In my latest blogs I have been writing about being broken. The ultimate example of suffering and being broken is recorded in Isaiah 53, the twenty fourth book in the Old Testament. Read chapter 53. I am going to quote verses 3-5 from the King James Bible:
3 “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief and we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.
4 Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted.
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.”
Christ, the Messiah, was BROKEN for my sins; He was bruised for our iniquities.
In the New Testament book of 2 Corinthians, verse 5:21, we are told that God made Jesus, the Christ who had no sin, to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. In God’s plan for my redemption, which is seen throughout the Bible, God’s Grace is sufficient in the life of a believer. I am not righteous. I could never do enough good or be good enough to deserve God’s mercy and forgiveness. Only God’s grace, His unmerited favor, makes me worthy and righteous. The promised Messiah, Jesus, is the only sinless, righteous person. As a believer, God sees me through my redeemer, my filter, Christ. He was broken, suffered, and died, so that you and I might live.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Breaking and Blessing
As I look back on life, I realize that people who have experienced brokenness and loss in their lives are more open to recognize the many blessings of life. As an Oncology Nurse for sixteen years, I witnessed the many stages of sufferings and trials in the lives of others; physical, mental, and spiritual. I have seen the process cancer patients go through as they face diagnosis, treatment, years of survival, and end of life situations. When lives are interrupted and broken, such as in the lives of cancer patients, individual mortality is faced and life’s values are prioritized. Most individuals and families come to recognize the important things in life and the things which are no longer important. The trivial concerns previously worried about are not an issue any more. Loved ones and small blessings become main concerns. Mortality, eternity, purpose, ultimate destiny, and God are questioned. The breaking of life, as it was known, produces an awareness of the blessings of life.
Human nature tends to take so much for granted. The more aware we become of our inadequacies, weaknesses, and inability to control circumstances, the more we look outside of ourselves for life’s answers. Many people never search and just hold on to their own logic and presumed self importance and strength; but God has promised that if we look for Him, we will find Him (Matthew 7:7).
God is able to bless us abundantly when we receive Him and appreciate even the small humble blessings which we have been given (Ephesians 3: 20). An example of a Blessing in which God took a small portion and turned it into a large portion is found in the story of the loaves and fishes in Matthew 14: 13-21. The little boy’s fishes and loaves were not enough, but Jesus performed a miraculous blessing by multiplying the food into more than enough to feed five thousand of His followers. Jesus did this so that the people who did not believe, would see, believe, and then go to tell others. For the disciples and already believing followers, the miracle increased their faith. When we begin with a small amount and we truly believe for God to answer our prayers, His Blessings and answered prayer will increase our faith and cause those who are watching our witness to believe. Our need could be material or spiritual. When we pray, believing, He will supply our needs according to His riches in Glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4: 19).
Have you ever been broken? There are many ways to experience brokenness. A home can be broken. A heart can be broken. Hopes and dreams can be broken. When we face any loss in our lives, we feel broken. A loss can be that of a job, a relationship, finances, health, or the life of a loved one. No one escapes facing one or more of these situations in life’s journey. Read the books of Job and Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament. When one is going through a time of pain, trial, or suffering it seems as if no one understands or knows the same pain. King Solomon in Ecclesiastes states that “everything is meaningless” under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1: 3 and 4, says “What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever”. Verse 10 says, “What has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”. The book of Ecclesiastes can be very depressing but it shows us the reality that others have been, or will be in the future, where we are in our pain. Misery wants to be understood. During my personal time of suffering I found out that only God truly knew the depth of my pain. He was walking with me and I would continue to walk with Him just like Job did. Now, thirty years since the death of two of my children, I realize that holding on to God and the promises in his Word have brought me into a faith which I would never have known if I hadn’t had to walk through my suffering and brokenness. God multiplies the blessings in our lives through the process of breaking.
God does permit times of brokenness in each of our lives. During these periods we must reflect on our present situation, make the choice to overcome our trial, hold on to God, and move forward physically and spiritually in life. I have a sincere appreciation for all of the blessings which God has given to Richard and me. I remained thankful during my times of loss and lack so that God could bless me with more than enough. I will continue to live with an attitude of gratitude. The Kingdom of God is NOW and I live in His presence. I live in expectation of that which He still has planned for my life as I travel my earthly journey and know that I will spend eternity with Him and my loved ones. 1 John 5: 13 gives me that assurance. I know God as my Father. I hope that if you don’t have a personal relationship with Him, my testimony and writings will introduce Him to you. I hope you check out some of the Bible books and passages which I have noted so you can see for yourself the things which God, through His Word, has taught me.
Human nature tends to take so much for granted. The more aware we become of our inadequacies, weaknesses, and inability to control circumstances, the more we look outside of ourselves for life’s answers. Many people never search and just hold on to their own logic and presumed self importance and strength; but God has promised that if we look for Him, we will find Him (Matthew 7:7).
