My Second Love

What Do Ann Voskamp, Beth Moore and Sarah Young Have In Common?

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 00:39:00 +0000

All three women have succumbed to the wiles of our enemy, the devil—leading masses away from sound doctrine and luring them to follow and practice panentheism, western mystiscm (e.g., lectio divina), extra-biblical revelations and viewing our holy relationship with God Almighty in a sexual manner.

Though I will speak clearly and firmly as I ought about all three women and the dangerous effects of their writing, speaking and teaching of God's holy Word, I will refrain from making any unnecessary personal attacks for as far as I know, all three women are my sisters in Christ.

The purpose of this article is not to demonize any of these sisters, but to carefully and lovingly warn and exhort them and other women to be more diligent in studying the Word, seeking wisdom and biblical teaching from their husbands (if they're Christians), submit to their husbands' headships whether or not they are Christians (1 Cor 7:13-16, 2 Peter 3:1-2) and imitate the faith of those who are singularly faithful to God and His Word—with no deviation or imaginations (Heb 13:7, 2 Tim 1:13-14, 2 Cor 10:4-6).

Ann Voskamp

Ann and I have very different writing styles: I shoot straight and she takes the scenic route. Nothing wrong with either. When Ann writes, she paints verbal pictures as she amasses a collage of words and symbolism. Again, nothing wrong with her writing style...many women love that kind of writing...I just don't happen to be one of them and here's why.

Throughout Ann's vastly popular book "One Thousand Gifts" she crafts a web of words that woo a person's deepest emotions of tragedy and trials—which causes a reader's heart to lock with hers. Once she's captured the reader's heart through her imagery of words and masterfully entangled mess of emotions, she transports you to a place of mystical sighs. And here, anyone, I mean anyone (men and women of all ages) can very easily lose sight of what is true in accordance with God's perfect Word and what is true to our imperfect and often, emotionally and sensory driven hearts and minds.

"And I, when I came to you, brothers [and sisters], did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."

~1 Corinthians 2:1-5

In both her interviews and writings, Ann insists that a person's greatest saving grace is having a heart of gratitude, rather than repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. She employs and perpetually repeats the Greek word for thanksgiving: "eucharisteo". This is her mantra. And this (not Christ) is what she emphasizes is the key to unlocking God's gracious gift of finding joy right where you are.

Ann proclaims "thanksgiving always proceeds the miracle". While this a moving and inspirational thought, it's simply not biblically accurate. Sometimes miracles were distributed by God's wisdom and grace after someone gave Him thanks, but it didn't always happen that way.

For example, when Gideon was called by God to go into battle, the miracle of the fire springing up from the rock and the miracle of the fleece happened not after or because Gideon thanked God, rather it happened because Gideon rightly feared the LORD and by faith, obeyed His commands.

In addition, there's an entire chapter in Hebrews (11) that gives account of all the miracles that were performed by God, not because people gave Him thanks, but because people feared, loved and had faith in God Almighty alone.

"Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from God of his salvation...

"Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way...Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will He instruct in the way that he should chose...The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He makes known to them His covenant."

~Psalm 24:3-5; Psalm 25:8-9, 12, 14

I don't take issue with Ann's exhortation for all of us to live lives of thanksgiving to God. How can I? It's biblical (1 Thess 5:18). What's not biblical, is Ann's insistence that giving thanks is God's secret; the hidden treasure to all His miracles and the gift of a joy-filled life.

As with all things, we offer God our thanksgiving, not so we He will perform miracles or give us something that makes us feel bettter about ourselves, but we give to God because He is due all praise, all glory and all worship.

Before I conclude my thoughts about Ann Voskamp, I would like to clear up a misunderstanding between her and Tim Challies. Last year in May 2012, Tim Challies, a popular author, blogger and speaker within the Christian Reformed circles, reviewed and warned many about the unbiblical and therefore dangerous aspects of Ann Voskamp's "One Thousand Gifts". Upon receiving an email inviting Challies and his family to dinner at the Voskamp farm, Tim felt remorse over the tone, but not the message, biblical critique or warning of his review.

Unfortunately, our brother Tim received a lot of heat from many men and women within the Reformed circles for his apology. Rather than read the apology and clearly discern that he did not retract any biblical stance he took against Ann's book, many felt he sold out to her popularity. I disagree. I think his review and apology were spot on, but don't just take my word for it. You can read both the review and apology for yourself by clicking the links below.

Tim Challies Review of One Thousand Gifts
Tim Challies Apologizes to Ann Voskamp

Beth Moore

Over a decade ago, I took my first Beth Moore study, it was on the tabernacle. I enjoyed it and thought she was a pretty stellar teacher of the Word. I began "following" her work and even attended one of her conferences. But once I began studying the Word of God for myself, and as I listened to her teachings and read more of her work, I began to see some discrepancies between what she says God says and what God actually says in His Word.

As time passed, I began to notice that as her popularity rose, so did her arrogance. She now presumptuously claims that God gives her extra-biblical revelations. Strangely enough, as I searched to share video clips I once saw, just a few months back, I noticed that all the videos displaying the heresy straight from the horses mouth were all deleted and none but this audio clip can be found: http://youtu.be/op2121d0loE.

Why hide something if you really believe it's true?

The other danger of Beth Moore is that she not only teaches women, but she also presumes unbiblical authority over men, teaching and preaching to audiences of both genders. As a matter of fact, she was the only female who took the stage along with John Piper and many others at Louie Giglio's most recent Passion Conference in 2012 (which I also do not recommend).

Beth continues to teach more and more from a human experiential and emotional foundation rather than holy fear and true faith in Christ and His life, His experiences, His Word and His relationship with us.

