January 15, 2011

• one Friend alone | letter 100 on assurance & fighting for joy

  Heavenly Dove, hear my prayers, see me crying
  Your kindness shown, my confession arising

  my lusts fighting, greatly conspiring
  my soul consuming, grievously disquieting

  my Father's pure Love this child chastising,
  my idolatrous heart gone a whoring, now training

  as a beast I wandered, vainly seeking
  joy apart from Christ, idolatry reeking

  prodigal journey far, my lust conceiving
  forgetting peace and joy found at home in believing

  one Friend alone never forsaking
  while other friends always failing

  all fleshly bonds end up breaking
  God's eternal covenant always prevailing

  earthly comforts fleeting, always waning
  the Comforter's Breath alone life-sustaining

  God's goodness and mercy ever chasing
  my Shepherd my heart securely embracing

  my Husband His bride never spurning
  His love for me perpetually burning

  Refiner's Fire and Light purifying
  thwarting the lion's dark conspiring

  Christ's Living Water now freely streaming
  where the devil was prowling, lying, stealing

  to the Living Word alone I'm clinging
  trusting Him to rejoice my soul with singing

  ---

  my other letters on assurance and joy including:

  Letter 25 on assurance and fighting for joy (a strong craving ≠ His joy)
  Jesus' yoke --> fullness of joy (Letter 31 on assurance & fighting for joy)
  dear devil/dear flock of God (day in, day out): Letter 63 on assurance & joy
  take me to that place of quiet rest (letter 68 on assurance & fighting for joy)
  Advent reflections - Jesus Christ has come my exceeding & everlasting Delight! | letter 99 on joy

  
  ministry, friendships & loneliness: "But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me"
  "As your days, so shall your strength be"
  the children of God will never say of Him: "Got stood up big time!"
  He's not dropping us! (Isaiah 46:3-4)
  Reasons for Thanks Giving, Part 6: Christian Friends
  Where do you go when the world is unlovely? (Psalm 84 & the theology of Biblical counseling)
  In the multitude of our anxieties, the Lord's comforts alone delight our souls
  when we're being shaken: let us look unto JESUS!
  Satan is prowling...but God is in our midst...and He must win the battle!
  for the sheep who are in distress (Psalm 4)
  Bible Reading-Isaiah: When We Think the LORD Has Forsaken and Forgotten Us
  the sparrow reminds us
  even in my disappointment - still blessed by my Father
  my God, my God, have You forsaken me?
  Forsaken
  As a deer pants ... Is your soul panting for God? (Psalms 42 & 43)
  one woman's (not so secret) addiction
  Galatians 1:10 . . . if I yet pleased men . . .

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