girl talk

9/11 and the Sovereignty of God

On his blog today CJ recalls where we were on the morning of 9/11:

September 11, 2001 was, for me, memorable. It marked the first morning of a very special trip with my wife to the quaint town of Chatham on Cape Cod. Carolyn and I had just finished breakfast at the Wayside Inn and were eager to begin this relaxing and romantic day together. And the day could not have been more inviting.

But while preparing to pay for breakfast, I noticed a gathering of people in the adjoining bar area, studying a television screen. Curious, I took a place among them and learned what they already knew: Two jet airplanes had crashed into the World Trade Center towers, both the apparent attacks of terrorists.

We made our way back to our hotel room stunned and perplexed by the images we had briefly viewed. Just yesterday we had flown into Logan International Airport in Boston, now the airport of origin for the two flights that slammed into the towers.

What about you? he goes on to ask:

Do you remember what you were thinking and feeling as you watched horrific replay after horrific replay of the commercial jets crashing into the World Trade Center towers? How about when you learned that Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon and Flight 93 crashed into a Pennsylvania field? And if that wasn’t incomprehensible enough, do you remember what you were thinking and feeling as you watched replay after replay of the towers rumbling, collapsing, and disappearing from the New York city skyline?

In this article (intended to help pastors lead through crisis situations) he also reminds all of us what is most important to remember in a crisis: the sovereignty of God.

For the Christian, there is no greater comfort in a crisis than to be reminded and reassured of the sovereignty of God. But the common temptation and tendency in the midst of crisis is to forget or doubt God’s sovereignty. In the immediate unsettling emotional effect of a national crisis, we are tempted by sins of fear, worry, and unbelief. We are confused and perplexed. How can we reconcile God’s sovereignty, goodness, and wisdom with the looping video clips of events like 9/11?

Crisis has a way of rudely reminding us of mystery—the mystery of providence, evil, sin, and suffering. And these mysteries won’t be solved by more reading and study. D.A. Carson writes:

The mystery of providence defies our attempt to tame it by reason. I do not mean it is illogical; I mean that we do not know enough to be able to unpack it and domesticate it. Perhaps we may gauge how content we are to live with our limitations by assessing whether we are comfortable in joining the biblical writers in utterances that mock our frankly idolatrous devotion to our own capacity to understand.

There will always be an element of mystery in relation to our comprehension of God and his purpose. And especially in crisis. There will always be secret things we are incapable of understanding in our sinfulness and finitude (Deuteronomy 29:29). We must…become comfortable with—and appropriately humbled by—mystery.

But it’s not all mystery. God does not simply leave us paralyzed by the mysterious. In Scripture God has revealed his character, his purpose, and—most importantly—the work of his Son on the cross. These provide us with more than sufficient certainty and comfort in the midst of the most mysterious and perplexing crisis and suffering. God doesn’t reveal to me all I want to know; but he has revealed all I need to know. In crisis situations I must resist the temptation of devoting time and energy to trying to figure out what is clearly beyond my comprehension, and instead devote myself to what is clearly revealed in Scripture about the sovereignty and purpose of God. This will have a transforming effect on my soul.

For more on God’s sovereignty in suffering we recommend—

How Long O Lord? By DA Carson
When God Weeps by Joni Eareckson Tada and Steve Estes
and
Suffering and the Sovereignty of God edited by John Piper and Justin Taylor

God Delivers the Righteous

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” Psalm 34:19

When I read Psalm 34:19 this morning, three friends immediately came to mind. One has a little girl in the middle of chemotherapy treatment. Another has a husband who is experiencing seizures while she is enduring severe morning sickness from her sixth pregnancy. Still another friend has a daughter with epilepsy, and only this week she learned that there may be some health concerns with her younger daughter as well. Talk about many afflictions! I cannot relate to the kind of suffering that my friends are enduring.

You too may be suffering many afflictions. They may be health or job related, they may be relational or spiritual. If so, may dear Mr. Spurgeon’s comments on this verse give you hope:

Many are the afflictions of the righteous. Thus are they made like Jesus their covenant head. Scripture does does not flatter us like the story books with the idea that goodness will secure us from trouble; on the contrary, we are again and again warned to expect tribulation while we are in this body. But – blessed “but,” how it takes the sting out of the previous sentence! – But the Lord delivers him out of them all. Through troops of ills Jehovah will lead his redeemed scatheless and triumphant. There is an end to the believer’s affliction, and a joyful end too. 

