A Day to Comfort

Matthew 5:4

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (NIV)

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

New International Version (NIV)

Praise to the God of All Comfort

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

Philippians 2:1-2

New International Version (NIV)

Imitating Christ’s Humility

2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

I was blessed by words of comfort from the pulpit this morning in church and I trust that others found that to be true in their own churches.  I was also blessed by President Obama's words at the service tonight for those who were murdered in Connecticut.   Pain and suffering teaches us powerful lessons in how to comfort others as they walk through their own fiery troubles, lessons that could not be learned without Jesus, our Savior, who passed suffered for us all.  

I pray that I will be ever aware of others outside my own circle of pain and love and comfort those God puts in my path.  

I will also hold the young man who lives in my house but doesn't want to be blogged about ever dearer. 

"Crying For the World" - Eden's Bridge

A Day of Sorrow

The tragic school shooting in Connecticut has left me weeping, angry and questioning God.  It has also had me thinking on the goodness of God who willingly sacrificed his own perfect, unblemished Son for the sins of man.   So while my heart breaks for the innocents lost and the innocence lost, I can yet praise God for shining His light in our darkness.   Evil visits but God triumphs.  
Still I cry for those who hurt.

"The Angels Cried" - Alan Jackson with Alison Krauss

Isaiah 9:2-7

New International Version (NIV)

2 The people walking in darkness

    have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness

    a light has dawned.

3 You have enlarged the nation

    and increased their joy;

they rejoice before you

    as people rejoice at the harvest,

as warriors rejoice

    when dividing the plunder.

4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,

    you have shattered

the yoke that burdens them,

    the bar across their shoulders,

    the rod of their oppressor.

5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle

    and every garment rolled in blood

will be destined for burning,

    will be fuel for the fire.

6 For to us a child is born,

    to us a son is given,

    and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the greatness of his government and peace

    there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

    and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

    with justice and righteousness

    from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty

    will accomplish this.

A Day of Heartbreak

"Prayer of Saint Francis" - The Burns Sisters

A Man Named Jim

It's amazing what you can find on YouTube.  I have read Jim Elliot's writings as well as Elizabeth Elliot, his wife; but I've never heard him preach until stumbling on this video.  He never fails to inspire me.  I hope you will appreciate it also.

Our Great Light

"One Small Child" - Ali Matthews

Sweet Sleep

Proverbs 3:24

English Standard Version (ESV)

24 If you lie down, you will not be afraid;

    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

I am feeling ever so sleepy and am looking forward to bed.  First, though, I want to give a shout out to the young man who lives in our house but doesn't want to be blogged about and his friends, fine young men all.  It was time to clean the little house under the weeping willow tree so it can be turned over to its next tenant.  The young men stepped up and thoroughly cleaned the house greatly helping me in my illness.  It's good to be in this house of the level path with room for friends.   It's good to hear their laughter.  It does feel like the exiles have returned to Jerusalem and we are home.

I love the Christmas Lullaby by the late, great Doc Watson.  Sleep well.

Ready For My Close Up!

It's hard not to smile back. . .