i've never been in that situation myself.
i'd like to offer encouragement and say, "i feel you pain." but, i don't and i can't.
i wish i could take all, or at least some, of the burden--pain by proxy for those i love.
but, i can't.
all i can say is, "let me help you pick up the pieces."
God, this sucks. i didn't want them to make this choice. i wanted it to be a shining example of Your grace poured out on the fallen, restoring them to the place of trust and community. i didn't want them to be the statistic. i wanted them to be the exception.
i need Your help to know how to encourage without enabling. i need You to prompt me when i need to check in with them. i can't imagine the pain, so however i am able to bring healing, use me.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Psalm 35
enemies without cause (a phrase from Psalm 35:19)
sometimes it just seems that way.
for no reason whatsoever...
without provocation...
you feel like charlie brown and you just can't win.
there's no reason...
there's no logic...
there's no...cause
they are just enemies, and rightfully labeled "without cause".
it struck me this morning as i was reading this psalm with the staff that there really isn't anything to do about them except draw closer to the Lord. perhaps that's the point.
God created logic and order and balance in His world. He created reason, wisdom and intelligence. all of those brain-functions direct us to Him.
and yet, we see that even the things (or people) that don't use their brains should direct us to Him. despite the aggravation of it all, it's a win-win situation for you and your Maker.
when things go well, go well with Him; when things aren't going well, go well with Him.
when people build you up, be closer to Him; when people tear you down, you'll find Him there, too.
Lord Jesus, i still want You to get these crazies, these enemies without cause out of my life. they annoy me. but, through them, draw me to You. and, let me draw them to You on my way up.
sometimes it just seems that way.
for no reason whatsoever...
without provocation...
you feel like charlie brown and you just can't win.
there's no reason...
there's no logic...
there's no...cause
they are just enemies, and rightfully labeled "without cause".
it struck me this morning as i was reading this psalm with the staff that there really isn't anything to do about them except draw closer to the Lord. perhaps that's the point.
God created logic and order and balance in His world. He created reason, wisdom and intelligence. all of those brain-functions direct us to Him.
and yet, we see that even the things (or people) that don't use their brains should direct us to Him. despite the aggravation of it all, it's a win-win situation for you and your Maker.
when things go well, go well with Him; when things aren't going well, go well with Him.
when people build you up, be closer to Him; when people tear you down, you'll find Him there, too.
Lord Jesus, i still want You to get these crazies, these enemies without cause out of my life. they annoy me. but, through them, draw me to You. and, let me draw them to You on my way up.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36618238/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/
i'm really not sure how i feel about this. i see lots of angles and perspectives, but just can't see the righteous answer among them all.
i am struck by the words of the adoptive mother (with whom i can relate) that a man, who may be very different now than he was then, is being taken away from his family.
oh God, come back soon. i can't take many more stories like this.
i'm really not sure how i feel about this. i see lots of angles and perspectives, but just can't see the righteous answer among them all.
i am struck by the words of the adoptive mother (with whom i can relate) that a man, who may be very different now than he was then, is being taken away from his family.
oh God, come back soon. i can't take many more stories like this.
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