My righteous friends, may this “blessed ‘but’” ring long and loud in your ears today! May the truth of the second half of this verse be greater to you than the first. Yes, we may have to suffer many afflictions in this lifetime. But God has promised to deliver us from every one! Not some of them, or most of them, but “them all!” Our trials will come to an end--a joyous triumphant end!

I pray these words will comfort my three dear friends, and all of you, today.

Present with the Lord

This morning, we learned that three-year-old Micah Davis went home to be with the Lord. You may remember Micah’s mom, Kriscinda, who boldly expressed her faith in God as her son battled cancer. 

Our hearts grieve with Luke and Kriscinda and their entire family. In our grief, we also rejoice that your “little man” is now free from pain and suffering and stands in the presence of our Lord.

Throughout this lengthy trial, we have been provoked by the Davis’ active trust in God. Luke and Kriscinda have opened up their lives and pursued the grace and comfort that comes from the community of believers in the local church. As a result, they have encouraged all of us at Covenant Life Church to put our faith in our loving Savior as we face trials in our own lives.

To the Davis and Miller families—our love and prayers are with you.

Kristin
for the girltalkers and our husbands

"'Death is swallowed up in victory.' 'O death, where is your victory?' 'O death, where is your sting?' Thanks be to God, who give us the victory through Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

P.S. Dad shared about the Davis’ faith, and its effect on all of us, in a recent message.

Our Savior's Prayers

This week we have considered the biblical response to “all circumstances.” We are to pray earnestly and give thanks always. And as Janelle noted yesterday, we can rest in this truth: if we’ve repented and put our trust in Christ, our salvation is certain, no matter what our circumstances.

Among the countless blessings that flow from our salvation is the fact that we are now on the receiving end of our Savior’s prayers. Mr. Spurgeon comments on Luke 22:32: “I have prayed for thee:"

“How encouraging is the thought of the Redeemer’s never-ceasing intercession for us. When we pray, He pleads for us; and when we are not praying, He is advocating our cause, and by His supplications shielding us from unseen dangers….We little know what we owe to our Saviour’s prayers. When we reach the hill-tops of heaven, and look back upon all the way whereby the Lord our God hath led us, how we shall praise Him who, before the eternal throne, undid the mischief which Satan was doing upon earth. How shall we thank Him because He never held His peace, but day and night pointed to the wounds upon His hands, and carried our names upon his breastplate!”

If our circumstances are difficult or challenging, this truth can provide immeasurable comfort—when we pray, and even when we don’t pray, our Savior never ceases to intercede on our behalf.

"Let me be thankful"

I was struck by Jennifer’s example of learning to be content and grateful in the midst of less than ideal circumstances. God’s Word commands us to give thanks in all circumstances—not only when things are going well (1 Thess. 5:18). We can take our cue from biblical commentator Matthew Henry (pictured here). He wrote the following in his journal after being robbed:

“Let me be thankful—
First, because I was never robbed before.
Second, because although they took my wallet, they did not take my life.
Third, because although they took my all, it was not much.
And fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.”

Hopefully, none of us will fall victim to a robbery today. But let’s follow Matthew Henry’s example and consider all we have to be grateful for--even in the midst of trials and difficulties. Let’s give thanks in all circumstances!

A Spiritual Mother

We received many inspiring emails in response to last week's Mother's Day posts. May God continue to give all of you struggling with infertility, grieving over the loss of a child, or praying for a wayward son or daughter grace to trust Him with all your heart. Our hope is that this email from Jennifer will encourage all of us to trust God and embrace His sovereign will--whatever our circmstances.

I have read your insightful blogs on Mother's Day. My husband and I were unable to have children for many reasons, but we have 16 nieces and nephews that we love very much. It was a painful time for me but I feel we have been blessed because His grace is sufficient for me. Mother's Day used to be hard for me, but now I send e-cards to all the moms I know to bless them for Mother's Day and I am able to rejoice when people get pregnant and have kids.

I used to be envious and jealous and even had the arrogant attitude that motherhood is not real work because the wife gets to stay home and doesn't have the pressures of a real job.

When I moved and began watching my sister's kids almost every day, I saw how hard and demanding taking care of children and babies is. Motherhood is the toughest job there is. I got a taste of what being a mom was and it was hard. At the end of the day, I got to go home from work. But when you are a mommy it is 24/7/365. There are many times you don't get down time or many breaks. God really taught me a thing or two and I became very humble and respectful of a woman's role as a mom.