Sarah Young

In 2004, Sarah Young published the first edition of her book, "Jesus Calling" which litters Christian bookstores everywhere. Young's primary influence for this book came from the "two listeners" (two women) who wrote and published a book with a similar title "God Calling" back in the 1930s.

These "two listeners" while seeking a deeper intimacy with God through other means than just reading the Bible, claim to have experienced direct revelations from the Almighty. Out of obedience to the Lord, they felt they needed to write down these revelations and share it with the world. And this is exactly what Sarah Young claims happened to her.

A quote from Sarah Young during an interview with CBN.

"My journey began with a devotional book (God Calling) written in the 1930's by two women who practiced waiting in God's Presence, writing the messages they received as they "listened." About a year after I started reading this book, I began to wonder if I too could receive messages during my times of communing with God. I had been writing in prayer journals for years, but this was one-way communication: "monologue." I knew that God communicates through the Bible (and I treasure His Word), but I wondered what He might say to me personally on a given day. So I decided to "listen" to God with pen in hand, writing down whatever I sensed He was saying. Of course, I wasn't listening for an audible voice; I was seeking the "still, small voice" of God in my mind/heart."

Unfortunately many solid Christians, including a number of my personal friends have this heretical book in their library and read it faithfully (some, even more faithfully than God's Word) because it really "speaks to my heart", said a dear friend of mine. I was grieved to have to tell her the truth about this book and that the author, Sarah Young claims that the entire book is filled with direct, extra-biblical revelations from God, spoken to her, to be shared with all.

Though Young claims that God's Word alone is infallible, she continued to write and publish a book in which she purports is also infallible by claiming that it too, is divinely inspired by Christ the Lord.

Here is a thorough and biblical review of Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling": Tim Challies Review of 'Jesus Calling'.

Conclusion On All Three Women

The cord that seems to bind a person's heart to the dangerous and heretical teachings of these women, are the stories of tragedy's, trials and the yearning every human being has to be loved, feel significant and sense true purpose in their lives.

All three women give us a sense that we can do something to be holy and to commune more intimately with God—elevating a person's sense of accomplishment rather than humbling us and bringing us to our knees with utter gratitude and indebtedness for all the Father has given to us in His Son Jesus Christ alone.

Lovingly pray for the repentance of these ladies and warn anyone who follows their heretical teachings...no matter the cost.

A Proverbs 31 Woman Does More Than Keep Her Home...

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 18:36:00 +0000

...she keeps her heart "clean" for Christ so that what flows out of her mouth is most pleasing to the Lord (Matt 15:18-20; Ps 19:14, Eph 4:29-32).

"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue...God shows no partiality..If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors...So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." ~Proverbs 31:26; Romans 2:11; James 2:8-9, 4:17

We women "open our mouths" not just with our physical mouths, but also with our pens and keyboards. And too often, we "show partiality" as we ought not. We pay attention only to those we think "love" us just because they serve us and make us feel good. We don't tend to care very much if what others say are from God's Word (Ps 19:7), His wisdom (James 3:17) or that the teaching of God's kindness is on our tongues (1 John 3:18). Too often, we only keep close company with those whose words soothe our flesh and boosts our already overweening egos (2 Tim 4:3-4).

So what's a girl to do? Cry out to Jesus for help!

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [in Christ], but with the temptation He will also provide the Way of escape, that you may be able to endure it...For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

~1 Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 4:15-16

Below are some of the questions I ask myself to test my own heart:

Do I prefer those who will openly and lovingly rebuke, wound and sharpen me with God's Word (Prov 27:5, 17)?
Do I trust, appreciate and prefer those who exhort me (through speech and by their living), to travel the narrow road (Ps 1:1-3)?
Or do I prefer, respect and give honor to those who lavish me with "kisses" that make you feel good but does nothing to inspire me to do good (Prov 27:6, James 1:22)?

Often, our husbands are the ones whom God uses to do all these things. And deep down, we all know it, so what do we do? We hide things from them so they can't lead, rebuke, hold us accountable and "sharpen" us. Instead of biblically submitting under our husband's God-given headship, and openly and honestly seek their wise counsel ¹; we gossip and chatter with girlfriends who'll do nothing but feed and nurture our Eve-complex rather than encourage us to live as daughters of Sarah (1 Peter 3:6).

Since I'm guilty of having done these things (because who doesn't like to have their ego stroked?), to keep me from continuing in this sin, I tell my darling husband everything regarding my relationships with: our sons, friends, co-workers and anybody I come in contact with and especially how I'm doing with my relationship with the Lord.

For example, if someone sends me something in writing, I ask my husband to read it for himself, rather than me telling him what someone wrote or said because honestly, I'm aware that my reading may include negative voice inflections, or that my retelling may not be completely accurate and possibly skewed by how I happened to be feeling at the moment. In order to get the true, untainted, godly counsel from my husband, I confess I'm struggling with something and I'm not sure if it's me or "them" and I need his wise counsel. Then I present him with whatever is necessary for him to lead me in the Way. ²

Now that I've openly shared the depths of my heart with you, it's your turn. Ask yourselves the same questions (above) that I ask myself.

God says true friends will love us enough to give us His truth fully aware that we may lash back in anger or give them the silent treatment. Those who truly love you will always sacrifice themselves and subject themselves to your abuse—all for your eternal good. Remember that, and take time today to thank your husband (if you're married) or your friends who express God's love to you. If you've returned their kindness with unkindness, be a big girl...confess your sins and ask them for forgiveness.

¹Note: None of our husbands are perfect and give wise counsel all the time. Only Christ the Lord is perfect and is able to do that. However, God commanded and has provided protection and blessing (1 Pet 3:1-2, 4. 6) for all His girls who choose to be strong and courageous enough to submit to their husbands in everything as unto the Lord (Eph 5:24).

