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'For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.'

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Anyone suffering in any way could easily take the Apostle to task over his choice of words here had he not listed his own trials in another place.

The words 'light affliction' just do not seem to be compatible! Any affliction that I have suffered has been anything but light. I have found it to be the most difficult times of my life. I felt not only troubled on every side, but also distressed, perplexed and also in despair, forsaken and almost destroyed.

There have been days when I felt that I was being tried beyond what I was able to bear. I coped because I had no choice! (I speak from reason!)

The truth of the matter is that God upheld me, though at the time I was not truly aware of it. I clung on when there was nothing to cling on to.

I hoped against hope for better days but they always remained a distant dream. I felt forsaken of God and felt that God was angry with me. I could not pray, I just uttered moans and groans.

I could in no way describe it as light! Some days the physical pain can take my breath away. I plead for grace and relief, yet my requests somehow melt unheeded and unanswered into the atmosphere.

Days seemed never ending. Life itself was miserable, not only for me but for those around me. My trials affected the ones I loved the most in this life because it left me cast down and paralysed in spirit. Pain it seemed was to be my constant companion and I found this frustrating beyond words. I still do!

Even when trials are over there may be times when we have been that deflated by them that we do not even realise that they are over. We may have anticipated an 'instant fix' to our problems.

We may expect a great light to dawn but often the thing that caused the problem is removed far from us –over a period of time - and we are left as a soldier in the middle of no man's land.

We ask, is this respite before the next wave comes or has it truly ended?

We even come to the conclusion that we will stay in this condition for the rest of our lives. We end up living in morbidity. Living a living nightmare. We cannot approach God for anything because in our minds we have already decided that He is not going to listen to us.

There is no point in praying because He is not going to answer. Have you been there?

These feeling can be very real and frightening to us and I believe they are generated in Hell itself. Satan does not want to see lively Christians. He will do all in his power to limit our effectiveness in this life and often he succeeds.

God however is in control and that is something that we must never forget.

He is the Captain of the ship upon which we sail. There is no point in us fretting about our journey as we do not have the skill or ability to steer the ship. The destination however remains the same for every Christian. That of Immanuel's Land.

The only way Paul could consider his afflictions as being light was as he balanced them while viewing the heavenly shore. Our life here is but for a short time. The number of breaths that we will take in this life are numbered. Even should we live to be a hundred, it will pass as a tail that is told.

Soon all our trials will be over. Our grieving will turn to joy, our tears will be wiped away by God Himself and our filthy rags will be replaced with garments of splendour.

No longer will there be days when we dread facing the world. There will be no night there, no darkness, no pain, no persecution, no fear and no more affliction.

How long will this experience last? For all eternity. An eternity in the company of the One we desire so often to see.

It is a good thing when we can manage to view the glory that awaits us. The troubles that affect us today will end. We will smile again, we will know great joy and we shall abide in the place where perfect love casts out fear.

'The troubles that afflict the just in number many be, but yet at length out of them all, the Lord doth set him free.'

Each day in this life we have a choice. Either to view our troubles and wallow in them or look beyond them to better days. The more time that our minds spend in the land of Beulah the lighter our affliction will seem.

May you be given a view of the 'things which are unseen' this day. May you spend this day in the company of the Man whose hands were pierced for your sin and for mine. I pray with all the love in my heart that you will know life more abundant this day and for ever.

Weeping may for a night endure, at morn doth joy arise.

LOL

Your brother in Christ

Iain

 :)Goodmorning everybody it is 9.50AM in Holland.
Thanks for your wonderfull words again Iain this
morning.
Pinkie thanks for your e-mail.
Sneek is in The North of the Netherlands in the province we are calling Friesland and i am living in Veendam also in the North of the Netherland in the
province Groningen. It is not so far From Veendam to
Sneek. When you are coming again in the North of the
Netherlands you are welcome.
Now i am coming back on the words from Jane monday
i have promissed it yesterday.
You have writen THE GREATEST OF THIS IS LOVE and that is true. In my room in hanging on the wall on a little tile this about Love in Dutch i try to translated it
what is standing on the little.
LOVE IS

PATIENT
FRIENDLY
NEVER JEALOUS
NEVER SHOW OF
IS NOT PROUD
OR HAUGHTY
NOT EGOSTICTIC
ROUGH OR RESENFUL
     TO 1 CORINTHIANS 13

But a lot of people in Holland are forgetten this
How is that in Canada or Americ?

