Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Suffering
Last night I watched the most heart wrenching film with the Jasper family sharing their personal tragedy of the passing of their five year old son in an accident. Never have I cried through so much of film for the story was so painful. But even though this true story is terribly sad, the film powerfully shows that there is hope in the midst of great loss and sorrow. The Jasper family lovingly shares their true story of hope in the midst of personal tragedy on their Flame On website.
http://www.flameon.net/
Today the Lord lead me to read several chapters of Mike Mason's book "The Gospel According to Job - An Honest Look At Pain and Doubt From the Life of the One Who Lost Everything". Mason writes succinctly and powerfully with a spiritual depthness that is simply stunning. Here Mason writes about Christians suffering:
As believers we will continue to suffer - that is to experience evil firsthand - since in worldly terms we are no better than anyone else. Indeed we are worst off, for does it not follow that those who love their Creator will feel the brunt of the fallen creation even more painfully than those who do not love Him?
Becoming a Christian, far from reducing the normal hardships of life or the demands made upon us as human beings, actually increases them. God's gift of grace does not in this sense make life easier.
True, the Christian life is not without its privileges, even in worldly terms. But essentially our growth in Christ happens not by being lifted above the level of the world but rather by being immersed more and more deeply in it. What we are involved in is not a process of divinization, but of increasing humanization, for the way we become like God is by becoming more human - more of what He created us to be.
....the more saintly a person becomes, the more closely he or she will be identified with the common lot of suffering humanity. Job is a great saint not because he is in any way superhuman, but because he is himself.
Though I've not experienced a personal tragedy of losing a child, or cancer or debilitating disease or chronic pain, severe poverty, spousal abuse, rape....or anything as horrible, my heart is very tender for God has shown me some of the worst, heartbreaking situations through my years as a pediatric nurse as well as through studying history and through people He has placed in my life. Indeed comfort and hope can only be found in Christ and through His revealed Word to those who Trust in Him.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Friday, March 11, 2011
God's Sovereighty in Japan - Praying for Well-Being
I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity,
I am the LORD, who does all these things. Isaiah 45:7
Woke up this morning to news in Japan. The videos that played before me looked like scenes from an apocalyptic movie, yet, these were not the work of Hollywood, but real scenes affecting real people. Yet it still took me several minutes to take it in, to realize the magnitude of this earthquake, the power of water to move objects and end lives, and what these events might mean to the people experiencing this catastrophic event. I'm still a little numb, and as I consider the situation, I'm reminded that there are Christians in Japan who are confident that God is in control and then there are those who don't Christ whom I can't imagine what they are experiencing. Jerry Bridges in his book, Is God Really in Control?, explains in the chapter titled "God's Power Over Nature" that God is clearly sovereign over nature and our lives.
One night while working on this chapter, I watched the evening news on television. One of the top stories was about several powerful tornadoes that swept across central Mississippi killing seven people, injuring at least 145 more, and leaving nearly 500 families homeless. As I watched the scenes of people sifting through the rubble of what had been their homes, my heart went out to them. I thought to myself, “Some of those people undoubtedly follow Christ. What would I say to them about God’s sovereignty over nature? Do I really believe it myself at a time such as this? Wouldn’t it be easier to just accept Rabbi Kushner’s statement that it is simply an act of nature-a morally blind nature that churns along following its own laws? Why bring God into chaos and suffering such as this?”
But God brings Himself into these events. He said in Isaiah 45:7, “I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.” God Himself accepts the responsibility, so to speak, of disasters. He does more than accept the responsibility; He actually claims it. In effect, God says, “I, and I alone, have the power and authority to bring about both prosperity and disaster, both weal and woe, both good and bad.”
This is a difficult truth to accept as you watch people sift through the rubble of their homes or-more to the point-if you are the one sifting through the rubble of your home. . . . We obviously do not understand why God creates disaster, or why He brings it to one town and not to another. We recognize, too, that just as God sends His sun and rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous, so He also sends the tornado, or the hurricane, or the earthquake on both. . . . God’s sovereignty over nature does not mean that Christians never encounter the tragedies of natural disasters. Experience and observation clearly teach otherwise.
God’s sovereignty over nature does mean that, whatever we experience at the hand of the weather or forces of nature, all circumstances are under the watchful eye and sovereign control of our God.
I'm praying for those who know the Lord as well as for those who don't know Him. I'm praying that the gospel will be spread and I'm thanking the Lord, that He is in control of all things and that eternal salvation can be found Him.