²Caution: If you are married, do not engage in deep spiritual or emotional conversations with any man but your husband (whether a pastor, family member, childhood friend, co-worker, etc.). Doing this will damage the sacred intimacy God has granted only between a husband and his wife. No matter how hard you try, you will disobey God by disrespecting your husband (Eph 5:33).

(article also published at The Christian Post)

Preface

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 13:30:00 +0000

When I married to my Second Love in 1992, I knew nothing about the word submission, except that in our modern day society (even within the church), it’s equivalent to a curse word. And I certainly knew nothing about what biblical submission meant, except that it was a far reaching, falsely pious way that some Christian women lived and admonished others to live. I was interested in neither. Holiness was never anything that was taught to me nor was it anything that I pursued. Though I’ve been a Christian since age four, I had little understanding and absolutely no example of what a family (let alone a wife) that’s most pleasing to the Lord looked like. All I wanted when I first got married was to be happy and to have a family life much different than what I was familiar with.

I was raised by first generation immigrant parents. We came to the United States from Busan, Korea when I was one. The five of us (my mom and dad and older sister and brother) came to America with my paternal grandmother (the matriarch of the family), and my father’s siblings and their spouses and children. We lived in a 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom townhome with my father’s youngest brother and his family of four and with my grandmother. The 10 of us lived happily together for several years until my father was able to make enough money for us to afford a townhome just for our immediate family.

I grew up in the 70s and 80s when mothers looked upon their high calling as a wife and mother as subservient to a title in a corporate office. The feminist movement was propelling and children of divorced parents were all too common. God Almighty was forgotten and the idols of the god of feminism taught women to “look out for number one” (”Staying Alive” soundtrack), that “you deserve a break today” (McDonald’s), and “because you’re worth it” (L’Oréal). Self-love at all cost reigned in the hearts of most women then…and sadly, even now.

Only after my marriage began falling apart from day one to year five, did I begin to pray fervently and search more deeply into what God desired of marriage and specifically, for me as a wife.

My Second Love was written out of my love for God and for all my sisters in Christ whom the Lord has called to biblically love, respect and submit to our husbands in everything as unto the Lord Jesus (Eph 5:22-24, 33; Col 3:18).

I pray that we as sisters, will join arms and unite our hearts to give praise, glory and honor to Jesus Christ, our Supreme and First Love so that we can raise our voices as one (Ex 24:3, Rom 15:6) and be empowered to love, respect and honor our husbands as our Second Love.

"Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is His work, and His righteousness endures forever. He has caused His wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful."

~ Psalm 111:1-4

This book is a verse-by-verse study of biblical submission and how it pertains to the passage in Proverbs 31:10-31, which is an acrostic poem based on the Hebrew alphabet; an oracle taught to King Lemuel (meaning, "devoted to God") by his mother (Proverbs 31:1). Most scholars reason King Lemuel is King Solomon since Solomon was also called Jedidiah which means "beloved of the LORD" (2 Samuel 12:25). Therefore it is speculated that Bathsheba, King Solomon's mother, taught him this wise oracle on what kind of woman a man of God ought to seek for a wife—one of excellent character, in accordance with God’’s Word.

Every chapter in this book is based on the biblical definition of submission, how it is fulfilled by the seemingly elusive Proverbs 31 woman; and how God-fearing, Christ-loving women of our day can realize her true identity and calling as a daughter of the Most High God. This study provides insights concerning the spiritual essence of every verse, as well as offers practical ways every woman of God can apply these biblical principles to her life.

At the end of each chapter, you'll find soul-searching questions to help you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, see yourself and your life with eternal perspective, and view others as God our Father sees them—with His infinite wisdom, love and compassion rather than with our introspectively-skewed and finite understanding. As you journey down this narrow and blessedly freeing road to biblical submission, please allow the Holy Spirit of God to prune, refine and shape you. Ask God for His discipline. Painful as it may be, we can trust it because we know God's discipline is good and loving; for His discipline leads us out of the entrapment of sin and into the freedom found only in the righteousness of Christ (Hebrews 12:7-11).

Since the Word of God alone has the power to transform hearts and renew minds, be sure to read every Scripture written or referenced, along with the entire chapter each Scripture is found in so that you may read God’s Word in the context in which He wrote it. Cultivating this habit will keep you from reading God’s Word with your emotions and preconceived notions of what you want it to mean.

This is not a feel good book, but it is full of practical applications and exhortations to do good (Heb 10:24, James 2:18, 26).

I pray that we, as daughters of the Most High God will use the influence God gave us as a tool to encourage the hearts of our families, neighborhoods, cities and perhaps even our countries toward God.

Please join me in this prayer:

But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our Potter; we are all the work of Your hand.

~ Isaiah 64:8

Warning: Before you begin this study please read Ecclesiastes 5:1-3, then pray and memorize Psalm 139:23-24 and Psalm 19:14. Next, read Luke 14:27-33 and consider carefully the cost of traveling down this road to Christ-likeness. This study requires a strong resolve to dedicate yourself to be an active and willing participant of dying to self and pursuing holiness. In essence, this study is not for the faint-hearted nor for those with whom J.I. Packer refers to as having butterfly minds, “People nowadays are not encouraged to think systematically and at length—about anything or anybody. Our culture encourages us all to have butterfly minds; flitting from one thought to another without going deep into anything” (quote from interview with Mark Jones on his latest book, Knowing Christ).

I Will Rejoice in The LORD

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 17:10:00 +0000

Hello precious sisters in the Lord Jesus,

I don't know what you're all going through today. You may be wrestling with issues in your marriages, parenting, work, volunteering, social circles or even church associations. Or you may be having a stellar day in the Lord and praising Him for relief from one thing or another.

