Β βTo those who recognize in Jesus the wonder of the Son of God, every one of his words and deeds becomes a wonder; they find in him the last, most profound, most helpful counsel for all needs and questions. Yes, before the child can open his lips, he is full of wonder and full of counsel. Go to the child in the manger. Believe him to be the Son of God, and you will find in him wonder upon wonder, counsel upon counsel.β
Β βThatβs the kind of love the Father has. It is a giving love. It gives his most precious treasureβhis Son. Meditate on that this Advent. It was a very costly love. A very powerful love. A very rugged, painful love. The meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this love. βGod so loved . . .β And wonder of wonders, God gives this costly love to an undeserving world of sinners, like us.β
John Piper,Β The Dawning of Indestructible Joy: Daily Readings for Advent
Β βSay to the next generation again and again: God is truthful; God keeps his word; God does not lie; God can be trusted! Thatβs one blessing of Advent. Receive it as a wonderful Christmas gift, and give it to as many people as you can.β
John Piper,Β The Dawning of Indestructible Joy: Daily Readings for Advent
“Take time to be aware that in the very midst of our busy preparations for the celebration of Christβs birth in ancient Bethlehem, Christ is reborn in the Bethlehems of our homes and daily lives. Take time, slow down, be still, be awake to the Divine Mystery that looks so common and so ordinary yet is wondrously present.
“An old abbot was fond of saying, βThe devil is always the most active on the highest feast days.β
“The supreme trick of Old Scratch is to have us so busy decorating, preparing food, practicing music and cleaning in preparation for the feast of Christmas that we actually miss the coming of Christ. Hurt feelings, anger, impatience, injured egosβthe list of clouds that busyness creates to blind us to the birth can be long, but it is familiar to us all.”
Β βAdvent is a season for thinking about the mission of God to seek and to save lost people from the wrath to come. God raised him from the dead, βJesus who delivers us from the wrath to comeβ (1 Thess. 1:10). Itβs a season for cherishing and worshiping this characteristic of Godβthat he is a searching and saving God, that he is a God on a mission, that he is not aloof or passive or indecisive. He is never in the maintenance mode, coasting or drifting. He is sending, pursuing, searching, saving. Thatβs the meaning of Advent.β
John Piper, The Dawning of Indestructible Joy: Daily Readings for Advent
Woah is it only day 11?! It was around 9ΛC this morning so much warmer than iβm used to, i seem to function better when itβs around the 1ΛC mark. I also travelled with my new friendΒ βMr Blisterβ for the first time todayβ¦I donβt think the extra weight slowed me down but the constant stinging on every step was an extra challenge, lol!Β π€£Β
I split my walk by having a short pitstop after iβve walked for 2 hoursβ¦I always pause my trackerΒ every time at my front door so any of my lazyβ¦
Β βHe may be doing it for you in this Advent seasonβgraciously and tenderly frustrating you with life that is not centered on Christ and filling you with longings and desires that canβt find their satisfaction in what this world offers, but only in the God-man. What a Christmas gift that might be! Let all your frustrations with this world throw you onto the Word of God. It will become sweetβlike walking into paradise.β
John Piper,Β The Dawning of Indestructible Joy: Daily Readings for Advent
Β βWe have become so accustomed to the idea of divine love and of Godβs coming at Christmas that we no longer feel the shiver of fear that Godβs coming should arouse in us. We are indifferent to the message, taking only the pleasant and agreeable out of it and forgetting the serious aspect, that the God of the world draws near to the people of our little earth and lays claim to us.4 Dietrich Bonhoeffer, βThe Coming of Jesus in Our Midstβ
A blind man from Surrey is undertaking a remarkable journey to raise awareness about the blood pressure condition that deprived him of his eyesight! πͺπΌ π
Wowβ¦My βUltra Step Challengeβ has hit the news stand!!! π²The amazing team at Blood Pressure UK interviewed me for their βPositive Pressureβ magazine and theyβve also sent the article to Surrey Comet!Β
Please CLICK HERE and read all about it! πͺπΌ πΒ
Β βThe lack of mystery in our modern life is our downfall and our poverty. A human life is worth as much as the respect it holds for the mystery. We retain the child in us to the extent that we honor the mystery. Therefore, children have open, wide-awake eyes, because they know that they are surrounded by the mystery. They are not yet finished with this world; they still donβt know how to struggle along and avoid the mystery, as we do. We destroy the mystery because we sense that here we reach the boundary of our being, because we want to be lord over everything and have it at our disposal, and thatβs just what we cannot do with the mysteryβ¦. Living without mystery means knowing nothing of the mystery of our own life, nothing of the mystery of another person, nothing of the mystery of the world; it means passing over our own hidden qualities and those of others and the world. It means remaining on the surface, taking the world seriously only to the extent that it can be calculated and exploited, and not going beyond the world of calculation and exploitation. Living without mystery means not seeing the crucial processes of life at all and even denying them.β
Dietrich Bonhoeffer,Β God Is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas
Β βWaiting is an art that our impatient age has forgotten. It wants to break open the ripe fruit when it has hardly finished planting the shoot. But all too often the greedy eyes are only deceived; the fruit that seemed so precious is still green on the inside, and disrespected hands ungratefully toss aside what has so disappointed them.β
Dietrich Bonhoeffer,Β God Is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas
Well another 0ΛC start this morning, and when Sarah told me she couldnβt see up the drive as the fog was so thickβ¦I knew it was going to be even more of a challenge today!Β π¨
But with 2 slices of dry super seeded toast (i like it with no butter just like Elwood Blues from the Blues Brothers movies) and with one of Sarahβs amazing espresso coffeesβ¦I was ready to face whatever todayβs challenge had to throw at me. πͺπΌ π βΒ
I managed to take 8 photos along my routes todayβ¦
Β βThe Almighty appeared on earth as a helpless human baby, needing to be fed and changed and taught to talk like any other child. The more you think about it, the more staggering it gets. Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as this truth of the Incarnation.β
Β Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people; for there is born to you this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. In these words you clearly see that he is born for us. He does not simply say, Christ is born, but to you is born; neither does he say, I bring glad tidings, but to you I bring glad tidings of great joy. Furthermore, this joy was not to remain in Christ, but it shall be to all people.
