I received this link via email from a friend who spent time living in the middle east with her husband who is now in his 80's. They have experienced the Muslim country as residents.
It includes frightening "snipets" that make you go hmmmm.... why did people elect him as our President? I can hardly bare to utter his name after that title... President _______________.
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=tCAffMSWSzY#t=28
I know that the Lord is in command of our leaders and their election, but I can't help but ask Him, "Why Lord?" In scripture it shows that the leaders are at times appointed in judgement of a country. We are certainly worthy of His judgement, and yet instead He continues to lavish His grace and mercy upon us.
In the time of King Nebuchadnezzer, Daniel 4:32b and 35 says, "'The Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.' All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him 'What have You done?'"
Holding my breath until the next presidential elections, and still waiting on my leg to heal,
Lori
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
The Secret of Tears
This will be my final post on items from the book Secrets of the Secret Place by Bob Sorge. As I finish reading this book I may post statements of encouragement or other poignant statements in the margin on the right.
On the Saturday following the surgery on my leg to repair the breaks I told Todd that I hadn't really cried since I'd broken it, but I could feel that there was a really good cry in there somewhere. I didn't know when the cry would come, but I knew it was coming sooner or later. Having just recently found some true relief for my back, I'd begun walking each day. I had the hopes of losing the weight I gained over the course of my first injury and surgery.
The following excerpts are from the chapter titled The Secret of Tears.
"Of the seven psalms that refer to tears, three are attributed to David's pen. The man who had an absolutely sincere secret life with God was a man of tears. David cried, 'Do not be silent at my tears' (Psalm 39:12) as though his tears commended his sincerity to God. Clearly tears are not for women only. Another psalmist expressed the sincerity of his cry by pointing to his tears: 'My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually say to me, 'Where is your God?'"
I have experienced the tears that have been my “food day and night.” When Kathryn died, I spent many hours crying. I felt like those who knew we were Believers, and were not themselves, were thinking to themselves, “Where is your God?” Here we were teaching in our church, known by everyone in our little country church, and friends with many who were unsaved in our community. Wherever we looked, our brothers and sisters in Christ seemed to be saying “Where is OUR God?” They were feeling our loss as well to some degree, unable to understand or comprehend why the Father had not answered the prayers of those who had cried out on behalf of our baby. I understand this type of tears because I have experienced them and remember that sorrow all to well – as if it were only yesterday.
But, what about this cry that was coming, after I realized I’d broken my leg, been admitted and was scheduled for surgery the next morning? It’s interesting that I didn’t cry before, except from the pain when I first broke the leg. The cry that was coming was of a different kind, I knew that, but I didn’t fully understand it, until I began reading this chapter. It came on it's own timing, and was an uncontrollable sobbing.
...
"We cry because we desire or because we're in pain; so tears are the language of desire. We desire Him, even to tears. If we lack the desire, He will cultivate it within us by seemingly withdrawing from us His mercy. It's famine that makes us hungry; it's drought that makes us thirsty. Deprivation produces desire."
Do not despise the pain that gave you the tears. Pour out your heart to Him; God is a refuge for us! Those who "love much" still wash the Lord's feet with their tears. (Luke 7:36-48)
So, what about the tears I shed that Saturday afternoon? Those were a different type. I was frustrated and confused. I know that God works "all things together for the good of those that love Him, those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) I understand fully His Sovereign grace and His abundant provision. So what type of tears were these? Why was I crying, I really didn't understand, I just knew that I was going to experience a time of crying during all of this.
The tears I succumbed to that day were all together different. I knew that, but I didn't know how to express that yet. The Lord began to show me through the book I was reading..
"There are two kinds of sickness in the Bible that produce tears. The first is mentioned in Proverbs 13:12, 'Hope deferred makes the heart sick.' When the hope of God's deliverance is deferred, the heart grows sick. This heartsickness produces a groaning from the depths of the spirit and is expressed in tears. These are the tears of the brokenhearted, and they are not despised by God. Heartsickness cries, 'Oh God, visit me! Come to me in Your power and fulfill Your word in my life!'"
