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There are no guarantees in this world... check that... the only guarantee is that God will never leave us or forsake us... even when - not if, when - it appears that He has, He hasn't.
A few quotes...
[The Furious Longing of God, Brennan Manning]
"Is your own personal prayer life characterized by the simplicity, childlike candor, boundless trust, and easy familiarity of a little one crawling up in Daddy's lap? An assured knowing that the daddy doesn't care if the child falls asleep, starts playing with toys, or even starts chatting with little friends, because daddy knows the child has essentially chosen to be with him for that moment? Is that the spirit of your interior prayer life?" (44)
[a simple prayer] "Abba, I belong to You." [a powerful transformation] "The greatest gift I've ever received in my life in Jesus is the Abba experience. I can only stutter and stammer about the life-changing power of the Abba encounter." (46-47)
17 comments:
Thank you for reminding me of the importance of child-like faith.
Lifting you and your family up in prayer!! There is such comfort in the promises of our almighty God!!
Lifting you and Nicol up to our Lord!
HI Greg,
I have been reading your blog because of Angies blog.
No, there are no guarantees except God's word!!
We will never know why or how God does and allows what he allows but I do know that he will use it in our lives to accomplish His purposes and for HIs glory!!
I was sexually abused by my father growing up and then went on to be raped by a good friend. I have had an abortion and a miscarriage, been divorced and suffered terribly from panic attacks.
I have spent the last 5 years working with children( ages 8-18) that are incarcerated in prison. I do a bible study with girls which 90% have been sexually abused. I never knew that when I volunteered one christmas to help serve Christmas dinner. I didn't know that I would fall in love with these girls that have suffered so much. Most are in the foster care system and most have been in over 50 homes. I never knew that I could love these girls with a love that could only come from God and from a place in me that knows their pain. God was preparing me for this ministry all those years ago.
I have 3 beautiful girls myself, 24, 21 and 14. I just found out the other day that my oldest had been raped in high school. I didn't think that I could cope knowing that infomation and the pain it brought up for me and the pain I felt for her. I do know that God will use that pain. I also know that God will take revenge and that I can TRUST him with that.
Not sure why I have told you all of this. Oh I should also tell you that I am from the UK and have lived in the USA since I was 19. All my family live in the UK. Noone of them knew the LORD. I came to know the Lord when I was 21. I forgave my Dad and told him about a Jesus that loves him and forgives him. My Dad and Mom and 13 family members now know the Lord. I left home and the UK because of the abuse. God had other plans. I have led hundreds of kids in the prison to the Lord. He is Good!! Trust Him and do not lean on your own understanding. He will make us spiritually stronger through the pain!!
God bless you and your wife.
Beverly, Florida
Thinking about you and praying for your family. Despite the deep heartache I can only imagine you are experiences, I pray that you are simultaneously experiencing peace as well. May you know God's mercy richly and abundantly in these days...
I can't share the reasons why, but I NEEDED to read this TODAY. Thank you, Greg. Again, I'm so sorry for your loss. I also pray that Nicol has a speedy recovery. P.S. Brennan Manning (along with Elisabeth Elliot) is my favorite writer. His "Ruthless Trust" - along with His Grace and Mercies - has gotten me through more than I ever imagined I'd survive.
Love and prayer to you all,
d.
Amen. Praying for your family.
Greg,
You and Nicol have been on my mind this past week. So when I read this week's chapter in my Bible study (Linda Dillow's "Calm My Anxious Heart") I thought of you both again.
She wrote: "Am I going to judge God by circumstances I can't understand or judge the circumstances in the light of the character of God?"I can't imagine the heartbreak you've both experienced this past year. I can only rest in the knowledge that God is good.
He can make beauty out of ashes.
beautiful reminder
I've been praying for you and your family for over a year. I've never commented because I can't seem to think of anything helpful to say. I just want you and Nicol to know that I think of y'all often and pray for your strength each time I do. Ironically, it's Nicol's music that has comforted me during my heartaches. I wish I had something to offer in return.
amen
Greg, Both you and Nicol are a light for Jesus! Thank you for sharing your life experiences and encouraging so many of us in our daily walks. Our prayers are still with you both now in your time of grief and for the future joys to come.
And in him is where we will find our comfort. Have a good day. Still praying for all of you. In God's Love, Sheila
Peace be with you all. Praying often.
Much grace and love to you-
Amber
I am so happy to see that YOU know He never leaves or forsakes us - even when it feels like it. I was a bit worried for you.
I know this may seem a bit odd to mention, but my son did a paper on Abraham Lincoln, and I got so into reading about him. One thing I did not know was how he and his wife lost several of their children. Reading about their pain and how he believed and trusted God through all of the pain and heartbreak made me think of you right now. Praying for you and Nicol - always.
Praying for your sweet family. I have been listening to Nicol sing Be Still My Soul daily - she has lifted me up so many times, helped me through my own grief, and kept my eyes focused on Our Father.
I know the hurt and the pain I know that because I also been there with you. When I am hurting I always but Music Selah on or Nicole Sponberg on. The music comforts me. I hope to make a difference for you and be there like you are there in Music. I have not seen you since almost 11 years now. I hoping to see Selah again!!
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