Β Only the humble believe him and rejoice that God is so free and so marvelous that he does wonders where people despair, that he takes what is little and lowly and makes it marvelous. And that is the wonder of all wonders, that God loves the lowlyβ¦. God is not ashamed of the lowliness of human beings. God marches right in. He chooses people as his instruments and performs his wonders where one would least expect them. God is near to lowliness; he loves the lost, the neglected, the unseemly, the excluded, the weak and broken.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer,Β God Is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas
Β If we could condense all the truths of Christmas into only three words, these would be the words: βGod with us.β We tend to focus our attention at Christmas on the infancy of Christ. The greater truth of the holiday is His deity. More astonishing than a baby in the manger is the truth that this promised baby is the omnipotent Creator of the heavens and the earth!
Woah i can hear the rain pounding the window and i havnβt even got out of bed yetβ¦Itβs beating down harder than my beta-blockers! π€£Β
I was excited about trying my new fully waterproof adidas adizero tracksuit bottoms but i didnβt want to get soaked in the processβ¦But i suppose thatβs the point of wearing them, lol. I knew my stupendously bright Dortmund jacket was waterproof but i still wasnβt sure how it was going to go today. π€
Although it rained for the full duration of my walk and the sound ofβ¦
Infinite, and an infant. Eternal, and yet born of a woman. Almighty, and yet hanging on a womanβs breast. Supporting a universe, and yet needing to be carried in a motherβs arms. King of angels, and yet the reputed son of Joseph. Heir of all things, and yet the carpenterβs despised son.
“So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us.” John 1:14
What a transition!
What a stoop for that Infinite Being who proclaimedΒ Himself the Alpha and the Omega; for “The Ancient of days” to assume the nature and take the form of a cradled infant, sleeping on a virgin mother’s breast!
We have no plumb line to sound the depths of that humiliation. We have no arithmetic by which it can be submitted to any process of calculation.
If we can entertain for a moment the shocking supposition of the loftiest created spirit in heaven abjuring his angel nature, and becoming an insect or a worm; we can, in some feeble degree, estimate the descent involved in the transformation.
But, for the Illimitable, Everlasting Jehovah, Himself to become incarnate . . .
the Creator, to take the nature of the created; the Infinite, to be joined with the finite; Deity, to be linked with dust;Β this baffles all our comprehension!
Heavenly Father,Β We think we are ready for Christmas β¦Not because we have read the pages of the Bible, but because we have read our credit card statements,Β And they say that we have left no stone unturned, and no gift unbought, if still unpaid for.Β We stand ready to stagger under the weight of Christmas,Β To eat and drink far too much,Β To party with the best of them,Β And to worry all the time that weβve forgotten something.Β And weβll do it all, not always because we want to, but because everyone else is doing it, and weβll go along for the ride.
Somewhere in all of this, Father, please feel free to stop us.Β Any place, any time, just stop us in our tracks.Β Stop us, grab our attention, and then place your gift in our hands where we can see it,Β And in our hearts where we can feel it.Β The gift of knowing that, a little over two thousand years ago, you stepped into the history of this world and placed yourself in a manger in a dirty backstreet stable,Β And called yourself a Christ-Child. It was then that we could see you and understand you as we had never been able to do before: As Creator, as Spirit, and as a man who would walk unerringly towards a Cross.
Everything else, all the food, the fun, the partying, none of it matters, and none of it has any point at all, unless we grasp this simple, beautiful gift and press it close to our hearts and keep it thereβ¦..β¦.. that we live with you, that we are one with you, Our Lord Immanuel.
Wow!!! It looks like my ultra step challenge is going to go off with a BANG tomorrow!!! A huge thanks to my lovely wife Sarah! π πͺπΌ β€οΈEven if this challenge kills meβ¦At least itβll be tasty!Β
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”Β Colossians 3:12-14
Let us be very assiduous to cultivate . . . Β the Christian virtues of kindness and forgiveness, Β a ready and hearty submission to the Word of God,Β Β and a cheerful resignation to His all-wise providence.
Let us be modest, humble, and lowly in our behavior towards men.Β Let us ever wear the garment ofΒ humility, and the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. This will be more to the honor of our divine Savior and more to the credit of our holy religion, than the most exact orthodoxy.
If we are wholly destitute of a true Christian temperament, the mind that was in Christ Jesus–then we are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity. It matters not to what sect of Christians we professedly adhere. If pride, anger, wrath, and malice reign in our hearts and govern our lives–then all our religion is hypocrisy!
“You shall call His name JESUS, forΒ He shall save His people from their sins!” Matthew 1:21
Glorious Jesus, Your name is . . . Β the cure for sin-sick hearts, Β the resting place for the weary pilgrims of Zion, Β heavenly manna for every true Israelite wandering through this barren wilderness of darkness and sin.Β
This name, “which is above every name” . . . Β calms the troubled sea within, Β sweetens every bitter trial,Β Β illuminates every sad and lonesome path, Β dispels the darkness of doubt and despair, Β and soothes the trembling heart –of every redeemed child of God.
This precious verse teaches us that Jesus Christ cannot fail to saveΒ His peopleΒ from their sins. He establishedΒ perfect righteousnessΒ for them by His obedience unto death, and obtainedΒ eternal redemptionΒ for them with His own precious blood. When He shouted from the cross,Β “It is finished”Β . . . Β salvation was finished, Β God’s holiness was appeased, Β satisfaction for sin was made, Β and judgment was over –for all the people of God.
