Author Archives: Becky Pliego

About Becky Pliego

I am grateful because God, in His grace, called me out of darkness and into his admirable light. When I did not look for Him, He found me. When I was in a pit of sin, He rescued me. I am not walking this road alone, my family is always with me, and we love Him, because He loved us first.

Interrupting this Temporal Silence

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Dear friends,

Many of you know that our family has been traveling for the last two weeks and will still be away for the next two; we have been visiting old friends, making new ones, hugging long and crying even more. We  also left our oldest son in College; and now my girls and I are visiting my sister and her family. A gift from above indeed!

My pictures are still in my camera, but I promise to share some with you soon. I am sure you will love them.

I am not sure when I will be back to posting regularly (maybe not so soon!), but meanwhile I hope you are enjoying the last weeks of your summer and that no matter where you are now, you may see His wonderful Hand at work in your life.

I thought you might be blessed by this wonderful hymn sung at the NSA Convocation 2011

Coram Deo

Becky

Calvin on Piety

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I want to share with you some excellent quotes from my reading corner about the meaning and importance of a word that we have almost forgotten and need to use more often: PIETY

The book: Living for God’s Glory by Joel R. Beeke
Chapter 13, Calvin’s Exalting Piety

“For him [Calvin], piety was not only a positive trait, it was the essence of true biblical Christianity. For him, theological understanding and practical piety, truth and usefulness, were inseparable.”

 

“In the preface of his Institutes, which he addressed to King Francis I, Calvin says that the book’s purpose is solely to transmit certain rudiments by which those who are touched with any zeal for religion might be shaped to true godliness [pietas]”

 

“For Calvin, piety designates a proper attitude toward God, and obedience to Him. Flowing out of the knowledge of who and what God is (theology), piety includes heartfelt worship, saving faith, filial fear, prayerful submission, and reverential love.”

 

“In his first catechism, Calvin writes, ‘True piety consists in a sincere feeling which loves God as Father as much as it fears and reverences Him as Lord, embraces His righteousness, and dreads offending Him worse than death.'”

 

“Such piety embraces all life. Calvin writes, ‘The whole life of Christians ought to be a sort of practice of godliness'”

 

“The goal of piety is to recognize and praise the glory of God -glory that shines in God’s attributes, in the structure of the world, and in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ… As a result the pious man’s deepest concern is God himself and the things of God -God’s Word, God’s authority, God’s gospel, God’s truth. He yearns to know more of God and to commune more with Him.”

“But how do we glorify God? Calvin writes, ‘God has prescribed for us a way in which he will be glorified by us, namely, piety, which consists in the obedience of his Word… Obedience to God’s word means taking refuge in Christ for forgiveness of our sins, knowing Him through the Scriptures, serving Him with a loving heart, doing good works in gratitude for His goodness, and exercising self-denial to the point of loving our enemies. This response involves total surrender to God Himself, his Word and His will (see Romans 11: 33-12:2)”

 

“The believer who excels in piety learns to grasp Christ so firmly by faith that Christ dwells within his heart, though He remains in heaven. The pious live by what they find in Christ rather than  by what they find in themselves.”

May His grace abound!

Becky

Gratitude Monday

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“It is a pity that our tears on account of our troubles should so blind our eyes that we should not see our mercies.” – John Flavel

#1301- 1371

I am grateful because through these past weeks, God has kept our eyes open to see His mercies; and this mercy is on the top of my list because being able to see Him and give Him thanks at all times, in all seasons, is not “natural”, it is the work of the Spirit in us.

I thank the Lord for my sister’s health, and her quick recovery.

For provision to visit her and her family.

For the body of Christ that knows no boundaries and has been interceding for us; for our brothers and sisters that have cried with us.

For the hope that we have in the Lord and in the resurrection.

For technology that help us to stay very close with those we love so much.

For children’s laughter.

For my sister’s faith in the Lord.

Knowing that God sustains us through the darkest valley.

For the Grace that He gives us day by day to endure moment after moment.

Books written to help us during the trials.