Regardless of where you're at this day, we know that in this world, our Savior and God, Jesus Christ, promised that we would have tribulation, but that we ought to take heart and be of good courage because He has overcome this world (John 16:33)...and indeed He has!

So, wherever your hearts are today far or near to the LORD, His Word, promises and comforts, I want to strengthen and encourage you with this passage from the book of Habakkuk. I love this short book from this prophet of old. I love the dialogue between him and our heavenly Father. And I love how patient God is with Habakkuk, his complaints and earnest prayers to understand what God is doing in a world that seems to be spiraling uncontrollably into a black hole; seemingly unnoticed by the Almighty. And as the LORD wisely and lovingly converses with Habakkuk, the prophet's last response is one that we all ought to strive for our hearts to pray.

Coram Deo,

Sunny

Great News: Lessons are allowed for FREE online again!

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Sat, 12 Oct 2013 17:34:00 +0000

Hello my precious sisters in the Lord Jesus,

I have some fantastic news I'm so delighted to share with you.

After some conversations with my agent, it has been determined that I can, once again, offer lessons for this study (as I re-write, edit and complete them) on this site...FOR FREE!!! Thanks be to God!

I've learned much since I started writing this study about five years ago, so I've been doing much re-writing and editing, with the help of some wonderful friends who're kind enough to help me with this work the Lord has called me to.

As I each lesson is ready, I will upload them and you will be able to find them available again in the Table of Contents.

My prayer is that God will continue to use this work He's given me to bring Him glory and to inspire my sisters in Christ to embrace the beauty of our God-given gifts and roles as His girls. ♥

The Lord bless you all.

A Mother's Prayer by Kristyn Getty

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 14:43:00 +0000

Hello precious sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ,

I pray your week has been filled with God's hope in all things and Christ's strength to work all things for the glory of the Father.

I came across this beautiful song and music video from Keith & Kristyn Getty (www.gettymusic.com) about "A Mother's Prayer". I absolutely love it and wanted to share it with all of you hoping it'll bless you and as much (if not more than) it blessed me.

May we all, as mother's remember that our children are not our own, but they are the precious creation of our Creator God and one day, we will have to answer for all that we chose or didn't choose for their lives. May this truth humble us and cause us to remain ever prayerfully and steadfast in the Word of the Lord, so that we may be most pleasing to God Almighty in all we do.

Remember sister, always point your children to Christ through word and deed rather than desire to point them to you.

Lyrics are below if you want to sing along and make this your prayer too. ♥

Before you close your eyes to sleep

I have a promise still to keep

As I hold you in my arms.

I pray your little frame grows strong

And that faith takes hold while you are young;

This is my prayer for you.

Hold my hand;

I'll teach you the Way to go.

Through the joys, through the tears,

The journey of these years,

May you trust Him ‘til the end.

May you trust Him in the end.

This world is not as it should be,

But the Savior opens eyes to see

All that's beautiful and true.

Oh may His light fill all you are

And the jewel of wisdom crown your heart;

This is my prayer for you.

Hold my hand;

I'll teach you the Way to go.

Through the joys, through the tears,

The journey of these years,

He is with us ‘til the end.

He is faithful ‘til the end.

You'll travel where my arms won't reach

As the road will rise to lead your feet

On a journey of your own.

May my mistakes not hinder you

But His grace remain and guide you through;

This is my prayer for you.

Take His hand

And go where He calls you to.

And whatever comes, seek Him

With all your heart;

This will be my prayer for you.

mmmm Father, hear my ceaseless prayer;

Oh keep her in your care.

Study completion date: December 19, 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Sun, 08 Sep 2013 05:47:00 +0000

Hello my faithful and graciously patient sisters,

Finally, I have a real date for you regarding the completion of this study.

With the encouragement of my darling husband Jim, the support of my Literary Agent, Vanessa, the accountability to my beta readers, and the faithful prayers of my writing ministry prayer partners and other faithful friends, I was able to schedule the dates of completion for each chapter, and thus the entire study.

I started writing these lessons five years ago and thankfully, the Lord continues to teach me more about Him and what it means to be a wife of noble character. Due to this continued education, I've re-written pretty much all of the study.

And by the recommendation of my agent, after much prayer, Jim and I have decided that I can extend my writing ministry to include speaking engagements for women's and girls' youth group events.

So if you'd like to recommend me as a speaker for your church's women's and/or girls' youth groups please visit my "Speaking Info" page by clicking this link: http://www.sunnyshell.org/2013/08/speaking-info.html

As always, if you have any questions or comments, please free to email me by filling out my contact form.

With much gratitude & prayers,

Sunny

Welcome

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 11 Aug 2013 17:15:00 +0000

Welcome to My Second Love: A Study of Biblical Submission and The Proverbs 31 Woman.

Per the request of many readers and participants of My Second Love study, we are currently seeking a publisher so that you may have this in a more usable format for your Women's Ministry and Youth Bible study groups.

Due to being in the publishing process, I am no longer able offer the entire study for free online, but I am able to offer the first seven lessons for FREE.

You can access these lessons by viewing the "Table of Contents" from the navigation menu on the left sidebar.

Please subscribe via email or RSS feed in order to receive the latest updates on when and where you'll be able to purchase this book once it's published.

**If you're a publishing company, please do not complete my contact form; instead, please contact my Literary Agent Vanessa Grossett, Manager at The Author's Care Services, Ltd for any inquiry or request for proposal. To contact Vanessa you can either email her at: vanessa@theauthorscare.co.uk or call 07984-316-734. Thank you.**

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Biblical submission is:

A beautiful gift for your husband and a precious offering to God.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Concept of Biblical Submission:

The concept of this Bible study did not originate from me, nor did the precept of biblical submission. These thoughts and mandates originated from the LORD God Almighty who is good, righteous and perfect in all His ways. Through 21 years of marriage, and many sins committed and mistakes made, the Lord, in His kindness, provided me with training and hope with the truth about biblical submission and the impact it has on the family unit. Therefore it's my blessing and honor to pass the same hope and truth along to my sisters whom the Lord leads to this study.