God did not send His Son into this world to saveΒ allΒ men from their sins; rather, He sent His Son into this wicked world to save “His people” from their sins.Β Β
God’s salvation, in its entirety, is for His elect people, who are identified in the Scriptures as “the people of God.” All that the Lord Jesus did, does, and will do–is, has always been, and will always be for His chosen people. He came into this world, was born of a virgin, lived under the law, was in all points tempted like as we are, and perfectly obeyed the will of God in all things for one reason–that He might save His elect people with an everlasting salvation. HeΒ lovedΒ them,Β choseΒ them, andΒ gaveΒ Himself forΒ them–them, and only them.
He wasΒ bornΒ for His people.Β HeΒ kept the lawΒ for His people.Β HeΒ sufferedΒ for His people.Β He wasΒ made sinΒ for His people.Β HeΒ diedΒ for His people.Β HeΒ aroseΒ from the dead for His people.Β HeΒ ascendedΒ into glory for His people.Β HeΒ rulesΒ all things for His people.Β HeΒ intercedesΒ for His people.Β He isΒ coming againΒ for His people.
Listen to the reverberation ofΒ God’s distinguishing graceΒ as the apostle Paul sounds the gospel trumpet: “Christ lovedΒ the churchΒ and gave Himself up forΒ herΒ . . . to presentΒ herΒ to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless!” Ephesians 5:25-27
“You do not knowΒ nowΒ what I am doing–butΒ laterΒ you will understand.” John 13:7Β
Peter could not understand why Jesus should so condescend as to wash his feet. It perplexed and puzzled him, and he shrank from submitting to it. Jesus said, “You do not knowΒ nowΒ what I am doing–butΒ laterΒ you will understand.” And so it proved. There came days afterwards when he understood it all, when he knew why his Master had done it–and when he truly saw beauty, wisdom, love, richest instruction, and divine necessity in it.
And the same principle applies all through our life. There are many things in theΒ providence of GodΒ which at the time appear dark and obscure–but which the future makes clear and plain. The Lord lays us aside in the midst of our usefulness, He desolates our homes, He breaks our harp-strings, He pours bitterness into our cups of sweetness. Our lives are full of strange, perplexing things–and we do not know what they mean.Β
OurΒ dim eyesΒ cannot read the dark pages.Β OurΒ dull earsΒ cannot hear the voice of love which speaks out to us from every adverse circumstance.Β OurΒ heavy hearts cannot perceive the love which throbs with full pulse in every darksome event.
But there will come a day when everyΒ dark pageΒ in our life’s history shall be explained–when all theΒ tangleΒ andΒ confusionΒ shall be unraveled, and the web shall lie before us woven through unto the end, warp and woof, with threads of gold and silver.Β
This word of Christ isΒ the key to all the dark and strange providencesΒ in the life of every believer: “You do not knowΒ nowΒ what I am doing–butΒ laterΒ you will understand.”Β
One reason for the present obscurity–is our ignorance, or limited knowledge. We know now, only in part. We see now, only through a glass darkly. We are allΒ scholarsΒ in God’s school. The lessons set for us seem at first like the pages of an unknown language. We cannot pronounce the words. We cannot understand their meaning. They confuse and perplex us. We see no wisdom, no beauty, no love in them.Β
But the passing years bring riper wisdom and fuller knowledge. We shall then be able to read them off with ease. Then we shall see that every line held aΒ golden lessonΒ for our hearts–that every dark providence in our lives was one of God’s precious love-thoughts written out for us–and the whole page will glow with divine beauty!Β
Only fuller knowledge is needed to explain to us much of the mystery of our lives. In the cloudless light and perfect revelation of Heaven–every shadow of mystery will vanish, and the strangest providences will seem as plain and easy as childhood’s first lessons are to ripened and cultured manhood.
Another reason why many of the Lord’s ways seem so strange to us, is because we see them only in theirΒ incompleteness. We must wait until they are finished, before we can fully understand what God is doing.Β
The work of sanctification is the process of painting the features of spiritual and divine beauty on human souls. And in this process, the Divine Artist oftentimes employs trials as His instruments. He first seems to destroy–but tribulation works patience. Many a man learns submission–when the Father’s hand rests so heavily upon him, that he cannot rise.Β
Many a feature of beauty in the soul–is brought out in the darkness of affliction. The process seems to be destructive–butΒ afterwardsΒ it yields the peaceable fruits of righteousness. Not at the time–butΒ afterwards. When GodΒ finishesΒ His work–then it is beautiful and very good.
In the bitterness of his soul Jacob cried out, “All these things are against me!” But these things were not against him–God had not yet finished His work. The final result had not yet been wrought out. All thingsΒ seemedΒ against him–but he lived to praise the Lord for all the strange providences which appeared so cruel at that hour. These were but the crude blocks out of which God was building up a beautiful home for his old age, and with which He was laying the foundation of future greatness and glory for his family. They were links in a golden chain of blessing.
So it ever is, “You do not knowΒ nowΒ what I am doing–butΒ laterΒ you will understand.” Wait until God has completed His work–and then all shall be well. YouΒ mayΒ see it even on the earth. Before you close your eyes in death–you may see the good brought out of the seeming evil of your life. But if not, if you die with the mystery still unsolved–then one moment in Heaven will explain all! Then you shall see all thingsΒ completed. You shall see theΒ webΒ out of the loom–all its beautiful figures perfect, not one thread dropped or tangled. You shall see theΒ templeΒ finished–every block in its place, and the whole adorned with glory. You shall see theΒ pictureΒ when the artist has put the last touches to it–and when it appears no more marred and spoiled, as you thought it would be by so much trial–but perfect and beautiful, bearing the likeness of Christ in every feature.Β
Then you shall seeΒ all the dark providences of your lifeΒ carried out to their final result. You shall see . . . Β both the discipline–and its blessing; Β both the affliction–and its rich fruits; Β both the furnace-fires–and the brilliant gold!
