JOINED BY GRACE

Moses

2006-09-11T10:45:00.000-07:00

Is this cheating?

Numbers 12:3
"Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth."

Mary

2006-08-22T19:21:00.000-07:00

I don't know if she is the best example given in the Bible, but I have always been impressed by the humility of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

The angel Gabriel comes to Mary and says to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God." To this unbelievably and life-altering news, Mary replies, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word."

I have always wondered whether she said this with trembling lips, or if she had full confidence and peace at that moment. I am inclined to believe the first - but nevertheless, it represents great faith and humility on her part. She was a young girl, engaged to be married. What a self-centered time that can be for a girl! In the midst of perhaps the happiest time of planning in her life, she is told that her life will never be the same. Granted, it was an esteeming position to be placed in by God. But probably not very esteeming in the eyes of those she lived near, and to her friends. It had the potential to ruin her relationship with Joseph, apart from the fact that God intervened. She could even have been stoned for the sin of fornication. Yet she accepts this message from the Lord with a resigned spirit, ready to fulfill God's will for her life.

I wish I approached the small "bumps" in the road that God places in my life with such faith and humility as Mary!

Question?

2006-08-22T12:35:00.000-07:00

Who do you think within the scriptures displays the best visual of humility to God? And Why??
(This goes with out saying but nonetheless it must be said... Our Lord is the ultimate display of all things He has called us to.)

God is STILL good

2006-08-02T07:56:00.000-07:00

So, I am a bit overdue with this email, since some of you already know of Evangeline's diagnosis. She does indeed have CF. It's a bit less of a shock than with Ada since we have an idea of how it will effect our lives, but still a "surprise." Nonetheless, God is STILL good. We confess it was not easy news to hear, but it makes Romans 8:28&9 something we cling to even more. When we first heard of Ada's diagnosis our pastor in Indiana sent us a beautiful letter with the lyrics of this hymn at the end which sums it up well.

God Moves in a Mysterious Way His wonders to perform;He plants His footsteps in the sea And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines Of never failing skillHe treasures up His bright designs And works His sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy and shall break In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,But trust Him for His grace;Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,Unfolding every hour;The bud may have a bitter taste,But sweet will be the flower.
Blind unbelief is sure to err And scan His work in vain;God is His own interpreter, And He will make it plain.

God in His mercy has even given us a glimpse of how we (Markes and I, just think how He might plan to use this in our daughter's lives...) He is glorifying Himself in this event. We shared the news before our church in the form of a testimony and saw people who are not normally "open" people just come up to us in tears. I also used the opportunity to send a letter to my family in order that they might see how we have attempted to process the news in a biblical way. Some of my family has rationalized it, others played the odds (that Evie couldn't have it, after all it was only a 12% that we'd have 2 children ith CF), and others still hope in science for a cure (not that we don't pray to that end). None of these are dealing with the news in a way that acknowledges that our 2 daughters CAN have CF and God can STILL be good. Please pray that God would use this to draw our families to faith in Christ and recognition of their state before a Holy God.

Psalm 31:19 How great is Your goodness,Which You have stored up for those who fear You,Which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, Before the sons of men!

Pray also that we BE those who fear God.

in NEED of your prayer

2006-07-12T05:36:00.000-07:00

Hi Ladies,

I am writing with a heavy heart. Our beautiful baby Evie is not gaining weight as fast as they'd like so, we've been going back and forth to the hospital alot lately. I am SO thankful that my in-laws are here so that I do not have to take Ada with me. It is tiring though but, I understand since she too could have Cystic Fibrosis that they want to be cautious and proactive. The thing is it isn't really urgent it's just b/c of the CF factor that they are having us do all this. The results of the newborn screen should be back this week. I write begging you for prayer as I am struggling to not be anxious and to trust God and His timing, and I am stumbling on my own. Please pray for grace for our family in this time. Also pray that whatever the results that our faith in God and His goodness not waiver. We have such an opportunity in this timie to witness to my unbeliving family and all the doctors and nurses pray that we adorn the Gospel in all we do, "so that in every way we will make the teaching of Christ our Saviour attractive." Titus 2:10

Baby Arrival

2006-07-07T18:05:00.000-07:00

It was just hours ago when I asked everyone to give an update on the pregnancies.
Well I have an update.

