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Delight in God
There is a cancer update at the end of this message. CHIP STAM STEM CELL DRIVE: BE THE MATCH www.carlstam.org/stemcelldrive ===================================== He is considered by many to be one of the greatest theologians and preachers in American history. Today’s WORSHIP QUOTE is from an important book by Jonathan Edwards, RELIGIOUS AFFECTIONS. His topic here is the beauty of Christ, the beauty of the gospel of grace. I hope the connection to biblical worship is obvious to all followers of Jesus and to leaders in His precious church. DELIGHT IN GOD (BECAUSE HE IS GOD) True saints center their attention on Christ, and His beauty transcends all others; His delight is the source of all other delight; He in Himself is the best among ten thousand and altogether lovely. These saints delight in the way of salvation through Christ, because it demonstrates God’s perfection and wonder; they enjoy holiness, wholeness, while they take no pleasure in sin; God’s love is a sweet taste in their mouths, regardless of whether their own interest are met or not. They rejoice over all that Christ has done for them, but that is not the deepest root of their joy. No, they delight merely because God is God, and only then does their delight spill over onto all God’s works, including their own salvation. —Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), RELIGIOUS AFFECTIONS (Uhrichsville, Ohio: Barbour Publishing, 1999), page 136. ISBN 1-57748-525-4. You can also find the entire book at http://www.ccel.org/e/edwards/affections/religious_affections.html. Blessings to all! Chip Stam Director, Institute for Christian Worship School of Church Ministries The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Louisville, Kentucky www.wqotw.org www.sbts.edu/icw ==================== THE PLACE OF THE CHOIR IN WORSHIP: PART 1 (Ed Willmington): http://www.wqotw.org/quote.php?date=2010-01-05 THE PLACE OF THE CHOIR IN WORSHIP: PART 2 (Carl Stam): http://www.wqotw.org/quote.php?date=2010-01-12 THE PLACE OF THE CHOIR IN WORSHIP: PART 3 (Donald Hustad): http://www.wqotw.org/quote.php?date=2010-01-19 THE PLACE OF THE CHOIR IN WORSHIP: PART 4 (Ron Man): http://www.wqotw.org/quote.php?date=2010-01-26 ==================== ===================================== HEALTH UPDATE & PRAYER REQUEST FOR CHIP STAM, CANCER PATIENT www.carlstam.org/stemcelldrive ===================================== June 22, hospital update Dear friends and family, Thanks for keeping us in your prayers. We have received kind notes from many churches that are including my cancer treatment in congregational prayer lists and intercessory prayers in times of worship. We are most grateful. God answers prayer. DAY SEVEN IN THE HOSPITAL A good day so far. God is great. I was given several bags of potassium on Saturday, Sunday, and again today (Tuesday). Yesterday I needed magnesium. I am working my way through the Periodic Table of the Elements (in honor of my chemist father). This is day six of strong chemotherapy—one more to come before my infusion day on June 24. My terrific donor brother, Billy, is here from NC, and all seems to be going well with his daily growth factor shots—no serious side effects. They will begin harvesting his stem cells tomorrow (Wednesday). I had a great Father's Day. Martin is here with us. Michael phoned, e-mailed, and Skyped—all on the same day. NICE! Clara called at 7:30am from NC where she is helping to run our summer music camp (19th year). That seems to be going very well, too. Soli Deo Gloria! I have watched every single WORLD CUP game, and that is a blast. Billy is something of a soccer expert and is able to explain the nuances to us. No nausea since day one of my hospital captivity. I have been able to eat in a somewhat normal fashion for the last several days. What a blessing! I am sleeping OK. They are putting massive amounts of fluids through my body, plus, I am thirsty like a sponge, so I am voiding a world's record amount of fluids. That may be more information than necessary. Sorry. Every day, I do ten or fifteen walking laps around the nurses' station. That has not been a problem. The doctor says that I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing. I am one of the healthiest cancer patients he has had in years; but the cancer is very serious. Doris continues to perform like a champion. Thanks to all for praying for us. These next two weeks are CRUCIAL to my healing process. God is sufficient. Chip www.caringbridge.org/visit/carlstam =========================== WORSHIP QUOTE OF THE WEEK: To subscribe, unsubscribe, or view a complete index of worship quotes, please visit http://www.wqotw.org. =========================== |