adultery

when you experience that momentary, deep melancholy of what it feels like to be cast aside by the world, even your friends, that's when you truly realize your treacherous adultery against the one true redeeming God and your utter lack of faith and contentment in Christ and His pure and perfect love.

how i suffered from bitterness and jealousy today. it was particularly hard to deal with this time, because i think the Holy Spirit truly exposed my sin; took it out of myself and put it on a platter in front of me in its true disgusting state so i couldn't deny it or rationalize it away. like a mucousy, pungent goop of Bitterness and a vomit green, curdled pile of Jealousy presented against a shining, untarnished platter of silver. just plain nasty.
had i been a servant of any other master, i would've been struck down on the spot for producing such vile fruit. but praise the Lord Christ Jesus forgives a repentant heart, no matter how wretched! there's no shame in saying it: i love my God because He loved me first.

chapterTHREE: reality

 [Ryle]
Let us mind that our religion is real.
He proposes 2 main things in this chapter:
1. The importance of reality in religion
2. Some tests by which we may prove our religion is real
And gives some applications of the topic to our lives

chapterTWO: self-exertion

[personal thoughts] I have encountered a rather surprising realization. Some people are avoiding me because they know I'm a Christian. That's weird. I guess I've never felt the direct impact of such a thing, maybe because it was never as obvious an avoidance as it is now; maybe I just wasn't reflecting God in my life prior. It saddens me because some of these people profess Christ, but clearly do not strive after the Lord--more like the opposite. Don't get me wrong, I myself am not a worthy follower of Christ; my thoughts, words, and actions are all tainted with sin. All I can do is rely on His grace and lovingkindness to guide me.
It's just sad to see people so in love with the world and so disgusted with God. They profess Christ yet reject His Truth! Do they truly believe they are saved? Just pray that their souls may be deeply affected by the gospel and the Holy Spirit. May Christ reveal their sin and adultery toward God, and truly transform their hearts. May Christ reveal my sin and give me a bold yet humble and gentle heart to minister to those around me.

[Ryle]

Theme verse of this chapter: Luke 13:24

"Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." 

praying badly

Read a good article posted by a friend
How to Pray Badly - Challies Dot Com - Informing the Reforming

6 warnings from Scripture on why God may not heed our prayer (personal notes in category descriptions)

chapterONE: self-inquiry

J.C. Ryle's Practical Religion: "the daily duties, experience, dangers, and privileges of professing Christians." (1878)
I first heard about this book after a friend sent me a chapter excerpt that addressed worldliness, an issue that was weighing heavily on my heart at the time. I was struggling with a decision that was clearly black and white, and required of me a choice between my unbelieving friends and my Lord and Savior. Like I said, black and white right? But nonetheless, with a selfish heart, I was reluctant to make the choice due to my fear of man and loyalty to worldly friends. Foolish girl.

Ryle proposes 10 essential questions for self-reflection and our stance in matters between us and God...

a new book, a new web journal

I really wanted to keep notes as I read through J.C. Ryle's "Practical Religion." Thus, a new book, a new web journal. Before starting this up, I revisited my last blog. Not many entires there (six total). It was actually supposed to be a new blog for the 'new' life I was starting upon returning home in September 2009. How much I've changed since my last post... and it's only been about 5 months! Looking (not so far) back on the entires, I am glad I can nor longer identify much with my old thoughts. I am sooo overjoyed and grateful for the ways the Lord has been changing my heart and my thoughts since then. My new church, Cornerstone Bible Church (shout out!) has really been a blessing in my life. The past few years God has been purposefully placing me in the way of godly people and churches that really magnify His Word, regardless of whether I want or ask for it, and it has saved my soul from being totally lost in my own depravity. Again on my favorite quotes comes to mind ... "a monument to the unlimited patience of Jesus Christ." I love it because it is so true.