Maria Sue Chapman (2003-2008)

The video on the right side of my blog is a video put together by Steven in honor of her daughter Maria.  Please watch.  If you want to express your condolensces to the Chapman family please go to www.stevencurtischapman.com. 

Pray for strength and for healing.  Pray that Almighty God would just surround them with incredible strength and grace to endure through this time of suffering.

"...Christ is the glory of God.  His blood-soaked cross is the blazing center of that glory.  By it He bought for us every blessing--temporal and eternal.  And we don't deserve any.  He bought them all.  Because of Christ's cross, God's elect are destined to be sons of God.  Because of His cross, the wrath of God is taken away.  Because of His cross all guilt is removed, and sins are forgiven, and perfect righteousness is imputed to us, and the love of God is poured out in our hearts by the Spirit, and we are being conformed to the image of Christ.
          Therefore every enjoyment in this life and the next that is not idolatry is a tribute to the infinite value of the cross of Christ--the burning center of the glory of God.  And thus a cross-centered, cross-exalting, cross-saturated life is a God-glorifying life--the only God-glorifying life.  All others are wasted."     --John Piper

Do you have a God-glorifying life?  Are you working on conforming your life to the image of Christ?  Is your life and every blessing centered on the cross of Christ?  For the cross of Christ is where all of the amazment and wonder is happening.  It is the only place to have a God-glorifying life.  Read the quote above very carefully and I hope that the words in this quote can be said about you; about your life.  God Bless!

          "The saints, in leaving the world, and ascending to heaven, do not go out of sight of things appertaining to Christ's kingdom on earth; but, on the contrary, they go out of a state of obscurity, and ascend above the mists and clouds into the clearest light:  to a pinnacle in the very center of light, where everything appears in clear view.  They have as much greater advantage to view the state of Christ's kingdom, and the works of the new creation here, than while they were in this world, as a man that ascends to the top of a high mountain has a greater advantage to view the face of the earth, than he had while he was in a deep valley, or thick forest below, surrounded on every side with those things that impeded and limited his sight.  Nor do they view as indifferent or unconcerned spectators, any more than Christ Himself is an unconcerned spectator."  --Jonathan Edwards

Please read this quote very carefully, think about it, and tell me what you think about either by commenting here on Xanga, e-mailing me here on Xanga, or e-mailing me at joshua.stormont@gmail.com.  I would like to know what people thought about this quote above by Jonathan Edwards.  Enjoy!

"The Saints in heaven are received to a fellowship or participation with Christ in the glory of that dominion to which the Father hath exalted him.  The saints--when they ascend to heaven as Christ ascended, and are made to sit together with Him in heavenly places, are partakers of the glory of His exaltation--are exalted to reign with Him.  They are through Him made kings and priests, and reign with Him, and in Him, over the same kingdom.  As the Father has appointed the Son to reign over His own kingdom, and the Son appoints His saints to reign in His." (Joathan Edwards, Sermons of Jonathan Edwards, "True Saints, When Absent from the Body, Are Present with the Lord", p. 426, 427)

"He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My Son."  Revelation 21:7 NKJV

"And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear and crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.  In the middle of the street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month.  The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.  And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.  They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.  There shall be no night there.  They need no lamb nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light.  And they shall reign forever and ever." Revelation 22:1-5 NKJV

Amazing isn't it!  God has such a glorious future prepared for those who are His children; for those who are His servants.  I can't wait to see the beauty and the purity of the new heavens and the new earth.  It will be far more beautiful and pure than anything we have seen on this planet.  I don't know about you but whenever I think about Heaven and New Earth I just get so happy and excited for the new life and responsibilities we'll have in Christ.  We will have responsibilities in reigning with Christ forever and ever in His kingdom on the earth and in heaven.

I hope you know Christ as your personal Savior because He is the only way you are going to partake in the Kingdom of Christ.  To know Christ as the person who became man to be a sacrifice for our sins on the cross.  I hope you know Him; I plead that if you don't know Him that you would contact me in anyway you think of and i'll help you with knowing Christ as your Savior and Lord.  Don't be embarrassed or don't delay because you don't know how long you will have in this life.  Just contact me either by leaving a comment or leave an e-mail at joshua.stormont@gmail.com and I would love to talk to you about Jesus and the new life that is offered in Him.  God bless!

Holy

Holy presence, gentle brush of angel's wings
Creatures strange, breathing heavenly breaths
Encircle the throne...still they are saying...

CHORUS:
Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy is the Lord God Almighty
All of heaven is singing
Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come

Mighty God, strong to save
Who can compare?
The earth is yours, and all that's in it
Every knee will bow
And every tongue will sing...

CHORUS

May You be worshipped on the earth in this moment
As You are worshipped there in heaven at Your throne

All this time, even before, You've been worshipped
All this time, forever unending, You'll be worshipped
All creation singing...

