things read and things remembered

J.I. Packer On Owen and the Gospel as a whole and not in part.

       

         The Chief aim of the old [gospel] was to teach men to worship God, the concern of the new seems limited to making them feel better… and a half-truth masquerading as the whole truth becomes a complete untruth. Thus, we appeal to men as if they all had the ability to receive Christ at any time; we speak of His redeeming work as if He had done no more by dying than making it possible for us to save ourselves by believing; we speak of God’s love as if it were no more than a general willingness to receive any who will turn and trust; and we depict the Father and the Son not as sovereignly active in drawing sinners to themselves, but as waiting in quiet impotence ” at the door of our hearts” for us to let them in. 

  (From the introductory essay written by J.I. Packer of John Owen’s A Death Of Death in the Death of Christ)

This is just something I have been reading. I had underlined it weeks ago but it caught my eye again today. And though i would let the blog-o-sphere have a taste, comments are welcome from either side. But remember this is just a quote and it will never be able to give you the whole picture of the work. Like my Friend Chris always says;  ”quotes are like babies, they are cute but never really say anything.”

Indescribable

Well, having a new baby and not being able to work for a couple of months has proven to be very difficult for us.  John also works at Starbucks, so you can imagine that doesn’t bring in much income at all.  The past two months we have had to ask for money to help pay rent, and we have been praying so hard about God giving us a church to serve at.  Since Afton was born, it has been really scary not knowing how we were going to make ends meet.  God has ALWAYS provided for us, and there was no doubt in our minds that He would not do the same again.  But this time, it has seemed like all the doors had closed and we are at a dead end.  John has been so stressed because as the husband, he feels it is his responsibility to provide for us.  He made a promise to my father before we were married that he would always provide for me…and it was really hard for him because we were barely making it.  We just kept praying for something and there was nothing.  We had to borrow money from my parents Monday night, and while we had no idea, my parents actually lost sleep over our situation that night.  Yesterday, they called us up and were wanting to know how much it would be to break our lease so we could live with them.  They were willing to pay to break the lease, take us in, pay to move us, and pay to put our stuff in storage.  It was an answer to our prayers, but unlike anything we thought it would be.  So last night, we were set on starting the whole process of moving in with my parents and then this morning my dad calls me with more news.  He had talked with his boss about our situation and his boss decided to give my dad a raise that will cover our rent indefinitely.  I think John and I are still in shock about this…that someone would be willing to pay our rent until we are able to again, no matter how long it takes.  Monday, we saw no way out.  And now today, we have options.  I am slightly embarrassed writing this and admitting how poor we are.  But that’s not the point.  The point is that God provided for us.  This is where God has us right now and how He is being glorified in our lives.    It was NOTHING at all what we expected, and had NOTHING to do with us.  We still haven’t decided what we are going to do yet, but I am beyond thankful for what God has done.  I can’t even begin to think of words that can express how I feel.  God is amazing and I am just astounded at this whole situation.