Carry your troubled heart to Jesus

I am troubled!" Psalm 38:6

This is very often the case with the believer, he is seldom long without something to trouble him. He has . . .
so much sin within him,
so many foes without him, and
such unexpected and difficult things in his path
--that he is often agitated and distressed.

Where he looked for comfort--he finds sorrow;
where he expected help--he finds hindrance;
where he promised himself pleasure--he experiences pain.

He is wearied--
weary of himself,
weary of sin,
weary of the world,
weary of the carnal state of the church.

But what a mercy it is for the troubled Christian, that his Lord has experienced trouble as well as himself; so that He can sympathize with him. Jesus once said, "Now My soul is deeply troubled!" He has a fellow-feeling with us in all our troubles, and will first sanctify them, and then safely bring us out of them.

Beloved, are you troubled today?

Carry your troubled heart to Jesus, pour it out before Him. He can calm it, soothe it, and give it cheering repose. Take it to Jesus--to sanctify it for you.

Burning The Koran

http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/florida-pastor-presides-over-koran-burning/

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/04/world/asia/04afghanistan.html?_r=1

So I want to know what people thought are on the burning of the Koran that took place in Florida. If you don't know what I'm talking about well then that's just sad. So for you sad people I've put up a couple links so you can catch up on the news and know what I'm talking about.

Here is a brief summery of what happened. A pastor in Florida came out last year and said on 9/11/2010 he was going to burn the Koran but decided not to go through with it after a lot of criticism and warning of the harm it could cause for our men serving in the military in the middle east. Anyhow last week he ended up changing his mind and burning the Koran after all. There was very little news coverage of it and seemed like it wasn't a big deal after all. But I guess the president of Afghanistan came out and condemned it and said that the man who burned it should be arrested. (hmm so much for free speech in Afghanistan). So now they are having riots there in the middle east and the people who aren't Muslims are being dragged into the streets and beheaded all because of this burning. The last I heard there has been 40 death because of it.

So I was wonder what your thoughts are on this?

On burning the Koran
On this pastor burning the Koran
On the Afghan President Condemning it
On the riots and killing
On whether the death caused by this should be laid at the feet of this pastor
And whatever other thoughts you may have.

I don't know how accurate all the information is I gave you. I'm just going off what I've heard and read online so if I got something wrong I'm sorry

Here are my thoughts. On burning the Koran: I don't really care if you burn it or not. It really means nothing to me. But it seems like it would just be more of an "in your face" kind of thing. Like, what's the point?

On this pastor burning it. How is this honoring God or helping in the spreading of the word of God? It just seems like you would be ruining any chance you would have to minister to these people. Yes we should preach against it but why burn it?

On the Afghan President. Are you kidding me dude?!? Don't you have more important things to worry about other then some crazy redneck pastor burning the Koran. How about condemning your people when they do stuff like this. He is one of the main causes of all the riots and death for even saying something about this.

On the riots and killings. There has to be something in the water over there! These guys are crazy. They seem to have a major case of little man syndrome. Like whatever you do is challenging them in some way. So now they have to go out and behead some person. It's never right to kill. Go ahead and riot and be upset about it. I can understand that. I think it should make us Christians mad when people burn the Bible and tear down our God. It should just motivate us to witness more. Also let me say that I understand not everybody in the middle east are like this or involved in the riots. I know after 9/11 that many of us here have hard feeling toward the Arabs. I know God loves them just as much as me. I want them to be saved from there sin. It makes me so glad knowing I've got Arab brothers serving God over there.

I do think it's a real shame that people died because of this crazy pastor burning the Koran and that a big part of these death should be on his shoulders. The poor people killed were most likely just as lost as the people killing them. It also shows the the Muslim religion is not a peaceful religion. And just because some guy is being a stupid doesn't give you a right to go out and kill people. I feel so sorry for are men serving in the military over there because this anger is most likely going to be turned on them.

Well those are some of my thoughts.. Please let me know what you think. If you agree or disagree with me.

Stricken Smitten and Afflicted

Grace Gems

Wow Sorry I really failed at this blog..

I get these little sermons sent to me via email every day called Grace Gems. They have been a real blessing to me lately. I read one today that i thought was really good so I thought I would share it with you all. The Grace Gem reminded me of a song some of sung for church awhile back.