For my husband; I can never thank God enough for Him.

I am so grateful for our son Santiago, for all the days, the hours, the minutes we have spent together.

For the invaluable gift of seeing him grow fearing the Lord and honoring His Word.

For the days ahead; knowing that God will be with our son as he goes to college is what makes us smile at the future.

For our church family.

These words full of truth:

“Christian contentment is that sweet,
inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit,
which freely submits to and delights in
God’s wise and fatherly disposal in
every condition.”   Jeremiah Burroughs

 

“From the bottom of my heart I pity that man who never reads his Bible. I wonder whence he expects to draw his consolation by-and-by. I do implore him to change his plan—and to change it without delay!…

The Bible applied to the heart by the Holy Spirit, is the only treasury of consolation. Without it we have nothing to depend on; “our feet will slide in due time” (Deut. 32:35). With it we are like those who stand on a rock. That man is ready for anything—who has got a firm hold of God’s promises. Once more, then, I say to every reader, arm yourself with a thorough knowledge of God’s Word. Read it, and be able to say, “I have hope, because it is thus and thus written! I am not afraid, because it is thus and thus written!” Happy is that soul who can say with Job, “I have esteemed the words of his mouth—more than my necessary food! (Job 23. 12)”   J.C. Ryle

 “The Lord is my helper—and I will not fear.”

Becky

Praying the Psalms -Psalm 40-

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Psalm 40

My Help and My Deliverer

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

I waited patiently for the LORD;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the LORD.

Lord, teach me to wait patiently on you, to  wait and not sin; to wait in You knowing that You will not leave your children in the pit of despair, or sadness. Thank you because you are our Saviour, You alone can bring us out from the miry bog. You know it is impossible for us to walk out on our own from situations like this one; Lord you remember our nature, our weaknesses and always have mercy on us. Help me wait for you with a humble and submissive heart.


Lord, thank you because you not only draw us out from the pit, but you set our feet upon a mighty Rock; upon Jesus Christ, the everlasting Rock, the foundation of our faith,  the Cornerstone of our lives; and you will, I have hope on this, You will certainly put a new song in our mouths. O God, don’t permit us to remain silent; help us to praise your name, even now.


Father, that your name may be exalted today, that your name may be glorified as I put my trust in you today; I pray that many will see and fear your name, and be saved. Use me a  vessel to bring glory to You.

Blessed is the man who makes
the LORD his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after a lie!
You have multiplied, O LORD my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
yet they are more than can be told.

Lord, what a wonderful promise this is, that you bless me when I put my trust in you. O Lord, I long for your blessing. Your blessing that comforts, that strengthens, that fills our souls. Father, open  my eyes to see your wondrous deeds and thoughts toward us and help us say as David said, “none can compare with you!”  Open our mouth not only to sing your praises, but to tell of your wonderful deeds; to proclaim your goodness and rest on you.

In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering
you have not required.
Then I said, “Behold, I have come;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.”

Only Jesus delights perfectly on your Law, only His obedience is perfect, we are so bound to this flesh that so many times find no delight in doing your will. Father, forgive us and work in us that we may be willing to obey with gladness. Father, help us see your glory in the cup You have set before us to drink. Let Jesus be our example and let us gladly walk on the Way He has set before us.

I have told the glad news of deliverance
in the great congregation;
behold, I have not restrained my lips,
as you know, O LORD.
I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.

 God of all mercies, You are faithful, You are my deliverer, my soul finds hope in your steadfast love and faithfulness. You alone, O God are worthy to be praised for ever and ever. I don’t want to restrain my lips from declaring how wonderful you are, how good you are, how merciful you are.

As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain
your mercy from me;
your steadfast love and your faithfulness will
ever preserve me!
For evils have encompassed me
beyond number;
my iniquities have overtaken me,
and I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head;
my heart fails me.

Thank you, Father, because you will not restrain your mercy from me, from your own. What a comfort it is to know that your steadfast love and faithfulness will indeed preserve us through this dark valley.  When my heart fails, yours doesn’t. You are the Great I Am; and your promises are yes, and amen; and those are my only hope.

Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me!
O LORD, make haste to help me!
Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether
who seek to snatch away my life;
let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
who delight in my hurt!
Let those be appalled because of their shame
who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”

Yes, Lord, yes. Be pleased to deliver me; O LORD, make haste to help me! I need you, yes, every hour, every minute, every second, I need you! Come help us! Let all the snares of the devil be futile against me; let me stand firm until I see your face. Don’t let me be ashamed, don’t let Satan hurt me; make haste to help me, O LORD! 

But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation
say continually, “Great is the LORD!”
As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
do not delay, O my God!

Father, my Father, I seek you. I seek you in the morning, at noon, and in the night. I lift my eyes to you, for only you can rescue me and restore in my heart the joy and peace that surpasses all understanding.  O God, that we may lift our hands and cry continually, “Great is the LORD!” 

Thank you, my God and my King that even though I am poor and needy, you don’t forget my name, you incline your ear and hear my prayer; thank you that you lift me up in your hand and think of me.


You alone, are my help and my deliverer;
do not delay, O my God!

In Jesus’ precious name,


Amen

Becky

Blogging About Your Kids

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From what we live with our children day by day we learn so many things, so many lessons that could not be learned in another different way. However, I have seen that many women like to share too much on their blogs (or Facebook) about these lessons in a very “specific and detailed” way; and I am sure it is neither wise nor God-honoring to be sharing every one of our children’s faults and mistakes, and the way we react to each one of them, just to “bless others with our experience”.

Maybe your son is 10 yo; and he doesn’t even read your blog right now; maybe if you ask him, he will say that he doesn’t really care if you write about *that* specific situation between you and him. BUT, he will grow, and he will read, and the most probable thing is that he will not be happy with what he’ll see on your blog. Be careful.

This doesn’t mean that you are being a hypocrite; it means that you are being prudent and wise. We all agree (I hope!), that it would not be correct to sit on a coffee shop with your friends to talk about the latest “terrible things” your children have done, and how mad you got, and how you managed to control your temper. Why then, we don’t feel uncomfortable when we read these stories? Or when some of us decide to write them?

“When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
the heart of the wicked is of little worth.”
Proverbs 10:18-20

You and I are not perfect, our families are not perfect; we all know that,  and even though it is OK to write about the lessons we learn in our daily life; and about the grace we have found in those difficult day-to-day circumstances, we must be very wise and prudent, because we don’t  want to share unnecessary details that others might find “encouraging”, but at the end will harm our children’s heart.

“Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,
but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.”
Proverbs 11: 13

The easiest way to relate to this is to think… “What if my husband had a blog, and he decided that he would write about those words I said to him last night, and the way he lost his patience with me and how the Lord helped us through?” Yes, I am sure you would not enjoy that. Let us think on what we write about our children. Our children are more important than our readers; and we need to remember that must keep certain, many things under our roof, covered because we love them so much.

Happy blogging!

Becky

The Excellency of the Bible by Isaac Watts -A Poem for Children-

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The Excellency of the Bible

Great God, with wonder and praise
On all thy works I look;
But still thy wisdom, power, and grace
Shine brightest in thy book.

The stars that in their courses roll
Have much instruction given;
But thy good word informs my soul
How I may climb to heaven.

The fields provide me food; and show
The goodness of the Lord;
But fruits of life and glory grow
In thy most holy word.

Here are my choicest  treasures hid,
Here my best comfort lies,
Here my desires are satisfied,
And hence my hopes arise.

Lord, make me understand  thy law.
Show what my faults have been;
And from thy gospel let me draw
Pardon for all my sin.

Here would I learn how Christ has died,
to save my soul from hell:
Not all the books on earth beside
Such heavenly wonders tell.

Then let me love my Bible more,
And take a fresh delight,
By day to day read these wonders o’er,
And meditate by night.

*Divine and Moral Songs for Children by Isaac Watts

Becky