Wowβ¦Can you believe there is only 4 days to go! I thought iβd try and do 3 days on the trot of walking the full 10.5 miles everyday so i can reach 20,000 stepsβ¦Phew iβve just got back from my 3rd day of cold, rain and even thick fog this morningβ¦But Iβve managed itβ¦Just! π€£ This is going to be a really tough challenge!Β πͺπΌΒ
Also itβs a great way of testing the Fitbit app properly and see if itβs consistentβ¦And it was, yay!Β
Iβd like to give a brobdingnagian amount of thanks to my lovely wife Sarah for always making me a fantastic fresh coffee before, during and after my walks. Also preparing my food whichΒ fuels me each dayβ¦And for being my number 1 supporter and encourager all of the time! πͺπΌ π β€οΈ
“Let us also lay aside every encumbrance andΒ the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” Hebrews 12:1Β
Almost all of us have ‘favorite pet sins’–which there is not ordinarily that concern and labor for putting them away, which there should be. They are indulged, instead of being resisted. Thus they gain strength by such indulgence, and most sadly disfigure our character and disturb our spiritual peace!
Prosperity, like sunshine upon weeds, often causes them to grow rapidly! And then God in great faithfulness, love and mercy sendsΒ adversity, like frost, to kill them. Upon a bed of sickness, and in other severe trials–they are often remembered, understood, and seen in all their sinfulness. They are then lamented, confessed, and mortified.Β
Nothing can be a darker sign than for a professor’s conscience to be so dull and drowsy during a time of trial, as to leave him unadmonished respectingΒ these predominant sins.Β
It is sometimes a blessed fruit of tribulation, thatΒ these predominant sinsΒ have been weakened, if not eradicated. It is worth any amount of suffering to secure this result. Happy is the Christian who comes out of the furnace, with his dross removed by the fire! No matter what he has lost–he has gained freedom from these inward enemies of his peace and purity.Β
Look unto Him as He hung exposed, wounded, bleeding, dead, and forsaken upon the cross!Β
Look unto Him again as He now reigns in glory, possessed of all power in Heaven and in earth, with thousands of thousands of saints and angels worshiping Him! And then compare . . . Β your sins–with His blood, Β your needs–with His fullness, Β your unbelief–with His faithfulness, Β your weakness–with His strength, Β your inconstancy–with His everlasting love! If the Lord opens the eyes of your understanding, you would be astonished at the comparison!
“Looking unto Jesus” isΒ the duty, the privilege, the safety, the unspeakable happiness, of a believer–are all comprised in that one sentence!
It is by looking to Jesus, that the believer is enlightened and strengthened, and grows in grace and sanctification.
“You ought to live holy and godly lives.” 2 Peter 3:11
HolinessΒ is a very comprehensive word, and expresses a state of mind and conduct that includes many things.Β
Holiness is the work of the Spirit in our sanctification.Β
Holiness is the fruit of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.Β
Holiness is the operation of the new nature, which we receive in regeneration.Β
Holiness may be viewed in various aspects, according to the different objects to which it relates.Β
TowardΒ God, holiness is . . . Β supreme love; Β delight in His moral character; Β submission to His will; Β obedience to His commands; Β zeal for His cause; Β seeking of His glory.Β
TowardΒ Christ, holiness is . . . Β a conformity to His example, Β imbibing His spirit.
TowardΒ sin, holiness is a hatred of all iniquity, a tender conscience easily wounded by little sins, and scrupulously avoiding them; together with a laborious, painful, self-denying, mortification of all the known corruptions of our heart.
TowardΒ self, holiness is . . . Β the control of our fleshly appetites; Β the eradication of our pride; Β the mortification of our selfishness.Β
TowardΒ divine things in general, holiness is . . . Β spirituality of mind,Β Β the habitual current of godly thought, Β godly affections flowing through the soul.
And, toward theΒ objects of the unseen world, holiness is heavenly-mindedness, a turning away from things seen and temporal, to things unseen and eternal.Β
Oh, what a word is holiness!Β How much does it comprehend!Β How little is it understood, and how much less is it practiced!
“For this world isΒ not our home; we are looking forward to our city in Heaven, which is yet to come!” Hebrews 13:14Β
We are strangers and pilgrims on the earth. This present world is not our home. We are coming up from theΒ wildernessΒ with our faces Zionward; we are traveling to the Celestial City!Β
Our path is rough, but the Savior sustains us.Β
Our pilgrimage lies through aΒ wilderness, but faith cheers us with a view of the glorious rest of the redeemed in our Father’s house, in mansions of blessedness!Β
Let this consideration animate us amid the conflicts of life. In a little while we shall obtain a joyous entrance into the glorious rest above. TheΒ storms of life’s oceanΒ will soon carry us into theΒ haven of peace, where there is no trouble.
The language of Scripture is, “Get up, go away! For this is not your resting place, because it is defiled, it is ruined beyond all remedy!” Micah 2:10
Your Savior, pilgrim Christian, has prepared for you a nobler rest than this polluted world!Β
In our Father’s house are many spacious mansions, where your happy spirit, after tasting theΒ bitter cup of life’s sorrow, shall rest in eternal blessedness!Β
“For this world isΒ not our home; we are looking forward to our city in Heaven, which is yet to come!” Hebrews 13:14Β
“We would rather be absent from the body, andΒ at home with the Lord!”Β 2 Corinthians 5:8Β
Sometimes people make decision they later regret because they listened to ungodly counsel. Here are four suggestions to help you discern what is wise, biblical advice:
Look for counsel that references God, the Bible, and Jesus. If it neglects or contradicts the principles of Scripture, the best thing to do is retreat.
If thereβs a lot of talk but little prayer, think twice. Even with a great exchange of ideas and wisdom, a prudent advisor should ultimately defer to God and pray for His direction. Prayer is essential for attaining the whole counsel of God.
Avoid a counselor who compromises Scripture. People sometimes soften Godβs requirements by saying things like, βNobodyβs perfect, so a little gossip, gambling, or other βfunβ wonβt hurt.β Such rationalizing can quickly lead to destruction.
