Tag: Psalms

Write It On My Heart

When You Hurt

YOU’RE HUMAN. YOU BEG, YOU CRY, YOU PLEAD WITH GOD FOR RELIEF. Yes, you are flesh and blood and that’s why you hurt. Did you know that you are allowed to question? Go ahead, talk to Him. Ask Him. He wants to hear from you. I did. Oh my goodness! Waywayway down deep in my soul somewhere, He spoke. I had two kids who needed food; had no money, nothing! Our duplex rent was only paid until the end of the month and then we would be homeless. I applied for unemployment and the bureaucrat said, “No.”  I can’t describe the laceration of soul that Satan superimposed on me.  I could almost hear the demons of hell laughing, tantalizing me, making fun. It was more like toxic poison injected into the veins of my heart. Perhaps you have been there.  On Wednesday the banker for the church called me to meet with him and a client. The client owned 78 Skilled Nursing Facilities plus-plus-plus. The story is too long to detail here. The Lord God of Heaven opened the door. I became this very wealthy man’s executive assistant!

“In this world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” – Jesus

John 16:33

“I praise God for his word. I trust God, so I am not afraid.”

Psalms 56:4

 

🎼🎶

“No one understands like Jesus;

He’s a Friend beyond compare.

Meet Him at the throne of mercy;

He is waiting for you there.

“No one understands like Jesus

When the days are dark and grim.

No one is so near, so dear as Jesus;

Cast Your every care on Him.

“No understands like Jesus;

Every woe He sees and feels.

Tenderly He whispers comfort,

And the broken heart He heals.

“No one understands like Jesus

When the foes of life assail.

You should never be discouraged;

Jesus cares and will not fail.”

(John W. Peterson)

Write It On My Heart

LOSING SOMEONE

LOSING SOMEONE FOREVER – MAKES NO DIFFERENCE IF IT IS BY DEATH OR DIVORCE – IS A HEART RENDING EXPERIENCE.  THE HURT IS ALWAYS THERE.  I think it was in 1935 when a Rabbi by the name of Harold Kushner wrote his book.  For many years, I misunderstood the title.   I thought it was “WHY Bad Things Happen To Good People.”  The correct title is “WHEN Bad Things Happen To Good People.”

Too often we misunderstand what God’s role is in the grand scheme of human existence.  There is nothing in the Bible (with proper understanding) that promises absolute, 100% camouflage in all circumstances. Jesus, God in the flesh said, “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

Matthew 5:45 (niv)

Cherry picking a verse of the Bible here and there without context may leave the impression that good people will never have problems; never suffer.  Even Jesus suffered.  The Apostle Peter was crucified upside down.  Saint Paul suffered as few have and St. John was banned to the Island of Patmos.  Please carefully read the following :

“People who do what is right may have many problems, but the LORD will solve them all.”

Psalms 34:19 (ncv)

It may be that, as Elkhart Tolle wrote in A NEW EARTH:

“SUFFERING has a noble purpose: the evolution of consciousness and the burning up of the ego.”

“These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.”

Isaiah 66:2 (niv)

“So don’t worry, because I am with you. Don’t be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and will help you; I will support you with my right hand that saves you.”

Isaiah 41:10 (ncv)

THROUGH FAITH THERE IS PEACE AND STRENGTH IN THE MIDST OF DESPAIR!

Where is your faith?  It may help to read Hebrews 11 again.

Write It On My Heart

SCARED MELANCHOLY

SCRIPTURE

A CHRISTIAN LADY SAID, “WOW! WHAT WAS THAT? All of a sudden for no rhyme or reason, a distressed feeling came over me; a despondent, disconsolate, doleful feeling of fright and dejection, an awful down in the dumps feeling.”

Is she needing professional counseling?  Did this strange feeling of scared melancholy arise out of physical distress, maybe mental, emotional suffering?  Is there no one to help her?  I care, but I was a pastor of a church. Is there anyone out there to care?  It still begs an answer to her why!

Is it a learned helplessness in her part?

Psychology Today magazine quotes Thomas Plante: “The American Psychological Association’s yearly Stress in America study found that stress levels have never been higher, with most people pointing to the state of our national politics being the cause of their stress; it ranked higher than personal work and family troubles.  Extreme divisiveness, incivility, verbal aggression, and so forth seem to get worse by the day.  Worries about the future of our nation and society is on the minds of all. While anxiety and stress is commonplace, perhaps despondency is now setting in.”

Continuing Plante’s thoughts, he suggests a few things:

•Connect with others of like mind and do something, anything, for positive change.

•Embrace the notion that you can work to change what you can control and accept what you just can’t control.

•Reflect upon and evaluate your own values and ethical principles carefully and be sure to express them in civil ways to others.

•Minimize media exposure and inflammatory news that tends to escalate problems and worries.

•Be sure to spend time in relaxing activities such as being in nature, getting away from computer and smart phone screens, and engaging in healthy activities such as exercise and spending time with friends. [And stay away from Facebook!]

•Engage in satisfying service and volunteer activities where you feel that you might be able to make a difference in the lives of others.

•If you are spiritually or religiously engaged, increase your involvement with your spiritual/religious tradition and community.

•Get professional help if your stress doesn’t get better.  You can start with the Help Center at the American Psychological Association if you aren’t sure what direction to go to get assistance.

So, what do you think? What can you do to cope?

(Copyright 2018, Thomas G. Plante, PhD)

It is interesting that Plante suggests engaging with your spiritual community. The Psalmist encourages God’s people –

“Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God – soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God!

“I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.”

Psalms 120:1 (nlt)

“The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.”

Psalms 121:7-8 (nlt)  🎼🎶🎹

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,

And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;

Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

(Charles Gabriel)

Write It On My Heart

PRAYER

“I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. By your mighty power you rescue those who seek refuge from their enemies. Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.”

Psalms 17:6-8 (nlt)

MAMA AND DADDY DIDN’T SPEND TIME WITH EACH OTHER ALL THE TIME.  Maybe that’s why we had a happy home. Both of them spent time alone … and with the Lord.

Early, early in the morning, Daddy could be found in his big chair with his Bible and a pen. Then he would get up and turn around.  Kneeling before God, heaven came down and glory filled his soul.

Mama was a rather quiet, sweet lady. She would “sneak” into the front bedroom; the one with the plastic on the love seat and bed (no one ever went in there but Mama).  Oh how she prayed; just she and the Lord. God talked to her and answered her prayers.

🎼🎶🎹

“There is a place of quiet rest,

near to the heart of God,

a place where sin cannot molest,

near to the heart of God.

“O Jesus, blest Redeemer,

sent from the heart of God,

hold us, who wait before thee,

near to the heart of God.”

(Cleland Boyd McAfee)

Write It On My Heart

Jesus Didn’t Beat-Up On People Forcing Them To Follow Him

He was friendly, loving and a perfect gentleman showing us who God is and what he is like.  He was likable and fun.  Even children wanted to be around Him!

“The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.”
Psalms 145:8

“Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Accept my teachings and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your lives.”
Matthew 11:28-29

“Softly and tenderly
Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me.
See, on the portals
He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.
“Come home, come home.
Ye who are weary,
come home.
Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling, ‘O sinner, come home!”
(Will L. Thompson)