Incomprehensible*

     Many things in life seem incomprehensible; life, love, men or women depending on which you are, death, etc. The main thing I wanted (after love) is that peace which is apparent even in the midst of great trials. I had none of that for 39 years but when I saw it on others faces, I became envious. Little did I know of the greatest trial of my life would bring home so many wondrous truths, the greatest being acceptance of God’s sovereignty. And from that fresh trust and submission, my life, especially my Christian walk, was dramatically altered.

      Breast cancer entered my life two months after that trial and peace and joy did not leave my spirit through those physically tough 2 ½ years. Two years after that I knelt with arms raised praising God for His goodness, on the floor of an empty hospital waiting room not knowing if my husband would live after a heart attack. Peace enveloped and comforted me though answers came long after. It was only then I understood those prayers for ‘that peace’ had been answered through that big trial. Even though I’ve felt it, lived in it, and was grateful for it, it is still beyond my comprehension. Peace when all is falling down around you. Peace when you are rear ended at 80km/hr.

     Peace when your children reject you, almost everything about you, and it feels like your heart is breaking or ripping out of your chest. Incomprehensible peace. Oh wait, that didn’t happen. Why not? I’ve known that peace so why did it not show up that time? Could it be that instead of rushing into God’s arms and throwing myself on His mercy I did not enter into His presence for fear of overwhelming emotion? Oops! I lost His peace because of me. There is no one else to blame.

 

--commands in Php. 4:1-5

   stand fast in this way in the Lord

   be of the same mind in the Lord.

   help those … who labored in the gospel

   Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, Rejoice! (Said twice this stands out)

   Let your moderation* be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 

* suitable equitable, fair, mild, gentle

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Php. 4:6,7

     Lord, I know Your incomprehensible peace in good and bad times. Help me to keep that peace by remembering to draw closer to You instead of shutting You out in troubled times. Help me know You better and better every day so that one day people will see ‘that peace’ in me and want Your peace too.

I have spoken these things to you so that you might have peace in Me… Jh. 16:33

Jehovah will give strength to His people;

Jehovah will bless His people with peace.

Ps. 29:11

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You;

because he trusts in You.

Is. 26:3

And may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way.

The Lord be with you all.

2Th. 3:16

*impossible to understand or comprehend

Movies and Life

     Over the years my husband and I have collected a lot of movies and t.v. series. At the point we reached about 300, I decided to start a database to have a way to sort through what we have to find what you want. It sorts through titles, runtime, rating, genre and actors. Want to see a movie in under 1 ½ hours, or a movie with Denzel Washington, or a scifi, it can be done in a jiffy. Keeping the actual movies in alphabetical order is quite a task. Every now and then they must be checked because others do not put them back properly. Also, accommodations must be made for new movies which occasionally means shifting the collection.

     My life can become just as messy sometimes. Often it is because I don’t take the time to keep up my health, my sleep, proper eating, and most of all, my spirit food: Bible, prayer, worship, devotions… It seems to free up my life only a short time, but then the later mess is more difficult to clear up. It isn’t just the messes that happen out of my choices, but family and friends can cause chaos to ensue. And we all know- life just happens and wrenches are thrown into the day.

Exhaustion falls and I am not done this post, so I will attempt to work faster before I fall asleep at the desk.

     Often I wish I could sort through my life as easy as the database and find the things I need to accomplish what I want. It doesn’t seem to work that way though. This morning I was beset with imminent issues due to my own procrastination. Enter in a family problem that took many texts and phone calls. Then a big mess needed cleaning up and I had to leave early for volunteer work. It was all too much. I am weary now and tomorrow starts early, but this promise brings hope to my life today- tonight.

Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

Mt. 11:28

Yesterday's Journey

     I try to be more faithful with the blog, but I guess my time is limited these days. Yesterday I spent the day on an island that I've never had the chance to explore out in the lake. It was fun, relaxing and I thought of how it seemed like we warped back in time to a different era. There I saw an older church and took a photo of the door. It impressed me because of what it said since it is true, in part, but later I realized the repercussions of the lie. (It is still a lovely, old door.)

The Christians' Home

     Just where is the Christians' home? Is it here in the dwellings where we live with our family? Is it here in the building of our spiritual families' gathering- otherwise known as church? Yes and yes, but only partially. If all of our natural family and all of our 'church' family abandoned us, who are we left with? Ourselves and Almighty God. If we were alone on an island anywhere in the universe, we would not really be alone, for our God is ever with us. It is with Him that we make/ have our temporary, earthly home. It is only temporary because one day we will be in the home He has prepared for us. Hallelujah!

Family

       Jesus was told about his natural family at the door. "And He answered and said to them, My mother and My brothers are those who hear the Word of God and do it." (Lk. 8:21) Jesus was not being dismissive of His natural family, but rather indicating that those who follow God and His Word are His family. Also, we are to "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." (Jh. 15:12)

God with us

(the Lord said) ..."Not at all will I leave you, not at all will I forsake you, never!" Hb. 13:5

...Do not be afraid, neither be dismayed. For Jehovah your God is with you in all places where you go. Js. 1:9

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you... Is. 43:2

...I am with you all the days until the end of the world. Amen. Mt. 28:20

      Right now we see with our eyes only the temporary dwellings we live in and that which is our bodies. Neither will last forever (thank God) as they are corrupted and decaying every minute. That is why we can only be residents and pilgrims here, for these are only temporary homes to us. They are not eternal like the glorified bodies and dwelling place that God is preparing for us to live in, forever with Him.

we not considering the things which are seen, but the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are not lasting, but the things which are not seen are everlasting. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2Cr. 4:18; 5:1

Dearly beloved, I exhort you as temporary residents and pilgrims... 1Pt. 2:11

   -one who lives in a place without the right of citizenship

   -one who comes from a foreign country into a city or land to reside there by the side of the natives

     So it is dangerous for us to think of this earth and body as our home. It could lead to discouragement and hopelessness. We need to remember our true home so that hope lives in us and we share that hope with the world around us, so that they too may desire the Living God who gives life eternal.

Our citizenship is not here in the earth and body that dies, but in the ones that will never end but will live uncorrupted. Imagine a body that does not hurt, become diseased, fail or die. Imagine a world without sin, and one where we will see Jesus face to face--- forever...

Never to be separated again!!!

For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which also we are looking for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Php 3:20

Then being always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are away from home from the Lord; ... then we are confident and we are pleased rather to go away from home out of the body, and to come home to the Lord. 2Cr. 5:6,8

In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, so that where I am, you may be also. Jh. 14:2,3

Thank You Lord Jesus for reminding me this is only temporary. My troubles can NOT last forever. One day I will be home with You, with my new body in an earth that cannot be ruined and death will exist no more.

Oh Lord, how great is Your love...