a thorn in the flesh

There’s so much about God’s word I just do not understand.  Like how can I be both weak and strong, and both at the same time?  What does that even mean? 

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NAS

7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me to keep me from exalting myself!  

God allows thorns in my life to test me and to strengthen me and teach me to have complete faith in Him and for His plans and purposes in my life.  Job, Daniel, Moses, Abraham, Jonah, and many more were tested way beyond my understanding.  

8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.  

God is teaching me patience, and it’s difficult for me to learn.

9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

In spite of anything I may face, I really need to experience and know and feel and be grateful for God’s grace.  But, I can never truly understand how far and how wide the grace God is.

10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

(I had to do some researching on this verse.) It’s the difficult things and the terrible things and the painful things and the bad things and the hurtful things and the awful things that God has to use for me to rely on Him.  If my life only had perfect days in perfect places with perfect weather with perfect people in perfect beauty with perfect harmony in perfect freedom and perfect health and perfect joy with perfect wealth in perfect...

If that is my perfect life, would I feel I need more?  Fact is, that’s not my life and will never be my life.

God uses the thorns in my flesh to teach me: for when I am weak, then I am strong.    

reflective reads

by faith, thru faith, with faith, in faith

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 (NAS)

Hebrews has many instances of faith, the triumphs of faith, the great heros of faith... 

It’s overwhelming for me to ‘take in’ Hebrews 11.  To fully understand.  To totally grasp.  To identify with.

There are a few web sites I often use to compare explanations.  Breaking down the verses into sections helps to make it clearer for me:

 

What is True Faith?

Hebrews 11:1–3

Dying in Faith

Hebrews 11:13–16

Examples of Faith

Hebrews 11:24–12:2

Hebrews 11:8–23.

Faith and Evidence

Hebrews 11:3–7

Verse 7:  By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen,...

Verse 8:  By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed ...and he went out, not knowing where he was going.

Verse 32:  Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets...

Like I said before, Hebrews shouts of faith!

Seriously, how is my faith?

happy humor

from a kid's perception...

*A Sunday school teacher asked her class, "What was Jesus' mother's name?"
One child answered, "Mary."  The teacher then asked, "Who knows what Jesus' father's name was?"
A little kid said, "Verge."  Confused, the teacher asked, "Where did you get that?"
The kid said, "Well, you know they are always talking about Verge n' Mary."

*A Sunday school teacher asked her children, "And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?"
One bright little girl replied, "Because people are sleeping."

* Six-year-old Angie and her four-year-old brother Joel were sitting together in church.
Joel giggled, sang, and talked out loud. Finally, his big sister had had enough.
"You're not supposed to talk out loud in church."
"Why? Who's going to stop me?" Joel asked.
Angie pointed to the back of the church and said, "See those two men standing by the door?

They're hushers."

quick quotes

CS Lewis:

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.

Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.

I have learned now that while those who speak about one's miseries usually hurt, those who keep silence hurt more.

God allows us to experience the low points of life in order to teach us lessons that we could learn in no other way.

pause ‘n ponder

The Golden Box

The story goes that some time ago a mother punished her five year old daughter for wasting a roll of expensive gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and she became even more upset when the child used the gold paper to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree.

Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift box to her mother the next morning and then said, "This is for you, Momma."  The mother was embarrassed by her earlier over reaction, but her anger flared again when she opened the box and found it was empty. She spoke to her daughter in a harsh manner.

Don't you know, young lady, when you give someone a present there's supposed to be something inside the package?"  She had tears in her eyes and said, "Oh, Momma, it's not empty! I blew kisses into it until it was full."  The mother was crushed. She fell on her knees and put her arms around her little girl, and she begged her forgiveness for her thoughtless anger. 

An accident took the life of the child only a short time later, and it is told that the mother kept that gold box by her bed for all the years of her life.  Whenever she was discouraged or faced difficult problems she would open the box and take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.

In a very real sense, each of us, as human beings, have been given a golden box filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children, family, friends, and GOD. There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.  - unknown

about my son...

Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children. ~ Charles (Chuck) Swindoll

No doubt, I made oodles of mistakes.  There were things I should have done differently, and things I could have done differently.  What kind of mother was I?  What kind of example did I live?  I know, I know.  I was full of sin then, and I’m still full of sin.   

There was this one occasion when he was in elementary school.  I was dropping him off at school and as he was getting out of the car, he spoke loudly, “1-800-xxxxx- xxxxx”!.  Not a very good morning.  That’s another story.  I was full of sin then, and I’m still full of sin.

Oh my, then there was the incident with Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny.  I thought the bunny foot prints leading from the front door were cute.  In hindsight, I shouldn’t have wasted the flour.  I was a mother full of sin then, and I’m still full of sin.