Beware of counsel quick to criticize the church. Someone who readily discredits the church may have a hurtful bias and aβ¦
Wowβ¦With only 12 days to go, I just had to show you this fantasicly bright rain jacket that my lovely wife Sarah Rebus bought me for smashing my 4 stone weight loss goal yesterday! What an amazing surprise! πͺπΌ πΒ
I think Sarah and my sister must have been chatting about me being careful when iβm out walking, lol! I donβt think the cars will have any trouble seeing me now!Β Β
Psalm 28:7 KJV β The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your care. Lord, thank You for watching over us and giving us so much. Lord Jesus, thank You for guiding our lives and allowing those things we do not like to teach us. Lord, thank You for revealing those things which are hidden. Lord, thank You for loving us so much that You allow things which are hard to stretch and grow us. Lord, thank You for teaching us compassion and humility. Thank You for showing us how dependant we are upon You for all things. Lord, I love You, thank You for first loving me. Lord, I trust You, thank You forβ¦
Β Though we mourn, we must not murmur (John Angell James, “Sorrow for the Death of Friends”) “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life.Β The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Praise the name of the Lord! Job 1:21 “See, I am the only God. There are no others. I kill, and I make alive.Β I wound, and I heal, and no one can rescue you from My power.” Deuteronomy 32:39 When a holy and beloved object of our affection is removed by death, we ought to sorrow–humanity demands it, and Christianity, in the person of the weeping Jesus, allows it. The man without a tear, is a savage or a stoic–but not a Christian. God intends when He bestows His gifts, that they should be received with smiles of gratitude; and when He recalls them, that they should be surrendered with “drops of sacred grief.” Sorrow is an affection implanted by the Creator in the soul for wise and beneficent purposes; and it ought not to be ruthlessly torn up by the roots, but directed in its exercise by reason and piety.Β The work of grace, though it is above nature–is not against it. The man who tells me not to weep at the grave–insults me, mocks me and wishes to degrade me! Tears are the silent, pure, sincere testimony of my heart to the excellence of the gift He gave in mercy; and in mercy, no doubt, as well as judgment, He has recalled. But then, though we mourn, we must not murmur. We may sorrow, but not with the violent and uncontrolled grief of the heathen who have no hope. Our sorrow may flow as deep as we like–but noiseless and still in the channels of submission.Β It must be a sorrow so quiet as to hear all the words of consolation which our Heavenly Father utters amidst the gentle strokes of His rod. It must be a sorrow so reverential as to adore Him for the exercise of His prerogative in taking away what and whom He pleases.Β It must be a sorrow so composed as to prepare us for doing His will, as well as bearing it.Β It must be a sorrow so meek and gentle as to justify Him in all His dispensations.Β It must be a sorrow so confiding as to be assured that there is as much love in taking the mercy away, as there was in bestowing it.Β It must be a sorrow so grateful as to be thankful for the mercies left, as well as afflicted for the mercies lost. It must be a sorrow so trustful as to look forward to the future with hope. It must be a sorrow so patient as to bear all the aggravations that accompany or follow the bereavement, with unruffled acquiescence.Β It must be a sorrow so holy as to lift the prayer of faith for divine grace to sanctify the stroke.Β It must be a sorrow so lasting as to preserve through all the coming years of life, the benefit of that event, which, in one solemn moment, changed the whole aspect of our earthly existence.
Yay my next fitness goal smashed! Being lighter will help me on my stupendousΒ advent walking challenge. I canβt believe the journey so far and all of the walking iβm doing as preparation for my step challenge is making it even easier to stay in the healthy calorie deficit! πͺπΌ πΒ
Woah, it doesnβt half make you jump when you hit a postβ¦Especially when youβre blind and everything is so blurry or just vanishes! π€
Read more about my adventure on FitBlitz!
Woah, itΒ doesnβt half make you jump when you hit a postβ¦Especially when youβre blind and everything is so blurry or just vanishes! π€
As i walk i have only 1 AirPod in which plays my audiobook really low so i can hear my surroundings with my other ear. Also it plays the important announcements from my Fitbit app as the GPS is tracking me along my walk. So when i suddenly felt the cold hard post graze the side of my forehead then hit me square on the right shoulder that stopped me in my tracksβ¦You could say it made me jump, lol!
Please head on over to my new blog “FitBlitz” and join me on my brobdingnagian challenge! πͺπΌ
Also it’ll stop me posting on here and annoying everyone! π
Hi friends! Today i did about β of my total steps i need everyday for 24 days during my βBlindman Advent For Change Step Challengeβ which starts in only 27 days!Β
Iβm happy i managed to walk for 2 hours without getting too mentally tired. The sun was so low and bright which gave me such a headache, as it took so much more concentration for me to focus on where i was going whilst not falling into the road etc. π¨
As i use a Fitbit Inspire HR that my lovely wife Sarah bought me for our wedding anniversary in Julyβ¦All of the hills along my route are not counted or the stats page, and although this sounds like an excuse, lol it really does take it out of you! Iβm planning on hitting the 20,000 steps mark very soon and iβm adjusting myβ¦
Β Wowβ¦I only posted my challenge & fundraising page 2 weeks ago and iβve already been blessed with 20 donations!Β πͺπΌΒ
Iβd like to give a gargantuan amount of thanks to my Sister Ambber for her understanding, support and encouragementβ¦Especially as sheβs just been into hospital with severely high blood pressure! β€οΈ
A colossal thanks to Charis & Adam for their donation and relentless kindness. πΒ
A huge thanks to Dora for always believing i can do itβ¦Whatever the challenge! Β πͺπΌΒ
A heart warming thanks to Christine for always being here to cheer me on!Β
A massive thanks to Alan for completely silencing Β me with a mind blowing donation that equates to Β£20 a day for 24 days!Β Β
Iβd like to give a huge thanks to Sheila for her support and encouragement. πͺπΌ Β
God’s all wise, gracious, and adorable providence!
