Taking a Breath

A year ago we were traveling around the country visiting family. It was a fun trip, but during parts of it we experienced quite a bit of stress. I felt that our marriage was under direct spiritual attack. I was needing to take a deep breath and feel God's peace in my heart. Then, as we were traveling, God gave us amazing evidence of His love for us, and His watchcare over us. I know that I have shared these pictures in other places, but I just had to share again. God's timing is so perfect, and He knew just how to lift our hearts and gave us just what we needed. The amazing views in these photos took my breath away and overwhelming peace filled my heart. Praise the Lord!

Grand Tetons, October 2010

Jenny Lake (Grand Tetons), October 2010

Out of Babylon

I have a confession. I spent a good part of last month, and the month before, watching an old TV show. I had never heard of it when it was actually on TV, but the basic plot of the show was interesting, and so I started watching the episodes on the internet (you can watch almost any show on the internet). There came a point where I kept watching just so that I could find out how the show ended. And then it was over.


Well, after wasting all that time and mind space, I have been doing some contemplating. Yes, the basic plot of the show was good, but there were many things in that show that were not good. I'll name some of them: premarital sex, homosexuality, abortion, atheism, hedonism, pantheism, and so much more. There was a concerted effort in this show to blur the lines between right and wrong. There was a concerted effort made in the show to proclaim that there is not one way that is right. Everyone can be right at the same time. I'm okay, you're okay. Anything goes.


As I was contemplating, I kept thinking about the verse in the Bible that says, "And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues." (Revelation 18:4)


I know there are many things in my life that need reevaluating. I don't need to fill my mind with raunchy jokes, extramarital affairs, homosexuality, murder, torture, kidnappings, spiritualism, pantheism, occultism, and all the confusion that is Babylon. God is calling me to come out of Babylon. I think I am ready. 


What about you?

On My Mind

Things on my mind
Too many to name
New nephew, floodwaters, Babylon

Things on my mind
Too much to explain
Afraid I will just babble on.

Two Years Past

Who knows what would have happened if not for the sorrow we endured two years ago.

I still think about that baby. The little lifeless form on the ultrasound. The pain and heartbreak that I felt. I never attached a name to that child. I don't know why not. I know some people do. I know that Jesus had a special name for "him" though. I always believed that baby was a boy.

Without that disappointing sorrow, we wouldn't have the joy of Haven today. I know that God is Love. I will never forget the child that might have been, but I am so thankful to God for the joy and laughter He has blessed us with through our two wonderful girls. 

Taking Hope to the zoo during that weekend two years ago.

Tragedy

Please excuse me for writing about something other than my children. This is really on my heart tonight...

I wonder what the average age of a person is when they experience their first completely devastating loss. In my life, I have experienced a lot of loss. I don't know what the most devastating one was. I do remember the most recent one, and that was an episodic event in my life. I was 26 years old. Other losses, that are older and have had more time to heal don't seem so terrible as the most recent one, but they were devastating at the time that they happened.

Just recently, there has been much tragedy. In the news, in the lives of my friends, everywhere around us there is immense suffering as people suffer loss of loved ones, livelihood, homes, pets, and security. It is appalling to witness.

What do we do when we are faced with tragedy? Of course, there are the five stages of grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. How do we get through these stages though? I guess that depends on if we were prepared or not...

What do I mean? How do we prepare for the tragedies that come upon us unexpectedly and suddenly? Let me just say that when I suffered my latest loss, I wasn't ready for it. But I was able to trust in the love of Jesus. In my time of deepest sorrow and suffering, I knew that He was right beside me weeping. He held me in his arms. He knew EXACTLY what I was going through. My relationship with Jesus prepared me to face the tragedy that came into my life. I knew that He had been beside me up until then, and that He would be with me through it.

I pray for all that are suffering loss now: The many people who have been affected by tornadoes, floods and other natural disasters. My friends who just lost their 18 month old daughter suddenly. Another friend who was diagnosed with throat cancer at the beginning of this year. Friends whose sister-in-law has just been diagnosed with a brain tumor. So much loss. So much suffering. So much tragedy.

I pray that all those who mourn would be comforted by Jesus. "Weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5