2 Cor 11:23 Paul says he is writing like a madman and here's what he says:
I've had far more imprisonments
Often near death
Forty lashes minus one
Beaten with rods 3 times
Stoned once
Shipwrecked 3 times
In Danger from rivers, robbers, Gentiles, cities, wildernes, the sea, my own people as well as false brothers
In Toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night,
In Hunger and Thirst
In Cold and Exposure
Daily Pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches
And who is not weak?
And who is made to fall?
And who is not indignant?
So what does the madman writer have to say about all of the above catastrophes that none of us have faced to any endth degree?
"If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness." 2 Cor 11:30
Am I boasting of being an overcomer or
Am I boasting in Dependency on the One Who holds my life in the balance?
Can you imagine boasting of weakness? I mean, truly boasting? Paul understands a truth we barely get if at all.
ReplyDeleteIn our "pick yourself up by your bootstraps" "Yankee ingenuity" we find ourselves ashamed if we are not self sufficient and independent--traits Americans have boasted in since inception.
I hate feeling needy and weak. And yet, that is exactly who I am. Do I want others to know that? No. So I put on the front, press my best "I don't need anything, thank you" forward, and consequently, totally miss Grace. And worse, I fail God.
Why is my own weakness ugly to me? It is beautiful to God. Vulnerability is exactly where He wants us so we can lean in to Him and fully find authentic Strength. It's even a scary prayer to pray "Help me to get there." I have so far to go, so much He wants me to grasp so He can work in and through me.
Bev, your words to Bob for his birthday on FB were just beautiful. So glad you let us peak in on your words of encouragement and love to your husband.
Dear Pearls, Sally got a great report. They did a scan of her from the neck down, she had been declared cancer free from the neck up and now they say she is cancer free from the neck down!She will have to have scans every 8-12 weeks or it may be every six to eight weeks, but nonetheless she is cancer free today! Doing the happy dance and shouting Praise the Lord. She had a peaceful week end while she waited on the results. God heard the many prayers lifted for her. Bless each one of you who has prayed for her. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIt is with tears running down my face for your dear friend that I say that God's purposes for her life prevail. May she know oh-so-much-more of Isaiah 40:4, the Glory of God, in this piece of news.
ReplyDeleteDear Bev, have they given you a definite report or is it still probably benign? Praying they give you a definite report that says it is benign. Sally was giving Him the glory and I most definitely give Him the glory.
ReplyDeleteI didn't tell of my blessing of seeing my son's ten year old son Noah baptized in our church. Such a sweet child. Praying that he has a positive godly influence on his mother and her family.
Blessing, sweet Bev on your week and your precious Bob on his birthday.
Oh Mary Lou, what great news for Sally. Yes, to God be the Glory, to Him be all credit. And your precious grandson's decision and baptism must gladden your heart like nothing else! I am so thankful to Him today.
ReplyDeleteI also am rejoicing as Mike and I do a Bible study together in the Baptist church each week this semester. We are in Judges, and to my amazement, Mike said the other day that he couldn't quite put his finger on why, but he really was enjoying the study! I knew even as he said it that God was moving in a huge way.
May our gratitude build faith. May our faith push our hearts to Him. In Christ, in faith, in gratitude.