Courage to go on

 A particular life verse, cast down, but not destroyed (2 Cor 4.9) is where I am today.  This blogger, though a "new season" of life, finds a different fight.  The rest of this passage says that we are always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, (why?) that the life of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

Further, what does it mean to say For we which live are delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh?

Corrie Ten Boom, the heroine of "The Hiding Place," said that "Jesus is Victor."  She understood that a fraction of what she suffered helped her understand the Master's suffering.  

Thus, what do I understand about His suffering? What do I bear about in the body (of) the dying of the Lord Jesus gives me courage to press on? What emotions assault me daily that He would give comfort?  First as the old preacher said, I must cleanse my heart first before asking the Lord for anything. The Lord has put conviction in one singular area.  It is indeed a stronghold brought from my childhood.  Now, it is a crutch to sadness, loneliness and heartache.  Of course, it never fills the soul with joy, yet still I struggle with it.

The things of youth, marriage, motherhood, family are mostly still here but participants in some of these areas of life are gone, others are just older. I would ask "is my life as full now as then?" No. I believe in      (Phil 3.14) pressing forward but continue finding sadness.  

Quietness and stillness appeal to this soul.  Some fulfillment is found in fellowship with others but lives are so busy, how do I go on as before?  It occurs that taking a moment to thank Him for what I've had, experiences that have grown me in grace, and for daily provision is a good place to start when needing courage.

It's never been a virtue to patiently listening to whining of others.  Can't stand it! I have no excuse for doing the same.  I turn to Ps 57.7 ------

Then the question is begged, "where do I find joy?"

Many verses give the answer: 

• Romans 12.12, 15.13 command to rejoice in hope and let the God of hope fill you with all joy...
• James told us in 1.2 to count IT ALL joy...No excuses for anything that comes to our lives
• Bro. Paul told the church at Phillip to "just do it!" Rejoice in the Lord ALWAY...
• When making prayer requests Bro. John told us to ask, (in the Lord's name) and ye shall receive THEN your joy may be full.
• Bro. Peter said in 1 Pet 1.8 that even if we haven't seen Him, we believe we will and to that we may rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. This is the hope that one day all sadness will be gone because of Him.
• The wisest man on earth told us in Pro 17.22 that A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Finding the charm and good in everyday things will keep one from "drying up like an old prune."  Nothing so distasteful as a bitter, sour spirit.
• The humble Psalmist told us in 118.24, This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
• To sum up these verses, Bro. Paul told the church at Thessalonica, Rejoice evermore.                     (I Thes 5.16)

The Lord never promised easy.  He DID promise 

that He (John 14.18) would not leave us comfortless. He also promises (Heb 13.15) to never leave nor forsake us.

Courage is defined as: that quality of mind which enables men to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear or depression of spirits; valor; boldness; resolution.

Thus this soul will "resolutely" absorb the verses mentioned in this post and declare because of Him, I may go "one step farther on." 

It is my desire that any reader of this blog find this same courage to carry on.

Journal and Study

To follow up on the previous entry, I will say "next is Journalling."  The first entry in said journal was two weeks ago. Life has been semiactive.  Each day brings routine tasks as well as new tasks.  The job left over one year ago is just that, "left!" So thankful for this season of life.  However, as time and age slow my physical body a bit, my mind continues seeking the "next" task to remain occupied.  Stretching out and resting comes more often than before and I've learned to yield to it. 

My heart seeks Him, though the weak flesh struggles.  My heart longs for more time with family, especially the grandchild. In that, I've learned patience and waiting on His will to provide such opportunity.  In the meantime, my duty at church occupies.  I enjoy working on the website and FB page and keeping up with Mission Funds and Letters. Currently, I am involved in the completion of a new church directory.  Happy to have a part in the project.

My intention today is to study for the "Young Ladies Class," should that ever become a reality.  The Lord has impressed my spirit that life experiences coupled with scriptural background would benefit such a group.  I'm beginning to believe that it may be simply individuals that would profit from this effort rather than a group.  His will is always best. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Take care and have a blessed day.

Ps 57.7

What is next?