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion on Him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:6:7
I am the LORD, who does all these things. Isaiah 45:7
Woke up this morning to news in Japan. The videos that played before me looked like scenes from an apocalyptic movie, yet, these were not the work of Hollywood, but real scenes affecting real people. Yet it still took me several minutes to take it in, to realize the magnitude of this earthquake, the power of water to move objects and end lives, and what these events might mean to the people experiencing this catastrophic event. I'm still a little numb, and as I consider the situation, I'm reminded that there are Christians in Japan who are confident that God is in control and then there are those who don't Christ whom I can't imagine what they are experiencing. Jerry Bridges in his book, Is God Really in Control?, explains in the chapter titled "God's Power Over Nature" that God is clearly sovereign over nature and our lives.
One night while working on this chapter, I watched the evening news on television. One of the top stories was about several powerful tornadoes that swept across central Mississippi killing seven people, injuring at least 145 more, and leaving nearly 500 families homeless. As I watched the scenes of people sifting through the rubble of what had been their homes, my heart went out to them. I thought to myself, “Some of those people undoubtedly follow Christ. What would I say to them about God’s sovereignty over nature? Do I really believe it myself at a time such as this? Wouldn’t it be easier to just accept Rabbi Kushner’s statement that it is simply an act of nature-a morally blind nature that churns along following its own laws? Why bring God into chaos and suffering such as this?”
But God brings Himself into these events. He said in Isaiah 45:7, “I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.” God Himself accepts the responsibility, so to speak, of disasters. He does more than accept the responsibility; He actually claims it. In effect, God says, “I, and I alone, have the power and authority to bring about both prosperity and disaster, both weal and woe, both good and bad.”
This is a difficult truth to accept as you watch people sift through the rubble of their homes or-more to the point-if you are the one sifting through the rubble of your home. . . . We obviously do not understand why God creates disaster, or why He brings it to one town and not to another. We recognize, too, that just as God sends His sun and rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous, so He also sends the tornado, or the hurricane, or the earthquake on both. . . . God’s sovereignty over nature does not mean that Christians never encounter the tragedies of natural disasters. Experience and observation clearly teach otherwise.
God’s sovereignty over nature does mean that, whatever we experience at the hand of the weather or forces of nature, all circumstances are under the watchful eye and sovereign control of our God.
I'm praying for those who know the Lord as well as for those who don't know Him. I'm praying that the gospel will be spread and I'm thanking the Lord, that He is in control of all things and that eternal salvation can be found Him.
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion on Him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:6:7
Monday, February 14, 2011
Valentine's Day
All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. Psalm 25:10
Making Valentine's Day Special
Last night was a new experience me. My church had a Valentine Banquet where the men prepared and served a wonderful dinner for the women and children at church. I was disappointed that I didn't bring my camera since I would have loved having pictures of the special event showing the men cooking, serving and cleaning, while the women relaxed and fellowshipped together. And the dessert table was fabulous...I couldn't help but wonder who baked and decorated the pink and white cakes and cookies embellished with flowers. After being so well served, I'm very motivated to serve others and make their day special. I hope you have a special day, a very Happy Valentine's Day!
The Legend of St. Valentine
Legend has it that St. Valentine was imprisoned for helping Christians escape harsh Roman prisons and he is credited with sending the first “valentine.” While in prison, he fell in love with a young girl who visited him. Before his death, he wrote her a letter, which he signed, “From your Valentine.” By the middle of the eighteenth century, it had become popular in Great Britain for friends and lovers to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes on Valentine’s Day. Today, 1 billion valentine cards are sent annually. Far more meaningful than these love notes shared one day a year, however, is our Father’s “Love Letter” that was written for every person on earth. - from the International Mission Board Prayer e-letter
Making Valentine's Day Special
Last night was a new experience me. My church had a Valentine Banquet where the men prepared and served a wonderful dinner for the women and children at church. I was disappointed that I didn't bring my camera since I would have loved having pictures of the special event showing the men cooking, serving and cleaning, while the women relaxed and fellowshipped together. And the dessert table was fabulous...I couldn't help but wonder who baked and decorated the pink and white cakes and cookies embellished with flowers. After being so well served, I'm very motivated to serve others and make their day special. I hope you have a special day, a very Happy Valentine's Day!