Markes & Julia had a little girl.

Little Evangeline (ee-van-gel-een)

was born at 7:28 on July 5, 2006. She weighed 6 lbs, 2 oz. and was 18 inches long...

Praise God for His kindness and mercy to them though the whole process and at the gift of this precious little life.

Paused....

2006-07-07T12:51:00.000-07:00

Someone asked me if Joined by Grace was dead... My answer was NO!! It is just paused.

I would love an update on our our soon to be Mamas (1st time & veteran) are doing.

We have recently heard from Markes... and No baby yet.. but day.. or week now. I always like to think 2 weeks pass the due date.. this helps the "LET'S SEE THIS BABY ALREADY" feelings. Although it didn't really work well on my last one.. I labored for about 3 weeks with her.

Well girls.. know we are praying for you, your delivery, your baby, your hubby, and for the transistion from 0 to 1 (Kris) & 1 to 2 (Steph & Julia).

Goodbye My Friend

2006-05-24T08:20:00.000-07:00

Goodbye My Friend

This is a sad morning for me. I just returned from having my dog put to sleep. Samson has been battling epilepsy for a while now and the situation finally became too severe for us to manage. Samson was never the most well-mannered dog. He even earned the nick-name "misbehaving beast", and especially in the last few months, side effects from the medication he was on caused his behavior to worsen. As I thought about my friend I remembered how so often I would become so frustrated with him and mad at whatever mischief he had gotten into next. But, no matter how many times I wronged him with my anger, he always returned to me wagging his tail and ears perked with love. I know the dog doesn't understand such emotions, but what a faithful display of love and forgiveness. It is true of Samson that he kept no record of my wrongs. Goodbye Samson. Thank you for your friendship. Thank you Heavenly Father for such a friend and thank you for a small picture of your glory here on earth in one of your dear creatures. Thank you Jesus that you are not a creature that passes away, but my ever-living Savior who is constantly interceding for me and keeps no record of my wrongs.

Goodbye My Friend

2006-05-24T07:55:00.000-07:00

Goodbye My Friend

This is a sad morning for me. I just returned from having my dog put to sleep. Samson has been battling epilepsy for a while now and the situation finally became too severe for us to manage. Samson was never the most well-mannered dog. He even earned the nick-name "misbehaving beast", and especially in the last few months, side effects from the medication he was on caused his behavior to worsen. As I thought about my friend I remembered how so often I would become so frustrated with him and mad at whatever mischief he had gotten into next. But, no matter how many times I wronged him with my anger, he always returned to me wagging his tail and ears perked with love. I know the dog doesn't understand such emotions, but what a faithful display of love and forgiveness. It is true of Samson that he kept no record of my wrongs. Goodbye Samson. Thank you for your friendship. Thank you Heavenly Father for such a friend and thank you for a small picture of your glory here on earth in one of your dear creatures. Thank you Jesus that you are not a creature that passes away, but my ever-living Savior who is constantly interceding for me and keeps no record of my wrongs.

Seeing Eye Dog

2006-05-12T11:31:00.000-07:00

I have wanted to write this post for about 3 weeks now. Sorry it has taken me so long.

I think the seeing eye dog examples humility by restraining or laying aside his own natural, instinctive desires for the benefit of someone else. He is lowly. He serves. He is at someone else's beck and call. He obeys his master because his master is greater than He is. He obeys even when other dogs are running, jumping, playing catch or even barking. He doesn't whine or talk back or give his opinion or even stand up for his rights. He submits. He responds to His masters voice. He loves his master.

