He is still there

"When all that is good falls apart, what can good people do?

The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD sits on His throne in heaven."

[[Psalm 11:3-4]]

suffering is a compulsory part of human existence. the difference for believers is that suffering need never be in vain.

Lord, as i consider what You do, i find myself feeling at times like the writer of Ecclesiastes: who can straighten what You have made crooked? when times are good, i am to be happy. but when times are bad, consider: You have made the one as well as the other [[Eccles. 7:13-14]] according to Your Word, Lord, there is a time for everthing, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance [[Eccles 3:1-2,4]] truly, You are the Creator and Sustainer of time. Nothing is "untimely" to You.

Lord God, as your child and Your heir, I know that if we share in Your sufferings we will also share in Your glory. Help me to really embrace the truth that any persent sufferings i encounter are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in me [[Rom 8:16-18]] Lord Jesus, just as Your sufferings flow over into our lives, so also through You our comfort overflows [[2 Cor. 1:5]] You are so faithful, Jesus.

[[beth moore, praying God's word day by day]]

few more favorites

these were on mom's camera from Christmas...love em and hadn't posted pics in awhile...
in our front yard

my litlle brother

andrew

is now in the presence of Jesus Christ. Free of pain and suffering, rejoicing before the Lord.

please pray for his family, because they miss him. and so do so many others.

grace and andrew mark

most of you who read my blog know the mark's, who used to go to our church in WA. for those of you who don't, i have a link to their blog where you can read the whole story.

in 2007 andrew found out he had stage 4 cancer and after a two year battle is laying in the hospital right now extremely close to death. his faith in God has sustained him but of course does not take away the pain of this horrible cancer or of leaving behind his wife and kids, AJ and Gracie.

please pray for them right now, for a peace that passes ALL understanding; for comfort; and for his sweet family who is in so much pain right now.

graceandrew.blogspot.com

words of truth

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in all the world. [[I Peter 5:6-10]]

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual host of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand, therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breatplate of righeousness and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverence and supplication for the saints. [[Ephesians 6:10-17]]

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. AMEN. [[I Peter 5:10-11]]

sometimes i wonder how i can get so down about things even when i know what is right and true.

i am definately there right now. my eyes are downcast and my soul is weary and broken. my heart feels like it's been abused till it's about to fall apart. everything makes me sad, makes me cry. nothing really appeals to me except escaping from this suddenly hellish world i am trapped in.

all i can say is it's a good thing that God is for me.

sam and esther

this absolutely breaks my heart. what will you do?? i know that even despite their circumstances, i need africa more than africa needs me. do you?

happy birthday sissy!!

i want to thank GOD for putting my sister rachel in my life!

she is more than i could have asked for...she is not just a sister, she is my best friend

when we were little i watched her so i could be just like her.
i followed her around everywhere because i just wanted to be with her.i wore the same clothes cuz i wanted to look like her too.

i ordered the same thing at mcdonalds because i trusted what she liked was best.

i took the same classes and was friends with the same people because she has great judgement.

i was never scared, cuz she always took care of me and paved the way, always a year ahead of me.

i was always content to hear her voice last before bed even if it was just the little noises that made up our language.

i never once had to stop and think if i should follow her example or not because she is a woman who follows God.

i am thankful for the many times she helped me sort through the nonsense and do what was right

i am thankful for how she embraced all the changes in my life and helped me adjust too.

i am impressed by the way she helps and cares for so many people, and how she teaches her students and loves them so much.

i am inspired by the way she walks with God daily, and chooses to do right.

i love you chul!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

"I thank my God upon EVERY remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you with all joy..."

love, bear

ps. i promise your gift will arrive before your original due date!! lol

I will sing to YOu, Lord, for You are highly exalted. The horse and its rider You have hurled into the sea! You, Lord, are my strenth and my song. You have become my salvation. You are my God and I will praise YOU!

something to brag about...

my little brother zac.
he is an AWESOME kid.
in lots of ways.
pretty much the miracle child.

so last friday he about got his nose broken in basketball practice, then turned around and played a 27 point game against one of lake's top rivals. he had about five 3 pt shots in a row. oh, and basketball just keeps him busy on his offseason from baseball. i'm impressed!!

i have been gone and only seen 2 games in the last two years, so this video is a little old, but impressive nonetheless. [[he is number twelve]]