Happy 2010!

Do you make resolutions?
http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2009/12/you-say-you-want-a-resolution.html

http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2009/12/21-questions-from-donald-whitney.html

http://www.theblazingcenter.com/2009/12/if-you-only-make-one-resolution.html

Christmas is almost here....

Betelehemu - Nigerian Carol, sung by Mormon Tabernacle Church

Betelehemu, Betelehemu. Bethlehem, Bethlehem.
Awa yi o ri Baba gbojule. We are glad that we have a Father to trust.
Awa y o ri Baba fehenti. We are glad that we have a Father to rely on.

Nibo labi Jesu? Where was Jesus born?
Nibo lagbe bii? Where was he born?

Betelehemu ilu ara, Bethlehem, the city of wonder,
Nibe labi Baba o daju. That is where the Son was born, for sure.

Iyin, iyin, iyin, nifuno. Praise, praise, praise be to him.
Adupe fun o, Adupe fun o, We thank thee, we thank thee,
Adupe fun o jooni, Baba oloreo. We thank thee for this day, Gracious Father.
Iyin fun o Baba anu, Baba toda wasi. Praise be to thee, Merciful Father.

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The language is Yoruba, I think. The gospel is so much bigger than what I think it to be. Transcends language, nation, people group, culture (and everything else in between) barriers. Amazing, isn't it?

Christmas is almost here!

Romans 4:5, 7-8

But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.

    Blessed are those whose lawless deeds
        have been forgiven,
    and whose sins have been covered.
    Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD
        will not take into account.

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I forgot.

He loves me as I am...enough to pay the price of my sins.
Blessed am I to be saved through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ has overcome the world.

Psalms

Psalms 130:3-4
If You, LORD, should mark my iniquities,
    O Lord, who could stand?
But there is forgiveness with You,
    That You may be feared.

Psalms 34:18
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
    And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

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I'm a sinner and it's frustrating to me that I am.
But God has promised me this: that He has forgiven and that He will always save.

It Depends

Sometimes I think that if I work harder or try harder or study harder, then perhaps I might be able to change the outcome of something, or even dictate the outcome of something. That I can control what happens.

But I am reminded through Romans 9:16 that, "It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy."

I hope that I keep this verse in mind as I finish the rest of this semester, as well as the rest of senior year.

1 John 2:25

This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life.