Traumatic Events Aside; My Faith Endured - Part 2

The most famous sufferer in all of biblical times was Job.

Before I studied the book of Job, I only knew that this simple, humble man had a really great life and then, seemingly from nowhere, horrible things started happening to him. What did he ever do to deserve such a life?

Job is a great book and if you’re looking for answers to questions such as:

·     

       Why is their evil in the world?

·      Why do pain, suffering and heartache exist?

·      Why do the righteous suffer?

·      How can the just nature of an almighty God be defended in the face of evil, especially human suffering – and even more particularly, the suffering of the innocent?

It’s not really known who wrote the book of Job, however scholars have speculated about many possible authors: Job, Elihu, Moses, Solomon, Isaiah, Hezekiah, or Baruch (the prophet Jeremiah’s friend)

The writer tells Job’s story in a way that lets us identify with his spiritual and philosophical struggles. The writer vividly illustrates the inadequacy of human logic to explain the reality and nature of evil in the world.

Job’s friends make profound statements – but they also make some classic errors in judgment.

Was Job being punished for not loving God enough? Was Job being punished for something his children did? Did God stop loving Job? Was Job being held up as an example for all people?

“Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant, Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” – Job 1:8

Satan taunted God, saying He put a hedge around him and his household and everything he had. That God blessed Job. He told God to stretch out His hand and take everything away, and then Job would curse God. Job 1:9-11

So God agreed. He had faith in Job. “The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Job 1:12

As a very young child in Sunday school, eager to learn all I could, it was difficult to grasp the concept of our Almighty God as a living breathing entity, and I only had a community-esque view of the basic parent/child relationship. But, I got this message through the cartoon images our Sunday school teacher used.

Job was a child of God.

So, as my Sunday school teacher revealed the rest of the story to me, I learned that Job wasn't really being punished at all, but was being tested to prove his faithfulness to his Father. God wanted to prove how faithful Job really was to Him.

God was showing off.

And, just like most children who don't understand what their parents are doing, Job was confused and didn't understand why God would do this to him. He was a good man. A God fearing man. A normal, everyday person who kept to himself and didn't make waves. And, although he had all that going for him, although he didn't deserve it, he was still handpicked by God to be tested like no man had ever been tested before.

Oh My God, he was tested. 




God loves us, but to teach us to trust Him, He gives us challenges to overcome.

Do you feel like you're being tested?

I have a theory. I truly believe Job and I were separated at birth.

Let me explain.... Did you ever do math word puzzles as a child? Do you remember one that went something like this? Jane and John are twins. Jane was born in 1970 and John was born in 1969. Explain how this could happen if they were born only six minutes apart. Of course the answer is that Jane was born on January 1, 1970, at three minutes after midnight, and John was born on December 31, 1969 at three minutes before midnight. Easy, right?

I'll discuss more in Part 3 about Job.

See Part 3

King David Series: Voice of Truth

While listening to Pandora yesterday, I heard a song by Casting Crowns, a contemporary Christian music group, singing "Voice of Truth."

Have you ever heard this song? Have you listened, truly listened to the lyrics?

Here is the video on YouTube of "Voice of Truth" by Casting Crowns










Here are the lyrics:

Oh what I would do to have

The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I’m in

Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone

To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is

And He’s holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me

Reminding me of all the times I’ve tried before and failed

The waves they keep on telling me

Time and time again, “Boy, you’ll never win!”

“You’ll never win”

CHORUS:

But the voice of truth tells me a different story

And the voice of truth says, “Do not be afraid!”

And the voice of truth says, “This is for My glory”

Out of all the voices calling out to me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh what I would do to have

The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant

With just a Sling and a stone

Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors

Shaking in their armor

Wishing they’d have had the strength to stand

But the giant’s calling out my name and he laughs at me

Reminding me of all the times I’ve tried before and failed

The giant keeps on telling me

Time and time again, “Boy, you’ll never win!”

“You’ll never win”

CHORUS:But the voice of truth tells me a different story

And the voice of truth says, “Do not be afraid!”

And the voice of truth says, “This is for My glory”

Out of all the voices calling out to me (Calling out to me)

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

But the stone was just the right size

To put the giant on the ground

And the waves they don’t seem so high

From on top of them looking down

I will soar with the wings of eagles

When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus

Singing over me

CHORUS:But the voice of truth tells me a different story

And the voice of truth says, “Do not be afraid!”