Here's the Song: Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted

Stricken, smitten, and afflicted, See him dying on the tree! This is Christ, by man rejected; Here, my soul, your Savior see. He’s the long expected prophet, David’s son, yet David’s Lord. Proofs I see sufficient of it: He’s the true and faithful Word.

Tell me, all who hear him groaning, Was there ever grief like this? Friends through fear his cause disowning, Foes insulting his distress; Many hands were raised to wound him, None would intervene to save; But the deepest stroke that pierced him Was the stroke that justice gave.

You who think of sin but lightly Nor suppose the evil great Here may view its nature rightly, Here its guilt may estimate. Mark the sacrifice appointed; See who bears the awful load; It’s the Word, the Lord’s Anointed, Son of Man and son of God.

Here we have a firm foundation; Here the refuge of the lost; Christ, the rock of our salvation, His the name of which we boast. Lamb of God, for sinners wounded, Sacrifice to cancel guilt!None shall ever be confounded Who on him their hope have built.


When ever I see or hear or fall into sin myself its always the third verse of this song that comes to my mind. So often in my life I find that I take sin so lightly and grown accustomed to it and its affects. I really hate it! My prayers lately is that I would see sin and hate sin as God does.

Here's the Grace Gem:

"Christ died for the ungodly!" Romans 5:6

In the cross of Christ--God's hatred to sin is manifested in the most striking light! The evil of sin is exposed in the most dreadful colors! Now it appears, that such is the divine hatred against all sin, that God can by no means forgive sin, without punishment; and that all the infinite benevolence of His nature towards His creatures cannot prevail upon Him to pardon the least sin--without an adequate satisfaction.

Nay, now it appears that when so malignant and abominable a thing is but imputed to His dear Son, His co-equal, His darling, His favorite--that even He could not escape unpunished--but was made a monument of vindictive justice, to all worlds!

What can more strongly expose the evil of sin--than the cross of Christ? Sin is such an intolerably malignant and abominable thing, that even a God of infinite mercy and grace--cannot let the least instance of it pass unpunished!

It was not a small thing that could arm God's justice against the Son of His love. Though He was perfectly innocent in Himself--yet when He was made sin for us--God spared not His own Son--but delivered Him up unto death--the shameful, tormenting, and accursed death of the cross!

Go, you fools, who make a mock at sin! Go and learn its malignity and demerit--at the cross of Jesus!

WHO is it that hangs there writhing in the agonies of death--His hands and feet pierced with nails, His side with a spear, His face bruised with blows, and drenched with tears and blood, His heart melting like wax, His whole frame racked and disjointed; forsaken by His friends, and even by His Father; tempted by devils, and insulted by men? Who is this amazing spectacle of woe and torture? It is Jesus, the eternal Word of God; His Elect, in whom His soul delights; His beloved Son, in whom He is well pleased!

And WHAT has He done? He did no wickedness; He knew no sin--but was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners. And WHY then, all these dreadful sufferings from heaven, earth, and hell? Why, He only stood in the law-place of sinners; He only received their sin by imputation. And you see what it has brought upon Him! You see how low it has reduced Him! What a horrid evil must that be--which has such tremendous consequences, even upon the Darling of heaven!

Oh! what still more dreadful havoc would SIN have made, if it had been punished upon the sinner himself in his own person! Surely all the various miseries which have been inflicted upon our guilty world in all ages, and even all the punishments of hell--do not so loudly proclaim the terrible desert and malignity of sin--as the cross of Christ!

The infinite malignity of sin, and God's hatred to it, appear nowhere in so striking and dreadful a light--as in the cross of Christ! Let a reasonable creature take but one serious view of that cross, and surely he must ever after tremble at the thought of the least sin!

It Is Not Death to Die

I heard this song last week on Wretched Radio. I thought it was a great song so I found the music online and some of us sang it for church Sunday. So I just wanted to share it with you.

