Learning List Through Current Testing

Note: I suppose this is more of a reflection than anything else.  Its not really poetry, not a song.  Not really original or anything.  Just things I listed to keep myself focused on things above and not all the things down here below...

Also partly inspired from the devotional I read by a friend. :) They'll recognize it.


What am I learning from this period of testing?  Well, a number of truths that my stubborn mind often seems so reluctant to accept.

1.) It is GOD who is in absolute control of our lives and our circumstances.  No one's opinion, not friends or family, not even our own can overwhelm God's decisions and His provisions of grace.

2.) God does not grant us grace based on our sins or how many times we mess up.  He bases it in part on the sate of our hearts towards Him, and in part by the divine providence of His will which we will NEVER fully understand.  Ultimately, His reasons are His own and its not the hardships themselves that define us.  It's how we respond to them.

3.) God knows best - in EVERY circumstance, whether we trust Him or not.

4.) He is the only One who has mastered faithfulness to perfection.

5.) If we have a true love and devotion for Him, while we may suffer, He will never completely let us go.  (This one was learned through my life-time up till this point and was 'hard earned'.)  Job learned this.  Brought to the very brink of endurance and sanity, God stepped in and proved Himself master and keeper of Job personally and of everything that happened in and around him.  In short, God proved Himself holy and loving Master of all of our lives.

6.) We are not judged in God's eyes by who we once were, nor even who we've now become.  We are considered by God as we WILL BE when He is finished with us.

7.) Sometimes the greatest enemy that God must suppress is us.

8.) Being still is an act of will; and grace.

9.) Thanking Him makes us thankful.

10.) There *IS* a void to be filled in my heart now.  May I fill it with God.  Lord, may I fill it only with You.

Clinging To The Cross

Note: Yesterday's sermon at church was called, 'The Message Of The Cross'.  I jotted down some thoughts about this.  I wish I were a bit better with music than I am, and I think I may have taken another liberty or two with terminology, but... We talked about old hymns and sang 'The Old Rugged Cross'.

I will cling to the cross

Whose mighty arms will lift me up

Whose rough-hewn skin

Willingly drank my bitter cup

I will cling to beams that sweated

Drops of precious blood

Who thirsted for water with parched lips

And to me gave a living flood

He forgave the unforgiveable

So that I would never forget

The terrible price that was paid

The life given without regret

Please

Note: I was reading a devotional and some reflections today from something a friend wrote about a year ago on and fasting.  She talks about Psalm 107:9 and how in fasting we empty ourselves in order to receive better things than what normally fills our mind... we gain the capacity to be filled with good things.  So... it got me thinking... Regardless of current circumstances, I want these things to be part of my constant prayer...

Fill me when I am lacking.  

Be my strength when I am weak.  

Help me to rest (in You) when the world around me is frantic; 

And to speak boldly when others are too afraid to defy the accepted norm.  

Protect me when I attack myself.  

Attack my self-defense of apathy.

Give me light when all I can see is darkness

Find me when I am lost

Guide me when I am directionless

Help me trust when all human hope is lost

Restore me when life only drains the life out of me

Quiet me when I am afraid

Help me to look up when I feel only like looking down

Help me to stand when all I want is to lay down (in defeat)

Help me to hear Your voice and quiet my own

See the victories and not the despair

Help me to see You as my victorious Savior

And not a vindictive judge

 Help me to know You Instead of question You

Help me to remember...

Beauty is not seen with the eyes

It is seen with the heart.

Won't Be Long

Note: This is actually a song in progress.  It makes more sense as a song given the rhythms and stuff.  But, as with most of my poetry, it doesn't have a totally consistent format, so... I don't know, maybe its better as just a poem.  Still working on it, but having some trouble now.  The first line I heard in my head for this was, 'I know the pain is strong, but it won't be long.'  THAT was to music.  So... we'll see what develops.  At least it has the comfort embedded right in it, unlike most of my poetry which doesn't mention it much - if at all.

 

There are several Biblical passages that this song is derived from.  I could list them all - and maybe will later.  But the primary one that its based off of is: 2 Cor. 4:17 

The psalmist said that it's a passing thing

This fallen world and all the tears it brings

It seems the darkness never goes away

We dream there just must be a better way

We see our sufferings with each light of day

The strong prevail, the innocent that pay

Are we doing something wrong?

Or is this the only song

Life plays?

We see a world that's constantly besieged

By monsters we ourselves released

We say our prayers in the light

But fight against them in the night

Lord help us fight hypocrisy

For its You that bleeds

Bring our nation to its knees

So we can truly see

CHORUS:

Its passing shadows ore' the moon

A moment in the night

But joy comes in the morning

Though I know the pain is strong

It won't be long

There will come a better day

Your glory outshines the stars

This world will pass away

But You'll remain

We'll forget the bitter stains