Come Flood, Fire or Volcano Eruptions. It Only Makes Him More Awesome
Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes for my mom and dad in law. Last I heard, the garage is being demolished because it’s putting too much strain on the rest of the house. Shheeeesh, what an ordeal. Back in 95 we lived in an apartment in I really liked getting flooded. I liked it a lot. We went to a neat church, and that was my second observation as a very young Christian of how a healthy church body glorifies God by providing (the first was when me and Geoff were about to get married and the pastor held us TRULY accountable and made us choose to either stop our blatant sin or stop coming to his church – we will always love him for that). Anyways, when we were flooded, we had just started going to this new church (we had just moved), and a few days later after the waters had subsided and left a muddy silt that was sludged over *everything* we owned, a whole crew of ladies from our new church showed up to clean and see what they could help salvage. We stayed with Gramma Sharon for a month (another huge blessing) and over the next several months we were inundated with gifts – shoes, hair scrunchies, clothes, dishes, bedding, etc. I felt guilty because I think I ended up with more stuff than what I originally lost. I am hoping that the church my parents-in-law serve in is doing the same for them. I am assuming they are, it always seemed like a neat place when we visited. Anyhow, I guess what led me to this train of thought is the realization of how tragedy is needed for us to understand God and get a glimpse of what we’re looking forward to. We say this world is not our home, but I don’t think most of us really believe that. If all things are passing away, why do we cling to them so hard? The other day I was telling one of my kids that I am so thankful for the various trials that we are going thru right now. These trials make me long for Christ; they make me long for His kingdom. How much more satisfying heaven will be to those who suffer thru various trials now. How incredible water tastes when you are dying for a drink! How marvelous food tastes when you have not eaten all day! God is so merciful, and – especially as Americans – we have so much more than we even need. I’m not sure that most of us even have a clue about REAL suffering. But I am learning the secret of being joyful in all things… the secret is to be thankful for absolutely everything. Yes, everything, and especially thankful for affliction and suffering because it is truly glorious to understand Hope and to know that someday we will fully feel the monumental contrast between this world and our true home. This week we’ve been thankful because I used our butternut sqaush to make pumpkin pies. and seriously, they are totally the best not-actually-pumpkin pie my family has ever had. I have been converted. I will no longer begrudge butternut squash. |
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August 30th, 2007 - Posted in Uncategorized | | 0 Comments No Responses to ' Come Flood, Fire or Volcano Eruptions. It Only Makes Him More Awesome 'Leave a reply |
on August 30th, 2007 at 11:25 am
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Great post – great reminder and something great to be prayerful about. We are blessed – especially when we are without – we notice it more I think.
Love & Prayers,
Maria
on August 30th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
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Jen,
This is such a great post and what an awesome reminder. I agree that we in America do not know what real suffering is. We are so spoiled, for lack of a better world. At times we act like we deserve all the things we want. We act worse than two year olds with temper tantrums. God is so good because He blesses us so much and we need to be truly thankful and appreciative for His blessings instead of expecting more. I am speaking to myself here. I needed this reminder.
Ruth
Glad to hear that you have found 100 uses for butternut squash. LOL
on August 30th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
…
You are one of the biggest encouragements of my life. I am so grateful for you.
Love,
Kate
on August 30th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
Thanks for this wonderful post…..
that helps whip things back into perspective for me!! Yes, this earth is not our home and boy, longing for our real home and eternity can sure make me ache sometimes! Thanks for sharing your wisdom!! You are such a BLESSING!!!!!
Love and God bless!
Angie:)
on August 30th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
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When I look back at the hardships in my life, I too am thankful for how the Lord used those to 'shape' me and draw me closer to him.
I was raised an only child in a single parent family. There were times when we literally dug through the couch cushions to find change to buy food or gas. And yet God always provided.
Still, even though I was saved as a child, my walk wasn't very strong. The Lord used the biggest tragedy of my life…the death of my mom, to show me that HE is truly my Heavenly Father. And I am so happy to be his child!
Blessings,
Michelle
on August 30th, 2007 at 6:35 pm
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i hope they have a church that will help out too. times like that we can really be of use and let our love show for our brothers and sisters.
on August 30th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
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I'm sorry things are tough, Jen. Things are a little whacked here too. I agree–soooo longing for Heaven! To be at His feet…..
on August 30th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
I always love…
…your perspective. And I love the way you weave your faith in and out of everything you do. Just thought I'd stop by to catch up with my friend. Hope you're having a wonderful start to your school year!
Blessings,
Lori
on August 30th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
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Fantastic post! I giggled a little at you saying how you liked being flooded. I remember this feeling after living through Hurricane Hugo in 1989. All the freebies and time off of school was sorta fun!
on August 31st, 2007 at 2:52 am
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I'll be praying for Geoff's parents and your family.
Your post made me think of James 1:2. How many of us truly consider it pure JOY whenever we face trials of many kinds? We really need to have a thankful heart and a total trust in the Lord. "It is easy to praise God when things go right; but it is more precious when things go wrong." Anonymous
"Our little time of suffering is not worthy of our first night's welcome home to Heaven." Samuel Rutherford
on August 31st, 2007 at 4:50 am
Blessings in Christ
After Katrina, this picture was taken outside the home of some Christians who lost everything (I don't know them personally, but I know someone who attended their church).
http://brethrenhelping.blogspot.com/2005/09/our-life-is-hid.html
on August 31st, 2007 at 6:31 am
Same here..
this year has been filled with several trials, some trivial, some rather big…
But, they have only served to bring us closer…closer to each other and closer to our Lord and Savior.
I never understood my grandparents desire to get to Heaven ASAP…I do now. Life is not what's here…it's what's to come when we leave this earth. It does take trials to reach that conclusion.
I so love your blog…
Abundant Blessings,
Laurie
on August 31st, 2007 at 12:33 pm
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thats a neat reminder.. we *do* need to be thankful for what we have… whether poor OR wealthy.
and can i have your butternut squash pie recipe? i wanna try. sounds nasty.
on August 31st, 2007 at 12:34 pm
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that last message was from your dumb little sister who always forgets to log in AND sign her name.
on August 31st, 2007 at 12:37 pm
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why do you want to try it if it sounds nasty? weirdo. call me later
on September 1st, 2007 at 1:04 pm
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I know, it's really funny when I do;-). Thanks so much for the comment.
Emily
on September 2nd, 2007 at 7:57 am
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A thoughtful and wise post, Jen! I am sorry to read of your inlaws difficulties. I pray that their church is being as supportive of them as the church was of you a decade ago.
I wanted to stop by and let you know I am hosting a Haiku carnival with prize giveaway! Come check it out and particpate! Be sure to tell your friends!
Melissa
http://www.melissaomarkham.com/2007/09/haiku_carnival_and_a_contestst.html