Keep Bleeding Love...

Here's a blurb from the song Keep Bleeding Love (not a Christian song):

My heart's crippled by the vein
That I keep on closing
You cut me open and I

Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love

I really should love when it hurts or is tough or when I notice particular characteristics/behaviors in people (who are not my good friends) that wouldn't necessarily be on my 'good friend criteria list' (such a list doesn't exist though if you asked me I could probably tell you what I like in good friends).

Tonight at Bible study in response to the question "Explain what 'loving your neighbor as yourself' means to you", I think someone said that it means "wanting the best for others"...I like that theory. It seems to coincide with Matthew 7:12. Indeed, we should treat others as we'd like to be treated. We should love our enemies (Matt. 5:44).

In practice I should extend the same grace (even if it's just in my thoughts) that I'd like to be given.

I should let love be the band aid that covers the wound of sin (which might include negative thoughts and internal judgment). Somehow, "love covers over a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8). Doesn't excuse our personal sins, but it might be the frames of the grace glasses through which we can view others to love them over their sin or potentially sin-tainted quirks.

Note: I'm not saying we should neglect the issue of sin, especially if it's deeper or intentional sins, but often times it is natural to neglect 'little' sins we see in others. Don't think it's necessary to call people out on every single sin. Whew. Would we ever get anywhere? :)

Just do it...or stop it.

The following videoclip can be found on a post by Tim Challies called "Just Stop It!"



Indeed, there are things in my life I need to just...stop. Or just...do.

Challies relates the following Mark Driscoll story:

The man called him in the middle of the night crying and begging for help because he had committed a certain sexual sin yet again. Though Driscoll’s answer was a tad vulgar I think he essentially gave the guy the right one: Just stop it!

My mom was telling me of how years ago when she was on a prayer chain at a church we used to go to, she got a prayer request from a woman who said that she always went to _______________ and ended up _____________. Well, if she asked any Christ follower for advice, most likely they'd immediately think the solution would be to simply stop going to the places that led her into deep sin that so entrenched her.

But that's...her. What about...me? Should I immediately think the obvious answer would be for her to stop while I still fall through sin's trapdoor? Hmmmmm...

Challies goes on to write:

Some time ago I spoke to a friend about an ongoing sin in his life and tried to show him that the essence of his problem was this: he hates his sin just a little bit less than he loves it. Sure he wants to stop sinning, but even more he wants to keep sinning.

Good point, good point. SO. How do we hate our sin of doing certain things or/and not doing the good we know we should do? Perhaps by thinking about it and what we should (not) do in our 'off' times, when we are not immediately faced with the temptation? Perhaps if in these moments we fill our minds with Scripture, that might spontaneously come to mind when in the midst of the battle of temptation where our better senses seem to have lost? Or each time we are tempted to (not) think or (not) do something (good) bad, even if we love our sin, we should instead cry out to God and ask Him to provide the way out as is promised (1 Cor. 10:13)?

Challies ends his article with this:

But there comes a time when forsaking sin, truly putting it to death, requires a decision of the mind and an act of the will. Sooner or later I need to just stop it. And God can give me the strength to do so.

May God indeed give us the grace and strength to...stop...or....do.

The Grace-Providing Heart-Seeing God

I. God sees the heart.

" '...For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart'" (1 Sam. 16:7b).

Nice. Though God will see ugly things that don't always surface with the appearance. Still, it's so nice that God knows our hearts and that that He "is greater than our hearts" (1 John 3:20).

II. God is ultimately in control. Refreshment sometimes requires a process that involves struggle and treatment or effort. It's not a guarantee that our thorns will be removed.

Saul was "tormented" by "an evil spirit from the LORD" (1 Sam. 16:14). The affliction seemed to have persistently lingered over Saul's soul. Interesting that it took a process for the evil spirit to leave Saul. Not sure if the evil spirit repeatedly left him, but it's very well possible as vs. 23 seems to indicate that David repeatedly played the lyre for Saul's refreshment in his times of trouble.

