All Things!!! with Melanie Hart

This episode has three segments. The first is an intro and brief reflection in thinking about God’s Sovereignty & the Providence of God. Then we break away into the intensity of a convo with my friend Tina with the chaos of a closing tea room and Jazz music in the background as we are almost oblivious to the noise as we converse about God. Then, a brief conclusion and challenge about God’s Sovereignty in seasons of life with a few passages from God’s Word to encourage and comfort!

I thought I'd share with you my special announcement by way of a podcast rather than a written letter! I am delighted to share with you that I very recently got married and in this episode I will share with you a little bit about this as well as read my vows to Dave to give you some insight into the unfolding story that is Dave & Melanie.

Dear Listener, As I continue deeper into my study of the Attributes of God, as is my "reasonable service" or "spiritual worship" (Romans 12:1-2), I am putting out a clarion call to all believers to this worthwhile endeavour. It will change your life. As you will hear, this is not a 'task' (and I don't mean that as "duty" but as "delight') that can be crossed off a list, read in a book, studied in a course, or learned at a conference, this, dear ones, is a life-long and eternal study. In this 5 minute reflection, I have attempted, like many others before me, in describing the indescribable, monumental, yet essential reason to study the "Attributes of God." And though it may start as a duty, may it turn into one of your life's most precious delights. For to Know God is to love Him, to obey Him, to want to Know Him more! And although He's indescribable, it's worth trying! Many have tried and failed (because God is "unsearchable" and "inscrutable" (Romans 11:33-36) yet received the preciousness of Himself in the process, and to the Glory of God! A Call To Study The Attributes of God by Melanie Hart - Monday, May 23 To study the attributes of God is the most impossible of worthy tasks. It is life-long, inexhaustible, and to be carried with me into eternity, and continued unendingly. It is not a merely a book, for it cannot be opened and shut. It is beyond pages and transcends the ages. It is not a merely study, for it cannot be started and stopped. It is beyond time and beyond space. It is not a merely course, for it cannot be graded. It is beyond any level of education, too precious for the—-ologies and degrees. And it is certainly not merely discourse. For every tongue could wag, could stammer, wax eloquent, for every theologian, scholar, pastor, author, hymnist, parishioner, in unceasing declaration, while they have breath, could pen to paper, pulpit to preach, song to write, ne’er cover the height, the breadth, the depth. It is necessarily humbling yet essentially heart-exhilarating. It is mentally taxing, yet mind-altering. It is physical. It is emotional. It is intellectual. It is experiential. It is as ascending Mount Everest and descending Marianna’s Trench This revealed knowledge of God is His condescending to my creatureliness And my attempted comprehension of the Other-worldiness of my Creator. His immanence momentarily seemingly within my grasp, yet His preeminence monumentally beyond my mental reach Yet I will keep grasping, and I will keep reaching. For it is my reasonable service, my spiritual act of worship, to be renewed in this way. This theology is basic, fundamental, foundational, yet His Majestic Glory and Holiness is by no means basic, and shakes the foundations of my sinful pathology. It brings me to my knees yet Makes my feet like the feet of the deer, he enables me tread on the heights. (Hab. 3:19.) It’s convergence is recognized, demonstrated, castigated at the cross, Made manifest in the God-Man, The Lord Jesus Christ, for from Him, and through Him, and to Him all things flow, The only Way to God, The Father, is through God, The Son, to the Glory of God! Communicated from Genesis to Revelation, from Creation through Redemption Covering my story from sin to Salvation, a New Creation through Regeneration It brings answers to past, makes present a gift Creating a future almost too glorious to hope for It addresses joys, gives comfort to sorrows, Yes! All of His essence our soul’s song must employ To study the nature, the character, the attributes of God, is for me to joyfully redeem the self-focus of my past and is to finally, finally love God with ALL my mind at long last!

An unscripted journaling of the story of God’s salvation of Israel from the pursuing Egyptian army. Seeing they were saved by God’s Grace and Power, they feared the LORD, believed the LORD, and then sang to the LORD, declaring, “This is my God!” This unchanging God can deliver you. Has He? Is He your God? Grief. Belief. Relief! Repent. Believe. Receive. Rejoice!

Tickets Here. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/women-in-the-word-conference-tickets-339139113217. To book Melanie, email melaniejoyhart@icloud.com.

To my clients, friends, and friends of friends! Ladies only! You’re invited to study the Attributes of God with Melanie Hart for application… beyond the counselling session. Learn to counsel yourself and others with the Counsel of God through the study of some of His many attributes. Then learn to think through them to apply to life situations and struggles. Join us! More info www.melaniehart.ca

Biblical Counselling Resources... for Beyond the Session. Another perfectly imperfect podcast! In this podcast, Melanie will briefly answer these 7 questions about Biblical Counselling, based on her own studies, approaches, lived experience, and biblical worldview. These answers are summarized at: https://www.melaniehart.ca/faqs What is Biblical Counselling? How is Biblical Counselling Different From Christian (Integrated) Counselling? Why Should Christians Seek Biblical Counselling? When Should Christians Seek Biblical Counselling Over Christian Counselling? When Should Christians Seek Biblical Counselling? When Should Christians Seek Secular Counselling? Does Biblical Counselling Replace Medical Helps?