(Song by Watermark)

Holiness!  This is what I long to have; what I long to be.  One day I will!  When I die and separate from this ungodly world, I will be glorified and be holy with my Savior and Friend Jesus Christ.  You see, when we are in the family of God we can claim the Almighty God and Savior Jesus Christ as our Brother and Friend.  I hope you can say that and I hope that right now you are willing to lay your life down for Him in worship!  Are you willing?  Are you willing right now to worship Him?  He is so worthy of worship and He will get the worship whether you are willing or not.  You will worship Him; He just wants it to be your desire.  He wants you to be willing to worship His majesty and His holiness.  Will you?  Holiness!  Something for all of us to consider and strive for in our walks with God.

I know I have failed miserably at being holy.  I've sinned so badly that I think that there is no way that a holy and righteous God could ever forgive me.  But, you know what HE DOES!!!!  I struggle with my sin so much that there seems to be no way out of it but I know there is always a way out.  It is just our choice whether we see it and savor it like we should.  We should be finding our sole delight and pleasure in God not in the temporary delights and pleasures that this world has to offer.  Jesus Christ and His death is all that we need to strive for holiness and it is all the righteousness we need.  Let us forget about ourselves and concentrate on Him and on the needs of others.  Please pray for me.  I need to be realizing the freedom I have in Christ and not act like I'm in bondage.  I recognize that I need to daily strive for holiness.  I will be praying for all who read this that they will be holy too; strive for holiness!

I want us to think about the intercession that goes on for the children of God.  To really cherish and worship God for all His care and work for us to become more and more conformed to His image.  In Romans chapter 8, we have a passage where it specifically gives us some details about the work of the Spirit and Christ on our behalf.

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.  For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.  For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?  Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Romans 8:18-34 NKJV)

Tremendous encouragement comes to my heart everytime I read this because it tells me that I am never alone as a Christian.  There are many, many times that I feel so alone even when I am surrounded by people who love me and care for me.  I know that God never leaves us nor forsakes us as His children.  So, this is why I find encouragement in this passage as I read it.  I can rest assure that no matter how lonely I feel I know that God is there in the form of His Son and His Spirit who are forever making intercession for me.  Wow!  Amazing!  I don't know anything that could give us more encouragement and strength than the truth that Christ and the Spirit making intercession for us before the Father.  May we be persuaded to live life more fully in the name and glory of Christ.  Just as God the Father gave His only Son to be the payment for our deliverance, so will He give us all things that we need and all things that brings more glory to Himself.  Amazing to think that Christ's sacrifice is all that we need to have God on our side and that nothing can stand against us.  So it also appears to me that, while the intercession is important, God already has made up His mind for His children because He is already for us no matter what we have done.  It is that way because our being with God is not based upon us, but on His son Jesus and His work.  Take courage and continue to live for Him because He is forever with you and forever by your side.  He has your back, as it were!

"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; 
And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. 
But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; 
For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, 
And her people a joy. 
I will rejoice in Jerusalem, 
And joy in My people; 
The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, 
Nor the voice of crying. 
No more shall an infant from there live but a few days, 
Nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days; 
For the child shall die one hundred years old, 
But the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed. 
They shall build houses and inhabit them;
They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 
They shall not build and another inhabit; 
They shall not plant and another eat; 
For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, 
And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 
They shall not labor in vain, 
Nor bring forth children for trouble; 
For they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the LORD, 
And their offspring with them. 
It shall come to pass 
That before they call, I will answer; 
And while they are still speaking, I will hear. 
The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, 
The lion shall eat straw like the ox, 
And dust shall be the serpent’s food. 
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,” 
Says the LORD.
(Isaiah 65:17-25 NKJV)

This passage in Isaiah is packed with such incredible hope for a better world to come.  How can we even dare to think that this life and this world is all there is to hope in?  How dare we put all our eggs in this pitiful basket we call earth?  What are we doing when we find that all our pleasures and joys are in this world?  Shame on us for settling for something that is far less superior than what God has to offer in the new heavens and the new earth.  I know it seems like I've gone crazy with the underline feature in blogging; but each underlined phrase is a description of what it will be like in the new heavens and the new earth.  I would like to make a couple of huge contrasts between this earth and the new earth and heavens.

The first contrast that I would point out is the terrible evil that is here on earth when it comes to pain, suffering, and violence.  These things are manifested in this life by a variety of ways.  Abortion, stillborn, sickness, cancer, physical pain that can't be diagnosed by doctors, disabilities, murder, rape, and the list can go on that fits the description of what is true about this earth.  The new heavens and the new earth has none of that; in fact it says here that there will be only joy (v. 18) and there will be no crying or weeping (v. 19).  In verse 20 of this passage, it says that the infant will no longer die within a few days and there will be no such thing as a person dying before the age of 100; now I believe that this is a figure of speech because I believe that the new earth and the new heavens are the eternal state that is described in Revelation 21 and 22.  So, the contrast here is that in this life there is only pain and suffering in comparison to the life and joy that is found in the new heavens and the new earth.