I have learned to be content because life is too short to be upset over what I don't have. God is sovereign and He is the Master and He is in control. I have a loving husband who loves Jesus and wants to serve. I am going on 14 years of marriage and each year gets better and better. I am a spiritual mom to many children and have 2 goddaughters.

God allows things to happen for a reason. Although I may never know all the whys--why I could not have my own baby--I do realize this: It is not God's job to give me everything I want. It is God's will for me to be obedient and satisfied in Him. And true faith is rejoicing in the Lord Jesus even when life does not turn out the way I want it.

Sadness on Mother's Day

This morning, Kristin wrote to encourage mothers who have lost children to death. Some of you, while you have not been touched by tragedy of this magnitude, may feel as if you have lost a child. You have a wayward son or daughter. Maybe they are not a Christian and are mired in sin. Maybe they are even angry and bitter toward you.

You spent a lifetime caring for them, praying for them, teaching them God’s Word, and hoping they would become followers of Christ. And yet, they have chosen to pursue their own selfish desires instead. So Mother’s Day brings to the surface a host of conflicting temptations—guilt, fear, anger, and maybe even despair.

If you dread this day as a reminder of your greatest earthly sorrow, may I remind you of the gospel?  For no matter how “far gone” you think your child is or how great your temptations, there is hope in Christ.

You may not have been a perfect mother (none of us have!), but if you have repented from your sin and put your trust in Christ, you have a perfect Savior, and you are clothed in His righteousness. So instead of a Mother’s Day spent ruminating on your failure, rejoice instead in the forgiveness and mercy of our Lord.

And take heart. This same mercy and forgiveness is powerful enough to reach your child—no matter how far away from Christ they are trying to run. Tedd Tripp, author of Shepherding a Child’s Heart penned these encouraging words:

“You have reason for hope as parents who desire to see your children have faith. The hope is in the power of the gospel. The gospel is suited to the human condition. The gospel is attractive. God has already shown great mercy to your children. He has given them a place of rich privilege. He has placed them in a home where they have heard His truth. They have seen the transforming power of grace in their lives of His people. Your prayer and expectation is that the gospel will overcome their resistance as it has yours.” 

So may your heart be lightened by hope this Mother’s Day. And may you continue to pray in faith that God’s love and mercy will overcome your wayward child’s resistance, as it has yours.

Update: I think you'll also find this recent post by Abraham Piper--"12 Ways to Love Your Wayward Child"--to be both instructive and encouraging.

Grief on Mother's Day

My husband and I have two little ones we believe are in heaven. We never met either of them. I carried each one in my womb for only a few short weeks and then the Lord took them home.

I remember it well, staring at the ultrasound screen, hoping, praying to see that beating heart, only to be informed by the technician that it had stopped. 

Each baby was small, but I could see the form of his or her head and body. Each one was my son or daughter; yet each was a baby I would never hold.

As painful as those two miscarriages were, I can’t imagine the pain of a mother who has actually held her little one, only to lose him or her in the end. I can’t imagine what you must think and feel on Mother’s Day.

But many godly men and women throughout history can relate to your experience. Their writings—the encouragement they received from God’s Word—are compiled in a book called From Grief to Glory: Spiritual Journeys of Mourning Parents.

One of these men was John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim’s Progress. He and his wife, Elizabeth, suffered the loss of two children. Considering their eternal future, he wrote:

“God comforted Rachel concerning her children that Herod murdered because of the birth of Christ. He bids her not to cry with the promise that her children would come again from the land of the enemy, from death. And I think this should be mentioned, not only for her and their sakes, but to comfort all those that either have had, or yet may have, their children suffer…. None of these things happen without the determinate counsel of God. He has ordained the sufferings of little children as well as that of persons more in years. And it is easy to think that God can as well foresee which of his elect shall suffer…in their infancy, as which of them shall then die a natural death. He has saints small in age as well as in esteem. And although I desire not to see these days again, yet it will please me to see those little ones…standing in their white robes with the elders of their people, before the throne, singing unto the Lamb.”

I pray this picture of your child’s joy in heaven may fill your heart with comfort and hope this Mother’s Day.

Infertility on Mother's Day

It’s almost Mother’s Day again. And for some of you, this can be a bittersweet holiday. You delight in the opportunity that this occasion affords to honor your own mother and all your friends who are mothers, but you also can be saddened by the reality that you are not yet a mother, even though you long to be.

Perhaps you are single and there does not appear to be any prospect for marriage in the near future. You are keenly aware, however, that the body clock is ticking. You may fear that the childbearing years will pass you by.

Others of you may be married and have been trying to get pregnant for months now. Maybe even years. But still no baby.