"Heartsickness is the product of unrequited power; lovesickness is the consequence of unrequited love. David articulated both passions when, during his years of hiding in the wilderness, he cried, 'So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory' (Psalm 63:12). Heartsickness weeps, 'Show me Your hand!' Lovesickness weeps, 'Show me Your face!'"
That is when it dawned on me! That's what it was - hope deferred! I had just finally started feeling better after another procedure on my back. I'd been out and walked in the beautiful spring weather the 3 days before I fell, readying myself for the work involved in losing the weight I've put on in the last 2 years. When, lo and behold, I step just the right way on a curb to turn over my ankle and break the bones in my lower leg. "What?!!? Are you kidding me Lord? This can't be happening? I'm finally feeling better? Why now? How is this going to be for my good, and the good of those in my family who have to depend on me for their most basic needs? How is this going to bring you glory?" I was heart sick, and I didn't see how that was going to help me to glorify God. But here I sit at my computer, hoping that this blog post reaches someone who feels a sickness today. I encourage you with these words from the paragraph quoted above: if you are heartsick, weep "Show me Your hand!", and if you are lovesick weep, "Show me Your face!"
So I invite you, if you feel either of these two ways - lovesick or heartsick, seek the Lord in prayer and through your tears. Indeed God is everywhere... even in our tears.
Abiding in Him, along with you all,
Lori
On the Saturday following the surgery on my leg to repair the breaks I told Todd that I hadn't really cried since I'd broken it, but I could feel that there was a really good cry in there somewhere. I didn't know when the cry would come, but I knew it was coming sooner or later. Having just recently found some true relief for my back, I'd begun walking each day. I had the hopes of losing the weight I gained over the course of my first injury and surgery.
The following excerpts are from the chapter titled The Secret of Tears.
"Of the seven psalms that refer to tears, three are attributed to David's pen. The man who had an absolutely sincere secret life with God was a man of tears. David cried, 'Do not be silent at my tears' (Psalm 39:12) as though his tears commended his sincerity to God. Clearly tears are not for women only. Another psalmist expressed the sincerity of his cry by pointing to his tears: 'My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually say to me, 'Where is your God?'"
I have experienced the tears that have been my “food day and night.” When Kathryn died, I spent many hours crying. I felt like those who knew we were Believers, and were not themselves, were thinking to themselves, “Where is your God?” Here we were teaching in our church, known by everyone in our little country church, and friends with many who were unsaved in our community. Wherever we looked, our brothers and sisters in Christ seemed to be saying “Where is OUR God?” They were feeling our loss as well to some degree, unable to understand or comprehend why the Father had not answered the prayers of those who had cried out on behalf of our baby. I understand this type of tears because I have experienced them and remember that sorrow all to well – as if it were only yesterday.
But, what about this cry that was coming, after I realized I’d broken my leg, been admitted and was scheduled for surgery the next morning? It’s interesting that I didn’t cry before, except from the pain when I first broke the leg. The cry that was coming was of a different kind, I knew that, but I didn’t fully understand it, until I began reading this chapter. It came on it's own timing, and was an uncontrollable sobbing.
...
"We cry because we desire or because we're in pain; so tears are the language of desire. We desire Him, even to tears. If we lack the desire, He will cultivate it within us by seemingly withdrawing from us His mercy. It's famine that makes us hungry; it's drought that makes us thirsty. Deprivation produces desire."
Do not despise the pain that gave you the tears. Pour out your heart to Him; God is a refuge for us! Those who "love much" still wash the Lord's feet with their tears. (Luke 7:36-48)
So, what about the tears I shed that Saturday afternoon? Those were a different type. I was frustrated and confused. I know that God works "all things together for the good of those that love Him, those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) I understand fully His Sovereign grace and His abundant provision. So what type of tears were these? Why was I crying, I really didn't understand, I just knew that I was going to experience a time of crying during all of this.
The tears I succumbed to that day were all together different. I knew that, but I didn't know how to express that yet. The Lord began to show me through the book I was reading..
"There are two kinds of sickness in the Bible that produce tears. The first is mentioned in Proverbs 13:12, 'Hope deferred makes the heart sick.' When the hope of God's deliverance is deferred, the heart grows sick. This heartsickness produces a groaning from the depths of the spirit and is expressed in tears. These are the tears of the brokenhearted, and they are not despised by God. Heartsickness cries, 'Oh God, visit me! Come to me in Your power and fulfill Your word in my life!'"
