Before Thy Throne, O God, We Kneel

Here are Verses 3, 4 from yesterday's post.  My favorite part is "O God, be with us in the flame."    Those "fierce fires" that we find the most trying are exactly what purify our inmost spirits.

For sins of heedless word and deed,
for pride ambitions to succeed,
for crafty trade and subtle snare
to catch the simple unaware,
for lives bereft of purpose high,
forgive, forgive, O Lord, we cry.

Let the fierce fires which burn and try,
our inmost spirits purify:
consume the ill; purge out the shame;
O God, be with us in the flame;
a newborn people may we rise,
more pure, more true, more nobly wise.

TV~
Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
[Isaiah 48:10]

From Sins Which Make the Heart Grow Cold

On Sunday, we sang a hymn unfamiliar to me.  Sung to the Russian tune of St. Petersburg, the phrase which caught my attention was "from sins which make the heart grow cold."

Which sins make the heart grow cold?  Perhaps it is those in which we continue, despite conviction that they are wrong.  Lord, keep us in Your way.

TV~
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. [Matthew 24:12]

Before Thy Throne, O God, We Kneel

1 Before thy throne, O God, we kneel:
give us a conscience quick to feel,
a ready mind to understand
the meaning of thy chastening hand;
whate'er the pain and shame may be,
bring us, O Father, nearer thee.


2 Search out our hearts and make us true;
help us to give to all their due.
From love of pleasure, lust of gold,
from sins which make the heart grow cold,
wean us and train us with thy rod;
teach us to know our faults, O God.

Fact-Faith-Feeling

Let's apply the Fact-Faith-Feeling train to evaluating a potential spouse.  What are the facts about this person? 

- Does he profess sincere faith in Christand is he pursuing God?
- Has he been trained in the "way he should go" by diligent, Christian parents?
- How does he use his time, money, energy and space?
- Does he demonstrate the fruits of the spirit?
- What do my parents think about this person as a life partner for me?

Pray in faith to the Lord for wisdom about whether or not to consider this person.

Evaluate my feelings: why do I see this person as a perceived treasure?  (Don't define feelings here as a racing heart, sweaty palms, and trembling lips.)

Just as important, what facts do my parents see about this person?  When they are praying in faith, what are their impressions?  And, do they perceive this person as a treasure or a threat to my well-being in life?

TV~
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you.  [Galatians 5: 19-21]

Paciencia y Fe

Went to the theater tonight and saw, In the Heights, a Broadway Tony Award-winning Best Musical about a hispanic community in a section of New York City

The matriarch of the community, Abuela Claudia, sings a song entitled Paciencia y Fe - Patience and Faith.  As the years go by, and things turn out differently from what we may have hoped or dreamed, we hold onto our faith, which brings forth the fruit of the spirit - patience.  It is a sweet fruit that takes years to grow.

Disappointed?  Don't give up on life, God or the people who may be letting you down.          Paciencia  y Fe.


TV~
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. [James 1:3]

Laying a Good Foundation

Most parents would agree that there is a degree of wisdom in arranged marriages.  Parents decide upon a spouse of similar background, culture and faith, with a thorough knowledge of the family from which the chosen one comes.

Arranged marriages are not the norm in America.  Jim Bob Duggar screened all potential suitors for his daughter, Jessa, who is currently in a courtship relationship with a young man from her church.  I think this is ideal for the happiness of the daughter, but even this is not the norm in America.

For those parents who are living the norm, our children enter into relationships and we meet their suitors once a romantic relationship has already begun.  No matter how we feel about this person, we must choose our words, actions and attitudes carefully.  This person could possibly be part of our lives for many years and we want to lay a foundation of kindness, love and care, all the while laying down our expected standards. 

TV~
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
[2 Timothy 3:2-5]

Prayer:  Lord, protect my children from choosing such as these.  Amen.  (So be it!)

Teaching on Marriage

But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.  But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.  
[I Corinthians 7:9]

One Unwavering Criterion

The pastor that officiated at their wedding later said, that of all the couples with whom he had provided premarital counseling, they were the most likely to have a successful marriage.

Both were degreed professionals who had their act together.  He held a position of respect in the military.

She was eight months pregnant with their second child when he left her for another woman.  They had been married for eleven years. 

Within marriage, we never can assume that we are "safe."  Before anything else, we must be seeking the kingdom of God.  We must be ever-vigilant to do the hard work of staying close emotionally and physically to our spouse.  As we ask God for wisdom and help, it will be given to us.

We cannot predict whether a marriage will be successful or not.  However, the one unwavering criterion for getting married must be that each individual professes a sincere faith in Christ.


TV~
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.  [Matthew 22:37,38]