Babies

2006-04-17T12:36:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's too obvious but, think of how helpless a little baby is when they are born. They rely on others for everything. In all of creation, human babies are dependent on other longer than any other creature. It's interesting especially since we are above all other creatures, given dominion over them and also are made in God's likeness unlike any other thing on earth, however our beginnings are quite humble. I think that's why the picture God uses of Him as our heavenly Father is SO cool, not only that He made us, but that He (the Creator of ALL things) deigns to LOVE us.

Only One King

2006-04-09T13:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, this is the best example I could think of, which just goes to prove that my thoughts need to be more virtue-centered, but here it goes: Jason and I watched a show all about King Cobras that, thought I am not a snake fan, was amazing for a lot of reasons. It was very obvious to us that this creature, like all others, was designed and taught by God to be an example of His wisdom and creativity. But what I found "humble" about these snakes is this: when a King Cobra runs across another "king" in his territory, they both do a ritual to see who is "greater." We all know there can be only one king per kingdom, and these snakes realize that someone has got to go. They don't fight it out, but they do a very strange sort of dance together. It's sort of like a thumb war: whoever can pin the other to the ground is better. And as soon as that happens, the losing snake slithers off to find somewhere else to live. Now I know there's animals out there who just fight each other to the , but just a dance? No round two? No trying to buck the ritual? Nope. In essence, the snake says "I submit to you. You're better than me. You have the right to be King here and I don't." Imagine if we all were that simplistic every time we came across God!

Horsey Business

2006-04-07T16:26:00.000-07:00

ANSWER

Well, I've got one idea, however I hesitate to post it because I fear it is very far from the "best" example of humility displayed in creation. Here it goes anyway. As you may or may not know, I am a horse girl. I am very fond of many of God's four legged creatures, but this one in particular has held my heart as long as I can remember. In general I would say horses are pretty proud creatures, however in some situations I have seen them display a type of humility. Let me try to explain. Most foals (baby horses) are born in the spring and summer and after a week or so alone with mom after birth, they are often introduced into a herd situation with other foals and older horses. Foals, like kids, romp and play and test their boundaries with their peers as well as their superiors. When a foal has over-stepped his boundary he is often either put in his place by a peer or disciplined by mom or other older horse After this, the foal will bow his head and cautiously approach the disciplining horse while making a chewing motion with his mouth. This behavior is the foal saying, "I'm sorry, I know now that I am inferior to you". And if I might add for the sake of the illustration, "Please forgive me." As a result, the disciplining horse will usually discontinue the aggressive stance and signals it had assumed and the relationship is restored.

Now, if I would only bow so quickly before the Lord when He, in His Love, disciplines me.

Let's talk Humility....

2006-03-30T10:23:00.000-08:00

Hello Ladies, I thought I would throw out a question to you gals to see if we could spur each other on towards humility, love, adoration and faith in our God.

QUESTION ?

In your opinion, what is the best example of humility displayed in creation and why (this can be anything from a person, roles, animals, plants or organization? (ps: I've got more questions to come..)

Just as the scripture says:
Roman 1:20
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

Magnify the Lord with me

2006-03-20T06:34:00.000-08:00

I am excited to provide an update on my family. The Lord has blessed us abundantly more than we asked or expected of Him. We have been living with my in-laws for almost two years now. A couple months ago it was decided that we needed to leave by the end of May so that other relatives could use the space in the house. This put us into a whirlwind search for our first home. We had only a little time to look, a tight budget, and a need for a house that was at least three bedrooms. Nearly all of the houses we looked at were built around 1910, and you can imagine what kind of shape they were in. I started picturing us living with creaky floors, no air conditioning, windows that were painted shut, and closet-sized bedrooms. Then there was 828 Rose street, and as soon as we walked in, we heaved a sigh of relief. It was PERFECT for our needs. We were shocked to find that the couple had made half of their garage into a den, which is exactly what we needed for Jason's room to study. So basically we were getting four bedrooms for the price of three. To make a long story short, the Lord was pleased to give it to us. We are still astounded. Of all the things that could have gone wrong, of all the lessons we could have learned by NOT living in a nice house, He decided to give us a perfect blessing that we don't deserve in the slightest.
As if that weren't enough, we are also expecting our second child. I could hardly believe it when I calculated that Eowyn and this baby will be exactly as far apart as my sister and I are. As if THAT could be planned by us!
I am so happy and pleased that the Lord would be so good to us. I only hope that with this exciting year, we would learn to cling to Him for who He is, and not the good gifts He gives. Please magnify the Lord with me for His blessings on my family.

