Eternally Assured

  “Mine are tears in times of sorrow. Darkness not yet understood. Through the valley I must travel where I see no earthly good. But mine is peace that flows from heaven and a help in times of need. I know my pain will not be wasted, Christ completes His work in me ” -   Christ is Mine Forevermore - CityAlight The past few months have been very difficult for me. However, I have also learned that I am deeply loved by my family, my friends, and my God. That knowledge has carried and sustained me. This Thanksgiving I find myself feeling grateful. I am solemnly grateful because I am aware that not all of my brothers and sisters in Christ are able to rejoice this season. The Holiday season is hard for so many, and my heart breaks for you as I think about all of the pain you are carrying this year. I am so sorry. I don't want this post to be about the need for gratitude as a Christian because I think the sting of that obligation might be too difficult to bear for some who will read this,

  "Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the earth I call to you when my heart is faint.  Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy" (Psalm 61:1-3) Introspection & Chaos.... I have been on an introspection hamster wheel the past few months. The introspection isn't because I think that I am not saved, but more of an evaluation of my character and who I am as a person. It has been painful evaluating myself in the light of God's law and even other people's perceptions of me. What I have come to discover is that I find value and safety in seeking approval from people through what I can do for them. It has been really hard to realize that in many ways I still struggle with defining my worth and value in trying to be all things to all people. Processing this truth has caused me to struggle with maintaining an inner sense of stability and well being.  This unsettled reality makes me feel as though

"But this Mediator whom the Father has appointed between himself and us, ought not terrify us by his greatness, so that we have to look for another one according to our fancy. For neither in heaven nor among the creatures on earth is there anyone who loves us more than Jesus Christ does" - Snippet from Belgic Confession Article 26 Since it has pleased God to give us his Son as our Intercessor, let us not leave him for another- or rather seek, without ever finding. For when God gave him to us he knew well that we were sinners." - Snippet from Belgic Confession Article 26 CityAlight released the rest of their album last week. Once again they hit the ball out of the park when it comes to their simple and profound lyrics. When I love a song, I tend to listen to it on repeat until I get tired of it. Their song "Known & Loved" was wonderful. The lyrics made me stop and really think about what it means to be fully known and loved by God.  My favorite lyric was th

"There is one gospel to which I cling. All else I count as loss. For there, where justice and mercy meet, he saved me on the cross. No more I boast in what I can bring. No more I carry the weight of sin. For he has brought me from death to life. I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ!" - CityAlight  CityAlight released a new single called "There is One Gospel"   this past Friday. I have been listening to this song on repeat. The lyrics are wonderfully simple and deeply rich. The last lyric for each stanza is, "I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ'.  I have been thinking the past few days about what that means. What does it mean for Christians to be able to stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  Stand in Christ's Righteousness  To stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a Christian means to stand in His righteousness. It is to understand that everything that He has earned for us in his living is now ours by faith.  We believers, who have been regenerated t

Disclaimer: I know that this topic is very controversial and complicated.  If you already oppose this view, please know that I am not sharing this to try and change your mind. I am quite happy to agree to disagree amicably. This post is a result of thinking through the linked chart's implications, and is not meant to be an exposition on whether or not the doctrine of particular redemption is biblical.  I will include links at the end of this post to the materials I found valuable in helping me to think through this.   It has been a while since my last post that addressed the Reformed emphasis on the third use of the law. This  post will address the  implication of  how believing Limited Atonement ( I like using the term Particular Redemption) might impact my assurance. You can find the chart my friend made here for more context as well as my last post here .  Limited Atonement (Christ died only for the elect). Implication: How do I know Christ died for me?  Reformed Response:  Acc

" Today on weary nations the heav'nly manna falls, to holy convocations the silver trumpet calls. Where gospel light is glowing with pure and radiant beams, and living water flowing, with soul refreshing streams"  (O Day of Rest and Gladness - Christopher Wordsworth) "It is not insignificant that the liturgy of Sunday worship was developed early on in the church, to remind us that while God has prepared good works for us to do, we walk in them from the place of resting in the resurrection" - Ragged: Spiritual Disciplines for the Spiritually Exhausted by Gretchen Ronnevik I love consistency. I love my everyday rhythm of rolling out of bed, walking to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee, and powering on my computer to begin a day's work. After work I enjoy watching an episode of "Call the Midwife".  To help me sleep, I've recently enjoyed listening to Harry Potter on audiobook and remembering the experience of reading the books for the first time