In quietness and confidence

I read this entry this morning. It was a testimony to me of how God has been working in my heart. I believe that much of my confidence in Him is because of the prayers of His people on our behalf. We can either rest in God or we can fight God. But only the first will give us confidence and trust in God.

It's also worthy to note that Spurgeon struggled with depression his whole life and at times, was overwhelmed by it. This is not written by someone who has never experienced trials.

p. 132 - Beside Still Waters (Spurgeon)

Quietness and Confidence (Is. 30:15)

"In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." This is a truth concerning all the trials and troubles of this life . Some of you are passing through business troubles, for there are many tremors in the business world, and perhaps they are causing you to shake and tremble. [I thought this was funny considering that Spurgeon lived about 200 years ago!] If so, do not be readily carried away by these secondary matters. Do not let them depress or excite you. Hold loosely to all worldly things, but grip firmly the unseen God. Fussing, worrying, and hurrying will do no good. Be calm and quiet; all will be well if you are the Lord's child.
Perhaps your trial is personal sickness. If so, nothing can be better than quietness and confidence. Worrying will not make you well, though it might keep you ill. You will be sick just as long as God appoints, but if anything can help to heal it is quietness and confidence of heart.
Have you lost a friend? Is there a great sorrow? Have you some loved one lying in a new grave? My friend you cannot bring the dear one back, and you should not wish to do so. It is wise to submit to the inevitable. It is gracious to bow to the will of your ever-gracious God. You cannot do anything that will be as helpful to your sorrowing spirit as to exercise quietness and confidence; it will indeed be your strength.
Do you have a sorrow fully equal to bereavement? Have you a loved one who daily suffers? Is that the living cross you have to carry? Do not worry. Submit to the Lord's will. Ask Him for grace to acquiesce in it, and learn to wait on the Lord.
God's tested child, whatever your condition, remember this promise, "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength."

St. Patrick's Day

My girls are very interested in St. Patrick's Day this year. We talked a bit earlier about who he is. Imagine my delight when I opened an email to find this link:

St. Patrick: The World's Greatest Missionary (great copywork and story about St. Patrick from LIVING BOOKS)

You have to do a free registration but it's easy. And that led me to

Living Books Curriculum

I haven't looked on their site much but through downloading the above ebook, there was a free offer for some of their curriculum helps and articles about Charlotte Mason. I downloaded them all and I'm looking forward to reading them.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

A Time to Die

This is from Charles Spurgeon's Beside Still Waters. I found it helpful to reflect on this morning.

Here is comfort: If the Father of our Lord Jesus arranges all, then our friends do not die untimely deaths. Believers are not cut off before their time. God has appointed a time to harvest His fruit. Some are sweet, even in the early spring, and He gathers them. Others, like baskets of summer fruit, are taken while the year is young. Yet some remain until autumn mellows them. Be sure of this, each will be gathered in season. God has appointed the commencement, the continuation and the conclusion of your mortal life. (p. 123)

Fireproof

My husband & I watched Fireproof last night. We really enjoyed it. The acting was better than I expected and I really liked the message. In the past months especially, I've noticed that when a marriage is in trouble, the tendency in our society is to encourage people to move on - out of the marriage and preferably into a new relationship as soon as possible. But Fireproof shows how it takes work to make a marriage work and it's worth doing.

I also appreciated how the gospel was presented. It wasn't sappy or overdone but they clearly stated our sin and our need for Christ's redemption.

For more information and for information on resources for your own marriage, check out this site.