Quick Update??

2006-03-15T11:40:00.000-08:00

Hi Gals,
I would love a quick update so we pray.

Over here in the Thiel Home: we had a month of a circulating head cold which ended a 9 days ago with Steve preaching on John 11 with a lingering sinus infection. Kris & Julia thanks for praying. God answered the prayers in giving strength to the weak.

No Greater Love

2006-02-14T11:52:00.000-08:00

No Greater Love.

A word of encouragement:

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the propitation for our sins.

The embodiment of Humility and Love.

God is so good, He's so good to me.

2006-01-31T07:21:00.000-08:00

Hey Kris - that is so encouraging to hear yet again. Praise God!

I have been told that I did not actually share my actual *testimony* in my initial post... so, I will add a those details here.

I grew up in a Bible believing home, with two wonderful Christian parents. I knew a lot about the Bible and never rejected my parents' faith, so I thought. But there were significant patterns of sin that I had never confronted. Perhaps the most pervasive one was a pattern of deceit and lying. As one of the more drastic examples, I passed a class in Bible college by lying about turning in a paper I had never written, and allowing my professor to take the blame of thinking he had lost it. Not only was I lying to others, but I was lying in my own mind in order to cover up the guilt I knew I could not face.

When I finished college, Eric and I were in a Bible study (with the Thiels) led by Wes Pastor. Eric was a deacon, and on track to start seminary a year after we got married. God was so gracious to us, however, by using the study of Romans that year to show both of us that we had never truly repented and submitted our lives to the Lord. I was first - learning for the first time that I couldn't live however I wanted and still claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ. The patterns of sin had to go - but they had such a grip on me and I had no power over them. As much as I wanted to change, I couldn't. Eric was second - he had followed the faith of his parents, and as with me, had never really given up a life of sin in order to follow Christ. It had been cultural, not personal, for both of us.

Eric's recognition of unbelief was harder on me than even my own. I was angry at God. I loved Eric, and could not accept that God could be just in sending Eric to hell. These thought spiraled into a series of doubts of the existence of God, and especially the goodness of God. I became pregnant right before this, and that was one of the lifesavers. I knew, as I watched this baby grow inside my womb, that there had to be a God. This baby was not a matter of chance.

Those were the most terrifying months of my life. I knew I was going to hell, and for the first time I knew that I had no control over my own fate, or the fates of my husband and child. When I read the Bible I found no comfort - only condemnation, as I was the "wicked one" in all the passages, not the "righteous one" by faith. I was terrified of God, and yet in His kindness He showed me that He was the only one who could rescue me from His own wrath. I had to trust in Christ's blood - it was that simple, but something I could never do on my own.

Isaiah 55:1-2, 6-9 says "Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Whey do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance.... Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. 'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,' declares the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.'"

These words were so sweet to my weary and fearful soul. I was thirsty, but had no water. Hungry, but no money to buy food. I was spending my life for things that did not satisfy. But God promised... yes He *promised* that if I turned to Him He would have compassion on me. The "My ways are higher" verses had made me angry before - I read them as if coming from a haughty and proud God. But as He transformed my heart, I realized that no! - those verses were amazing! He was saying that if it were up to me (and my lower thoughts) no plan of salvation like this would ever be put in to place. There would be no hope for the wicked - no compassion, no abundant pardoning. I had been oh so wrong - and what joy to know that.