Interesting...Yes, God is ultimately in control. The note in my Bible about the "evil spirit" in vs. 14 says, "The Hebrew word may describe something that is troubling, annoying, or harmful." Though these alternatives sound better than "evil spirit" to me, since they are from God, even if the author intended to convey the meaning of "evil spirit", it could be acceptable as God permits evil in this world and ultimately we will never fully grasp how everything works in this universe.

Guess an application that could be drawn is that refreshment sometimes first requires a process. One thing that is different betweeen Saul and believers today though is that Believers have the Spirit. Not sure if the faithful followers back then had the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, but in whatever way the Spirit was with Saul, it seems that He left Saul (verse 14).

God doesn't always (immediately) remove our thorns in the flesh, but His "grace is sufficent" (2 Cor. 12). And that is more than enough.

It's called, 'The Fall.'

So last night I was at a local community Task Force gathering and in response to something I said I think a friend said something like, "It's called 'The Fall', Rachael."

...Oh yeah.

But if I were Eve I likely would've done the same, and if not at the tree, I would've sinned soon enough elsewhere.

If I were alive in Jesus' day I may have shouted "Crucify Him!" if I were not called, and even if not, my actions would've spoken and speak otherwise.

In this post, C.J. Mahaney quotes Stott as saying in The Cross of Christ:

If we were in their place, we would have done what they did. Indeed, we have done it. For whenever we turn away from Christ, we ‘are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace’ (Heb. 6:6)

In a review of Mahaney's book Living the Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing, the reviewer quotes Mahaney:

I identify most with the angry mob screaming, 'Crucify Him!' That's who we should all identify with. Because apart from God's grace, this is where we would all be standing, and we're only flattering ourselves to think otherwise

Sin, crimes, and social problems in the community and world at large suck.

Thankfully through Christ there is a way for death's wages to be paid off and to be reconciled to God.

But that doesn't mean society is shielded from the damaging effects of sin...

"Worship"

Here's an audio clip of a song by Shirley Booth I found on YouTube. It's based on Isaiah 58.

And here are the lyrics:

It seems so far away –
The thought of suffering, of hunger and need.
Lord, we’re so comfortable,
They’re only pictures on my TV screen.

Oh, we fast but we know we can eat the next day,
And we travel to church in a car.
There are carpets to comfort our knees when we pray,
And no danger in being what we are.

Are my praises so loud that they drown out the cries?
Do I fail to stoop down
‘cause my hands are raised so high?
Are my eyes shut so tight when I pray I won’t see?
Am I worshipping God for only me?

You say that worshipping, Lord,
Is more like something I should do with my life.
Not just at Sunday School –
No Lord, You’re calling me to put these things right.
There are hungry to feed – I have so much to spare
For the naked and down-trodden too.
So much hurting around me, please help me to care –
Lord, I want to start worshipping You.

You make me shine like the sun,
And Your glory will shelter me.
When I cry out, You come.
You restore me Lord, setting me free!

Acts of redemption...

So recently Christians all over the world celebrated the ultimate act of redemption: Christ's atonement for our sin through His death and resurrection. And sneak previews of smaller acts of redemption and prophecies sprinkled throughout the Old Testament foreshadow this glorious event.

On Saturday a friend and I talked of one such act of redemption, when Boaz married the widow Ruth. The next day the same friend redeemed me a bit. I could've easily stopped at a store to pick up the fruit juice I was supposed to bring, but she offered to bring hers instead (never mind the fact that we didn't end up drinking it anyway). Another instance of redemption comes to mind. I was at school and the thought of making copies of tests had totally slipped my mind until it was about time to start teaching. A fellow teacher helped me out by making a bunch of copies and bringing them to me so that I could proceed to start my class without waiting for that set of copies. A quick response of kindness that saved my morning.

Last week during Holy Week I attended the morning services that included bits from The Book of Common Prayer. Here is a snippet from a daily prayer from that:

"And, we pray, give us such an awareness of our mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise"

God's 'saves' did not stop with the ultimate save. He has delivered since the beginning of time and will continue to do so until the end. Perhaps if we live with eyes open to His mercies, we will notice and be more thankful for His many acts of deliverance.