The Legend of St. Valentine
Legend has it that St. Valentine was imprisoned for helping Christians escape harsh Roman prisons and he is credited with sending the first “valentine.” While in prison, he fell in love with a young girl who visited him. Before his death, he wrote her a letter, which he signed, “From your Valentine.” By the middle of the eighteenth century, it had become popular in Great Britain for friends and lovers to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes on Valentine’s Day. Today, 1 billion valentine cards are sent annually. Far more meaningful than these love notes shared one day a year, however, is our Father’s “Love Letter” that was written for every person on earth. - from the International Mission Board Prayer e-letter
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Love According to Webster
With St. Valentine’s Day, just a few days away, many people are thinking about love. I was wondering how today’s Webster dictionary definition of “love” might compare to that which Noah Webster first entered into his dictionary. It’s interesting looking into the past and seeing how similar and different our present world is.
“Love” according to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary:
LOVE, v.t. luv. [L. libeo, lubeo. See Lief. The sense is probably to be prompt, free, willing, from leaning, advancing, or drawing forward.]
1. In a general sense to be pleased with; to regard with affection, on account of some qualities which excite pleasing sensations or desire of gratification. We love a friend, on account of some qualities which give us pleasure in his society. We love a man who has done us a favor; in which case, gratitude enters into the composition of our affection. We love our parents and our children, on account of their connection with us, and on account of many qualities which please us. We love to retire to a cool shade in summer. We love a warm room in winter. we love to hear an eloquent advocate. The christian loves his Bible. In short, we love whatever gives us pleasure and delight, whether animal or intellectual; and if our hearts are right, we love God above all things, as the sum of all excellence and all the attributes which can communicate happiness to intelligent beings. In other words, the christian loves God with the love of complacency in his attributes, the love of benevolence towards the interest of his kingdom, and the love of gratitude for favors received.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind -
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Matt. 22.
2. To have benevolence or good will for. John 3.
LOVE, n.
1. An affection of the mind excited by beauty and worth of any kind, or by the qualities of an object which communicate pleasure, sensual or intellectual. It is opposed to hatred. Love between the sexes, is a compound affection, consisting of esteem, benevolence, and animal desire. Love is excited by pleasing qualities of any kind, as by kindness, benevolence, charity, and by the qualities which render social intercourse agreeable. In the latter case, love is ardent friendship, or a strong attachment springing from good will and esteem, and the pleasure derived from the company, civilities and kindness of others.
Between certain natural relatives, love seems to be in some cases instinctive. Such is the love of a mother for her child, which manifests itself toward an infant, before any particular qualities in the child are unfolded. This affection is apparently as strong in irrational animals as in human beings.
We speak of the love of amusements, the love of books, the love of money, and the love of whatever contributes to our pleasure or supposed profit.
The love of God is the first duty of man, and this springs from just views of his attributes or excellencies of character, which afford the highest delight to the sanctified heart. Esteem and reverence constitute ingredients in this affection, and a fear of offending him is its inseparable effect.
2. Courtship; chiefly in the phrase, to make love, that is, to court; to woo; to solicit union in marriage.
3. Patriotism; the attachment one has to his native land; as the love of country.
4. Benevolence; good will.
God is love. 1John 4.
5. The object beloved.
The lover and the love of human kind.
6. A word of endearment.
Trust me, love.
7. Picturesque representation of love.
Such was his form as painters, when they show their utmost art, on naked loves bestow.
8. Lewdness.
He is not lolling on a lewd love-bed.
9. A thin silk stuff. Obs.
Love in idleness, a kind of violet.
Free of love, a plant of the genus Cercis.
“Love” according to Webster’s New World Dictionary:
love [luv]
n.
ME < OE lufu, akin to OHG luba, Goth lubo < IE base * leubh-, to be fond of, desire > LIBIDO, LIEF, LUST
1. a deep and tender feeling of affection for or attachment or devotion to a person or persons
2. an expression of one's love or affection [give Mary my love]
3. a feeling of brotherhood and good will toward other people
4.
a) strong liking for or interest in something [a love of music]
b) the object of such liking
5.
a) a strong, usually passionate, affection of one person for another, based in part on sexual attraction
b) the person who is the object of such an affection; sweetheart; lover
6.
a) sexual passion
b) sexual intercourse
7. < phr. play for love, i.e., play for nothing Tennis a score of zero
8. Theol.
a) God's tender regard and concern for all human beings
b) devotion to and desire for God as the supreme good, that all human beings have
9. [L-] Myth.
a) Cupid, or Eros, as the god of love
b) Rare Venus
vt.
loved, loving
1. to feel love for
2. to show love for by embracing, fondling, kissing, etc.