And the voice of truth says, “This is for My glory”

Out of all the voices calling out to me

I will choose to listen and believe

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

I will listen and believe

I will listen and believe the voice of truth

I will listen and believe

Because Jesus you are the voice of truth

And I will listen to you

You are…

Mark Hall, from Casting Crowns, does an interview on GodTube to talk about the story behind the inspiration for "Voice of Truth."

King David Series: The Boy After God's Heart

David's beginning starts with Ruth who married Boaz. Ruth was a trusting woman; advised by Naomi, her mother-in-law, whom she dearly loved.

Naomi trusted God. Even through all her tragedies, Naomi knew God would bring her great blessings. When Ruth married Boaz, then gave birth to a son, Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David, Naomi's life and legacy were significant. She lived in faithfulness to God, knowing that the significance of her life will extend beyond her lifetime. (Ruth Chapters 3-4)

David became her reward.

Israel demanded a king. Samuel, the prophet heard God and prepared Saul as Israel's first King. By anointing Saul, indicating that Saul was God's representative to the people. This special anointing oil was a mixture of olive oil, myrrh, and other expensive spices. It was poured the king's head to symbolize the presence and power of the Holy Spirit of God in his life. This anointing ceremony was to remind the king of his great responsibility  to lead his people by God's wisdom and not his own. (1 Samuel Chapters 8, 9, 10)

Saul presented the ideal visual image of a king, but the tendencies of his character often went contrary to God's commands for a king. Saul was God's chosen leader, but this did not mean he was capable of being king on his own.

Saul's greatest successes were when he obeyed God. His greatest failures were a result of disobeying God and acting on his own.

God loved His people, the Israelites. He granted their request for a king, but His commands and requirements remained the same. God was to be their true King and both Saul and the people were to be subject to His laws. No person is EVER exempt from God's laws. No human action is outside His jurisdiction. God is the true King of area of life. We must recognize His kingship and pattern our relationships, work life, and home life according to His principles.

God rejects Saul for his disobedience and rejects Saul as King. The Lord guides Samuel to a new leader. A new King. (1 Samuel Chapters 13, 14, 15)

In secret, God sends Samuel to Jesse of Bethlehem and his sons to consecrate themselves and sacrifice with him. Samuel knew he was there to choose the next king. Jesse paraded seven of his oldest sons before Samuel, but God did not choose any of them. (1 Samuel 16: 1-10)

Saul was tall and handsome; a very impressive looking man. Samuel may have been trying to find someone who look like Saul to be Israel's next King. But God warned Samuel against judging by appearance alone.

When people judge by outward appearance, they may overlook quality individuals who last the particular physical qualities society currently admires. Appearance doesn't reveal what people are really like or what their true value is.

Fortunately, God judges by faith and character, not appearances. And because only God can see on the inside, only he can accurately judge people. Most people spend hours each week maintaining their outward appearance; they should do even more to develop their inner character. While everyone sees your face, only you and God know what your heart really looks like.

What steps are you taking to improve your heart's attitude?

Samuel asked if Jesse had any other sons. Jesse replied that his youngest was in the fields tending the sheep. Samuel asked that this son be sent for and brought forth.

David appeared in glowing health, with a fine appearance and handsome features. God spoke to Samuel saying,"this is the one. Anoint him." (1 Samuel 16:11-12)

Samuel uses the horn of oil to anoint David in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. (1 Samuel 16:13)












While Saul was still King, God prepared David for his future responsibilities.

What are your first impressions of David?

• Shepherd
• Poet
• Giant-killer
• King
• Ancestor of Jesus

One of the greatest men in the Old Testament.

David also had failures:

• Betrayer
• Liar
• Adulter
• Murderer

However, above all else, David is known, respected, and admired, for his heart for God.

Acts 13:22 "God testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, he will do everyone I want him to do.'"

David, more than anything else, had an unchangeable belief in the faithful and forgiving nature of God. He was a man who lived with great zest. He sinned many times, but he was quick to confess his sins. His confessions were from the heart, and his repentance was genuine. David never took God's forgiveness lightly or His blessing for granted. In return, God never held back from David either His forgiveness or the consequences of his actions. David experienced the joy of forgiveness even when he had to suffer the consequences of his sins.

We tend to get these two reversed. Too often we would rather avoid the consequences than experience  forgiveness. Another big difference between us and David is that while he sinned greatly, he did not sin repeatedly. He learned from his mistakes because he accepted the suffering they brought. Often we don't seem to learn from our mistakes or the consequences that result from those mistakes.