"Heartsickness is the product of unrequited power; lovesickness is the consequence of unrequited love. David articulated both passions when, during his years of hiding in the wilderness, he cried, 'So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory' (Psalm 63:12). Heartsickness weeps, 'Show me Your hand!' Lovesickness weeps, 'Show me Your face!'"
That is when it dawned on me! That's what it was - hope deferred! I had just finally started feeling better after another procedure on my back. I'd been out and walked in the beautiful spring weather the 3 days before I fell, readying myself for the work involved in losing the weight I've put on in the last 2 years. When, lo and behold, I step just the right way on a curb to turn over my ankle and break the bones in my lower leg. "What?!!? Are you kidding me Lord? This can't be happening? I'm finally feeling better? Why now? How is this going to be for my good, and the good of those in my family who have to depend on me for their most basic needs? How is this going to bring you glory?" I was heart sick, and I didn't see how that was going to help me to glorify God. But here I sit at my computer, hoping that this blog post reaches someone who feels a sickness today. I encourage you with these words from the paragraph quoted above: if you are heartsick, weep "Show me Your hand!", and if you are lovesick weep, "Show me Your face!"
So I invite you, if you feel either of these two ways - lovesick or heartsick, seek the Lord in prayer and through your tears. Indeed God is everywhere... even in our tears.
Abiding in Him, along with you all,
Lori
Friday, May 14, 2010
Broken Leg Update
Okay, I've gotten some emails regarding my doctor's appointment yesterday. So, I'm going to go ahead and give an update here to help others of you keep up that way. :o) Thank you for caring and asking.
I got the hard cast off yesterday. They took x-rays and finally the doctor came in to see me. He said that my leg had healed "Remarkably well, in a remarkably short period of time." I let him know that it was due to the "saint sitting in the corner" referring to mom. I know people are probably tired of my saying that I don't know what we would have done without her, but it is so true!!
It's kind of ironic, because I was basically a real pain in the rear growing up. If anyone had ever said that I'd end up living next door to my parents after I was grown and married with kids, I'd have thought they were out of their mind! And yet, here we are, closer than ever. It is amazing to me all that the Lord can restore when we are His. We are so blessed!
Anyway, I got a black boot that looks like something out of the "Transformers" stuff. Sarah asked if I was going to ride a horse, and I told her I would need a second boot to go with this one and that they'd have to be a little different! This one has a really tall, weird heel on it, lots of velcro straps, and a pump up air thing inside of it. I can take it off to shower, and to sleep, which is really nice. But... I have to continue to stay off of it working up to a little weight every few days not to exceed half of my body weight at any time. Try figuring out how to do that correctly? Mother and I tried all the way home to figure out exactly what that means.
Anyway, it will be this way while we are on our annual beach trip which doesn't really make me happy, but hey at least we have the opportunity to take a beach trip every year, right? We wouldn't go if it weren't free. So, we really do get a good opportunity.
Abiding in His hands,
Lori
I got the hard cast off yesterday. They took x-rays and finally the doctor came in to see me. He said that my leg had healed "Remarkably well, in a remarkably short period of time." I let him know that it was due to the "saint sitting in the corner" referring to mom. I know people are probably tired of my saying that I don't know what we would have done without her, but it is so true!!
It's kind of ironic, because I was basically a real pain in the rear growing up. If anyone had ever said that I'd end up living next door to my parents after I was grown and married with kids, I'd have thought they were out of their mind! And yet, here we are, closer than ever. It is amazing to me all that the Lord can restore when we are His. We are so blessed!
Anyway, I got a black boot that looks like something out of the "Transformers" stuff. Sarah asked if I was going to ride a horse, and I told her I would need a second boot to go with this one and that they'd have to be a little different! This one has a really tall, weird heel on it, lots of velcro straps, and a pump up air thing inside of it. I can take it off to shower, and to sleep, which is really nice. But... I have to continue to stay off of it working up to a little weight every few days not to exceed half of my body weight at any time. Try figuring out how to do that correctly? Mother and I tried all the way home to figure out exactly what that means.
