Living Out the Talk

Words come so easy. But when the rubber hits the road, so often what we have said is certainly hard to live out.

Job's friend, Eliphaz, reminds him of this truth.

Job 4:3-6

³ “In the past you have encouraged many people;
    you have strengthened those who were weak.
⁴ Your words have supported those who were falling;
    you encouraged those with shaky knees.
⁵ But now when trouble strikes, you lose heart.
    You are terrified when it touches you.
⁶ Doesn’t your reverence for God give you confidence?
    Doesn’t your life of integrity give you hope?

Job's friends didn't do such a great job in the area of encouragement amidst his tremendous suffering, yet as I read these verses today, I thought of how these truths in our lives flesh out.

"Everything will be ok."

"Trust God. He knows what He's doing."

"God is sovereign over all. Doesn't that bring you peace?"

"Fight for joy."

These are all things I have said in the past to others in the midst of trials. Yet, I know when I have been in the midst of my own suffering that sometimes I just want  people to sit with me and be still and quiet.

And I have doubted all these truths. I have strayed from trusting. I have asked, "WHY?". I have been terrified. I have lost heart.

But two things I know for sure. My confidence must be in my Savior; even when my feelings are frail. My hope lies in Him and Him alone.

And these truths won't ever change! Even when I doubt. Even when I fear. Even when I feel far from my Savior.

We Cannot Be Silent

As a parent of four children growing up in the 21st century, I am keenly aware of the vast amounts of immorality and hardened conscience of our society. So, I was thrilled to agree to review Al Mohler's new book, We Cannot Be Silent.

As a believer I am aware of what the Bible states on issues of immorality and hold a strong conviction that every one of them are true, but I was extremely unaware of the history of how this landslide of degradation had occurred. Mr. Mohler's does an outstanding job laying the groundwork of where, how, and why our culture has come to the morbid place that it has. He does a marvelous job in tracing the breakdown in our Judeo-Christian beliefs at the starting point of the introduction of birth control, namely, "The Pill." From divorce to transgender to cohabitation to the true meaning of sex, Mr. Mohler tackles all of these and more through the grid of Scripture and history. It is truly eye-opening!

The biggest thing to hit me in the face is the fault of the Body of Christ through all these 60 plus years. Many Evangelical Christians sat back thinking "such and such" will never happen. And here we are!

In true form, Mr. Al Mohler recommissions the church at large. He reminds us that the Scripture is sufficient to address all these issues that generations in years past didn't even discuss. He reminds us we have the ability and the command to shine our lights in darkness. A darkness that can be suffocating at times and yet so needy of light. Finally, a darkness that may bring pain and suffering; something we as a culture have not had to experience first hand.

The God of all grace will supply just what we need for the hour!

So, Mr. Mohler thank you for speaking boldly and reminding us WE CANNOT BE SILENT!

*As a part of the BookLook Blogging Network, I received a free copy of this book.

I Will NOT Give Up!

"My plans are made. While I can, I sail east in the Dawn Treader. When she fails me, I paddle east in my coracle [small boat]. When she sinks, I shall swim east with my four paws, and when I can swim no longer, if I’ve not reached Aslan’s country, I shall sink with my nose to the sunrise."

These words were spoken by Reepacheep in the Narnia book, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. When the warriors and the characters of the book are weary and wanting to give up, he reminds them of the final goal. 

We must keep our sights set! We must keep our aim on the eternal. This life becomes weary of suffering, of trials, of pain. We too often think, we can't keep going. But Jesus' promises are true.

Psalm 199:50 reminds us : "My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life."

He will not forget us, Beloved. When the ground gives way, He will catch us. When we take our last breath, He will welcome us. When we cry such tears we feel we are drowning, He counts all of our tears and knows. Knows how many we have shed. Knows the pain our hearts and bodies feel. Knows that we are but dust; frail and incompetent to continue on our own.

Beloved, we too, need to have our aim on Beulah Land! Our Great God and Father will welcome His children home at the end and we can have peace and hope now on the this side of eternity. He desires we use all the things He brings into our lives to bring Him glory and shine forth as shining gold. 

So, just like Reepacheep, no matter what obstacles come our way we keep going. We seek for strength from the the Almighty "Aslan".

Keep Making Me

My new favorite song. Keep Making Me, by Sidewalk Prophets, is an amazing prayer of humility. So often in life we want the cush, the glamour, and the ease. But, really friends, we know this is not the path to true Godliness. Suffering is the means to being more like Christ. 

"Make me broken, so I can be healed

(Repentance is a true sign of brokenness)

'Cause I'm so calloused, and now I can't feel

I want to run to You with heart wide open

Make me broken."

(This I ask of God to become a prayer from my boys' heart.)

Make me empty, so I can be filled

'Cause I'm still holding onto my will

(Empty? Really? These are the petitions that the world does not understand.)

And I'm completed when you are with me

Make me empty.

'Til You are my one desire; 'til You are my one true love

(He must be first in everything. Oh, Lord, please remove the idols in my life.)

'Til You are my breath, my everything

Lord, please keep making me.

Make me lonely, so I can be Yours.

(Loneliness is where we find our desperate need for Christ.)

'Til I want no one more than You, Lord.

'Cause in the darkness, I know You will hold me.

Make me lonely.

Suffering is Beautiful

There is nothing more beautiful than seeing a fellow believer suffer well. I don't mean to say I enjoy watching others hurt or be in pain. But God's glory is so magnificently displayed in those who suffer with joy.

Joni Eareckson Tada is one of my heroines of the faith. At 17 years old she had a diving accident and broke her neck. Now 40+ years later she is still wheelchair bound. She has fought through cancer and severe pain as she suffers as a quadriplegic. She has been used by God is so many ways that would have never happened if she was not willing to suffer. This beautiful woman of God said this about her suffering: "God has chosen not to heal me, but to hold me. The more intense the pain, the closer His embrace." 

If and when the times comes, I pray I may suffer well.

For more infomation on Joni, please visit her site. She has written numerous books, like this one. 

It All Adds Up

Tribulations.
Perseverance.
Proven Character.
Hope.
Romans 5:2-5 remind me that these burdens essential tasks to the believer working out their salvation with fear and trembling will be evident in those who hope in God.


Not only that, but I, as a child of God, will exult in them.


Wow!


And Why?


Because the love of God has been poured out within my heart through the Holy Spirit given to me. (V.5; with personalization)


I am rich. I am loved. I must persevere.

Daughters of Hope

This will change your life....