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

~Romans 15:4-6

This study belongs to God and all the sisters in Christ whom the Lord has led here so we may travel the road of biblical submission together and raise our voices as one; giving praise, glory and honor only to Jesus our Supreme and First Love, so we can biblically honor our husbands as our Second Love.

"Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is His work, and His righteousness endures forever. He has caused His wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful."

~ Psalm 111:1-4

How should Christians vote, if at all?

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 10:39:00 +0000

Should Christians vote? Yes!

"And He [Jesus] said to them, 'Whose likeness and inscription is this?' They said to Him, 'Caesar's.' Jesus said to them, 'Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.' And they marveled at Him.' "~Mark 12: 17 (ESV)

As Christians, we ought to marvel at Jesus’ desire for the separation of Church and State. And we must desire the same.

We rightly separate Church and State by giving to God what is His (Luke 10:27), and giving the world, what belongs to it; our freedoms in Christ to obey His precepts and bless the world by supporting those who uphold God’s laws for the protection and provision of His saints (see Gen 41:37-41, 45:7-8; Jeremiah 25:8-9; Is 44:28, 45:1).

Throughout biblical history, when God’s people have waned from wholeheartedly following His Word, He lifted up pagan leaders (e.g., Pharaoh of Joseph’s time, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, King Cyrus of Persia, etc.) to care for and discipline His wandering flock so that we might turn back to Him and away from all wickedness.

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment...Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.”

~Romans 13:1-2, 5-7 (ESV)

And a vote to whom a vote is owed.

If we are commanded to pay taxes because it is right to do so in accordance with the wishes of the governing authorities that God has established, how much more shall we, as His holy and beloved children, exercise our right to vote for the one (even an unbeliever) who will:

Uphold God’s commandments to honor the marriage union (which is the greatest human relationship on earth because it’s the earthly paradigm of Christ’s relationship with His Bride—the Church);
Protect and defend the lives of those of those who cannot speak for themselves (unborn babies in their mother’s womb);
Provide God’s people the freedom to worship the Almighty as He has commanded.

This election is one of the most critical elections in our country’s history within the past century.
Don’t allow apathy, pride, disgust or the opinions of others direct your heart to do what is displeasing before the sight of God.

Let us behave like united saints of America and together, with one voice (Ex 24:3; 1 Cor 1:10) vote our faith; vote with a clear conscience before God and all people (Acts 24:16); to help promote, protect and defend what little morality is left in our country.

Note: National and state nonpartisan voters guides are available at: Christian Voter Guide and Citizen Link (a ministry of Focus on the Family).

Pastor Voddie Baucham on adoption, abortion and President Obama

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 20:13:00 +0000

This is an amazingly honest and and heartfelt testimony regarding the truths about adoption, abortion and President Obama and his position (or lack thereof) on the right that every human being should have: the right to life.

Please watch and share this very short, yet extremely important video by Texas Right to Life.

Pray for our country, and fervently pray about who you'll be voting for in this year's election.

Never have it on your conscience that your vote went to someone who supports the killing of innocent, unborn babies; for this is an abomination before the sight of God.

True Woman Conference, interview with Mary Kassian and book giveaways

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:06:00 +0000

Mary Kassian is an award winning author, internationally renowned speaker and a distinguished professor at Southern Baptist Seminary. She’s the author of multiple books including Girls Gone Wise, and co-author (with Nancy Leigh DeMoss) of True Woman 101: Divine Design and one of the speakers at the True Woman Conference 2012 that will be held in Indianapolis, Ind., on September 20-22.

(Look for the giveaway at the end of this article).

“An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels...She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy...She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue...Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”~Proverbs 31:10, 20, 26, 30

A woman who knows she was made to be a strong yet delicate, beautiful creation of God, is indeed an extreme rarity. Her value and contribution to her family, the Church and her community is incomparable to the vain notions and deceitful promises of the feminist movement.

True freedom is not found in demanding equality with just another sinner. True freedom is found only in God’s grace and mercy, fully manifested in the Person of Jesus Christ. Only the Truth can set anyone free (John 8:31-32). And Jesus Christ alone is the Truth (John 14:6).

Sunny: How was the True Woman Movement birthed?

Mary: In 2002, after recording a radio program for Revive our Hearts, Nancy invited me and a few other friends to her home. All of us but Nancy (who was very ill) were discussing the devastating effects of feminism on our society. We marveled at how such a small group of women launched a movement that dramatically changed our world. Nancy surprised us all when she chimed in and said, “If a handful of angry, determined women made such a profound impact for evil, imagine what a handful of God-loving, Spirit-filled women could do for good.”

God worked on both our hearts over the years regarding true, biblical womanhood and in 2007 Nancy contacted me, asking me to help her with the first True Woman Conferencethat was held in Chicago in 2008. We had no plans beyond this, but God did. There was such a hunger from other Christian women to learn and understand what true biblical womanhood was, we realized this wasn’t the end, but the beginning of a countercultural movement towards what God created women to be.

Sunny: What is the ‘30-day True Woman Makeover’ and how is it similar or different from the‘40-day Heart Preparation’?

Mary: The 30-day makeover is...[read full article]

What's the holdup on the study?

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Fri, 04 May 2012 20:25:00 +0000

Hello faithful sisters in Christ,

I've received many emails asking when the study will be complete. After much prayer, consulting with my husband and wise counsel from my Women's Ministry Director at our church, from time to time, I will update you on the progress of this study's completion so that you can participate in praying for the Lord's perfect timing and provision.

