The Saddest, Most Celebratory Community On Earth

I read the following post from Paul Tripp and just had to share it with you:

It appears that this global pandemic that has occupied so much of our thinking and emotions and has restructured our living is beginning to lift (at least in Philadelphia, where I live).

As life returns to a new state of normal, what lessons have you learned?

For me, I was again reminded of the two types of responses that the Bible calls us to all the time. These pathways of gospel living aren’t just reserved for a time of global emergency; they are appropriate for the mundane little moments of everyday life, too.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15, ESV)

😢 The Bible calls us to weep and to mourn. COVID-19 gives us reason to weep. We should weep for:

●The suffering that has enveloped the world
●The many people who have suffered through this virus
●The tens of thousands of those who have died
●Their families who have had to watch their loved one die alone, unable to be close to them

But we ought to weep for something else. We should weep for what has been exposed about our hearts at this moment. I don’t know about you, but COVID-19 exposed my pride, autonomy, delusions of self-sufficiency, and tendency to grumble and complain.

Most importantly, COVID-19 was a reminder of a deeper, greater pandemic–the sin that lives inside of us. And for that, we should weep every day.

🙌 There’s a second type of response Scripture calls us to: rejoice! “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4, ESV)

There is never a day in your life, no matter what is going on, that you don’t have reason to rejoice. You have reason to rejoice in God’s faithfulness, nearness, provision, and that his mercies are new every morning.

We should rejoice in the little moments of life and the significant, but there is something even deeper to celebrate, something eternal. The lesson I cherish above all because of COVID-19 is that the most valuable thing in our lives, the thing that has changed our life now and forever, no one nor anything can take away.

Coronavirus should make us weep, but it should also cause us to rejoice, because we are “sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 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.” (Romans 8:38-39, ESV)

Rejoice because nothing can take away your eternal inheritance, the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, the wisdom found in the Word of God, and the rescuing, transforming, forgiving, delivering power of grace!

You have called me
to the place of tears,
you have taken my hand
and led me down sorrow’s
pathway.
Your grace has filled my heart with
sadness,
you have invited me to weep
tears only you can dry.
The broken-hearted are met by
you,
the low in spirit find
your comfort in your mercy.
You never turn your back on those who
mourn,
I drop my tears on your altar.
You have called me to
to the place of rejoicing,
you have taken my hand
and led me down joy’s
pathway.
Your grace has filled my heart with
jubilation.
You have invited me to gladness,
sacred celebration
that only comes from
you.
The jubilant find
sustaining strength,
you never fail to give them reason for
hope.
I celebrate at your altar.
Sorrow combines with joy,
sadness mixes with celebration.
Mourners rejoice,
tearful jubilation.
Two pathways running together,
until sorrows are no more
and unfettered joy reigns
forever.

May we be the saddest, most celebratory community on earth. May that weeping and rejoicing be the response of our hearts today, tomorrow, and the days that follow.

Faith + Works = Expressions of the Grace of Almighty God!

Last Tuesday our Women's Bible Study groups completed a 4 week consideration of James 2:14-26, which is perhaps the most famous and difficult part of this wonderful book. The heading is entitled "Faith Without Works Is Dead." What is the connection between faith and works? Very often during those classes we were led to other passages which enlightened us as to the definition and application of the word "works." As we know, Scripture interprets Scripture.

Using my Bible reading plan the next morning I 'happened' to read Philippians 2: 12-13, which turned out to be very relevant to the discussions that we had the previous day.

"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

This was followed in my Bible by a beautiful prayer written by Anselm who lived from 1033-1109. He was Archbishop of Canterbury in England and was renowned for his godly character, sharp intellect, and his vital contributions to the church's understanding of Christ's work. [This description of Anselm was provided in the Author Index in the back of my Bible.]

"O Father, most merciful, who in the beginning did create us, and by the passion of your only begotten Son have created us anew, work in us now, we ask you, both to will and to do of your good pleasure. And for as much as we are weak, and can do no good thing of ourselves, grant us your grace and heavenly benediction, that in whatever work we engage we may do all to your honor and glory; and that, being kept from sin and daily increasing in good works, so long as we live in the body we may ever show forth some service to you; and after our departure may receive pardon of all our sins, and attain eternal life."

What an ending to our study of James 2! Both our faith and works are expressions of the grace of Almighty God. To Him be all glory forever!

My Favorite Televangelist

I'd like to take this opportunity to brag about my husband for a bit. Steve has really been amazing during these challenging times of quarantining and lack of in-person worship services. He has been creative and very hard-working trying to keep Exeter Presbyterian Church going forward in love and service to God and others. (And yes, I am biased. 😉)

The reason I'm mentioning this today is because Steve is beginning a new devotional video series each morning on the topic of Revelation. Revelation???  Yes, this book of the Bible is different from most of the others. It is often confusing, strange, beautiful, full of hope, and hard to understand all at the same time. But Steve will be focusing on the main point of each chapter - something that will be easily understood and memorable. The end result will be 22 videos, each with 5 minutes of teaching and a concluding prayer.