Anyway, it will be this way while we are on our annual beach trip which doesn't really make me happy, but hey at least we have the opportunity to take a beach trip every year, right? We wouldn't go if it weren't free. So, we really do get a good opportunity.
Abiding in His hands,
Lori
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Leg update and change it is a comin'
Hi Everyone:
Tomorrow is my next follow-up appointment with my orthopedic surgeon about my broken leg. I am prayerful that I will get my cast off tomorrow, but the doctor hasn't said so. I would really like to hear that the leg is healing well and quickly (I have been very careful with it.), and that I am ready to move on to whatever the next step will be. I suspect it will be a hard boot, and I have no idea when I will start with physical therapy. If I get a boot tomorrow, I expect to have a good bit of pain. I have bumped the cast a couple of times and it's jarred my ankle and been quite painful. So... we'll see.
Huge shout out and thanks to my friend, Kristin, for taking care of my girls while mom and I go!!
Also, Anna went to the Orthodontist today and will finally get her braces off in 4 weeks!!! After 2 and a half years, she will finally have the beautiful smile that is metal free!! I know she will be really glad to get them off. She's also decided she wants to take on contacts too, so we'll see about that soon as well. She has changed SO much in the last couple of years, I can't believe what a beautiful young lady she is turning out to be - both inside and out! The Lord has blessed me with two beautiful girls to raise for His glory. I pray that I do a job that is pleasing to HIM.
At Home For HIM, and abiding in His grace,
Lori
Tomorrow is my next follow-up appointment with my orthopedic surgeon about my broken leg. I am prayerful that I will get my cast off tomorrow, but the doctor hasn't said so. I would really like to hear that the leg is healing well and quickly (I have been very careful with it.), and that I am ready to move on to whatever the next step will be. I suspect it will be a hard boot, and I have no idea when I will start with physical therapy. If I get a boot tomorrow, I expect to have a good bit of pain. I have bumped the cast a couple of times and it's jarred my ankle and been quite painful. So... we'll see.
Huge shout out and thanks to my friend, Kristin, for taking care of my girls while mom and I go!!
Also, Anna went to the Orthodontist today and will finally get her braces off in 4 weeks!!! After 2 and a half years, she will finally have the beautiful smile that is metal free!! I know she will be really glad to get them off. She's also decided she wants to take on contacts too, so we'll see about that soon as well. She has changed SO much in the last couple of years, I can't believe what a beautiful young lady she is turning out to be - both inside and out! The Lord has blessed me with two beautiful girls to raise for His glory. I pray that I do a job that is pleasing to HIM.
At Home For HIM, and abiding in His grace,
Lori
Monday, May 10, 2010
I Know You Are Out There...
Okay, so the last post turned out a little long, and only got one comment. I know that you readers are out there, because the counter has gone up by over 100 "hits" to the blog since the post about the "Secret of Waiting."
So, I am going to assume that either you all disagreed, couldn't relate, didn't have anything to say, or thought the post was so long that you just didn't take the time to read it. Who knows, anyway, I'm going to move on to another post soon.
Please know that I encourage any and all thoughtful posts - whether you agree or disagree with the topic or post. And, I NEED comments! I just need to know you're out there, that you are thinking about what you read, and that you've stopped by to read what's here. If you have no thoughts about the topic, just say "HI!" I know there are many "lurkers" out there, just by the counter going up and up.
So, the next and final post for now from the book Secrets of the Secret Place will come soon.
It will be The Secret of Tears.
Abiding in His grace,
Lori
So, I am going to assume that either you all disagreed, couldn't relate, didn't have anything to say, or thought the post was so long that you just didn't take the time to read it. Who knows, anyway, I'm going to move on to another post soon.
Please know that I encourage any and all thoughtful posts - whether you agree or disagree with the topic or post. And, I NEED comments! I just need to know you're out there, that you are thinking about what you read, and that you've stopped by to read what's here. If you have no thoughts about the topic, just say "HI!" I know there are many "lurkers" out there, just by the counter going up and up.
So, the next and final post for now from the book Secrets of the Secret Place will come soon.
It will be The Secret of Tears.
