Archive for the ‘ Discouragement ’ Category

Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 04/19/2015

Cry out for wisdom, and get some help from Proverbial Thought.

Life can be hard. The Bible tells us it is the fault of humanity (Genesis 3, Romans 3) and promises it (John 16:33).

It is in John 16:33, and really all of John 14-17, we see the promise of the Holy Spirit and His peace:

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Life may be difficult, but all we need to do is rely on God. He has promised to help those who call on Him!

 

 

this life can be so hard

at times i am over whelmed

i find i want to cry

or that i might break down

my God

   my God

i feel ready to give up

my strength has all but left me

please take from me this cup

yet i implore You

do not let me control this

though life may be hard for me

i want the character of Jesus

O Lord

   O Father

grant some peace in this ordeal

my Daddy and my Lord

Your strength I need to feel

and though i want to quit

for my life feels too surreal

i will press on in Your Spirit

in Whom i am sealed

2015
04/19
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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 03/22/2015

Find the peace of wisdom and avoid the torment of foolishness, and get started with Proverbial Thought!

You might also think of this passage after reading the poem today:

What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Romans 7:7-25, ESV

It can be tormenting to live with such a dichotomy inside!

Yet, we know there is help!

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4: 4-7

Suddenly we find ourselves in this … peaceful torment … which leads to our hope:

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved.
Romans 8:22-24a

Praise His name!

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a peaceful torment

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my flesh and soul are at war within me
i cannot deal with it
although the Blood of Jesus set me free
this my flesh would omit
and though He has restored me completely
my flesh will not commit
yet that pushes me towards the Deity
to trust in the Spirit
and the anguish my spirit feels daily
is a peaceful torment
for with His Spirit working within me
His Peace helps deal with it

2015
03/22
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Let the Waters Rise …

In all things, seek the wisdom of God, and get started at Proverbial Thought!

I am a fan of Mikeschair, and I have posted about their music before over here.

When many preachers and teachers talk about God assisting people, they like using the stories of Jesus walking on water (John 6) and calming the sea (Matthew 8, Mark 4, Luke 8). These are stories that show God’s power and sovereignty over creation, therefore showing His power and sovereignty in your life.

One verse I have always enjoyed since reading it many years ago is Isaiah 43:1-3a (ESV):

But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
    he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

Knowing we have a Savior, One who can control our circumstances, who sees our brokenness, hurts, and fears, who saw our hopeless state of sin and rebellion against Him and sacrificed Himself for our forgiveness, we can follow Him in confidence and hope!

Let the Waters Rise – Mikeschair

Don’t know where to begin
It’s like my world’s caving in
And I try but I can’t control my fear
Where do I go from here?

Sometimes it’s so hard to pray
When You feel so far away
But I am willing to go
Where you want me to
God, I trust You

There’s a raging sea
Right in front of me
Wants to pull me in
Bring me to my knees
So let the waters rise
If You want them to
I will follow You
I will follow You
I will follow You

I will swim in the deep
‘Cuz You’ll be next to me
You’re in the eye of the storm
And the calm of the sea
You’re never out of reach

God, You know where I’ve been
You were there with me then
You were faithful before
You’ll be faithful again
I’m holding Your hand

There’s a raging sea
Right in front of me
Wants to pull me in
Bring me to my knees
So let the waters rise
If You want them to
I will follow You
I will follow You
I will follow You

God Your love is enough
You will pull me through
I’m holding onto You
God Your love is enough
I will follow You
I will follow You

Ohhh

There’s a raging sea
Right in front of me
Wants to pull me in
Bring me to my knees
So let the waters rise
If You want them to
I will follow You
I will follow You
I will follow You

Ohhh

2015
01/06
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When We Call, He Is Near

Find how close God is through His wisdom as discussed at Proverbial Thought.

This is a special reminder for all of us who are facing trials, confusion, and difficulties.

I will let God’s Word speak for itself:

“I called on your name, O Lord,
    from the depths of the pit;
you heard my plea, ‘Do not close
    your ear to my cry for help!’
You came near when I called on you;
    you said, ‘Do not fear!’