God is able to bless us abundantly when we receive Him and appreciate even the small humble blessings which we have been given (Ephesians 3: 20). An example of a Blessing in which God took a small portion and turned it into a large portion is found in the story of the loaves and fishes in Matthew 14: 13-21. The little boy’s fishes and loaves were not enough, but Jesus performed a miraculous blessing by multiplying the food into more than enough to feed five thousand of His followers. Jesus did this so that the people who did not believe, would see, believe, and then go to tell others. For the disciples and already believing followers, the miracle increased their faith. When we begin with a small amount and we truly believe for God to answer our prayers, His Blessings and answered prayer will increase our faith and cause those who are watching our witness to believe. Our need could be material or spiritual. When we pray, believing, He will supply our needs according to His riches in Glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4: 19).
Have you ever been broken? There are many ways to experience brokenness. A home can be broken. A heart can be broken. Hopes and dreams can be broken. When we face any loss in our lives, we feel broken. A loss can be that of a job, a relationship, finances, health, or the life of a loved one. No one escapes facing one or more of these situations in life’s journey. Read the books of Job and Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament. When one is going through a time of pain, trial, or suffering it seems as if no one understands or knows the same pain. King Solomon in Ecclesiastes states that “everything is meaningless” under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1: 3 and 4, says “What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever”. Verse 10 says, “What has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”. The book of Ecclesiastes can be very depressing but it shows us the reality that others have been, or will be in the future, where we are in our pain. Misery wants to be understood. During my personal time of suffering I found out that only God truly knew the depth of my pain. He was walking with me and I would continue to walk with Him just like Job did. Now, thirty years since the death of two of my children, I realize that holding on to God and the promises in his Word have brought me into a faith which I would never have known if I hadn’t had to walk through my suffering and brokenness. God multiplies the blessings in our lives through the process of breaking.
God does permit times of brokenness in each of our lives. During these periods we must reflect on our present situation, make the choice to overcome our trial, hold on to God, and move forward physically and spiritually in life. I have a sincere appreciation for all of the blessings which God has given to Richard and me. I remained thankful during my times of loss and lack so that God could bless me with more than enough. I will continue to live with an attitude of gratitude. The Kingdom of God is NOW and I live in His presence. I live in expectation of that which He still has planned for my life as I travel my earthly journey and know that I will spend eternity with Him and my loved ones. 1 John 5: 13 gives me that assurance. I know God as my Father. I hope that if you don’t have a personal relationship with Him, my testimony and writings will introduce Him to you. I hope you check out some of the Bible books and passages which I have noted so you can see for yourself the things which God, through His Word, has taught me.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Broken
2012 has been a slow starting year for my blog, annasfaith.blogspot.com. I continue to feed my spirit but haven’t given enough time to writing, journaling, and reflecting.
At present I am tired and weary but I do know that when I am weak I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). I am holding on to that promise.
We have been in the Florida Keys since January. Richard and I have been enjoying our little piece of paradise on Long Key in the Florida Keys. We have many friends here and keep busy with community and church fellowships and activities. We have had visitors from New York and Oklahoma.
We recently renovated our attached apartment and now it is ready to be used for guests. We love to share our tropical, peaceful, casual, and unhurried life here with our family and friends. Though barely used, the first thing that broke in the apartment was the heating element in the microwave. Then the flat screen television, purchased a little more than a year ago, decided to show ghost like images instead of a clear picture. At about the same time we noticed a flat front tire on our Jetta. It was caused by a leaking air valve and was easily repaired. All of these material things are fixable or replaceable. Then the worst break of all; my husband broke! On March 11th, Richie fell and broke the Tibia and Fibula in his right leg. After a late dinner, Richie went to walk our Black Lab, Molly. We had just experienced a heavy, but short, Florida down pour. His crocks were very worn and did not have any tread left. He fell at the foot of the staircase due to the combination of wet slippery pavement, Molly pulling on her leash, and inadequate shoe traction.