Have a nice day God is with you  love Ria

 

yes Ria Many here have forgotten what love is here too.  The picture you sent I would like to scan and put in the pictures section, would you mind if I did this?

Well It is another Hot day here in the north.  I have a follow up Dr's. appointment with Melaura so I will be home late.  We are planning a swim when we do get home.

VBS is going well.  There are several girls in oour group that are not christians.  Pray for these girls that they open their hearts to Christ.

Melaura is a helper in the Kindergarden group.  She is having a problem with 2 children.  One is a members child who simply won't listen, the other is simply very hyper active.  Pray for her to have patience with these kids, and that she learns some coping skills from the teachers.

Well Bye for now,
JudyB

Good Lord's day to all.....
Mr Iaian.....thank you sooooo much for your devotional today....may God richly bless you for your wisdom in His Word....I cannot possibly know what you are going through brother....but I do pray that the Lord shows Himself to you more each passing day....as He did to Paul......grace and mercy to you brother.

Ria....bless you dear sweet sister.....

Judy.....vbs....what a blessing to be able to host this and watch what God can do to those who open themselves up to His leading.

well am off now....much to catch up on....
God bless you all and take care.
In His Grace..Paulette.

Good morning from the beautiful state of Tennessee.  Sorry I never got to post yesterday.  Seems like we were busy with many things.

Iiain, thank you for the thoughts this morning.  God has been so good to me through these 76 years there have been few times when I felt anything more that "light afflictions."  I certainly have not had trials similar to those of Paul.  There have been moments of discouragement and times when I thought I was going through trouble and situations I found difficult.  But as I look back they often were more in my mind rather than in reality.  A similar encouragement Paul gave in Romans Rom 8:18.  "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

Good to see Ria, Judy B., and Paulette this morning.  I hope you all have a good day.

--- Papa John              <)))><<

 

Hi everyone.

Iain, your devotional this morning brings to my mind a little lady I had the opportunity to visit quite a few times as a part of our tape ministry at our church.  She was bedfast from polio for many years but was such a beacon of Christ's love.  I never stopped to visit her but what she had a big smile on her face, even though her body was frail and twisted.  She gave to me much more than I ever did to her and yet she bore a terrible physical affliction.  I do hope your devotional thoughts this morning are not an indication that you are suffering great pain with your back or heart at this time, but it is obivous that you speak from experience.  

Carol, you mentioned missing a lot of the Billy Graham program.  I subscribe to their newsletter and after the Oklahoma Crusade they made the video of the services available via the Internet and I was able to watch the services and especially hear his sermons.  

Ria, so many people in America also do not exhibit love in their relationships with other people.  Our country seems to be getting less Christian day by day although there are many fine Christian people in this country.

Judyb, glad to hear that your Bible School is going so well.  It sounds like your daughter is having an interesting time with the unruly children.   Do hope it won't be as hot for John at work today.

It is good to see Paulette, Papa John, and everyone else posting.  With several folks gone we are having less postings but the fellowship remains strong.

It is another rainy day here in Georgia.  We had a brief shower as I was headed up to coffee and more rain is expected this afternoon.  The yard people were able to get the yard mowed here yesterday afternoon before we had a brief evening shower.  It still looks like spring grass in the yards as we have had so much rain.  We are going this evening to a dinner at friends in honor of our former associate pastor.  Then I will have choir following that.  Don't have much else planned for today.  

In looking at the hymns that Pat left for us and reading the following words, I felt this hymn was most appropriate in light of the devotional message this morning.  Yes, Jesus care!

Good Morning everyone. Thanks Iain for the devotional this morning. I read through it but with so much on my mind re; my finances, I can't remember what I have read. I will have to go back to it later when my mind is less overwhelmed or burdened whatever. Larry Yes Jesus cares, the song is so appropriate to me this morning. Jesus cares about our problems and I just have to remember that the Lord will provide for me my every need. The needs are so great right now and my mind is boggled So I will check in again later.

Thank you again, IAIN, for the very words I needed to read this morning.  Yesterday I received two pretty powerful blows to my financial security.  Or that is the first impact of the information.  One was from a phone call that told me my claim for the class action suit to replace the plumbing in my home has been denied!    They never notified me of this, and I have been checking the status online regularly since filing May2nd.  There is a 60 day deadline in which to make an appeal, so I have already passed that without even knowing I had been denied.    

The second major blow was a letter from the IRS saying I owe them $13,000 for my 2001 income taxes!    There is no way on this earth that I can ever come up with the finances to take care of these two problems.  