Many of you already know that I've suffered from serious health issues for the past eight years and have spent much of my time in hospitals. Due to my first commitment and ministry to my family (lest I be a hypocrite in writing this study) and my failing health, I've been hindered from completing this study up till now. But please be assured, it is always something I pray fervently about and am waiting on the Lord for some help for this task, by God's design, has become too great for me to carry alone.

My latest health challenge happened two months ago when I found myself in the emergency room (again) in extreme pain and unable to move. After years of nursing some herniated discs and one bulging, two of them completely burst and flattened, causing one of my vertebrae to slip. Because both discs released all its fluid into my back, I had severe nerve and muscle inflammation which is why I couldn't move. After being hospitalized for a week and having a CT Scan and MRI, I was told I finally needed to have that surgery I've been told I would need for the past several years.

The surgery was what they call a four level surgery with the removal and replacement of two discs and spinal fusion that included two titanium rods and eight screws to be put in my back. Because it's such a severe surgery, the time for full recovery is nine months. So as you can see, I have quite a challenge ahead of me. But as Jesus said, our bodies may be weak, but our spirit that is united with Him, is willing (Mk 14:38); and indeed it is.

With all that said, I'm grateful to God for providing me with some help that will be coming soon and am hoping that He will make it possible for this study to be completed by December 2012.

Please join us in prayer. Thank you.

Celebrating 20 years of God's faithfulness

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:46:00 +0000

Twenty years ago today, the Lord chose to unite me and my beloved husband together in holy matrimony.

We were both young, naive about marriage and still a bit prideful and self-serving. Naturally our pride deceived us into believing otherwise.

The first several years of our marriage were rocky as we both tried to mold one another into our own image of what we thought a husband/wife looked like.

With one child, and conversations about divorce, we were nearly done. But God's plans are never thwarted.

Never.

The Lord decided that we would be married until death do us part and have two sons with whom He would also use for His glory. As we've learned, our marriage isn't about the two of us—it's about Christ.

Out of God's great mercy and compassion for the young fools we were, He granted us the wisdom we finally asked for and committed to love one another always second to Christ. We took divorce off the table and resolved to keep Christ as our First Love; to serve Him, to bring Him glory and please Him in every way with our marriage.

No longer seeing marriage as a way to feel "complete" or satisfy any self-fulfilling desires, we pressed on to love one another not because to make each other happy, but because God created our marriage to make us holy and conform us more and more into the image of Christ.

We've had many trials in our marriage. Trials with extended family. Trials with friends. Trials with our kids. And through it all, God made our marriage stronger and more firmer in Christ. With every wind of adversity, we hunkered down together to find our identity, our purpose, our lives, hid in Christ alone.

I strive to the be biblical, Proverbs 31 woman first to please my Lord, second to serve and honor my husband. My husband strives to live up to all that is written in God's word of what a man after His own heart looks like (Eph 5:25-31); and he does this well.

Though I still have a long way to go, the Lord has given us both the peace and love we need to press on together as we long to deepen our relationship with Christ as "one"—living only to please, honor and glorify the Son of God.

We are here to make much of Jesus. Not of ourselves.

May the LORD receive all praise and glory for the 20 years He's generously granted us and for whatever more He chooses to give us. May the name of the Lord forever be praised. Amen.

"Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;

our God is merciful.

The LORD preserves the simple;

when I was brought low, He saved me.

Return, O my soul, to your rest;

for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you."

Psalm 116:5-7

Easter: The truth about life, death and The Resurrection

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 20:49:00 +0000

Is there life after death? Are we reincarnated and come back as something else depending on the kind of life we previously lived? Can the dead rise back to life? Is there really a Heaven and Hell? The answers are: yes, there is life after death; no, there’s no such thing as reincarnation; and when a person dies, they will be resurrected either to eternal life in Heaven with God, or eternal damnation in Hell with Satan and his demons (John 5:28-29).

Two days ago, we rejoiced in the reason why Good Friday is so good—because, once and for all, the penalty for sin was paid in full for those who by faith, repent and trust their lives to Jesus (Hebrews 10:10).

Yesterday, as Christians, we celebrated the Passover, testifying we have been passed over from death to life through the sacrifice of the last and perfect Lamb, Jesus Christ, whose blood alone is able to cleanse our sins (John 1:29).

Today, we rejoice that Jesus Christ is risen! The grave that could not hold our Savior, cannot hold us. The power of sin and Satan were defeated so that sinners whom Christ came to save would be guaranteed eternal life in Him...[read full article]

HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY!

The high calling of biblical womanhood: Working at home

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 01:03:00 +0000

There is an enormous lie that has captured and deceived many women in the church today: Denying and sacrificing your family to work in “ministry” is an honor and proves a woman’s worth in the sight of God.

Due to this prevalent myth, many wives and mothers are being led astray by their personal passions and are leaving what they consider their less important and more mundane responsibilities at home, and chasing after “bigger and better” things outside of it. Unfortunately many women are deceived into believing their husbands and children are less spiritual than they because they’re complaining about her absence and/or neglect of their home.

“The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.”
~Proverbs 14:1

Evangelism, leading Bible studies, discipling other women, online ministry, writing for the glory of God, etc., are vital parts of biblical womanhood, but none....

....to continue reading the article, click: The high calling of biblical womanhood: Working at home

Should Christians celebrate Halloween, Harvest Festivals or Reformation Day?

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:47:00 +0000

Every year about this time, there's some controversy about what Bible-believing Christians ought to celebrate. Is it a sin for a Christian to celebrate Halloween? Is it better to participate in a church Harvest/Fall Festival instead? What in the world is Reformation Day and why do I keep seeing, "Happy Reformation Day" on Facebook?

