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Tag: Suffering

Am I Embracing The Weakness of My Humanity?

December 10, 2021
| 14 Comments
| Categories: Coaching Yourself, Jesus, Uncategorized

Exasperated with feeling weak and unsuccessful, I grumbled under my breath about the project I was working on. This project had called me to a vulnerable place. I had put myself “out there” and had utilized all my creative energy. I was spiritually, mentally, and physically depleted, but the project wasn’t.

My husband gently encouraged me to embrace my humanity and the weakness found in it. In my muttering tantrum, I didn’t initially want to consider that as a possibility.

I was forced to consider that encouragement over the…

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The Lord is at Hand

October 23, 2013
| 22 Comments
| Categories: Encouragement, Suffering

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Look at these two little stinkers.  They look like they’re up to something here don’t they?

We enjoyed a beautiful fall day on Sunday.  After church, we went apple picking and pumpkin grabbing.

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The kids wanted to go in the hay maze at the pumpkin farm.  Papa got them started but they ALL decided it was too big and too dark.

As he walked to the car to get a flashlight, a woman consoled him in that her seventeen year old son was too afraid…

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Beyond the Nativity, A Four Week Devotional on the Incarnation, Week 3: The Manifestation, Day 4: Suffering and Death

December 13, 2012
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| Categories: Beyond the Nativity: A 4 Week Devotional on the Incarnation

Honthorst, Gerrit van, Adoration of the Child, c. 1620

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Luke 22:41-44

“41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

Matthew 26:67-68

“67 Then they spit in his face…

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New Eyes from Suffering

September 26, 2012
| 9 Comments
| Categories: Suffering

Just a couple of years ago a friend of mine lost her husband unexpectedly.   My husband drove us to the memorial – a short drive across a short town – not a lot of time to prepare words.  I had only seen her a few times since returning to my hometown.  I spent the night at her house once or twice in middle school  We laughed as we spied on her sister kissing her boyfriend in the driveway.  I remembered that silly youthful moment as we pulled into the funeral home.  Who was I to now approach her in her deepest sorrow…the loss…

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Hero from the Past to Ponder for the Weekend: John Bunyan

September 21, 2012
| No Comments
| Categories: Suffering

What is it about the gospel of grace that can make me endure better?  Is anyone else out there challenged in their endurance levels?  Physically I can go…push myself to get it done.  But I’m talking about how I respond to challenging emotional situations.  These days that mostly plays out in how I respond to disappointment throughout the day.  A temper tantrum on top of trying to keep up with homeschool on top of one crying for attention on top of all kinds of other needs and duties.  Just the simple but overwhelming challenges…

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