And we should strive to redeem others in even small invisible ways in day-to-day life. You never know when those small acts of kindness might 'save' someone's day or 'redeem' the moment. Perhaps some of the tips in the article Practice Non-Random Acts of Kindness can help create a good framework toward this end.

Always be prepared...

...Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have... - 1 Peter 3:15

So Wednesday night I presented the gospel to an AWANA girl, and we prayed together for her to accept. But how deep did the roots go? So much information in so little time. My drawing and explanation may have lacked clarity. Good thing her salvation does not rest upon my measly attempt. The counsel time later that evening was about salvation, but even then I wonder if it was clear enough to someone who may have just heard for the first or second time. Afterwards we received booklets providing information and verses about Jesus. Hopefully she'll read the booklet. The church's children's ministry director later told me that there is a Bible club at the child's school. Also she may talk with her during the handbook time next week. Hopefully there will be follow-up, and hopefully there is or will be a faith that will grow. Perhaps I rushed things? Regardless of whether or not she grasps salvation and the faith enough at this point, God can use anything to plant seeds and accomplish His purposes, and it's neat to think He may have planted or watered seeds in her heart...

We don't always know when an opportunity to share Christ might arise. I should seek to be prepared to speak of this great Hope should opportunities arise again in the future.

"Who do you say I am?"

(Matt. 16:15b)

Back in the day, a friend and I had lots of fun doing newsletters for a church college group. Some adventures had in the process. One of these was a trip to the local store (not sure if anywhere else in addition to that for this particular mission) to survey people's answer to the question: "Who do you think Jesus is?"

Well I just found the newsletter with the responses:

1. "He's a dude. Just a dude. Read the Bible."

2. "I'm an athiest."

3. "Jesus is God."

4. "I don't know."

5. "That's a hard question. I never really thought of that before. He came to earth and was crucified and that's why we have Easter."

6. "What you said." (Jesus being the Son of God.)

7. "Just a prophet."

8. "Jesus is the Lord."

9. "I'm a Catholic. Does that explain it?...I don't believe in the Trinity thing...I just hope He comes back soon to end all this..."

10. "No one's ever asked me that before."

Wow huh. Not sure if this was the exact order in which we received the responses. Not necessarily advocating this particular method, but I think I stepped up in my younger years in ways that I wouldn't necessarily repeat now. (Though I might be willing to do the 'survey' method again provided it were not inside a store and if I weren't doing it alone.) Would be nice to be courageous and proactive with regard to speaking of God when out and about.

Fast from, Feed on...

My church is having early morning services throughout the week for Holy Week. This morning a woman offered an interesting prayer, requesting that we fast from certain sins, and feed on that which is good. In talking with her a bit after the service, I learned she found it in a bulletin or something of a church in Scotland. She may copy the version she prayed for me, but for now, here is a version of that I found online:

Fast from criticism, and feast on praise.

Fast from self-pity, and feast on joy.

Fast from ill-temper, and feast on peace.

Fast from resentment, and feast on contentment.

Fast from jealousy, and feast on love.

Fast from pride, and feast on humility.

Fast from selfishness, and feast on service.

Fast from fear, and feast on faith.

Putting off the old self, and putting on the new (see Eph. 4:22-24). Part of the Bible study last night was on a portion of Scripture (in Matt. 22) that described a wedding feast and how a man "without a wedding garment" was cast away into a place where "there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (vs. 12-13). Wedding clothes are necessary to celebrate in the "feast", but how do we get them, and from whom?

Fortunately we have only to accept them as a gift in faith.

Isaiah 61:10:

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD;
my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the
garments of salvation;
he has covered me with the robe of
righeousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a
priest with a beautiful
headdress,
and as a bride adorns herself with
her jewels.

Beautiful. He is beautiful, and He has made us so. We're covered; we're beautifully forgiven. He has washed us whiter than snow, though our sins are as scarlet (see Isaiah 1:18). If dressed in His wedding clothes, we will take a seat at His table of eternal life. In this life, while our tables are adorned with beautiful platters of the fruits of the spirit, they are simultaneously cluttered with greasy foods. From which will we partake?

