture of what's in my heart. Yet, it gives me a reason to rejoice. I don't want to be in the situation I am in, and have fought against it for nearly twenty years, until last week when I finally gave it all up, and surrendered it all to the Lord. The battle became more fierce within me for the past year or so.

And, then today I read that piece I quoted above. I have reason to rejoice because:

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.


Romans 8:30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

Romans 8:33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

Romans 8:34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

Romans 8:36 As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."

Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Romans 8:38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,

Romans 8:39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

It surely isn't by choice that I am going through the things that I am in my home life, but rather God's, and He has a plan and a purpose. It is all for His glory, and my good. And if this is what it takes for Him to conform me into the image of Christ, I will say with Jesus, through tears, with many more I'm sure to be shed:

Luke 22:41 And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed,

Luke 22:42 saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done."

I also cling to these words, and find hope and encouragement through them:

2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:

2 Corinthians 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

2 Corinthians 1:4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

2 Corinthians 1:5 For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

2 Corinthians 1:6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.

Psalm 84 is an encouragement to me also, especially verse 10:

Psalm 84:10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

I close with this hymn by Karolina Sandell-Berg called Day by Day. I had never heard it before last week when we sang it in church. It has become my lifeline.

DAY BY DAY

Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find, to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowement,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He Whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best—
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day, the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear, and cheer me,
He Whose Name is Counselor and Power;
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then in every tribulation
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
Ever to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till I reach the promised land.

HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

Even down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.

This was taken from the site, Cyber Hymnal.

Thoughts on Psalm 20:4

Since being sick with the flu I was behind with my reading the Bible through plan that our church is doing. I was able to catch up with my reading this morning, and this Psalm was last. This is my prayer for you.

Psalm 20:1 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!

Psalm 20:2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion!

Psalm 20:3 May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah.

Psalm 20:4 May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans!

Psalm 20:5 May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions!

Psalm 20:6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand.

Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

Psalm 20:8 They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.

Psalm 20:9 O LORD, save the king! May he answer us when we call.

As I was reading over this Psalm again just now, I thought I would share something about verse 4 that I learned within the past year. Here is verse 4 again:

Psalm 20:4 May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans!

Back in 1995 I was going through a difficult time, which continues today. I have my old Bible from that time, and it was one that I frequently wrote notes in, as well as highlighted many verses in. Our family was going to an Assemblies of God church at the time, and I was heavily steeped in their theology. When I read verses like verse 4 above, I thought it meant what "my" heart's desires were, and that He would fulfill all of "my" plans. The key word there being "my." I had no idea my life was to be lived to the glory of God, nor that when I became a believer it wasn't about "me" and what "I" wanted, but that it was all about God, and what HE wanted. I need to insert here that during that time I believed myself to be a believer when in reality I was not. I came to realize after I was saved that God DOES grant us our heart's desires and fulfill our plans because as Christians our lives are no longer our own, and it is no longer our wills we want, and our ways, but HIS. That was simple, yet profound for me when I grasped that.