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| Alone this week, but not lonely.. |
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Well, Terry and the kids are off at Grace Bible Camp this week. I can only hope Bill and Vicki understand they are getting both of my kids at one time. To the uninitiated, they can be quiet scary. But Terry is there to help keep an eye on them and help out in the kitchen. Don't know which one scares me more....
But really, it is great that they have a place to go and have some fun in a christian atmosphere. Too many times we try to fit into a worldly place that does not share our values and wonder why it is stressful. I'll tell you a place I respect and shares the same values- Chik-fil-a.... Are you aware that not one of their restaurants is open on Sunday? And there is an open Bible in every one? I did a bit of looking and talking and it seems that the founder was a CHRISTIAN who felt that Sunday was a day of rest and to honor God. That tradition holds true today. I have never been in a Chik-fil-a that wasn't busy, so it doesn't seem to have hurt business too much. Plus, that have great food......
But I have had a lot of people who work with me ask me if I was lonely with my family off in Goshen. I said not really, as I enjoy some quiet time to myself on occasion. So as I was listening to one of the praise tapes that always seems to be playing in our van, I was suddenly aware of something in the song I was listening to. The song is "Praise His Name" and it talks about that no matter what is going on in your life, whether it is pain, brokenheartedness, depression, joy, happiness, no matter, if we will just lift our hands and say"Greater is He that is within me, He'll take the pain away." So true.. But the line that got me thinking was when she sang "you're not alone, so how can you be lonely?" I have thought about that a lot. We even touched on it in King's Couples on Wednesday night. In EVERYTHING we do, EVERYWHERE we go, even if we are alone, God is always with us. What a great comfort!!!!! It is a great thought, no, a great TRUTH, that God is always there for me whenever I need him, and all I have to do is call His name.
Terry can tell you it took her a lot of years to accept that I often find solace in being alone. It is not that I am unfriendly, unloving, or unsocial, but I have always found comfort in the time I spend alone, but not lonely. It is during these times when I talk to God. I don't use all the "thees" and "thous" that you hear a lot of in some people's prayers. It's just me and my God, one on one, in quiet reflection and praise.
So I say to you who are in any way feeling lonely, you are NOT alone. God is there.
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| To add a comment to "Alone this week, but not lonely.." |
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| June 18, 2007 |
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Joe, your blog is a reminder to me of why this web site is so important. It gives me "boosts" throughout the day, and serves as a reminder of what we often take for granted.
As a working woman, a wife, and the mother of 5 with 2 grandchildren, I do not always have the quiet time I crave because, even though I don't have my family with me all the time, it is hard to not have them in the front of my mind. I try to spend time with God early in the mornings, but I don't feel as though I get to devote the time He deserves and I need.
God is with us all the time and it is up to us to steal away every chance we can to enjoy fellowship with Him. |
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| June 18, 2007 |
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| Thanks Joe. Great blog, great truth, great God! I appreciate your reminder. Have a great week! |
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| June 18, 2007 |
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| What an awesome blog, Joe! Since I grew up an only child in a very quiet household and used to being alone....I still crave alone time. I love it when I'm in my house all alone or when I'm the only one still up late at night (always been a night owl). It not only gives me time to spend with God, but it also keeps me grounded and helps reduce stress. Thanks for reminding us that God is always there and that those who do feel lonely can take comfort in knowing that. |
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| June 19, 2007 |
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| Great Blog, Joe! I agree with you that quiet time is actually awesome...we can talk to God and truly be able to listen. Have a great week and enjoy the peace while you can! :) |
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