(Frank Hall)
“We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose!” Romans 8:28
We often find ourselves in . . .Β Β trying circumstances, Β inexplicable difficulties, Β and perplexing situations.Β Experience teaches us daily that life is filled, not with joy and happiness only–but with troubles, heartache, and pain. We prove the words of brother Job every single day of our lives, that,Β “Man who is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble!”Β
Is thereΒ consolationΒ to be had in such times of trouble? Indeed there is! If there is a verse of Scripture that ministers comfort to my doubting fearful heart, it is the verse before us. Romans 8:28 is . . . Β Β helpΒ for the helpless, Β Β comfortΒ for those in trouble, and Β a beacon ofΒ lightΒ that guides believers on the tumultuous sea of life.Β
My beloved brothers and sisters in trouble and strife–all remains well with our souls. Β Not only has the FatherΒ electedΒ us unto salvation,Β Β not only has the SonΒ redeemedΒ us from our sins,Β Β not only has the SpiritΒ regeneratedΒ us and given us spiritual life,Β but God our Father works all things together for our eternal good! God is our Father, and our God is on HisΒ throneΒ ruling all things for the glory of His name, and the everlasting salvation of our immortal souls!Β
WhoΒ knows? Paul begins this comforting verse with two precious words, “WE know!”Β Β Β The people of God know,Β Β believers know,Β Β the redeemed of the Lord know,Β Β those who are “theΒ calledΒ according to God’s purpose” know.Β This is knowledge that only the saints of God have.Β They know, not with a bare theoretical head knowledge–but by faith rooted in their hearts.Β They know because God has taught them this knowledge effectually by His Spirit and grace.Β They know because they believe His infallible Word of truth.Β They know in such a way as to find solace and comfort in what He has revealed.Β
God’s people are here identified by two distinct characteristics: Β theyΒ loveΒ God, andΒ Β they areΒ calledΒ according to His purpose.Β
1. All of God’s peopleΒ loveΒ God!Β They love His gloriousΒ personΒ and rejoice in all of HisΒ perfectionsΒ as God: Β His righteousness, Β His immutability, Β His holiness, Β His sovereignty, Β His wisdom, Β His power, Β His love, Β His grace.Β They love . . . . Β His will,Β Β His Word,Β Β His ways,Β Β His gospel,Β Β His Son,Β Β His Spirit,Β Β His purpose,Β Β His providence,Β Β and His people.Β God’s people love God–and all that pertains to God.Β
2. All of God’s people are “called according to His purpose!”Β They are a particular, distinct, special people, here named the “called.” They have been graciously and effectually called in grace, by God’s Spirit through the gospel–not according to their works, merit, or choice–but according to God’s eternal purpose which He purposed in Himself before the foundation of the world.Β Β Β
All things do not work together for the good of ALL men–but for God’s people alone, because their GodΒ providentially rulesΒ over all things for their eternal good and salvation. God rules . . . Β all things, Β all men, Β all angels, Β all demons, Β all circumstances, Β all events, Β in every place, Β at all times– and He does so for the good of His people!Β
WhatΒ do we know? “We know thatΒ God causes all things to work together for goodΒ to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose!” Things mayΒ appearΒ to be against us, but it onlyΒ seemsΒ that way. We should not judge God’s purpose by His providence–but His providence by His purpose. If we judge using the former method, we are sure to misjudge and we will never have peace in this life.Β
All pleasures, joys, and delights are certainly ruled by our God–but that’s only half of His rule. He rules allΒ evil–as well as allΒ good.Β All death,Β all opposition,Β all sickness, every disaster,Β every problem,Β all our pain, and all our sorrow– areΒ sovereignly ruled, governed, ordered, and controlled by our God–to bring about eternal good for our souls. God does not tells usΒ howΒ He does this–onlyΒ thatΒ He does.Β
Whatever my God brings to pass in time, is the outworking of His purpose of grace–and it’s for my good, whether it be in my little sphere of existence, or in the universe at large.Β
Oh God help me to believe Your Word! Teach me not only toΒ submitΒ to your providential rule–but toΒ rejoiceΒ andΒ restΒ in it! Set a watch upon my mouth, that I murmur not!Β Arrest my heart by your grace, and give me peace! Keep me from sinning with my lips and complaining againstΒ Your all wise, gracious, and adorable providence, for it is good!Β
God controls and directs all things with . . . Β infinite power, Β absolute sovereignty, and Β unfailing wisdom and grace! Nothing can . . .Β Β hinder Him from doing His will, Β keep Him from having His way, or Β stop Him from accomplishing His purpose.Β
“We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those whoΒ loveΒ God, to those who areΒ calledΒ according to His purpose!” Romans 8:28
Hey friends! Iβve been a little quiet on here for the last couple of months, as iβve been losing weight, eating healthy and exercisingβ¦And i wanted to start a new blog to share all of my adventures in the health & fitness area without bombarding you with too many topics on here! OOooo you can follow my advent walking challenge over there too!
As a blindman, please could you check it out for me to see if iβve missed anything, need to change anything please give me some suggestions. Oh you could even like, comment and say hi which would be fantastic! π
Please click the photo below to visit my brand new blogβ¦.
I want to stop digging my grave with my own knife and fork…π½
Hi, iβm Steve.
People who already know me (from my other blogs) know Iβve been struggling to beat all kinds of obstacles since I was registered blind 20 years ago, at age 24β¦.. BUT now itβs time to face my nemesisβ¦ Health & Fitness and itβs many enemies – overeating, obesity, excuses not to exercise and many more…
This year (2020) I finally said βenough is enoughβ and Iβm arming myself with the knowledge about the right nutrition, exercise and learning how, as a blind man, I can break free from what feels like inescapable immobility – So that Iβm ready to stand up and fight back for my healthβ¦AND i’ve never felt better and more energised β¦..despite being on beta-blockers that slow me down but help keep my blood pressure low enough not to cause more health problems and further sight loss.I know from personal experience that any βdiet” is often short lived. Iβve always enjoyed eating super processed, high calorie foods and my love of burgers, bacon, kebabs and pizza is well known amongst my friends and family β¦this has continued and my seemingly endless attempts at dieting over the numerous years I’ve tried and failed to lose weight, have resulted in me often putting on more weight than I lostβ¦Read more…
Yay another fitness goal smashed! Being lighter will help me on my stupendous advent walking challenge…And won’t wear out my new trainers as fast! π€£ Β
Blindman 20,000 steps, every day, for 24 days (during advent 2020) for Blood Pressure UK! Thatβs around 240 miles!! πͺπΌ Β Β
Hi friends!