The second contrast I see here in the passage between the new earth and this old earth is that work here is hard and strenuous to the mind and body.  Even office jobs, creates stress and feelings of not doing things right all the time; feeling like your day wasn't successful so you must put forth extra effort to do things efficient and more successful.  Well in the new heavens and the new earth, the responsibilities that we will have will always be successful and we will always enjoy the fruits of our labors; no one else will have the fruit of your labors only you and your family.  Verses 21 through the beggining of verse 23 describes a situation where people will build houses and live in them, plant vineyards and enjoy the fruit, they shall enjoy the work of their hands, and they shall not labor in vain.  Can you imagine what this will be like?  I can't because it doesn't truly exist in this life; that surely is something to look forward to.  Our responsibilities in the next life will never be tiresome or burdensome; they will always be fun and successsful; and only we will enjoy the fruits of our labors.  Amazing!

The third contrast is the fact that God will be so in communion with us on the new earth and the new heavens that before we even utter a word to ask something He is immediately there to answer (v. 24).  Can you imagine having a thought in your mind and before you express it to God He is there to answer physically?  I don't think it quite works like that here on this earth.  I've never seen God or heard God answer me immediately before I even express a request to Him.  At least I'm not aware of a time.  I know that God does answer prayer here in this life and that He is sovereign to answer all our questions, needs, and wants; but I guess I see the communion with God much closer and intimate in the next world than what we experience here in this world.

As you think about these three contrasts and read the passage above, I hope that you will see this as a gift to all of us who are a part of the Family of God.  Who's a part of the Family of God?  It is those who have recongized that they are a sinner and destined for hell without help; that help comes from our Savior Jesus Christ.  All we have to do is trust in the act of Christ on the cross for our sins; the love He demonstrated for us His enemies.  He redeemed us from the slave market of sin and adopted us as sons.  Once you believe that this is all you need to be freed from sin then you are a part of the Family of God.  Now, for us who are a part of the Family of God, I pray that we will put all of our hopes, dreams, joys, pleasures, and desires in the next life.  This life is not worth it; we must not see the temporary, filthy pleasures that bombards us as something that is more desirable than what God has to offer.  On the other hand, we must not be too heavenly minded that we are no earthly good.  What does that mean, Josh?  We must see the purpose for why we are here still on this earth.  The reason why we are not immediately transported into the next life when we come to the Lord as our personal Savior is because we are to tell others about the blessed hope we have in Christ.  We must care for the less-fortunate and help them to see that there is something better than the squalor of sin they are living in.  I pray that we will have the compassion enough to boldly proclaim the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to those who are hopless and dying in their sins.  Rejoice for there is a better life to come!

I was reading in the book of Isaiah a little bit today and came across a passage that hit me with some things that I needed to pay attention to.  Whenever a word or a phrase is repeated in the Scriptures, it means that there is something that we need to pay attention to and grow from.  It just seems that I should share it with the Xanga community so that you can benefit from it just like it benefitted me.

"Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD!  Awake as in the ancient days, in the generations of old.  Are You not the arm that cut Rahab apart, and wounded the serpent?  Are You not the One who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep; that made the depths of the sea a road for the redeemed to cross over?  So the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads.  They shall obtain joy and gladness; sorrow and sighing shall flee away." (Isaiah 51:9-11 NKJV)

"Awake, awake!  Stand up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of His fury; you have drunk the dregs of the cup of trembling, and drained it out.  There is no one to guide her among all the sons she has brought forth; nor is there any who takes her by the hand among all the sons she has brought up.  These two things have come to you; who will be sorry for you?--desolation and destruction, famine and sword-- by whom I will comfort you?  Your sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, like an antelope in a net; they are full of the fury of the LORD, the rebuke of your God." (Isaiah 51:17-20 NKJV)

"Awake, awake!  Put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city!  For the uncircumcised and the unclean shall no longer come to you.  Shake yourself from the dust, arise; sit down, O Jerusalem!  Loose yourself from the bonds of your neck; O captive daughter of Zion!  For thus says the LORD:  'You have sold yourselves for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money.'" (Isaiah 52:1-3 NKJV)

"Depart, depart!  Go out from there, touch no unclean thing; go out from the midst of her, be clean, you who bear the vessels of the LORD.  For you shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight; for the LORD will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard." (Isaiah 52:11, 12 NKJV)