God please grant us the power to feast from and feed on that which we should. Please be glorified. Thank you...

(edit: 3/19)

"Rachael, Rachael."

Here I am. What are you asking of me? Turn my ears toward Your voice and make me follow. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The God who has always been and who will always be. The God who knows my pain. The God in whom we can place our trust. We need not fear. He will guide. He will lead. He will never leave.

Gen. 46:2-3:

And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, "Jacob! Jacob!"

"Here I am," he replied.

"I am God, the God of your father," he said. "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.

Gen. 22:1-2:

Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!"

"Here I am," he replied.

Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."

And when God appears to Moses in a burning bush in Exodus 3:

When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!"

And Moses said, "Here I am."

"Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

God is a personal, relational God. He identifies Himself with the people who He related to on a personal level. As He was the God of those who have gone before, He is now. As He was faithful to them He will be faithful to Moses. As He was faithful to Moses He will be faithful to us. God desires to meet Moses and He makes Himself known. He initiated the relationship as He always does. Access to God is possible. Just as Moses does not burn up in God's presence, neither do we have to burn. This experience points to a future possibility that you can be in the presence of God and not be completely consumed. That access is now given to us. We serve that High Priest who mediates between God and man. The curtain is torn. We can reach God! Jesus has bridged the gap!

Hebrews 9:24:

For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.

And what kind of High Priest do we have, and what confidence can we take from this?

Hebrews 4:14-16:

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

He understands our weakness! We can approach him and expect to receive mercy and grace!

God has been faithful since the beginning of time. He is as He was as He evermore wil be. Matthew 22:32 states:

'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is not the God of the dead but of the living."

Yes, indeed, God is the God of the living. Do we live as though we believe that?


(Note: This post contains some of the same ideas and most likely some/many of the exact words used by my Sunday School teacher [Jae Kim] and possibly other church people.)

One-minute Friends

What are some ways we can show love in very brief conversations with people we will likely never see again? Give? Make eye contact and smile? Graceful one-liners?

What are some of the best things we can do for the person asking for money, for the cashier, for the person on the elevator...? How can we brighten their days or help them in a small way?

How have your one-minute friends impacted you or made your day? Did mention of God or faith come up in the exchange?

[later on...]

Oh! I just found something here, written by C.J. Mahaney, about Mark Dever:

The first lesson I learned from your life was your heart for the lost and your passion to reach them with the gospel.

You asked me that day if we could eat at Subway, and I gladly followed (trying to keep up with you, as I immediately discovered you walk as fast as you talk) on the brief walk to this location. And just before we entered Subway, you informed me that you ate there often--not because of the cuisine, but in order to reach those who worked there with the gospel. I then observed your conversation and interaction with those who served us. As we sat down, I immediately began to draw you out about your heart and strategy for reaching the lost. You told me that you try to frequent the same places when you eat out, run errands etc. for the purpose of sharing the gospel. Since that day, I have followed your example and have shared the gospel with many I have come to know. Whatever heart I have for the lost is the result of your example and influence (second only to that of my very good friend Kenneth Maresco).

Oh! So sometimes maybe those one minute interactions could end up as multiple one minute interactions on different days! Ah! Tip of the day :)

"Both righteous and sinful"

"Ligoner National Conference - John MacArthur - We Have Been Raised But We Stink"

In the last part of Challies' synthesis of MacArthur's sermon, which includes discussion of justification and sanctification, he writes:

Putting sin to death is a lifelong process and one that will be perfected only in the day of Jesus Christ. Until then we are and shall remain both righteous and sinful.

Our Daily Bread

Neglecting The Lord's Prayer

My Appointment With God

Reacting to Criticism

In the post called A Toad in a Texas Hailstorm are a few tips for handling criticism. Here's one of them: "Remember, you’re worse than any criticism of you."

In this regard the following wisdom is given:

Anything sinful someone sees in me is but the tip of the iceberg. I’m far worse than anything you say about me, because I crucified Christ. I can’t tell you how much remembering this has helped me when disrespected or criticized.

