The Highway of Holiness

At the end of October, our family attended the 2015 NCFIC  Highway of Holiness Conference, which was held near Asheville, NC. The sermons were very beneficial and eye-opening for our family and we have come home with much to think about! I hope that these quotes will bless you as well.

“And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.”

Isaiah 35:8

~Scott Brown, President of NCFIC~

“The pursuit of holiness is the pursuit of the likeness of Christ.”

“We must purse holiness.  Salvation’s whole design is holiness.”

"God's holiness is found in everything. It is the irreducible principle.  It’s higher, deeper, and wider than all the doctrines.  Isolating the doctrine of holiness is impossible."

“We are like sand fleas on the beach, trying to describe the Himalayan Mountains as we try to describe God’s holiness.”

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~Paul Washer~

"God is distinct, separate. He is in a category all to Himself. That holiness, that distinctiveness, is demonstrated by God’s purity, His cleanness.  We need to value God.  It’s not just about our attempt to pursue sinlessness.  Don’t become a nit-picky rule-keeper, a legalist.  I do not want holiness for holiness’ sake. I want holiness for Christ’s sake.

“Sometimes I’m afraid to walk on the Highway of Holiness. To walk in the truth is to walk on a razor blade: antinomianism on one side, legalism on the other side. Taking away what God has said or adding to what God has said. The only solution is to keep my eyes fixed on Christ. When I follow Christ, I see a holiness as he walks toward Jerusalem.  I see only in Him the perfect example that holiness is manifested in love toward God. And love toward everyone else. He is not only holy in His justice, but He is holy in His mercy and grace. I want to be holy. I know the motivation for holiness: It is Christ. The goal of all holiness is Christ.

“That Someone like that would humble Himself to save someone like me is beyond overwhelming;  it’s mind-destroying! When you get your mind around this – God’s holiness – it just grabs you and carries you along. You cannot sin in light of this. You hate self and its exultation in light of this. Nothing, nothing but Christ.  And then you are on the Highway of Holiness.
 

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~Joel Beeke~

“Whenever we sin, we are not really thinking of God at that moment.  Whenever we knowingly commit a sin of omission or commission, at that very moment, we are playing the role of a practical atheist. At that moment, we are acting as though God is not.  If you really believe in God, you would not sin with impunity.”

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~Jeff Pollard~

“To love the world is to love what God hates, to esteem what God loathes, to value what God rejects, to admire what God despises, to exalt what God condemns, to accept what God rejects, to savor what God vomits out, to call good what God calls evil.”

For the month of November, you can download and listen to the keynote sermons for FREE on ncfic.org

Water Play!!

 

In early August, our family went with a sweet friend to the Edisto River in SC. We had a blast playing in the river and on the sand bars, it being low tide.

Kyle and Hope were the noisy ones with much splashing, laughing, and squealing (the squealing coming from Hope!).

Philip was the only one to bravely wade all the way across the river

Luke caught minnows by scooping up water and straining it through his hat!!

Later in August, we took a trip to Kentucky to visit family friends. All 15 of us  took a double-decker pontoon boat (w/ slide) out on Lake Kentucky and spent the day swimming, inner tubing, and having good fellowship.

The back seaters

Our brave youngin’ was cautious this time.

Emilee got in on the fun with her little friend.

The observers on the top deck got the best view. We fastened the inner-tube rope on the upper story of the pontoon and some people got wild rides with the rope being yanked in all directions!!

The smallest crew member enjoyed the tubing as well!!

best friends

 

Little munchkin with no fear.

We are so thankful for our friends’ hospitality and the wonderful day we had with them! We treasure the friendship and the memories.

With all this time spent on the water, we’ve been reminded so often of the amazing and intricate details of God’s creation. Water is amazing in all of its qualities and how it is necessary for life.

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.

Isaiah 12:2-5

Camping!

Way back in April, our family spent some special time together in the wilderness of the lowcountry.  The weather was great and we enjoyed many adventures together in God’s beautiful creation.

Sunset over the marsh.

We took a 3 mile bike ride on some rough dirt/mud roads.  Good workout for the legs!

Taking a quick break.

A few of the boys raced on their bikes back to our campsite.  On the main gravel road, they barely missed this 3 foot poisonous cottonmouth out sunning himself.  Kyle took care of him with the truck!  Yeah Kyle!!

Later in the afternoon, four of us went on a couple mile kayak trip to BP’s dock.  The water was a bit choppy on the Cooper River.

Heading back with the current this time:)

We saw quite a few alligators up close in the smaller creeks.  This one is around 8 feet long.

The bass were biting well and we enjoyed a delicious fish dinner back at home.

We all were happy to head home and out of the “no-see-um” bug territory.  They loved Hope’s hair.

“Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth! Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity."   Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.”

Psalm 96:9-13

Comings and Goings

A quiet blog seems to mean one of two things, there is not much going on, or the schedule is FULL.  2015 has been a year filled with good hard work, family activities, music, friends, and events, as well as flexibility to jump into opportunities the Lord brings.  Here are a few snapshots…   

We attended a wonderful family conference focused on gratitude.

 

Working on her winking abilities;)

 

For his 16th birthday, Davis requested an outside party with a big game of soccer and relay races.

 

…Oh yes, and the traditional birthday attire with coordinating pipe cleaner “16 glasses! (thanks to Clara and Philip)

 

A successful fishing trip during our family campout.

 

With our lovely grandparents and southern azaleas.

 

Happy birthday Daddy…yes, another hat!

 

Spending time with friends at a nearby lake.  We didn’t catch anything, but the view was beautiful and peaceful.

 

A local dairy farm and our source for raw milk.  The calves love to play and suck our fingers.

 

Dinner at a favorite local restaurant with more grandparents…thanks Grandpa!!

 

In a few years, Hope will probably be our roller coaster queen.  Every time she sees a new piece of equipment or motor vehicle, she wants a ride.

Kyle’s full-time lawn business is flourishing and keeps him and Davis (and other strong young men willing to work on hot humid days) quite busy.

 

4th of July pie contest…yummmm!  Our entries were the fruit pizza and American flag berry pie.  The original name for the the berry pie was “Old Glory” but the name soon changed to “Faded Glory.”

 

Time to process tomatoes!  Thank you Clara!

 

This year, Kyle was offered growing privileges on 3 acres to experiment with organic gardening.  He learned to check the deer preference list (they really enjoyed ALL the sweet potato, bean  and onion plants) but Kyle enjoyed a good harvest of squash and watermelon.  Not pictured are 80 or so watermelons!

 

30 gallons of blueberries!  This is one of the few pictures we have when someone is not snitching…however, I think Luke is thinking about it:)

 

Dad and Mom enjoy their date nights, especially by Charleston harbor.

 

“Hey missy, stop tearing down my tower!”

So yes, Johnson life remains full of energy and daily sanctification.  As seasons come and go, we are so thankful for the Lord’s faithfulness and promise to finish the work He has begun.