Monday, December 31, 2012

Election and Evangelism - Martyn Lloyd-Jones

"People often argue that this doctrine of divine election and choice leaves no place for evangelism, for preaching the gospel, for urging people to repent and to believe, and for the use of arguments and persuasions in doing so. But there is no contradiction here any more than there is in saying that since it is God that gives us the crops of corn in the autumn, therefore the farmer need not plough and harrow and sow; the answer to which is that God has ordained both. God has chosen to call out His people by means of evangelism and the preaching of the Word. He ordains the means as well as the end."

~Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Ephesians-God's Ultimate Purpose)

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Sunday Hymns - O Holy Night

Friday, December 21, 2012

December 2012 Bob DeWaay Health Update

It has been a busy month for my Dad with twice-a-week blood draws, once-a-week Rituxan infusions, and almost once-a-week blood transfusions. 

Of course, while he is there he has found opportunities to share the gospel. Two sweet friends came up with this great illustration. One thought that Dad's description of his treatments reminded her of Paul preaching the Gospel in chains, and the other drew it so nicely:


Thank you Gayle and Sylvia!


-My dad received his last infusion of Rituxan last week. So far it hasn't helped, but we are told it can continue to work for up to 4 weeks past the time of the last infusion, so there is still a little hope that we will his hemoglobin start to climb.

-He is still needing blood transfusions about every 7-10 days.

-His ANCA (the marker for Churg-Strauss related vasculitis) is still as high as it was when he was diagnosed over 2 months ago. This leaves him at high risk of organ failure.

-He has now been diagnosed with pre-diabetes from the high doses of steroids he has been taking. He is slowly cutting down on the steroids. Please pray that his blood sugar returns to normal as the steroid levels decrease. 

A few people have asked about a bone marrow transplant. That is not an option right now because of the vasculitis and because the red blood cells that are being produced by his bone marrow aren't surviving to maturity. Unless the Churg-Strauss Syndrome is brought into remission so that his body stops attacking the baby red blood cells, a bone marrow transplant won't help.

His rheumatologist has been checking with doctors all over the world, including those at Mayo, and there are no documented cases of Churg-Strauss causing these bone marrow issues. So at this point there is nothing to go on. No protocol to follow, nothing that has been known to work in cases like his. There are no cases like his.  

The good news is that is heart, lungs, and kidneys are functioning better, and for that we are very thankful.

So for now he will continue will regular blood tests and transfusions.


Philippians 4:6
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Thank you, friends, for your continued prayer for my dad. 


Sunday, December 16, 2012

Sunday Hymns–O Let Your Soul Now be Filled with Gladness

O Let Your Soul now be Filled with Gladness
Words by Peter Aschan

 
O let your soul now be filled with gladness,
Your heart redeemed, rejoice indeed!
O may the thought banish all your sadness,
That in His blood you have been freed,
That God's unfailing love is yours,
That you the only Son were given,
That by His death He has opened heaven,
That you are ransomed as you are.

If you seem empty of any feeling,
Rejoice, you are His ransomed bride!
If those you cherish seem not to love you,
And dark assails from every side;
Still yours the promise, come what may,
In loss and triumph, in laughter, crying;
In want and riches, in living dying,

That you are purchased as you are.
It is a good, every good transcending,
That Christ has died for you and me!
It is a gladness that has no ending
There in God's wondrous love to see!
Praise be to Him the spotless Lamb,
Who through the desert my soul is leading
To that fair city of joy exceeding,
For which He bought me as I am!






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Thursday, December 13, 2012

New Covenant Blessings #3




Salvation is . . .
the greatest blessing that God can bestow;
deliverance from the greatest misery;
exaltation to the greatest happiness;
the greatest change in man's state and character which can possibly be effected;
the greatest display of the love, wisdom, grace, and power of God!

Salvation is the very blessing that you need. The blessing which you must receive--or be eternally undone! 

Salvation is a blessing for the PRESENT, for it is deliverance . . .
  from the guilt of sin--which makes you miserable;
  from the power of sin--which makes you unholy; and
  from the love of sin--which proves you to be God's enemy. 

Salvation is a blessing for the FUTURE: it secures to you safety and happiness in time--and glory, honor, immortality, and eternal life when time shall be no more!

Salvation is a blessing which comprehends every other blessing. 
If the man is saved--then all good things are his. 
If the man is lost--then nothing good is his. 
To be saved, is . . .
  for the soul to be restored to a right relationship to God; 
  to be put in possession of unsearchable wealth; 
  to be raised to the highest honor; and 
  to be entitled to eternal glory!
 
