He will complete it

If we indulge in any confidence which is not grounded on the Rock of ages, our confidence is worse than a dream, it will fall upon u, and cover us with its ruins, to our sorrow and confusion. All that Nature spins time will unravel, to the eternal confusion of all who are clothed therein. The Psalmist was wise, he rested upon nothing short of the Lord's work. It is the Lord who has begun the good work within us; it is He who has carried it on; and if He does not finish it, it never will be complete. If there be one stitch in the celestial garment of our righteousness which we are to insert ourselves, then we are lost; but this is our confidence, the Lord who began will perfect. He has done it all, must do it all, and will do it all. Our confidence must not be in what we have done, nor in what we have resolved to do, but entirely in what the Lord will do.

-Charles Spurgeon

Moods, the Weather, and Easter

Have you ever noticed how the weather and the moods of people are related. I know for myself it's true. I just feel more down and sad when it is dark and raining out. Now when the sunshine comes out, that all changes! I become very happy! I will be the first one out the door to enjoy that sunshine. I've noticed that I'm not the only one too. Lately, with there being nicer weather, more people are out and people just seem more pleasant. Our moods are funny things. They can be so driven by our circumstances. Sometimes that is a good thing and sometimes not, but it's true. Do you remember what the Bible says about the night of good Friday?

Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened , and the veil of the temple was torn in two.

Luke 23:44-45.

Wow, the day on which Christ died, was covered in darkness. I believe this was a picture of the agony God went through watching His son die. It showed the wrath God being poured out. That darkness, that blackness, was because of my sin and all the sins committed by mankind. This was not a happy day, it was a dark day, a horrible day. The good news is that the sun shone even more brightly on that easter morning! Christ suffered for our sins, but then rose victorious that morning.

Now in some ways it might seem like a small detail. What's the big deal? God is interested in the smallest details of everything. So, there was darkness, but then there was light and the first resurrection day dawned.

Resurrection Ball

When: Friday, April 9, 2010, 7:00-9:00 P.M.

Dessert Reception, 9:15-11:00 P.M.*

Where: Spring Village Retirement Living

Community, 1420 Redwood Circle, Grants Pass.

What: Dancing, table refreshments, singing and joy.

Who: You, your dancing partner, your children, parents,

family, friends and neighbors.

Attire: Semi-formal to formal—this is a celebration of the

Resurrection. Look sharp and elegant.

Cost: $7 per household at door, this covers rental services.

Please R.S.V.P. by April 7^th, 471-1414 or email:

mpsumpter@gmail.com

(Mark and Peggy Sumpter)

*Dessert Reception: At around 9:00 P.M., we'll make

our way over to the Taprock Event Center,

Maple Room, 755 South East 7^th Street, Grants Pass.

Important Note: A donation will be taken on behalf of the Pregnancy Care

Center of Grants Pass, please make checks payable directly

to Pregnancy Care Center of Grants Pass, and on the cost of $7

for the Ball, make checks payable to Peggy Sumpter.

Yes, It's time to do some dancing! Hope you can be there!

Teaching With Pictures

Pictures are excellent teaching and memory devises. It doesn't take many words to get a point across, if you have adequate stick figures or symbols. Certainly you don't have to be an artist. I remember drawing on the back of the worship bulletin to illustrate for my children the sermon. It definitely kept me listening, and hopefully it helped them too.

In Classical Conversations we are memorizing together Exodus 20. Today it was: "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house" I drew on the white board a guy next to his house looking and pointing over at his neighbor's house and thinking- "I'd like to have that house." Each time we said the verse I wiped off a word or picture. It's a great way to learn a large passage. Young children, as well as some adults such as myself, tend to be more visual and will benefit from the use of simple artwork. It will also remain in the mind for future reference.

My husband was explaining something to a child in the above pictures. See if you can figure out what he's saying.

Pictures

Anyone who would like to see Christmas or New Years pictures of our family and what we did can go Here to see it all. Enjoy!

Christmas Joys

Christmas lights, sweets, greenery, singing,

candles, cookies, ornaments, bells ringing.

Gifts that are given and received too,

some re-gifting or buying them new.
Wrapping paper spread over the floor,
bows, ribbons, tape, name tags galore.
Being with friends and family each year,
sharing with one another Christmas cheer.
Remember the center of our celebration--
Christ Jesus coming for our salvation.

Merry Christmas!

Poison in Your Mouth - Part 2

Are you a roaring forest fire?! Like the forest fire being started by just a spark, a word spoken can have that same domino effect. One person speaks a harsh word to someone and then that person, in turn, speaks sinfully to someone else and it can continue throughout families, churches, or communities. On the other hand, think of the power there is in a kind word, focusing on what is encouraging to another person. That person will hopefully be influenced to speak a kind word to someone else, and so on. I think we would all choose the latter words if we could. Does this mean that we never tell someone of their sin? No, it is often necessary to speak the truth in love. It takes great wisdom from the Lord to choose appropriate words that will bring godly correction.

The gospel is at the center of the book of James. He says (James 3:2) that one who can control their words is a perfect person. Here is that same word from James 1:4, meaning “complete” and “mature.” As Christians, our goal is to be mature in Christ, and by trusting in the Lord, He is bringing that growth to our lives. It might not be, in our estimation fast enough, but God is faithful and is continually at work. We will not be sinless in this life, but it points us to the One, Jesus Christ, who didn’t sin with His tongue. He always said what was necessary for the right moment. We need our Savior’s help continually. He has given us the Holy Spirit as our teacher and guide. That’s great news!

The words from James 1:19, “So then my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath,” is essential for guarding our tongues. I know times when I haven’t slowed down to think before blurting out something, and I’ve been sorry afterwards. Remember Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” When emotions are high it is an opportune time to slow down, listen and think of soft answers. This can’t be done in our own strength, so James 1:5-6 is important; the Lord promises to give us wisdom if we ask in faith. It might come in the short version of -- “Lord, HELP!” May we bring refreshing springs to a heated discussion instead of more fire.