Wednesday, January 30, 2013

almost 4 years

Wow, it's been almost 4 years since my last blog entry!
April 7, 2009 to be exact. Apparently I'd typed up a draft around September of that year... the shell of which was pretty good but definately not yet perfected. I wonder what was going on then that I didn't return to finish it; doesn't much matter I suppose.
Anyway, I thought I'd throw the draft up here... no revisions... just to share. It's all about God's Faithfullness & Grace.
So much has happened since then. So much change. So much growth. God is SO Good!

draft from September 2009
Real HOPE comes w/experience of God’s ever faithful GRACE
Real Hope is strengthened with each & every trial we go through.

Back in 2002, I was suffering from postpartum & panic attacks, full blown, hyperventalating, ears ringing, heart pounding, world closing in, panic attacks. Tonight, as I was looking through old prayer notebooks, I came upon the following entries that I'd made – that was an absolute turning point for me...Listen to what it was about…

Today I am burdened by my sins of anger against my family. I found "Psalm 38, A Prayer for the Afflicted Sinner";  It speaks to my heart.
Psalm 38 says, 'My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. I am bowed down & brought very low; all day long I go about mourning....I am feeble; utterly crushed, I groan in anguish of heart. All my longings lie before you....Oh Lord, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God, Come quickly to help me, O Lord, my savior.'

6-8 hours later I made another entry...
James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so you may be mature and complete not lacking in anything."
God is SO patient, gracious, merciful!!
Lam 3:22-26 "…because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for him. The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."
Rom 5:1-5 …having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ… and not only that but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; perseverance, character and character, HOPE!!

Looking for an inspiring read? Try Hebrews 11!
This chapter is a list of our 'great cloud of witnesses who’ve gone before us' and how each of them were commended by God for their FAITH…
When you follow up this chapter with research of these amazing brothers & sisters lives; you can see God's AMAZING grace!