To find out the origins and meanings of these events, and which one, if any, Christians should be participate in, read my article on Examiner.com by clicking the link below:

Should Christians celebrate Halloween, Harvest Festivals or Reformation Day?

Movie review: "Courageous" - separating the men from the boys

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:57:00 +0000

My husband and I just saw this incredible movie this past weekend. We laughed, we cried, but mostly, we praised God for the gift of fatherhood and how it is accurately displayed in a media format.

So many TV shows, movies, and commercials nowadays depict fathers as the idiotic, nuisance of the family, rather than the respected head of the household God created them to be. Then we wonder why they don't take the lead, or why they prefer to hang out with their buddies rather than their families.

I realize not every father is worthy of honor because they are not honorable people. I understand many of us live under very different circumstances with men of authority, who abuse their position in multiple ways. I'm not talking about these men. I'm talking about the average Dad who often gets forgotten. The one that gets told what the family's weekend plans are and if he has an opinion of his own, everyone rolls their eyes and say, "Oh Dad, you don't know what's good."

Unfortunately, this is all too common within the Christian households as well as those of unbelieving families. Christian women spend more time in Bible study than most men, which results in many women taking the spiritual headship of the home.

We wives need to learn what true biblical submission is. And men need to stop acting like little boys, and act like the men they are, living courageously under the headship and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ.

To read my official review of the movie on Examiner.com, click here.

Abortions and its effect on marriages: The ugly and rarely spoken truths

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 16:12:00 +0000

Read my latest article on Examiner.com regarding the effects of abortion on marriages.

This is a topic that rarely gets researched or receives any media attention. Which is sad, because it is something that often causes destructive consequences that many marriages are not able to recover from.

Included in the article are two excerpts from the Elliot Institute where you'll be able to read the testimony from a husband's perspective and a wife's perspective of what abortion did to their marriages.

Please click the link to read the full article: Abortion and its effect on marriages: The ugly and rarely spoken truths.

180 Movie: Pro-Choice to Pro-Life in seconds!

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 21:30:00 +0000

abort (verb) - to cause to cease or terminate.

To abort or not to abort...that is the question. But what is the answer? I mean, the right answer? Whether you ask an unbeliever or sadly, even professing Christians this question, the answer varies. It seems odd that a Bible believing Christian would support the "choice" for a woman to abort, that is, terminate the life of her unborn baby, but many professing Christians have no problem with this. Why? I believe it is because both professing Christians and unbelievers have been deceived by the devil to think that because we cannot see life and because this life is not ready to be birthed from the mother's womb, the baby is not really alive. But how can something or someone that is growing and developing be dead? Have you ever seen anything in all creation, a plant, a virus, an animal that was dead, continue to develop? No. Only that which is living is capable of growing and developing, just as the baby in the mother's womb does, unless the baby's growth and development is aborted -- terminated; killed.

Who defines life? God defines life, because God is life.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men."
~John 1:1-4

When does life begin? A person is either alive or they are dead. There is nothing in between. Life is not a process, but an event. You either are a living being or you are not. Just as death is a one time event, so is life.

"For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me when as yet there were none of them."
~Psalm 139:13-16

Please watch this short, 33-minute movie, where you'll see 8 adamantly Pro-Choice people become Pro-Life, in just seconds! This vividly intense documentary shares the truth about abortion, it’s affect on the morality of our nation and people just like you and me. Because the issue of morality was brought up by some of the interviewees, a clear and biblical Gospel presentation is also included in this movie.

I found 180 to be a passionate and intellectually gripping movie. Ray Comfort, Founder and President of LWP, presents the viewer with a perspective on abortion that speaks directly to the condition of a person’s heart, rather than keep abortion at a comfortable, political distance. Ray Comfort opens the movie with a stern warning that history will be repeated, if we aren’t wise enough to educate ourselves and learn from it. and help spread the word.

Please visit Heart Changer to support the cause of speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves (Prov 31:8-9).

Please join me in prayer that God will use this movie to open the eyes and ears of all those who have been deceived.

Authentic Biblical Womahood -- eye candy for your man

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 16:16:00 +0000

I made this quick, impromptu video after making dinner for my family and realizing I had a couple minutes to spare.

As I prayed about how I might best spend these few minutes, the LORD was kind to remind me of a recent video I had seen on Facebook where a Christian woman was telling other women that they are being "fake" or are wearing a "mask" if they looked halfway decent when and if they work from home. She was stating that if we are being "authentic" then we will stop trying to impress others to try to get them to love and accept us. She taught that women should just be who we are, without makeup, without hair combed, without a shower, etc., just as she was in the video (oh, but she did state that she washed her face).

While I agree with the concept of being authentic, this poor sister missed a major point...CHRIST! I was very disturbed that she not only professes to be a Christian, but she also has a Christian ministry where she is wrongly teaching other women about God and the things of God. It is obvious this sister needs to spend much time under godly and wise teaching rather than consider herself a teacher as it is written:

"Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness"
~James 3:1

Since one of the things the LORD has called me to teach women is biblical womanhood, after much prayer, I made this counter-video so that Christian women can know and live by God's truth written in His word rather than listen to the erroneous teachings of the falsely humble emergent church "Christians".

If your entire focus is on being "authentic" so that others will love you for who you are, realize that your focus is yourself and not the Lord Jesus whom you profess to trust and love.

Beloved sisters in the Lord, I urge you to flee from this deceptive teaching and practice of seemingly exterior "holiness" and be holy as the LORD our God is holy by the righteousness of Christ, who alone can make you holy, acceptable and pleasing before the sight of God (2 Cor 5:21, Rom 3:10-12).

Humble yourself before the Lord and do all things for His glory, for His name to be exalted...not yours.

My Second Love - new look, new title, same message

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 21:51:00 +0000

Hello precious sisters in the Lord Jesus!