SO: I heartily recommend this series. Here is the link to the first one: click here

If you would like to receive the daily link each morning there are three ways to accomplish this:

1. Send an email to candymagee@gmail.com and I will sign you up for the link and prayer email of EPC.

2. Send me an email and I will sign you up just for the link, understanding that those of you not affiliated with the life of our church might just want the access to the video.

3. You can always go directly to YouTube and search each time for stevemagee57 to see the variety of videos Steve has done since mid-March, i.e. all the morning videos on various topics and Sunday church services as well. Unfortunately YouTube does not put them in chronological order so you may have to keep track of which video you watched the previous day.

Be blessed,
Candy

Quotables #5

Here are the last few months of screenshots that I've collected featuring quotes from modern and not-so-modern theologians. I'd like to hear from you as to which ones you found most inspiring, memorable, convicting or thought provoking. 

For me they are:  #3, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 10. Oh never mind, they are all my favorites!  

(But #10 really made me exclaim "WOW!")


1.  "Lord, grant that we all may have on the wedding garment."  George Whitefield

2.  "It is humbling, but inescapably true, the only reason that we love is that in glorious, sacrificial grace, He first loved us."  Paul Tripp

3.  "It is always possible to be thankful for what is given rather than resentful for what is withheld. One attitude or the other becomes a way of life."  Elisabeth Elliot

4.  "Jesus forgave a thief dangling on a cross... That thief would never study the Bible, never attend synagogue or church, and never make amends to those he had wronged. He simply said 'Jesus, Remember Me,' and Jesus promised, 'Today you will be with me in paradise.' It was another shocking reminder that grace does not depend on what we have done for God but rather what God has done for us."  Philip Yancey

5.  "If you are in a night of trial, think of tomorrow; cheer up your heart with the thought of the coming of your Lord."  Charles Spurgeon

6.  "It is necessary for the Spirit of God to burn into our hearts this mystery, that the most important work we have to do is that which must be done on our knees, alone with God, away from the bustle of the world and the plaudits of men."  O. Hallesby

7.  "Christians shouldn't expect to be exempt from the common curse of the Fall. And we also shouldn't expect non-Christians to be exempt from the common grace of a God who created all things and loves all that He has made."  Michael Horton

8.  "The story of the Bible is of man placing himself where God deserves to be and of God coming and placing Himself where man deserves to be."  Alastair Begg

9.  "I am profoundly grateful to God that He did not grant me certain things for which I asked, and that He shut certain doors in my face."  D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.

10.  "Luke's story of Jesus' life begins with Him being cared for by a man named Joseph, who places Him in a borrowed resting place in which no baby had ever been laid. It ends with Jesus being cared for by a man named Joseph, who lays Him in another borrowed resting place, where no man had ever been laid."  Sinclair Ferguson

Always Give Thanks?

I first came to know of Ed Welch through GriefShare as he is one of the presenters on the videos. He is part of CCEF: Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation based in Philadelphia and has written extensively on anxiety, depression, addictions, and other mental health issues.  I very much recommend the resources that he and all the counselors at CCEF offer through their books, blogs, and conferences. https://www.ccef.org/

While this article was written several years ago, our present day "affliction" of COVID-19 fits very well into Welch's understanding of the distinction between being thankful for afflictions vs being thankful in the midst of afflictions.  I have been thinking about my own situation (because everything is 'about me' after all 😎) in this surreal world of quarantines and social distancing. Until I became a pastor's wife, I considered myself to be an introvert, but in recent years I have leaned toward being more extroverted. So the effect of total isolation in the last 9 weeks and 2 days (but who's counting? ha) has definitely been blunted because of my previous personality type. I have found many reasons to be joyful in the simple pleasures of my days here at home. For example, I am typing this blog post while outside in our little screened-in porch with the beauty of trees surrounding me. My food is delivered by a service and I don't miss shopping even one little bit. Because of technology I am still able to "see" my family and friends often.

But all this does not mean that I am content with the bigger picture of sin and misery that surrounds me outside of my neighborhood. I am not thankful for the coronavirus that is causing so many illnesses and deaths in our country and in our world. I am not thankful for the devastation felt by those who did not get to be by the bedside of those they loved who died alone in an ICU. (My GriefShare group is growing larger and larger and just this week I have 2 newcomers joining because their loved ones died due to COVID-19.) I am not thankful for the economic devastation taking place or the divisiveness and enmity between scientists, politicians, journalists, and even regular people who are experts on all things! And all the above are just related to the pandemic, but can be expanded to our general estate of sin and misery and rebellion against God.  I am sure that you will agree that Ed Welch's words from 2013 are very relevant for the present hour of trial that many are enduring.

Dr. Welch's thoughts:  "I took a bang to the head a little while ago and have had headaches ever since. I am not thankful for the headaches. I don’t think they are “good,” and I certainly don’t want anyone to tell me that they are for my best. I am also trying to think God’s thoughts about this.