I wonder if this could help in times of hurt or unsureness about others' opinions of oneself. Even if someone views me negatively, you know what? I'm WORSE than what s/he might be thinking! And you know what? God's GREATER than what any of us could ever imagine! Whew!

As John Newton once said: "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour."

(edit: 3/16)

Euphemizing Sin...

What Are We Really Talking About?

Resources...

Wow, you can find lots of resources at a post called: "Resources for living ‘the everday mission’."

A little Octavius...

From my brother's post He restores my soul.

A breath away...

"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." -Phil. 3:20-21

And this life is but a breath, temporary,a fleeting shadow...

To beyond and heaven...Onward and upward...

Upward I look and see Him there, Who made an end of all my sin.

Thanks be to God for preparing a place for me. Please teach me to make room in my heart for Thee.

Hiding the secret...

I just read a diary (the students had to write diaries for my class) where a student poured out his heart, expressing his negative emotions. Here is part of his entry (not sure if it's all his own words; it's exceptionally good for his level):

I felt sad today but I don't know why? I thought suddenly, I came to one of those bleak periods that many us encounter from time to time, a sudden drastic dip in the graph of living when everything goes stale and flat, energy frightening. The barren days dragged on, and the paralysis grew worse. I don't want to go to school, I don't want to go out with my friend. I only want to sit alone in my bed room. I wish I can walk alone on the beach, stand there and shout. Some times, I think about myself because I'm just kidding when I think everything will be good for me but it's not true. [....] I can't understand the problem of my life. [...]

And in my comment, what do I write? Absolutely nothing about Christ. I keep the solution hidden.

And last month another student wrote that she's a Christian but doesn't go to church in Seattle. She felt sad about this. She hates her host family and wrote: "They never lead me go to church. I bring a lot of crime with Christ. I feel sad about this." I'm not sure if she's saved, but she could be. Did my comments back to her do anything? She never talked to me about her problem. I think I'm okay with the way I handled her situation, though she never verbally opened up about it...

But with the guy who expressed his sadness, I'm keeping the secret to contentment hidden...

Although aspects my faith have leaked out in my interactions with students before, perhaps I should strive to be bolder and more proactive? What would Paul do...?

Now for that grading...who knows what I might discover next...

[...later in the evening....]

Aha! I found something else written by the student I first mentioned in this post...oh...he wrote:

Indeed, seldom do I cling my mind to anything but maybe, I do, do now....It's the first times I've failed to struggle with my conscience, and conceded victory of my heart. God! bless me. Any way, thank you for one times making me not myself. Believe in me, every truth following is guaranteed, go back to my life, and back to the true [or time?].

I suppose now's the chance...I don't know if he meant "God" to refer to "God", or if he meant it like "Gosh"...I don't know who the "you" is...is it "God"? Who knows...okay, so I just wrote a comment that included a bit about God. But really, only God knows if and where that helicopter seed might land...

Now, back to grading galore...

Inspirational People I

1) My mom -- Her servant heart and her understanding of Service vs. service. Her deep desire to look to Christ. Upward and onward...

2) My dad -- A secret servant to his family. Working endless hours in my youth. Generous with his time and resources. Gifted in talking with ease with all types of people.

3) When I was at WWU - A woman who opened up her home and led a small group to the young gals who helped with international student ministry. A very hospitable, kind, gentle woman. I hope to be like Barbara when I 'grow up' :). She not only 'reached out', but 'reached within'...Love is definitely an important ingredient in ministry, from the inside out.

4) During an interview -- I believe the interviewer mentioned that he used to fall asleep when reading his Bible. His love for God's Word (if I'm not mistaken) made a mark on my heart.

5) People who exemplify humility -- evidence of a genuine, real faith expressed through prayer. I recently personally heard someone do this and I've been told that my old pastor (who is other family members' pastor) has expressed humility through prayer.

And the list could go on and on...

(edit: 3/14)

Behind the Scenes...

