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I'll take some Hey Marti gurl.....how are you sweet friend.hi everyone!for all who want them
What’s normal?
by John Fischer
“Grace must wound before it can heal.” — Flannery O’Conner
There are two schools of thought when it comes to the problem of pain. One says: “Sometimes the going will get tough, and in those times you need to remember that your faith will get you through and something good will come out of hardship. Hang in there, this will soon be over.” The other would be: “Get use to it. Pain, suffering, and hardship are necessary for growth. They will be constant companions to those who desire to know and love God deeply. Get ready for the long haul. If you’re feeling good and life is relatively painless, that’s the abnormal experience, not the norm. Enjoy it, but don’t expect it.”
These perspectives present what appears to be subtle differences, when, in fact, they have huge ramifications for the follower of Christ. One says that suffering is a glitch on the spiritual map, a storm one can weather, a malfunction easily corrected with a certain degree of patience and determination. This perspective believes that there exists a “normal” state for a believer that is relatively comfortable and risk-free. But in reality, this perspective is unbiblical and actually lines up more with a culture that treats discomfort as something we deserve to have alleviated. Multi-billion dollar industries are dedicated to creating and maintaining this myth, and convincing us all that the good life is attainable with, of course, the help of the product being touted. In other words, “normal” is just around the corner.
The other perspective is much more in keeping with reality and the belief that our real purposes go way beyond this life and this present darkness. It is a perspective that expects hardship and pain to be a part of the day-to-day program. If we are waiting for anything, we are waiting for eternity with Christ, not for everything to get better here on earth. We have learned that trials are such an integral part of our growing life in Christ that we even welcome trouble when it comes our way, because we know that by it, our faith is found worthy of being tested and our endurance will have a chance to grow (James 1:2-3).
This is not about being pessimistic. It’s about being realistic and learning how to find joy in the midst of even the most difficult things. Getting “normal” right is half the battle.
“God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith. As a result, I can really know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I can learn what it means to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that, somehow, I can experience the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:10-11 NLT)
*shuffles in only to shuffle out again* I'm sorry I haven't been here! I've missed everyone!! Good news?: I'm driving again!!
Gurl I'm gonna read this when I get back sorry you are sick sweetie.Hey Gabby and the rest of the Ladies hereI won't be able to come see you this weekend cause Seanie pie gave me a cold (I was taking care of him while he was sick) and he's actually going to be in PA for a bit helping P_G with some technical stuff with his services. So that leaves me sick in bed and stranded without a ride
But I'm taking meds and sleeping alot... I cleaned up the room so you can tell I'm not that hopeless.I found a good devotional in my inbox today so I thought I'd share it with you all (it's the Purpose Driven Life daily devotional).
I'll have to go through this thread sometime and catch up on things. I know you started another one Gabs but since I'm not in the age group I can't really stop by there too often (but I love the pms... they're sooo cool).
God bless you all(virtual hugs won't get you sick YAY )
Hi Tati!!Sorry you caught a cold, will be praying for you!
Don't know how much I'll be able to post tonight, either the site or my computer is incredibly slow!
I think that at times God wants His children to reap rewards to further the Kingdom but we must bear the hardships to grow. Passion is edured suffering for those we love that is what it looked like the track I read said today...referring to Christs passion for us. Therefore in love we too must endure suffering at times walking as HE did. But Jesus also enjoyed his time with the apostles and the followers he taught and nurtured don't you remember the deep love they shared he enjoyed His time with them didn't he? And as we get closer to Him and learn what our ministry is I think we too will find pleasure and joy.Hey Gabby and the rest of the Ladies hereI won't be able to come see you this weekend cause Seanie pie gave me a cold (I was taking care of him while he was sick) and he's actually going to be in PA for a bit helping P_G with some technical stuff with his services. So that leaves me sick in bed and stranded without a ride
But I'm taking meds and sleeping alot... I cleaned up the room so you can tell I'm not that hopeless.I found a good devotional in my inbox today so I thought I'd share it with you all (it's the Purpose Driven Life daily devotional).
I'll have to go through this thread sometime and catch up on things. I know you started another one Gabs but since I'm not in the age group I can't really stop by there too often (but I love the pms... they're sooo cool).
God bless you all(virtual hugs won't get you sick YAY )
Well I know the past few months have been quite viperous to say the least...you know my life and can attest to that. And the past years too have brought some heavy trials. Sometimes I get scared and think oooo what next. But I know how badly my heart was pierced and I can only say when GOD poured soothing balms on those wounds I felt a peace I had never known and a love that wells up inside me over and over again.Great comments Gabs.If you are the type of Christian who can go through all these trials... and I mean real, spirit smashing hardships now... yet still come out on the other side a loving and a happy person, then you're truly a faithful servant of Jesus. Joyce Meyer writes alot of books on that topic: how to live a joyous life because she's been through hell and back and it's on thing to be alive in Christ... it's another to truly be ALIVE in Christ.
One last late night devotional...
Shake it Off!
[BIBLE]28:3. And when Paul had gathered together a bundle of sticks and had laid them on the fire, a viper, coming out of the heat, fastened on his hand.
[SIZE=-1]Cum congregasset autem Paulus sarmentorum aliquantam multitudinem et inposuisset super ignem vipera a calore cum processisset invasit manum eius[/SIZE] 28:4. And when the barbarians saw the beast hanging on his hand, they said one to another: Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, who, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance doth not suffer him to live.
[SIZE=-1]Ut vero viderunt barbari pendentem bestiam de manu eius ad invicem dicebant utique homicida est homo hic qui cum evaserit de mari Ultio non sinit vivere[/SIZE]
28:5. And he indeed, shaking off the beast into the fire, suffered no harm.
[SIZE=-1]Et ille quidem excutiens bestiam in ignem nihil mali passus est[/SIZE] ~Acts 28:3-5[/bible]
When Paul was shipwrecked on the island of Malta, a deadly snake [beast] that was driven out by the heat of the fire bit him. He simply shook the creature off into the flames. You should follow Paul's example and do the same in your life.
Whatever may be troubling you, shake it off! God has great things planned for you. The dreams of the feature leave no room for the snakebites of the past.
Amen. Amen.
Bobbie and I are celabrating our 32nd year of marriage today. What a wonderful woman she is. I wish you could all meet her..
This is a good word and I understand it personally.I guess Gabs is still working but I thought I'd post a little evening time devotional. Hopefully, everybody has Monday off so please enjoy your extra day of rest. My school was nice enough to give us Tuesday off too! WOOT!
Tonight Joyce Meyer talks about a heart of flesh. We're often reminded through out the Bible that we shouldn't give into our flesh... that it often causes us to sin. That if necessary we are to cut off the hand, or the eye, or the foot of what causes us to sin. Of course, none of us would cut off a body part, but it reminds us cut ourselves off from our flesh, our sin, our weakness and to start living for the Lord.
With our hearts, we must make sure that it isn't hardened toward the Lord. A hard heart will prevent us from truly hearing the Lord and His love for us. Let us pray that He would melt our hearts and bless us with wisdom and understanding.
A Heart of Flesh
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]"I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh."
~Ezekiel 11:19
[/FONT]God puts a sense of right and wrong deep within your conscience, but if you rebel too many times, you can become hard-hearted. If you that happens, you need to let Him soften your heart so you can be sensitive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
The only way to develop a heart of flesh is to spend time with God. You must be in His presence on a regular basis to hear what He is saying. God often speaks gently, and those who are busy doing their own thing will not hear His still, small voice. Tonight as you spend time in the Lord's presence, ask Him to soften your heart so you can receive His direction at all times.
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