Abiding in His grace,
Lori
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
The Secret of Waiting
Before I begin this post, I'd like to say something in response to a comment from the last post, written by "Superman's Lady." I have not personally taken the time, as I've read through this book, to check out each of the scripture verses that were used by the author. It is possible that the author could have used a verse out of context, or just to make his point. So, I thought that it was important that I mention this.
Now, I will also say that if I were to feel particularly drawn to a specific verse or passage used that I would take the time to read the scripture in context. On the other hand, I would also share with you that there have been times in my own life that I believe the Lord has "given me" a single scripture, or grouping of scriptures, in particular circumstances that applied to my situation and brought peace to my soul. So, as you read, read with this in mind.
The next installment from my short little excerpts here is from the chapter entitled The Secret of Waiting from Secrets of the Secret Place by: Bob Sorge.
So, during the time of my recovery from this broken leg, I am doing a lot of w*a*i*t*i*n*g, a whole lot of it. In the meantime, everyone around me is having to "wait on" me. That happens in a lot of ways. The first way that I'm "waited on" is by moving my pillows, my blanket, my drink, my cell phone, the home phone, any book I'm reading or puzzle book I'm working in everytime I move from the bedroom to the family room and back again, fixing and bringing me every meal and drink I need, helping me wash my hair, etc... The other way that I'm waited on is different. Everyone has to wait on me to get up or down the stairs of our front stoop to get into the van, get from point A to point B when we go to church and of course lunch afterwards, get into the doctor's office for appointments and things like that. So, there's an awful lot of waiting going on around here right now. They are all waiting for me to get well and things to get back to "normal" whatever that is. :o)
So, here are our excerpts for today:
"The closer you get to God, the more you realize He's in no hurry. There is no frenetic hurrying in heaven, only calculated purpose. "Whoever believes will not act hastily" (Isaiah 28:16). Those who step into God's time zone will not allow urgent matters to press them into acting too quickly and getting ahead of God." This is a truth that I learned personally many years ago, and I am so thankful. You see, when you know this truth it keeps you from rushing headlong into bad decisions. There's no reason to make quick decisions about purchases for fear that someone else might beat you to it. If the Lord wants you to have that .... outfit, car, house ... it will be there when the time is right for you to buy it. Those of you who are single adults God has the perfect timing in regards to your spouse, or lack there of. Don't run into a marriage that isn't His plan, you don't have to run about seeking the "one" to be with, He's already got that taken care of, just wait on the Lord. There is really a lot of peace in the waiting once we learn that He is at work.
"One of the best descriptions of waiting on God is found in Psalm 123:2, 'Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, until He has mercy on us.' To wait on God is to stare at His hand. ... Waiting on God is not watching television until God chooses to move; waiting on God is attentively gazing upon Him with undistracted focus until He has mercy on us. And until He acts, we just wait on Him and love Him."
"Waiting on God may be the most difficult of all the spiritual disciplines, and perhaps that's the reason so few truly practice it. Just sitting in His presence and gazing... it can be agonizing to us who have become accustomed to being bombarded with data and stimuli. We lack the attention span to wait on God."
"'Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice, blessed are all those who wait for Him. (Isaiah 30:18)" ... "the truth of Isaiah 30:18. When it says, 'The Lord will wait,' it doesn't mean that God is waiting for you to do something; it means that God is strategically delaying His miraculous visitation because He has greater things in store for you than you've even asked for. But to give you the fullness of what He has planned for your life, He will use the season of waiting to prepare you as a vessel, and also to prepare circumstances around your life so that you will be able to step forward into the proper sphere when His release comes to you. He's waiting so that He can crown you with an even greater blessing."
I can speak from my own life and say that the things I've wanted the absolute most in my life, have been greater than I could ever imagine when they actually came. The Lord had provided for me something far greater than I could have dreamed of. If I had run headlong towards what I thought I wanted, I would have postponed the greater thing because of not waiting on the Lord, and having peace in my decisions.
"Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!" (Psalm 27:14).
Waiting for my next Doctor's appointment,
Lori
Now, I will also say that if I were to feel particularly drawn to a specific verse or passage used that I would take the time to read the scripture in context. On the other hand, I would also share with you that there have been times in my own life that I believe the Lord has "given me" a single scripture, or grouping of scriptures, in particular circumstances that applied to my situation and brought peace to my soul. So, as you read, read with this in mind.