Always give thanks? 

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thess. 5:16-18)

What do these verses mean? We do not give thanks for oppression or victimization, and we do not give thanks for cancer, spinal cord injuries, or even more innocuous things like headaches. They are all attached to the fall of humanity into sin. They are attached to death itself. They are not reasons for thanks. Instead, they are a time for action against injustice and prayers for healing.

These verses then are not telling us to give thanks for all circumstances but to give thanks in [the midst of] all circumstances. We can do this because Jesus has come and the Spirit has been poured out on us. Death itself has been defeated. We can give thanks in all circumstances because Jesus has overcome the world and misery does not have the last word.

See this as good?

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Rom. 8:28-29)

There are plenty of hardships in this world, and they are not good. What is good is that evil cannot stand in the way of God’s essential work of making his people more and more as they were intended to be, which is portrayed most clearly in the Son. This, indeed, is a glorious good, but it could feel as though it falls short of our lesser versions of good, such as “everything will be okay someday [in this life]” which is a common way of mangling Romans 8. My headaches might not be okay in my lifetime, and I might never understand why this happened. But I know Jesus reigns, and that is enough. 

Learn power in weakness

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:8-9)

Strength in weakness is a New Testament promise: Jesus was crucified in weakness and raised in power (2 Cor.13:4), and we can expect to follow in his steps. Weakness is the new strength. It is the way the Lord brings glory to himself, and it is the cornerstone of his plans for the church. If this is his strategy for me, then bring it on. But, please Father, bring it on with an outpouring of strengthening grace that keeps me from grumbling and polishes me to be an accurate reflector of your glory."

Our Buildings May Be Closed, But The Church is Alive

This video was first sent to me by my friend Jeannette who mentioned that it made her "cry a lot."  So I watched it, and surprise, surprise, it made me cry too. Sensing a pattern here, I made Steve view it, and he did not disappoint - cried MORE than I did, which is saying a lot. In the past week or two I've listened a couple more times trying to figure out the emotion that this virtual choir evoked from the three of us.

Here's what I've come up with: During this time of worldwide pandemic, our churches have been closed, our friendships with one another seem to be on pause, and there is much confusion and fear and divisiveness coursing throughout our country. At the same time, there is great evidence that the Church of Jesus Christ is flourishing and being a beacon of hope to those within and outside her doors.

I also think this video captures the very essence of the proper posture for all of us: worshipping the Lord with our everything. The diversity of musicians, choristers, instruments, races, and denominations is incredibly displayed and gives such meaning to the song. This choir may be from the UK, but much more importantly, these performers are from the CHURCH, God's outpost of His kingdom here on earth.

It also reminds me of the first Protestant hymn I ever heard back in Berkeley, CA, which to this day is one of my most cherished favorites. This particular verse of "The Church's One Foundation" gives us such confident expectation that nothing can separate us from the love of God and one day we will see that through the blessing of God upon His people, His church shall prevail.

The church shall never perish!
Her dear Lord, to defend,
to guide, sustain, and cherish,
is with her to the end;
tho' there be those that hate her
and false sons in her pale,
against the foe or traitor  (or virus - my substitute word)
she ever shall prevail.

Please watch and share your thoughts on this video. It takes 6:46 minutes to view. Thanks!

Link to "The Blessing"   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUtll3mNj5U

Lyrics: There are really only two verses, repeated often.

The Lord bless you
And keep you
Make His face shine upon you
And be gracious to you
The Lord turn His
Face toward you
And give you peace

Amen, amen, amen

Amen, amen, amen
Amen, amen, amen (amen, amen)
Amen, amen, amen
Amen, amen, amen

May His favor be upon you
And a thousand generations
Your family and your children
And their children, and their children

From the Archives...

Some Thoughts on Punctuation

I recently came across a different way of looking at our trials and afflictions. While we know that everything that happens to us is for our good and God's glory, it usually doesn't feel especially good or glorifying. What if we still can't make any sense of the particular events that are distressing us? Here is a suggestion from Dr. Joseph Stowell:

"If you look at your problem and then look at God, you can end up throwing stones at God for the problem. If you look at God first and look at your problems through Him, through His sovereignty—that He is in control of everything, that He has permitted this in your life for a reason, that He is a just God, that He will settle the score for you—you will see that He is an all-powerful God who can turn this situation to that which is good and right.

So the way to avoid the vulnerability of these nagging questions that distance you from God and make you liable for Satan's attack in the midst of your despair is to really focus on what you know to be true about God and to live in the exclamation point of that truth, not in the question marks of what you don't know about your problem."

How true. God has not left us alone. Among innumerable other blessings, He has given us His Word which reveals to us His magnificent character. The Bible tells us so much about God, and yet we don't naturally flee to it when we are hurt or troubled. Perhaps we should pray to be equipped with eyes to see His exclamation point rather than all our question marks.