Your announced coming was our blessing (Psalm 127:3-4).
You were hidden in an ark of mother's love and discretion.
A joyful boy and peace-making young man (blessed are the peace-makers), you grew up before us like a tender plant and like a root out of dry ground (Isaiah 53:2).
You are often in your Father's House,
Fleeing from impurity and embracing your parents' instruction (Proverbs 1:7-8).
May you continue to increase in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man with every passing year (Luke 2:52).
May you always keep your way pure by following His commands. Hate evil and love righteous instruction. I ask that humility and blamelessness clothe you. That the armor of God unceasingly gird you:
The Helmet of Salvation, the Belt of Truth, the Shoes of Peace, the Shield of Faith, the Breastplate of Righteousness, the Sword of the Spirit, and the Readiness given by the Gospel of Peace (Ephesians 5:13-17).
Oppose mightily the desires of the flesh---sexual immorality, idolatry, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, envy, and drunkenness---by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2).
Be the bond-servant of Jesus Christ your King, and to your fellow man in His love. Fight valiantly as His soldier, remembering that the battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). Walk by the Spirit, my precious brother, which is a walk of faith in the unseen: in Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Goodness, Faithfulness, and Self-Control.
Joshua,
I can personally attest to the fact that you truly are a Lion Heart. You are an inspiration to me for all mankind as a pure, brave, strong, and virtuous knight. You are the best man I know. I hope I marry a man like you someday as you are my example/ hope that a man can be both so loving and tender as well as valiant and fierce on the battlefield of Christian victory through the grace of God and His Holy Spirit.
I admire your consistent desire to please the Lord first above the death-loving ways of this world, your brave stance against un-biblical philosophies concerning the Gospel and the Church, your love for God's Word convict me. Thank you for, already at your age, recognizing the importance of heeding wisdom and leading our family as the head when the family Patriarch is away. I love you so much, much more than you will ever know, my brother. I pray for you daily. If the world had more men like you, it would be a much more God-glorifying, safe, and joyous place. Please always be the man that you are now. You are the manliest man I know. The world will throw lies at you; the enemy prowls. But God's Word alone is Truth, and you will do well if you always follow It.
Your "Miriam" always.
"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word." Psalm 119:9
Whitney, you are so sweet. You and Ashley, inspire me to write about ladies in waiting of medieval time, and I don't know two sisters in all of the world that I rather have than you and Ashley. Everything that you have said good about me here and also, much more also, refers to you. I love you, my dear little sister. Ever since childhood, when you would help me learn Scripture, you have been a great inspiration to me and I have watched you close your eyes in prayer or read your Bible. You don't realize the impact you have had on me.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Your Moses
Great post and reply...very touching and encouraging to see this kind of sibling relationship in families! I like the Biblical name references (Mariam and Moses) too. :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. You don't have a follow button on your...
*your blog...
DeleteSir Joshua D., I am honored and encouraged by your attention to my blog, and time in commenting :)! Yes, God has blessed my family with an uncommon, sweet closeness that is difficult to describe to most but those rare homeschooling families who understand exactly what I mean :)! I thank God for my little brother; he has shown me so much.
DeleteI'm not sure how to obtain a "follow" button on my blog, but will be sure to subscribe to yours :).
:) Amen, there really is something special about family that many people don't understand if not raised in a good godly homeschooled family (although the homeschooled part isn't absolutely necessary). :)
DeleteI don't know if you created your blog or had someone else do it but if you want I could help you add a follow button if you like. It's really rather simple, once you know how. :)
Wow!!!! I just can't find the right words to express what I just read. I keep on writing something but then deleting it. This has got to be one of the sweetest thing I've ever written between siblings!! Wow!!! You Dotsons.....! Wow!!!!
ReplyDelete-Tak