Biblical Counselling Resources... for Beyond the Session. In this episode, Melanie reflects on a question that brought deep grief and sorrow, repentance and restoration. You will hear Melanie reflect on a song, a throwback from her early singing days, Wayne Watson's "If Not For Love", and you might even hear her sing a bit. You will hear the footsteps of Rosie, Melanie's Lab walk across the floor mid-podcast, and lyrics of an old beloved hymn tying it all together. When we say, "All Things", we are not kidding! Most of all, you will be challenged to answer this question for yourself. What Do YOU Need Jesus For? Here is a link to Wayne Watson's song, If Not For Love and lyrics below. If Not For Love by Wayne Watson  In time they say old wounds will heal But time alone would just reveal The measure of my best intent How vainly it would all be spent Empty boxes If not for love My prayer never would be heard Appeal denied without a word The throne room of my Father's house Closed fast to keep me out No admission If not for love If not for love the godless would reign If not for love any light would be shadowed But love was strong - revealed a plan Man's perfect God, God's perfect man A cross would stand alone refused A Son blessed and not accused A Savior never sent Blind to the world's lament No forgiveness If not for love

Biblical Counselling Resources... for Beyond the Session. Feel free to print the PDF (www.melaniehart.ca), grab your Bible, a notebook, a pen, a highlighter, and explore the Gospel of God, from Genesis to Revelation, using this walkthrough of the Gospel of God. Or, here is the link to the blogpost where each corresponding verse is hyperlinked to an online ESV bible resource (thanks to The Bible Gateway). BLOG: The "One" Gospel: https://allthingswithmelaniehart.blogspot.com/2021/10/onegospel.html

A verse about "All Things!!!" Bible on desk, notes on a page, Melanie speaks from the heart to break down this incredible verse full of big God theology that leads to doxology. Note: The words "that pertains" were unfortunately omitted from the notes and didn't make the podcast but the full verse is, "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence." 2 Peter 1:3 (ESV)

Storytime! As I continue to introduce myself and what I do, I will be posting a variety of types of podcasts. Today needed to be a story day. Today, Sunday, October 17, has turned out to be a significant day in the unraveling of God's timing of my biblical counselling ministry. You'll have to tune in to see how this all ties together. I hope you enjoy it! 

So I thought we'd begin with my "Statement of Faith." It's important that you know the foundations of my faith, what I believe and why I believe it -- even if we don't completely agree on every point. Here's the transcript: Biblical Counselling To the Glory of God: Statement of Faith by Melanie Hart My belief system is rooted in historical Orthodox Christianity and theologically and doctrinally Reformed; one that emphasizes the Authority of Holy Scripture (The Bible as the inerrant and infallible Word of God) and in the Sovereignty of God.

I believe in the God of the Bible. I believe in the Gospel of God; the saving power of God's grace alone, through Faith alone (not of works), because of the finished work of Christ alone (his atoning death on the cross to satisfy the wrath of God for our sin). I believe in Christ's burial and resurrection, based on the authority of Scripture alone, all to the Glory of God alone.   My full-time focus around counselling sessions is to know God and apply His instruction, wisdom, counsel, and discipline, first in my own life, and in such a way that I am in a biblically faithful posture to counsel, disciple, and mentor women of all ages. My favourite thing to do with clients is to pray with them, to point them to God's Gospel Truth, to His Word for His Counsel, and to witness how God changes them through the renewing of their minds, the softening of hearts, the reordering of loves, and point them to grow in biblical literacy, with their eyes on the ultimate eternal prize of Jesus - our Living Hope. I believe The WORD OF GOD belongs in the counselling room. I believe The GOSPEL OF GOD matters in the counselling room. I believe THEOLOGY belongs in the counselling room. I believe DOCTRINE belongs in the counselling room. I believe biblical JOY belongs in the counselling room. I believe biblical HOPE belongs in the counselling room. I believe biblical TRUTH matters in the counselling room. I believe biblical LOVE belongs in the counselling room. I believe biblically faithful encouragement and admonishment belong in the counselling room. I believe PRAYER belongs in the counselling room. To do otherwise is inconceivable to me. In Romans 1 Paul makes three “I am” statements that inspire me with biblical courage and conviction in counselling conversations: in vs. 14, he writes, “I am under obligation”, in vs. 15, he states, “I am eager”, and vs. 16, he proclaims, "I am not ashamed.” And in the first chapter of Colossians, verse 28, Paul exhorts (as if to me personally in the counselling room), “Him [Christ] we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” I am not the “Wonderful Counsellor” but I know the One who is. (Isaiah 9:6). The ultimate counsellor is the only One Who is not in need of counsel! Romans 11:34, “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counsellor?” God’s Word, God’s Attributes, God’s Gospel, God’s Standards, God's Personhood through the Trinity (God The Father, God The Son, God the Holy Spirit) are essential, non-negotiable, and highly used tools in my counselling toolbox. To do otherwise is inconceivable to me. It has been said that, “In all Christians, Christ is present. In some, Christ is prominent. But only in a few is He preeminent.” (Original Author Unknown).
 The longing of my heart is to make Christ preeminent in my own life. I pray that be true of my clients as well.“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36)