I wanted to give you a bit of a "heads up" on some new happenings behind the scenes!

I must confess that I'm not the most creative person...specifically, when it comes to teaching....online. I do much better in person and well, God's been leading me to be more open and more fluent with my online teaching, just as I do in "real life". With that said, after much prayer, and counsel from my amazing husband, I'm changing the name of this Bible study site.

The name that I've changed for the website address is My Second Love. This Bible study site will also undergo a "makeover", which will most likely be happening by the New Year. I'll keep you posted!

So, why the change? Well, I actually have to go run some errands right now, so I'll have to explain all that to you later. For those of you who've been with me for some time now and/or are already working through this study, you've probably already figured it out. ♥

For those of you who have subscribed both through Blogger, RSS feeds and email, it shouldn't change your subscription as I have everything forwarded to the new name. But, just in case there's a glitch and you're no longer receiving lessons or posts from me, you might want to re-subscribe. Sorry for any inconvenience and trouble. :)

What makes a healthy marriage? - Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:23:00 +0000

I recently began writing articles on Examiner.com. It's a secular, online newspaper of sorts and by God's providence I've been put under the larger "Relationship" category rather than the their "Religion & Spirituality" category, although the title they gave me is: Dallas Christian Marriage Examiner.

I'm so excited about this new opportunity to be able to reach a wider audience for Christ; to edify the saints and share the Gospel with the lost! To read my most recent article, please follow the link below:

What makes a healthy marriage? - Part 1

Is It Biblical to Leave My Unrepentant Husband?

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 21:45:00 +0000

Last week I received an email from a precious sister through my blog, About My Father's Business.

She had a question regarding her current situation with her husband and his infidelity.

Since this issue has to do with a wife's biblical role and the difficulties many of us face in our marriage, I thought it might benefit you or those you love, if I shared my response to her with all of you.

Ask Sunny: "Is It Biblical to Leave My Unrepentant Husband?"

I sincerely pray that this will bless all of you and exhort you to continue to press on toward the goal in which God has called you heavenward in Christ Jesus...no matter the cost...no matter the circumstances.

with much love & prayer,

Is Divorce & Remarriage Biblical?

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:29:00 +0000

This was a question posed to me by one of my readers from my other blog, About My Father's Business - John 15:13.

Since this Bible study site pertains to all matters regarding what is or isn't biblical in marriage, I saw it fitting to share this article with all of you as well.

To read the article, please click the title below:

Is Divorce and Remarriage Biblical?

What Does Jesus Want for Christmas?

noreply@blogger.com (Sunny Shell) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 06:00:00 +0000

Merry CHRISTmas!

Let us all remember why we celebrate this day. Not so that we can ask for things, or even to fulfill the requests of what others have asked for. But instead, let us all ask what Jesus our Savior wants.

Below, is an article John Piper wrote in 2001. Please read and be blessed.

What Does Jesus Want for Christmas?

By John Piper December 11, 2001

What does Jesus want this Christmas? We can see the answer in his prayers. What does he ask God for? His longest prayer is John 17. Here is the climax of his desire:

Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am (v. 24).

Among all the undeserving sinners in the world, there are those whom God has "given to Jesus." These are those whom God has drawn to the Son (John 6:44, 65). These are Christians - people who have "received" Jesus as the crucified and risen Savior and Lord and Treasure of their lives (John 1:12; 10:11, 17-18; 20:28; 6:35; 3:17). Jesus says he wants them to be with him.

Sometimes we hear people say that God created man because he was lonely. So they say, "God created us so that we would be with him." Does Jesus agree with this? Well, he does say that he really wants us to be with him! Yes, but why? Consider the rest of the verse. Why does Jesus want us to be with him?

. . . to see my glory that you [Father] have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

That would be a strange way of expressing his loneliness. "I want them with me so they can see my glory." In fact it doesn't express his loneliness. It expresses his concern for the satisfaction of our longing, not his loneliness. Jesus is not lonely. He and the Father and the Spirit are profoundly satisfied in the fellowship of the Trinity. We, not he, are starving for something. And what Jesus wants for Christmas is for us to experience what we were really made for - seeing and savoring his glory.

Oh, that God would make this sink in to our souls! Jesus made us (John 1:3) to see his glory. Just before he goes to the cross he pleads his deepest desires with the Father: "Father, I desire - I desire! - that they . . . may be with me where I am, to see my glory."

But that is only half of what Jesus wants in these final, climactic verses of his prayer. I just said we were really made for seeing and savoring his glory. Is that what he wants - that we not only see his glory but savor it, relish it, delight in it, treasure it, love it? Consider verse 26, the very last verse:

I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.

That is the end of the prayer. What is Jesus' final goal for us? Not that we simply see his glory, but that we love him with the same love that the Father has for him: "that the love with which you [Father] have loved me may be in them." Jesus' longing and goal is that we see his glory and then that we be able to love what we see with the same love that the Father has for the Son. And he doesn't mean that we merely imitate the love of the Father for the Son. He means the Father's very love becomes our love for the Son - that we love the Son with the love of the Father for the Son. This is what the Spirit becomes and bestows in our lives: Love for the Son by the Father through the Spirit.

What Jesus wants most for Christmas is that his elect be gathered in and then get what they want most - to see his glory and then savor it with the very savoring of the Father for the Son.

What I want most for Christmas this year is to join you (and many others) in seeing Christ in all his fullness and that we together be able to love what we see with a love far beyond our own half-hearted human capacities.

This is what Jesus prays for us this Christmas: "Father, show them my glory and give them the very delight in me that you have in me." Oh, may we see Christ with the eyes of God and savor Christ with the heart of God. That is the essence of heaven. That is the gift Christ came to purchase for sinners at the cost of his death in our place.