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Blog friends, I think I can safely say that Jerry Bridges is one of our most beloved authors and servants of the Lord. Please read below from John Piper's Desiring God blog...
April 12, 2012
Today Jerry Bridges (82) underwent a scheduled heart surgery in Colorado Springs.
He explained the procedure in an email last month. "I am scheduled to have heart surgery on April 12 to repair or replace the Mitral Valve. Ordinarily, this would be a fairly routine surgery involving a minimal invasive procedure on the right side. However, a CAT scan revealed a deformity in my breast bone that will prevent this procedure. The surgeon will have to open the breast bone to get access to the heart. Fortunately, no artery bypasses are needed."
A few days ago he followed with another email, saying, "The nurse warned me not to expect my hospital time to be a vacation. . . . This surgery and recovery is going to be a lot of work." Then he added two requests. "For prayer, first of all, of course, is a successful surgery without any complications. Then, that I would be diligent to do what I need to do during the recovery process."
Just a moment ago we received an update from Bridges’s daughter (5:00 EDT):
We are rejoicing that Dad’s surgery has been successful! Two valves were repaired – the mitral valve and the tricuspid valve and all went well. He is in ICU and will be here for the next 24 hours to ensure there is no leakage and that the heart patterns return to normal. Please continue to pray that he would remain stable.
Please take a moment to pray for our friend Jerry Bridges and his family.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
My New Style
I am having fun trying out a new palette and new style! Here's my latest painting. It's big - the largest canvas I have ever painted. It is titled, God Will Get You There and the verse is Jeremiah 29: 11, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
Easter Weekend
What a wonderful gorgeous Easter weekend with friends and family! And especially grandchildren!
Sunday, April 8, 2012
April - Resurrection!
Our entire faith hinges on today. I love to think about Mary Magdelene waking up early and throwing on her clothes to get to the tomb. Passover is over. All she can think about is covering Jesus' body with ointments and spices to give him the respect he deserves and proper burial.
In a million years she could have never guessed what events would await her.
They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered... Luke 24: 2-8
The most glorious day in all eternity. Death is not the end. For those who believe, life swallows up death. Then they remembered... Let us remember today, He is Risen!
In a million years she could have never guessed what events would await her.
They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered... Luke 24: 2-8
The most glorious day in all eternity. Death is not the end. For those who believe, life swallows up death. Then they remembered... Let us remember today, He is Risen!
Friday, April 6, 2012
The Way of The Cross, Stations 13 & 14
13. Jesus dies on the cross
Read Luke 23: 44-46
This is the holiest of ground. I tread very slowly and softly today.
Six hours on the cross. After the first three hours there came a complete darkness over the land. It has been explained to me that the darkness was unlike any other. Penetrating darkness. The world completely stopped. Nobody could see a thing, not even their own hand in front of their face. I believe that it was during this time that sinless Jesus became our Savior. He not only took our sin, he became sin.
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5: 21
Jerry Bridges says that it is this verse he hopes have on his lips the day God ushers him into eternity. This is the verse that makes it Good Friday. He became sin so that we could become righteous. I will never be able to understand it. No one ever loved us enough to take on our sin. Thank you, Jesus, for enduring the cross for me.
14. Jesus is laid in the tomb
Read Matthew 27: 57-60
Quick. Passover is coming. Rest. Resurrection is coming. But nobody knew it.
References: Moments with the Savior by Ken Gire, ESV Study Bible
Read Luke 23: 44-46
This is the holiest of ground. I tread very slowly and softly today.
Six hours on the cross. After the first three hours there came a complete darkness over the land. It has been explained to me that the darkness was unlike any other. Penetrating darkness. The world completely stopped. Nobody could see a thing, not even their own hand in front of their face. I believe that it was during this time that sinless Jesus became our Savior. He not only took our sin, he became sin.
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5: 21
Jerry Bridges says that it is this verse he hopes have on his lips the day God ushers him into eternity. This is the verse that makes it Good Friday. He became sin so that we could become righteous. I will never be able to understand it. No one ever loved us enough to take on our sin. Thank you, Jesus, for enduring the cross for me.
14. Jesus is laid in the tomb
Read Matthew 27: 57-60
Quick. Passover is coming. Rest. Resurrection is coming. But nobody knew it.
References: Moments with the Savior by Ken Gire, ESV Study Bible
Sunday, April 1, 2012
The Way of the Cross, Stations 10, 11 & 12
As we enter Holy Week, you may wish to print the entire Way of the Cross devotional and read it daily this week. It certainly is brief enough to do so. The Introduction is here, Part 1 here, Part 2 here, Part 3 here, and Part 4 below. Part 5 will be posted Good Friday.
10. Jesus is crucified
Read Luke 23: 33-34
How can anything more happen to our Lord? Yet, the depth of the cross begins here. I am still thinking about what Simon of Cyrene witnessed following behind Jesus on that long walk to Golgatha, the Skull. Once there, was he still in earshot to hear Jesus ask the Father to forgive his executioners when they drove nails into his wrists? Did he watch Jesus pressed beyond human endurance? Did he note that when pressed what flowed out of Jesus was love? I keep remembering a few examples this past week of what came out of me when I was pressed... and pressed just a little bit. You?
11: Jesus promises His Kingdom to the repentant thief
Read Luke 23: 39-43
We do not know, but if Simon of Cyrene was eager to leave the Skull, another eyewitness takes over... the thief. At first he too joined in and hurled insults at Jesus. But sometime during the next few hours the insults stopped and out of his heart came amazingly truthful words. His words were both a plea and a statement of faith. What changed him?
12. Jesus entrusts Mary & John to each other
Read John 19: 25-27
Besides onlookers, we know standing at the foot of the cross was Jesus' mother, his mother's sister (possibly Salome), Mary wife of Clopas, Mary Magdelene, and John. We are told in Luke that Jesus' mother pondered many things of her firstborn and kept them in her heart. If you are a mother, you know this to be true. It is believed that much later she told her full story to Luke, the historian. I just wonder if, at the cross, she remembered the day Simeon told her, "a sword shall pierce your heart too." This was that day.
References: Moments with the Savior by Ken Gire, ESV Study Bible
10. Jesus is crucified
Read Luke 23: 33-34
How can anything more happen to our Lord? Yet, the depth of the cross begins here. I am still thinking about what Simon of Cyrene witnessed following behind Jesus on that long walk to Golgatha, the Skull. Once there, was he still in earshot to hear Jesus ask the Father to forgive his executioners when they drove nails into his wrists? Did he watch Jesus pressed beyond human endurance? Did he note that when pressed what flowed out of Jesus was love? I keep remembering a few examples this past week of what came out of me when I was pressed... and pressed just a little bit. You?
11: Jesus promises His Kingdom to the repentant thief
Read Luke 23: 39-43
We do not know, but if Simon of Cyrene was eager to leave the Skull, another eyewitness takes over... the thief. At first he too joined in and hurled insults at Jesus. But sometime during the next few hours the insults stopped and out of his heart came amazingly truthful words. His words were both a plea and a statement of faith. What changed him?
12. Jesus entrusts Mary & John to each other
Read John 19: 25-27
Besides onlookers, we know standing at the foot of the cross was Jesus' mother, his mother's sister (possibly Salome), Mary wife of Clopas, Mary Magdelene, and John. We are told in Luke that Jesus' mother pondered many things of her firstborn and kept them in her heart. If you are a mother, you know this to be true. It is believed that much later she told her full story to Luke, the historian. I just wonder if, at the cross, she remembered the day Simeon told her, "a sword shall pierce your heart too." This was that day.
References: Moments with the Savior by Ken Gire, ESV Study Bible
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