It has been a trial for both of us. Richie had to have a rod surgically placed into his right tibia and was in Homestead Hospital for five days. He developed pneumonia after the anesthesia and twice had to have Doppler studies to rule out a clot. He has been on a blood thinner and the sonograms were negative. He cannot weight bare for six weeks so is captive to a wheel chair and walker. He is slowly graduating to crutches. I remained at his side in the hospital because Homestead is almost two hours away from Long Key. I cat napped in a lounge chair each night. When he arrived home from the hospital, the Layton Paramedics had to carry him by ambulance chair up our flight of stairs. Initially he was in much pain and had an enormous amount of swelling. Each day we see improvement. Our doctor’s visits are in Homestead. The paramedics carry him down the steps and I drive him to Homestead in the Jetta. After the most recent trip to the doctor, Richie was able to get up the two steps into the downstairs apartment using crutches. This eliminates the need to call the paramedics to get him up and down the staircase for each appointment. He will start physical therapy this week. His next doctor’s visit is the day after Easter and then we plan to drive back to Pennsylvania a few days after that. Christa’s first baby is due at the end of April and we want to be there for her, Kris, and our new grand baby. I plan to do much of the driving and we will take as much time as is necessary for the thirteen hundred and fifty mile trip. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
We are trying not to focus on the obstacles which we are facing daily. We are taking one step at a time, one day at a time. We are envisioning the ultimate outcome of restoration and the healing of Richie’s right lower leg. Richie has been given wisdom and will not do anything to compromise the result. We are in prayer and are reading God’s healing scriptures and promises. He has slowed us down and He has our attention. God allows trials to enter our lives but we know that “when we are weak, He is strong” and “many are the afflictions of the righteous”. We are focusing on our Heavenly Father. As we learn to trust Him in our daily decisions, and experience his healing power, He grows and perfects our faith. The victory is ours, in Christ. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). We believe for complete healing of the bone even though we cannot see it now. But without faith it is impossible to please God, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
We pray that the Lord will touch Richie’s broken limb and our lives with His healing power and healing presence. We will continue to search for an increased depth to our faith as He heals what is broken in our spirits and in our bodies. Thank You Lord!!
At present I am tired and weary but I do know that when I am weak I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). I am holding on to that promise.
We have been in the Florida Keys since January. Richard and I have been enjoying our little piece of paradise on Long Key in the Florida Keys. We have many friends here and keep busy with community and church fellowships and activities. We have had visitors from New York and Oklahoma.
We recently renovated our attached apartment and now it is ready to be used for guests. We love to share our tropical, peaceful, casual, and unhurried life here with our family and friends. Though barely used, the first thing that broke in the apartment was the heating element in the microwave. Then the flat screen television, purchased a little more than a year ago, decided to show ghost like images instead of a clear picture. At about the same time we noticed a flat front tire on our Jetta. It was caused by a leaking air valve and was easily repaired. All of these material things are fixable or replaceable. Then the worst break of all; my husband broke! On March 11th, Richie fell and broke the Tibia and Fibula in his right leg. After a late dinner, Richie went to walk our Black Lab, Molly. We had just experienced a heavy, but short, Florida down pour. His crocks were very worn and did not have any tread left. He fell at the foot of the staircase due to the combination of wet slippery pavement, Molly pulling on her leash, and inadequate shoe traction.
It has been a trial for both of us. Richie had to have a rod surgically placed into his right tibia and was in Homestead Hospital for five days. He developed pneumonia after the anesthesia and twice had to have Doppler studies to rule out a clot. He has been on a blood thinner and the sonograms were negative. He cannot weight bare for six weeks so is captive to a wheel chair and walker. He is slowly graduating to crutches. I remained at his side in the hospital because Homestead is almost two hours away from Long Key. I cat napped in a lounge chair each night. When he arrived home from the hospital, the Layton Paramedics had to carry him by ambulance chair up our flight of stairs. Initially he was in much pain and had an enormous amount of swelling. Each day we see improvement. Our doctor’s visits are in Homestead. The paramedics carry him down the steps and I drive him to Homestead in the Jetta. After the most recent trip to the doctor, Richie was able to get up the two steps into the downstairs apartment using crutches. This eliminates the need to call the paramedics to get him up and down the staircase for each appointment. He will start physical therapy this week. His next doctor’s visit is the day after Easter and then we plan to drive back to Pennsylvania a few days after that. Christa’s first baby is due at the end of April and we want to be there for her, Kris, and our new grand baby. I plan to do much of the driving and we will take as much time as is necessary for the thirteen hundred and fifty mile trip. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
We are trying not to focus on the obstacles which we are facing daily. We are taking one step at a time, one day at a time. We are envisioning the ultimate outcome of restoration and the healing of Richie’s right lower leg. Richie has been given wisdom and will not do anything to compromise the result. We are in prayer and are reading God’s healing scriptures and promises. He has slowed us down and He has our attention. God allows trials to enter our lives but we know that “when we are weak, He is strong” and “many are the afflictions of the righteous”. We are focusing on our Heavenly Father. As we learn to trust Him in our daily decisions, and experience his healing power, He grows and perfects our faith. The victory is ours, in Christ. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). We believe for complete healing of the bone even though we cannot see it now. But without faith it is impossible to please God, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
We pray that the Lord will touch Richie’s broken limb and our lives with His healing power and healing presence. We will continue to search for an increased depth to our faith as He heals what is broken in our spirits and in our bodies. Thank You Lord!!
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