Author: Amy

As I sit in my living room in the soft glow of white lights on the Christmas tree, my five-month-old is asleep on one side of me and my Westie, Maestro, is snuggled on the other. In this peaceful moment I find myself analyzing my tree. It is decorated with silver and crystal objects that make it glisten and glimmer in beauty. There are also ornaments that have sentimental value to us from our travels or special occasions. Some of these, however, aren’t as “beautiful” in their appearance as are their more aesthetic counterparts.

Patrick and I both are very sentimental people, though he is far more so than I am. I remember his wanting to keep our first tube of toothpaste we shared after getting married. I can still picture him standing in the doorway of our apartment bathroom holding up an empty squeezed Crest tube, saying, “Shouldn’t we keep this?”

What makes something truly valuable? Is it the price tag? Is it the quality? Or is it simply how important it is to the owner? Scripture assures me that I am “a people for God’s own possession” (1 Peter 2:9). He is my Owner. I have been purchased through His Son’s blood and I am valuable to Him. In a society where emphasis is placed on having self-worth, I realize my servanthood under Christ’s authority is the only place I can claim any worth at all. It is why I am valuable.

Those old ornaments are special to me not because of their outward appearance, but because, at some point, I chose them. How blessed I am that before the foundation of the world, He chose me.

Hear, my son, your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching; Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head and ornaments about your neck (Proverbs 1:8-9).

The Lord has been working on various areas of my heart. After a time of feeling spiritually dry, I am enjoying the freshness of His Word and the Spirit’s conviction- even His reproof. It is reassuring to my soul to climb out of the valley and up faith’s mountain. It is indeed progress in my walk with Christ to be growing and changing and shedding parts of the old self. His sanctifying hand is upon me and I am so very thankful.

What does Proverbs 1:8-9 have to do with this? I watch my two daughters every day and analyze how they look and act.  Whom do they resemble? Is it me? Or Patrick?  I have tried to imagine, when they are grown, what kind of “wreaths” and “ornaments” the will have inherited from me.  Will they be dried, shriveled-up bits and pieces of half truths? Or will they be flourishing beautiful flowers and jewels of Christ’s love and peace?

I am thankful my daughters are still so young as I attempt to rid myself of sinful habits to avoid passing them on. May Christ radiate so brightly from me that they are attracted to Him and drawn to His ways. May they be able to say their mother exhibited His very nature.

One daughter has my crooked pinky fingers. The other has my widow’s peak. But may both have my Savior.

Lately, we’ve been bitten by the modern hymn bug  . . .

As is Your name, O God, So is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness (Psalm 48:10).

AS IS YOUR NAME
Amy Branson Fata
© 2010 Portion Music (ASCAP)

Verse 1 – Who He Is
As is Your name O God, Creator
So Your praise unto the earth
Every star delights in shining
To proclaim Your fame and worth
Woods and seas and mountains
Stand in reverent awe
Self Existent, Mighty One
As is Your name, O God.

Verse 2 – Who We Are
We’re empty handed, vile and wretched
Sinners in the midst of night
Grace and mercy flowing down free
Father’s gift of brilliant light
Love’s redeeming power
On a bloodstained cross
Righteousness revealed to us
As is Your name, O God.

Verse 3 – Life in Him
We fall before the throne of One Who
Deigns to dwell within our hearts
Called from darkness
Into light to live a life that’s set apart
All Your works are holy
All our strivings naught
Owner, Master, Counselor
As is Your name, O God.

Verse 4 – Future with Him
One day upon Your holy mountain,
Sons and daughters of the King
No more trials to be wrestled
Bountiful our offering
Lord You are eternal
Angels praise and laud
Everlasting age to age
As is Your name, O God.

Do you ever want to stop time?  Patrick was videoing our three-year-old running down the sidewalk when she took a big tumble.  She scratched up her knee, chin, nose and arm.  When we watch the video, we see her playing gleefully before the fall.  We want to say “Stop!  Don’t run, baby!”  Yet, the video plays on and the fall is inevitable.  We cannot stop time.

Does the Lord watch His children and want to stop time as we are about to fall face first onto the concrete of sin?  The Father of all time certainly could do so if it pleased Him.  Instead, He lets us fall.  Why?  The healing process draws us closer to Him and allows His glory to shine.  The watching world marvels when we triumph over the bondage of sin through His magnificent power.

Believers know His grace abounds, covering our sin.  We walk in light because He has shattered the darkness.  We have joy and peace though turmoil surrounds us.  We live as “those who receive the abundance of grace.” We’ve been given “the gift of righteousness” and “will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17).

When we cannot stop time and a tumble onto the concrete of sin seems inevitable, may we instead fall sweetly into His grace!

As I am reading Leviticus, I am marveling at the specific laws set by God for His people in regard to atonement. Before Christ’s sacrifice, there was much to do in order to symbolize the high cost necessary to achieve forgiveness of sin. Sacrificial offerings were a significant part of the Israelites’ lives. Since blood contains life, it is sacred to God. As blood is the life-sustaining element running through the body, its shedding represents death. The death of a subsitute vividly pictured the future death of Christ and allowed the sinner to be covered and live. For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement (Leviticus 17:11).

