Jun 10 2008
If you have not read John Piper’s post about “Unseen Purposes for Disappointment” I strongly encourage you to read it. It is not long, but sure packs a punch. So many times we are caught up in “justice” and why things happen; when instead we need to have faith that God sees the big picture! Thanks for the reminder Pastor Piper!
Jun 08 2008
I don’t know if you have ever met Denise at Shortybears Place. She is a huge source of encouragment. Always one to leave a comment, always faithful. Her world was shattered today when her brother suddenly died. You can read more here... but could you just say a prayer for her please. She could really use some sisters that would stand in the gap for her right now.
Jun 08 2008
If there is one thing that I wrestle with in being a Christian it is God’s grace. When I mess up I feel guilty and I don’t feel like I am living up to God’s potential for me. When I am doing good and having my daily devotions, etc. I feel like I am on track with my Christian walk. Click here to read the rest
Jun 06 2008
And if you were my Mom you would say, “you are between the ‘a’ and the ‘t’, don’t end a sentence in a preposition… (see Mom I did listen sometimes).
I saw this Meme on Living To Tell The Story, and feelings are what I have been ‘feeling’ a lot of lately, so I thought I would give this a try.
Feelings meme:
Reluctant to pack my youngest son because he leaves Monday and I won’t see him for three weeks. He is going early to Minnesota, we don’t leave until the end of the month.
Excited that hubby and I are having a date night tonight.
Worried about my oldest son’s behavior lately.
Relieved that today is Friday and the last day of school.
Wondering if high school will be better than middle school for my oldest son.
Certain that my youngest son will have a great time with Grandma and Grandpa while he is away.
Cautious about eating to much sugar, it gives me a headache.
Happy that I got my house cleaned today, and all I have to finish up is laundry tomorrow. (oh yeah and pack my son, see I am ignoring that fact =)
Love all my three boys and the man I married.
Adore my new niece. If I am honest I adore ALL my nieces.
Grateful for wonderful sisters I have in my life, either by birth, by marriage or even by Christian friendship. The Lord has blessed me.
Have a wonderful weekend. I will be ignoring the fact I need to pack my son and having a nice time out with hubby.
Let me know if you do this Meme…
Jun 05 2008
Auntie loves you so much! Thanks for inviting me to your birthday party I had a blast taking pictures of you enjoying your chocolate pudding finger painting!
And if you get a chance look at her Mom’s awesome photography here...
Jun 05 2008
My heart is so full of emotions right now. I have prayed for many things in my life, and I have experienced answered prayers but not as tangible as I have this last week. Click Here to read the rest….
Jun 01 2008
I had the wonderful opportunity of interviewing Vicki Courtney for Christian Women Online. I personally believe this is one of the most important interview I have conducted to date. Please Visit me here…
May 28 2008
The winner of SKID by Rene Gutteridge is
My friend, I can not wait to hear how you liked this book, you may think it is strange at the beginning but it is a jewel that may have you laughing out loud.
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And the next winner of Matt Roger When Answers Aren’t Enough - Can I tell you I really, really wish I could buy each one of of you that entered this book.
Joanne at Blessed… (can I just say how much your comment touched my heart.) May this book bless you.
May 28 2008
I am going to post the winners of my two book draws later tonight, so be sure to check back or enter quickly (you have until 10pm Eastern time).
I have one BIG thing I am thankful for, I am just going to share a picture. But the story behind this blessing with be posted on my Lace With Grace post June 5th.
elements by Flergs
PS: I may not have a chance to visit, I am catching a big plane because there is a baby who needs some Auntie loving right now (or maybe it is Auntie that needs some niece loving =)
Be sure to visit Iris at Sting My Heart.
May 26 2008
I know this post may read like a book review, but this book really touched me and is just my ramblings about it. =)
The post below this IS a review and I am giving you a chance to win the book, click HERE FOR DETAILS.
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I am currently reading a book that fits so well with this week’s events and my mood. Matt Rogers wrote the book, When Answers Aren’t Enough, Experiencing God as Good When Life Isn’t. I have never read such a heart filled honest book about grieving. Matt Rogers has been a co-pastor of his church at Virginia Tech for only a year when thirty-three students died in one of the worst massacres of our time. But this is not a book filled with “pastor” sayings, it is real and raw.
This week brought many emotions for me, the death of Maria Chapman; which led to the remembrance of a little girl I use to babysit who died in a horse accident when I was a Senior in HS; then this week one of our cars had the driver side window smashed in while we slept (and we live in what is considered a low crime area); and why does the Lord appear to be saying ‘no’ to me every turn I make?
In his book, Matt poses the questions:
If God is good, why is there so much suffering?
Why doesn’t God just stop it?
Did he allow {blank} to happen?
Father why don’t you just step in?
As a Christian, I know the answers. But this week I found myself telling God, these answers are not enough! And right now where I stand I am not ok with the answers that God gives.
Does that mean I believe any less that God is good? No, but how do you find God’s goodness in such pain?
Matt shares some heart breaking stories in his book, but each person he interviews they talk about God’s goodness and God’s faithfulness. I don’t know about you, but when I just have lost a loved one, or gone through some tragedy God’s goodness may not be the first thing on my mind. So how do we get to the point where we see God’s goodness in all things?
There is so much to glean from Matt’s book and I encourage you to read it, but one thing that really spoke to me is the way we pray for protection or healing. Sure we can pray for it, but in John 16:33 Jesus says, “you will have trouble.” And when we look at each of the disciples, every one of them was killed a martyr’s death except one. That tells us, faith alone does not keep us safe. Many times when something does happen (ie…death, cancer, sickness, tragedy, etc..) our first reaction is anger that God did not stop it or that we deserve what we got.
Matt says he can imagine Jesus telling us, “ ‘you are angry at me for failing to deliver on a promise I never made. I have not guaranteed your physical safety.’ ” I think this hits many of us especially who live in Canada or the US, we have been ‘relatively’ safe and it is easy to expect it.
Each of us will face death, but we must remember in the Garden of Eden there was no death, death is part of our curse. So this evil, the fact that we die, or we lose loved ones while here on earth is part of the separation between God and us. For me personally I don’t want to ever be OK with that. But what I do want to learn is how to experience God’s goodness in the midst of the awful.
Psalm 34: 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Oh heck, I do have an extra book of this one too and I am feeling generous (especially if you read these ramblings all the way down). If this is a book that you would like to read; I only want serious readers for this book. Leave me a comment and I will send one person a copy of Matt Rogers book When Answers Aren’t Enough; Experiencing God as Good When Life Isn’t. I do warn you it is not ‘easy’ reading, but one so open and honest about going through difficult times and finding God’s goodness.
Comments will close 10pm (eastern) May 28th.
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