3. to delight in; take pleasure in [to love books]
4. to gain benefit from [a plant that loves shade]
vi.
to feel the emotion of love; be in love
— fall in love with or fall in love
to begin to feel love (for)
— for love
as a favor or for pleasure; without payment
— for the love of
for the sake of; with loving regard for
— in love
feeling love; enamored
— make love
1. to woo or embrace, kiss, etc. as lovers do
2. to have sexual intercourse
— no love lost between
no liking or affection existing between
— not for love or money
not under any conditions
“Love” according to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary:
LOVE, v.t. luv. [L. libeo, lubeo. See Lief. The sense is probably to be prompt, free, willing, from leaning, advancing, or drawing forward.]
1. In a general sense to be pleased with; to regard with affection, on account of some qualities which excite pleasing sensations or desire of gratification. We love a friend, on account of some qualities which give us pleasure in his society. We love a man who has done us a favor; in which case, gratitude enters into the composition of our affection. We love our parents and our children, on account of their connection with us, and on account of many qualities which please us. We love to retire to a cool shade in summer. We love a warm room in winter. we love to hear an eloquent advocate. The christian loves his Bible. In short, we love whatever gives us pleasure and delight, whether animal or intellectual; and if our hearts are right, we love God above all things, as the sum of all excellence and all the attributes which can communicate happiness to intelligent beings. In other words, the christian loves God with the love of complacency in his attributes, the love of benevolence towards the interest of his kingdom, and the love of gratitude for favors received.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind -
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Matt. 22.
2. To have benevolence or good will for. John 3.
LOVE, n.
1. An affection of the mind excited by beauty and worth of any kind, or by the qualities of an object which communicate pleasure, sensual or intellectual. It is opposed to hatred. Love between the sexes, is a compound affection, consisting of esteem, benevolence, and animal desire. Love is excited by pleasing qualities of any kind, as by kindness, benevolence, charity, and by the qualities which render social intercourse agreeable. In the latter case, love is ardent friendship, or a strong attachment springing from good will and esteem, and the pleasure derived from the company, civilities and kindness of others.
Between certain natural relatives, love seems to be in some cases instinctive. Such is the love of a mother for her child, which manifests itself toward an infant, before any particular qualities in the child are unfolded. This affection is apparently as strong in irrational animals as in human beings.
We speak of the love of amusements, the love of books, the love of money, and the love of whatever contributes to our pleasure or supposed profit.
The love of God is the first duty of man, and this springs from just views of his attributes or excellencies of character, which afford the highest delight to the sanctified heart. Esteem and reverence constitute ingredients in this affection, and a fear of offending him is its inseparable effect.
2. Courtship; chiefly in the phrase, to make love, that is, to court; to woo; to solicit union in marriage.
3. Patriotism; the attachment one has to his native land; as the love of country.
4. Benevolence; good will.
God is love. 1John 4.
5. The object beloved.
The lover and the love of human kind.
6. A word of endearment.
Trust me, love.
7. Picturesque representation of love.
Such was his form as painters, when they show their utmost art, on naked loves bestow.
8. Lewdness.
He is not lolling on a lewd love-bed.
9. A thin silk stuff. Obs.
Love in idleness, a kind of violet.
Free of love, a plant of the genus Cercis.
“Love” according to Webster’s New World Dictionary:
love [luv]
n.
ME < OE lufu, akin to OHG luba, Goth lubo < IE base * leubh-, to be fond of, desire > LIBIDO, LIEF, LUST
1. a deep and tender feeling of affection for or attachment or devotion to a person or persons
2. an expression of one's love or affection [give Mary my love]
3. a feeling of brotherhood and good will toward other people
4.
a) strong liking for or interest in something [a love of music]
b) the object of such liking
5.
a) a strong, usually passionate, affection of one person for another, based in part on sexual attraction
b) the person who is the object of such an affection; sweetheart; lover
6.
a) sexual passion
b) sexual intercourse
7. < phr. play for love, i.e., play for nothing Tennis a score of zero
8. Theol.
a) God's tender regard and concern for all human beings
b) devotion to and desire for God as the supreme good, that all human beings have
9. [L-] Myth.
a) Cupid, or Eros, as the god of love
b) Rare Venus
vt.
loved, loving
1. to feel love for
2. to show love for by embracing, fondling, kissing, etc.
3. to delight in; take pleasure in [to love books]
4. to gain benefit from [a plant that loves shade]
vi.
to feel the emotion of love; be in love
— fall in love with or fall in love
to begin to feel love (for)
— for love
as a favor or for pleasure; without payment
— for the love of
for the sake of; with loving regard for
— in love
feeling love; enamored
— make love
1. to woo or embrace, kiss, etc. as lovers do
2. to have sexual intercourse
— no love lost between
no liking or affection existing between
— not for love or money
not under any conditions
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