Now, about my son.  A number of couples at church told his Dad and me that they wanted their children to grow up to be like our son.  He was asked to baby sit for several couples.  There was that Sunday school class Christmas party where one couple was asked who was keeping their children.  The answer was my son.  Funny thing about that.  He was sitting for a four-ish hyper boy, a two-ish boy with Down’s Syndrome, and a newborn baby boy.  A very newborn baby boy.

My son was a good kid.  Hmm, he was generally a good kid.  Well, he was mostly a good kid.  I trusted my son.  I trusted his decisions. I trusted his choices.  I thanked God for him, although I certainly wasn’t responsible for the way he turned out.

He was full of sin then, and he’s still full of sin. I was full of sin then, and I’m still full of sin.

I still can’t believe he NEVER SKIPPED SCHOOL!    I guess I failed him there.

boo hiss

Don’t read this if you don’t like a lot of complaining.

I don’t know the reason I have fibromyalgia, but I do know God has a purpose.

For those who aren’t familiar with fibro, here comes the complaining.

This is a partial list of my main symptoms:

Pain all over –Muscular aching, throbbing, shooting, stabbing, or intense burning

Fatigue – Exhaustion can be one of the most incapacitating fibromyalgia symptoms

Sleep Difficulties – Restorative sleep is lacking

Brain Fog – Trouble concentrating, retaining new information, and word-finding are common symptoms that seriously interfere with daily functioning (this is very embarrassing for me)

This is a partial list of other symptoms:

Headaches/Migraines

Morning Stiffness

Muscle Knots, Cramping, Weakness

Digestive Disorders

Balance Problems

Fibromyalgia? - boo hiss!

huh?

Rock-a-Bye Baby

Rock-a-bye baby, in the treetop
When the wind blows, the cradle will rock
When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall
And down will come baby, cradle and all.

Seriously, why did I sing this to my baby as I rocked him?

in a nutshell

Personally, I prefer a translation of the Bible over a paraphrase.  I use the New American Standard Bible (NASB).  I was thinking about the most quoted verse (?) in the Bible, John 3:16.  I googled it and found many versions, some I have never heard of, as well as some ‘unique’ wording.  I read a lot of different John 3:16s (translations and paraphrased), and bottom line: in only a few words, it simply tells about God’s love for us and how we can be saved.  The best way to tell of God’s message is to let John 3:16 speak for itself.  It’s the Gospel in a nutshell.

John 3:16

New American Standard Bible
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

New International Version
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

King James Version
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Holman Christian Standard Bible
"For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
International Standard Version
"For this is how God loved the world: He gave his unique Son so that everyone who believes in him might not be lost but have eternal life.
The Message
"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.
GOD'S WORD® Translation
God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.
Weymouth New Testament
For so greatly did God love the world that He gave His only Son, that every one who trusts in Him may not perish but may have the Life of Ages.

blog, blog, blog

I blog and I don’t blog.  I think about it and I forget about it.  I start and I stop.  Most times, I can’t think of anything to write.  What can I say about nothing?  Nothing.  Precisely.  I come across quotes, photos, or something else I share.  I reminisce of days gone by.  I write of thoughts and musings.  I stare at a blank page.  I started this blogging business to write about my journey thru life.  Yes, I should be able to put into words what I encounter along the way.  Ok. I’ve talked myself into blogging again.  If there are days missing, so be it.  Of course, I have much to share about my three grandblessings!!! 

my tears in my bottle

I came across this and was struck by its message.  It's a bit long, but thought I'd share...

My Bottle of Tears
by Kristi Huseby

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle.  You have recorded each one in your book.”  (Psalm 56:8, NLT)

I confess I’m a crier.  I cry at movies, at baseball games when the national anthem is played, at graduations, weddings, and funerals.  I cry when I hear a sad story, when someone else cries, when I share what God has done in my life, when I’m angry, and even when I laugh hard enough.

I hate the fact that I cry so easily.  It can be incredibly embarrassing for one thing.  And for another, it puts people in an awkward position.  But crying can be a good thing! God created tears – it is in His design that we cry.

I love the Psalms because they give us beautiful pictures of what our intimate relationship with God is like.  And Psalm 56:8 (NLT) gives us one of those snapshots of God’s tenderness with us when we are experiencing incredible sorrow in our life.

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle.  You have recorded each one in your book.”  (I’m sure I have a very BIG bottle!)

God not only keeps track of all our sorrows, hurts and heartaches, He has recorded them in His book. Every tear we’ve cried He has stored in our bottle, the one He keeps just for us.