How blessed we are as believers to be covered by the life-giving blood of Jesus Christ. We need no ram, no bull, no goat. We need not get bloody ourselves. The precious blood of Christ is enough. It is indescribable! My mind cannot comprehend all that it accomplished. The sins of God’s children throughout the generations of all time were poured out on the Lamb, resting heavily upon His shoulders. With each breath He drew on the cross, He lifted them with His legs, only to be weighed back down. Crying out, “It is finished” (John 19:30) was more than saying, “I will die now.” The official act of atonement, the complete work of redemption, His purpose in becoming flesh, was finally fulfilled. In that single significant moment in time, my debt was paid in full and I am free!

He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed (1 Peter 2:24).

For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13).

The precious truths of this psalm have penetrated my heart during this past month.  We trusted our God to bring us our new bundle of joy when His timing was fulfilled.  We knew He was busy at work creating, forming and weaving.

Sabrina Raphaelle arrived a little before midnight on Friday, June 25th.  All ten toes and all ten fingers, a beating heart pumping the appropriate amount of blood through her 6 lb 15 oz body, healthy lungs which knew to take their first inhale upon having oxygen available, perfectly formed organs, beautiful pink skin, an innate desire to nurse for nourishment moments after arriving, ears that recognize the voices she’s been hearing for months, eyes to examine her brand new world, and loads of dark hair.

In all of man’s attempts to create and invent, we simply cannot compete with the Lord’s handiwork and the miracle of life.  It is a precious thing to consider that we are individually created in His image.  How thrilling to know that His thoughts toward us are vast!  If we should count them, they would outnumber the sand.  Let us give thanks to Him, for we are fearfully and wonderfully made!

Six weeks from our due date, we thought we were in labor.  Now on medicine and minimal activity, we’re doing everything we can to prevent premature labor and give the baby more developmental time in the womb.  We recognize that the Author of Life has all control.  He gets to choose the birthday.  Ultimately, every decision about life is His.  We rest securely knowing this fact and trust His perfect timing for our wee one’s entrance into the world.

I find myself saying, “Patience, little one.”  In other words, “Take time to grow.”  My Heavenly Father must say the same to me when I am impatient with life’s events or struggles.  “Be patient, little one.  Rest in Me.  Know all is well.  Take this time to grow.”

In the middle of the night several weeks ago, I was pleading with the Lord to help me pursue a healthier diet and beat down my sugar and carb cravings. I desire to do this not only for my unborn child, but to honor God in all I do, including my eating. The next day the doctor’s office called to inform me that I had flunked my glucose test and would need to take a three-hour glucose test to make sure I did not have gestational diabetes. My first thought was, “So that’s how You’re gonna help me!” For the next ten days I cut out all sugar and fast carbs. Physically, this was a big help to me. I began to realize how much of a role my diet was playing in this pregnancy.

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12).

My prayer is that Christ would be my only Master. Anything that occupies my heart and mind above Him is an idol. Not to be mastered by an idol takes prayerful daily diligence. This simple prayer, “Be my only Master,” keeps my eyes focused on Him, not on my taste buds.

The Lord knew what I specifically needed to make a change. He answered my prayer that night. And I consider myself doubly blessed that I passed the second round of testing. How gracious is our God who grants us exactly what we need when we need it.

How do we truly become worthy of the kingdom of God? John Piper states, “To ‘walk worthy of the Lord’ means to walk in a way that the Lord deserves from us, not in a way that we deserve the Lord.” Colossians 1 mentions that we should walk worthy of the Lord to please Him. Notice it doesn’t say to please ourselves or gain some sort of merit with God. Legalistic living, in other words, viewing our accomplishments as producing more of God’s favor, is a dangerous way to live.

Our walking “worthy of the Lord” should instead reveal how worthy He is. We should act in a way that is aligned with His calling of us and befitting His glory. We must walk by faith. Faith and the fruit it bears in our lives, such as love, fit the worth of God.

Let’s not think, “I must have faith and love so I am worthy of the favor of God.” We have no ability on our own to gain or maintain standing with God. So instead, let’s think, “God’s favor is free.” Walking worthy of that favor throughout our lives, whether in joy or sorrow, means walking by faith. The power of God not only begins, it also continues the work of faith in us. Looking to the value of our God and His infinite worth is walking worthy of Him.

To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in You I trust,
Do not let me be ashamed;
Do not let my enemies exult over me.
Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed;
Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed.
Make me know Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
For You I wait all the day (Psalm 25:1-5).

The first verse of this Psalm is a beautiful picture of David’s dependence on His heavenly Father: “I lift up my soul.” There is no one I would dare lift up my soul to than the Almighty God. To be dependent on Him is a joy, a luxury in my life. We often hear the saying, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.” Our society persuades people, especially women, to strive for self-sufficiency. Though I understand this mindset in certain situations, spiritually, I am completely and utterly dependent on my Savior.

I am incapable of managing my soul or dealing with the cleansing of my sin. I am completely dependent on the power of Christ working within me to accomplish anything of worth. Praise Him for the opportunity to be dependent!