Naphtali Journalthe deer set free | beautiful words (Genesis 49:21)
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Name: Karen
Country: United States
State: Wisconsin
Metro: Madison
Gender: Female


Interests: Redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ by the sovereign free grace of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, blogging to the glory of God through the power of the Holy Spirit, all for your upbuilding, dearly beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. I love God and I have a passion for His Church to be revived again, so my prayer is that He would rend the heavens and come down and breathe life into the dry bones, including my own. I love reading, studying, writing and talking about God's Word. I almost always have a book nearby and enjoy hunting in used bookstores for treasures. I enjoy listening to music as well as walking, sitting and reading and contemplating in parks. Philippians 3:7-16 is one of my favorite passages of Scripture. By His grace may I willingly offer myself to dwell wherever He calls me (Nehemiah 11:2).


Message: message me
Website: visit my website


Member Since: 2/12/2007
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BIBLE READING SCHEDULE
Holy Bible

I've adapted this 3 Year
Bible Reading Plan

and occasionally post
based on what I'm
currently reading.
If you don't have a plan,
you're more than welcome
to read along with me!


I've been slowly chewing on the book of Matthew and am still reflecting on that, though right now I'm reading through the book of Numbers.

Whitedove



II Corinthians 13:14



MORE ABOUT ME


Theological "mutt"
a.k.a.
Evangelical Reformed
Charismatic Baptist
with a
Methodist-Mystical-Liturgical Twist


FOR EVEN MORE ABOUT ME
Please read:

Deer_update
WHY NAPHTALI



WHY I BLOG



MY CREDO FOR
BEING A GODLY ENCOURAGER


MINISTRY OF THE WORD AND PRAYER

two trees door county

DO THE WORK OF AN
EEE-VAN-GEL-IST...EEK!


MY DEEP CONCERN:
LEGALISM IN THE CHURCH


GOD WORKS THROUGH
BAD ECONOMIES FOR GOOD
(includes my testimony)


TO EVERYTHING THERE
IS A SEASON




stained_glass_4


Napthali Journal Series Links

You can find links to
my series here

Here are a few you might be interested in

Assurance and Fighting for Joy

The present of Pentecost
and other posts on the Holy Spirit


Lent 2009

Encouragements to press on

True & False Religion
and Legalism


Things To Look for in a Church

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Kingdom-Obsessed People...

ThePearl

Kingdom-Obsessed People
Don't Keep Looking in the Rear View Mirror

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Dealing with past sins & guilt

Conversations with God about failure

Postcards from God at Vail

Songs about What *I* Want

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What Is Success?
What Is Making a Difference?




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Thursday, December 31, 2009

New Year's Eve (Wisconsin style) :-b

You're all familiar with the New Year's Eve ball which is dropped in Times Square...

Well, here's what happens in Wisconsin (this video clip is from New Year's Eve 2008)...




end of the year ... in the midst of heartbreak

  
end of the year
in the midst of heartbreak
children of God
how long will we be
foolish, brutish and ignorant
thankless, futile in our thinking
shaking our fists, cursing God
sitting in our ashes, rending our garments,
seeking bliss, bliss and more bliss
receiving loss, loss and more loss
whining, complaining, mourning over our
broken hearts, pains, bruises, afflictions, sufferings



end of the year
in the midst of heartbreak
perhaps we've not gotten what we wanted or expected
but haven't we already gotten what we needed and far more than we expected
haven't we already gotten what we didn't deserve, couldn't earn or couldn't ask for
hasn't the suffering Servant received all that He didn't deserve in our place
so we might freely receive what we never deserved in the first place
so we might receive what we couldn't buy or earn
justification for sins, righteousness for unholiness
a white wedding garment for our filthy rags
a place in the heavenlies for the pig sty
a new soft heart for an old hard heart
mercy upon mercy, grace upon grace
the right to be called children of God
the right to call "Abba, Father!"
through His blood
through His cross
through His life
grace abounding to
dead sinners
powerless
unworthy
helpless
us



end of the year
in the midst of heartbreak
have we praised Him
have we thanked Him
for His sovereign grace to us

end of the year
in the midst of heartbreak
have we asked Him
to keep us near the cross
to keep us near to Him
in the midst of heartbreak
and at all times


(Warning: The video is pretty graphic; it includes scenes from "The Passion of the Christ."
I don't usually include such things on my blog, but decided we all needed a reality check here.)