I wrote two letters -- to the Ombudsman of the company in Texas that is handling the class action suit, and to the Internal Revenue Service appeals court in California.  Then I leaned back and relaxed into my Father's arms.  He brought me to this place, gave me this home, has taken care of every need, why should I think He will forsake me now?  
There are several other things I "need" like firewood for the winter, repairs to both front and back porch (rotten boards need replacing), yard work, money for house and car insurance, as well as the need for new glasses.  But HE KNOWS THAT I HAVE NEED OF THESE THINGS ... He told me recently, when I was listing all my needs and the lack of funds, "But you don't need them today."  True.  Each day He is sustaining me and I can rejoice in that fact.  I don't know where the help will come from or how I will manage but I don't have to worry about it today.  And Jesus said "Don't worry about tomorrow either"  ..."  Matt. 6:25-34.

LARRY~That song is very appropriate to my situation at the moment.  I remember my mother singing it often.  Oh, YES, He cares!!

Good morning to you, RIA, JUDY B., and PAULETTE!  You are the "early risers" for us here on the west coast of America!

PAPA JOHN~ I always enjoy your words of wisdom.  Thank you.

Hi, MARILYN!  You came in while I had my head down composing     I trust you will have an awesome day!

Thank you, dear brother Iain, for sharing with us! Oh that our faith may be strengthened!  Oh that our Lord may make it very, very clear to us that "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning!"  And, while enduring the night of weeping, may we reflect Him Who brings the joy in the morning!  Oh Father, grant us to serve You even when the pain is intense, the strength low, the promise of results nil, and the discouragements many!  Oh show us Your glory, so that love for You may overcome all things earthly.  Amen oh Lord!

These thoughts bring my heart to Mr Jerry today.

MR JERRY - I Miss YOU
I pray you are more strong each day.

-------------------

It is wonderful to read all these thoughts today. You are wonderful friends.

You always hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck, gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time I've ever heard this twist on the story. Gives you something to think about.

Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home.  My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house.

The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live.  The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants.  Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely.

As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment.   Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him.        There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had  dropped, and a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny.  He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?

Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She causally mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value.  A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before!     What was the point of this?

"Look at it." He said. "Read what it says." She read the words "United States of America."

"No, not that; read further."

"One cent?" "No, keep reading."

"In God we Trust?"
"Yes!" "And?"
"And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by?  When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God;  that I do trust in Him.  For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me.  Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!

When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk.  I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, "In God We Trust," and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message.
It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful!

And, God is patient...

Have a blessed day!!

The best mathematical equation I have ever seen:
           1 cross
           3 nails
            --------
            4 given
That's the whole gospel message simply stated.

HALLELUJAH  HALLELUJAH
HALLELUJAH HALLELUJAH
HA...LE...LU...JAH

God is so AWESOME
I just got a phone call from the AARP office and they are going to keep me on full pay until they can place me in a job. Isn't that just totally awesome!!!!!!

I'm doing that Pentacostal Happydance to the Hallelujah chorus.

Bernard adn I had received that story about the penny a week or so ago.  Then, a day or two after that, we saw a penny lying on the floor of a restaurant.  We both grinned as he bent down to pick it up.

Hope none of ya'll have gotten "the worm."  The computers at work got it, and were shutting down every ten minutes or so on Monday.  I think they have fixed it, mostly.  Nothing malicious or damaging, just very annoying, at this point, I understand.

Glad to see you posting Ria.  Unfortunately, the definition of love is being rewritten universally I think.  

Jane Walker -- I am praying dearly for you.  These things never seem to happen at a good time.  I guess there is never a good time for them period.

I better scoot off to work, and get something productive done.  It is the end of the semester, so I have paperwork to do.

Take care, and I will check you laters!!!

Love
kamrat

PRAISE GOD, FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!!    Marilyn, I am joining you in the Pentecostal Happy Dance, and I know He will provide for Jane's and your needs!!  ALL of them!!  We do serve such an awesome God!

Ria, I am enjoying your postings so much, you are a blessing!

Paulette, good to see you here, as well.

Hello to Iain, Papa John, Al, Marilyn, Jane, Mieka, Karma, JudyB. and to Jen and Jeanne when you pop in later!

Jen, what's the news on Pat and Co. today??  I sure do miss them, and Etta Sue and Jerry!

YES Judy B YOU MAY PUT THE CARD
IN THE PICTURES SECTION THEN I ALSO CAN SEE THE CARD AGAIN LOVE AND GREETINGS ALSO FOR THE GIRLS bYE

Quote from: Marilyn on August 13, 2003, 01:40:49 PM
God is so AWESOME
I just got a phone call from the AARP office and they are going to keep me on full pay until they can place me in a job. Isn't that just totally awesome!!!!!!