It took me a few months to be sure of what had happened. But as I saw patterns of sin being conquered, and love for my Savior increasing, God gave me peace I had not felt before. I was baptized in December of 2004 (just over one year ago!) and though I get discouraged at times, I go back to these verses and am comforted that I did not save myself, and that He has promised to complete the work He started in me. And if that were not wonderful enough, it seems as though God saved Eric this past March through a missions trip to Cameroon. He is so good!

Sorry that was so long... it really is amazing, though, to rewrite your testimony. It is such an encouragement to remind ourselves of where God has brought us.

Question: how does this book reading/commenting go? Can you start it out for us, Linda?

(Random comment: in this spell check, "Christ's" comes up with the suggestion of "crusts" Ouch.)

Here I am!

2006-01-29T19:36:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone, after some technical difficulties and an overly ambitious SPAM filter, I am finally here and posting. My name is Kris Munger and I met and came to know Linda and Mary-Margaret over the passed couple of years at Christ Memorial Church and now Redeeming Grace Church. These two women have been to me examples of Godly wives, mothers and servants. They are my friends and my sisters and I am ever thankful for them. Julia I believe I met you and your family once very briefly at the Thiel's house. If you don't remember I would have been the freakishly tall one.

Okay, about me, I was born in New Hampshire and bounced around the northeast until I was 11 when my parents landed & stayed in western New York. I went to a small college in Worcester, Ma. and arrived in Vermont in October of 2002. So enough geography, here is a bit of my testimony.

I grew up with barely any religious education or church attendance at all. I had a wonderful family and home life, but it was completely devoid of God. By my college years I had developed the opinion that most probably God did not exist and if by chance I was wrong and He did, I was a pretty good kid, so I'd get to go to heaven. I claimed "science" made much more sense to me and through my pride I held fast to my convictions. I never claimed to be sinless, but was quite sure I was better then most so I was all set. After graduation and a couple of years of "real life" I was frustrated and unsure of what to do with myself. Through the years and trials, my then boyfriend Kevin was always my safe ground. He was there and always would be, or so I thought. Meanwhile, through a long process that I had partially witnessed and wholly misunderstood, Kevin surrendered his life to our Lord Jesus Christ, began attending Christ Memorial Church and started sitting under and submitting to good biblical teaching and council. One evening in May of 2003 he showed up on my doorstep with tears in his eyes. We had been dating for 8 1/2 years and were soon to be engaged. That night he shared with me about sin and his Savior and told me that we could not marry. I rejected him and God with anger and hurt. He stood firm in obedience to God. Oh now, how thankful I am for his faith.

That night and the next day brought a heavy heart. In the afternoon I left work in tears returning home to find one of my 3 roommates who just "happened" to be a believer. I spilled my heart to her and again I was presented with the gospel. Though I responded with question and sarcasm at first, God was at work on my heart. That night by His Grace I knelt before the cross in repentance and faith. A couple of months later Kevin gave me the engagement ring he had canceled back in May when I had so adamantly rejected Christ. On July 4, 2004 I married my high school sweetheart. From then on through God's grace and the teaching and family at CMC and now RGC I am changed and am being changed. I can't wait to read and discuss this book with you girls, I'm excited to learn more and more about the cross that my King endured for me even while I despised and rejected Him.

Question?

2006-01-20T17:18:00.000-08:00

Where - is - Kris - ten? Where - is - Kris - ten?.... (to the tune of "Where is Thumper?")

MM is finally posting!

2006-01-17T20:10:00.000-08:00

Hurrah! Here I go. My first blog posting. Whew, this seems like a momentus occasion. Just think... I will be able to tell Joshua and Peter that I remember when there *weren't* blogs. :) :)

For those that don't know me, I'm Mary-Margaret. My claims to fame are my three boys - Eric (my husband) Joshua (my 2 yr old) and Peter (my 5 mo old). The first one is incredibly handsome, the second is incredibly cute, and the third is incredibly chubby. :)

For a quick bio: I was born in Oklahoma, moved to New Zealand when I was 1 year (where my dad is from), and moved back to the States to my mom's hometown in Ohio when I was 6. When my parents told me we were moving to VT when I was 11, I was mad. But how glad I am that God moved us there - for it is in Vermont that I found the love of my life (Eric), and the Lover of my soul (Jesus Christ).