What changes would it take for God to find this kind of obedience in you?

The King David Series continues. Up Next: David's Service to Saul.

New Series Coming Up. Subject is King David/Psalmist David

I am really excited about this new series I am researching and how I am going to put it together to share with you. I've been doing a lot of studying of King David, recently.













We all remember young David when he brought down the mighty Goliath, right?

Do you remember how David grew and became the most lauded man in his nation?

David was a KING! The highest position in the land. Yet, he was humbled when exiled, an outcast from his on people, from God.

Or so he thought.

We are going to start out with Psalm 42:5,6 learning about why David is so depressed and heartbroken.

David was taken from his home.

Why? Because Saul was hunting him and sent others to hunt David.

David was depressed because exiled from his city, he could no longer worship in the temple. And, during the God-given holidays, the Jewish nation was remembering all that God had done for them, but David could not be there.

So, we will study David's exile. His depression, and the facts that led up to his exile. We all know that David was a man that was of God's heart.  However, David did some things that didn't please God. We will discover what they were and what God did about that.

This is the perfect time of year to study David's actions and God's reactions. This is a time of Thanksgiving. And a time to be grateful. How did David come to be grateful for being an outcast?

We shall find out. Stick around and read more.

Have a Blessed Day!

Reflections of the Last Year and Preparing for the New Year

It's been one of those years. You know what I mean, where it seems like one thing after another occurs, and you just can't seem to catch your breath between incidents.

Let's recap 2015, physically and mentally. I started out the year with ECT treatments for medication resistant depression and then a psychiatric hospitalization.

Then, I had a series of low back pain injections, due to a continuing low back problem. I had a major fatigue illness that kept me from doing much of anything, including walking my dog for months. I even had a series of IV infusions that were supposed to help me regain my strength. That did help, after awhile.

I knew I couldn't keep up the rate of work I'd been doing before with running several businesses, giving writing workshops, participating on the Board of Directors for Florida Writers Association, blogging, editing and proofreading others work, and freelance writing. Along with taking classes to become certified to teach journal therapy, I was stretched mentally and physically. This could have led to the energy collapse.

So, I chose to concentrate on getting myself well. I resigned from the FWA board of directors, closed my businesses, and stopped freelance writing. I stopped taking journal therapy classes and the weight of it all felt great. I knew my priorities had changed and I now wanted to not only concentrate on getting myself well, but helping others in a more one on one capacity with their writing and with opening up about mental issues. I wanted and did become an advocate for Mental Health.

I even wrote a book titled, "Writing Heals" that gives others an opportunity to discover traumatic issues that had been holding them back, learning to accept them, cope with them, and using writing to overcome them and live a life of joy.

This gave me the strength I needed to schedule my yearly trip to see my kids and grandkids, without fear of flying or travel, or leaving my home. I'd become my own version of my book.

I did have a wonderful time visiting my kids and grandkids in Arizona. My husband even went, giving us some wonderful quality time with everyone.

Then, coming back, I got the news from my Optometrist that I needed immediate Cataract surgery, after a year's determination that my eyes had deteriorated to the point that corrective lenses were no longer available. Going through Cataract surgery for both eyes and then discovering that the healing process brought on Posterior Capsulotomy (a film grew over my new lenses, causing a cloudy view, blurring, halos, etc.) The eye surgeon, Dr. Newsom, said that it sometimes occurs in "younger" patients, when they heal too quickly. So, I then had to have 2 more procedures on my eyes,  to remove that issue.

In the mean time, I was having major GI issues, that ended up with me in the ER, then admitted into the hospital for a series of tests that resulted in a diagnosis of Colitis and Diverticulitis. The Colitis continues to flare up and is not under control yet. While I went through that, I had a black out while walking on the sidewalk behind my husband, that resulted in another trip to the ER to discover that there wasn't anything apparent to cause the blackout but resulted in various bumps, bruises, a chipped tooth, sprained wrist, and broken elbow.

Yay.

And, the year wasn't over yet. I couldn't keep the incidents straight, they were happening so fast. The next thing I know, I'm in the ER again, with muscle spasms in my low back, so severe I couldn't walk, stand, sit, nothing. The pain was so severe, I called my neighbor to take me to the hospital, where after seven hours they sent me home with medication for muscle spasms and pain and an order for a week of bed rest. This meant I was in bed through the week before and during Christmas. I couldn't even decorate for Christmas, which actually ended up as a good thing, which I'll describe below.