Yes Marilyn, that is awesome!

Iain, I wanted to thank you for that Devotional today.  There is a young lady in our singles group who has epilepsy and she's been praying for her healing.  She has quite frequent and violent seizures and was even considered for an operation on her brain, but it was deemed inappropriate for her type of seizures.  So she is real discouraged now, because she was really hoping the surgery would help her.  They keep changing her medications to try to find some that work, and all of them have side effects.  Right now she is sleeping ALOT and I don't know if that is due to depression or the medication.  Anyway, I sent your devo to her.  Her name is Laura, if you would like to pray for her.  She has had much prayer already, but nothing seems to help.

Pinkie, yes the prayer does help.  We just don't always see how.  It may be that God is trying to show Laura, as He told Paul "My grace is sufficient for you."  

Yes, Jen - any more news from our travelers?  It already seems as though they've been gone almost forever.  

Marilyn, I am so happy for you and hope this will solve your current financial situation.  Now we will be expecting good news also related to Jane's problems.

Mieka, I hope we will be hearing from Jerry before too long.  I can't remember the date he was suppose to be able to come home but think it might have been today.  

I also hope that Pat has called back to Jen and she will let us know of their progress.  It would also be good to hear from Etta Sue and her sister.

VISITING DAY

He was looking forward to this moment all day long, after 6 days of
labor and it finally arrived - Visiting Day!

The man with the keys arrived to swing open the large, heavy doors. The
cold gray hall springs to life in the warm glow of light. He could
hardly control His emotions.

The families began to arrive. He peers from the corner of the room
longing for the 1st glimpse of His loved one. He lives for the weekends.
He lives for these visits.

As the cars arrive, He watches intently. Then, finally, they arrive, for
whom He would do anything. They embrace, eat a light lunch and reminisce
how things used to be.

At one point, they break into singing, with interruptions of laughter
and applause. But all too soon it is over. A tear comes to His eyes as
they depart.

Then the man with the keys closes the heavy doors. He hears the key turn
in the lock marking the end of a special day.  There He stands, alone
again.

He knows that most of His visitors will not contact Him again till next
week. As the last car pulls away from the parking lot, Jesus retreats
into loneliness as He waits until next Sunday - Visiting Day.

Is the time that we spend with Jesus an everyday thing, or do we just
visit Him on Sunday. Think about it ...

(I hope you like this one, too.  I did!)

Oh, Iain, thank you so very much for this devotional today! I fell down while walking my dog this morning, and hurt my back, Your message helped more than I can tell you! I do have a doctors appointment for Monday morning, but, with our Lords' help, I may be well by then! Marilyn, God is good all the time, and I'm am so happy for your good news! Ria, I love reading your posts, and, yes, you are so right, most folks are just not very loving anymore. We, in Gods' family, do love one another, and that helps keep all of us going. God bless you all today,
Love in Him,
Cami

Thanks for that, Janet.  I'm going to pass it along.

Cami, we will pray for your healing before the doctor's appointment.  Please be careful.  

Marilyn - I'm not even a pentacostal, but (if I could dance) I join you!  How long does that "reprieve" continue?

11.30p.m. Here.

I am so  very tired tonight but I did want to pop in  now that Virgin and Microsoft have dealt with the Serious worm....They say it would have destroyed my computer...a virus is a nuisance, a worm is very serious they tell me!  It certainly made a proper mess of things here and the lovely young men at Virgin.net were so busy all od the last two days.  It affected all Windows XP over here in England.....It took three goes to clear the thing out!.....Anyway I've downloaded the Special Software which my server (Virgin) advised........
They say it is Students that do these things, not Hackers.

Christopher still so poorly.  He's only taking liquids and small amounts of ice-cream.  It seems this is a long job.  He has to get a note from the doctor for next week as I certainly don't think he'll be back at work then. ....It's difficult to decide whether to call doctor out or not, will see how he is tomorrow.

Iain your words are so apt for me today...Everything seems to be mounting up and your words are encouraging. God bless you and strengthen you dear brother.

Marilyn I do praise God for His care of you. "You will never beg for bread".

My grandson returned home today.  He's 16 and old enough to be alone in the house legally.  His friend is with him tonight and the boy's family is across the road.

