For the redemption of Joy

As sin, shame and sorrow rocked through Adam and Eve's souls, it was only an echo of the heart breaking sorrow that pierced the Son and the Father. For with one look, they both knew the Son would go Fatherless and the Father go Sonless for the sake of the redemption of joy.
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But now that the only begotten Son has been joined to me in inseparable union, I now live out my sanctification out of the extravagant overflow of this grace from the Son's relationship to the Father and the Father to the Son. I am now the most favored and blessed man on the face of the earth. There can be no greater favor than what the Father shows to the Son and we receive all that favor because we are now Christ's body. 

- Jerome Grosskopf

a nugget of golden Scripture

Psalm 119:132 

Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as is your way with those who love your name.

my paraphrase:

God's constant habit is to approach and show favor to everyone who loves Him.

The Dinner Table

"Something holy happens around a dinner table that doesn't happen in a sanctuary."

A plea for deep fellowship from today's sermon...

The Gospel at work in Marriage

The quote below is from a helpful article about the Gospel in marriage relationship:

When your spouse disappoints you for the umpteenth time, what is the ruling motive of your heart? Can you rest in God the Judge, or are you compelled to be your spouse’s judge?

When you sin…again…are you tempted to punish yourself through a stringent moralism, or do you appropriate the releasing forgiveness that is found in Christ’s work on the cross?

If our Gospel means anything, then it must be real in the moment of our sin, whether it is yours or mine. Otherwise, there is no redemptive purpose in His sacrifice.