Hard Taskmaster!

This sign reminds me of how I too often deal with sin's temptation. I actually try to weigh up the risk rather than running from the temptation. There is no way to safety once the field is entered!
How foolishly we too often live our daily lives before our compassionate and merciful Father God. How thankful I am that He is so merciful. "Lord, give to me the ear to hear the barking of temptation and to realize there are fierce teeth awaiting a stupid decision."
- posted by Keith @ 2:09 PM

A Good Week

It's been a good week. The purposes of God have been accomplished ... sometimes with a little more subterfuge than I would like but nonetheless His will and way is good and perfect.
Truly, I feel as if I can say that we survived 2006. For that I can also truthfully say, "Glory be to my Father who is most gracious, good and kind." Last night I was reading Marvin Olasky's column, "Hello hardship, my old friend". in the January 6, 2007 edition of WORLD. In this excellent article he makes several wonderful observations.
"In my own experience, the most difficult and draining task I've had has also been the most spiritually productive."
"Suffering makes us turn to Him."
He cites psychologist David Powlison, "When God says, 'Fear not,' his aim is not that you would just calm down and experience a relative absence of fear. He does not say, 'Don't be afraid. Everything will turn out okay. So you can relax.' Instead he says, 'Don't be afraid. I am with you. So be strong and courageous.' Christ is the true friend, the kind who comes alongside those whom everyone else is abandoning."
O Lord, give me such confidence in You!
- posted by Keith @ 4:23 PM

Sometimes I sure feel this way. I find myself locating myself coming around the corner and am shocked at the way I look knowing full well that there are a whole lot of things that yet need to be done! If one was not confident that a gracious and sovereign God rules over all things it would be only too easy to lose one's head!
The year has begun busy. Given the extreme cold weather - for here - that we are to have tonight and for the next couple of nights we may possibly have a few more drop-in visitors. Oh my, the way of the transgressor is quite hard.
Thanks for being interested in the good works of the Mission. Without the caring hands of so many nothing that we do would be possible.
- posted by Keith @ 5:22 PM