*God is at work behind the scenes. He uses people like midwives to bring about salvation. He uses oppression. He uses the river of death and changes it to the river of life for Moses. Putting Moses on the Nile would be the last thing you’d want to do; it was the place where babies were killed. His methods of deliverance are mysterious. (As a sidenote, the Hebrew word for basket is the same as the word for ark: "tevah". It’s the same one used in Genesis 6:14!)

Indeed, God does work behind the scenes, even if we feel abandoned. God was silent to His Son at the cross: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" His momentary or seeming abandonment from His Son in His death led to life for Him and us. Life. Life eternal. Life for all who partake in Him. Even when we feel insignificant, even when the river seems full of death, even then, He can change it into life. Even then He can work His power through the insignificant for His glory.

Perhaps knowing that God works even when we are unaware can fuel a desire for the call to invisible service – serving others through life investing relationships, serving others through church and work, serving God even when no one is around…

In a blogpost, Stephen Altrogge writes of the servant heart of his grandfather Julian. Among his various acts of service are the seemingly invisible, including faithfully taking care of his wife even when she had dementia and his relationship with a blind man. In another post, Altrogge writes about a man named John Thornton, who lived in the 1700s. Though he could have lived a life of luxury, he chose to live simply and frugally. According to Altrogge, he “paid for Bibles to be printed, and then used his own company ships to send them throughout the world. He gave John Newton an annual allowance of 200 pounds (worth approx. $50,000 today) so that Newton would be free to write songs, books, and be a pastor.” So the Amazing Grace guy was supported by a man with a big heart. Have you heard of Thornton? Likely not. Amazing. Grace.

And there are more stories. Countless stories we will never hear. Let’s just remember that as God works behind the scenes, He may choose to use us in the process. May God work in us to be living stones (as Christ was) and the clay through which He can work wonders that may never be visible to our eyes...


*Note: Much of the first 2 paragraphs is likely what a Sunday School leader said verbatim (and almost verbatim) during a lesson on Exodus 1:17-2:10. Some of it is my extension.

(edit: 3/10)

Calling a sin a sin ~~

What if we were to frame our complaints or discontentment in our personal sin? To address and seek to overcome them as sin rather than allow them to leak out as interesting, seemingly therapeutic blabber? Should we first acknowledge our wrong attitudes and struggles while seeking prayer and advice rather than just sympathy or understanding?

What if we were to say to one another:

"This is my sin: ________. Do you have any advice? Can we pray?"

or a little more softly,

"I'm struggling with ... Can we pray about it?"

When people share their concerns, the temptation can be there to paint others ugly-ily. Are the listeners supposed to bear the burden by empathizing with the speaker? While the speaker might find pleasure in sharing the story, would s/he be sharing it in the same manner should the person being discussed be present? Even if the listeners don't know the subject of the conversation, is it okay for gossip to take place? Would a more appropriate response be to together offer a prayer to change the heart of the speaker or/and for God to work in the situation, at the risk of the iniatiator of that appearing 'holier-than-thou'?

Some sins might be clearly understood. The blows of the heavy hammer of guilt may not always be necessary to open the eye of conviction. But it would be neat if a little conviction, confession, and prayer were a natural response and course of action to follow 'bear and share sessions'.

"But God..."

Here is a blogpost entitled The "But God" Gap...There's now an article up at Boundless called Fighting Spiritual Drift. In that article, Ricky Alcantar notes: "Two of my favorite words in scripture are 'But God....'". These two words appear in his closing as well...

My sister has related to me her "But God" experience...she and another girl would reflect upon those two words on their way to school when they were student teaching.

Maybe she'll write out the details and allow me to post them here...

No matter what...

In a Between Two Worlds blogpost (entitled Piper on the Prosperity Gospel) is the following videoclip:



The last thing Piper says is: "God most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in Him in the midst of loss...not prosperity." While I'm not sure about the first "most" and the "not" part of his quote, there is definitely something to said for suffering and endurance.

Romans 5:3-5:

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

God beautifies faith through times of adversity and works all for the good for those who love Him and are called by Him (see Romans 8:28, 1 Peter 1:7). And contentment can be found in Him in whatever circumstance (Phil. 4)...