Why I Love the Sovereignty of God

If I had to pick a favorite book of the Bible, it would definitely be something written by the Apostle Paul. I love him. I think of being in Heaven and just getting to see him from a distance. He will probably be glorifying God next to John MacArthur and Martyn-Lloyd Jones. Great men that I esteem so highly, yet are in a realm far from the one in which I tread. 

Ephesians is truly a book I love. There is so much peace when I read Ephesians 1...the clear reminder that God is God and I'm far below but yet still thought of and planned for and known. It is a very humbling reality. Romans is incredible, and the man I'm bonded to as they'd say in a Chuck Black book, finds it to be his favorite, and so did MLJ. Oh the depths and riches of God! It's a high brow book and I like the parts that show God's sovereignty and yet, man's responsibility. I'm in awe of God for having two roads that do not clearly intersect in my mind, yet I know they do in His. I love that before the foundation of the world God chose and predestined who would be saved, and that He has set up believing in Him as something we have to do, and that faith comes by hearing. He is brilliant, magnificent, the only wise God. 

This reality is one that has helped me so much the past many years. Life is hard. It is hard a lot of the time when you are a parent, spouse, sibling and an active member of your church. Add the other roles you have and the more there are, the more difficulty there can be. It is obvious how life is designed to make us long for Heaven the older we get. The prime years of life are fast. When there is boundless energy, beauty, intellect and strength the years fly by. When you awaken bright eyed or groggy, yet not in any pain. There is so much that we take for granted at each stage of life.

Through it all, I'm seeing there are always new opportunities to trust the Lord. Deeper challenges with really giving it ALL to Him. "Have hopes, but don't count on them. Have dreams, but don't bank on them. Have wishes, but be willing to forgo them. Love deeply, but with a hand that isn't clutching."

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  -Jesus

When life is not what I want, when there are hurts, disappointments, fatigue from the daily grind, questions, drudgery...I go to the Sovereignty of the King of kings and Lord of lords. I don't care what this church or that church teaches but I read the Bible and I see what it says. There was a beautiful man who has taught me for over 30 years that summed up exactly what I believe, and he is now, very recently, fulfilled wholly and has heard the words I long to hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant, enter into the presence of your King." 

God, help me to be good and faithful as Your servant. Help me want what You want, love what You love, die to myself, and take up the cross You have assigned me, and please help me carry it with a smile on my face. And help me talk less when I'm excited. It's so embarrassing sometimes. I just love people and it is hard to reign myself in. I love to know and be known. 

An Explanation of the Sovereign Gospel

Check out "An Explanation of the Sovereign Gospel" from Grace to You

https://www.gty.org/

Grace to You

I'm comfortable with the way this is explained. I'm merely a follower, not one with the mind of God. There's no need for me to force this view, which logically works in my mind and aligns with what I read. I see that the Bible says various things that have to be true at the same time, whether they gel logically in the human realm isn't the question or issue. God has a mind far above my own, and God is good. He is just. He is love. Bottom line, I trust Him. 

Why to Love the Church

https://youtu.be/i_Oi1yeo-ZI?si=DjKq5SQWJ0GXnxua

A great sermon by John MacArthur on Reasons to Love the Church. This is part 2 which I don't think any serious Christian could disagree with. 

My Small Tribute

Pastor John MacArthur has been a part of my life for nearly 30 years. While studying at Virginia Tech, I met Jesus, and landed at Harvest Baptist Church. The pastor, who was studying for his MDiv through The Master's University, was very good with helping me grow in Christ. He gave me the first MacArthur book, Charismatic Chaos, because some of the roommates I had at the time were into speaking in tongues. One was part of a movement that taught you how to do that because it meant you were genuinely saved (due to the filling of the Holy Spirit, which they wrongly taught happened apart from salvation). The book cleared up many confusing points of Christianity, and it was the seed that grew into many titles from that godly man. I've listened to more sermons on Grace to You than any other source, and am so thankful. Being forgiven and set free from the bonds of my sin was the greatest event of my life, and John MacArthur taught me more than I could ever say. I've never rejoiced at the news of someone dying until his passing. It was just the immediate thought to be happy to know such a faithful servant was finally in the presence of the One he longed to glorify. John MacArthur taught me to love the church...to put myself in the background and be content serving where God has chosen. I'm thankful GTY.org will continue to play sermons. I'll continue listen. And while I am very sad that John isn't out in California anymore, I've got a peace that God's timing is best and that everything is going to be alright. 

Power of Prayer

Often I don't share prayer requests. People have so many of their own. I try to be discreet as well. That said, sometimes several struggles come along all at once. If trouble impacts those closest to me, I'm generally sharing with others so they can pray with me. 

This past week, my beloved sister fell quite ill. She's been in a hospital that's about 7 hours from me because we're on vacation. It's been very difficult to not be with her. We pray, and I've asked many others to pray. Mostly friends I've prayed for in the past. That's how love goes, right? We bear one another's burdens. If we believe the heart of God is moved by prayer, then we ought to beseech Him when we've got needs. He's the Great Physician, so He's who we go to. 

During this same time period, my middle daughter took a hard hit and fell backwards onto concrete, sustaining a concussion that lasted several days. Five days later, she still finds bright lights to hurt her eyes. She was feeling ill when the collision occurred, and has been sick a couple of times already this summer. She's a delicate girl, and this job has been a very new endeavor for her.  Working at a physically and emotionally demanding job is quite the opposite of a government type computer science internship. I'm so grateful for the friends who have prayed for her healing. We're blessed to be in a church where everyone knows each of us. 

It's a balance to be found: troubling others with our needs or keeping them between us and God. Pride can keep us from asking, and it can compel us to ask when we ought to hold off. 

Being on this particular vacation, I used to enjoy being off my phone and computer all week. We are still not on the computer doing normal life,  but I've been on my phone a lot for the first time. There's just no way with the health issues and two kids working where they barely get free time to text or call. It's a season. God is faithful to give us the rest we need in other ways. To be broken and spilled out for His use is my dream. At the end of this life, I hope all who know me think of good works I've done to bring glory to the Lord. Whether it be having them over, praying with them, giving them something they needed, or doing something for them. What else is this life for?

Best of the Burg Fredericksburg VA

Two realities make Best of the Burg seem far less serious than it did even a year ago.  

1. It took weeks longer for the results to come out than what was originally slated as the deadline. 

2. As of July 1, 2025, the results aren't posted online anywhere. 

It appears The Freelance Star wanted to try to increase newspaper sales so they allegedly put an insert in the paper with the results, finally, on June 29th. My guess is that one could buy a digital subscription to the paper to see if they can then find the results online. Of course it's the papers prerogative to run the contest and do what they want with the results. I'm just putting it out there that despite my voting, none of this is going to entice me to buy a digital subscription or a paper. Had we been in town, maybe I would have bought a Sunday paper. What is being accomplished is my lack of interest next year in voting. The whole thing seems to have lost its luster now that it's drug on for so long and I still can't see the results. Why bother?

Signed, 

20 yr Fredericksburg resident who voted faithfully the past 4 yrs.