Blood on My Hands

(Todd Agnew)

Each crack of that whip was for my mistakes
Blood is on my hands
Each stumble up that hill was my step to take
Blood is on my hands
How do I say thanks for this

In the cross, In the cross, be my glory ever
Till my ransomed soul shall find rest beyond the river

Each tear that flowed was by my sorrow sown
Blood is on my hands
Each drop that was spilled, my debt fulfilled
Blood is on my hands
How can I say thanks for this

Jesus keep me near the cross
There a precious fountain
Free to all, a healing stream flows
from Calvary's mountain





"Blood on My Hands" by Todd Agnew ©2005 Ardent/Koala Music. Based on the song "Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross" lyrics by Francis Jane Crosby. Music by William Howard Doane. Lyrics are subject to US Copyright Laws and are the property of their respective authors, artists and labels. Commercial use prohibited.

Some personal notes to this post...

The past couple years on New Year's Eve I've posted "The Often Unwanted but Necessary Gift: The Gift of the Broken Heart." I would encourage you to go and read that post.


I would also encourage you to look through my many posts on God's sovereignty, assurance and fighting for joy, the broken heart, contentment and songs about want *I* want. Know that I have (and continue to) struggle with these things. Many of these posts reflect the struggles I have had to know His joy and assurance in the midst of heartbreak and my examination of Scripture in the process. We so often go wrong in our attitudes toward heartbreaks when we do not first go to Him and His Word and ask His Spirit to teach us from there...Let's never forget that He alone has the words of life – how ridiculous of us to continue to drink stagnant water when we have the living Water available to us!

We all experience and struggle with heartbreak, none of us can escape it in this life, but know that God is with us through each and every broken heart we meet...

May we trust that our Lord will give us sufficient grace to keep us looking to Him and fixing our eyes, our hearts and our minds on Him rather than our broken hearts...

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen." II Corinthians 13:14.

May we grow up and mature in Christ for as we grow in our knowledge and experience of God's grace shown us in Jesus Christ, of our Father's love and of the intimate sweet communion available to us through His Holy Spirit, we will grow in our trust in the Lord in all circumstances. We walk by faith and not by sight, so we do not see all today, but one day we will. But for today and for each of our days that lie ahead, as children of God, we can trust God's strength and grace will be sufficient for each day, for each heartbreak. May He keep us drinking of His living water and abiding in the true Vine, so we might not wither up in the midst of heartbreaks and heartache, but be fruitful and vibrant and be able to say no matter what the circumstances, "It is well with my soul." May God give us grace to trust Him more and to know His abiding and full joy always...even in the midst of our deepest sorrows.

~By His grace alone, Karen





Tuesday, December 29, 2009

on our anniversary

   ...I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel.
Numbers 18:20


the Lord has blessed me
the Lord is my Portion
year in, year out
but you are a big (very big) portion of that Portion


the roses you bring me (beauty!)
year in, year out



will soon fade



the chocolates you bring me (yum!)
year in, year out



will soon be gone



but your persevering and patient love for me
will never fade
will never be gone
will never be burned up
it's all rooted in Christ's love


thank you for blessing me
a portion of my Portion
year in, year out
May the Lord bless you for being a big (very big) portion of my Portion

Happy Anniversary
with love,
Karen



Monday, December 28, 2009

I remember my friend

Dear friend,

As I water the plant you gave me (it's not doing so well now ), I remember how you were always there with a cup of cold water (well, often hot coffee ) for me (and a treat!).

As I write these words, I remember the cards you sent me (and many others), even when writing became difficult for you.

As I speak a word of encouragement, I remember how you always spoke beautiful words to me.

As I strive to love my family, I remember the deep love you had for your family.

As I struggle in prayer, I remember how you always held my hands up.

As I stumble in walking today, I remember how you walked here with me.

As I dream dreams, I remember the dreams you continued to dream.

As I'm cooling off and in danger of becoming lukewarm, I remember the passion you had to live life to the fullest, even in your cancer.

As I'm tempted to stop running the race, I remember your words, "Frogs can only move forward" and your continuing reminders to me to press on.

As I look at little frogs you gave me, I remember how you never stopped moving forward, despite the many obstacles in your path.

  
 
As I try to keep my eyes on Jesus, I remember your eyes gleaming with encouragement, even as you lay dying.

As I walk here today on cement sidewalk, I remember you're now walking above on streets of gold (and one day I will join you).

I remember, my friend.

I remember my friend.

Gone nine months, forever in my heart.

Your hugs are memories I embrace warmly.

As I write these thanks to you, I remember how you never failed to say thank you.

As the tears come, I remember Jesus' promise that He is coming and is preparing a place for me as He has already done for you, and we will be together again soon.

I remember my Friend.

I remember, my Friend.

Help me to be such a friend to others as my friend was to me...


Written in loving memory of my "frog" friend, my "Barnabas" friend,
who lost her battle with cancer, but was a victor in Christ.

She went to be with the Lord on March 27, 2009.



Written also with a grateful heart to God for His gift of friends, past and present.
Thank you, my friends.
Thank you, my Friend, for my friends who You have sent
to take care of me and
to keep me moving forward.