The biggest thing about these passages is the contrast between the times that God is with the children of Israel and the times that Israel has rebelled against God.  The times that Israel has rebelled and disobeyed God are the times where they are suffering under the wrath of God.  In the second passage, it says that the Israelites have drunk the cup of trembling that is filled with the fury and wrath of God.  They are fully drunk with the wrath and judgement of God.  A place where nobody wants to be with God; it is terribly frightening and is a time where everybody should take stock in what we have done to offend God and seek His forgiveness and grace to pour out on us.  The times that God is with the Israelites are filled with grace and protection from harm.  It says in the other three passages that God is there for the Israelites.  The first passage talks about how God was with them in the crossing of the Red Sea in the past and in the future God is there to protect and to bring them into Zion with joy and gladness.  The third passage talks about how Israel has sold themselves into bondage for nothing and God will redeem them back to Himself for no money .  Finally, the fourth passage talks about how God will be surrounding the Israelites with special protection; I see the tremendous grace of God flowing from His throne to the hearts and lives of His people Israel.

What an amazing truth to realize in our hearts!  If Israel is protected by God when they walk with Him and judged when they don't, how true is it for our lives here in America in 2008?  The applications of these passages should be directly applied to Israel; but indirectly applied to us because it is written for our life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).  When we sin, it brings separation in our relationship with God.  We won't experience spiritual death as a punishment for our sin; but if we don't repent of sin we will suffer consequences that will be severe.  It may be loss of health or job; it could be any number of things including physical death.  I do believe that there is sin that leads to physical death when it is left unrepented.  When we do reject and repent of all sin in our lives, it brings healing and protection by our holy God.  God is always with us and continually pours His grace on His children.  When we feel like God isn't with us, maybe we should think that we have turned our backs against God.  All we need to do is to turn around and run into the arms of our Beloved Savior.  Let us do that today; if you have sinned and offended God please turn around and run into His arms.  He will accept you and grace you with all kinds of spiritual blessings.  Rejoice in the God we serve; He is both a Just and Gracious God!  Worship Him with reverence!

He always called her daddy’s little girl
She was four years old
Waiting by the door to run into his arms
Each time that he came home

And every night he tucked her in and read to her in bed
When she’d fall asleep he’d close his eyes and gently bow his head

(Chorus)
But she was watching
Her daddy praying
And thought someday, 'I wanna be like that'
She was watchin what he was saying
And the way he bowed his head
And though she can’t recall the prayer
She was watching

Late one evening he was coming home from work
He called to say he’d lost his job
And after dinner they excused their baby girl
She knew they had to talk

But from inside her bedroom
She could hear them down the hall
They were dancing in the kitchen as momma sang his favorite song

(Chorus)
She was watching
As they were dancing
And thought someday, 'I wanna be like that'
She was watching
Her momma singing
As they were dancing hand in hand
And though she can’t recall the song
She was watching

Faith can’t be taught
It’s just something that is caught along the way
No faith is never taught
It’s just something that they catch from watching you along the way

He always called her daddy’s little girl
But now she’s twenty-three
He walks her down the aisle to give away his world
Oh but he can hardly speak
And when he kisses her goodbye he tries to hold it in
But as he turns away she pulls him close and whispers in his ear

I was watching
And I’ve been waiting
And finally found someone just like you
I was watching
My whole life waiting
For God to see it through

And as he kissed her one last time
He said a prayer and closed his eyes
And she was watching
(Mark Schultz, Broken and Beautiful)

I was so moved by this song as I listened to it the other day.  It convicts me that when I go through hard times it is very easy to blame God and other people for the troubles we go through.  It takes great courage and trust in God to continue with the joy of life during difficult times.  I pray that as we have little ones who are watching us; not just our children but just children in our churches or neighborhood.  They are watching us and noticing how we handle life's tough situations.  I hope that the words of this song will convict all of us to continue in the joy of the Lord and trust in the Lord no matter what we go through.

For the past several days, I have been thinking a lot about our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ around the world.  I just want us to think about some passages that should encourage us to think about them a little more in this land of freedom.  I pray that we will strive to sacrifice some of our "free" possessions to those who are in desperate need.  Lift these people who are suffering for Christ in prayer.  Recognize that those who suffer persecution and martyrdom are given a special place in the kingdom of Christ.

Hebrews 13:3, "Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves are also in the body."

2 Corinthians 9:12, "For the ministry of this service (giving to the needy, persecuted church in Jerusalem) is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God."

Revelation 6:11, "And there was given to each of them (martyrs) a white robe; and they were told that they should rest a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also."

Revelation 20:4, "Then I saw the thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them.  And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years."

If you want to know more on how you can help the persecuted believers in Christ around the world, please look up Voice of the Martyr's website.  It is www.persecution.com.  I hope that all who read this will look into helping our brothers and sisters in Christ in anyway we can.  Praying, writing letters, giving money, or giving to material needs that are desperately needed to survive.  I hope that today you are encouraged to help make a idfference in the worldwide family of God.