TOZER: MYSTERY of the HOLY SPIRIT

I've always heard that the reason we relate to a certain book is because the Author has put into words exactly what you know is true in your Spirit and understanding.  So you read along and it is like, "YES!!!!  You're saying exactly what I believe and have not been able to articulate in words. "  We have continuous  "A-haw"!!! moments.  Such was this wonderful classic by one of my favorite's A. W. Tozer.

I could share quote after quote and it is hard to pick just a few but I have:

"If we just stopped all our busyness; got quiet, worshiped God, and waited on Him; we would rise above the carnality of present Christians."

&

"Brethren, you will never know more about God then the  Spirit teaches you.  You will never know any more about Jesus then the Spirit teaches you, because there is only the Spirit to do the teaching."  Both of these quote from Chapter IV -The Abiding Elements of Pentecost page 74 & 75

"Much of our Christianity is social instead of spiritual.  We should be a spiritual body with social overtones.  Instead of that, most of our churches are social bodies with spiritual overtones.  The heart of the church always ought to be Christ and the Holy Spirit,  The heart of the church always ought to be heaven, and God, and righteousness; and they that love the Lord spoke often, one to another, and what they spoke about was spiritual things."  Chapter V The Dove of Noah's Ark page 87-88 

"The Holy Spirit will expect obedience and will not tolerate self-sins.  Self sins, what are they?"  self-love, self confidence, self-righteousness, self indulgence.  "The Lord will never let you show off or boast." Chapter 6 How To Be Filled With The Spirit pages 93-95

"One of the old saints said, 'Never think for a minute that there is a time when you won't be tempted, and he is tempted the most effectively who thinks he is not being tempted at all.'  Just when you think you are not being tempted, that is the time when you are being tempted the most effectively."  Chapter 10 Don't Beg God For The Holy Spirit page 149

I highly recommend this classic. 

This is the 5th book I've read so far in this new year of 2013.  I have blogged about 1,2 & 3 but am skipping #4 for now because it is in conjunction with #6 that I am also reading and I want to blog with those two together!!  I just had to squeeze in this Tozer book first and it was one of those I could not put down!!!

Walking in the Dust of Rabbi JESUS

This is the 3rd book I've read so far in 2013.  WOW - what a wonderful, instructive, deeply moving book. 

I was in tears many times reading this book because my JESUS became so very real on it's pages.  The deeper insight into understanding is amazing as we learn to view Jesus as the JEWISH Rabbi that He was and is.  

Lois Tverberg blends in the Hebraic words, even their phonetic pronunciations and meanings, into the text.  I found that an amazing learning addition.  Understanding of New Testament scriptures I am so familiar with became even more alive with that deeper understanding. 

It was hard to select a portion to quote, because there is so much meat in this book but I selected this one on page 113, in Chapter 8, Taking My Thumb Off the Scale:  "The two other lines of Matthew 5:22 are about insults, which by definition are negative judgments.  If I meet a woman who is assertive and I like her, I'll say she's "bold and self-confident."  But if I dislike her, I'll call her "arrogant and loud-mouthed."  My best friend might be "disorganized," but my enemy is a "slob."  A store clerk who can't answer a question might simply be uninformed, but in my judgmental head, I'll call him "stupid" and "clueless."  Insults like "raca" or "fool" show contempt.  They render the final verdict  on the person, not just the sin." 

I highly recommend this book.  

ARIC'S 14TH BIRTHDAY

The tradition in our family is the Birthday Honoree gets to select where we go for the Birthday dinner.  Weeks ago, Aric had selection Osaka Steakhouse.

Aric turned 14 on February 3rd but we celebrated on Saturday night the 2nd of February.  Our reservations were at 7 p.m. but it was packed and we had to wait about 30 minutes for our table.  Believe me it was worth the wait.

 Sadly our family shrunk to just 6 of us this time.  (left to right - Dad Marc, Honoree and 14 year old Aric, Grandpa Mickey, Grandma Susan, Uncle Benny & Aunt Jacque)

 Beloved father & son

Grandparents 

 Our fantastic Chef & commedium 

 Amazing how fast those hands fly and how he can cook everything at the same time and get it correct, from medium rare (Jacque & Aric), medium (Marc, Benny & Mickecy) to well done (Susan) on the steaks and also get the chicken, shrimp, fried rice, vegetables and everything else done at the same time.    

A wonderful time and a perfect meal from soup, salad, meal of steak, chicken, shrimp, fried rice, mixed vegetables and sherbet for dessert.  We are so very proud of this special young man who happens to be our only grandson. 

We left about 9 a.m. and they were still standing in line waiting to get it.  We'll be doing this again soon for another celebration I'm sure.  It was a perfectly delightful evening.  Of course Aric enjoyed his gifts and cards!!!

ANOTHER - Oh Happy Day

February 1st- Aric, Mickey and I had the joy of going with our son Marc to the auto dealership to pick up his 2011 Cadilac STS (Seville Touring Sedan) with 32,000 miles.

Marc had been researching and checking out this model of Cadilac for several years and knew exactly what he wanted: down to the silver exterior and all leather interior with every bell and whistle available. He located it in St. Louis and had it brought to Tulsa to drive and be certain it was what he wanted.

It was all he hoped it would be!!!

In these three pictures he is giving it the FINAL check-out with the salesman.

Marc, Aric and Mickey as Marc is ready to "take it home".  I actually got to ride in the front seat and Aric in the back, as Mickey had to drive the Taurus home. Then Aric and I went into the house (it was cold this day) and Marc took his dad on his first, of what will be MANY, rides.

Parked in front of his home.  

Another goal achieved!!!!

ABOUT THE CADILLAC STS

With sharp lines and a commanding profile, the Cadillac STS (produced 2005-2011) was truly a driver’s luxury sedan. Engineered to accelerate, corner, brake and respond, the 2011 STS 5-passenger touring sedan carried a 302 HP direct-injection V6. The 6-speed automatic transmission allowed clutch-free manual shifting, and the available Performance Handling Package that included Brembo^® race-inspired brakes added a new level of performance to this luxury sedan. Also available in Premium or Platinum Packages, the STS offered technologically advanced features like Side Blind Zone Alert, touch-screen navigation with voice recognition and heated/cooled front seats. The Cadillac STS–sophistication with attitude.

The 2005 Maroon Ford Taurus had been all fixed up, including new tires, and is going to his daughter Oksana, in Indiana, as her 18th birthday gift on the 23rd of this month.  He actually can't take it to her until July because she has to be a licensed driver for at least 6 months before she can have a car titled in her name in Indiana. That was a bummer Marc didn't find out about until last month but she KNOW'S ITS COMING !!!!!

Yes, it was yet another Oh Happy Day for this Joyce family on many fronts.