No word is as sweet as salvation--as no word is as dreadful as its opposite, damnation! Reader, there is no intermediate state between these two extremes.
(James Smith, "The Voice of Mercy in the House of Affliction!" 1855)

Monday, December 10, 2012

New Covenant Blessings #2

“we must never look at any sin in our past life in any way except that which leads us to praise God and to magnify His grace in Christ Jesus.”
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cures

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Sunday Hymns - Lead Me to Calvary


King of my life, I crown Thee now,
Thine shall the glory be;
Lest I forget Thy thorn crowned brow,
Lead me to Calvary.

Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.


Show me the tomb where Thou wast laid,
Tenderly mourned and wept;
Angels in robes of light arrayed
Guarded Thee whilst Thou slept.


Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.

Let me like Mary, through the gloom,
Come with a gift to Thee;
Show to me now the empty tomb,
Lead me to Calvary.

Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.

May I be willing, Lord, to bear
Daily my cross for Thee;
Even Thy cup of grief to share,
Thou hast borne all for me.

Lest I forget Gethsemane,
Lest I forget Thine agony;
Lest I forget Thy love for me,
Lead me to Calvary.

Words: Jennie Evelyn Hussey (b. Feb. 8, 1874; d. Sept. 5:1958)
Music: William James Kirkpatrick (b. Feb. 27, 1838; Sept. 20, 1921)

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Thankful Thursday 12.6.2012


I’ve been singing the following song all morning, and it is exactly how I feel right now. Today, as I celebrate another birthday, I can’t help but remember that I almost died on this day nine years ago. And it makes me so grateful that the Lord saw fit to grant me more days on earth to “love and follow Him.” My heart is filled with thankfulness to the One Who gave me life; the One Who gave His life for me.

***************************************

My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who bore my pain;
Who plumbed the depths of my disgrace
And gave me life again;
Who crushed my curse of sinfulness
And clothed me in His light
And wrote His law of righteousness
With pow'r upon my heart.

My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who walks beside;
Who floods my weaknesses with strength
And causes fears to fly;
Whose ev'ry promise is enough
For ev'ry step I take,
Sustaining me with arms of love
And crowning me with grace.

My heart is filled with thankfulness
To him who reigns above,
Whose wisdom is my perfect peace,
Whose ev'ry thought is love.
For ev'ry day I have on earth
Is given by the King;

So I will give my life, my all,
To love and follow him.

"My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness"
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2003 Thankyou Music 

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Happy Birthday to….

me on daystar front steps 77

You!

Happy birthday to…

Taylor and grandpa

You!

Happy birthday dear…

911559232_77df892ca1_m

Dad,

Happy birthday to…

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You!

(From the top: On the steps at Daystar 1977, with the Teen 1997, my wedding 2007, and September 2012)

***********************************************************************************
Our birthdays are two days apart, and I’m so thankful to be able to celebrate with him again this year. Would you please pray that his bone marrow would begin producing red blood cells so that we can continue to celebrate our birthdays together in years to come.

Thank you, Lord, for the 38 years I’ve had with my wonderful father.

Monday, December 3, 2012

The Blessings of the New Covenant #1

It is no sign of humility, no mark of saintliness, to go into the presence of God doubting whether God is forgiving you. That is unbelief, lack of faith. That is failure to understand the truth. So, my friend, never again try to give the impression that you are such a sensitive Christian that you do not like to be certain that your sins are forgiven. It is our business to know that our sins are forgiven! We derogate from the grace and the glory of God and the wonder of this gospel is we are uncertain about it; ‘Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest of all.’ Not in my merit, not in my righteousness, not in terms of my understanding, but by the blood of Jesus. He has opened the way. And, therefore, we go knowing that God has said in this new covenant, ‘I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people’ (Heb. 8:10).
- Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Great Doctrines of the Bible – Volume 1. Page 355
220px-Martyn_Lloyd-Jones

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Sunday Hymns - Be Still My Soul


Be still my soul
The Lord is on your side
Bear patiently
The cross of grief or pain
Leave to thy God
To order and provide
In every change
He faithful will remain.

Be still my soul
Thy best, thy heavenly friend
Through stormy ways
Leads to a joyful end.

Be still my soul
The waves and winds still know
Still know
His voice who ruled them
While he dwelt below.

Oh what peace we often forfeit
Oh what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.
-Selah, Album: Be Still My Soul


Saturday, December 1, 2012

Saturday Snapshots 12.1.2012

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A man’s gotta read the paper in the morning Smile

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Sunday Hymns - Be Thou My Vision



Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.




Saturday, November 24, 2012

Saturday Snapshots 11.24.2012

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“Um, a little help here please!"

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Sunday Hymns - Trust and Obey









    When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
    What a glory He sheds on our way!
    While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
    And with all who will trust and obey.