The next installment from my short little excerpts here is from the chapter entitled The Secret of Waiting from Secrets of the Secret Place by: Bob Sorge.
So, during the time of my recovery from this broken leg, I am doing a lot of w*a*i*t*i*n*g, a whole lot of it. In the meantime, everyone around me is having to "wait on" me. That happens in a lot of ways. The first way that I'm "waited on" is by moving my pillows, my blanket, my drink, my cell phone, the home phone, any book I'm reading or puzzle book I'm working in everytime I move from the bedroom to the family room and back again, fixing and bringing me every meal and drink I need, helping me wash my hair, etc... The other way that I'm waited on is different. Everyone has to wait on me to get up or down the stairs of our front stoop to get into the van, get from point A to point B when we go to church and of course lunch afterwards, get into the doctor's office for appointments and things like that. So, there's an awful lot of waiting going on around here right now. They are all waiting for me to get well and things to get back to "normal" whatever that is. :o)
So, here are our excerpts for today:
"The closer you get to God, the more you realize He's in no hurry. There is no frenetic hurrying in heaven, only calculated purpose. "Whoever believes will not act hastily" (Isaiah 28:16). Those who step into God's time zone will not allow urgent matters to press them into acting too quickly and getting ahead of God." This is a truth that I learned personally many years ago, and I am so thankful. You see, when you know this truth it keeps you from rushing headlong into bad decisions. There's no reason to make quick decisions about purchases for fear that someone else might beat you to it. If the Lord wants you to have that .... outfit, car, house ... it will be there when the time is right for you to buy it. Those of you who are single adults God has the perfect timing in regards to your spouse, or lack there of. Don't run into a marriage that isn't His plan, you don't have to run about seeking the "one" to be with, He's already got that taken care of, just wait on the Lord. There is really a lot of peace in the waiting once we learn that He is at work.
"One of the best descriptions of waiting on God is found in Psalm 123:2, 'Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, until He has mercy on us.' To wait on God is to stare at His hand. ... Waiting on God is not watching television until God chooses to move; waiting on God is attentively gazing upon Him with undistracted focus until He has mercy on us. And until He acts, we just wait on Him and love Him."
"Waiting on God may be the most difficult of all the spiritual disciplines, and perhaps that's the reason so few truly practice it. Just sitting in His presence and gazing... it can be agonizing to us who have become accustomed to being bombarded with data and stimuli. We lack the attention span to wait on God."
"'Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice, blessed are all those who wait for Him. (Isaiah 30:18)" ... "the truth of Isaiah 30:18. When it says, 'The Lord will wait,' it doesn't mean that God is waiting for you to do something; it means that God is strategically delaying His miraculous visitation because He has greater things in store for you than you've even asked for. But to give you the fullness of what He has planned for your life, He will use the season of waiting to prepare you as a vessel, and also to prepare circumstances around your life so that you will be able to step forward into the proper sphere when His release comes to you. He's waiting so that He can crown you with an even greater blessing."
I can speak from my own life and say that the things I've wanted the absolute most in my life, have been greater than I could ever imagine when they actually came. The Lord had provided for me something far greater than I could have dreamed of. If I had run headlong towards what I thought I wanted, I would have postponed the greater thing because of not waiting on the Lord, and having peace in my decisions.
"Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!" (Psalm 27:14).
Waiting for my next Doctor's appointment,
Lori
Saturday, May 1, 2010
The Secret of Confinement
Well, tonight we will continue on with our third installment of my excerpts from, and thoughts on, Secrets of the Secret Place - Keys to Igniting Your Personal Time with God by Bob Sorge.
In the trials I have faced throughout my own personal life: the illness and death of our first child, the death of Todd's mother, Anna's health problems and surgery as a baby, the death of all of our living grandparents, twenty years of marriage - and the usual trials that brings, the death of my father, the adoption of a child, my own frustrating health problems and dibilitating accidents, etc... I have come to understand the following statement, perhaps more than some can. Our first statement from this chapter is this, "David said of the Lord, 'He made darkness His secret place' (Psalm 18:11). When the lights of understanding go out and you're plunged into emotional darkness, you are actually being issued an invitation into God's secret place. It's in the darkness where God meets in secret with His chosen ones."