Some of the good things that resulted were helping my husband fulfill his life long dream of getting a pilot's license. He'd been a remote control airplane and helicopter enthusiast his entire life. He'd longed to actually fly airplanes, eventually flying helicopters. So, I decided to help my husband by putting all our efforts toward this goal, including giving up a lot of of our free time with him.

One of the best things that happened was in June, when I opened up to my husband, myself, and my doctors about a 50 year old secret that I'd been keeping. I had an eating disorder. A binge eating disorder. I started seeing a new therapist who brought old insecurities and past traumas to light that helped me understand that by keeping the secret I was actually harming myself more. By, facing it, facing old life traumas, and understanding guilt ridden ideologies, I actually found myself letting go of past control issues and taking charge of my life choices, I finally understood that no one had control of my food issues. Only I could make the choices that resulted in a new pattern of lifestyle thoughts and choices that made me feel better about myself and let go of the guilt I had for so long.

I was able to apply my faith and love of God and His word to help me get through. I was able to let go of the obsessive control I had let others have and discover that I could leave the stigma of weight and food to others and not let them affect me.

I now have a more positive attitude toward food, myself, health and now have an even healthier relationship with nutrition and my body.

I now know that weight loss does not equal healthy eating or recovering from Binge Eating Disorder, and being thin does not equal happiness or health.

I am taking it one day at a time.

Best of all, I've learned better coping skills for Bipolar Disorder, Social Anxiety, General Anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. Skills that don't require psychotropic medications. My psychiatrist was in full support and helped me drop one medication after another.

Because of this, I've found that after eighteen years in the same house, where at one time I was so agoraphobic I couldn't leave my own home, I'm ready to move onto a new path in my life. A life that surrounds my husband's desire to fly and live in a community further away from the city and has its own airport. So, we are. We are moving to a community with its own airport and each house has its own hanger for an airplane.

I'm not even freaking out about it. I think the move will be a wonderful way to start 2016.

Although, when my husband and I thought about moving from our current home, we thought we'd be downsizing and thinning out our possessions. This new home is bigger than the one we have, it's on more land, and if you add the hanger space, three car garage space, and home space, it's more than three times of living space than we have now.

So, that's been my life this past year. Good and bad. Each event led me to a revelation about myself and my life's priorities.

And, my first commitment to myself is to give myself permission to change the direction of the memoir I'd struggled to write for the past year or so, and write with a passion for helping others. That makes me very happy.

I'm also going to make a commitment to increase my physical activity, as the community we are moving to gives Jack (my American Eskimo dog) and me more areas to walk, without getting near a major road.

I'll continue my therapy work on Binge Eating Disorder, reinforcing new techniques to help me be more mindful of my eating habits and choices.

And, I'll work with other writers, giving them of my time and knowledge, to help them become the best writer they can be and help them achieve their writing goals.

I have a wedding to look forward to, as my son is getting married to the love of his life and that could mean more grandchildren on the horizon. (yay!)

Finally, I'll continue my work learning as much as I can about the Bible and Christian History so that I can not only answer my questions, but give me a further perspective about my relationship with God.

The best thing is, with my progress with Bipolar Disorder and other mental issues, I am going to help as a Mental Health Advocate by reducing stigma and increasing knowledge for those who want to learn.

That's it. That's been my 2015 life, and my feelings about my future for 2016. Am I going to make a resolution? Doubtful. I don't think they are necessary and I'd rather work on improving myself physically, emotionally, mentally, and personally with positive affirmations, thoughts, and actions.

I hope that you had an enlightened 2015 and that you can look forward to 2016 without making unnecessary or unachievable resolutions.

Be kind to yourself and to others. Follow Jesus' commandments to love God and one another.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things. -- Philippians 4:8

Turn your thoughts to positive things, as urged by Paul. Make a conscious effort to think gentler, more noble thoughts. Replace all of your bad thoughts with kinder, love-filled thoughts, reducing stress and increasing your peace. Before long, you'll re-train your brain to naturally turn to truth, purity and excellence.

Happy New Year!

Vicki

P.S. I hope you are enjoying my series on Mental Health. If you have any suggestions for a topic, please let me know.

The Greatest Book Ever Written - Guest Post

I'd like to introduce Jane True. A writer friend of mine who is my guest blogger. She wrote this piece and I felt compelled to post it on my blog. I hope you like it as much as I did.

Many a Christian has read the Bible from cover to cover, I’m not one of them, but am in the process of joining their ranks.