I don't know if the following news will amke you laugh or cry.......
My daughter texted my son on his mobile phone re her arrival at the chateau in France where they have gone with friends.  "It is the holiday from hell and wish we weren't here".
She has such a funny way of making the direst situation into a comedy.  She went on to describe the Beetles in all rooms.,  Moths the size of swallows.,
Woodworm everywhere., oh and the toilet..........well I won't describe that, but I will tell you they are now in a hotel instead!..........Hopefully going to Paris tomorrow!

JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING.....THANK-YOU HEAVENLY FATHER.  I will believe your promises.

IF GOD BE FOR US WHO CAN BE AGAINST US.

Good night dear brothers and sisters,
Love in Jesus'Name,
Jenny.

Al The reprieve goes on until they place  me in a job. I will be going to to the AARP office on Monday to do some things there. What? They haven't told me yet.

Jenny so glad you got your computer cleaned out from that virus. It has effected one of the computers at the library.

There ia a very nice German Shepard hanging out at Gilbert's house. It just came along and make herself at home, been there since yesterday morning. So this afternoon I put a bucket of water and some food out for her.  Sarah put up a sign in front of their house saying "Found Dog Is it yours?" If I didn't already have these two I would take care oif her until her owner finds her. But I can't pout her in the back yard with my two.

Hi, friends,

I'm in another frenzy of work at my job. I'll post more when there's more time. My graphics display problem at home continues, so any time I come to CP it takes more than an hour to refresh the screen continually to be able to read even the daily devotions and comments, not to mention more time if I read the prayer requests. Sometimes I read but don't post because it takes even more time with refreshing the screen to be able to even post a message.

Okay- whining is over for the day. Thanks for this good fellowship. I'll come in as often as possible, whether or not I have an opportunity to post.

And rest assured I pray for all requests.

Ruth Ann

I'm back!  My neighbor came over and fastened down the flapping piece of vinyl that was posing as a roof over my back porch.  He had an idea how to fix the rotten board in the porch floor, too.  That will be another day.  He only charged $5 for the work he did.  Sometimes I feel like my house is falling down around me but ... God takes care of me.  

Another really wonderful thing is that I had a phone call from my daughter Joy.  She is in Sacramento for the next week or so, before returning to Mexico.... AND Bryan is with her!   (He's my 17 yr old grandson who just finished basic training with the Army) He and I had a really nice phone visit.  He is doing what they call "hometown recruiting" until the 25th (that just means he wears his uniform around and goes into the recruiter's office a couple times a week) Then he will go to Fort Lewis, WA until January (when he'll be 18) and from there he'll go to Germany until April when he will go to Afghanistan.  The BIG news is that they are planning to come see me before the 25th when they'll all be scattering different ways.

Today was my Pastor Bev's third chemo treatment.  I know she will be at church this evening...and probably preach!  I'll give you all an update when I get home, okay?  I look forward to the day she will be totally free from any trace of cancer and there will be no more chemo.  God is able!

I need to check out a few things and then get ready for church so..... I'll talk to y'all later.

Well, gang, I will be seeing you again in a few days.

"May God keep watch between thee and me while we are absent one from the other."

Blessings to each of you.

Love,
Janet

Have I got a tale to tell!  

Two things have happened.  I will tell you the sad one first then the happey to lift the spirits.

Several months ago I gave my son my male cocker spaniel.  This was the second dog for him and was company for his sheppard Jeri.

Two weeks ago my son had a hard decision to make.  Jerri had massive bladder problems and constant ear infections. The vet bills were almost having him kicked out of his townhouse, and she was in enough pain that she could not handle having the boys near her.  She snapped at the boys. and was generally miserable.  Doug and Meg made the decision to put the dog down.  Tuesday night they brought Paddy here for the evening to romp in the bush, while they reshingled the office.  Late going home Meg went into the kitchen and saw 2 hotdogs in a pot so gave one to Paddy.  Then she gave him the second.  He took the hotdog and put it on the floor by Jerri's bed.  Paddy refused to eat it.  And they say dogs have no feelings!

Now the good happy news.

Two of my girls in VBS are French/English speaking and cannot read English at all.  They have made the decision to get mom's Bible and learn the Memory work in French.  There are 4 verses and they have to figure out what the reference is then learn the verses.  These are UNCHURCHED children and they seem to be clinging to me, which I find amazing in itself.  Pray for these girls and their mom whom I met today.  They are such sweeties.

Well another day is done.  There is a prayer song to that effect. Anyone know it ?  the first line is Day is done,  I would love to hear it again.

Night all
JudyB