You see our human nature and Satan's influence, cause us to think that when something bad - maybe even horrific - is going on in our lives that we are all alone. We feel like no one else on earth has ever felt THIS, whatever you're "THIS" is, but the scriptures tell us otherwise.
Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Ecclesiastes 1:9 "That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.”
Matthew 28:19-20, 'Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
At the time of our daughter's death in 1995, I could see no good thing that could come of that, I was in complete darkness, confused, and afraid. Now, 15 years later I could name dozens of the good things. I've come to embrace my God as He is, as He presents Himself boldly throughout His Word, in complete control of what comes into my life. As much as I wish I had my precious Kathryn Grace back to enjoy all of the things that would be important to her now, at 16, I wouldn't change anything. I have come to such a deeper place with God that I would not ever give up. Some of you have no idea what I'm talking about, maybe even think - "She's a loon!" Others of you understand perfectly.
Back to our book excerpts, "In His kindness, He dries up every other fountain that has nurtured your soul, that He might become your only fountain in the quietness of this cell. It's here you will learn to own the reality of Psalm 87:7, 'All my springs are in You.' Instead of being energized by projects, you will now become energized by a Person. Being with Him and in Him will become your criteria for success." and "David spoke of intimacy of the prison: 'You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.' (Psalm 139:5-6)"
The chapter closes with these words, and I will chose to end my post with them, so that you may be left alone with this thought, and with your God.
"Here's one of the secrets of darkness: He imprisons those He loves in order to awaken them in the secret place to mature bridal affections. Don't despise your chains, for they bind you to the heart of the One you long for. You are the prisoner of the Lord."
Abiding, with complete assurance, in these chains,
Lori
In the trials I have faced throughout my own personal life: the illness and death of our first child, the death of Todd's mother, Anna's health problems and surgery as a baby, the death of all of our living grandparents, twenty years of marriage - and the usual trials that brings, the death of my father, the adoption of a child, my own frustrating health problems and dibilitating accidents, etc... I have come to understand the following statement, perhaps more than some can. Our first statement from this chapter is this, "David said of the Lord, 'He made darkness His secret place' (Psalm 18:11). When the lights of understanding go out and you're plunged into emotional darkness, you are actually being issued an invitation into God's secret place. It's in the darkness where God meets in secret with His chosen ones."
You see our human nature and Satan's influence, cause us to think that when something bad - maybe even horrific - is going on in our lives that we are all alone. We feel like no one else on earth has ever felt THIS, whatever you're "THIS" is, but the scriptures tell us otherwise.
Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Ecclesiastes 1:9 "That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.”
Matthew 28:19-20, 'Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
At the time of our daughter's death in 1995, I could see no good thing that could come of that, I was in complete darkness, confused, and afraid. Now, 15 years later I could name dozens of the good things. I've come to embrace my God as He is, as He presents Himself boldly throughout His Word, in complete control of what comes into my life. As much as I wish I had my precious Kathryn Grace back to enjoy all of the things that would be important to her now, at 16, I wouldn't change anything. I have come to such a deeper place with God that I would not ever give up. Some of you have no idea what I'm talking about, maybe even think - "She's a loon!" Others of you understand perfectly.
Back to our book excerpts, "In His kindness, He dries up every other fountain that has nurtured your soul, that He might become your only fountain in the quietness of this cell. It's here you will learn to own the reality of Psalm 87:7, 'All my springs are in You.' Instead of being energized by projects, you will now become energized by a Person. Being with Him and in Him will become your criteria for success." and "David spoke of intimacy of the prison: 'You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it.' (Psalm 139:5-6)"
The chapter closes with these words, and I will chose to end my post with them, so that you may be left alone with this thought, and with your God.
"Here's one of the secrets of darkness: He imprisons those He loves in order to awaken them in the secret place to mature bridal affections. Don't despise your chains, for they bind you to the heart of the One you long for. You are the prisoner of the Lord."
Abiding, with complete assurance, in these chains,
Lori
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