In her book, The True Woman, Susan Hunt, includes a story by a woman who faces this very struggle. Debbie Trickett from Atlanta, Georgia, knows the heart-wrenching challenge of infertility. But Debbie also knows the heart-changing power of savoring God’s presence and goodness. We got permission to share her story with you. We pray it will impart fresh comfort and encouragement to any who have an unfulfilled longing for children:

Children. I want children. Not just a baby. Not just a child. I want children. Three of them. If I were younger, I might want more, but at thirty-four three seems like a good number. Marrying a little late and moving across the country a couple of times as well as a long-running struggle to pay the rent delayed the real trying for a while. The trying has been going on for a long time now. Not as long a many of you, but much longer than most.

To no avail. No children. Not one pregnancy. I have never experienced that wonder of knowing that there is a life inside of me. Instead, there is a longing that will not be filled, that will not be diminished, that will not end this side of heaven without children to fill it.

Nothing else in my life has been as baffling to me as not being able to conceive a child. My emotions hide even from myself, spilling out in tears of sadness or anger at the most inopportune times. There have been no days of real clarity, no times when a light has come on to show the way—not even a little. But the mysterious and marvelous mercy of God has convinced me of one thing in all of this—it is dark because I am in that deep, hidden place under God’s wing.

Certainly, the inability to bear children to the glory of God is due to the sinfulness of sin and its effect on all of life. It is not that God punishes us by not allowing us to give birth to the offspring we most desperately desire. It is rather that we, along with all of creation, suffer the wretched consequences of the sin of our first mother and father, Adam and Eve, compounded by the sin of all the sinners who have come after them. And that, of course, is all of us.

Since this is so, I know that, as with all of life, I must not put my trust in anything other than God, even in the provision of a child. This does not necessarily mean that I may not use a medical intervention to try to conceive a child. It does not mean that adoption is not an option to pursue. Rather, I trust that God in His mercy has given us these means as part of His redemption from the effects of the Fall.

At times the knowledge that God has given His covenant of grace to believers and their children makes not being able to have a child even more difficult to understand and bear. God has rescued me from such a desperate place and has given me such a glorious glimpse of Himself that I want, with all that is within me, to see this passed on to the next generation of my family, my children.

My heart cries out, “Why, O God, will You not answer this prayer? Why will You not do this simple thing for me and for Your own name’s sake? You do it for so many so easily. Your marvelous grace. Why not to me?” With thoughts like these, it is easy to fall into deep despair, and at times I certainly do. When this happens, God in His time and His various graceful ways, comes to me to remind me that I am not alone.

He does not, as so many do, tell me that “my time will come.” He does not say that if I will just relax and not try so hard, everything will be okay. He does not say, “If you adopt a baby, you’ll get pregnant.” He does say that He is with me. He weeps with me as Jesus wept for Lazarus. He reminds me that He is good and that He can be trusted with my heart. Any doubt of that was wiped away at the Cross.

He has given His best to me, His own beautiful, beloved Child. Will He withhold any good thing from me? No, never. Is Jesus enough to make up for this aching void in my soul? I do not always feel that it is so. But it is. Jesus loves me—this I know.

Taken from True Women by Susan Hunt, (c)1997. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois 60187, www.crossway.com.

Tragedy at Virginia Tech

Grief, fear and questions abound in the wake of yesterday’s horrible shooting at Virginia Tech. Only in God’s Word and the saving message of the gospel can comfort, hope and answers be found. The following are some biblical resources we hope you find helpful as you interact with unbelievers, or maybe even grieve for a loved-one or comfort someone whose family was affected by this, or any other tragedy.

To equip you to discuss the problem of evil in the world today, we want to encourage you to listen to yesterday’s Albert Mohler radio program entitled "Tragedy in Blacksburg: Explaining Evil in a Morally Confused Age." Here Dr. Mohler provides the biblical answer to the question everyone is asking: “How does something like this happen?”

Even if we aren’t personally affected by the Virginia Tech tragedy, events such as these can have a troubling effect on our souls. If you are tempted to fear or doubt, learn from the prophet Habakkuk in this audio message from CJ, third in a three-part series called “When Life Doesn’t Make Sense.”

Maybe some of you know families who are living through this tragedy—or another difficult trial. John Piper’s 21 suggestions for how to comfort the hurting (first posted after 9-11) is an invaluable tool as we seek to care for those we love.

Please join us in praying that the God of all comfort would comfort those who are grieving and that the saving message of the gospel would go forth in the midst of this tragic event.