O Sacred Head Now Wounded

As many were astonied at thee;
his visage was so marred more than any man,
and his form more than the sons of men.
Isaiah 52:14

I really meant to have posted more stuff by now but life got really busy and I just haven't had time. So I'm sorry. Anyhow I hope you get something out of this... I've been listening to this cd lately it's called Exalted Worship. It has Scott Krippayne singing and Kirck Cameron praying in between songs. It's been really encouraging for me so you might want to try it out.. I plug in the earphones and listen to it at work when my coworkers turn on there trash or start talking about perverted stuff. It really helps me keep my mind on the things of God.
Here is a prayer and the song O Sacred Head Now Wounded that was on the cd. I looked the words up online and found that there are more verses then that which were sung in the song. They are all good so I put them all on here.

Let me hear your voice assuring me that by your stripes I am healed. That you were bruised for my iniquities and you have been made sin for me that I might be righteous in you. That my grievous sins, my manifold sins are all forgiven buried in the ocean of your blood.I am guilty but pardoned, I am lost but saved, I'm wandering but found, sinning but cleansed. Give me perpetual brokenheartedness and keep me Oh God always clinging to the cross.

O Sacred Head Now Wounded

O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown;
O sacred Head, what glory, what bliss till now was Thine!
Yet, though despised and gory, I joy to call Thee mine.

What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered, was all for sinners’ gain;
Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior! ’Tis I deserve Thy place;
Look on me with Thy favor, vouchsafe to me Thy grace.

Men mock and taunt and jeer Thee, Thou noble countenance,
Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee and flee before Thy glance.
How art thou pale with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!
How doth Thy visage languish that once was bright as morn!

Now from Thy cheeks has vanished their color once so fair;
From Thy red lips is banished the splendor that was there.
Grim death, with cruel rigor, hath robbed Thee of Thy life;
Thus Thou hast lost Thy vigor, Thy strength in this sad strife.

My burden in Thy Passion, Lord, Thou hast borne for me,
For it was my transgression which brought this woe on Thee.
I cast me down before Thee, wrath were my rightful lot;
Have mercy, I implore Thee; Redeemer, spurn me not!

What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest friend,
For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever, and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to Thee.

My Shepherd, now receive me; my Guardian, own me Thine.
Great blessings Thou didst give me, O source of gifts divine.
Thy lips have often fed me with words of truth and love;
Thy Spirit oft hath led me to heavenly joys above.

Here I will stand beside Thee, from Thee I will not part;
O Savior, do not chide me! When breaks Thy loving heart,
When soul and body languish in death’s cold, cruel grasp,
Then, in Thy deepest anguish, Thee in mine arms I’ll clasp.

The joy can never be spoken, above all joys beside,
When in Thy body broken I thus with safety hide.
O Lord of Life, desiring Thy glory now to see,
Beside Thy cross expiring, I’d breathe my soul to Thee.

My Savior, be Thou near me when death is at my door;
Then let Thy presence cheer me, forsake me nevermore!
When soul and body languish, oh, leave me not alone,
But take away mine anguish by virtue of Thine own!

Be Thou my consolation, my shield when I must die;
Remind me of Thy passion when my last hour draws nigh.
Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, upon Thy cross shall dwell,
My heart by faith enfolds Thee. Who dieth thus dies well.

Isaiah 53

¹Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

²For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

³He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

⁴Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

⁵But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

⁶All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

⁷He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

⁸He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

⁹And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

¹⁰Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

¹¹He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

¹²Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Here is the song from above. I couldn't find Scott Krippaynes version so this one will just have to do..

You have longed for sweet peace,And for faith to increase,And have earnestly, fervently prayed;But you cannot have rest,Or be perfectly blest,Until all on the altar is laid.

Would you walk with the Lord,In the light of His word,And have peace and contentment alway?You must do His sweet will,To be free from all ill,On the altar your all you must lay.

Oh, we never can know What the Lord will bestow Of the blessings for which we have prayed,Till our body and soul He doth fully control,And our all on the altar is laid.

Who can tell all the love He will send from above,And how happy our hearts will be made;Of the fellowship sweet We shall share at His feet,When our all on the altar is laid.

Chorus: Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?Your heart does the Spirit control?You can only be blest,And have peace and sweet rest,As you yield Him your body and soul.

We sung this song last night at church. It has a very convicting message. So i thought I would share it with you. I love the chorus.

Friel played this the other day on Wretched Radio and I thought it was really good.