I have an associates degree in Biblical Studies from a Bible college in Canada. Eric and I have been married since Oct of 2002. Joshua was born in Nov of 2003. I came to saving faith in Jesus Christ in Sept of 2004. Peter was born in Aug of 2005. Wow, what an awesome 4 years it has been! God has been so good to me.

I met Linda through church, but really became her friend when we were pregnant with our 2 year old boys and lived across the parking lot from each other. That was an awesome year of love, laughter, babies, closet organization, ingredient borrowing, recipe sharing, and late night chats. I love our house but sometimes I long for those days when Linda or Les were just next door. It can be so lonely to own your own home!

Now Kris has become my new "neighbor" and we are both psyched to be part of a new church plant. She is such a blessing to me and the boys. She was a lifesaver while I was pregnant and right after Peter was born - she even vacuumed under my bed while Joshua pee-ed on her leg! She has changed more poopy diapers with a "disgusting!" comment but a smile on her face than anyone I know. I will make her post on Thurs when she is here if she hasn't by then.

Julia I know through the brief time we were at CMC together after I finished college... and Stephanie I don't know at all, but am excited to get to know!

I am putting a book order in this week, so I know I'm behind on reading it but I'm anxious to hear comments from those of you who have started already. In case you hadn't guessed, I'm chatty. Linda, you've got company! :)

Hey Girls

2006-01-17T11:40:00.000-08:00

Hi. I'm the mysterious Stephanie, joined to you all by Juila. Julia and I knew each other for about two (?) years while she was in Indiana. We went through our first pregnancies together, so although we don't get to talk or see each other nearly enough, I would consider Julia a good friend. Currently I live with my husband of three years, Jason, and our daughter Eowyn, who is 18 months, and my in-laws. Jason works full time and takes seminary classes while I am a full-time Mom. We are hoping to find our first home soon (big prayer request!).
I read a lot, and I love getting suggestions for good books, so I am very interested in getting together with like-minded women to talk about our reading. However, due to a tight budget I don't think I'm going to be able to purchase C.J. Mahaney's book for this round. But don't give up on me. I hope I can join in with the next book! I would love to get to know all of you.

intro, etc

2006-01-13T07:41:00.000-08:00

Hi, my name is Julia Wilson. I've known Linda since 2000 and our husbands (Steve & Markes)have known each other since 1981 (kindergarten). Upon moving to VT in 2000 I was "searching" but, very oblivious to that fact. With slightly wrong motivations I agreed to attend a Bible study that my attractive husband was co-leading at the time with Steve. And the Lord just took it from there and drew me in over the next few months. I grew up Catholic and had never heard the Gospel before and it hit me HARD. All the questions/issues I had related to Catholicism were answered and everything finally began to make sense.
In 2002 we moved to Indiana for Markes to get his MBA, which is where I met Stephanie at our "country" church out there. Upon graduation and the birth of our first (Ada- 1 more on the way now, due in early July) Markes was offered a job near a church we knew of b/c our church in VT (Christ Memorial Church) planted here in NH called Christ Redeemer Church in 2000. I know some of you know parts and I feel redundant at times however, I am just trying to connect the dots. Anyway, I've gone on long enough for now. FYI I just ordered the book yesterday and hope to get it relatively soon.

SHALL WE BEGIN?

2006-01-13T06:31:00.000-08:00

HELLO LADIES...
I hope you are all as excited as I am. I am not only excited about reading this book but also hearing your thoughts about it and how the Lord is molding you for His Glory and purposes. Why don't we start by introductions, maybe even a snip of your testimony, or anything you would like.

CURRENT BOOK --> HUMILITY

Looking forward to hearing from you all.