Three Thoughts from Tents to Tough Times to Turn Turn Turn!
TENTS
One Day, our tents will be folded away and replaced by resurrection bodies. It's what we trust in but don't yet see that keeps us going. Don't let a few ruts in the road stop you. But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that's what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions. ... That's why we work urgently with everyone we meet to get them ready to face God. Christ's Love has the first and last word in everything we do. II Cor 5: 10-14.
TOUGH TIMES
People are watching us as we stay at our post, alertly, unswervingly . . . in hard times, tough times, bad times; when we're beaten up, jailed, and mobbed; working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness, and honest love; when we're telling the truth, and when God's showing his power; when we're doing our best setting things right; when we're praised, and when we're blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognized by God; terrifically alive, though rumored to be dead; beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all. Enter this wide-open, spacious life. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren't small, but you're living them in a small way. II Cor 6:10-13
TURN TURN TURN
Let the distress bring you to God, not drive you from him. The result was all gain, no loss.
Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. We never regret that kind of pain. And now, isn't it wonderful all the ways in which this distress has goaded you closer to God? You're more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more responsible. Looked at from any angle, you've come out of this with purity of heart. My primary concern was not for the one who did the wrong or even the one wronged, but for you—that you would realize and act upon the deep, deep ties before God. II Cor 7: 9 - 11
2 Cor. 5: 5 "He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we'll never settle for less."
ReplyDelete2 Cor. 5:11-14 It's no light thing to know that we'll all one day stand in that place of Judgment. That's why we work urgently with everyone we meet to get them ready to face God.
2 Cor 7:11-13 And now, isn't it wonderful all the ways in which this distress has goaded you closer to God? You're more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more responsible. Looked at from any angle, you've come out of this with purity of heart. And that is what I was hoping for in the first place when I wrote the letter."
No editorial needed. Words that draw us closer to Him each day are such an infilling of my heart. So honored to be on this path with each of you.
ReplyDeleteAwesome to see you Cici and be in your presence---meant so much to me. Cici and Staci are going to make a book for me of this year's blog---isn't that amazing! Best birthday ever! But more than all that, to walk with friends who will push through their stuff and move to the center of their soul and draw you in and ... I cannot even explain it. I can be myself with you all and you don't jump in to change my mess but walk alongside and stir what is good in me. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThrilled to talk with you Annette this morning. You brought tears to my eyes! Your words sunk deep within me.
Look forward to connecting with the rest of you this Christmas. My cell # is 817.915.6769. Call me sometime! You have blessed me so very much this year with your words, your thoughts, most of all with the desires of your heart to know Him! It has been such a joy to come here.
I will be doing another blog kind of similar to this next year and will fill you in on the details in a couple of days if any of you are interested. I'll still be here.
Yes,I so want to continue to blog with you Bev and my other Pearl Siesta Sistas and will look for the details when you post them.
ReplyDeleteRecently God has really slowed me down. I read the blogs but have rarely commented. In fact I almost went a month without posting on my own Sylvia's Song. Still haven't written much of my experience just know that God is doing a work in me will have to suffice for right now.
Oh, how the new Testament encourages me. I love Romans and 1st and 2nd Corinthians. All so packed full of Truth for my life today.
Thanks for loving me and allowing me to be part of this amazing String of Pearls on line. You make a difference in my life.
This is a Song I Must Sing. Syliva
Love all of you. I can't put into words what this group and study has meant to me this year...it's just been HUGE.
ReplyDeleteGod is stirring me up so much but in a great HUG OF PEACE. I am surrounded by His Love right now. Psalm 91 and ABIDING in the secret place of the most High...Wow...He is calling me there! Awesome, but really focused. Trying really hard to make Him the One Thing in my life right now.
I am silent because He is speaking. Love to all of the pearls. May God cover you with His feathers.
I have a new name since I went to South Dakota for the Living Proof Live...Deborah Soars With Eagles...wish you all could have been there. She spoke on ANGUISH and JOY. Great message to me.