I’ve chosen to raise funds this advent forΒ Blood Pressure Uk. I want to help raise awareness of how vitally important it is that we all know what our blood pressure is and understand that we need to take action now to keep it at a healthy range and protect our hearts.Β I would love everyone whoΒ donatesΒ to me to “know their numbers!”. It will only take five minutes to get a check but could change everything and help you live much healthier and happier lives.Β
When I was 24 (and fully sighted) I had two brain haemorrhages that burst my optic nerve and left me blind due to Grade 4 severe hypertensive retinopathy (caused by my high blood pressure, that Iβve since discovered is something my family suffers with). So I can’t stress enough how important it is to be aware of this creeping death! Please don’t be complacent about your blood pressure, and if your numbers are too high please do something about it. I know I was very lucky to survive this silent killerβ¦But you might not beβ.Β Β
The Challenge…1st Dec – 24th Dec 2020…Β
I found a safe local road about half a mile long, near my home, that could work as my walking route (and I can follow without guided help). I then thought it would be great for me to do an ‘advent positive pressure challengeβ …and i’d only have to do 20 laps every day!Β π€£Β Β So I quickly set up thisΒ fundraising pageΒ and created a challenge that would raise funds and generate awareness for this very important message!Β πͺπΌπΒ Β
Then…It slowly dawned on me that this challenge will include walking nearly a half marathon a day for 24 days…Awww that’s going to hurt and take a lot of effort/strength/energy/discipline to complete. But before I had time to change my mind, i’d created this page and notified the charity…Please help me complete what feels like and impossible challenge, lol!Β π€£Β Β
Iβm using my Fitbit to count the steps, and upload the screenshots Β to keep you updated each day with my progress on here, and my other social media sites…
Follow me and myΒ challenge and say hi!Β Facebook,Β TwitterΒ Β Share and make everyone awareβ¦π Β Β
Blood Pressure UK…Β
Blood Pressure UK, is the UK charity dedicated to lowering the nation’s blood pressure to prevent disability and death from stroke and heart disease. Our vision is that everyone will know their blood pressure numbers, and take steps to keep them healthy both now and in the future. Funds raised from events like this make a huge difference to the work we can do, helping us to offer advice and support to more people, preventing strokes and heart attacks.Β
Know your numbers and help me to help others know theirs, thanks in advance – Steve.Β
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charityβ¦.DONATE NOWΒ
I believe that the greatest gift you can give your loved ones and the world this Christmasβ¦Is a healthier you! β€οΈ πͺπΌ πΒ
“What isΒ manΒ that You are mindful of him?” Psalm 8:4
What is man that God should evenΒ lookΒ in his direction? Who amΒ IΒ that the infinite, glorious, triune God should glance my way–much less be mindful of me?
Beloved in Christ, understand that your God is without a doubt ever-mindful of you. He has . . . Β numbered every hair on your precious head, Β appointed the bounds of your habitation, and Β determined the very second of your death.Β
He . . . Β bottles your every tear, Β knows your every sorrow,Β Β records your every work, andΒ Β remembers every cup of cold water given in His name. He is deeply concerned for your immortal soul, has purposed to do you good, and has staked His glory on your everlasting salvation. Your God is more mindful of you, your soul, your life, and your welfare than you will ever understand in this life.Β
In the light of such staggering knowledge–whoΒ GodΒ is, and whatΒ youΒ are–do you not ask yourself in utter astonishment, “Who amΒ IΒ that God should be so mindful of me?”Β
AsΒ mere creaturesΒ such a thought is beyond profound, but asΒ guilty sinnersΒ the thought surpasses the unthinkable!Β
“Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated!”Β Romans 9:13Β
God loved Jacob, and hated Esau. Who amΒ IΒ that I should be identified with the former, and not the latter? Christ died for His elect and put away their sins forever by the sacrifice of Himself–and the rest of humanity He leaves to themselves.Β
Who am I that my name should be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life from the foundation of the world? The Sovereign dispenser of all grace and all blessedness has mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will He hardens. Who am I that I should be aΒ vessel of honorΒ prepared for glory, and not aΒ vessel of wrathΒ fitted for destruction?Β
Who are we, brothers and sisters, that we should . . . Β partake of the boundless provision of grace in Christ, Β be redeemed, justified, and forgiven, Β should live forever with Him in glory?Β
Who are we that the incomprehensibly glorious God would be so mindful of us, that He not only took on our nature, but . . . Β livedΒ a perfect life for us, that we could never live,Β Β diedΒ a sin-atoning death for us, that we could never die, andΒ Β satisfiedΒ a Law for us, that we could never satisfy?Β
“By the grace of God I am what I am!” 1 Corinthians 15:10Β
The only difference between aΒ savedΒ sinner and aΒ lostΒ sinner–is the difference that God makes by HisΒ distinguishing grace!Β It is not our decisions, lives, prayers, or works that make the difference, but God and God alone.
ThoughΒ allΒ who read these lines deserve to be in Hell for their sin–God has been pleased to saveΒ someΒ freely by His grace. Though all are equally sinful, equally guilty, and equally deserving of everlasting torment–God has been pleased to save some for no other reason than His own glory.
“Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season,Β if need be, you are in heaviness through many trials.” 1 Peter 1:6Β
“If need be!”Β Three gracious words!Β
Not one of all myΒ tearsΒ has been shed for nothing!