If this blogger were to answer the question above, the short answer would be, "it is Wednesday."  In our assembly we call it "prayer meeting."  We do pray before and after service and in between there is preaching.  

In the secular world Wednesday is referred to as "hump day."  Since, a public job is no longer part of the week, "What's next" is simply that.

Of course, there are daily routine tasks; getting dressed, making beds, making breakfast for myself and sometimes another. Sometimes a morning walk, which is refreshing and invigorating.  Then, there may be housework and/or yard work and then lunch.  Then, whatever I may be called on to do.   This afternoon I planned on simply meditating on thoughts/things of God and the heart.

Sitting still and being quiet is difficult after a lifetime of activity.  I always feel guilty when I'm this way. Scripture says, study to be quiet. (I Thes 4.11)  Once I indeed "studied" this thought and the truth is the Lord made us active beings so it requires study to sit still and be quiet.  Since blogging is an active task I will head back to my enclosed screened in porch and listen for that still small voice. (I Kings 19.12)

it's Sunday morning, again!

Thank you, Lord for another day to "live in Your world and breath Your air."  Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. (Ps 150.6) The old preacher said "touch your tummy, are you breathing? Then, you should be praising Him!"

As I wake up, wash my face, get my cup of coffee and put breakfast on, I come back to personal reflections of a blog began 19 years ago!  So many changes, so much life, so much God!  I can honestly report His promises are true, particularly, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. (Deu 31.6, Heb 13.5)

Another year older.  Maybe, a little wiser.  The recent birthday demonstrated, again, the truth above.  The loved ones and "anonymous" friends that remembered this old girl reminded me of the Lord's  faithfulness to His children.

Looking forward to this morning.  We had bible school yesterday and the children, as always, were wonderful.  I think I appreciate life more as I get older.  The hoary head (Pro 16.31) is blessed with so many truths that supply wisdom that getting older isn't the dread I once thought it to be.

Some have said, "see the glass 1/2 full instead of 1/2 empty."  From this believer's heart, I would say "it's full and running over!"  You may be in the midst of sorrows and trials but view the rainbow after the storm.  It's Sunday morning, again, get ready, go to your house of worship and praise Him!  

According to His Word, our prayer is that you will see, He will bless you and keep you and make His face shine on you...and give thee peace. (Num 6.24-26)

It's all true, promise! 

Fill your heart...

Dear Friends,

We all need words to live by, to inspire us and guide us. Words to give us courage. Words of comfort and of courage filled with wisdom and with love. We need "Words" from His Word and from other believers. 

So begins a series of such "word helps" from the poet of yester year called "Helen Steiner Rice," (HSR). It is my prayer and hope that one or many of these "word helps" will do just that for you.

HSR wrote a poem titled "Fill Your Heart With Thanksgiving." Many wonderfully encouraging words are rendered in this particular poem but the first words are my focus today;

"Take nothing for granted, for whenever you do
The 'joy of enjoying' is lessened for you-"

Further, the last stanza of this poem emphasizes; "For the JOY of ENJOYING and the FULLNESS of LIVING are found in the heart that is filled with THANKSGIVING." 

Scripture gives this sentiment in 1 Thessalonians 5.18 by stating In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. As a believer, we take this truth into the very fiber of our being because life can be so hard. As a moral person, one understands being grateful keeps the spirit mostly peaceful. Noting the illustration here:

• An empty heart is usually a dark heart. It is Full of negative, foreboding thoughts.
• A heart half full, sort of grateful, somewhat thankful for the very air that clears one's lungs, still maintains a grudge about how one thinks things "should be." 
• A full heart accepts the things that cannot be changed, changes the things that can be changed and acknowledges the wisdom to know the difference. The full heart has no room for negative thoughts and words.

We are also instructed in Ephesians 5.20 to give thanks for ALL things.  Further the book of Romans in 8.28, at least for the believer, directs that ALL things work together for good (specifically) to them that love God...

In a personal note, this bloggers heart struggles in the middle.  It seems things "should be this way or should've happened like this or that."  Thus clouding the mind, then the heart with a grudging attitude.  No help or peace thinking this way. 

Instead this blogger will pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide me and remind me that this is His way and it is always best.  

God bless and keep you...