Sunday, December 27, 2009

I'm anguished over you (Letter 39 on assurance & fighting for joy)

My dear one,

I'm anguished over you
over your soul
over your dear soul
you are dear to me

you try
to numb
the pain...
ah, joy!
ah, but then
you find
there's always
a new pain
isn't there?
was that real joy?
was that lasting joy?
was that true joy?

you try
to nurse
the bruises...
ah, joy!
ah, but then
you find
there's always
a new bruise
isn't there?
was that real joy?
was that lasting joy?
was that true joy?

you try
to stop
the tears...
ah, joy!
ah, but then
you find
there's always
a new tear
isn't there?
was that real joy?
was that lasting joy?
was that true joy?

you try
to bandage
the wounds...
ah, joy!
ah, but then
you find
there's always
a new wound
isn't there?
was that real joy?
was that lasting joy?
was that true joy?

you try
to heal
the hurt...
ah, joy!
ah, but then
you find
there's always
a new hurt
isn't there?
was that real joy?
was that lasting joy?
was the true joy?

you try
to ease
the burden...
ah, joy!
ah, but then
you find
there's always
a new burden
isn't there?
was that real joy?
was that lasting joy?
was that true joy?

you try
to avoid
the rejection...
ah, joy!
ah, but then
you find
there's always
a new rejection
isn't there?
was that real joy?
was that lasting joy?
was that true joy?

you try
to mend
the heartbreak...
ah, joy!
ah, but then
you find
there's always
a new heartbreak
isn't there?
was that real joy?
was that lasting joy?
was that true joy?

you try
to ignore
the betrayal...
ah, joy!
ah, but then
you find
there's always
a new betrayal
isn't there?
was that real joy?
was that lasting joy?
was that true joy?

you try
to fill
the loss...
ah, joy!
ah, but then
you find
there's always
a new loss
isn't there?
was that real joy?
was that lasting joy?
was that true joy?

you
you try
you turn
you seek
you experiment
you labor in vain
you despair
you sink
you fall
you

instead of you, you, you
instead of trying to numb your pain
instead of trying to nurse your bruises
instead of trying to stop your tears
instead of trying to bandage your wounds
instead of trying to heal your hurt
instead of trying to ease your burden
instead of trying to avoid your rejection
instead of trying to mend your heartbreak
instead of trying to ignore your betrayal
instead of trying to fill your loss
instead of you, you, you

instead of you, you, you
instead of listening to the voice of your pain
instead of listening to the voice of your bruises
instead of listening to the voice of your tears
instead of listening to the voice of your wounds
instead of listening to the voice of your hurt
instead of listening to the voice of your burden
instead of listening to the voice of your rejection
instead of listening to the voice of your heartbreak
instead of listening to the voice of your betrayal
instead of listening to the voice of your loss
instead of you, you, you

will you be still
will you stop trying
will you listen
for something
for Someone
heavenly
yet come to dwell on earth
His voice
the good Shepherd's voice
His voice calling
His voice calling you
by name
dear one
have you heard Him
have you heard His voice calling you
through your pain
through your bruises
through your tears
through your wounds
through your hurt
through your burden
through your rejection
through your heartbreak
through your betrayal
through your loss

do you hear Him calling
God the Father calling
you, you, you
your name
in your pain
in your bruises
in your tears
in your wounds
in your hurt
in your burden
in your rejection
in your heartbreak
in your betrayal
in your loss

His Son Jesus is no stranger to pain
His Son Jesus is no stranger to bruises
His Son Jesus is no stranger to tears
His Son Jesus is no stranger to wounds
His Son Jesus is no stranger to hurt
His Son Jesus is no stranger to burdens
His Son Jesus is no stranger to rejection
His Son Jesus is no stranger to heartbreak
His Son Jesus is no stranger to betrayal
His Son Jesus is no stranger to loss

will you be still
will you stop trying
will you listen
for something
for Someone
for His voice
beyond you, you, you
beyond your pain
beyond your bruises
beyond your tears
beyond your wounds
beyond your hurt
beyond your burden
beyond your rejection
beyond your heartbreak
beyond your betrayal
beyond your loss

beyond
and yet
He is not actually far from you
He came from the beyond
He came to earth
not to take away your pain
not to take away your bruises
not to take away your tears
not to take away your wounds
not to take away your hurt
not to take away your burden
not to take away your rejection
not to take away your heartbreak
not to take away your betrayal
not to take away your loss