Not oneΒ strokeΒ of the rod has been unneeded, or that might have been spared!Β
Your heavenly Father loves you too much, and too tenderly, to bestow harsher correction than your case requires!Β
Is it loss ofΒ health, or loss ofΒ wealth, or loss of belovedΒ friends?Β Be still! there was a needs be!Β
We are no judges of what that “needs be” is. Often through aching hearts we are forced to exclaim, “Your judgments are a great deep!”Β
But God here pledges Himself that there will not be oneΒ unnecessary thornΒ in the believer’s crown of suffering!
NoΒ burdenΒ too heavy will be laid on him.Β
NoΒ sacrificeΒ too great will be exacted from him.Β
God will temper the wind to the shorn lamb.Β
Whenever the “need be” has accomplished its end, then . . .Β Β theΒ rodΒ is removed;Β Β theΒ chastisementΒ is suspended;Β Β theΒ furnaceΒ is quenched.Β
“If need be!” Oh!Β what a pillow on which to rest your aching head–that there is not a drop in all your bitter cup but what a God of love saw to be absolutely necessary!Β
Trust His loving heart–even though you cannotΒ trace His mysterious hand!
Do not be too curious to prying into the “WhyΒ it is?” or “HowΒ it is?”Β But satisfied that “SoΒ it is,” and, therefore, that all must be well.
“What I am doing you do not understandΒ now, butΒ afterwardΒ you will understand.”Β John 13:7 Β
Play AudioΒ Β Download Audio You will find it helpful toΒ listenΒ to the audio above, as youΒ READΒ the text below.Β
“The LORD is near to those who have aΒ broken heart, and saves such as have aΒ contrite spirit.” Psalm 34:18
AΒ broken heart, aΒ contrite spirit, and aΒ subdued willΒ areΒ rareΒ things, especially in this age in which men everywhere are taught to demand their rights; and the church has become a place whereΒ manΒ is exalted and enshrined as though he were God. Self-esteem, self-worth, and self-promotion are the cry of the day. Every man does that which is right in his own eyes. All men by nature are exceedingly proud, selfish people.
Preachers today, knowing man’s natural pride, have capitalized upon it. They have developed aΒ flesh-pleasing theology of pride. Our forefathers exalted the dignity, the majesty, and the supremacy ofΒ the eternal God.Β But theΒ smooth-tongued preachers of deceitΒ in our day have set themselves to exalt the dignity, majesty, and supremacy ofΒ puny man!Β It seems that religion today is dedicated not to the honor ofΒ God, but to the honor ofΒ man. Its purpose is to make man feel good about himself. Therefore we hear little about . . . Β brokenness of heart,Β Β contrition of the soul, and Β the subduing of man’s will.
The Lord God declares, “To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at My Word!” (Isaiah 66:2). God will have broken hearts with which to build His kingdom. Sooner or later, the Lord God will bring us to nothingness before His presence. God’s people, all of God’s people are aΒ broken people.
No man has ever experienced the grace of God in salvation, until his heart is thoroughly broken before the holy Lord God, revealed in the crucified Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. If ever a man finds out: Β whoΒ heΒ is, Β whoΒ GodΒ is, Β who theΒ Lord Jesus ChristΒ is, Β and what He has done for sinners –he will be a broken man!
When Job saw himself in the presence of his three miserable friends, he vindicated himself. But when he stood in the presence of God, he was a broken man; and he spoke as a broken man. He sawΒ himselfΒ in all the hideousness of his sin; and he sawΒ GodΒ in all the holiness of His glorious majesty. Then he said, “Behold I am vile!Β I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You. ThereforeΒ I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes!” There is no pride and egotism here, no haughtiness, no self-vindication. Once Job had seen the Lord–he was broken, he loathed himself and blamed himself. Once Job saw the Lord–he honored God and vindicated Him. The truly broken heart will always vindicate God, no matter the cost.
This brokenness can be produced in proud, stubborn, sinful men and women–only by the saving revelation of Christ in our hearts. Brokenness is found at the cross–only at the cross. Have you been to the cross? Have you had the crucified Christ revealed in your heart? Has your heart been broken by the knowledge of the Lord? O Lord, evermore break our hearts before You!
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” Psalm 51:17
Yay! My lovely wife Sarah smashed the challenge!! πͺπΌ A huge thanks to all of you guys who sponsored, encouraged and followed the process of this great challenge to help people power up to prevent cancer…Thank you! π π» βοΈ
π» The first sunflower to bloom in our challenge was Steveβs βbrobdingnagianβ
π» But Steves sunflower certainly wasnβt the tallest and didnβt reach the required 2.6m π
π» BoB, Musical joy, Liz, Audrey2, Ben turbo and Southern Palms all raced pastβ¦ and all reached over 2.6m πͺπΌΒ
π» Our good friend Dora visited and we took the chance to get a proper measurement for the sunflowers in your challengeβ¦ so that we could let you know the winner. β¦.which was Liz (Sponsored by Ruth Penny to encourage her friend βLizβ who is going through cancer treatment at the moment). What a great result
π» Liz not only reached 2.6m first but grew to a stunning height of 3.35mβ¦. closely followed by Audrey2 who reached 3.2m and BoB, who reached 3.15m
π» The sunflower that didnβt grow tall but had an amazing 15 sunflower heads on the one plant was βWeedββ¦
Repent defined is to feel or express sincere regret or remorse about oneβs wrongdoing or sin. The word repentance in the Bible literally meansβthe act of changing oneβs mind.β True biblical repentance goes beyond remorse, regret, or feeling bad about oneβs sin. It involves more than merely turning away from sin.
Acts 3:19 NASB
Thereforerepent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order thattimes of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord
Matthew 3:2 NASB
Repent, forthe kingdom of heavenis at hand.
Luke 5:31-32
31And Jesus answered and said to them,βIt isnot those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick.32I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.β
Heavenly Father,
You are so good. I cannot say enough how wonderful You are and how much I love you. Thankβ¦
December 16, 2020 
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Β Wowβ¦I only posted my challenge & fundraising page 2 weeks ago and iβve already been blessed with 20 donations!Β πͺπΌΒ 
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