“You have taken up my cause, O Lord;
    you have redeemed my life.”
Lamentations 3:55-58, ESV

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
. . .
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 14:18-21, 27

2014
10/21
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Doctor Who and the Need for a Savior

Fill your need for wisdom, and go to Proverbial Thought!

This past Sunday I shared a poem about what people need. That was prepared before realizing I would be sharing today’s entry!

The eight season (series, for all of you BBC/British television/Whovian people out there) of the rebooted Doctor Who television show recently kicked off. This season began on August 23rd, setting some BBC America records, and that is compared to last November 23rd’s globally record-setting release of the 50th Anniversary Special, The Day of the Doctor.

There are a lot of people who really like Doctor Who, and, as a Whovian myself, I can understand the passion that goes into following this show.

I read an article recently titled, “Entertainment Geekly: ‘Doctor Who’ is the saddest show on television“. Here is a little excerpt:

One way of looking at this: The Doctor is friends with everybody! But another way of looking at this: The Doctor is never close with anybody. And even when he is close with someone, it won’t last. He’ll leave them behind, or they’ll leave him behind; or they’ll just get older, and he’ll grow a young man’s face. The Davies era immediately played up the Doctor’s loneliness by repositioning him as the Last of the Time Lords: No longer a plucky renegade from an elaborate culture, but rather, that culture’s last remaining memory.

Maybe “sad” is the wrong word for Doctor Who: It’s a show that takes tremendous joy in simple human connection, even as the modern iteration constantly futzes with those connections. (It’s never clear if the Doctor likes his Companions, or loves them, or if he just needs them to be in love with him.) . . .

The central tension of most action-thrillers derives from the fear that someone might die. But because the Doctor will never die, the central tension of Doctor Who is the utter certainty that things will definitely change. Every change is like death, but every change is also like birth. Doctor Who is never bleak—compared to our current apocalypse vogue, it looks positively chipper. . . .

The Doctor never gets to live a normal life, which is his tragedy. (Tune in to a new episode of Doctor Who, and remind yourself that soon–this year, next year, certainly the year after that–the Doctor and his closest friend will say goodbye.) But I also wonder if that’s why, the longer you watch Doctor Who, you find yourself relating less to the every people Companions and more to the Doctor. From our perspective, the world might change, but we always stay the same–as friends come and go, as we move from one place to another. It takes someone else to notice when we become a new person. Maybe that’s why the Doctor always seeks out new Companions: So that the man who never changes can change, over and over again.

It seems to me that Doctor Who is popular because of how it plays off of the loneliness so many people feel. It feeds into the need for hope all people have. Whether it is in relating to his companions or relating to the Doctor himself, people watch Doctor Who because of a need and a desire for a savior.

And it becomes sad when we realize that there is indeed a Savior who can fulfill all of our needs, but so many do not know about Him or ignore Him … or, worst of all, flat out deny Him.

All it takes is to seek God and the forgiveness offered through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Turn to me and be gracious to me,
    for I am lonely and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
    bring me out of my distresses.
Consider my affliction and my trouble,
    and forgive all my sins.
Psalm 25:16-18, ESV

2014
09/02
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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 07/06/2014

Do not torment your soul and get wisdom as expounded at Proverbial Thought!

I know this is the weekend of Independence Day here in the good ol US of A (Yep. I put the “of” in there!), but I am making my way through written poems from several years ago!

Also, I think the poem today is rather apropos.

On a weekend celebrating independence and freedom, this poem looks at the effect of taking our own independence of God (not bothering to have Him in our lives). It can be about a believer who loses his or her way or the lost soul of an unrepentant sinner wondering if there is something else out there.

When I wrote this, a friend of mine was going through a severe crisis of faith, and he started doing things he knew were stupid. And he suffered for it.

Do not turn away from God. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV) And, “admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” (v. 14)

As Red Green says, “Keep your stick on the ice.” And “Remember, I’m pullin’ for ya. We’re all in this together.”