        Refrain:
        Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
        To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

    Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
    But His smile quickly drives it away;
    Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
    Can abide while we trust and obey.
 
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
        To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

    Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
    But our toil He doth richly repay;
    Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
    But is blessed if we trust and obey.
 
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
        To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

    But we never can prove the delights of His love
    Until all on the altar we lay;
    For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
    Are for them who will trust and obey.
 
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
        To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

    Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
    Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
    What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
    Never fear, only trust and obey.
 
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
        To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
 
-John H. Sammis. Public domain.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Saturday Snapshots 11.17.2012

Jelly Bean moved up to a big boy car seat this week.

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He is very happy about this new arrangement.

Read more about our week over at Jojo’s World.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Do You Believe the Devil, or God?

"Why believe the devil instead of believing God? Rise up and realize the truth about yourself - that all the past has gone, and you are one with Christ, and all your sins have been blotted out once and for ever. O let us remember that it is sin to doubt God's Word. It is sin to allow the past, which God has dealt with, to rob us of our joy and our usefulness in the present and in the future."

-Source: Spiritual Depression - Its Causes and its Cures, 1965, p. 76. Emphasis mine.
*Image Source 

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Sunday Hymns–There is a Fountain

We have been singing this one during family worship this week and it is a favorite of ours. It is also great for singing softly to little ones in the middle of the night Smile

  1. There is a fountain filled with blood,
    Drawn from Immanuel’s veins,
    And sinners plunged beneath that flood
    Lose all their guilty stains.
  2. The dying thief rejoiced to see
    That fountain in His day;
    And there have I, though vile as he,
    Washed all my sins away.
  3. Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood
    Shall never lose its pow’r,
    Till all the ransomed church of God
    Are safe, to sin no more.
  4. E’er since by faith I saw the stream
    Thy flowing wounds supply,
    Redeeming love has been my theme,
    And shall be till I die.
  5. When this poor, lisping, stamm’ring tongue
    Lies silent in the grave,
    Then in a nobler, sweeter song,
    I’ll sing Thy pow’r to save.

Music and more.

View my favorite arrangement on YouTube (Selah).

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Saturday Snapshots 11.10.2012

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More about this week on the kids blog.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Thankful Thursday 11.8.2012

~One completely uninterrupted night of sleep

~Precious baby babbles

~The security that comes from understanding the sovereignty of God

~The opportunity to study through and memorize the Sermon on the Mount with some wonderful blog friends.

~A warm and sun-shiny fall day

~A very happy baby boy

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Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Jojo's Genesis 1:1

Jojo is learning his first memory verse this week - Genesis 1:1.

He has the first part down fine, but the second part is always interesting. Just now he said:

In the beginning God created.... (thinking)
         ...Alligators.
         ...and bears.
         ...and Grandpa Bob :-)



 This boy cracks me up!

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Sunday Hymns - Precious Lord, Take My Hand

My favorite arrangement of a favorite hymn:



(Email/RSS readers view on YouTube)

Thomas A. Dorsey / J.R. Baxter Jr.
Arrangement By Nicol Smith, Todd Smith, Allan Hall

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on, help me stand
I am tired
I am weak
I am worn
Through the storm,
Through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand, precious lord
Lead me home

When my way grows drear'
Precious Lord, linger near
When my life is almost gone
Hear my cry, hear my call
Hold my hand, lest i fall
Take my hand, precious Lord
Lead me home
Take my hand, precious Lord
Lead me home

Just A Closer Walk With Thee

Chorus:
just a closer walk with Thee
Grant it, Jesus is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee
Let it be, dear Lord
Let it be

I am weak, but Thou art strong
Jesus, keep me from all wrong
I'll be satisfied as long
As i walk
Let me walk close to Thee

(Repeat chorus)

When my feeble life is o'er
Time for me will be no more
Guide me gently, safely o'er
To Thy kingdom shore,
To Thy shore

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Sunday Hymns - Are You Washed in the Blood?



    Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow’r?
    Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
    Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
    Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
      
        Are you washed in the blood,
        In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?
        Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
        Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

    Are you walking daily by the Savior’s side?
    Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
    Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?
    Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

       Are you washed in the blood,
        In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?
        Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
        Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?


    When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white?
    Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
    Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,
    And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?

       Are you washed in the blood,
        In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?
        Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
        Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?


    Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
    And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
    There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
    Oh, be washed in the blood of the Lamb!