He came
to take away
sin
the barrier between man and God
He came
to save sinners
to save the sick
(they that are whole have no need of Him)
to save all who will hear His voice
to save all who will believe in Him
to save all who will receive Him
to give them real joy
to give them lasting joy
to give them true joy
to give them Divine joy
to give them Himself

do you hear Him?
do you hear His voice?
He knows His sheep
He calls them all by name
I pray He would give you ears to hear Him

will you come to Him
ah, joy!
ah, but yes,
I hear
your doubts
I know
you're skeptical
ah, but yes
I know
pain will come once again
bruises will come once again
tears will come once again
wounds will come once again
hurt will come once again
burdens will come once again
rejection will come once again
heartbreak will come again
betrayal will come again
loss will come once again
(I've known them all – again and again)

ah, but then
if you are His
if you come to Him
in His presence
at His right hand
fullness of joy
pleasures forevermore
Divine joy
in every pain
in every bruise
in every tear
in every wound
in every hurt
in every burden
in every rejection
in every heartbreak
in every betrayal
in every loss
(I've known Him, I've know His joy – again and again)

He will be with you
real joy
lasting joy
true joy
Divine joy
in every pain
in every bruise
in every tear
in every wound
in every hurt
in every burden
in every rejection
in every heartbreak
in every betrayal
in every loss

whosoever will may come
are you willing
will you come
to Him
to Jesus Christ?

dear one
I'm anguished
anguished over you, you, you
I've known Him
I've known His joy
I love you
O, how I want you to know
real joy
lasting joy
true joy
Divine joy

O, how I want you to know
Him
Jesus Christ
I know Him
I love Him
I long for you
to know Him
to love Him
Jesus Christ
to know His love
to know His joy

I'm anguished over you
I'm praying you might know Him
I'm praying you might love Him
Jesus Christ
I'm praying He might make you willing

my soul is anguished
I pray your soul would soon
escape your anguish
and flee to Christ

until then
I remain anguished over you
over your soul
over your dear soul
you are dear to me
my dear one

Love,
Karen



Next 5 >>

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ADVENT & CHRISTMAS
POSTS


Santa with list
FAQ SANTA & THE GOSPEL


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UNITY IN THE BODY


WEBSITES I VISIT

empty_hands_bw
tent of meeting
(prayer for revival)

Desiring God
by Faith Magazine
Newfrontiers Magazine
BSF International
9Marks
Previous Urbanas

Cross

Some Blogs I Visit

adrian warnock.com
Christians in Context
Desiring God Blog
Doctrine Matters
Exiled Preacher
The Glorious Deeds of Christ
Just My Type
Ligonier Ministries Blog
Next Reformation
Owen Strachan
Pastor and People
Reclaiming the Mission
revelife
Sovereign Grace Blog
subversive1
The King's Shepherds
The Scriptorium Daily

tulip2

Devotional Sites

A First Book of Daily Readings
by Martyn Lloyd-Jones


Spurgeon Morning

Spurgeon Evening

My Utmost for His Highest

Pray the Office

Revised Common Lectionary

edgewood_library

Bible Study Resources

Bible Gateway

Blue Letter Bible

Christian Classics Ethereal Library

Desiring God Resource Library

Expository Sermons and Worship Resources

George Whitefield
Selected Sermons


Index to Richard Baxter

John Piper's
Biographical Messages


LifeWay's Online Bible Library

Online Parallel Bible

Peninsula Bible Church Library

SermonIndex.net

The Spurgeon Archive

Study Light Matthew Henry Commentary

Mocha_w_ipod

Audio Resources

Living Grace
(Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Podcast)


Desiring God Sermon Audio
(John Piper)


Grapevine 2

Christian Formation

Dallas Willard Christianity Articles

renovare

Badger_Pr_Park_Winter2

Mercy Ministry

ESA Holistic Ministry Materials

MNA Mercy Ministries Print Resources

Edgewood_Library_Window

Art Sites

Art and the Bible

Jean & Alexander Heard Library/
Vanderbilt University
Art in the Christian Tradition Database


Pitts Theological Library:
Digital Image Archive


Web Gallery of Art


Music Sites

Musicnotes

Calvin Hymnary Project

The Cyber Hymnal

John Wesley's
Poetry and Hymn Collections
(includes Charles Wesley's hymns)


RUF Hymnbook Online Hymn Resource

Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra

Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra

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Welcome to Naphtali Journal.

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Numbers 6:24-26


IMG_0694

Redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ by the sovereign free grace of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, blogging to the glory of God through the power of the Holy Spirit, all for your upbuilding, dearly beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. I love God and I have a passion for His Church to be revived again, so my prayer is that He would rend the heavens and come down and breathe life into the dry bones, including my own.

If you do not know God through His Son Jesus Christ, I pray God might use my words here to draw you to know Him and Jesus Christ whom He sent. God offers His free gift of everlasting life to all who will receive it. I am praying He might cause you to seek Him and receive His gift of repentance and remission of sins by believing in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.

Please feel free to explore here, and as you read, if you have any questions, please message me.





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