feeble knees

Last night I came across Hebrews 12:12, "Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed."

I had just gotten back from a trying evening at work and I felt emotionally beat down. This verse reminded me of the importance of relying on God to keep me strong and the importance of having Christian fellowship for encouragement and for building a person up.

Sometimes I forget why God instigated the church and why Christian fellowship is important. What's so great about hanging out with more sinners? What's so great, I realized, is that these sinners know the truth and our Christian friends can give us support, encouragement, and wisdom that God has given them.

I think that's also why Ecclesiastes 4:10 says, "For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up."

rest

With green leaves unfurling, pink flowers budding, and the birds waking up from the winter, I can hardly believe that spring is here with summer closely on its heels. I'm two-thirds through my school semester and although I'm enjoying the sunshine, I am so ready for spring break (which starts Saturday!).

A recent focus in our last school chapel was reconnecting with God. During that time I felt that I really should be just resting in God and finding comfort in the complete control He has over my life. I'm tired, but I am confident about where He has me for the summer. He has clearly shown me the path--I just need to follow.

Matthew 11:28-29

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

something else to add

I just realized I might add something by way of explanation. I'm back home on Christmas break, and finally have time to update my blog. Funny thing, at college there are so many real live people in front of me that I have little time for cyberspace.

That said, Spurgeon's sermons and Superman aren't the only things that are keeping my brain occupied. Four months away from home has taught me so many lessons, and I know I have so many more to learn.

what the world needs

We were watching Superman Returns the other night, and one section of dialogue particularly caught my attention. During a encounter between Superman and Lois Lane (female heroine), Superman takes Lois flying way up high and asks her a question.

"Listen, what do you hear?"
Lois answers, "I don't hear anything."

And Superman says, "I hear everything. You wrote that the world doesn't need a savior, but everyday I hear people crying for one."

It's hard to see the Christmas story through fresh eyes when I've been hearing it for 19 years. Sitting tranquilly in my warm home with enough food, and warm clothes to wear, life doesn't seem that bad. Sin doesn't seem that bad. I can't hear anything. I can easily get lost in my Christian "bubble," and forget why I need Christ.

Take a step outside the bubble. Where there are countries at war. Where there are millions of orphaned children. Where people suffer the effects of AIDS. Where every so many seconds, some horrible crime is committed.

Where everyday, someone is crying for a Savior.

God hears everyone. He hears the single mother with three children in a homeless shelter, who is about to get kicked out. He hears the girl in Ethiopia whose country is ravaged by AIDS, who can't move up to the next grade. He hears a young man whose heart has been broken.

He sent us a Savior in an unlikely package: the child of a virgin mother.

"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”-Matthew 1:21

"Little-Faith"

I never really expected to get anything out of a sermon written in 1885.

Yesterday wandering around my college library, I picked up a book of Spurgeon's sermons. I anticipated dry reading and was pleasantly surprised by a sermon I really needed, "the History of Littte-Faith."

I thought I'd share a few of the best parts...

A call to humility...
"Let no man think of himself beyond his own experience. Experience is the true gauge; and he who boasts of an untried faith is puffed up with vain glory. Stretch not your arm beyond your sleeve, lest it be frost-bitten."

The beauty of "Little-Faith"...
"Those who have greater faith know that they have found their Lord; they know that he is as the sun which cannot be hidden; they feel his warmth, and rejoice in his light; yet the keen hunger after Christ which goes with Little-Faith is an admirable thing, and the Lord himself hath blssed it...the eager longings of a trembling heart after the Lord Jesus are full of loveliness and fragrance, and are by no means to be despised."

Comfort for "Little-Faith"...
"He that believeth even with a little and a trembling believing, is safe beneath the guardian care of the Eternal God."

Spurgeon based his entire "History of Little Faith" sermon off of Matthew 14:31,

"And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?' "