        Are you washed in the blood,
        In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?
        Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
        Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
 
Elisha A. Hoffman, pub.1878

Copyright: Public Domain
 



Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Update on Bob DeWaay

Update on my dad:
He saw his pulmonologist and hematologist yesterday. The good news is that his lungs, heart, and kidneys are showing improvement. That bad news is that his hemoglobin dropped again. Please pray that his bone marrow would respond to the steroids and produce more red blood cells.
 Previous health update

Monday, October 22, 2012

Our Unfailing Friend, Jesus Christ

Look around the world, and see how failure is written on all of people's schemes. Count up the partings, separations, disappointments, and bereavements which have happened under your own knowledge. Think what a privilege it is that there is One at least who never fails, and in whom no one was ever disappointed! Never, never was there so unfailing a friend as Jesus Christ!
~ J.C. Ryle

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Sunday Hymns - How Sweet How Heavenly

How sweet, how heavenly is the sight,
When those that love the Lord
In one another’s peace delight,
And so fulfill His Word!


When each can feel his brother’s sigh
And with him bear a part!
When sorrow flows from eye to eye,
And joy from heart to heart!


When, free from envy, scorn, and pride,
Our wishes all above,
Each can his brother’s failings hide,
And show a brother’s love!


When love, in one delightful stream,
Through every bosom flows,
When union sweet, and dear esteem,
In every action glows.


Love is the golden chain that binds
The happy souls above;
And he’s an heir of Heaven who finds
His bosom glow with love.


Words: Jo­seph Swain, Wal­worth Hymns, 1792.
Music: Mount Calvary, Ro­bert P. Stew­art (1825-1894
 
More Info here.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Saturday Snapshots 10.20.2012

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~ Jojo’s first-ever cookie.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Thankful Thursday 10.18.201


 
(View on YouTube)

Blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in
Lord, still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the "world's all as it should be"
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say.
"Lord, blessed be Your name."

CCLI Song # 3798438
Beth Redman | Matt Redman
© 2002 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

*I've had this song in my mind and on my hear the last few days, and it's been such a blessing and comfort. When I sat down to write this Thankful Thursday post I felt that it speaks my heart better than my own words could. 

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

A Bob DeWaay October 2012 Health Update



Those of you who are Facebook friends already know this, but because many of you aren't, and many of you know and love my Dad (Bob DeWaay) I've decided to share a quick health update here. 


-He was recently hospitalized with a hemoglobin count of only 4. He has had multiple blood transfusions, a bone marrow biopsy and a lung biopsy.

-He has been diagnosed with Churg-Strauss syndrome. It is very rare and he is in the last stage of it (Vasculitic stage).

-It has affected his lungs, heart, kidneys, and bone marrow.

-He has fluid in his lungs and on his heart (congestive heart failure)

-His bone marrow is not producing any red blood cells. 
-If he is not making red blood cells after 30 days they will do another, more extensive, lung biopsy.

-We don’t know if the damage is permanent.

-He is home now and being treated as an outpatient with blood tests on Mondays and Thursday and infusions (if needed) on Tuesdays and Fridays.

-All of this is being treated by high doses of Prednisone. If that doesn’t work they will try another immune-suppressive drug.

That is all we know right now. Please pray that he would respond to the treatment and begin producing red blood cells and, above all, that God will be glorified through all of this.




Psalm 121

A Song of Ascents.
 I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade on your right hand.
The sun will not smite you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The LORD will protect you from all evil;
He will keep your soul.
The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever.

December 2012 Update

January 9 2013 Update

January 25 2013 Update

March 7, 2013 Update

March 22, 2013 Update 

April 17 2013 Update







Sunday, October 14, 2012

Sunday Hymns - What Sacred Fountain

What sacred fountain freely springs up
From the throne of God.
And all new covenant blessing brings?
It's Jesus' precious blood.


What a mighty sum paid all my debt?
When I a bankrupt stood.
And has my life in credit set?
It's Jesus' precious blood.


O precious blood, it covers me,
It takes away the stain of sin.
Such power there is contained within
Jesus' precious blood.


What stream is that, which sweeps away
My sin just like a flood,
So not a hint of it can stay,
It's Jesus' precious blood.


What voice is that which speaks for me;;
In heaven's high court for good.
And justifies and sets me free,
It's Jesus' precious blood.


O precious blood, it covers me,
It takes away the stain of sin.
Such power there is contained within
Jesus' precious blood.


What theme my soul shall best employ
Your song before Your God,
And make all heaven ring for joy,
It's Jesus' precious blood.


Music: Ian Hannah
Words: Joseph Irons (1785-1852) Adpt. by David Hyde


View on YouTube 

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Saturday Snapshots 10.13.2012

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~A rare shot of me Smile

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~Admiring his new “muh-me suit”

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~Helping Dad

Sunday, October 7, 2012

A Psalm for this Lord's Day

Psalm 103

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Praise for the Lord’s Mercies.

A Psalm of David.

1Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Saturday Snapshots 10.6.12

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