This 'n' That

By God's grace, I am daily reminded of one of my favorite verses about the promises of God's provision:

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? (Matt. 6:25–26)

This reminder comes not just from the fact that my personal needs are met each day, but in that God has graciously allowed me to be one of the means by which He provides food for these seemingly insignificant birds.

I am the only one of my neighbors who is feeding the birds throughout the winter. This makes three groups of creatures happy: the birds, my cats, and me. It is amazing to me how relaxing it can be to just sit for a few moments and watch God's creation. In a fast-moving world filled with fanciful entertainment, it ought to come as no surprise to the Christian that nature is the most edifying and enjoyable "show" to watch. Though there are many genius filmmakers in the world, there is only one God, one Creator and one Sustainer. I fear I take His precious gift of nature for granted far too often.

Another passage that daily greets me as I watch the birds is Matthew 10:29–31:

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Matt. 10:29–31)

This verse is ever-present in my mind because the majority of my feathered diners are sparrows. Though they may not be as glamorous as the cardinal, they are my favorite bird. Viewed as plain and insignificant, God not only created them, He cares for them.

Even in the most seemingly trivial events of our lives, God is sovereign. Not only does God provide for even the smallest sparrow, but He, in His omniscience, knows all about that sparrow. Not one dies without our Father knowing. Just as He cares for their daily needs, so does He order each moment of their lives. How much more for His own children! How much more will God provide for those whom He has called? And if He has ordained even the days of the sparrow, has He not ordained every moment of our lives as well? And so whatever the trial or the triumph your day brings, your God knows. And though persecution will come for the Christian, do you not think that God knows what you are enduring or will endure? Rest in knowing that He will provide the strength you need in that day.

As you revel in God's sovereignty and perfectly designed providence, please enjoy your week in review (kind of):

• I'm so sorry, but I forgot to offer you your weekly dose of adorable in last week's post! Please accept my apologies, as well as this extra big helping of cuteness.

• Some pastors seem to specialize in preaching about sex (*cough* Driscoll, Ed Young *cough*). Reformation 21 has a wonderful article demonstrating how the Apostle Paul dealt with the issue of sexual morality with both clarity and discretion.

• John MacArthur and R.C. Sproul discuss abortion.

• David Barton is wrong. But he says he isn't.

• Anybody out there been considering in vitro fertilization? Because this scientist would like to find an 'adventurous woman' willing to give birth to a neanderthal baby. Seriously, you can't make this stuff up.

• Al Roker. He's not just for weather anymore. Kind of makes you wonder if he was forced to forfeit his dignity when he signed his contract with NBC.

• Closet Calvinist shares J.C. Ryle's thoughts on the symptoms of false doctrine.

• Okay, okay, you deserve yet another dose of adorable.

• Speaking of all this adorable cuteness, before you check out those links above, make sure you don't suffer from cute aggression.

• I'm no fan of the word 'incarnational'. The Cripplegate shares a lot of my same thoughts on the matter.

• Carl Trueman on reading Luther well. This article is definitely worth your time, if for no other reason than quotes like this: "Does it not seem only yesterday that Mel Gibson's film, The Passion, was being trumpeted by evangelicals as 'the greatest outreach opportunity of the century'? In retrospect, The Passion surely stands somewhere between A Muppet Christmas Carol and Dave and the Giant Pickle in the honour roll of celluloid contributions to world evangelisation."

• Here's America's least 'Bible-minded' cities.

• Producer Mark Burnett (of Survivor fame) is making a new Bible miniseries. (His wife, Roma Downey, will be playing Mary. Nepotism, anyone?) He just finished promoting it at Joel Osteen's church, so I'm sure that it will stand as a beacon of theological accuracy.

• Pastor Mike Abendroth has a good sermon on biblical decision-making.

• They're planning to renovate Wrigley Field. Wrigley Field is a landmark. Alteration of said landmark should not be taken lightly. But then, I suppose if the Cubs are going to lose, they may as well lose in a shiny, new venue. We'll have to see how this goes. I have no further comment until I see the results. 

• The freeness of electing love.

• If I had $4.2 million to spare, I'd probably buy the Batmobile, too.

• Most heartless, creepy, disgusting, disturbing pro-abortion ad ever.

• Better watch where you're singing those hymns.

• A transgender 11-year-old is proud of the president, but says there's still work to be done. Um, parents—if your kid wants to dress and behave like the opposite sex, here's something to try: say 'no'.

• There's two things in this world that are beyond scary: Hello Kitty and bubbles. It makes perfect sense, then, to suspend a five-year-old from school for possessing both.

• If only I'd had this last year at the Elephant Room conference.

• Steven Furtick's Elevation Church tried to summarize the New Testament in 60 seconds...and completely missed the gospel.

• Don't miss the free offers available from Grace to You this month.

• Charles Spurgeon, John Bunyan and doubt-killing promises.

• I had no idea Carl Trueman could rap.

• What's the deal with Ezekiel's vision of a rebuilt temple? Is it symbolic? Literal? 

• Biblical womanhood is for all women, whether married or single.

• I don't know what's worse, a zombie apocalypse or an antibiotic apocalypse.

• Fascinating. Now what about all the headaches I get when there's no lightning?

• Ever wonder if the difference between burial or cremation matters?

• Women on the front lines is a really bad idea. Here's a good response from the Council on Biblical Manhood & Womanhood.

• It's been "cold" in California.

• Here's another sermon recently delivered by John MacArthur that is not to be missed. 

• When you're done listening to that, you may enjoy this Q&A with Dr. MacArthur.

• Elizabeth Prata beat me to the punch in recommending a wonderful recent sermon delivered by Pastor Don Green on the topic of discernment. Here's the message in its entirety:

photo credit: Eric Bégin via photopin cc