That has become one of my favorite sayings. It has helped me soooo much to keep my head on straight in the midst of the storms. ( Thanks Job ) So check this out. The last two weeks have been incredible. We have been taking care of Ruth Anns mom because she has something like 5 bulging discs and two broken vertabrae and we are haveing trouble adjusting her blood levels as her blood is either too thick, which could cause blood clots or too thin which could cause bleeding problems if she cuts herself. Dad has his hip surgery and just to keep things interesting he has a heart attack. In the middle of all that we find out Paul has to have sinus surgery at the end of the school year and 4 teeth pulled in July. A couple of days after the Virginia Tech ordeal some former students of my kids high school come in the building with the intent of killing one of the students. Thankfully another kid realized they didn't go to school there anymore and told a teacher. When the teacher approached them they ran out of the school and in doing so they dropped there knives. The police have caught up with them. There are other things I could add but to prevent my fingers from wearing out I won't mention them.
Now I realize that some of you are going through a lot more than I am but I thought I would just wright to give you an update and to encourage you with this thought. We can look at this and think the devil is attacking us really bad and give him honor by complaining about the grief we go through or we can look at this as an opportunity to really step into a deeper walk with God and receive all that He wants to give us. As I have read my Bible I have seen many things that looked really bad but God always had a plan for something good and for His Glory to be known. Remember in the book of Luke when ole Zach lost his voice. If that was me I would have been in a lot of trouble because us Kaspers love to talk. Going without a voice is not an option. God allowed him to lose his voice so God's Glory could be shown and known throughout the land. I'm finding my best results in warfare are when I totally give it to God. He is good at being God and He can handle it. So be encouraged that God's glory is going to be displayed throughout this earth and He knows the best ways to get it done.
We bless you today Lord in all that we go through, all that we say and all that we think and in all that we do.
You are all strong in the Lord and in the power of His might! This is a chance to let that strength arise and shine forth. Remember, in our weaknesses, His strength is made perfect. That sounds so wonderful, but sometimes it's a hard lesson. I'm still learning it. Yet God is faithful to bring us all through.
Thank you for this reminder! I often don't know what to say when friends ask, "How are things going today, Val?" While I openly share our requests for prayer, I don't want to burden them with our sometimes daily struggles, so I usually just say the usual..."Doin' good!". Now I have a much better, more honest, response..."I'm blessed to be challenged", with a smile! Love it! ~Val~
I guess we are Blessed to be Challenged. I think maybe we should just invited TROUBLE. Because without trouble we can't see the hand of God move in our lives. Next time someone asks me "How I'm doing"? Then I will surely say "Trouble is in my life and I'm loving it." Ha TAKE THAT DEVIL.!!!! I'll just be ready for more blessings. So without trouble then God can't move. That's my faith I guess. "Cast your cares upon the Lord" He takes care of his children. Thanks Anthony for that. Awesome. I have been through some struggles here lately too. I just had to laugh in the midst of them. You should try it. "Walk by Faith not by sight." In Jesus Name!!!
Thank you for sharing Anthony. ... I was thinking the other day about what I used to think was multi-tasking, compared to the level of multi-tasking that is going on now!! We are all growing. We have opportunities to walk in Him and see His strength. One hindrance is fear. As Pastor Donetta wrote in the Sunday bulletin how fear creeps in and distracts. I have had my eyes opened in some areas to how fear tries to come in saying that all won't work out. But God is bigger!! Blessings!
Anthony, one our way home from school today each of the kids were sharing their bad news. Jesse said to me "well I guess we all have bad news, lets call daddy to see what bad news he has." I quickly spoke up and said lets not think about bad news anymore lets focus on good news. All of our moods changed quickly. It's amazing what is good news! It can be something simple like "we got to sing on the stage today" or "our closet is clean". For me it is that God is still in controll even in the storm. Love you!
Anthony, Take Donetta's comment with a grain of salt. HER closet might be clean, but it's now in bags all over MY house! WAIT! That's a blessing in a trial.... IT WORKS!!! d.
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