___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___
the torment of a soul apart from God
___   ___   ___   ___   ___   ___
the torment of a soul apart from God
avoiding all that is holy and good
depriving itself of happiness
avoiding the things of holiness
knowing that life with Him frees
always staying just out of His reach
the torment that never goes away
though at times may ebb and sway
destroys the body and the mind
because it can never seem to find
a peace or a joy that can last
or a way to forget the past
the torment that that soul endures
chasing everything that is impure
trying to deny that God exists
and always willing to just persist
because of fears that love will reveal
the darkness that it always feels
the torment of a soul at the edge
like standing on the railing of a bridge
fear the only thing that is hindering
but unable to stop the wondering
if God could really love trash like this
if God   __   __   __   __   really is

2014
07/06
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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 06/22/2014

Give your weary mind some refreshing wisdom from Proverbial Thought!

Perhaps you are struggling through something.

Maybe you have lost a loved one.

Maybe you have suffered through addiction.

Maybe you have suffered through prolonged illness.

Maybe you have received the news of disease or illness.

Maybe you deal with bullying.

Maybe you come out of abuse.

Maybe you live with depression, fear, or hatred.

As trite and cliché as it may sound, Jesus is the truest answer and ultimate Healer for all that burdens our weary souls.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30, ESV

Healing may not come immediately. Physical healing may never come in this life. But trust in the life, death, and resurrection of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and you will find hope and peace. It may not come fully until the next life, but His resurrection proves His promises are true. We may suffer now, but we have the promise of eternal rest and peace.

 

as dawn breaks

on the weary soul

as dawn breaks on the weary soul

awakening the stillness of God

what the weary traveler has sown

will be reaped in the precious blood

as new light pours over this one

and eyes are opened for the first time

those eyes see the image of the Son

and see through the power of that Christ

as dawn illuminates this person

becoming more aware of deep filth

this weary one comes undone

and gives in to the Higher Will

as dawn breaks on the weary soul

and this weary one awakens to love

and realizes it is okay to let go

it is finally known that God is more than enough

2014
06/22
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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 06/01/2014

Find some good ole wisdom at Proverbial Thought!

I know many people going through various things in life at the moment. The poem today I wrote almost seven years ago for a friend going through some trials.

Perhaps, if you are going through something, you will be blessed by it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a prayer for my sister in Christ

 

Lord, i lift up my sister into Your hands!
Calm her spirit, clear her mind,
guide her steps, and lead her life!
Reveal your will and show your Face.
Cover my sister in your grace!
Thank You, our gracious Father,
for being our loving Savior!

2014
06/01
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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 03/23/2014

It is interesting that this poem came up this week, as my family and several friends’ families have been going through a lot of trauma. Surgeries, cancers, automobile issues, finance issues, and on and on.

A couple of times in my life I felt like God had almost abandoned me. Intellectually, I knew it was not true, but I felt empty and alone.

Perhaps you can understand what I am talking about. You just feel emotionally drained, like nothing fits and you cannot understand the most basic things in life.

That is where this poem arose. It was one of those days of just being done. Then God and I had a chat.

a dialogue with the Lord

Lord
do You really hear me
are You really moving
i cannot hear Your voice
i see almost nothing

     My Child
I am always listening.
I am waiting for You.
You have heard my call.
Just trust in My Truth.

Lord
You feel so distant
Your presence feels far
where are You O King
i want You to be my Lord

     My Child
I am never very far.
My Spirit is on the move.
Give up all You hold on to
And let Me come inside You.

2014
03/23
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When Life Roughs You Up

Why do you say, O Jacob,
    and speak, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
    and my right is disregarded by my God”?
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
    his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
    and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
    and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:27-31, ESV

I am not sure about the rest of you, but the last few weeks have been not the easiest.

We have heard of planes disappearing, countries invading each other and seceding from each other, and problems (still) in the Middle East.

My wife and I have had many car problems (all of which were fixed for around $40 thanks to a great and godly friend!), we have heard a friend’s mom may colon cancer (or just some big problems), and my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer.

There is a lot wrong with this world.

Yet I take stock in the promises of God, that, as quoted above, He is in control and does not grow weary or run away. He understands what is going on, and He is there to strengthen us in it all.

When we trust in Christ, the power that flows from the Cross through the Holy Spirit to the glory of the Father, we can live in His promises:

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:26-27

There are a lot of problems in this world, but our Lord is in control. We may not understand everything that is happening, and we many not like everything that is happening, but “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

2014
03/18
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