                  My Protestant Bible of choice is the King James Version. Modern translations are abundant, but in my opinion, pale in comparison to the beauty and majesty of the King James Version. Its unique Biblical English is almost a language unto itself and is derived from late sixteenth and early seventeenth  century  translators, more interested in being faithful to original manuscripts than in making their translations in the street language of the day.

                  Most reading programs suggest starting in the New Year, but I missed January by four months.  With May 1st as my start date I was already 120 days behind. If you factor in the fifteen minutes required reading each day and divide it by , oh never-mind, you do the math, it was a lot of catching up to the current date which I didn’t accomplish until the middle of July.

                  There are sixty-six books comprising the Old and New Testament. Interestingly we started at the third chapter of Ecclesiastes perhaps because it dealt with all the times to be born, die, plant, pull up, kill, heal, you get the point. I still question why King Solomon wrote such a mournful piece with all that God had given him.

                  I admit I am like a thirteen year old boy when it comes to the feats of Joshua, David and Daniel. Once I figured out David’s exploits were reiterated in the book of 1st Chronicles I could sit back and enjoy the read.

                  Of course that was before I delved into Ezekiel. 

                  The Bible is anything but boring. Bad guys, good guys, good guys gone bad. Promises man made to God, promises broken by man with disastrous results. Wives who dealt in subterfuge to push their sons and husbands ahead, a prostitute that saved the day, a racy love poem, and thank goodness in-between the respite of The Psalms and even they sometimes call out for vengeance.

                  That’s the Old Testament synopsis; the New Testament is new because it presents an avenue for a relationship with God as manifested through Jesus Christ. Using the Old Testament as a backdrop, the New Testament is a reminder of the futility, the impossibility, of pleasing God by man’s merits.

                  I’m glad I pledged to undertake the journey of studying this collection of books that embraces Spiritual enlightenment and marches through history by faith and by golly. This book spans the ages from the beginning of creation, the forming of the nation Israel, to the Son of God, Jesus, walking on this earth, and concluding with a tantalizing glimpse of the future, which is not the end but a new beginning.

                    No wonder it is heralded as the greatest book ever written.  

God Speaks Through Suffering

Suffering in our world began the day Eve took a bite of the apple the serpent Satan offered her in the Garden of Eden. It occurs everywhere and has for thousands of years. Wars, disasters, crimes, and even senseless accidents occur every day.

How we handle what happens to us when an awful event occurs speaks clearly about what we believe as a Christian.

There is a passage in the Bible, found in 1 Peter 4:13 "Be glad for the chance to suffer as Christ suffered. It will prepare you for even greater happiness when He makes His glorious return."

God knows about suffering. He suffered the greatest loss anyone could ever imagine. The loss of a son. His only son. And not in any needless unfortunate accident. But at his own volition. He chose to send His son down to earth, to become human, and to endure unspeakable acts of torture and brutality ending with losing his life on the cross.

If you can't imagine anyone understanding how you feel as you suffer, understand this: God knows. And, He suffers with you, as He suffers with ever single person. He feels each person's pain and knows how each person feels. He has a message for you: there is a better tomorrow. Peace, joy and happiness are right around the corner.

Suffering is helpful when:

• We turn to God for understanding, endurance, and deliverance
• We ask important questions we might not take time to think about in our normal routine
• We are prepared by it to identify with and comfort others who suffer
• We are open to being helped by others who are obeying God
• We are ready to learn from a trustworthy God
• We realize we can identify with what Christ suffered on the cross for us
• We are sensitized to the amount of suffering in the world

Suffering is harmful when:

• We become hardened and reject God
• We refuse to ask any questions and miss any lessons that might be good for us
• We allow it to make us self-centered and selfish
• We withdraw from the help others can give
• We reject the fact that God can bring good out of calamity
• We accuse God of being unjust and perhaps lead others to reject Him
• We refuse to be open to any changes in our lives

Christ's servants can find rest and refreshment in fellowship with Him even when their work is difficult and stressful as seen in Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Meditate on 1 Peter 4:1-2.  Physical suffering, harsh as it may be, can equip us with a new outlook on life. Things once thought insignificant take on new meaning; other things lose their value. We live for God and He watches over us and guides us by His will. "Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God."

God tells us to love one another and use whatever gift we have to serve others. Praise God always. Suffering as a Christian is inevitable. "However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name." 1 Peter 4:16

And I shall leave you with this final verse, "So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." 1 Peter 4:19