I wonder, does my bottle have my name on it?  Is it a special color?  I wonder if God, my Father looks at my bottle full of tears and says, “Ah, that one is my daughter, Kristi’s! Her bottle of tears is so precious to me and I treasure each one. I am intimately acquainted with all her ways and I love her.  When she has cried tears that no one sees, I have seen, I know and cherish each one because I cherish her.”

What a beautiful gentle picture this is of our God – a Father who tenderly collects our tears and holds them close to His heart.

Have you ever stopped to consider that God is keeping track of all your sorrows? He knows each one of them.  He has seen you cry until you can’t cry any more.  He has witnessed your heartache over a difficult child, a wayward spouse, a broken friendship, or the death of a loved one.  He has seen your tears when you have cried all alone in the dark, not sure of where to turn or where to go.  He has recorded each one in His book and collected your tears in the bottle He has just for you.  How precious you are to Him!

Let the tears flow and know that your God cares for you intimately and with great passion!
Father, Thank you for seeing my tears and for the promise that I am never alone in my sorrow.  Amen.

quick quotes

Charles Spurgeon 

"Stand still” – keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing voice; and it will not be long ere God shall say to you, as distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, “Go forward.” 

If the Lord Jehovah makes us wait, let us do so with our whole hearts; for blessed are all they that wait for Him. He is worth waiting for. The waiting itself is beneficial to us: it tries faith, exercises patience, trains submission, and endears the blessing when it comes. The Lord’s people have always been a waiting people.

Those who do not hope cannot wait; but if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Happy Birthday H!

Happy 4^th Birthday H!  You’re a sweet grandson, with bunches of fun, lots of laughter, and full of love.  I love it when you sing, when you show me pictures you made, and when you play hide-n-seek.  Have a super day!  I love you bunches and bunches, Nana

i have three wonderful grandchildren

O is a beautiful, charming, bright, and imaginative five-year-old.  I fell deeply in love the first moment I saw her and held her in my arms.  I had no idea how to be a nana, and I admit I was a bit anxious.  I didn’t know much about little girls.  She was the one who taught me.   And, so the story began...


H is a funny, sweet, energetic, and mischievous four-year-old (in a few days).  When I first laid eyes on him and held him in my arms, I fell deeply in love all over again.  I quickly learned about being a nana to a little boy.  After all, I did have some experience with his Dad.  And, so the story began...

J is a happy, curious, entertaining, and active two-year-old.  I fell deeply in love all over again when I saw the first pictures of him.  He grew quickly from week to week, then month to month.  I first hugged him and held him when he was around seven-months-old.  And, so the story began...

I’ve watched each grandchild grow, I’ve seen pictures they drew and colored, I’ve watched them dance, I’ve read books to them, I’ve listened to songs they’ve learned, I’ve learned about their school, I’ve heard about their day, I’ve played hide and seek, I’ve watched them open gifts, I’ve been blessed to be such a part of their lives.  I’m so grateful for Skype.

This nana’s heart overflows with love for these three precious children. And, the story continues...

I'm blessed, seriously blessed...

(photos by their mom)

Amen!

faith

We need some work done around the house, but realized/decided we need a professional.   After researching companies online at the BBB site (Better Business Bureau), I found several good possibilities.  Occasionally we get an envelope in the mail with a bunch of company coupons/flyers.  We got such an envelope yesterday, and there was a coupon for my first choice.  As it turns out, the coupon has a Christian fish (ichthys).  Below that is 2 Cor. 5:7 - For we live by faith, not by sight. 

My heart smiles when I see a business display a public testimony of the Word of God!

beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life

Every so often I come across a verse (or verses) that I focus on the meaning of each word.  The verse from this week covered a few responsibilities of Christians.  (Note the word ‘few’)

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.

(1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV)

guard – Be alert.  Be watchful.  Be prepared.  Be ready.  Be focused.

stand firm –  Stand certain.  Stand sure.  Stand steadfast.  Stand fixed.

courageous – Be brave.  Be bold.  Be confident.  Be fearless.  Be secure.   

strong – Be fit.  Be able.  Be capable.  Be determined.   
  
love – Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.  Love your enemies.  Love one another.

Since I’m not a Biblical scholar, I’ve most likely ‘interpreted’ some of this verse incorrectly.  But, I do believe the entire Bible is the inerrant and infallible Word of God.

pause 'n ponder

song of the Shepherd

There’s a song I’ve held close to my heart for a very long time.  I can listen to the words and the music thousands of times and never grow tired of the message it holds.  It soothes my soul and calms my heart.  I take comfort knowing I’m safe inside my Shepherd’s care.  He laid down his life for me, He leads me so carefully, and He is the way back home.

the Shepherd Song by Kelly Willard, Evening Tapestry album

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSoEIP2-Bcg

(This album was a gift from Mary (my sister) many years ago.)